Foundation Grants

For the 2008-2009 school year, third graders will each receive a blank book, from the BARE BOOKS Company. They will create an original story and illustrate the pages. The money funding this project comes from the "Jeannette's Story" Grant. For the 2007-2008 school year, I have been awarded two grants. One is called "Writing - Make It Authentic," and the other is "Audio Assistance and the Distractor Factor." So far this year, we have written to Mrs. Barnes, to a friend or relative and to our pen pals. We also sent thank-you notes to Petco and to Mark (the man in Farmersville who gave us the tadpoles). Our next writing will be to some 3rd graders at Prestonwood Baptist School. For the 2006-2007 school year, I received 2 grants from the Foundation for Allen Schools. One was called "Writing - Make It Real," and the emphasis was on real and relevant writing activities. The third graders were provided with postage, envelopes, pens, and all kinds of motivating activities! So far this year, we have written to Mrs. Barnes, to a friend or relative and to our pen pals. The other grant was called "A Jumpstart to Loving Literacy." These funds covered our transportation costs to visit the Allen Public Library. The importance of children visiting the library and self-selecting books is very great. Follow-up: On August 22nd, our class went to the Allen Public Library. We loaded the bus and arrived in no time flat! The learners were excited. We started off in the big room listening to Mrs. Marquis tell a couple stories. Following that, I gave a brief talk about the beautiful murals that grace the far wall in the children's section. Next, Mrs. Marquis gave a brief tour, explaining to the learners where books are located and general procedures for check-out. Everyone with a library card made book selections. We returned to Boyd! We have written letters to a relative, to Mrs. Barnes, a Marine in Iraq, and a few to our pen-pals. We love receiving mail back! During the 2005-2006 school year, we "Danced With The Text." What this means is that the students were "immersed" in some selected pieces of literature.They felt as though they knew everything about the stories. The components of the literature took on a special meaning. Areas we focused on: *Questioning *Making Connections (text-to-self, text-to-world, text-to-text) *Vocabulary *Plot Summary (Characters, Setting, Problem, Resolution, Conclusion) *Writing Tie-Ins These are the books I selected: The Legend of the Lady's Slipper by Kathi-Jo Wargin Ella Fitzgerald by Andrea Pinkney Nonna's Porch by Rita Gray Martin's Big Words by Doren Rappaport How Many Days to America? by Eve Bunting Sunshine Home by Eve Bunting Happy Birthday, America by Mary Pope Osborne Survivors (of the Titanic) by Caryn Jenner Night of the Gargoyles by Eve Bunting The Legend of the Loon by Kathi-Jo Wargin A Day's Work by Eve Bunting The Edmund Fitzgerald by Kathi-Jo Wargin Wingwalker by Rosemary Wells *Special thanks to the Foundation for Allen Schools. Other Grants I have Received: Dancing With the Text (2005-06) The TEKS Jump Into Jeopardy (2004-05) Philosopher Juniors Art Docent Juniors

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