Grants in Action

Here are a few more stories about 2013 REF grants in Reading schools! To learn more or see a complete list of 2013 awards, click here.

Parker 6th Grade Art Class

Using iPad mini’s from a 2013 REF grant, Mrs. Davis’ art class created this stop motion video.  See below or view on youtube here.

Physics Lab Equipment for 11th Graders

Students have been working all year with new Vernier laboratory equipment to study and experiment with key concepts in physics. Made possible by a generous donation to REF by the Reading Co-operative Bank , students are able to work in collaboration to construct their own knowledge through experimentation. The students depicted here are investigating Acceleration and Changing velocity in Mr. Steve Cogger’s physics class. To see more photos, check out the principal’s blog.

Ukulele Lessons at Wood End & Birch Meadow Schools

2nd through 5th grade students in Ms. Melissa Steiger’s class are learning to play the Ukulele! REF awarded a grant to purchase 30 ukulele instruments for students to have the opportunity to study music,  participate in ensemble, and perform solo repertoire on a stringed instrument. Currently Reading schools has no string program, and this pilot is proving how much more our children can learn about music, even with a four-stringed instrument!

Ms. Steiger reports, “Students are learning about chords, song structure and musicianship while enjoying the fabulous Baritone ukuleles. These instruments have quicklly become a favorite activity in the music room. They are helping to prepare our students to be well rounded musicians!”

She adds that children who have not shown much interest in music in the past have become highly engaged, as playing a ukulele is more like playing a cool guitar…

Parker Piano Lab

6th and 7th graders in Mrs. Jennifer DiMuzio’s music classes are learning to play the piano! Using electric pianos obtained by a 2013 REF grant, these kids are learning about pitches, cords, and intervals in a creative and active way!