Grants in Action Spring 2016

Here are are some great stories about some of our grants from 2015.

Numeracy is the New Literacy: Elementary Math Teacher Training with Professor Mahesh Sharma

This past fall 30 math teachers across the district took part in a 2-day workshop to develop effective strategies that will ensure students master number concepts consistently, fluently and with understanding. The workshop focused on understanding how children learn mathematics, why learning problems occur, and how to help them learn mathematics better.

Teachers and administrators found it so valuable that the district has expanded its work with Professor Sharma so many more staff members at all grade levels will benefit. He has since worked in a select classrooms and gave a community presentation on “Prerequisites Skills and Mathematics Learning.” You can check out his handout here.

Below are what a few have to say about Professor Sharma’s work.

“Professor Sharma demystifies math instruction by showing how the development of numeracy parallels the development of literacy.  For example, he talks about a kindergarten student’s understanding of letters and the sounds the letters represent, and then discusses the importance of the corresponding concepts related to numbers. This information is critical for teachers to deliver quality math instruction, yet it is often absent from teacher training programs.  As a result, Professor Sharma’s ideas are essential in helping students reach high levels of academic achievement.”

“Mahesh Sharma’s workshop is one of the best professional development offerings we have experienced.  Staff feedback has been so positive, and we can already see how it will have a positive impact for our students.”

Coolidge’s Team Polaris learning about “Eating with a Social Conscience”

Students on Team Polaris at the Coolidge Middle School have been enjoying the unit “Eating with a Social Conscience”.  Students have read the book The Circuit: Stories from the Life of a Migrant Child by Francisco Jimenez and have been discussing the role the migrant worker has in the production of food. Students have also started seeds in the classrooms to be planted outdoors in the courtyard.  The team is investigating ways to build greenhouses to be placed in the courtyards to grow vegetables and flowers all year.  Using recycled soda bottles seems to be the answer! The program also includes a guest speaker (a parent) coming in to talk to us about HYDROPONICS.

Reading in the 21st Century: Coolidge 7th & 8th grade Teams using Subtext App on iPADs for Online Reading

REF bough several IPADs for 7th and 8th grade teams to facilitate the reading program at Coolidge Middle School.  The English department has used them extensively.  The Subtext app has allowed the team to monitor students’ reading comprehension by embedding questions in text that lets teachers see their students’ answers in real time.  Students read online text and use online tools such as highlighters to monitor their comprehension.  This practice is essential for them as they must read online for the new state assessments.

They have also been able to develop a more extensive independent reading program as a result of the grant.  Subtext also comes with Accelerated Reader.  It contains online quizzes for thousands of reading books.  Students are able to choose a quiz, take it and the teacher receives the grade.  This year, Team Polaris students alone have read close to 900 books because Accelerated Reader makes accountability for independent reading easier.

“The Coolidge ELA department is so grateful for your help and for improving the reading culture at our school.” – Laura Warren