Literacy + Math= Success- A Barbara Gall Fund for Language Arts Grant in the amount of $1034.13 was awarded to purchase developmentally appropriate books and early readers for the three kindergarten classrooms at Emmons Lake Elementary. These books will help to develop a more cross-curricular relationship between the language arts curriculum and math objectives. Kindergarten teacher, Melissa Van Gessel explains, “Some of the books will also be placed in our book in a bag library where children are able to take books home to practice skills. The math themed books will also allow for a child to be exposed to math concepts through reading.”
iPads in the Art Studio- Four iPads will be purchased for the art studio at Emmons Lake Elementary. Candi Price, Art Teacher, was awarded $1682 for her grant. The state of Michigan released new standards for the arts last year, which included the use of technology as a key component for learning in the arts. Creating a digital art studio would enable students at all grade levels to create art, learn about art, document art and record student learning. Candi explains in her grant application, “We have have an ongoing partnership with the Essential Bean Coffee House of Caledonia and Artsonia(an online digital art gallery) to display student artwork and will include these digital works in these displays throughout the school
Duncan Lake Middle School Book Club- Jennifer Slack, Middle School Teacher was awarded a $1000 Barbara Gall grant to purchase young adult literature for an after school book club. Students will read the same book together and discuss the literature of the book as well as the author’s craft, themes, connection to the world today. The novels will be chosen based on a high interest of students and will increase students’ reading levels.
Wide Format Scanner – Mike Cornell and the members of the Caledonia High School National Art Society applied for $3000 to purchase a wide format scanner that will be used to digitize artwork throughout the district. Scanning art reflects the artist’s intentions by accurately recording colors and textures better than a digital camera. The digital files can be printed on archival inks and papers to the various standard sizes for framing. The scanner will allow all types of media produced by K-12 art students to be shared in endless ways. Scanned artwork can be added to the Perpetual Art Gallery (student’s framed photographs displayed in local businesses) or Artsonia (a fundraising site where parents and friends can purchase student art printed on various gifts).
Supports for the Caledonia Augmentative and Alternative Communication Team - District Schools - $2107
These Barbara Gall grant funds purchased 2 iPads, an iPad Mini and software that will be used with ASD and non-verbal students to assist in improving communication using the touch screen. In order for alternative communication to be successful, an adult or peer should model using the method to communicate with the student. Thus the need for multiple iPads that will help determine the student's needs and assist in setting up a customized program for that student.
Language Links - Duncan Lake Early Childhood Center - $700
Language Link bags will be used to share ideas, strategies and teaching tools with families. Bags including games and activities as well as a picture book will be available for parents to check out to help target a skill area that is specific to their child. Teachers will provide instructions as well as additional fun and engaging strategies along with the bags to help improve speech and language skills
iPads in the Art Studio- Four iPads will be purchased for the art studio at Emmons Lake Elementary. Candi Price, Art Teacher, was awarded $1682 for her grant. The state of Michigan released new standards for the arts last year, which included the use of technology as a key component for learning in the arts. Creating a digital art studio would enable students at all grade levels to create art, learn about art, document art and record student learning. Candi explains in her grant application, “We have have an ongoing partnership with the Essential Bean Coffee House of Caledonia and Artsonia(an online digital art gallery) to display student artwork and will include these digital works in these displays throughout the school
Duncan Lake Middle School Book Club- Jennifer Slack, Middle School Teacher was awarded a $1000 Barbara Gall grant to purchase young adult literature for an after school book club. Students will read the same book together and discuss the literature of the book as well as the author’s craft, themes, connection to the world today. The novels will be chosen based on a high interest of students and will increase students’ reading levels.
Wide Format Scanner – Mike Cornell and the members of the Caledonia High School National Art Society applied for $3000 to purchase a wide format scanner that will be used to digitize artwork throughout the district. Scanning art reflects the artist’s intentions by accurately recording colors and textures better than a digital camera. The digital files can be printed on archival inks and papers to the various standard sizes for framing. The scanner will allow all types of media produced by K-12 art students to be shared in endless ways. Scanned artwork can be added to the Perpetual Art Gallery (student’s framed photographs displayed in local businesses) or Artsonia (a fundraising site where parents and friends can purchase student art printed on various gifts).
Supports for the Caledonia Augmentative and Alternative Communication Team - District Schools - $2107
These Barbara Gall grant funds purchased 2 iPads, an iPad Mini and software that will be used with ASD and non-verbal students to assist in improving communication using the touch screen. In order for alternative communication to be successful, an adult or peer should model using the method to communicate with the student. Thus the need for multiple iPads that will help determine the student's needs and assist in setting up a customized program for that student.
Language Links - Duncan Lake Early Childhood Center - $700
Language Link bags will be used to share ideas, strategies and teaching tools with families. Bags including games and activities as well as a picture book will be available for parents to check out to help target a skill area that is specific to their child. Teachers will provide instructions as well as additional fun and engaging strategies along with the bags to help improve speech and language skills
