EL DORADO – Thanks to the approval of the El Dorado Education Foundation board of directors and the investment from area contributors, nine EDEF teacher grants have been awarded for the fall 2016 semester, according to Lila Phillips, executive director of the EDEF.
Since 1997, a total of 242 proposals have been approved for El Dorado Public School teachers. Teacher grants are available for all core curriculum subjects in El Dorado public schools. Proposals are judged anonymously by a team from the School of Education at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia. Two grants also have been awarded from separate funding. In addition, periodically, EDEF and SAU host workshops in grant-writing for district school staff.
Tax-deductible donations are welcome for all present and future EDEF El Dorado Public School District projects. EDEF board members are: Claiborne Deming, president; Vice President Alice Mahony, vice president; Walter Compton, secretary; Charlie Thomas, treasurer and Elaine Deming, Elise Drake, Carol Felton, Knox White, Don Wales, Sherrel Johnson and Margy Niel.
EDEF Fall 2016 teacher grants include the following:
“Read for the Record VII.” Jeannie Strother – Hugh Goodwin Elementary School, Northwest Elementary School, Retta Brown Elementary School, Yocum Elementary School, plus Barton Junior High School and El Dorado High School. Approximately 1,155 kindergarten through fourth grade students, plus Barton and EHS students. Subject: Literacy. This project will join with millions of other children and adults through the national organization Jumpstart, to celebrate literacy by participating in the nation’s largest shared reading experience. Students in grades K-4 will meet together on Oct. 27, at the EHS Wildcat Arena. They will read aloud, along with Kim Jones of Direct Instruction, the book, “The Bear Ate Your Sandwich,” written by Julia Sarcone-Roach. Each student in grades K-2 will receive a copy of the book, while students in grades 3-4 will receive materials for participation. Additionally, students will see an interpretation from the EHS Drama Department, hear district band music and learn literacy cheers with cheerleaders. Art from schools also will be displayed. During the previous week, elementary classrooms will be encouraged to complete studies of the author. Students will read featured books, focusing on such skills as character analysis, plot, conflict, resolution and the sequencing of events. This project is part of a national campaign, in which millions set a world record for reading the same book on the same day and in the process, create public awareness of the importance of literacy in the lives of children. Separate funding.
“Keeping the Promise: Online Writing Partnership IV.” Jennifer Murphy – El Dorado High School. Approximately 96 10th graders. Subject: Literacy. EHS students will partner with cooperating university education students from Henderson State University to improve writing and communication skills so they will be better prepared for academic writing and communication requirements at the next level. University students will work to develop effective feedback to students, to develop effective teacher-student relationships and to develop effective technology use in the classroom. If possible, participating students will visit the university for final writing workshops and to gain on-site college experiences to prepare them for the El Dorado Promise. Separate Funding.
“Advancing Computer Coding and E-Textile in Middle School Classrooms.” Jigish Patel – Washington Middle School. Approximately 150 fifth graders. Subjects: math, science, computer science, career and technology. The first goal of this project is to provide students with exciting hands-on computer coding and programming learning, which will enable them to control robots and build E-textile projects. Secondly, students will develop soft skills, while working within groups, to solve problems and complete complex challenges. Lastly, this project will inspire students to consider pursuing careers in computer science and programming.
“Cool, Calm and Collected.” Jessica Moore – Yocum Elementary School. Open to school population of approximately 625 kindergarten through fourth-grade students. Subject: Counseling. Through the use of cool-down areas in classrooms, students will learn to self-regulate. This will increase instructional time. This project seeks to produce learners who are patient, self-aware and socially and emotionally competent. It will use research-based weekly lessons featuring modeling and role-play; to help young children focus and learn more easily, improving time on task. Appropriate measurements of these areas will be taken before and after the project is put into effect.
“Videography in the Middle School: Bringing Subjects and Skills Together.” Michael Herren – Washington Middle School. Approximately 56 sixth graders. Subjects: Maker Lab, English Language Arts (ELA), math and science. The major goal of this project is to teach students how to combine subjects and skills to develop finished products in the workplace. Specifically, this will introduce them to the film industry, which Arkansas is trying to attract to the state. This project will take students from scriptwriting (ELA) to storyboarding (art), to building props and models (math/engineering/science) and all the way to editing together a finished short film that they can show to the world.
“A Fine Art Fairy Tale.” Katie Harwell – Washington Middle School. Approximately 650 fifth and sixth grade students. Subjects: studio art, mini art, music production, mini music, drama and literacy. This project will provide art, music and drama departments with new ways to integrate literacy. Fine Art classes will work together to discover and present the Disney musical, “Beauty and the Beast, Jr.” The music production classes will focus on performing the musical, while studio art classes will plan and design sets and costumes. Art and music students will spend class time discovering the original French fairy tale, by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Baumont. Study of this text will not only introduce and explain the school’s spring play to students, but it will also help them master important literacy skills.
“Differentiated Kindergarten: Using Sensory Tables.” Amy Beasley – Yocum Elementary School. Approximately 160 kindergarteners. Subjects: Literacy and math. Sensory tables are a powerful tool – for differentiating instruction and for keeping valuable early childhood activities alive in the kindergarten classroom. By aligning sensory work with kindergarten literacy and math state standards, students will not only build academic skills, but also fine motor and social-emotional skills, all valuable for students to become more-proficient learners. Therefore, sensory tables will help to implement sensory work, differentiate instruction by changing components/choices in response to interests, learning profiles, and academic readiness and increase engagement with math and literacy skills.
“Wildcats Read – Books for Reluctant Readers.” Ashlie Odom – El Dorado High School. Approximately 120 ninth and 10th graders. Subject: English. The project will provide appropriately leveled and high-interest books (both fiction and nonfiction) to reluctant readers and students who need lower-level books. The high school currently requires each student to read one book (at the student’s reading level, as determined by the yearly STARR test) and pass an AR test per quarter. Reluctant and low readers have limited options and need appropriate selections. Funds will be used to purchase books to be located in the teacher’s classroom, so that students can choose those which will help them increase reading and comprehension. Students will be held accountable, with bi-monthly check-ins and quarterly book talks, culminating in AR tests over books chosen.
“EHS Enrichment Trip to See ‘The Crucible.’” Stephanie Fussell – El Dorado High School. Approximately 325 11th graders. Subjects: English, U.S. History, AP U.S. History and theater. EHS has long supported opportunities for students to gain exposure to the arts and the world beyond El Dorado. This past year, the 11th grade AP Language classes were able to attend the one-time SAU student production of “The Crucible” on campus. Due to funding, only AP students were able to attend at that time, but students still rave about how that experience made the curriculum come to life. This year, teachers hope to bring the entire 11th grade English classes to see this American play in a classic Arkansas venue: The Arkansas Repertory Theater in Little Rock. “The Rep” will be performing “The Crucible” in November and the production offers a student matinee performance. Without the financial support of EDEF, EHS would be unable to expose all 11th graders to this professionally produced, award-winning play.