Eighth grade students at Raisin City Elementary School renovated the old school garden. Old planter boxes were replaced with new ones that the students and teachers built. Students planted corn, tomatoes, tulips, and strawberries in the planters. The project goals included having students complete different types of group building activities, working with their hands, measuring, and thinking of ideas to put together different aspects of the garden.
Students from the ROP Criminal Justice Course at Firebaugh High School had the opportunity of spending the week volunteering their time at local elementary schools during Drug Free Awareness Week. High school students shared information and awareness of the dangers of drugs. The students put together a number of activities and gave away prizes to the students throughout the district. They were able to learn that setting a good example for others is very important, and practicing what they preach should be an every day slogan for students.
Young preschoolers and transitional kindergarten students at Thomas Elementary are enjoying a new Listening Station in the classroom fully equipped with tables, chairs, headphones, and a cassette player. The students love listening to stories and turning the pages by themselves. The Listening Station has been a tremendous help to students with language development and is heard best when students are reading-along with a story!
The Math Stations project at West Park Elementary gave students access to iPads that allowed them to practice specific math skills using the IXL program. As a result, students had the ability to meet their learning objective, while the teacher had the opportunity to provide extra instructional support in a small-group setting.
Every day, educators work hard to close gaps between students with disabilities and their general education peers, one of which is the technology access gap. The Innovation Grant made it possible for students at West Fresno Middle School to access technology using Chromebooks to enhance their learning. This funded project has given students the opportunity to familiarize themselves with frequently used software systems and programs to make learning fun.
At Sierra High School students increase their familiarity with math technology using graphing calculators, improving their ability to complete large-scale real-world math problems. The graphing calculators can be used for interactive student projects that incorporate real world problem solving activities, technology, and reading/writing in mathematics.
Students at Clay Elementary engaged in scientific investigation and inquiry through the use of microscopes and modern day technology and equipment. The microscope labs introduced students to cell characteristics as they studied the human body. They dissected plants and insects, observed hair follicles, clothing fiber and fingerprint analysis. Students were also able to partake in a forensic lab where they worked together to identify and collect crime scene evidence.
The Innovation Grant afforded the keyboarding class at Washington Colony Elementary with a much needed update. They were able to purchase eight brand new keyboards and 11 pairs of headphones. This was enough to replace older keyboards and provide enough keyboards and headphones for every student in each class. With this classroom update, every student in third and fourth grade can learn to play the piano at Washington Colony.
Lab on the Go was a scientific learning experience for students at John Sutter Middle School using an Enviro LabDisc used to collect environmental data during outdoor labs. The GenSci disc, which focuses on general science data collection, was used to take speed readings and also to measure the temperatures given off in exothermic and endothermic reactions. The disc was also used to take measurements of current and voltage during a project where students constructed their own circuits to power windmills.
The Young Authors’ Academy at Jackson Elementary was a pilot after school program to teach advance writing skills. Students from second to fifth grades were selected to attend this writing workshop in the computer lab two days a week for 18 weeks. Using mentor texts, students wrote in a wide variety of genres: poetry, science fiction, astronaut biographies, opinion papers, paperbag scrapbooks, and space research. Students blossomed into writers working independently and collaboratively on writing assignments and improving their skills in each genre.
Fifth grade students at Pacific Union Elementary tracked weather patterns using a Weather Station mounted on the roof and Skymaster Weather Meters. Over several weeks, students observed dramatic and sudden changes in weather patterns and then graphed the temperatures, rainfall, and wind speed using their Chromebooks. Students learned specific details about weather patterns including wind velocity, air pressure, temperature and precipitation.
The HELP project at Sunset Elementary stands for Helping Everyone Problem Solve, a project designed to assist students resolve conflict with their peers in a healthy and respectful manner. The grant was used to purchase conflict related books and resources that served the HELP program. Paw Leaders, consisting of student body leadership, practice active listening skills to help students solve conflict. Possible resolutions are brainstormed and documented, and a final plan of action is documented with both parties agreeing and signing the plan.
The Visual and Performing Arts program at Big Creek Elementary purchased new equipment to improve the sound quality of student performances. The stage is used throughout the year for drama performances, the Christmas program, and the talent show. The new headset microphones have made such an enhancement to the program resulting in an increase of students participating in the drama elective.
Campus Graffiti Art was a year-long project at Pine Ridge Elementary that focused on decorating the campus with student created graffiti art. The project provided high-quality, comprehensive arts education that will help students flourish when their creativity drives learning. A coalition of the district, school and teaching staff worked to improve motivation, concentration, confidence and teamwork within students while creating the murals.
Integrating Technology in Mathematics was a project that increased access to technology for use with the mathematics curriculum in Sierra Unified. Students began using graphing calculators and they learned how to use Excel to create spreadsheets. They also used online programs and presentation software and equipment. Students were able to identify options, select appropriate tools, and use them to solve problems and present solutions.
The goal of 21st Century Classroom at Monroe Elementary was to increase student access to technology by purchasing devices for students to complete and submit homework online. The school purchased a set of 12 nobis tablets and students have been using them to utilize the school's Google apps licenses. The class is able to use google docs to modify, create, and collaborate on their site using their own unique Gmail accounts. They create documents to share with groups and partners to work simultaneously on a live document centered around the lesson or project being taught.
At Orange Center Elementary, the Exploring Microscopic Life project introduced students to the exploration of plant and animal cell characteristics, including those in water and the surrounding environment, through the use of a microscope. Students were able to analyze and identify the various structures of the various cells including unicellular and multicellular organisms. By understanding the composition of cells, students gained a better understanding of how they function in plants and animals and in the environment, which in turn impacts human life both directly and indirectly.
The Parent Literacy Development program in Mendota Unified provided parents of students with basic literacy skills to increase parental participation at home with school work. Parents were able to identify and match letter symbols to sounds, blend “CVC” words, write a complete sentence and be able to understand story grammar. These skills will not only help them support their children throughout their school years, but through building their own literacy, will also help them function well in society.