Innovative Teaching Grants 2007-08
Creativity, energy, initiative, and a commitment to enhancing student learning continue to prompt teachers and administrators throughout the district to conceptualize imaginative approaches to the curriculum....and to submit Innovative Teaching Grant proposals.
In November 2007, the Foundation approved a special $6,000 grant to fund school district costs associated with the district’s involvement in the New Orleans’ New Year Concert at the Hyatt Lost Pines Resort in late December. The event featured a student and community choral performance—“Land of Mercy, Land of Tears”—a musical work by Grammy-nominated composer Hannibal Lakumbe. The grant funded art and social studies projects assoicated with the “Mardi Gras Indians,” honoring the African Americans who befrieded and blended ritual celebations with Native American Indians during the 1700s and 1800s.
The Foundation also approved in December three additional grants, totalling $1,500, as follows:
“Brain Pop!” – Look for a lot of A-HA experiences at Bluebonnet Elementary as teachers Heather Wheeler and Tiffany Williams set about enriching the curriculum and reinforcing student learning with the campus-wide implementation of “BrainPOP,” a widely acclaimed Internet-based learning resource.
BrainPOP (www.brainpop.com) is a pioneer in the development and delivery of award-winning animated content to motivate children to learn. The online resources encompass virtually all elementary school subject areas—reading, math, science, language arts, social studies, technology, health, art and music—and are aligned with the Texas Educational Knowledge and Skills curriculum standards. Funded jointly by the campus and the Bastrop Education Foundation, this one-year subscription will be campus-wide and will include BrainPOP, Jr (content specifically for K through third grade) and BrainPOP Spanish (a version aimed at limited English language proficient students). BrainPOP consists of hundreds of high quality instructional videos (all are closed-caption) and are accompanied by interactive quizzes for assessment as well as enrichment materials, experiments and creative activities.
‘BMS-CSI’ – Eighth grade Science Comp classes at Bastrop Middle School will hone their observational and problem solving skills this spring in a “crime solving” unit developed by teacher Cristie Plummer. The unit is aligned with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) state curriculum standards and will explore the science of crime solving—evidence collecting, fiber analysis, fingerprinting, DNA analysis, cracked glass and bullet analysis, handwriting analysis, etc. As the unit unfolds, students will take a field trip to the Department of Public Safety Crime Lab during which they will receive information on skills, strategies and career opportunities in forensic science.
After the trip, students will complete several activities to reinforce information gained during the trip. One of these activities will be a mock crime, with the Bastrop Police Department assisting in developing the scenario and with school personnel volunteering as “suspects.” Students will be challenged to solve the crime by applying the techniques they have studied and the analytical skills they have developed. The Bastrop Education Foundation grant will fund the purchase of crime solver kits from the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame, necessary lab supplies, and the DPS field trip.
“Ready, Set, College Bound….” – Michele Tagliabue, Transition Specialist at Bastrop High School, has identified resources to strengthen her work in developing Individual Transition Plans for Special Education students as required by federal law. Ms. Tagliabue envisions providing comprehensive informational packets to students and their families as the students enter the ninth grade and again in the spring of the eleventh grade. The packets will contain detailed information regarding services, admissions information, and other materials that students with high incidence disabilities need to prepare for post-high school education, whether college, university or trade school.
Ms. Tagliabue has identified a wide range of materials, brochures, and booklets to include in these packets. While most are available without charge, three items deemed superior in providing essential information are only available for a fee. The Bastrop Education Foundation grant will fund purchasing a supply of these booklets for use in packets over time.