GRANTS IN ACTION

Offers data collection devices to help Middle School students more accurately collect data. The new devices can connect to probes used in Physical Science, Life Science and Earth Science classes.

"I led a Vernier LabQuest workshop for the science department teachers in January. The teachers got excited as they realized how easy these devices are to work with and how versatile. The teachers were immediately brainstorming applications. Since then eighth grade students have used the probes to collect temperature data for their atmosphere unit and the sixth grade students are using them in their electricity unit. The momentum has begun and our first experiences have all been positive and confirmed that this method of data collection will be both appealing and intuitive to our students. I am delighted."

Thomas Longnecker
Middle School Science Teacher

Equips a 6th grade science classroom with a set of voting eggs. Students are asked questions and respond with the voting egg technology, increasing student participation and giving the teacher a quick read on whether they understand what is being taught.

"The eggs provide students with an anonymous place to have a voice, to make mistakes without their peers knowing, and are an excellent way for teachers to collect hard data about student knowledge."

Kristin Dolcimascolo
Wayland Middle School Science Teacher

Creates an "instrument bank" by purchasing a variety of musical instruments to be used by elementary students who cannot afford them and for students who would like to switch their instrument.

"I just got some instruments and already have a student who is using one of the trombones and another who is using a French horn. I have students who are interested in using another French horn and an oboe. This has been wonderful for students who are interested in playing a musical instrument (or switching instruments) but did not feel like they could afford it. Thank you for the grant. It is greatly appreciated!"

Tristie Keenan
Elementary Band Director

Enables Wayland's beloved retired Classics teacher, Francis Smith, to return for a repeat High School performance/lecture on the concept of the hero in Classical Greek and Roman Literature.

"Francis Smith, former chairman of the Modern Language Department and classics teacher, returned to WHS where he taught for 39 years and delivered a highly engaging presentation on the heroes of Greek and Roman literature to an audience made up of four different classes."

Joe Auciello
Wayland High school English Department

Supplies innovative seating options for kindergarten children allowing them some degree of movement while doing group listening and working sessions. "Ball Chairs" have proven effective in helping young students move and learn in an appropriate manner.

"The ball chairs help children to pay attention at meetings and table activities. We have noticed that many kindergarteners, active by nature, are more involved in stories, open circle, and instruction when seated on a ball chair. They are able to move when seated on the chairs; this improves the children's attention and focus. The ball chairs also help all children become more involved in activities at tables, whether at a painting project, math game, writing or a science experiment. We presently have two ball chairs in our classroom. The children all get turns on these chairs. They are so popular that we help children take turns using them."

Annie Hale
Loker kindergarten teacher

Provides iPods for 3rd-5th grade students enabling them to listen to audio books and record their own stories. Students will develop greater reading fluency and comprehension, and will also become better writers as they create podcasts of their stories in Writing Workshop.

"The kids were excited that they have so many titles. The Rockstar (four pronged holder) allows multiple students to hear the books together on their ipods and then they can read along and discuss the book together. They also help with recording podcasts. The kids love the ipods for reading. They are fun to use because kids get to hear different voices acting out the characters in their books."

Miriam Morrison
Happy Hollow 4th Grade Teacher