iPads, interactive lessons, community service round out winning programs
The BOCES Mini Grant program, which offers monetary awards to cover the costs of staff-driven projects and initiatives, has announced its 2011-12 winners.
This round of winning projects will expose students to a variety of hands-on learning activities, from participation in community projects to learning with iPad apps, thanks to their winning Mini-grant applications.
A total of $5,110 was awarded to six different submissions, with the Special Education division represented in all but one project.
Each year, the BOCES Mini grant program awards staff applicants up to $1,000 each to carry out initiatives that benefit students in the classroom, enrich staff knowledge, increase productivity or demonstrate some other significant benefit to BOCES students and/or staff. BOCES staff are encouraged to apply each year for a mini grant that makes their "bright ideas" come to life.
"For the past seven years, the BOCES Mini grant program has been helping our staff members turn their bright ideas into beneficial programs for our students and staff," said Kathryn Gerbino, assistant district superintendent for instruction. "We're very much looking forward to seeing the newest batch of impressive programs come to fruition."
If you are interested in obtaining more information on the mini grants listed below, please contact the grant winner.
And the winners are...
Sensory Classroom
Sharon Swain, Special
Education
$420
The Sensory Classroom project will imbed sensory input into the overall classroom routine for the purpose of helping students with various cognitive levels to regulate their own sensory needs.
With iPad iCan!
Trisha Frament,
Special Education
$735
Many of the autistic students Trisha works with have a very difficult time demonstrating academic skills they possess using traditional teaching methods. It has been noted that with the use of technology and educational computer programs, they are able to show much higher levels of cognitive functioning. The use of an iPad would enable these students to perform at their academic level. Its portability would make it useful throughout the classroom, and in special area and mainstream classes. Therefore, the students would be able to participate simultaneously with their mainstream peers whenever possible.
Project G.I.V.E.
John Fitzpatrick,
Special Education
$960
This is a social emotional learning project aimed at providing after school extra-curricular service learning opportunities for a group of adolescents with mental health needs. The project will connect with groups in the Cohoes community, including the "Choose Cohoes" revitalization project, the city government, the Cohoes High School Community Services Club as well as other area projects in need of volunteers (e.g., nursing homes and the Ronald McDonald House). By participating in a variety of monthly service learning activities throughout the course of the school year, the students will develop a greater sense of self and community.
Reach For The Top With BrainPOP
Carol Green/Amanda
Drobysh, SSS-Instructional Services
$995
English as a Second Language students must quickly and productively bridge gaps in their knowledge and language proficiency to be successful on NYS assessments. BrainPOP is a website that provides animated, curriculum-based content in movies and coordinated activities that engage students in grades 4-12 and serve as an instructional tool for educators. Research shows BrainPOP can enhance learning and increase cognitive growth. Using BrainPOP's interactive lessons fulfills fundamental ESL needs: visual and audio input to support the learning of important concepts and essential vocabulary based on state standards in English, math, science, and social studies.
Making Music: A Project for Literacy Learning
Donna Lamkin, Special
Education
$1,000
This project integrates literacy and 21st century learning in a motivating, artistic package. Jack Zucchini, of the nationally-syndicated Zucchini Brothers radio show, would spend a day with students at Rotterdam Academy. Students explore the craft of songwriting by composing and recording a song that is uniquely their own, based on a theme or curriculum. Jack uses live recording “loop” technology, a 21st century live-performance art form, where groups of sounds are recorded to create spontaneous musical tracks to which the students and Jack perform. Students deepen their thinking about content, while writing for an authentic purpose.
iPad: Integrating Progressive Applications Daily
Gerene Lynn/James
Bailey, Special Education
$1,000
This project will give students at Forts Ferry Elementary School the opportunity to learn and communicate through the use of the iPad2, the newest innovative tool by Apple. The students who are visually impaired willl have the opportunity to use this tool positioned to allow maximum visibility. The touch screen is a great feature for students with limited movements. This will be an opportunity to pilot this innovative device with students with limited abilities and low vision. The students will be challenged to create and explore communication and respond to questions in new ways.
