Congratulations to Julie Tannehill (Mehlville School District), Joane Cash (Jefferson City PS), Kimberly Robison (Phelps County), Jennifer Chrane (Kearney R-1), Emily McVicker (Macon PS), Julie Schisler (Columbia PS), and Chelsea Clark (Adair County R-II) for winning $100 Classroom Grants from the Missouri State Teachers Foundation, awarded February 2021!
Julie Tannehill: ” When my students first come in the classroom every morning, they get to choose a morning rotation bin to work on. This includes a lot of STEM activities that require problem solving and collaborating with peers. This is a great way to foster positive peer interactions while teaching social emotional learning skills. I would like to use the money to purchase additional supplies for morning rotation bins.”
Joane Cash: “I would use the $100 to buy more graphic novels for my classroom library. I would like to promote the love of reading in my classroom. I noticed that many struggling readers really like graphic novels. In addition, those who have a strong dislike for reading do not seem to mind reading graphic novels. I want to create an literacy rich environment and providing more graphic novels will do so. By purchasing more graphic novels for my struggling and hesitant readers, it will encourage them to read more.”
Kimberly Robison: “Technology, my students love it! I am applying for funds to purchase a wireless mouse for every student to use with their Chromebook in the 4th grade classroom. I have noticed with the Chromebooks that some students have difficulty using the finger pad. I use a wireless mouse with my personal device and I know this would make it easier for them. The price range I am shopping in is $4.99 from Amazon to $7.94 from Walmart. This grant would pay for the majority of the cost and I will gladly cover the rest of the expense and the purchase of batteries for the benefit of my students.”
Jennifer Chrane: “My students have already explored the wonder of Osmo with coding, but now they would like to branch out into other areas as well. The Osmo Learning System is wonderful at using interactive technology to make learning come alive for students. I already have the Osmo bases and iPads that are required, so I will use this grant to purchase more interactive games like Detective Agency and Genius Numbers. I would love to provide these games for my students so they can develop their critical thinking skills!”
Emily McVicke: “We hear it often—how we want our students to be active in life and actively engaged in the classroom. And now, we also want them to socially distance which means less movement in our classrooms. Here is where my middle school students would greatly benefit from additional flexible seating options in my classroom. Ergo seats would allow contained movement. There are rave reviews from children who have used them, teachers see the benefits, and they are easy to clean!”
Julie Schisler: “In my classroom I use flexible seating options as all students work well in different types of seats. Usually I allow students to change their seating daily and throughout the day, but due to COVID they have to stay in the same spot each day and cannot switch seating. I would like to get a few more seating options for more students so that more of them can choose the same seating option. This will allow students to be comfortable and be more focused during the school day.”
Chelsea Clark: “I am the Supplemental Math and Science teacher for grades K-6. I would like to plan a Science Week for my elementary students towards the end of this year. I feel like Math and Reading are well represented throughout, and sometimes science gets pushed to the side due to time constraints. My goal is to excite students during this science week using hands on activities/experiments, real world application of science, and deepen educational understanding of several science subjects. The money from this grant would help buy materials for experiments, and safety supplies for the students. I would also like to use the money to provide resources on how students can do science at home. I think an at home connection to any school activity is important.”
Congratulations again, Julie T, Joane, Kimberly, Jennifer, Emily, Julie S, and Chelsea!
You can apply here for next month’s Missouri State Teachers Foundation Classroom Grant!