2006/2007 NEF Fall Grant Awards
1. Mathematics Plus
Broadmeadow |
$1,500 |
| This grant proposes to develop a new curriculum for a before school math program for students who need additional remediation in math. SPED assistants will lead this program for students in grades 1-5 who have been recommended for participation. The purpose of the program is to offer additional practice and remediation to those students having difficulty with the grade level curriculum. |
2. Respect: A Suite of Dances
Mitchell |
$2,400 |
| Guest artists Nikki Hu (choreographer) and Guy Van Duser (composer), distinguished for designing dance and music programs that transform academic studies into artistic learning experiences, will work with Mitchell fourth and fifth graders. They will conduct an artist-in-residence program using music and dance to improve the social and emotional learning of the students with a focus on respect. |
3. Ride Into the Revolution: 1775 Immersion Curriculum
Mitchell |
$1,630 |
| As an enhancement to their study of the Revolutionary War, Mitchell fifth graders will use the historical resources of Boston to understand the American Revolution firsthand by traveling to key sites in Concord, Lexington and Boston. Teachers will receive additional training on these sites to augment their ability to teach their students about them. |
4. Underwater Discovery Mural Project
Mitchell |
$1,197 |
| The entire Mitchell Community will work together to create a permanent indoor mural to be painted on the wall behind the school’s salt water aquarium. Students will research the Great Barrier Reef, design the mural and draw and paint the final product. The mural project will make many interdisciplinary connections through the research students will do on land forms, environment, species interaction, diversity and community and will afford teachers opportunities to make connections to their own grade level curricula. |
5. Meet the Masters Curriculum
Mitchell |
$2,144 |
| This program, proposed for all Mitchell Kindergarten classes, introduces students to the lives and works of famous artists. The multidisciplinary curriculum integrates the study of art appreciation into the kindergarten curriculum by studying geography, art history and art concepts such as the function of line, color, shape and balance. The program concludes with a display of the children’s art work in a public space. |
6. Newman Rocks Around the World
Newman |
$3,500 |
| The grant proposes to create an evening of multi-cultural dance experiences for the Newman community. Newman has been committed, through its New Diversity Initiative, to increasing understanding and appreciation for differences across cultures and ages. This event will bring dance performers from four distinct cultures and a variety of multicultural foods to Newman for students and their families to explore. |
7. Origami: Where Math Goes 3-D
Newman |
$2,250 |
| This engaging and interactive hands-on math enrichment program will be presented by origami master Michael LaFosse, who teaches cross-disciplinary origami workshops combining the art of origami with a variety of curriculum areas. Third, fourth and fifth graders will be presented with grade appropriate workshops which tie into their particular math curriculum and offer them the opportunity to experience math from a new perspective. |
8. Mastering Basic Number Sense Concepts in Kindergarten
District/Elementary |
$3,500 |
| This pilot math program is designed to diagnose and remediate math learning difficulties in Kindergartners system wide. Teachers will receive the tools necessary for diagnosis, targeted activities for remediation, as well as training in how to properly use the materials so that they can identify children with these learning difficulties. Early identification and attention will address student issues before students move into more complex math content in upper grades. |
9. Bridge Building in the Classroom
Pollard |
$3,331 |
| This grant seeks to augment the new sixth grade science unit, “Bridges and Structures” by providing reusable kits which allow student teams to create bridge prototypes and replicas of real world bridges so that the students can investigate the load capacity of different style bridges and analyze the strength and stability of each bridge style. |
10. Archaeological Dig Site
Pollard |
$700 |
| The creation of an archaeological dig site at Pollard for two clusters in the sixth grade will allow students to experience hands-on learning. They will be able to make inferences, draw conclusions, and experience what archaeologists do during an excavation. The site connects directly to the state mandated Archaeology unit and will help students to understand the complexity of piecing together history. |
11. Pollard Cafeteria Composting Project
Pollard |
$3,500 |
| This school wide effort to compost food waste from the cafeteria is the next step in recycling for Pollard. All Pollard students will be educated on the benefits of composting and how to actively participate in composting their food scraps. Composting will become a civic responsibility and a learned habit. Students on the Pollard Environmental Action Team (PEAT) will take primary responsibility for the final steps of the composting process as well as for educating peers, faculty and community members as to the benefits of composting. |
12. Interactive Response System for the Classroom
Pollard |
$3,020 |
| This classroom interactive response system allows teachers to assess which students understand the material being taught. The system engages all students and assists the teacher by effectively checking for understanding in the moment. The primary focus of the system is to close the gap between higher achievers and lower achievers who are often lost among their peers because they do not respond to teacher prompts for fear of being singled out. The response system allows students to show their understanding or confusion privately without the knowledge of their classmates. By immediately identifying students who might need extra help, instructors can adjust their teaching in the moment for greater group understanding.
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13. Making Learning Come Alive for 12th Grade Humanities Students
High School |
$3,500 |
| A series of guest lecturers will be invited to present to the 12th Grade Humanities students. These lecturers will be authorities in their field and will bring life to areas of inquiry that are intrinsic to the multi-faceted and culturally comprehensive Humanities curriculum. This proposal takes advantage of the rich academic environment of greater Boston and accesses experts to deepen the learning and provide another view into the material. Lectures will be videotaped so that they may be referenced in the future. |
14. Exploration in Silk Painting
High School |
$1,335 |
| This grant will bring Katy McEwen, a silk artist, to NHS for a one-day artist in residence for 5 art classes. Ms. McEwen will lecture the students on silk painting and demonstrate her craft. She will also discuss with the classes the possibility of “craft” as a profession. Students will also work with Ms. McEwen on creating a piece of silk painting of their own. This unit can be used in future years once the technique is learned by the teacher.
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15. Musical Leadership: Training Students to Lead Sectional Rehearsals
High School |
$2,200 |
| Guest coaches/clinicians will work with NHS Jazz Band students on skills related to conducting small group rehearsals, with the goal of students eventually leading sectional rehearsals. The process will inspire students and develop musicianship by modeling and teaching rehearsal/practice tools and techniques, raising expectations for individual and small group preparation, and creating a sense of community within the sections and ensemble as a whole. The grant also provides for a jazz improvisation clinician to work with the full band two times during the school year, with a session also offered for the Middle School Jazz Band.
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16. No Place for Hate Month
High School |
$3,500 |
| This student authored grant will unite the various clubs and activities in the High School that focus on humanitarian issues to create a series of coordinated and publicized programs and activities in March. The High School’s No Place for Hate Month will coordinate with the Needham Human Rights Committee’s annual No Place for Hate month. By combining forces students will work towards a concentrated and united campaign to bring awareness of humanitarian issues to the student body and inspire more students to become involved and take action.
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| Total | $39,207 |
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