2010 Minigrants
French Video
Creation by Erin Kelly $300
Two flip-cameras will be purchased for use in the French
classes. Students will write, direct, produce and
star in numerous video projects that allow them to apply
cultural knowledge and express themselves creatively in
French.
Preventing Plagiarism by Lisa Polivick $600
This grant will enable the purchase of "Turn-It-In"
software. This software detects plagiarism in
students' writing, helping them develop good writing
practices and maintain academic integrity.
Why Try? by Leisa Faughn $141
This program has been implemented at MMS successfully for
the past 4 years. Journals for this motivational
program will be purchased for individual student use for
6th graders.
Me, Myself, and I by S Bazzell, A Ashlock, S Wortham, and
C Shown $280
Fifth grade has traditionally been the year of
self-learning. With this grant, students will
create a self-anthology book marking this year of history
in their own life and the world around them. This
is an excellent way to finalize the elementary years for
the children as they make their own personal connection
to their self and world around them!
PBIS-Promoting Positive Behavior by Amy Bell and
Lou Carter $300
MMS is implementing a school-wide program of Positive
Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). One
component of a PBIS school is a well-defined system for
recognizing and rewarding desirable, positive student
behaviors. Funds from this mini-grant will be used
to obtain items for Tiger Card rewards and to provide for
school-wide celebrations of the program.
History in our Backyard by S Bazzell, A Ashlock, S
Wortham, and C Shown $434
The study of the Civil War is a major study in the fifth
grade and we are living among the history. There
are living historians to come and share, a book to read
that is written from the viewpoint of a boy from Calloway
County who was captured during the war and a trip to Fort
Donelson.
Springing into Action by Hope Foster, Mike Epperson,
Tommy Shown, Elaine Kight $455
Students will learn about topics like extinction,
habitats, conservation, and even symbolism
(epitaphs/gravestones). A visit to Brandon Springs will
present opportunities for building relationships between
different peer groups, and teachers and students;
instilling an appreciation and respect for nature, and a
review of core content in both Science and Writing.
Attitude of Gratitude by Hope Foster $440
Students will learn the value of showing gratitude while
gaining valuable real-world writing experience.
Thank you notes and postage will be purchased and used as
both assignments and extra credit opportunities.
Kentucky Kids Book Club by Tina Dunn $450
A new literacy project at MES will feature a Book Club to
promote reading for K-3rd grade students. The focus
will be high quality, high interest reading utilizing the
Kentucky Bluegrass Award book set 2011 geared toward the
students' independent reading level. To kick-off the Book
Club, a variety of enticing themes will be utilized such
as Book Safari, Captain Book's Treasure of Good Books,
Gingerbread Man goes to the library, and a Book Scavenger
Hunt to culminate.
Published Authors by Janet Caldwell and Holly Bloodworth
$300
Grant funds will be utilized to partially pay for
the printing of Tiger Tales. Tiger Tales is an
anthology of children's work designed to celebrate the
students as authors. This publication has been a
part of our rich tradition for many years. Each
contributing author receives a free copy of the book and
is recognized at a special assembly. The book
becomes a keepsake that students treasure throughout a
lifetime and provides them an opportunity to reflect on
their growth as a writer.
Differentiation through
Meaningful Reading by Lorrie Booth $300
Differentiated reading groups have been formed across the
entire P3 grade level in order to enrich/remediate
reading skills in a more interesting and meaningful way.
These groups will be exposed to a variety of reading and
writing genres by using trade books to cover topics on
author studies, genre studies, character studies, and
various writing skills. Funds will be used to
purchase more books and build upon this program.
2009 Minigrants
Tina Dunn, MES: Book
Cafe'
Funded
in the amount of $600
This literacy project at Murray Elementary School will
feature a "Book Cafe'" to promote reading for
kindergarten through 3rd grade students. The focus will be
high quality, high interest reading geared toward the
students' independent reading level. To kick-off the Book
Cafe', a variety of enticing themes will be utilized
including a Hawaiian luau, a Teddy Bear Tea Party, a
"Going Bananas over Books" party with Curious George, and
to culminate, a Book Carnival. The highlight of this
project for all classroom winners will be a limousine
ride to University Book and Bean bookstore for a literacy
lunch.
Kandi Dawson,
MES: Science Explorations
Funded in the amount of $300
Science is an important part of everyday living. Science
textbooks, however, are not very kid-friendly. In efforts
to promote more interest and success in science, some
"hands-on" materials and/or trade books will be purchased
to supplement the core curriculum.
Kandi Dawson,
MES: Social Studies through Meaningful Reading
Funded in the amount of $300
Differentiated reading groups can be formed across the
entire P4 level to enrich or remediate homeroom reading
and Social Studies skills in an interesting and
meaningful way. These groups will be exposed to "real
reading" by using trade books that would be purchased to
cover topics such as places, people, cultures, etc.
Groups will read, create projects and/or writings, assess
comprehension, and possibly make Book Talks via the
school news program. From time to time, teachers will
meet to re-evaluate groups and move students around as
needed to achieve success and to cover core content.
Janet Caldwell,
MES: Tiger Tales
Funded in the amount of $500
Grant funds will be utilized to partially pay for the
printing of Tiger Tales. Tiger Tales is an anthology of
children's work designed to celebrate the student's as
authors. This publication has been a part of our rich
tradition for many years. Each contributing author
receives a free copy of the book and is recognized at a
special assembly. The book becomes a keepsake that
students treasure throughout a lifetime and provides them
the opportunity to reflect on their growth as a writer.
Leisa Faughn,
MMS: "Why Try?"
Funded in the amount of $600
"Why Try?" is a motivational and strength-based program.
The objective is to teach social and emotional skills
needed for success in school and life. Decisions and
their consequences, peer pressures, responsibility, and
interpreting human behavior are some of the areas that
are dealt with in this handbook. All 6th graders will
participate.
Hope Foster,
MMS: Black Out!
Funded in the amount of $410
This innovative fund-raising program will benefit the
little league football program now, and in years to come;
as well as promote "Tiger pride". An "eye black" booth
will be set up at all home football games and stickers
worn under the eyes (like those worn by players during a
game) will be sold. Funds collected will then be
channeled into the little league program as "seed money"
to begin building upon the funds necessary to replace and
maintain equipment.
Hope Foster,
MMS: Attitude of Gratitude
Funded in the amount of
$440
Students learn the value of showing gratitude while
gaining valuable real-world writing experience. Postage
for "Thank You" notes purchased with this grant will
allow 7th graders an opportunity to thank teachers and
other individuals for "making students the people they
are today."
Sherri Bazzell, Amanda
Ashlock, Laura Brown, Stacy Wortham, and Carolyn Shown,
MMS: History in Our Backyard
Funded in the amount
of $600
The study of the Civil War is a major study in the fifth
grade and we are living among the history. There are
living historians to come and share, a book to read that
is written from the viewpoint of a boy from Calloway
county who was captured during the war and yes, there is
a visit to Fort Donelson. Let's bring the learning to
life and explore what happened right in our backyard!
Sherri Bazzell,
Amanda Ashlock, Laura Brown, Stacy Wortham, and Carolyn
Shown, MMS: Me, Myself and I
Funded in the amount
of $200
Fifth grade has traditionally been the year of
self-learning. Topics of hygiene and puberty are
addressed and in turn, we would like to take this concept
of self-learning and continue to encourage the path of
our maturing young men and women in the world of
etiquette. Let's make a year of memories for me, myself,
and I!
Krista Shelby, MMS:
Bridging with Books
Funded in the amount of $600
Current 8th grade students will begin preparing
themselves for the transition to high school English
practices by beginning to read for class outside of the
classroom. This grant will provide 45-50 copies of the
book, "I am the Cheese" to students. These books will be
sent home with students overnight in order to foster
reading in this setting.
Amanda Killebrew, Dan
Runnels, MHS: Spanish videos
Funded in the amount
of $300
With the purchase of flip cameras, this grant will
provide students an opportunity to write, perform in,
edit, and direct their own short films in order to
enhance listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills
in the Spanish language.
Erin Kelly, MHS:
French Video Creation
Funded in the amount of $300
Students will have numerous opportunities throughout the
year to apply their language skills in short videos that
they will write, direct, and perform in. Students will
also have the opportunity to apply cultural knowledge and
express themselves creatively. There opportunities
include a "dating video," commercials, and numerous
skits. This grant will provide the cameras necessary to
the project.
Doreen Johnston, MHS:
Picturing America
Funded in the amount of $600
MHS received a grant, "Picturing America" and attained 20
beautiful, laminated reproductions printed on both sides
with artwork. The requirement of the grant is to keep the
pictures in continual exhibit in classrooms or public
locations in the school or library, and to retain the
reproductions for future display and educational use.
This grant would provide part of the expense of
purchasing frames for these prints.
2008 Minigrants
Lisa Polivick, MHS:
"Reminiscences of WWII"
Funded in the amount of $400
This mini-grant allowed students to interview World War
II veterans and capture their memories and historical
roles in this war. Pictures, biographical information,
and WWII reminiscences would be posted online.
Laurie Edminster
The software programs provide students with engaging
opportunities to work cooperatively to make goal-oriented
decisions regarding serious, relevant issues, such as
prejudice, substance abuse, violence in the media and
government and politics. Each of the software programs
will serve as a companion to a major literary work or
historical period studied in class. Not only will the
programs enhance students' learning and transfer of
knowledge in English/Literature, but they will also help
students make cross-curricular connections within their
social studies courses. Students will also work together
to debate controversial issues and to resolve conflicts
in a controlled environment.
Amy McDowell, MHS:
Digital Video Productions
Funded in the amount of $400
This mini-grant would allow for the purchase of a digital
video camera and digital cameras to incorporate with
existing software to create movies and presentations.
Some of the uses would be to promote FBLA and to create
commercials and marketing campaigns for the Tiger Bank.
Janet Caldwell, MES:
Tiger Tales
Funded in the amount of $600
This mini-grant would be used to supplement the funds
used to publish Tiger Tales; a book that highlights the
writings and artwork of the students of Murray Elementary
School. Each child that submits an entry will receive a
book of their own.
Kim Black, MES: Arts
in the Environment
Funded in the amount of $600
This mini-grant will make funds available so all third
grade students at Murray Elementary may visit the Home
Place 1850s Interpretive Center. This visit will be the
culminating experience of a unit involving music, art,
dance, and drama.
Tina Dunn, MES: Be an
AR Star
Funded in the amount of $400 This mini-grant will
provide funds for a variety of incentives for students
who meet their individual reading goal on a weekly and
monthly basis. Some incentives include movie passes,
pencils and bookmarks, pizza party, golf and picnic, and
a school-wide reading carnival.
Kandi Dawson, MES:
Differentiation through Meaningful Reading
Funded in the amount of $400
This mini-grant would allow for the purchase of reading
materials for P4 level students at Murray Elementary.
Books purchased would provide entire sets for a classroom
as well as differentiated reading level materials.
Jill Courtney, MMS:
Wellness Exploratory Class
Funded in the amount of $600
This mini-grant provides funding for instruction and
materials on nutrition, exercise, and life-long leisure
sports. Some items purchased include pedometers, jump
ropes, yoga mats, weight scales, tennis balls, etc.
Activities for health and wellness will be emphasized for
a happy, healthy life.
Leisa Faughn, MMS:
Why Try?
Funded in the amount of $600
This mini-grant would allow for the purchase of journals
used to implement a motivational program for Murray
Middle 6th graders. The journals include a CD and
subjects discussed include, praise, power, projects,
people, and prestige.
Sherri Bazzell, MMS:
Mysteries and Motivators
Funded in the amount of $500
This mini-grant provides funds used to purchase items to
be used in a mystery reading and writing unit. Items
will tie-in to the short stories element of writing and
reading and will assist students in developing different
characters and audience perspective.
Hope Foster, MMS: ERNA4
Funded in the amount of $250
Funds from this mini-grant are used to encourage
proficient/distinguished work on open response
assessments. Students receiving this ranking will be
awarded with prizes and t-shirts. Nearly 65% of 7th
grade Murray Middle students reached this ranking through
this program last year.
Hope Foster, MMS: Attitude
of Gratitude
Funded in the amount of $600
Funds from this mini-grant will be used to purchase
postage and notecards to be used in a writing program for
7th grade students. Students will learn the value of
showing gratitude while gaining valuable real-world
writing experience.
2007 Minigrants
Arts Infused Field Trip
Dunn, Black, Conley, Chuck
MES
The P-4 teachers plan to bring all third grade students
at Murray Elementary School to LBL to visit the Home
place1850's interpretive center. We intend to divide the
third grade classes into two groups one will go the Home
place and the other group will participate in music in
the environment experience with regionally known artist
Chad and Carrie Schott. In collaboration with the
interpretive staff of LBL, the regular classroom
teachers, the arts and humanities teachers and our
visiting artists we intend to make our visit to LBL the
culminating experience of a two week unit involving arts
and humanities, science, and social studies while at Land
between the lakes the students will be assigned digital
still cameras and digital video cameras to document our
experience and then with the help of the teachers the
students will create a movie about the visit.
Tiger Tales
MES
Tiger Tales highlights the writings and art work of our
MES students. It has been a part of our tradition of
excellence for many years. Each contributing author is
presented a copy of the book and recognized during a
special ceremony. Children are delighted to see their
work published. Additional funding for this project comes
from the PTO and school activity funds.
ERN A 4
Hope, Foster
MMS
This project will purchase the t-shirts that are used as
rewards in the ERN A 4 campaign to promote high
achievement on open responses in all academic areas.
Inside your Body
Mike Epperson
MMS
This grant allowed my students to participate in a
session called "Inside Your Body" which is one of the
memorable presentations created by the educator Brad
Reynolds in his Real Science Programs. The students
absolutely loved the presentation because it was
engaging, interesting and they actually had the
opportunity to participate
Mini Economy
Jill Courtney
MMS
The Mini-Economy is a hands on approach to economics. The
students earn money by performing various jobs in the
classroom. They learn how their parents work hard to make
ends meet as they become responsible for renting their
desks, selecting insurance, saving, giving to charity,
putting money into retirement (for an end-of-the-year
auction), buying snacks and school supplies, and just
having fun in our store. It is a wonderful experience for
the students.
Why Try?
Leisa Faughn
MMS
The Why Try Program is a strength based approach to
helping youth overcome their challenges and improve
outcomes in areas of behavior, academics, and truancy.
His project will use the WhyTry Classroom Value Pack of
materials.
Fluency and the Analytical
Reader
Chris Merfeld
MMS
This project involves the purchase of software so that we
can expand the use of the read naturally program.
Celebrating Ceramics
Gena Maley
MMS
Middle School students will explore pottery traditions
from various cultures, i.e. Native American, China,
Greek. Students will create their own ceramics pieces
using a variety of techniques that will be kiln fired and
glazed.
Saxon Math Pilot
Joan Hayman
MMS
This is a pilot program to compare the traditional math
curriculum with the Saxon math curriculum.
Teen Pregnancy
Cindi Alderdice
Murray High
My Child Development classes will be working with The
Life House of Murray to combat teen pregnancy.
Moon Buggy Race
Teresa Speed
Murray High
Students in Tech Ed, Physics, Math and business construct
a moon buggy fitting specifications set by NASA. The
completed buggy will race at MSU and Huntsville. |
