Spring 2010 Teacher Innovation Grants

                                                                       
Jenn Lyons, Isacc Fox Kindergarten Teacher
Jolly Phonics program                                                                                                                                                            $ 400.00

The Jolly Phonics program teaches children the main 42 sounds of the English language, emphasizing fluency, often before a child can even read. Students practice individually, and lessons can be customized by the teacher, for each student.

Anne Kuehl, Isaac Fox Library Media Specialist
Playaways for Bluestem Award technology and Battle of the Books program                                                         $ 910.00

Playaways preloaded with Bluestem Award reading list books – a list used across the state of Illinois -- will be used for students in grades 3 -5 who are able to vote for their favorite Bluestem book, after reading at east four Bluestem titles. Also, 4th and 5th grade students participate in an Isaac Fox Battle of the Books program and a set of Playaways will be used for these titles. Anne feels more students will participate in the battle of the Books if they are able to utilize the Playaways technology.

Suzanne Weider, Seth Paine First Grade teacher
Playaways for Reading Fluency program                                                                                                                        $ 520.00

Playaways are small audio devices, preloaded with books. Typically, each device will contain four or five books. The Playaways would be used in conjunction with the classroom library. Also, the Playaways can be sent home with students, particularly ELL students, who may not have a fluent reading model at home.

Josh Thompson, Lake Zurich High School Band Director
PCs for Smart Music                                                                                                                                                           $ 2,450.00

Laptops in practice rooms are used, in conjunction with current software programs, to record student practice sessions for assessment by the director. The director can assign specific practice assignments for each student and the practice session progresses based on the students performance.

Lisa Linder/Mary Dooms, Middle School South 6th Grade Teachers
Focusing Strategies for ADD/ADHD Students                                                                                                                        $ 1,300.00

The project will implement alternative focusing strategies for students who have ADD/ADHD or simply have difficulty focusing in class. Students are better able to focus, resulting in higher achievement, by using balance boards, silent stationary bikes and exercise balls in the classroom.

2nd Grade Team, Sarah Adams
iPods for Reading Fluency                                                                                                                                                          $ 2,350.00

This project will improve students reading fluency – reading expression, pacing and intonation -- by listening to books on the recordable iPod nanos. In addition, students can be recorded while reading, for evaluation by the teacher.