The GRAETC Mini-Grant committee is happy to celebrate this year’s awardees! The GRAETC Executive Committee looks forward to doing site visits during the school year to see the organization’s funds in use with students in the classroom. Interested in learning more about the GRAETC Mini-Grant? Application for the next fiscal year will open on March 1, 2024. Check out how the current awardees applicants were funded for their projects that support GRAETC’s mission:
Coding through Curriculum
Jenny Schaeffer, Instructional Technology Resource Teacher, Cold Harbor and Battlefield Park Elementary School, Hanover County Public Schools
Project Summary: The funding for this project went towards purchasing a set of Code and Go Mice to provide innovative learning experiences for both the teachers and students. Once lessons (question cards, board pieces) are created, students will be engaged and excited to practice and review skills in this interactive way.
Phonics Lessons can Support Vocabulary
Michele Cadwallader, Reading Interventionist, Bellevue Elementary School, Richmond Public Schools
Project Summary: The funding was used to purchase televisions and stands to support reading intervention teachers during lessons. The televisions will be used to showcase vocabulary pictures and video to help build students’ background knowledge so they will be more likely to decode and encode (or spell) words correctly.
Podcasts in the Making
Brittany Ballou, Innovative Learning Coach, Shady Grove Elementary School, Henrico County Public Schools
Project Summary: The funding for this grant was used to purchase a podcasting pack. While the goal of this project is to provide students opportunities to problem solve and collaborate with others, a related objective is to produce student-developed podcasts that incorporate social skills, independent research skills, and collaboration.
KinderCougar Kodeapillar
Johna Vazquez, ITRT, Cool Spring Elementary School, Petersburg City Schools
Project Summary: Funds were used to purchase five code-a-pillars, sequencing expansion packs, batteries, and chargers for kindergarten classes. The GRAETC Executive Committee looks forward to doing site visits during the school year to see the organization’s funds in use with students in the classroom.
Interested in learning more about the GRAETC Mini-Grant? Application for the next fiscal year will open on March 1, 2024.
Authorship
Dr. Stephanie Playton is a STEM Specialist at Longwood University’s Institute for Teaching Through Technology and Innovative Practices (ITTIP). While in this role, Dr. Playton serves PK-16 students and teachers in Virginia. Dr. Playton also serves as the current Chair for Mini-Grant and Website Committee for GRAETC. Twitter: @STEMGal