GT TEACHER GRANTS
$7,455.72 AWARDED 2010
1) Lois McCarty - $411.80 20 Sets of Barron's AP Calculus Flash Cards for AP Calculus BC students @ Midland HS
MISD GT Math program culminates in the AP Calculus BC test given during the first week of May. The goal is to increase the number of students scoring a 3, 4, or 5. Since review time is limited these cards can be checked out by the students and used during tutorials. Each set of flash cards has 300 cards specifically designed to prepare students for the AP Exam in Calculus BC. Concepts are presented on each card's front with explanations on the reverse side. Questions cover calculus equations, formulas, functions, graphs, derivatives, and more.
2) Jaime Clark, Math Dept. Chair, Midland HS - $3,897.55 TI-Navigation System for 32 users
The TI-Navigation System is designed to work with the TI-83 graphing calculators already in use, and provides wireless communication between students' TI graphing calculators and the teacher's computer. This system enables real time, formative assessment which supports instructional strategies that research shows lead to improved student achievement. The TI-Navigation System is flexible, portable, and can be easily configured to accommodate any situation. Some of the applications and uses are and "Activity Center", "Quick Polling", "Screen Capture", "Class Analysis", "Quickly send data or Apps to students", and "Easy access to TI-Navigator specialists, and online training, support.
3) Robin Bartel, Carver Center - $523.92 for 2 digital cameras, cases, batteries, and extra memory cards
She creates a digital yearbook of memories every year for each set of 5th graders. This consists of over 350 pictures of the students and their projects throughout the year, special events, fieldtrips, and other fun activities. Currently, Carver only has one camera that is very old and no longer focuses well. It doesn't have picture stability advances and has limited memory. She asked for 2 digital cameras due to many times there are multiple activities and would be more convienient. This project creates a record of the students' intellectual properties created throughout the year and reminds them, the parents, and families what happens in 5th grade G.E.M.
4) Martha Petrek, Carver Center - $1,450 23 Competition Quality Chess Sets, w/ Carrying Bags, and Teacher Demonstration Boards For 23 Elementary Campusus
Project Think/QUEST lessons are based upon an insturctional approach that emphasizes critical thinkg skills. Studies have concluded that students experience a significant increase in pattern recognition, divergent thinking, and logical reasoning when taught the game of chess. Making chess available to ALL of the Project Thing/QUEST students would provide them with an opportunity to develop individual leadership skills and enhance their critical thinking.
5) Lathrice Davis, Lee HS - $1,584.25 CSI Murder Mystery for all Chemistry, Physics, Biology, and Anatomy & Physiology classes
The science students are able to learn and apply their new found skills in a fun, and interactive lab which is basically a murder mystery (fake, of course) in which skills from the four primary outlets of science (Chemistry, Physics, Biology, and Anatomy/Physiology) must be applied. This mystery is basically a crime of murder. The teachers outline a story, which will be revealed the day of the event. The purpose is to use the clues left behind at the crime scene to determine who killed the victim. The four science classes will have to join their information to fully uncover who did the murder, so accuracy in information collection is necessary. With the hands on exposure, the group oriented learning, the fast paced rigor, and the exhilaration of the murder, students will be not only enthralled by this project, but it will help them cogitate in innovative ways for themselves. This will be used each year.
