Ishpeming, Michigan–
Each year Cliffs Natural Resources provides resources to area school districts to support innovative and alternative educational opportunities. This year, teachers in the NICE Community School District vied for a portion of nearly $3,200 to develop projects that will enrich their classrooms.
Nine (9) grant applications were submitted and five (5) were selected for funding. Below is a summary of the grants awarded:
Who: David Boase, Principal and Eric Shipman, Director of Technology
School: Westwood High School
The grant will support the purchase of two Apple iPads for student use. iPad technologies can assist educators as they work with students with learning disabilities as well as enable all students to learn critical 21st Century skills. For many students, removing barriers to information can be a key to unlocking their potential growth. Hand-held devices such as the iPad can accelerate learning and enable the school to individualize instruction to meet the needs of all students.
Who: Eric Hill, English and Social Studies Instructor
School: Westwood High School
The grant will support the purchase of six cameras that will allow students to upload their videos to appropriate software programs for editing purposes. With the emphasis on creating 21st century learners with 21st century skills, both the American Government and English Survey I classes will continue to be engaging students through the project-based learning approach.
In American Government, students are asked to create public service announcements that explain the importance of citizenship in a democracy. Thusly, students are forced to utilize their knowledge of democracy and the characteristics of our government while also collaborating with fellow students to critically think and use digital literacy skills to create a valuable final public service announcement product. Students are expected to utilize their ability to create a message, video tape the message, and then post that message to Youtube® after editing their work into a final product.
The English Survey I students are asked to think creatively and analytically when recreating scenes from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet into a wide variety of possible interpretations. Influenced by Westside Story, students are asked to tell the story of Romeo and Juliet in a new and unique way, while analyzing the story as well as characters and their motivations. The video cameras used for the public service announcements could again be utilized for this project.
Creativity, innovation, civic literacy, collaboration, critical thinking, communication, and media/digital technology will all be learned, practiced, encouraged, and assessed through these projects.
Who: Chris Jackson, Science Instructor
School: Aspen Ridge School
The grant will support the purchase of supplies and replace equipment necessary to engage in hands-on learning experiences.
Who: Ryan Reichel, Physical Education Instructor
School: Westwood High School
The grant will support the purchase of equipment that would enhance the curriculum and enable all students to achieve success and have a positive experience in Physical Education class. The project will benefit students in the
following ways:
· Improves teamwork
· Improves acceptance
· Improves self confidence
· Improves success
· Improves hand eye coordination
· Improves fitness
Who: Diane Gilfoy, Speech Therapist
School: Aspen Ridge School and Westwood High School
The grant will support the purchase of an Apple iPad for Speech & Language Therapists working in the district. Our challenge is to keep up with the current ways our students are learning and communicating and to incorporate best practice procedures for the benefit of our students with special needs. Research indicates children today learn differently than children did prior to the computer/technology age. The iPad is regarded as one of the most useful, versatile and cost effective tools speech therapists have available for therapy today. The iPad is an innovative and powerful tool with endless possibilities for improving speech and language skills for a large number of students in the NICE District.
According to Superintendent Mike Haynes, “Once again, the Cliffs Natural Resources mini grants will allow us to provide expanded opportunities for all students.” “At a time when resources are scarce, it is gratifying that our community partners step in to find ways to ensure that our children come first,” Haynes adds.
For more information contact the Central Office at 906-485-1021 or visit www.nice.k12.mi.us
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