RI Foundation awards grants for classroom innovation to three Cranston schools

Posted 1/20/16

Teachers from three Cranston elementary schools have won grants from Rhode Island Foundation through a program designed to encourage classroom innovation.

Launched by philanthropists Letitia and …

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RI Foundation awards grants for classroom innovation to three Cranston schools

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Teachers from three Cranston elementary schools have won grants from Rhode Island Foundation through a program designed to encourage classroom innovation.

Launched by philanthropists Letitia and John Carter in 2013, the Spark Grants program was open to Cranston schools for the first time. Previous rounds had been limited to urban school districts such as Central Falls and Providence.

“The creativity and impact of the first two rounds of proposals was impressive. Third grade is a critical stage in the educational development of children. Expanding the scope of the program will put more youngsters on the road to a lifetime of academic success,” Letitia Carter said.

Full-time third-grade teachers in any public or charter school statewide were eligible to apply for grants of up to $1,000 to fund proposals that will engage students through unique experiences and creative learning methods in order to stimulate their interest in academics.

“Once again, the Carters are advancing change by example. Thanks to their vision, teachers all over Rhode Island have an extraordinary opportunity to be innovative,” said Neil Steinberg, president and CEO of the foundation.

At Oak Lawn, teacher Gail Bennett received $971 to buy six Chromebooks for her classroom. They will be used for small group projects, especially in science, and individual exploration on topics of interest. Her 17 students currently share two desktop computers.

“The students will also be learning and demonstrating 21st-century learning skills. It is so important not only in third grade, but in life, to collaborate and communicate effectively. Also, students need to be able to seek out information efficiently, filter out extraneous information and share what they have learned in a creative and meaningful manner,” she explained.

At Glen Hills, teacher Lisa Davis received $1,000 to enhance the science and social studies curriculums by buying two digital cameras and taking her students on the Eco-Exploration Field Trip at the University of Rhode Island and to the Pequot Museum in Ledyard, Conn.

“It is always beneficial for students to engage in hands-on learning. By supplying digital cameras to the students during the field experiences, I will be able to have them capture science and social studies concepts in images. The images, video clips and sounds will be brought into the classroom to inspire and extend classroom discussions on the material being studied,” she explained.

“The students will gain insight, new perspectives and deeper knowledge of the complex eco-topics and Native American concepts that are covered in class. This real-world learning will serve the students well by allowing them to make important connections in an authentic setting,” she said. “Furthermore, by capturing many of these concepts digitally, the content can be used to make connections and enhance lessons by incorporating technology. Students will be able to look back and study what they have recorded and share thoughts and observations with each other without time constraints. Thereby, making the learning more meaningful and lasting.”

At Stadium, LoAnn Natale received $671 to buy a hands-on science experiment kit, which consists of nine experiments that will support the learning of 25 students. The kit includes an educator guide as well as instructional worksheets for students.

“This kit will increase my students knowledge of real-life science. Students are expected to make observations, test hypothesis, model, investigate and explore various science topics,” she explained.

“I have various levels of learners, and hands-on projects always inspire and motivate all the five senses of learning. When students perform, make and create, they are able to take knowledge into their core being. This hands-on learning will ‘spark’ their motivation to succeed,” she said.

Elementary schools in Barrington, Burrillville, Central Falls, Charlestown, Coventry, Cumberland, East Providence, Glocester, Hopkinton, Johnston, Lincoln, Middletown, Newport, North Kingstown, North Providence, Pawtucket, Portsmouth, Richmond, South Kingstown, Smithfield, Warren, Warwick, Westerly, and Woonsocket also received grants. Statewide, the foundation awarded $215,000 in grants.

For more information, visit www.rifoundation.org.

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