112 Education Foundation
2004-2005 Opportunity Grants Program Braeside School |Edgewood Middle School | Elm Place Middle School | Indian Trail School | Lincoln School | Northwood Jr. High School | Oak Terrace School | Ravinia School | Red Oak School | Sherwood School | Wayne Thomas School

Edgewood Middle School

Poetry Impressions — Artist, singer, songwriter, Bonnie Koloc will present her hand printed book of 13 linocuts of farmyard animals accompanied by original poetry which is sung a capella. Ms. Koloc will give a short demonstration of how the prints are made, and will describe how words and rhythm are selected to best enhance the ideas of each poem. Students will create their own original poetry, illustrate it with hand drawn images or with linocuts, and then read or sing the poetry in the IMC Edge Cafe, which celebrates National Poetry Month in April. Carolyn Lorence

Linus Project — Students will create and design quilts by sketching out their design, measuring and cutting flannel fabric, and sewing them together. These quilts will be distributed to various hospitals in Illinois to benefit cocaine babies and children in hospitals. Debbie Figge

Elm Place

Election 2004 - A Grade Level Approach — In an interdisciplinary unit in seventh grade, students will learn about the candidates and issues. They will engage in activities that will help to identify key issues, learn speech-writing techniques, understand the voting process, and the technology associated with elections. Students will plan and run a "national political convention" as the culminating activity. Cindy Baggio, Mary-Martha Hancock, Esther Kusy-Leavitt, Cheryl Levi, Amy Pessis, Jackie Schlosberg, Chuck SmithThe Japanese Art Form — After studying various poetic forms in the language arts class, students will become acquainted with the strict traditional forms of the Haiku and Tanka. They will learn how Haiku and Tanka masters use imagery, silence, compassion, an awareness of impermanence, and keen observation in their writing. Using the Internet, they will research and report on various aspects of Japanese culture. Susie GreenwaldPhotography as a Window and a Mirror- Students will write and take photographs as a means of exploring and understanding both their inside world (who they are) and their outside world. They will compare, contrast, and analyze the processes of writing and photography. Professional and personal photographs and slides will serve as catalysts for writing and discussion. Susie GreenwaldParticipating in the poem — Sixth grade students will learn alliteration, simile, metaphor, personification, imagery, onomatopoeia, theme, and other poetic techniques. After an intense study of famous poets and poetry, they will choose a theme to write about. Students will begin by taking many pictures with the digital camera. After learning to edit their pictures, they will choose five to write poems about using the techniques taught in class. The final project will be publishing a class book that will include one of their best pieces. Jane Scheff

Indian Trail

Mentor Tutor Program — For ten years the mentor program has been an ongoing project involving the Highland Park High School Key Club and Indian Trail students. Volunteer high school students are trained to work on academic and social skills with special needs or at risk students at Indian Trail. Nancy Carson, Alysa Fetters, Ronna Nitekman, Beverly RamirezReaching Out - Sharing Literature and Writing Between 4th grade and Kindergarten Buddies — Kindergarteners and 4th graders enrich each others academic experience. Kindergarteners have an older student as a mentor and role model while 4th graders develop leadership skills and respect for others' needs. Along the way, students develop a multitude of language arts, math, technology and character education skills. Merle Arenson, Barbara Ross Art Alive! — As fifth grade students study various famous artists, they try to imitate or model the artist's work. They try their hand with various media: clay, beads, stained glass, and paper, and they study the math concepts of symmetry, proportion, and ratio often found in art. Elizabeth BelkindListening Center — Learning disabled students and those students reading below grade level will benefit from the additional resource of a listening center. They will be provided with books on tape allowing them to listen to grade level material promoting growth in the areas of decoding, vocabulary, and comprehension. Marcy Lesser, Robin TeplitzLiterature Exploration — In this three part program, 5th grade students have the opportunity to work with the teacher in ability based groups of 4 or 5 students. Through this Guided Reading approach, fundamental reading skills and strategies are taught with text at their level. While this is going on, the remainder of the class is busy with the other two aspects of the program. Students read independently the novels they have selected at an assigned reading level. They monitor their own progress, thereby fostering independence and responsibility. In the third aspect of the program, students write a one-page letter to the teacher showcasing their reading reflection and promoting dialogue about literature. Christine Kasallis Literacy Center For Independent, Life-long Learners — To allow a first grade teacher the time needed to instruct children individually or in small groups for Guided Reading, a Literacy Center is created. The Literacy Center keeps the remainder of the class focused on meaningful, differentiated tasks that support both their social and academic growth. These centers involve hands-on, creative approaches to reading and writing. They can be adjusted for different ability levels and made more challenging as the year progresses. Examples include: "Reading Tent" - a fun place to read independently or with a buddy, "Make-a-Word" - children use magnetic letters or alphabet stamps to create words or sentences, "Discover Cards" - cards prompt students to use their imagination to write a detailed description or story. Maren HarrisFamily Poetry Night— Professional performing group "A Child's Voice" conduct writing workshops and perform poetry at an exciting "Poetry Night" for all students and their families. A publishing center allows children to decorate and publish their poetry in creative ways, and the new poets share their poetry with their parents. Linda Diamond, Marcy Lesser

Sherwood School

Say Hola To Spanish — First graders will have the opportunity to explore the Spanish culture by hearing selected books read in both English and Spanish. The program will include listening to Spanish music, watching Spanish videos and playing Spanish games. The goal is to help children appreciate the beauty of the Spanish language being taught to them. Betty DuffyCharacter Detectives — Second Graders will become more aware of people showing the 6 pillars of character through this program. Six backpacks representing each pillar will rotate home with the students on a weekly basis. The backpacks will contain books that focus on one character theme. The books are to be read at home. A notebook and camera are included in the backpack so that the families can record on paper and film, acts, events or examples of the particular Pillar theme. The students will meet on Fridays as a class to share their results. This program allows for a direct home school connection with the Character Counts program. Stephanie CardellaKids As Storytellers — Students practice effective listening, speaking and reading skills as they discover new stories to tell for enjoyment. Through the storytelling process, children will strengthen their communication skills as well as practice higher level thinking skills. Students will demonstrate good citizenship, respect and caring as they listen and respond to other studentsŐ stories. This project culminates with an all school storytelling festival. Darlene NeumannTheme Boxes/Technology For Vocabulary Enrichment — This project aims to enhance the vocabulary, oral language and literacy skills of children in dual language classrooms,grades K-2. Specific storybooks are part of theme boxes containing props and manipulative to provide students with tactile and visual senses of each concept. A computer software program will also be utilized to reinforce learned vocabulary and concepts. Monique Richardson, Olga Nunez, Ty BelmontSpanish Animated Alphabet For Phonemic Awareness — This project will provide instruction on literacy, oral language and phonemic awareness to native Spanish speaking students of grades pre-K through 2 in he dual language programs. The program contains a variety of components that would also benefit Spanish teachers who wish to teach the Spanish alphabet and sound system to native English speakers. The program is focused around an animated alphabet that includes hearing stories, singing songs about alphabet characters. The students will incorporate their mind, muscles, and imaginations to actively explore each characterŐs story. Monique Richardson, Olga Nunez, Ty Belmont

Northwood Middle School

Preservation Partners — This exciting grant is an interdisciplinary project that is woven into the curriculum throughout the year. All project activities center around the three local forest preserves that have been ŇadoptedÓ by the school. The project highlights the importance of community service in the care and management of natural areas through the activities the students participate in. The Preservation Partners project culminates with a Community Education Night where students create activities to teach and spread the word about the importance of protecting natural areas and maintaining biodiversity. Gina Perlman, Karen Dubofsky, Joel Goldberger, Emily Kurth, Barbra Phillips. Chris Janzen, Valerie Fairbairn, Vikki LoMonaco, Rachel FrankLatino Dance Troupe — Using innovative and imaginative dancing techniques and steps, students will be actively involved in a shared vision. This project will increase awareness of the existence of the Latino Dance Troupe at the High School and promote cultural diversity between the High School and the Junior High. Deborah S. Eisen, Jasmine Wad, Rosa Machabanski, Kathleen Mandell, Stephen Rohwer, Erin Fisher, Mari Stebner Creating Cascades and Columns by Juggling — All Northwood students will be actively involved in this grant during their Physical Education/Wellness classes. Students will be introduced to the various juggling styles starting with the basics and building to the more challenging juggling techniques. Kathleen Mandell, James Geiger, Mary Hoyer Web Design and Animation — Students will use Macromedia Studio Mix to develop skills to design and implement a website. This program will provide skills for formatting and editing pictures that will be used on individual websites. Raji Prasad, Jean Burns, Loredona Manfredini, Steven A. Wolf, Tad Grabnik, Gina Perlman, Chris Janzen

Wayne Thomas

Hatching Chicks in the Classroom — Second grade students become farmers for a month as they learn about the life cycle of animals by hatching baby chicks. They prepare an incubator and monitor the development of the chick embryos, charting their growth. Once the chicks are hatched, the students count and sort the chicks and observe their changes. Lori Hedberg, Karen Elman, Debbie Cantrell

Oak Terrace School

Read naturally - Literacy Support — This exciting and powerful program will be used as a supplement to the 4th grade Guided Reading Program at Oak Terrace school. The main objective is to increase studentŐs reading fluency. Research supports a direct correlation between reading fluency and reading comprehension. Student's comprehension levels should increase as a result of using this program. The program will also be used as a source for differentiating the curriculum in the lower and higher grades. Molly Sutherland, Donna Einhorn, Patricia Castano, Barbara Beard, Jennifer Ikens

Health Promotion through Hygiene, Nutrition and Dental Care — Students will meet with school nurse to learn how proper hygiene, nutrition and dental habits can keep them healthy. Glo worm kits will be used to teach effective hand washing. Judy AmideiGifted Artists — This unique program is designed to provide a forum for academically at-risk children to display their artistic talents while developing good leadership and communication skills. Children will meet as a team to design special group art projects. A team leader is chosen for each project and is responsible for running the meetings and checking on each memberŐs progress. An evaluation session takes place at the conclusion of the project so the team can look at how they can work more effectively in the future Jamie DiCarlo, Laura McKevitt, Jennifer Preschern, Kristin PressmanGirls on the Run - Team Support — This national program encourages enhance physical and mental health through exercise. This program is in its second year at Oak Terrace. It has made a very strong impact on the young participants. Goals of this program include teaching girls to have a strong sense of identity, cooperation within a group, as well as developing a positive body image. Participants train to complete a 5K run. Jamie DiCarlo, Molly Heffernan, Jamie Kellog, Jennifer Preschern, Molly Sutherland

Lincoln School

Read Along/Listening Center — This kindergarten read-along listening center will promote literacy and provide additional support to emergent and early readers. Students will use individual headphones to read-along while listening to books on tape. Each student will be assigned books at their own reading level, both fiction and non-fiction. Michele Jensen

Ravinia School

First Grade Botany Lab — This exciting project provides first graders with a chance to use planting as a tool for exploring concepts across the curriculum. The studentsŐ learning will grow as they watch their plants grow. Science will be the focus as students learn about the stages of plant life. Students will develop math skills by composing a graph with a variety of data they collect. The project also reinforces character education when the students take their plants and donate them to the Alternative Adult Day Care. Angela Scarim

Braeside School

Books On CD — To improve reading fluency and allow non-fluent readers to be included in 4th grade books beyond their reading level, books on CD are used. Students listen to modeled fluency, read along with the CD and read aloud with good phrasing and expression. Bill Birdsall, Marcia Denberg Student Storytellers — Fourth graders become storytellers. This project develops listening skills, instructs students in the art of storytelling, develops storytelling techniques, and puts each student in the role of performer. Students work with their classroom teacher, the IMC instructor and the professional storyteller Beth Horner. Anne Shimojima

Red Oak School

Educational Materials For the Nurse's Office — This program will allow the school nurse to implement health related curriculum in the classroom setting. Materials will also be used for informal lessons as situations present themselves. Materials will be purchased in English and Spanish in order to reach all students within the school setting. Donna Kirk, R.N.

Different Drummer, One Beat — Professional musician, composer and conductor, Craig Parsons, will conduct workshops to explore the cross cultural nonverbal communication using drums. The purpose of these workshops is to foster the idea that our community is enhanced when the goal-one beat-is bigger than any one individual can accomplish alone. It is the goal of this program to show children that we can achieve a more basic understanding of community, diversity and cooperation when we combine our talents and work together. Deborah Abbott Kisor, Susan Ozawa, Rita Sacay

District 112 Education Foundation
2002-2003 Opportunity Grants Program Edgewood Middle School | Elm Place Middle School | Indian Trail School | Lincoln School | Northwood Jr. High School | Oak Terrace School | Ravinia School | Red Oak School | Sherwood School | Wayne Thomas School

Enola Patterson - Leapfrog to Literacy Judy Weiden – Website American Art Gallery
Glenn Fortson
Esther IgnacioAudrey Rozen – Oral Motor Skills Kathy Feldheim – African Folklore

Edith de Castro – Latin American Folklore

Oak TerraceJamie Bernardi – Exploration of Ocean Life
Heather SchultzJamie Bernardi – Beginning Reading Stations
Molly Heffernan
Jennifer Preschern

Connie Mordini- Heroes of the Holocaust
Esther Weiner
Mary Jane Thompson
Steve Abbott
Karla Pollard
Mindy Karon

Indian TrailRonna Nitekman – Mentor Tutor Program
Nancy Carson
Beverly Ramirez
Judy HarrisonElizabeth Miller – Think Fever Michelle Resendes – Under the Sea

Deanna Prestinario – Xciting Xcavations!

Red Oak

Deborah Kisor – Se lleva la palma
Andrea Feldman
Susan Ozawa
Lois Podell- PitlerNydia Burgo – Muchas pequenas lecturas hacen un gran lector

Pamela Kramer – Sheakespeare on 5th

Northwood

Deborah Eisen – Latino Dance Troupe
Maria Garcia
Jasmine Wad
Kristina EnstromMaggie Wade- Art Club
Tad Grabnik

Chris Janzen – Preservation Partners
Gina Perlman
Joel Goldberger
Herman Cordova
Deborah Eisen

Elm Place Jan Copethorne – Math Lab
Debbie Miller
Andrea Brody
Amy Pessis
Esther Kusy-Leavitt Amy Pessis – Kids Who Fall Between the Cracks
Esther Kusy LeavittRobert Sedik – Unique PE Beginning
Ken MillionSusie Greenwald – Japanese Art Form
Pages for Peace

Jane Scheff – Click and Write

EdgewoodJudy Baiocchi – Poet & Publisher
Carolyn LorenceJudy Baiocchi – Go Fish
Carolyn Lorence
Monya MeinelKathy Bristow – Digiwalkers JoEllen Owens- Adopt a School
Sara Sher

JoeEllen Owens – Blanketing Chicagoland

Ravinia Susan Orlowski – Perfectly Poetry
Sarah Walsh
Karen GrostSandra Abrams – Long Live Shakespeare
Catherine WrightTrisha Potthoff – Buddies for Community Service
Alayna Watkins

Alicia Luthardt – Music Infusion
Karen Grost

Wayne Thomas
Rose Tepper – You’re Wanted on the Telephone

Lincoln
Stephen Buti – Getting into Golf!

District 112 Education Foundation
2001-2002 Opportunity Grants Program

Edgewood Middle School | Elm Place Middle School | Indian Trail School | Lincoln School | Northwood Jr. High School | Oak Terrace School | Ravinia School | Red Oak School | Sherwood School | Wayne Thomas School