Five Coventry Teachers Land Innovation Grants

COVENTRY, RI - Teachers from five Coventry 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 previously had been limited to urban school districts such as Providence and Central Falls.

“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,” said Letitia Carter.

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 Hopkins Hills, teacher Cindy Forde received $1,000 to buy Chromebooks for a pen-pal project. About 60 students will be paired with third-graders from Tiogue School. The students will communicate with one another by using Skype, email and shared Google documents. The Chromebooks will also enable students to begin their immersion into science, technology, engineering, arts and math.

“It is important that our students have daily technology use to increase their achievement. This opportunity to practice social skills that will allow continued development of these very important skills,” she said.

At Washington Oak, teacher Michelle Gallagher received $900 to buy four digital microscopes to replace low-power, plastic magnifiers. The new equipment will promote the collection of accurate, detailed quantitative data as part of science notebook entries, as well as, increased use of technology to create digital portfolios of science work.

“It is crucial that we have equipment that fosters student-centered exploration. The ability of students to make and record scientific observations is crucial in order for students to engage in successful inquiry, and provides a solid foundation for children to develop higher order cognitive processes Digital microscopes would provide a powerful combination of science and technology. Computerized magnification enhances group learning activities within the context of science education. The new microscopes will increase student-centered learning through hands-on, open investigations,” she said.

At Western Coventry, teacher Jennifer Hayes was awarded $1,000 to purchase 19 Sqord watches, boosters and 2 preloaded IPAD minis for one third-grade Physical and Health Education class. The watches measure physical activity. The goal is to encourage students to be active everyday and to participate in healthy activity as much as possible.

“As a physical education teacher, I am always looking for new and innovative ways to measure student’s fitness in the classroom. Students can scan their watches after recess, gym class or any other time they are active,” she said. “The device both get kids active and gets them thinking about the link between activity and how they are feeling—in the classroom and in general,” she said.

At Blackrock, teacher Diana Lachance received $1,000 to take 70 students on a guided tour of Sturbridge Village to study the content of communities of the past including the Native Americans and English colonists.

“The The Sturbridge trip will immerse the children back in time to the colonial period so they can fully experience with all their senses the information they will have studied. The cross content area connections involve reading for knowledge informational text and highlighting new learning,” she said.

At Tiogue School, teacher Donna Raptakis received $950 to buy two digital microscopes in order to enable students to examine specimens and write about their observations in their science notebooks.

“This grant will provide a tremendous learning opportunity for everyone involved and it provides the students at Tiogue with a sense of ownership and collaboration. It also will set the stage for involving them in service learning which will assist them as they enter the middle and high school,” she said.

Elementary schools in Barrington, Burrillville, Central Falls, Charlestown, Cranston, Cumberland, East Providence, Johnston, 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.

The Rhode Island Foundation is the largest and most comprehensive funder of nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island. In 2014, the Foundation awarded $34.7 million in grants to organizations addressing the state’s most pressing issues and needs of diverse communities. Through leadership, fundraising and grantmaking activities, often in partnership with individuals and organizations, the Foundation is helping Rhode Island reach its true potential. For more information, visit www.rifoundation.org.