JEANIE RITCHIE GRANTS

2006-2007 Projects

Bridging the World with Rhythm (new)
Kindergarten - 8^th grade, 2247 students
Students go on a “musical world tour” as they participate in workshops and assemblies led by Crosspulse, a Bay Area percussion ensemble. Students learn about the various cultural contexts of music and broaden their appreciation of how African music has influenced the Americas. Teachers: Richard Vaughan, with John Ashfield, Bee Tee

Life Cycles Unlimited (new)
Ingrid Smith Math and Science Award
Laurel 2^nd grade, 75 students
Students study the life cycle of frogs through research, direct observation, and comparison with butterfly and other amphibian life cycles. A field trip to Lake Lagunita provides an opportunity to see the endangered California Tiger Salamander habitat. Teachers: Sandra Horwitz, with Sue Booth, Lezlie Glare, Andrea Mazzoncini, Ruth Peterson

Playing With Poetry/Theaterworks (new)
Oak Knoll 2^nd grade, 120 students
The world of poetry opens up in this two-week unit of study which engages children in poetry, language, movement and theater. Facilitated by Theatreworks, the program culminates in an Open Workshop performance for families and students. Teachers: Bill Quarre with Christine Aronson, Patty Kelley, Sara Kew, Wendy Gapastione, Lynn Murphy

Learning with Flags – The Parade of Nations (new)
Laurel 1^st grade, 41 students
Students will learn an appreciation of different cultures through the study and creation of world flags, providing another dimension to the first grade Ancestor’s Day. Teachers: Joan Posillipo, with Joanie Woodard

Living History (repeat)
Hillview 7th grade, 233 students
Students will hear first-hand presentations from guest speakers who broaden students’ understanding of Islam, Buddhism, Africa, the Renaissance, Meso-America, and Modern Day Exploration. Teachers: Sharron Thompson with Bruce Hicks, Cheryl Perez, Mike Rogers, Martha Rosenthal, Kim Staff

Earth Materials Rock! (new)
Laurel 2^nd grade, Encinal 4^th grade, 44 students
Students from different grades and schools will partner together to learn about geology, rocks and erosion through scientific observation, games, experiments and field trips. Teachers: Ruth Peterson with Charlene Mattos

Music in the Morning (new)
Laurel 1^st grade, 20 students
Students will listen to classical music each morning in preparation for a day of focused learning. Children will learn to identify the characteristics of a master composer’s work by listening to a different composer each week. Teacher: Joanie Woodard

Stepping Into Reading (new)
Laurel 1^st grade, 80 students
Collaborative, creative approaches to reading and differentiated selections will encourage children at all levels to get enthusiastic about reading. As children complete each project, they will help their class earn “steps” toward classroom rewards, each of which supports the love of reading and writing. Teachers: Kristin Gracia with Whitney Engle, Mia Henry, Stacei Santana, Courtney Shackleton

History Alive! (new)
Oak Knoll 4^th grade, 96 students
Students connect personally with the 4^th grade social studies unit on Pioneer and Gold Rush History as they participate in a two-day, interactive time warp of activities. Students don pioneer costumes, pan for gold, create crafts, square dance, listen to story tellers, and watch a real blacksmith in action. Teachers: Johnna Becker with Brenda Kelly, Rebecca Shawo, Michelle Tom

“With a Little Help from My Friends: Training Students to Be Active Members of Their Communities” (new)
Hillview 8^th grade, 225 students
Students learn leadership, communication, collaborative decision making and conflict resolution skills in small groups taught by the California Association of Student Councils. Large group instruction focuses on student teamwork and motivation. The training involves CORE teachers and counselors as coaches and helps prepare students for group curriculum projects. Teachers: Barbara Berkowitz, with Lexy Keller Eaton, Daria Finstad, Willy Haug, Jennifer Hutsell, Carolyn Malquist

Wild and Wacky Wizards (new)
Laurel 1^st Grade, 40 students
Hands-on scientific projects let students explore and discover science in new, wizardly ways, with assistance from “Visiting Scientists.” Teachers: Joanie Woodard, with Joan Posillipo

“Wood” You? Could You? In a Tree (new)
Oak Knoll Kindergarten, 140 Students
Students enrich their interactive science curriculum using a “tree” kit, with hands-on exploration and analysis of wood and “tree cookies.” Woodworking activities involve children in three-dimensional creative action, problem solving and mastery of basic woodworking skills that build their motor skills. Teachers: Carole Towle and Trish Stella, with Jane Bennion, Alicia Bush, Jeanne McCann, Juli Van Tellingen, Leah Yujuico

Sea Life Explorations (repeat from ’03-’04)
Laurel Kindergarten, 180 students
This active learning project provides a four-week enrichment to existing curriculum as children investigate sea life habitats through hands-on science, language arts, drama and art activities. Ocean-related activities in the classroom are enhanced by a real-life ocean experience at the Marine Science Institute. Teachers: Kristin Owen with Maribeth Andolina, Lynn Callahan, Sydney Fisher, Emily Getchel, Erika Glavan, Sydney Merk, Christen Oberdoerster, Christina Santiago, Jeannie Wynne

In Search of Character (repeat)
Hillview 6^th, 7^th, 8^th grades, 659 students
This school-wide Character Education program focuses on tolerance, respect and peer relationships, and includes programs designed to introduce students to the six pillars of character. Students will add a community service opportunity to eradicate non-native plants and clean up beaches, and they will create a movie/DVD to screen over the HTV studio. Teachers/Administrator: Debbie Devoto, with entire Hillview Staff

Character Counts! And Reading, Too! (new)
Encinal 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th grade, 45 students
This program supports students in the Reading Program by providing books (in Spanish and English) and activities that encourage family involvement and offer extra exposure to the six pillars of the Character Counts program. Teacher: Susan Blanco

Tigers in the Hawk Infested Woods (new)
Hillview 6^th, 7^th and 8^th grades, 650 students
Students will increase hand-eye coordination, concentration and an interest in golf through the use of portable miniature golf course. Teachers: Harry Bell with Ernie Imura, Mike Bratt, Sayre Dolan, Phil Eaton

Sharing Birds with Children (repeat)
Laurel 1^st grade, 41 students
Children are introduced to the love of bird watching as they learn first-hand about birds and bird habitats. Hands-on activities include building bird-feeders, observation, identification and recording of bird data, and a docent-led field trip to the Baylands. Teachers: Joan Posilippo with Joanie Woodard

Shortcut to the World, Part II (repeat)
Hillview 7^th and 8^th grades, 100+ students
Building on the success of last year’s pilot program, this year’s grant enriches the French Language program by “bringing world cultures to life in the classroom.” Students transform their classroom into authentic Francophone environments, develop culture kits, engage in telephone conversations with foreigners, and host international cafes. Teacher: Stephanie Fullen

Phun Physics II (repeat)
Laurel 2nd grade, 160 students
Students will participate in an enriching science experience through Phun Physics Days featuring hands-on experimentation stations. The program culminates in a trip to the S.F. Exploratorium. Teachers: Andrea Mazzoncini with Sue Booth, Steffany Cressey, Andy Dehne, Jeriann Hirsch, Sandra Horwitz, Emily Matthews, Ruth Peterson, Priscilla Seely

High Nile Festival (repeat)
Hillview 6^th grade, 225 students
Students will engage in a range of interactive activities at Hillview and a docent-led trip to the Rosicrucian Museum to enhance the Ancient Egypt unit of study. Teachers: Aimee Mathenia with Susan Brochin, Larra Gonzales, Shalann Kunkel, Emily Lowrie

Life is But a Stage (repeat)
Laurel 1^st grade, 100 students
Children will connect literature and theater through the comparative study of five children’s classics, which they will read, view on film and experience at live performances. Teachers: Joanie Woodard with Masie Chin, Whitney Engle, Mia Henry, Joan Posilippo, Marilyn Wong

Puppets, Puppets, Everywhere! (repeat)
Laurel 2^nd grade, 80 students
Students learn storytelling, role-playing and other useful skills through a variety of interactive puppetry experiences. Activities include professionally-led puppet workshops, classroom and cross-age “buddy” events, and videoconferencing workshops broadcast from the Atlanta-based Center for Puppetry Arts. Teachers: Jeriann Hirsch with Steffany Cressey, Andy Dehne, Sandra Horwitz, Ruth Peterson

Poetry, Here and Now (repeat)
Hillview 6^th grade, 219 students
Students will study popular and classical poetry, participating in a range of analytical and writing activities, through a series of workshops with a guest instructor. This will supplement the current poetry unit. Teachers: Susan Brochin with Larra Gonzales, Shalann Kunkel, Emily Lowrie, Aimee Mathenia

Strikin’ It Rich (repeat)
Encinal 4^th grade, 125 students
Students make the California Gold Rush a personal experience through this multidisciplinary program featuring a Gold Rush Interactive Unit, a novel set in the Gold Rush era, and hands-on Gold Rush activities culminating in experience as gold prospectors. Teachers: Charlene Mattos with Rachel Naishtut, Karen Strohmaier, Lela Ward, Sheila Warren

Build It Festival: Revised and Renewed! (repeat)
Laurel 2^nd grade, 160 students
Students experiment with geometry outside the classroom during this two-day festival of math. Activities enhance children’s mathematical and spatial learning experience in an atmosphere of discovery and experimentation. Teachers: Steffany Cressey with Sue Booth, Andy Dehne, Jeriann Hirsch, Sandra Horwitz, Emily Matthews, Andrea Mazzoncini, Ruth Peterson, Priscilla Seely

Writing Power from Touchtone Texts: Reading as a Writer
Oak Knoll 5th grade, 102 students
Provides students ready access to the masterful language of "touchstone texts," books rich in curriculum potential. Students are taught how to 'read like writers'-- learning to recognize, and then craft their own powerful and purposefully directed language. Teachers: Caryl Brewbaker, Barbara Louttit, Stacy Emmert and Tara Hassett.

What's Up in Room 12?
Encinal 3rd grade, 20 students
Students will expand the use family message journals through brainstorming with peers about  topics, reflecting on their day from a variety of angles, capturing classroom experiences with a still digital camera, and "scrapping" these experiences in their journals. Teacher: Heidi Yamada.