Farmers Branch students to use iPods for bilingual education

by Chad Jones

The Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD has announced its list of 2007 Teacher Grant recipients. Amongst the newly-funded programs are several that include using iPods for (bilingual) education:

Listening to Learn: iPods for Bilingual Students - Kindergarten

• Bilingual kindergarteners will take home an Apple iPod shuffle. This will help language enrichment at home and those students struggling to master certain concepts.
• Montgomery Elementary Stephanie Hayes, Yolanda Bangert, Rebecca Buck, Aida Gonzalez, Monica Hixson. Program received $2,993.29, Funded in Part by the Nancy Strickland Fund

iPod Shuffle Pre-Reading for Pre-Kindergarten

• Identified at-risk and English Language Learners will use Apple iPod shuffles as a resource for helping students hear correct letter sounds and increased vocabulary at home.
• Carrollton Elementary, Vanessa Levin, Olga Quintero, Lucrecia Amara, Jolene Fetters. Program received $3,000.00, Funded in Part by Tenet Healthcare

Increasing Reading Comprehension/ Fluency Using Books on iPods

• The use of audio books on iPods to increase reading comprehension, vocabulary and background knowledge on the Primary Reading Inventory, Benchmarks and TAKS tests among low performing and ESL population.
• Freeman Elementary, Gayle Baar and Julie Nelson. Program received $3000.00, Funded in Part by Theresa Salerno Library Grant

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Additionally, several other programs deserve mention simply because they sound wicked sweet:

Butterflies for the Outdoor Classroom - Sixth - Eighth Grade Science

• Construction and installation of a Butterfly Habitat in the secured courtyard of DeWitt Perry. This habitat will include: host plants for larvae, nectar plants to attract adult butterflies, butterfly houses, nectar feeders and a vivarium for released butterflies.
• DeWitt Perry Middle School, Dan Kinkade. Program received $983.63, Funded by Valwood Improvement Authority Teacher Grant

Lights Camera Action - Kindergarten Productions!

• A green screen allows students to have a more hands-on approach to create movies. This grant will purchase the Chromakey background (green screen), memory stick and software to produce movies. Imagine a kindergartener on the moon!
• Rainwater Elementary, Nancy Murphy. Program received $999.95, Funded in Part by Plano Office Supply

Computer Media Club (after-school program) - Third - Fifth Grade

• After-school Computer Media Club will be offered to students in grades 3-5. The club will provide basic computer instruction, as well as direct training using many of the most popular software programs. Students will meet twice a week for 12 weeks to learn and apply computer technology.
• Good Elementary, Kelly Boyer and Shelley Justice. Program received $2,994.30, Funded in Part by Sam's Club

Enhancing Language/Pre-Reading Skills in Students with Autism

• Computer-based literacy instruction in all kindergarten through grade 5 Communication Classes. Research-based for early readers, the program will provide computer activities and hard copies of books with activities for one-on-one teaching to support guided reading, multi-sensory reinforcement, phonics activities and extensive practice opportunities that students with autism need.
• Country Place Elementary - Laura Rogers, Geri Patterson, Anita Shepherd $2,968.59, Funded in Part by Bob Bilmeimer Fund

Book Bags - Big Bang for the Buck! Ninth - Twelfth Grade

• High school students will receive a plain canvas bag. They select from a group of paperback books and magazines to keep in the bag. Students will draw from the collection in their book bags during specific reading instruction times, as well as free reading time. At the end of the year the students take home the bag along with one paperback book of their choice. This project is for reluctant readers.
• R.L. Turner, Sherri Wilcox. Program received $963.50, Funded by Alcoa

From the Music Room to the Garage Band - Third - Fifth Grade Music

• This project will incorporate the use of a Macmini computer with Garage Band software to facilitate students reading, writing and creating standard music notation.
• Riverchase Elementary, JoAnn Wright. Program received $822.00.

Hello World: Making Connections Beyond Four Walls of a Classroom

• For Grades 6, 7, 8
• This program allows students and teachers to communicate through video podcasting, effortlessly create and manage video content, automatically share videos, publish video content in a variety of formats and immediately showcase their talent and creativity.
• DeWitt Perry Middle School, Brooklyn Murray. Program has received $3,000.00, Funded in Part by Tad Dodson Memorial Grant

Cow Hear This! Greener Pastures - Seventh Grade - Texas History

• This grant will expand a previously funded grant by the Foundation. This grant will allow the weekly podcast in Texas History to be done outside the classroom from remote locations such as field trips, school programs, other classrooms, sporting events, etc.
• Blalack Middle School, Danny Trout. Program received $1,000.00, Funded in Part by Alcoa.