Swallow Union | Gaffney

Through research we have structured our room to include flexible seating. Physical activity is linked to higher academic performance and improved academic behavior. We anticipate students using these chairs will perform cognitively better, have a better ability to concentrate, increase memory, stay on task, be less disruptive and become higher academic achievers.

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FR/SU | Volpe/Lemont

The project will enhance our Shared Literature Collections so that teachers will have additional resources for students to explore in the area of physical science. Although specific to a unit of study in the teaching of writing for second grade, all teachers will have access to these resources. The second grade unit in informational writing aims to teach students more about informational writing specific to that of scientists. They will begin by hypothesizing, experimenting, collecting data, and analyzing, and then synthesize information to develop theories. They will be exposed to how data is reported through charts and graphs. They will study how authors “teach” about a particular topic. Enhancing our resources in the science topic of forces and motion will provide students with multiple texts to use as models for their own writing.

Middle School | Maio

This project would bring an iPad into our classroom library to serve in a few different roles for the entire school year. First, the iPad would serve as the book-checkout and check-in system by downloading the Booksource App. Also, the iPad could access sites and apps like Goodreads and What Should I Read Next to help students choose a new book. Finally, students can write reviews or film trailers for books they loved. The links to these will be turned into a QR code and attached to the book. When another student wants to know more about a book, she/he can scan the QR code on the iPad and learn more.  This project would enrich the reading lives of each child by giving them access to websites and information that life-long readers use.

Swallow Union | Murphy

Students in third grade are exposed to multiple genres of literature, including mysteries.   The goal of this grant would be to increase classroom libraries in the third grade by adding more mystery books, thus providing a more current and a wider variety of literature for children to choose from.  Research proves that in order to grow as readers, students need to read books at their appropriate reading levels.  Therefore, a classroom library needs to be well stocked with diverse options to meet the needs of a varied student population.

Florence Roche | Lanctot

A Teacher resource of read alouds focused on Growth Mindset to incorporate in our Social Emotional Learning. Will create a dedicated space for Growth Mindset Read Alouds focusing on K-2 level with PIBS model.

District | SEPAC

The GDRSD SEPAC is applying for a mini-grant in the amount of $500 to help cover the cost of a speaker for the Groton and Dunstable communities on the topic of social thinking.  The grant would provide for a portion of the speaker’s honorarium. Attendees at this presentation will leave with specific strategies they can employ to strengthen their students' or their child's  social skills, thus promoting more healthy social interactions in our schools, homes, and the broader community. The speaking event will be November 14, 2017 from 6-9pm.

Thea Davis, M.Ed., BCBA is an experienced special educator and behavior therapist who practices in the tradition of Winner’s social thinking program.  She is a highly sought after speaker in the greater Boston and New England areas who presents on the Skills® curriculum. 

Florence Roche | Mills

The wobble stools and the Back Jack seats that I would like to order will help students focus and be more engaged in their class work and independent lessons. The Back Jack chairs will help my growing fourth grade students who are having trouble sitting on the floor without back support. Having a variety of seating options will allow the students to make choices, which align, to the principals of Universal Design for Learning. This alternative seating will be accessible to all of my students and will be a part of the classroom for many years. 

Middle School | Morris

This iPad would be used for collection of data, student use for learning centers, student use of downloaded applications and subscriptions, collecting student evidence, student use for research, sensory games, and will allow students more choices for projects, such as stop motion, online apps, downloadable apps, and video making.

Florence Roche | Volpe

“GDEF has funded so many grants I have written. I appreciate the process and careful thoughtfulness that goes into reviewing each grant. I have written larger grants and mini grants and both experiences have been very positive for me. Thank you!” Grace Volpe

*A similar grant was also awarded to Swallow Union.

Middle School | Morris

Attendance at the MAST Conference attended by teachers and educational leaders from Massachusetts. The themes of the conference are: Science in the World Around Us- Innovative Assessments, Teachers as Leaders, Student Misconceptions, Technology and Engineering. My goal is to obtain information about how to implement new science standards into my classroom, including ideas for lesson plans and available resources. We are implementing new stat standards this year in 6th grade next year. This conference will also provide the time to talk to other teachers who have begun this process and also give me background information I can use in developing new activities and lessons to use in my classroom in order to teach these standards.

High School | Kostich

The TAB Institute at Massachusetts College of Art and Design in Boston takes place from July 9th to the 14th. Teaching for Artistic Behavior is a choice-based educational approach, a visual arts form of UDL / Universal Design for Learning, which is one of our district's main goals for the next few years. TAB allows students to work independently, take ownership of their own learning, and reflect on their process, just as practicing artists do. Students are encouraged to explore and experiment, and they have the opportunity to make their own decisions about what and how they learn. Students who experience this TAB-based approach will become more independent learners and take more ownership of their work and performance in the classroom.

Once TAB has been implemented into the GDRHS arts curriculum, the primary method of sharing the results of this new approach will be through multiple art displays throughout at the Middle School and High School, coinciding with the beautiful display boards that GDEF provided for our department a couple years ago. These boards have made a tremendous difference in sharing our students' artwork with our community, and we very much look forward to using them for years to come.

High School | Cook

This year's conference is in Orlando, Florida, from July 15-17.

My goals are to connect with literacy specialists from around the world to learn about the newest and best practices for students in critical thinking, reading, and expression. I will attend sessions related to all areas of English Language Arts (reading, writing, listening, speaking, and language), and particularly those in which presenters discuss or demonstrate how digital literacy tools can enhance student learning, with an eye toward universal design.

Middle School | DI Finals

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High School | Robotomies Team

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