Innovative Ideas Classroom Grants - Spring 2007

Campus: Jefferson Elementary
Proposal: Beat for Peace – Drumming @ Jefferson
Teacher: Keith J. Robinson

Musically and rhythmically, Beat for Peace - Drumming @ Jefferson emphasizes the three key concepts of Listening, Focus, and respect to inspire and motivate students who have become separated from the possibility of a positive educational experience. Through a love of music, the physicality of drumming, and an intensive musical learning environment, students will develop a stronger sense of drumming, and an intensive musical learning environment, student will develop a stronger sense of community, and a deeper understanding and utilization of Listening, Focus, and Respect skills. Beat for Peace – drumming @ Jefferson represents for many students, a unique opportunity to be loud, to strike something with passion, and to release stress in a positive, motivational, and musical manner.

Campus: Jefferson Elementary
Proposal: Jefferson Elementary Trail (JET)
Teacher: Kim Schlichting, Pam Colvin, Dana Kutz, Cindy Hernandez, Elisa Pittman, Linda Redix, LVN, Marty Keil

Using a large open area in back of our campus facilities, a fitness track will be laid out and marked with distances as well as a fitness station. Health information as well as instructions for stations will be posted at each station. Personal fitness “journals” will be available for users to keep records of times, distances and repetitions and to set goals. This is a creative method to integrate Math, Science, Social Studies and Health TEKS. Students will be able to use a kinesthetic approach to learning. TEKS like Linear Measurements, size of dinosaurs and the length of Columbus’ ships. This is also a creative way to improve physical and mental health. It is innovative in and that it could be the first discover/fitness trail in our district.

Campus: Juan Seguin
Proposal: Juan Seguin Outdoor Learning Slab (Wiggle-Giggle Learning Lab)
Teacher: Linda Zurovec Anderson, Christa Anderson Green, Maria Manly, Jennie Hines

Excellence for every student, classroom and teacher in the Seguin independent School District will be nurtured on the Juan Seguin Pre-K Outdoor Learning Slab (wiggle-Giggle Learning Lab) as beginning students ages three- and four-year old including those with special needs, develop a love and respect for learning on a fenced-in hardtop area enriched with pre-K curriculum shapes, letters, numbers, words, and figures. The birthing of positive attitudes for learning in this exciting outdoor atmosphere where children can wiggle and giggle, as well as jump and shout, will permeate the educational arena of the entire school district as the enthusiasm of these young learners radiates throughout their high school years and then continues on to high levels of learning, culminating in a life of service and devotion that will perpetually affect our society.