1.+Description


 * INSTRUCTIONS:**

From Page 4: Program Description (no more than 2 pages) – Describe what school will do with the funds if received. Use the descriptions on pages 1 and 3 for guidance. In addition to a clear description of the activities to be undertaken, also include: (50 Points) • Goals - Clear articulation of the measurable goals of this proposal. • Scope of Work – Specific, bulleted list of the work to be performed and the products or outcomes of the project clearly articulated. Since the focus of this grant is student-centered learning, clearly indicate how teachers currently understand the concept and how professional development will focus on fostering greater understanding either at a grade level team or school level.

Program Description – Describe what grantee will do with the funds if received. In addition to a clear description of the activities to be undertaken, points will be assigned for: (50 Points) • Are goals clearly articulated? • Is the Scope of Work specific? Products/outcomes identified? • Does program support Vermont’s standards or GEs? • Are needs & process for identifying them clearly identified?
 * Criteria**

Poor 0 – 17 Average 18 – 35 Excellent 36 – 50 Program Description – Total Score (MAX is 50):


 * DESCRIPTION**:

The community of Cavendish Town Elementary School invested in wireless laptop computers for students and teachers in 2000 because they recognized that this would provide this small rural Vermont school with resources and opportunities that were not otherwise available to them. The four upper grades classrooms (grades 3-6) have used the cart of 20 laptops extensively to enhance and leverage student learning opportunities across the curriculum.

One of the goals in the Cavendish Town Elementary School Local Educational Technology Plan (2007-2009) is a call to action to push classroom teachers to the next level. Here is the goal as written in the plan:

//Define and pilot how to move classroom teachers from integrating technology into curriculum to transforming curriculum with educational technology.//
 * Goal #3**

This grant opportunity is a perfect fit with this goal. The Grade 4 classroom has been identified as the pilot and the focus for this grant. The grant provides the needed equipment and most importantly, the consultation time with a reknown Technology Integration and Project Based Learning Consultant who can assist with the actual change in the classroom.

The primary classroom goal is to infuse 21st century skills throughout the curriculum to meet the various learning needs and styles of the students. The 21st century skills that will be focused on are: information and communication skills, thinking and problem-solving skills, and interpersonal and self-directional skills.

Additional laptops for 1-to-1 use will provide the opportunity for students to become active learners, instead of passive receivers of knowledge. The students will be able to research and explore areas of interest for the self-directed projects, collaborate with others across the room or around the world, and work on projects that exist outside of the school. This type of learning empowers students with the tools to take responsibility for their own learning.

Projects
Below is a list of projects that will be adjusted after consulting with Jim Moulton to ensure that they meet the guidelines for project based learning. The Vermont Grade Expectations have been noted for each project.


 * Problem Solving Blog (VT GE: M4:30)--Each week, the teacher will post a problem to be solved. Students will be responsible for solving the problem and communicating clearly their thinking and strategies they used to solve the problem. This will allow students to share multiple strategies and be exposed to strategies they may not have thought of. At the end of the week, student work will be displayed on the document camera so that groups of students could discuss and identify strengths of the work.  Students can also group score the piece using the "Vermont elementary and Middle Level Portfolio Scoring Guide".
 * Literacy Blog/Web-Based Assessment (VT GE: R4:7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19) --Each month students are required to read at least two books per month. Through our bi-annual testing using NWEA's MAPs, students receive a Lexile range that narrows down the range of books that students should read to push them to reach their "growth target" in reading. Students track their books in a database that students use to track that they are reading a variety of genres and a variety of levels of books. Through the use of a blog, students will communicate their thinking as they read. They will discuss common themes, complete character analysis, ask questions about each other's books, and create book recommendations for each other. After completing each book, students log into www.bookadventure.com to take a comprehension quiz about their book.
 * VT History (VT GE: H & SS 3-4:10)--There exists no textbook about Vermont History. Each year the Grade 4 teacher rents 3 artifact kits from the Vermont Historical Society. Students will access primary resources that are available only online and will connect with an expert or Vermont community member. This will allow students to create an understanding of past, present and future. Primary Sources that are not available electronically will also be displayed by using the document camera for discussion.
 * Inquiry(VT GE: H & SS 3-4:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)--Students also will develop the skills used by historians and social scientists. They will ask relevant and focusing questions based on what they have seen, what they have read, what they have listened to, and/or what they have researched. They will then develop a hypothesis and design and conduct research on the internet using reliable sites. They will develop reasonable explanations and use the technology to display the information through a multi-media production.
 * Writing (VT GE: W 4:1 & VT Standards 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 1.10, 1.23--The technology would allow instant access to research and educational sites necessary to create accurate informational writing. It would also allow for students to collaborate through the revision and editing process by being able to track their changes and use the writing tools to create a published piece of text. Student would also have the easy access to many graphic organizing tools available to help brainstorm and gather their ideas for any of the 5 genres of writing they complete in grade 4.
 * Digital Storytelling(VT Standards: 1.13, 1.14, 1.15, 1.16, 1.18)--One of the pieces of writing 4th grade focuses on is a Personal Narrative. Through digital storytelling, students will use digital imaging as a mode of communication and personal reflection. Storytelling is the perfect vehicle for oral rehearsal which strengthens creativity, fluency, and various other communication skills.
 * Weather Station-- (VT GE: 3-4:48) Through a grant last year, the school constructed with community volunteers an outdoor classroom and nature exploration trail.  Through this grant a wireless weather station was purchased.  Students would be able to collect, display, organize and analyze the data from the various weather instruments and construct a daily weather page for the Cavendish Town Elementary School website.

Throughout the year, the grade 4 website will be updated with the projects the students are completing. At least twice a year, one of which will be the Annual Arts Night, the students' projects will be on display and students will be made available to share and discuss their work with community members. Students will also present their projects at monthly school board meetings which are recorded and broadcasted on LPCTV, a local cable channel.

Technical Network Preparation and Implementation
Already in place:
 * High speed wireless network is available / content filtering as required is in place
 * Server and server management software in place and trained professional available to customize for mobile computing

Grant Funds for:
 * Acquire 11 additional laptops, a cart and document camera.

Setup Tasks - resources available - scheduled completion August 15th.
 * Take 5 laptops from existing cart, leaving 15 for grades 3,5 and 6 (max class size will be 15 for 2008-09)
 * Dedicate new cart to Grade 4
 * Image laptops
 * Customize server settings to set Grade 4 laptops up for mobile computing

Ongoing - resources available as needed
 * Work with Grade 4 teacher to further customize settings and environments to meet class learning goals.

Human Network Preparation and Implementation
Completed:
 * Pilot grade level identified
 * Teacher committed to pilot

Grant Funds for:

Schedule 2-3 days in August 2008 to have Jim Moulton, Educational Technology Consultant work with teacher and support staff to re-balance teacher's: in order to prepare her and her team to maximize the opportunity to move to student centered learning within a new and flexible learning environment in the areas described above.
 * content knowledge
 * pedagogical knowledge
 * technological knowledge