Self-regulation is the ability to adjust or regulate the level of alertness depending on the time of the day and the stimuli presented. When students have a difficult time with self regulation, we observe maladaptive behavior or responses to the environment and sensory stimuli. WeÛªd like to provide students with the equipment necessary to enable them to self-regulate in order to increase abilities in all areas of learning and in all learning spaces. Improved self-regulation will increase the opportunities for special education students to collaborate in and participate with the general education setting through all eight Saline Area Schools Compass Attributes.
Using Games to Enhance Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
As a department, the math teachers at SMS are working to implement critical thinking activities into our lessons. We are helping students identify strategies for problem solving that will carry into other courses and beyond the school walls. By allowing students time to play games, these skills can be reinforced in a fun and creative way. These games will also help to foster positive communication skills and cooperation amongst peers, as students put away their electronic devices and work together to play board and card games.
Ecosystem Model-Reef Tank
A highly diverse reef tank will simulate an actual aquatic ecosystem. This system serves as a microcosm of our world. This DIRECTLY relates what is/could be extended to be taught in Biology regarding but not limited to: nutrient cycles and flow of matter, biodiversity, symbiosis, carrying capacity, competition for resources, invasive species, global warming, coral bleaching/ocean acidity, food webs and chains, reproduction, population growths, sustainability, global awareness, human impact and much more. I am working directly with Fish Doctors out of Ypsilanti to create this design to meet my instructional needs. (Not just a “cool fish tank” for the classroom!) This directly corresponds to the state high school standards (“Matter and Energy in Organisms and Ecosystems” as well as “Independent Relationships in Ecosystems” which could be assessed on the MSTEP).
Apple Watch and Breathe
Apple Watches have an app called Breathe. When using this app, it provides a multi sensory (physical and visual) experience. During times that our students are experiencing moments of stress, anxiety and other emotional irregularities, the staff have used their personal Apple Watches to help de-escalate / calm students using the Breathe app. The staff place the watch on the childÛªs wrist and assist the student in the breathing exercises. The Apple watch also has a timer that is also multi sensory, which helps students with understanding of time and when to transition in the school environment.
An Outdoor Makerspace: Learning through Play!
From perspective taking to learning in a group, students learn and develop best through play! Recess is an opportunity for our students to practice and generalize skills of communication, collaboration, and creativity in a genuine, yet unstructured setting. However, the playground is not always accessible or equitable for students as they may not be interested in activities such as football or soccer. I propose that we encourage opportunities for play and learning using the Everblocks from Stemfinity as a step towards building an outdoor makerspace!
Elementary School Robotics Program
We will be starting a STEM-oriented robotics program to teach elementary school kids about the basics of engineering and technical design. The program will utilize robotics kits, specifically the Lego Boosts Kit, for the students to build over a 6 week period in small teams, each team consisting of 5 elementary school kids as well as a high school kid serving as a mentor. The elementary school students will also participate in programming the robots that they build through a simple drag-and-drop style programming software, therefore allowing the students to learn about the basics of programming as well as the engineering skills they are learning from the building of the robot. The program will last a total of 6 weeks and be available for students from 2nd to 3rd grade after school located in the Harvest building.
Compass Connected Classroom Library
In an effort to promote understanding of Social Justice and help students learn how to positively contribute to the lives of others while demonstrating empathy for differences in peers and community, it is essential for our Saline Middle School students to be exposed to texts that showcase diversity and include individuals acting with empathy in situations where social issues, or conflicts due to inequity/unfair treatment, occur. While many 8th grade students at SMS have heard examples of Social Injustice in the news, due to our demographics, it is not common for these teenagers to have deeper personal experiences that help them build empathy about differences in peers. Bringing in novels and non-fiction texts that explicitly show how Social Justice situations impact characters, both real and imagined, and affect the world (outside of Saline/Michigan/the US) will help our students develop greater understanding of social issues which will lead to more empathy being shown and an increase of positive contributions to the lives of others.
21st Century Informational Text Library
We spend countless hours in informational text reading through our genius hour, various PBL’s and our reading and writing informational and argument units of study. Last year I noticed that while we strive to give students voice and choice in this area and teach them to do research outside of the internet, many of the library books do not reflect the passions of current Heritage students. I am hoping to build a complex informational library.
The Informed SLPs
This grant is to purchase online memberships to The Informed SLP for each of the 12 district Speech-Language Pathologists. The Informed SLP is a website dedicated to connecting speech-language clinicians and scientists with each otherÛªs work by reviewing hundreds of the latest research and journal articles, and subsequently publishing monthly members-only reviews, as well as allowing members access to additional resources on the website. Everything that is curated and reviewed is evidence-based, thus changing the way our students are diagnosed and treated, and providing clinicians with factual and proven information. With each monthly edition, the district SLPs will be increasing knowledge with minimal time commitment.
Heritage Hands On Learning with Snap Circuits and Keva Planks
Nicole Brunell, Meg Phillips and I would like to purchase Snap Circuit Kits, RC Rover Cars and Keva Planks for students to use while at Heritage School with the goal that students can work along with both their general and special education peers as they are introduced to the basic properties of electricity, electronics, structural design and engineering. In short, with the use of Snap Circuits and Keva Planks, students will have opportunities to access the Saline Area School compass. With exposure to science and technology, students will also build upon their academic skills and the student attributes outlined in our learner profile, which are necessary for future success.
