Here is a breakdown of grant rounds 1 – 10 recipients.

Number of Grants Funded: 11 – Amount: $3,892

Cumulative Grants Funded: 11 – Cumulative Amount: $3,892

The Backpacks Program (Thespena Cappas, Bibich, $500) Students take home backpacks with books and materials, create written products, and publish their writing with older student “buddies.”

Celebration of Quilting (Cheryl Staniszewski, Grimmer, $317) In a cooperative venture between four subject areas, students study the history of quilts, measure and tessellate to form quilt patterns, study fabric composition and dyes, and create five twin-sized quilts as a community service project.

Creating a Literature Environment (Linda Favors, Protsman, $275) The project empowers second graders to raise their level of reading comprehension, written expression, and creativity through the creative world of puppetry.

Creating Strategic Readers in a First Grade Classroom (Melody Wolff, Homan, $500) First graders use trade books to gain strategies for becoming lifelong readers.

Lake Central/Valparaiso University Percussion Festival (Scott Dallas, LCHS, $200) In cooperation with Valparaiso University, the Lake Central Music Department co-hosts a percussion festival with three percussion experts providing clinics.

Literature-Based Reading (Joella Freckelton, Peifer, $500) Third grade students immerse themselves in reading through the use of classroom novel sets.

Native American Teepee (Archie Mitchell, Bibich, $450) Students select and paint designs on a full-sized Native American teepee which will be used by school and community groups.

Partners with Nature: We’re Talking Trees (Anka Terry, Peifer, $370) The disciplines of science, geography, art, and language along with cultural exploration are brought together to create a large-scale mural depicting the life cycle of trees across the four seasons.

Whale of a Weekend (Nan Fercik and Nancy Engle, Peifer, $255) Tutorial reading students check out colorful canvas totes packed with motivational reading materials.

Write On! (Tim Mathew, LC Freshmen Center, $325) Technological tools are used to enhance the writing process for ninth grade students.

The Writers Club (Karen Kinney, Bibich, $200) Kindergartners are encouraged to write using varied experiences, including meeting a real author and corresponding with her.

Number of Grants Funded: 5 – Amount: $2,000

Cumulative Grants Funded: 16 – Cumulative Amount: $5,892

Art E. Tree of Knowledge (Nancy Wilk, Bibich, $400) A tree containing activity bags serves as a method for teaching art appreciation and concepts.

Correlation of Social Studies and Reading through the Use of Literature (Christine Nyenhuis and Marilyn Qualls, Protsman, $375) Trade books are used to integrate social studies and reading.

The Math Space Shuttle 9 Program (Mary Gatlin, Bibich, $500) First graders are guided through an imaginary journey where nine math concepts are targeted.

Seventh Grade Indiana Dunes Interdisciplinary Unit (Linda Hoffman, Kathy Greenya, and the Seventh Grade Team, Kahler, $500) – A field trip to the Indiana Dunes emphasizes the ecological concept of succession.

Using Selected Novels to Enhance Vocabulary and Comprehension Development (Linda Hensley, Watson, $225) Novels provide a different approach to vocabulary and comprehension.

Number of Grants Funded: 11 – Amount: $4,625

Cumulative Grants Funded: 27 – Cumulative Amount: $10,517

Atocha Archaeology Activity Box (Iris Moskovitz, Letitia Gustas, Maryann Ott, Cheryl Geras, Karen Gross, and Lore Schechner, Grimmer, $450) A box of original and replica artifacts will be rented from the Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Society.

Creating a Literature Environment (Linda Favors, Protsman, $325) Third graders use puppets to improve comprehension, writing, and creativity.

Cyber-Survival (Karen Semancik, Kolling, and Sal Morgan, Protsman, $500) Two fifth grade classrooms become “technology buddies”.

Guided Reading Empowers Literacy Groups (Peggy Jones, Protsman, $500) Primary students use books which match their needs to improve reading skills.

I Just Love Reading! (Sue Spicer, Peifer, $500) Second graders form literature circles.

Math and the Literature Connection (Linda Powell, Watson, $350) Books link literature and math in a third-grade classroom.

On the Road to Literacy (Donna Yundt and Donna Mauder, Peifer, $450) Kindergarten students use “living books” software.

Outdoor Environmental Lab and School Secret Garden (Laura Haiiford, Peifer,$500) An outdoor lab/garden is cooperatively created by the school and community.

Penguin Power (Karen Kinney, Bibich, $350) Kindergartners study penguins through The Emperor Penguin’s New Clothes.

Sculpting the Writing Process (Iris Moskovitz, Letitia Gustas and Maryann Ott, Grimmer, $200) Middle school students create a Play-Doh sculpture as a metaphor for the writing process.

Space Exploration (Tyann Franklin, Joyce Buikema, Debbie. Fenters, Tim Mitchell, Cindy Rentschler, and Mary Rebey, Grimmer, $500) Middle school students participate in space simulations and use interactive software.

Number of Grants Funded: 11 – Amount: $9,800

Cumulative Grants Funded: 38 – Cumulative Amount: $20,317

Cyber-Survival: Earth and Beyond (Karen Semancik, Kolling, and Silvana Morgan, Protsman, $250) In a continuation of a previous grant, two fifth grade classrooms become “technology buddies” as they collaborate on a survival unit.

I Learned It My Way (Rod Coker, Leslie Bontrager, Laura Drennan, Sue Spicer, and Greta Vinzant, Peifer, $1500) Second graders use alternative activities to reach each of the multiple intelligences.

Iditarod: The Last Great Race (Jo Chamberlain, Susan Schweitzer, Dave Roman, and Linda Roman, Grimmer, $1300) Seventh grade students are introduced to the Alaskan wilderness and the Iditarod Trail.

Learn to Earn (Christine Mikuly and Patty Nuzzo, Watson, $600) Two second grade classes simulate a classroom store to teach economic principles.

Phoenix (Tom Hansen and Charlene Hansen, LCHS, $500) This accelerated learning program is designed to help break the cycle of failure for at-risk high school students.

Principles of Chemistry/Physics: A Lab-Based Approach (Alan Angel, Tim Vassar, Liz VanDussoldorp, Meva Weaver, and Lisa De St. Jean, LC Freshman Center, $1500) Each science concept in the freshmen science curriculum is reinforced with a hands-on activity.

Sensational Environmental Science (Kim Yelich and Pat Smith, Watson, and Becky Barloga, Lake County Soil and Water, $1500) Mathematics, reading, and problem-solving skills are interwoven with lessons on basic biological concepts for students in kindergarten through second grade.

A Survey of Fine Arts (Leta Sena-Lopez and Margaret Govert, Kahler, $1000) Through a series of videos, art and music are combined to enhance and improve the quality of eighth grade aesthetic education.

Using Our Private Eyes (Karen Kinney and Nancy Wilk, Bibich, $1000) Using a jeweler’s loupe, students magnify the world around them, think by analogy, and theorize.

Whale of a Weekend (Nancy Engle, Nan Fercik, and Terese Dykiel, Peifer, $150) Continuation of tutorial reading program is designed to provide take-home totes.

We’re Not Bored! (Leslie Bontrager, Peifer, $500) “Fast learners” in the second grade are provided with materials that challenge them and provide reinforcement.

Number of Grants Funded: 10 – Amount: $3,960

Cumulative Grants Funded: 48 – Cumulative Amount: $24,277

Applying Economic Principles in a First Grade Classroom (Melody Wolff, Homan, $500) First grade students perform tasks to create a restaurant: product development, customer service, pricing, and advertising.

Building Conflict Resolution (Lucy DiMichele and Diana Clapperton, Protsman, $360) Fifth graders learn conflict resolution skills.

Give My Regards to Broadway (Robert Gustas, Grimmer, $340) Seventh graders videotape and critique their performances.

Illiana Percussion Festival (Scott Dallas, LCHS, $220) High school percussion students learn from and perform with some of the best professional musicians in their field.

Integrating Historical Fiction (Ann Ziemsiewicz, Karen Finley, Kris Johnson, and Joyce Lasics, Homan, $500) Fifth grade students read literature related to specific time periods, write character-based reports and sequels, and create theme-based projects.

It’s Reading Recess Time (Lynn Lain, Peifer, $500) First grade students read leveled books, participate in learning centers, and work in groups.

Nursery Rhyme Time (Robert Gustas, Grimmer, $255) Seventh grade students explore how cultural changes affect nursery rhymes and write their own nursery rhyme books to share with elementary students.

Science on the Go (Cheryl Bell and Linda Powell, Watson, $500) Thirty inquiry-based life, physical, chemical, and earth/space science activities come to third grade classrooms.

Sculpting the Writing Process (Iris Moskovitz, Letitia Gustas, Maryann Ott, Karen Gross, Cheryl Geras, and Lore Schechner, Grimmer, $285) Sixth graders use sculpting as an analogy for the writing process.

Vietnam/World War II Research Project (Thomas Clark, LCHS, $500) High school students seek biographical information about Indiana veterans and create a computer kiosk for the World War II Veterans Memorial in Indianapolis.

Number of Grants Funded: 10 – Amount: $9,795

Cumulative Grants Funded: 58 – Cumulative Amount: $34,072

All Aboard the Literature Express (Michele Wisowaty, Kolling, $510) Third graders read The Polar Express and use Reader’s Theater format to dramatize the story.

Foreign Language Multiple Intelligence Toolbox (Martha Voorhees, LCHS, and Mark Voorhees, LC Freshmen Center, $1320) A classroom environment which suits a myriad of learning styles is used in high school Spanish classes.

Interactive Anatomy and Physiology (Nancy Hoban, LCHS, $800) – Interactive software piques the interest of twelfth graders who are learning anatomy and physiology.

The Millennium (Jo Chamberlain and Susan Schweitzer, Grimmer, $500) Seventh graders immerse themselves in problem-based situations involving the past, present, and future.

Out of the Darkness, Into the Light (Nancy Wilk, Emily Maurek, and Karen Kinney, Bibich, $1500) First through fifth graders study the Middle Ages and Renaissance through music, visual and performing arts.

Physical Safety, Growth and Development (Kimberly King and Bill Gray, Kahler, $1500) Two health classes will be offered to sixth and seventh graders.

Science on the Go–Stage Two (Cheryl Bell and Linda Powell, Watson, $1265) Thirty inquiry-based science activities will be used in third grade classrooms.

TNT: Teaching and Technology (Monica Lator, Suzette Hyler, and Corinne Bunner, Kahler, $900) Interactive software integrated with the sixth-grade science curriculum.

Tutoring-to-Go (Michele Wisowaty, Kohling, $500) Tutoring games are sent home with third graders.

Y2K Launch (Karen Semancik and Glenna Fane, Kolling, $1000) Fifth graders create newspapers and floats highlighting events, people, and places of the 20th century.

Number of Grants Funded: 7 – Amount: $2,480

Cumulative Grants Funded: 65 – Cumulative Amount: $36,552

Activity Kits for Social/Emotional Growth (Lucy DiMichele and Kelly Gomez, Protsman, Watson, Bibich, Homan, and Peifer, $275) Twenty kits for social/emotional growth are developed.

Book of Kells (Lore Schechner, Cheryl Geras, Karen Gross, Letitia Gustas, Iris Moskovitz, and Maryann Ott, Grimmer, $470) Sixth graders each create a Book of Kells.

Flying Polygons (Lore Schechner, Cheryl Geras, Karen Gross, Letitia Gustas, Iris Moskovitz, and Maryann Ott, Grimmer, $145) To introduce proofs in geometry, sixth grade students create flying polygons using only craft sticks.

Hands-on Activities (Tim Mitchell, Grimmer, $465) Hands-on science related to weights and scales, dew point, psychrometer, mining, and erosion are available to sixth graders.

Picture This (Karen Kinney, Bibich, $190) Kindergarten students are introduced to books by Bruce McMillan and then take photos for books they write.

School Bus Safety Awareness (Lake Central Transportation Center, $500) School bus drivers provide a traveling puppet show for students throughout the district.

The World Is Shrinking, Where Do I Fit It? (Sandra Krooswyk and Bruce Schooler, Protsman, $435) Geography is emphasized in the school library.

Number of Grants Funded: 15 – Amount: 11,950

Cumulative Grants Funded: 80 – Cumulative Amount: $48,502

All Year Long (Melody Wolff, Homan, $900) First graders explore, experience, and discover seasonal changes.

A Garden Classroom: Kahler’s Garden (Marilyn Diller, Linda Hoffman, Jackie Bukowski, and Barb Pollen, Kahler, $1000) Middle school students and staff create a garden.

Gold Star Honor Roll (Tom Clark, LCHS, $600) Students meet with primary sources of historical importance to record historical data.

G-R-0-W-I-N-G a Story (Karen Semancik, Glenna Fane, Pam Hoffmaster and Scott Patellis, Kolling, $715) Fifth graders develop confidence and knowledge by observing, collaborating, and creating a story with the assistance of a professional writer.

Laughing, Loving, and Learning with Literacy Centers (Kim Yelich, Karen Radencic and Mary Jo Smith, Watson, $1000) Literacy centers are developed for the kindergarten classrooms.

Learning with Arthur (Karen Kinney, Bibich, $420) Arthur videos are used as a springboard for active learning centers.

Literacy Center Based on the Four Block Model (Stacey Schwuchow and Lynn Lain, Peifer, $600) The Four Block Method comes to first grade classrooms.

Outdoor Environmental Classroom and Garden (Nancy Doktysz, Kathy Grimler, Marge Thompson, and Laura Hatford, Grimmer, $400) Middle school students create an outdoor environmental classroom and garden.

Raising Reading Levels Through Monthly Themes (Linda Powell, Watson, $365) Third grade students are introduced to new literature and authors through bear books.

Reader’s Club (Laurie Corman and Janice Malchow, Bibich, $1500) Second grade students are given the opportunity to check out books from the Accelerated Reader Program through the Bibich library.

Sensational Environmental Science Program (Kim Yelich and Pat Smith, Watson, $1000) Kindergarten and summer school children are taught to care for and respect the earth and its natural resources.

Spark (Phyllis Hegyi, Chris Foltz, Leslie Hathaway, Jane Holmes and Caryn Walczak, Bibich, $500) Through oral and individual reading, third grade students improve their comprehension.

Understanding, Using, and Modeling Industrial Technology (Daniel Stout, Grimmer,

$1000) Video-driven instructional units allow students to work at their own pace on hands-on projects.

Weather Station: A Multi-Year Sixth Grade Science Project (Tim Mitchell, Grimmer,

$1420) Grimmer gets a wireless weather station.

World in Tune (Lynn Puzey, Homan, $530) Students experience a variety of instruments that were used during a particular epoch in China, India, Egypt, and Greece.

Number of Grants Funded: 11 – Amount: $5,915

Cumulative Grants Funded: 91 – Cumulative Amount: $54,417

Bulldog Bucks (Fourth Grade Team, Bibich, $155) A mini-economy program provides real world experiences.

Centertime Connections (Kelly Dobias & Allison Gercken, Peifer, $750) Leaming centers encourage kindergarten learning.

Creating and Editing Modern Industrial Technology Modules (Dan Stout, Grimmer, $750) Video driven, modular, interactive industrial education activities allow individualized learning for middle school students.

Developing a Love of Reading (Sara Hendricks, Homan, $300) A variety of activities encourage fourth graders to read.

Elementary School Weather Station (Fourth & Fifth Grade Teams, Kolling, $750) A new weather station allows students to observe, record, compare, analyze, and forecast weather.

Going South with Accelerated Reader (Barbara Kovach & Mary Tanis, Kahler, $460) Sixth graders study Central and South America culture through theme books.

Individualizing and Assessing Cardiovascular Fitness (Claudia Triplo, Peifer, $450) Fifth graders use heart monitors to gauge individual fitness goals.

Mother Goose on the Loose (Karen Kinney, Bibich, $600) Storytelling, songs, and rhymes stimulate the imaginations of kindergarten children.

An Ounce of Prevention (First Grade Team, Kolling, $705) An early literacy program reaches at-risk first graders.

Sculpting the Writing Process (Sixth Grade Team, Grimmer, $290) Sculpting is used as a metaphor for the writing process.

We’re Dying to Read a Good Book (Third Grade Team, Peifer, $705) Third grade students read five special books with their teachers.

Number of Grants Funded: 12 – Amount: $6,690

Cumulative Grants Funded: 103 – Cumulative Amount: $61,107

Amazing Animals (Karen Walczak, Bibich, $545) Third graders research animals.

Book of Kells (Lore Schechner, Cheryl Gems, Karen Gross, Letitia Gustas, Gloria Bellow, and Maryann Ott, Grimmer, $500) Sixth graders each create a Book of Kells.

Creating a Book Nook (Karen Kinney, Bibich. $400) Kindergartners use alphabet books to become aware of letter sounds.

Improving Reading with Non-Fiction Books and Literature Circles (Donelle Extin, Watson, $530) This activity introduces first graders to non-fiction literature.

Integration Station (Lynn Lain and Stacey Schwuchow, Peifer, $990) Interest tubs support ten different curriculum topics in first grade classes.

Introduction of Spanish Language (Christine Nyenhuis, Marilyn Qualls, Susan Kucharski, and Linda Monroe, Protsman, $560) Fourth graders are introduced to Spanish.

Medieval Madness (Tyann Franklin, Kathy Kras, Tim Mitchell, and Michelle Venhuizen, Grimmer, $1000) Students participate in a variety of activities related to the Middle Ages.

Mother Goose on the Loose (Karen Kinney, Bibich, $650) Storytelling, songs, and rhymes stimulate the imaginations of kindergarten students.

Polygon Fling (Lore Schechner, Cheryl Geras, Karen Gross, Letitia Gustas, Gloria Bellow, and Maryann Ott, Grimmer, $185) To introduce proofs in geometry, sixth grade students create flying polygons using only craft sticks.

Reading at Home (Melody Wolff, Homan, $500) First graders take home guided reading materials.

A Recipe for Success (Karen Semancik, Kolling, $495) Each week a mystery math package will arrive in a fifth grade classroom.

Sculpting the Writing Process (Letitia Gustas, Karen Gross, Lore Schechner, Gloria Bellow, Maryann Ott, and Cheryl Geras, Grimmer, $335) Sculpting is used as a metaphor for the writing process.

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