2008-2009 Education Foundation Inc. of Caldwell County

Grant Application Form

CRITERIA USED AS A BASIS FOR AWARDING GRANTS:

·  Quality of the project

·  Creativity and innovation

·  Number of students and or teachers benefiting

·  Magnitude of impact

·  Availability of other funds or other funding generated

·  Willing to share with other teachers

·  Relatedness to standard course of study

Grants must be typed using size 12 font. The narrative project description should include the following information: vital facts about your project, (who, what, why, where, when, how) the importance or need, your project plan and events, and if a continuation project, the future of funding and support. The grant narrative may be extended beyond the provided application space; however, only one additional page may be used. When writing grant, please remember to address all selection criteria listed above. BE CREATIVE!

Incomplete applications will not be considered. If an application contains a funding request for pre-packaged curriculum, the grants committee tends to assign low rankings unless the curriculum will be implemented in creative and innovative ways. If you have questions, please call the Education Foundation, 728-8407 #132 or email .

Supporting Beginning Readers Through Oral Language

Title of Project

Submitted by:

___Annie Croon & Judith Self______(Applicant)

___Gamewell Elementary ______(School)

_828-759-1232______(Home Phone) _828-758-1193 ext 235_____ (Work Phone)

Date submitted: ___10/22/08______

Principal’s Signature of Approval:______

Grade Level/Subject Area:______K - 3______

Number of Students Involved:______approximately 350

Total Amount Requested:____$2,000.00______

1)  Project Description

We intend to purchase several selections of quality literature on audio cd, with corresponding “little books” in sets of fours and sixes. Attached is a sample list of titles. These sets will be used in the classroom in listening centers in grades K – 3 during reading time. These sets will be kept in our media center for circulation. Classroom teachers can select appropriately leveled books and cds for their classes to listen to daily in the listening center.

Children come to kindergarten with varying degrees of preparedness. Their reading readiness may be a result of many things; one of the most important is their exposure to stories. In his book, The Meaning Makers, Gordon Wells (1986), Professor of Education at University of California holds that listening to stories is a way for children to expand their exposure to oral language. Oral language ability has been shown to correlate to later reading success. Listening to stories read aloud introduces children to written language. It requires them to attend to the cadence and rhythm of language. Listening to stories requires them to create mental images, and to build on them cumulatively in order to make meaning of what they hear. As they listen, children are exposed to the symbolic nature of language. They begin to extend their world beyond their own experiences, developing vocabulary and background knowledge that will be an asset to them in later grades.

In reality, too many children come to school having not been read to enough, or at all. Many have never experienced the thrills and enjoyment of familiar tales many of us grew up with. Our project will begin to fill in the holes for some of these at risk children. By having a great selection of audio stories and corresponding books available for classroom use, teachers have at their disposal a way to expose students to literature, vocabulary, and written language that is so important to children in the developing reading process.

These leveled readers and cds are a simple way for a teacher to expand her reach during guided reading centers. Almost all classrooms in the primary grades are using a literacy stations model during guided reading time. Unfortunately, our current collections are mostly on audio cassettes, and are tired and worn. By purchasing multiple sets, our students may listen to countless stories while at the classroom listening center. No further technology will be required other than an ordinary cd player.

For so many children who are lacking the exposure necessary to set off on a successful adventure in reading, listening to these audio stories on a daily basis in centers may help them internalize the structure, rhythms, and meaning of written language. Listening will provide a jumping off point for collaborative talk, a comprehension building exercise between students and teacher. While listening, vocabulary, working memory, and a simple joy of reading will develop with every new book opened and experienced.

It is our firm belief that the purchase of these sets will positively augment our kindergarten, first, second and third grade students’ literacy experiences on a daily basis. If we truly value literacy, we must do all that we can to expose every student to quality literature. The monetary cost of these materials is small compared to the ultimate impact they will have on students in four grade levels at our school. The love of reading, the joy found in a simple story listened to with friends is priceless and irreplaceable.

2)  Goals and Objectives

1. Students will engage in listening activities during the school day in order to gain experience and exposure to quality literature.

2. Students will develop a familiarity with the cadence, structure, and rhythm of written language by listening. This familiarity is a precursor to their own writing experience.

3. Students will develop a concept of word as well as a beginning sight vocabulary by listening and reading stories.

9SC 510KS / Read Along, Listen & Imagine CD & 4 Packs - pick any 10 / $238.95
A Bad Case of Stripes 9SC 494K4
The Biggest Best Snowman 9SC 484K4
Clifford's Good Deeds 9SC 133K4
The Gingerbread Man 9SC485K4
Pigsty 9SC 361K4
Ruby the Copycat 9SC495K4
There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Shell 9SC 218K4
What Do You Do With A Kangaroo? 9SC457K4
When Sophie Gets Angry 9SC 493K4
9HF 10DKS / Book & CD Favorites CD & 6 Paperbacks - pick any 10 / $399.00
Caboose Who Got Loose 9HF 120DK6
Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed 9HF 129DK6
George and Martha 9HF 130DK6
Giant Jam Sandwich 9HF 132DK6
Hurricane 9HF 138DK6
Ira Sleeps Over 9HF 140DK6
Patrick's Dinosaurs 9HF 200DK6
Rumpelstiltskin 9HF 208DK6
Sheep in a Jeep 9HF 211DK6
Tacky the Penguin 9HF 217DK6
Three Bears (Substitute title)
9HA 110DKS / I Can Read Books & CD Sets - pick any 10 / $269.00
Amelia Bedelia 9HA 01DK6
Amelia Bedelia & Surprise Shower 9HA 04DK6
Bathtime for Biscuit 9HA 16DK6
Biscuit 9HA 21DK6
Danny and the Dinosaur 9HA 35DK6
Frog and Toad All Year 9HA45DK6
Frog and Toad Are Friends 9HA50DK6
Mouse Soup 9HA 75DK6
No More Monsters for Me 9HA 83DK6
Play Ball, Amelia Bedelia 9HA 90DK6
9HR 156 R / Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus - book & CD / $9.99
9RH 405R / Dinosaurs Before Dawn - book & CD / $9.99
9LE 339DK4 / Picture Book of Ben Franklin - 4 paperbacks & CD / $40.95
9LE 102DK4 / Picture Book of Martin Luther King, Jr. - 4 paperbacks & CD / $40.95
9LE 104DK4 / Picture Book of Rose Parks - 4 paperbacks & CD / $40.95
9LE 650DK4 / Picture Book of Thomas Jefferson - 4 paperbacks & CD / $40.95
9CW 505KS / Listen & Join In CD Picture Book Readalongs - set of 5 / $161.00
Can't You Sleep, Little Bear?
Farmer Duck
Little Beaver and the Echo
This is the Bear
We're Going On a Bear Hunt
9R10DKS / Picture Book Readalongs 4 books & CD - pick any 10 / $300.00
Anansi Goes Fishing 9R004D4
Anansi and the Magic Stick 9R481D4
Chester's Way 9R967D4
Dog Who Had Kittens 9R134D4
Don't Forget the Bacon 9R133D4
Horace and Morris, but Mostly Delores 9R241D4
Imogene's Antlers 9R217D4
Julius the Baby of the World 9R249D4
Madeline 9R220D4
9LE 910DKS / Beginning Reader Readalongs 4 books w/CD - pick any 10 / $314.50
Get Ready for 2nd Grade, Amber Brown 9R233DK4
It's Justin Time, Amber Brown 9R906DK4
Second Grade Rules, Amber Brown 9R737DK4
Henry & Mudge & the Careful Cousin 9R528DK4
Henry & Mudge & the Forever Sea 9R605DK4
Henry & Mudge & the Starry Night 9R960DK4
High Rise Private Eyes: Case of the Baffled Bear 9R607DK4
High Rise Private Eyes: Case of the Climbing Cat 9R189DK4
Minnie & Moo Go to the Moon 9R717DK4
Minnie & Moo go to Paris 9R766DK4
TOTAL: / $1,866.23
6.75% NC Sales Tax / $125.98
$1,992.20

Students in Mrs. Brown’s Kindergarten and Mrs. Abernathy’s first grade enjoy sharing an adventure together using materials purchased with this grant.

SEND COMPLETED GRANTS TO:

Pat Triplett, Executive Director
The Education Foundation Inc. of Caldwell County
1914 Hickory Blvd. SW

Lenoir, NC 28645