What do high school students playing classical music to elementary schoolers, children sitting on stability balls instead of chairs, ninety-two special iPad covers designed for school use and social learning techniques all have in common?
All are new to West Geauga classrooms. And all were awarded funds in January by WEDGE, the West Geauga Educational Foundation.
WEDGE is a non-profit group that provides funds to help introduce new and innovative learning methods to students at West Geauga schools. The four programs funded in January total $4,050, money which comes from individual donors and fundraising events.
“Innovation happens in small steps and through the willingness of individuals within the schools to try new ideas,” said WEDGE President Jerry Pignolet. “Funding these programs through private donations allows our schools to gain first-hand experience with new ways to improve learning, enhance teaching efficiency and boost students who might be struggling with reading and other areas and more. When proven, they can be integrated into the regular curriculum.”
Each year the foundation receives many grant requests from teachers, administrators, students and parents. Although many great ideas are submitted each year, selection is based upon applications that meet criteria created by WEDGE founders. Trustees follow these criteria as they carefully review each application before deciding upon which programs to fund.
WEDGE January 2012 grants:
Animato
West Geauga High School student, Arianna Körting developed the Animato program to creatively expose elementary kids to classical music. By targeting fourth graders at both Lindsey and Westwood Elementary Schools, she is hoping that her interactive music program will help to get students interested in classical music at an early age.
Apple iPad Tools
The Apple iPad as an educational tool presents wonderful opportunities for teachers and students. West Geauga elementary school teachers Angela Wyatt, Jeff Baker and Dan Reich are working collaboratively to integrate the use of the Apple iPad into their lesson plans. Having received the Apple iPads through prior grants, these teachers are looking to utilize educational software as well as protect the iPads to ensure longevity.
Stability Balls
WEDGE funds will provide Westwood teacher, Jeff Baker with the opportunity to replace chairs in his classroom with Stability Balls as an innovative way to improve student posture and focus. Studies suggest that balance balls can lead to improved concentration, create less classroom noise, help students get fit as well as stimulate brain activity.
Social Thinking Program
Funds provided by the West Geauga Educational Foundation will provide West Geauga School District Speech-Language Pathologists, Kristen Hendl, Debbie Kisicki and Denise Gaskell with an evidenced-based program for teaching social thinking and social learning. Through the implementation of this program, students will learn independent thinking skills that will carry over into their own lives helping them to learn to respond appropriately in social situations.
None of these grants would be possible without financial support from the community. We thank those who attend our Thanksgiving Day Pancake Breakfast at the Chesterland McDonalds, our Fall Fest Beer and Wine Tasting event as well as those who contribute directly.
If you would like to join, attend one of our events or make a donation, please contact WEDGE President, Jerry Pignolet at 440-338-5196.
