Classroom Enrichment Grant Voting 2025 - Opelika City Schools
Please use the form below to vote for your 2025 Classroom Enrichment Grant Nominee.
Only one vote per 24 hours
USE THE ARROWS TO VIEW THE TEACHER/PROJECT INFORMATION
OPELIKA CITY SCHOOLS
Ashley Alexander
Building Reading Fluency
I would love the opportunity to purchase some new classroom materials such as learning games and activities to promote reading fluency. Hands on kinesthetic activities have been proven to be most effective when teaching reading to young, struggling readers. Being able to purchase some new manipulatives and fun tools for use in learning to read, the engagement of my students will grow along with their reading fluency!
Research supports the use of manipulatives in math as a means to increase both the retention of content and a positive math experience for students. I'd like to use this grant to grow the number of manipulatives in my classroom. The goal would be to purchase multiple sets of omnifix cubes (to be used for teaching volume and spacial content standards) and individual sets of dry erase place value kits (to be used for both decimal and fraction standards).
If I was the recipient of the United Way Classroom Enrichment Grant for Opelika City Schools, I would use this grant to help supply my classroom with books for our classroom library and sensory projects based on reading units. This would also help supply my classroom with flexible seating options for students, including wobble chairs, bounce bands and library seating. I am a first year teacher and have been to collect things along the way to add to my classroom. This would help supply students with opportunities for students to grow and learn.
Bringing Earth & Space Science to Life: Hands-On Learning for Future STEM Leaders
With this grant, I aim to enhance my students’ understanding of earth and space science. The funding would be used to purchase essential classroom materials, including: model kits, classroom transformation materials, classroom decorations, and STEM lab materials.These materials will allow students to engage in hands-on learning experiences that align with our curriculum and encourage interest in STEM careers. Additionally, they will support both individual and collaborative learning opportunities, helping students better grasp complex scientific concepts.
Art Beyond Barriers: Adaptive Tools for Creative Expression
My Goal is to provide a variety of adaptive art tools specifically designed for my students with physical, sensory, and cognitive disabilities.
Adaptive tools can assist students with holding, reaching and manipulating traditional art tools to meet their needs during the creative art experience. With these resources, students with disabilities can foster self-expression, confidence, and a sense of accomplishment in their artwork.
Many students in my self-contained classroom have a variety of sensory needs, seeking different types of sensory input and output. The goal is to create a designated space where they can safely meet those needs and self-regulate. Ideally, the area would be furnished with items such as a trampoline, ball pit, light covers, bubble machines, and dividers to ensure a calming and secure environment. This sensory space would enhance my students’ stress management and emotional regulation, allowing them to them perform at their best in the classroom.
This project aims to provide sensory supplies and diverse literature for a third-grade special education classroom. Sensory items like wobble seats, weight lap pads, and fidget toys help students with behavior, regulation, and learning, ensuring all students can engage in the classroom. Diverse literature will reflect various perspectives, fostering empathy and inclusion. By combining these resources, we create a supportive environment where every student’s unique needs are met, promoting both academic success and emotional well-being.
Math Stackers are toys for kids and educational tools for teachers in the classroom. These toys help make math strategies concrete and real for my students. This will lessen the frustration with paper and pencil work. Now they can see and feel how two numbers equal 10, or how many different ways there are to make 10. Math Stackers is a fun way to practice and understand hands-on math strategies. I would like to have a set for each student so that they can have a hands-on approach to learning addition and subtraction.
I teach English as a Second Language to K-5 for Opelika City Schools. This is my second year in this position and I would love to grow my classroom library with bilingual books! Bilingual books would be a great addition to my classroom library as it would help my students grow in their love or reading as well as their language knowledge.
Writing Tablet Doodle Boards - a muti-sensory tool for teachers to use in small group, Tier 2, and 3 to increase student engagement & response
"If instruction is truly interactive and students are constantly responding then attention, on-task behavior, and learning increase, and behavioral challenges decrease." Anita Archer - Explicit Instruction p.131
Teachers are always looking for fun ways to actively engage students in the learning process. Interactive instruction leads to deeper understanding, improved critical thinking, and stronger communication skills. In addition, increased engagement decreases behavioral challenges. I would love to use this grant to provide 6 LCD Writing Tablet doodle boards per classroom teacher to use in their small group etc. time. Thank you!
In need of instructional space! I am an English Language teacher for Opelika City Schools and teach at the primary, intermediate, and 6th grade level. My request is for the primary school to have a flex space that could be used for myself and my EL students when needed along with tutors, interventionists, and more. I have been given a designated spot, but it is in need of furniture and instructional necessities. With the United Way grant, it would be furnished with 6 cube bookshelf with baskets, 6 stools for students, a magnetic standing whiteboard, a floor lamp, 50 foot extension cord, and a teacher chair. The school will provide the table.
Incorporating a hydroponic growing system into our life science course will provide students a unique opportunity to engage in hands-on learning with real-world applications. This resource will help students learn about plant anatomy and growth cycles by monitoring the health and development of the plants. As they record their observations, track plant growth, and compare different growing conditions, students will deepen their understanding of botany and ecology. Additionally, students will explore the environmental benefits of hydroponic farming and how this method can contribute to global sustainability efforts.
The afterschool club Project Grow is a sustainability and gardening club offered to 6th graders at Fox Run School. One project that we have wanted to do, but not had funding for is to provide picnic tables for students to eat at outside. There is already a concreated area where these tables would go. This would also be an incentive for students who have all work completed, or however the teachers choose. At Fox Run, I teach all general music and art classes as well as the afterschool choir club, and Project Grow. I am always looking for extra funding or donations to help fill my classrooms and clubs.
I love for my classroom to feel cozy and welcoming for my students. I try to offer flexible seating for my fifth grade students. This involves the option of pillows, blankets, beanbags, seat cushions, etc. I know that when students feel comfortable they are more likely to succeed. It is my mission to make sure my students feel comfortable while learning. This creates a safe, calm, and cozy learning environment. I have seen how it can impact students learning. I purchase these items out of my own pocket and they often need replaced. I would love to be able to replace them with this grant!
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