Winnetka Public Schools Foundation

Continuing with research previously granted, staff will now gather data from implementing a research-based set of intervention materials for struggling first grade math students in order to determine the effectiveness of this intervention. All data will be shared with district first grade staff.

Working with Dr. Judy Willis, a Neurologist and certified teacher, research on the brain and how students learn will help staff to understand how to evaluate a child’s effectiveness as a learner. Ideas to be explored include using advances in memory research to ignite student learning, examining ways to maximize and maintain attention and focus, increasing memory retrieval and creating long-term memory, employing brain-friendly instructional strategies, implementing strategic review, study and test preparation, and differentiating instruction for all learning styles.

Animal Assisted Therapy has been known to increase attention and improve social behavior in students. Theories will be researched by investigating the effects of having an animal present in the classroom. Data will be gathered on student interest levels and attitudes towards reading, as well as on the motivational, educational and therapeutic benefits of the Therapy dog in a school setting.

Staff wish to become more effective reading teachers in order to ensure students are getting the best possible instruction and encouragement to lead rich, literate lives. Using the Writer’s Workshop program has shown remarkable progress and growth in student writing, which has motivated staff to incorporate Reader’s Workshop into current practices for additional enrichment of the language arts curriculum. Staff will attend the Summer Reading Institute at Columbia University and return to share their newly acquired knowledge with all Skokie LA staff.

Over the past few years, the Language Arts curriculum has been revised in significant ways using research-based studies and input from district staff. In the area of writing, our goal has always been to make our students more capable and confident writers. To meet this goal, the district has provided training by experts from the Reading and Writing Project of Columbia University. This grant would support research to evaluate the impact of the new programs on instructional practices, student growth and teacher evaluation. Gathering, analyzing, and sharing experiences will help staff to further develop and revise the curriculum to best support the goals of our learning community.