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HSHS Teachers Awarded Jordan Fundamentals Grants

Barbara Pearlman and Michelle Williams, both language Arts Teachers at Hot Springs High School, were recently awarded Jordan Fundamentals Grants in the amount of $2,500.

On behalf of Jordan Brand, a division of NIKE Inc. these grants are given for innovative lesson plans and support the efforts of 6-12 grade teachers across the country in seeking ways to encourage student's creativity and learning. Last year 400 Jordan Fundamental Grants were given a list of this year's recipients, which will be available at www.nike-biz.com/community.

Both Ms. Williams and Ms. Pearlman wrote the grants during their summer participation in the Borderlands Writing Project.

The project is a new site of the National Writing Project and is affiliated with New Mexico State University. Borderlands Writing Project is a program that focuses on teachers K-12 where teachers how to better encourage writing across the curriculum within their class-rooms.

Held for five weeks, four days a week, the Summer Institute involves intensive writing, study, and research in writing. Teachers were expected to write professionally, as well as 'personal reflections. The two grant applications were part of the writing portfolios of both Truth or Consequences' teachers.

Ms. Pearlman's project will supply digital video equipment and software and a dedicated computer for the video editing. Students will be involved in writing soliloquies or internal monologues about what their dreams and for the video editing. Students will be involved in writing soliloquies or internal monologues about what their dreams and desires are for the future.

Paired up with another student, they will see a dramatic presentation of their speech on film and then react to seeing themselves from a distance. Their written reflections will accompany the video of the performance of their soliloquy and a film of all student's work and performances will be edited together for a final presentation.

Ms. Williams' project focuses on students doing authentic and primary source research on the effect of the lowering of the water level of Elephant Butte Lake. Students will be expected to go out into the community and interview residents, farmers, ranchers, business owners and recreational visitors about the situation at the lake and their feelings concerning future developments.

Grant monies will supply a video camcorder, cassette recorders and two computers for her classroom. Students can then compile the research and put together class and individual portfolios of information gathered and finished reports.

Both grants help address State Benchmark and Standards and encourage student success. Copies of both grant applications are available for review in the High School Office. (More detailed information on this topic.....)