James Ellis Elementary kindergarten teacher Jessica Shank received a surprise on Jan. 13, when representatives from Cassopolis-based Midwest Energy showed up at her classroom with a giant check for $1,200.
“It felt amazing,” Shank said. “It was a total surprise and my students were so excited. When my students read the amount on the check, they thought we were going to Disney.”
Shank and her co-worker Emily Greulich heard about the grant opportunity and wanted to give students the chance to work with more interactive learning materials in the classroom.
Shank and Greulich applied for the grant in October 2016 in hopes of funding several items that could be incorporated into the students’ free choice center.
Students utilize the free choice center to pick their very own hands on activity to learn about literacy. This tool has helped to engage students in learning about literacy, Shank said.
“We have seen great growth in student learning this year by allowing them to choose their own themed activity,” Shank said. “Ultimately, our goal is to create a love for learning in our classrooms and these materials will certainly do that.”
To get students excited about reading, the materials could include an alphabet tub and three-letter word learning locks, with an interactive lock and key set.
“These materials will help to engage all learners while promoting high quality learning,” Shank said.
The materials will coordinate with monthly goals in reading and will be available for all four kindergarten classes at James Ellis Elementary.
The new learning materials are expected to arrive in two to three weeks.