Author Archive | Michael Tanimura

Say ‘Yes’ to Improv (WJHS) Say Yes to Improv! brought 8th grade drama students at WJHS an in-depth study of the art of improvisation. Two guest artists from the Actors Training Center in Wilmette joined drama teacher Dinah Barthelmess in the classroom two times a week for four weeks culminating in a performance given for students... <more>

Solar Car (WJHS) Debbie Clark, 8th grade science teacher at WJHS, has been awarded a grant to fund a Solar Car science initiative. This project will engage all of the 8th grade students in real world problem solving and allow them to experience inquiry-based learning as well as provide deeper understanding of an alternative energy source.... <more>

Mission to Mars (Highcrest) Joanna Flintz and Amanda Utynek, 6th grade math teachers at Highcrest, have been awarded a grant to fund a Mission to Mars program at Highcrest Middle School. This project will complement the math curriculum, requiring data collection and graphing, and will incorporate 21st century skills such as design technology and computer programming,... <more>

Architecture in Education: Building in Community (Highcrest Middle School) The Foundation is pleased to support a pilot grant for several Highcrest 5th grade classes to participate in the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust’s “Architecture in Education: Building in Community” program. Preservation Trust instructors will visit Highcrest to work with students on architecture and design. Students will... <more>

Professional Development (McKenzie) [caption id="attachment_544" align="alignleft" width="266"] Jane Dolkart[/caption] [caption id="attachment_545" align="alignleft" width="258"] Jennifer Weill[/caption] Two veteran, and highly acclaimed, McKenzie teachers (Jane Dolkart and Jennifer Weill) received a Foundation grant to attend a prestigious professional development program at the Center for Teaching & Learning, a demonstration site and lab school, where the faculty helps other teachers understand... <more>

Kindergarten Finger Fun In an effort to support our students’ development from the outset, the Foundation is awarding a grant to Barbara Bruno, Patricia Patrick and Paula Lundell that will impact kindergartners across D39. This grant will provide sets of manipulatives for teachers to use to improve our youngest students’ fine motor skills. 4th Grade Orienteering The Foundation... <more>

Electronic Dictionaries In supporting the District’s effort to teach across various learning styles, this technology pilot at WJHS will provide 15 electronic dictionaries to enable vocabulary improvement. “Hand-held dictionaries kept at one’s desk will go a long way to increasing the likelihood that students look up words they do not know and will actively increase their... <more>

Classroom Performance System Pilot The Foundation is pleased to help fund a pilot program at Harper School to test the Classroom Performance System, which makes use of personal interactive pads in conjunction with LCD projectors. This project will link the technology used by third and fourth graders closer to the level of technology applications at HMS... <more>

Multimedia Projector/Document Cameras New teaching techniques will be supported at WJHS through this grant, which provides two pilot projector/camera purchases. This technology allows teachers to display documents and 3-D objects onto a plasma screen television or a whiteboard. Wilmette Junior High This grant supported cinemagraphic expert Steven Frentzel’s presentation during the 7 th grade narrative writing unit entitled... <more>

World Environments Learning Lab This is a continued grant for Romona School's garden and outdoor classroom. The garden features plants from many different biospheres, and a set of raised, continent-shaped gardens that will encourage geography, biomes study, cultural awareness and provides access to people of all abilities. See how this project turned out > Disability Awareness A full-year... <more>