2024 PLSEA Grant Recipients
Cool Down Room
Megan Johnson, Sam Fransen, Amber Ash, Colleen Jax - HRE
In our CID program we have a few break out spaces. One of these spaces is used as a designated "cool down room". We would like to add accessible tools built into the room to encourage students in their de-regulated state to use those tools without causing harm to themselves or others.
Pandemic!
Andrew Weis - PLHS
With the creation of a new elective titled "Diseases and what we do about them," I would like to use Pandemic, the Board Game, to apply cooperative learning strategies and content knowledge (like disease transmission) into a semi-real-world example of disease transmission. Students would use the game to learn about different careers, learn how to respond to challenges as a group, and raise awareness of disease-related global issues such as limited resources based on geography and culture.
5 Minute Kids Speech Program
Mara Allgood - HRE
5 Minute Kids™ is a program for delivering services to students with speech sound disorders by scheduling short, individual drill sessions. This program requires little planning for the professional and minimal time out of the classroom for the student. The child receives therapy in the hallway or a nearby available location for designated number of 5-10 minute sessions, based on therapy needs. Over the last 14 years, data has shown that this model is more effective than traditional group therapy in achieving speech and language goals.
Sensory Motor Carts
Nicole Boyles - LODL
There are currently two carts housed in the main office which are used when students are dysregulated or need a break from the classroom. Through the use of these carts, students have been able to identify which tools work for them when they are feeling strong feelings. They are able to set timers, use their tools and return to class ready to learn. Using these tools also often helps students when they need to process big situations with adults. We are working on implementing Calming Corners in all of our classrooms and feel these Sensory Motor carts would be a great additional tool teachers and students can use within their classroom. This would allow students to recognize tools they are familiar with and use them to calm when they are in their classroom vs having to leave and come to the office. In order for students to be ready to learn, they must be regulated. Providing additional tools for teachers to use for students in their classrooms is a proactive approach to student behaviors. ALL students benefit from having a safe place to access when they are feeling overwhelmed or overstimulated in their classroom.
Murals for Interior Design 2
Maggie D'Silva - PLHS
Each quarter the Interior Design level 2 class at the high school completes their coursework with a variety of hand painted large canvas murals that are meant to spread Laker pride, joy, and inspiration around our halls. With large class sizes of 30+ students each section (quarter), multiple large canvases are needed for each class. These PL murals created by PL students have inspired fellow students, teachers, administrators, and community members and are a special addition around the halls of Prior Lake High School. The goal down the line would be to spread further into other buildings in the district to help share Laker pride, via the creative work of Interior Design 2 students at PLHS.
PLHS Percussion Ensemble
Justin Schramm - PLHS
The Prior Lake High School Percussion Ensemble has been invited to perform at the 78th annual The Midwest Clinic - International Band and Orchestra Conference. The last Minnesota school to perform at the conference was a middle school orchestra in 2001. The last high school to perform at the conference was in the 1970s. We are also the first percussion ensemble from the state of Minnesota to be invited. This year's ensembles come from 17 states and 4 countries, including Lithuania, Spain, the U.S. and France. Part of preparing for this performance is working on commission of new works to honor this historic event, have guest clinicians work with the ensemble, and have guest artists perform with the ensemble.
Read to Me Audiobooks
Anne Dauer - FH
I would like to purchase audio books to use in the 4th and 5th grade book clubs. Those students that would like to read books that are above their reading level would have the opportunity to read these higher level books.
Classroom Mindful Moments
Andrea Holloway - JP
Research supports the use of mindfulness practices in the classroom to support emotional regulation, stress and anxiety reduction and focus. Additionally, mindfulness has been found to support student academic growth in the areas of reading and math. PLSAS currently utilizes the Zones of Regulation in many of our buildings and this curriculum complements use of the Zones. The addition of Moving Mindfully would also be a great companion to this. Mindfulness strategies can be very brief approaches that can easily fit into short transitions and get students ready to learn. Moving Mindfully utilizes a three tier approach with short sequences of breathing, movement and rest. While many teachers may be more familiar with using YouTube movement videos, these may have an alerting or dysregulating affect for many students. Student learning needs to encompass the whole person and include components of mindfulness, movement, and positive affirmations to support student well-being and academic achievement.
Kindergarten STEM Bins
Barb Anderson - HRE
I would like to provide STEM Bins for the Kindergartners at Hamilton Ridge to offer more opportunities to practice using their problem solving skills, collaborating with other students and showing creativity with manipulatives/toys that are engaging and fun.