“A Taste of Olathe” D.E.A.F. Sunday Grant Awards for 2005

 

Technology Literacy Tools

This grant will be used to purchase developmentally appropriate software which has a literacy focus, for the Emery Center computer lab. Instruction and usage of the software will be more efficient by having lab sets (students using same software at the same time). Demonstration using laptop/LCD projector will be possible as students follow along on individual computers. Kindergarten-2 classes particularly need software that supports alphabet, vocabulary, word recognition, sentence construction, sequencing, pre-reading and reading. This software will help reinforce problem solving, critical thinking, and logic skills for 3-6 grade students as well as literacy development. This grant also reinforces Kansas State Standards for the Technology Curriculum.

Daily Life Skills Captured

This grant was used to purchase a hand held video camera. The camera will be used by students and staff in the Student Life residential program. With this camera, all students will be able to record activities and programs in which they participate. They will keep a "history" of their life at KSD. By learning to use the video camera, students will also develop new skills and be encouraged to be creative with its use. Students and staff will be models for one another in recording and teaching new skills. This will be especially useful for the Independent Living Program.

 

Literacy through DeVia (Deaf Visual Art)

This grant supports DeVia – Deaf Visual Art. The money has been used to buy a digital camera with memory card and photo quality printing paper. Students will take pictures of themselves using ASL grammar features with their mouths. These mouth movements are called NMS (Non-Manual Signals). They represent mostly adjectives and adverbs in ASL, but can be lexical representations of English, and common-sense mouthings to represent sound effects. Along with the pictures and label for the mouthing, students will write sentences in English to place under the picture. All of these will be laminated into posters to hang in the classroom or library.

Dramatic Play for Vocabulary and Early Literacy Development

This grant allows children an opportunity to: learn and apply new and familiar vocabulary, learn and apply a variety of syntactic constructions, interact with adults and peers, sequence new and familiar routines, and expand their conceptual knowledge of the world through play-based dramatic themes. Current research shows that “frontloading” high quality and naturalistic instruction of early literacy, vocabulary, and phonemic awareness skills embedded within a naturalistic setting, correlates with reduced number of children with poor reading skills in the future.

Speech Therapy Restaurant Unit

This grant supports students receiving Speech and Language therapy to have the opportunity to practice their skills in a real-life social setting. Generalization of skills learned in the therapy setting is an essential component of therapy. This project takes the students out of the therapy setting and allows them to experience what they have learned in various restaurants in the community.

Literacy with a Document Reader

Several teachers chose to purchase document readers in order to complement their literacy lessons on a daily basis. This equipment provides the opportunity for all students in the class to participate together during reading activities.

Social Interaction Sand Tray Group

 

This grant will be used to purchase an expressive sandtray. Students are encouraged to describe their experiences in the sand tray by describing the textures of the sand and their responses to the sand tray. Students then place objects in the tray and describe what happens with the figures. This activity incorporates multiple intelligences through visual/spatial, bodily/ kinesthetic, interpersonal and intrapersonal modalities.

ASL Tutoring

This grant supports the additional follow-up activities needed to enhance the ASL Tutoring lessons. The purchase of games and a variety of activities helps with expanding a student's skills in using proper ASL grammar structures and techniques, as well as opportunity to practice English [written] only activities.

Bilingual Multi-Media Room.

The Bilingual Multi-Media Room now has a new array of ASL literature videos (VHS and DVD), thanks to the D.E.A.F. Sunday grant!  Our students can begin their pleasure of studying, viewing, and/or attending to ASL Literature necessary for their social and academic ASL skill development which then lends to more successful acquisition and learning of English.

Technology Assistance

LCD projectors have been purchased for several classrooms as part of the technology package for use with group literacy work. This helps with class discussion utilizing both ASL skills and English text. 

Expanding Vocabulary through Technology

Middle School teachers have purchased Electronic Dictionaries for students to use with their reading course work. These dictionaries provide a wide variety of information for students at the touch of a button!

top

© 2002, Kansas School for the Deaf
Web Design by Kansas School for the Deaf
and Graceful Web Design