West New York Public School # 3
Star-W Project
Public School #3 is embarking on a new Language Arts/Technology Integration Project for grades three, four and five over the next three years. Beginning June 2003, this grant will provide teachers with the resources for training, development and implementation of lesson plans, as well as the opportunity for professional collaboration.
What is the STAR-W Project?
The “Students Using Technology to Achieve Reading and Writing” Grant is a NJ Department of Education grant awarded to the West New York School District. The 2003-2004 school year was the first year of the three year grant period. During this time, third and fourth grade teachers received wireless laptops, printers, software, technology training and assistance to work with their students (including special needs) on class projects using technology in the language arts curriculum. During Year II (2004-2005) of this grant, fifth grade teachers will be included with the continuing third and fourth grade teachers from Year I.
Who are the teachers participating in the 2004-2005 project?
There are eight teachers participating in this year’s grant. They are:
Grade 3- Dana Assed, Marion Tracey, and Beth Tarallo
Grade 4- Marilyn Canale and Geraldine Larsen
Special Needs- Joanne Churchman
Grade 5- Janis Maschucci and Zoila Broncano
What are the STAR-W Technology and Instructional workshops?
Teachers receive training in the following areas:
MS Word, MS Power Point, MS Excel, MS Outlook, Webquests and Internet Exploration, Annotated Webliographies- citation/evaluation, Lesson Plan Objectives, Rubric Construction, Evaluation & Assessment, Using the Digital Camera, Inspiration, Print Shop 15, Using the PDA and Video Streaming.
Teachers receive coaching and mentoring on-going throughout the year to reach timelines and benchmarks for individual projects.
Visit the New Jersey Department of Education Site by clicking here!
Goals
Goals of this project include:
- To provide a relevant, classroom-based professional development experience for teachers that simultaneously enhances their knowledge, skills, and creativity, successfully integrates technology into the Language Arts Curriculum and supports the implementation of effective instructional practices that are aligned with the NJ Core Curriculum Content Standards.
- To provide opportunities through technology and varied media for teacher networking, collaboration, and ongoing professional dialogue with colleagues.
- To provide the opportunity for replication and adaptation of the project for the educational community.
- To provide increased student access to technology.
- To increase student achievement in Language Arts Literacy.
- To promote parental involvement in children’s education and everyday lives.
2003-2004 Year I STAR-W
P.S. # 3 is so excited about our STAR-W class projects and activities. Here is a list of our 2003-2004 projects:
Here are the 2003-2004 projects that were developed during Year I of the grant. All projects were showcased on the May 28, 2004 Articulation Day.
2004-2005 Year II STAR-W
Following a very successful Year I, P.S. #3 Teachers attended training during August and September to learn to create class web pages using Microsoft Front Page and to begin to develop their Year II projects. A high level of technology integration has been experienced at the school. Principal John Fauta is elated at the tremendous impact that technology is playing in the school. Students use the wireless laptops daily and are so excited to learn. Find out more about Star-W presentations by clicking here.
The teachers involved in Year II and their projects are:
Report on Student Achievement
The results of the NJASK 3 test show that 81.1% of the total population (includes Special Needs and English Language Learners) were proficient or advanced proficient in Language Arts Literacy while 86.8% were proficient or advanced proficient in Mathematics. This far surpasses the Abbott percentages of 59% in Language Arts and 55.4% in Math and the State results of 78.1% and 75.8% respectively.
The results of the NJASK 4 test show that 78% of the total population were proficient or advanced proficient in Language Arts Literacy while 82% were proficient or advanced proficient in Mathematics. These scores reflect all students and show an increase from the 2003 NJASK 4 results from 67.6% in Language Arts Literacy and 81% in Mathematics.
The third and fourth grade students have continually excelled in Language Arts Literacy throughout the 2003-2004 school year. Report card grades, portfolio assessment and student achievement in both the classroom and the STAR-W projects have been reported as scoring in the range of B+ to A.
In addition, P.S. #3 has been recognized as a Benchmark School for the 2002-2003 and 2003-2004 school years. The New Jersey State Commerce recognized the school as a "Just for the Kids School" during the 2003-2004 school year.
2005-2006 Year III STAR-W
P.S. #3- Grades 3, 4, 5 & Special Education teachers have entered into Year III of the STAR-W Grant with great exuberance. Classrooms are equipped with SMART Boards and wireless laptops for all students to be actively engaged in interactive technology usage.
The 2005-2006 class projects are:
In addition, students will continue to use Time for Kids Magazine as well as KidBiz, an on-line differentiated Reading Program.
|
