A creative teacher knows that a little ingenuity goes a long way in catching the attention of elementary students. Rebecca Wingstrom, a fifth-grade teacher of reading, writing and social studies at Heritage Elementary, is able to make her innovative teaching ideas a reality thanks to five grants she has received from the La Porte Education Foundation.
“These grants have enabled my students to have more hands-on learning opportunities,” said Wingstrom. “We still are studying the curriculum objectives, but in a more fun, real-life way. Without LPEF, I would not have been able to have these activities for my students.
Grants are awarded for a variety of ideas. Wingstrom received two letter-writing grants to purchase stationery and gel pens so her students could become pen pals with another campus; a literacy games grant that went toward obtaining vocabulary and reading comprehension board games; a cooking-club grant that furnished her classroom with paper/plastic goods and food for cooking; and a recording-center grant used to purchase cassette recorders that allow the students to record themselves reading.
Wingstrom believes any teacher who has a great idea but can’t fund it should apply for a La Porte Education Foundation grant.
“LPEF really is a wonderful way to get resources for your classroom,” said Wingstrom.
