Virginia Erwin and Judith Benedetto

The purpose of the project is to compose and publish an alphabet book of factual information on the topic of the History of Westborough.  This book will present the history of our town in an engaging and child-friendly way that is appropriate for this age group.

English to a Beat!

Armstrong Elementary School has students from a variety of countries and cultures.  The school is always looking for ways to embrace the diversity of our English Language Learner program and add multiculturalism to our general curriculum.  This grant will provide ELL students with multiple copies and big books 16 multicultural folktales.  Students will build their oral and writing skills and take their learning to another level through manipulating realia, drama activities and art projects.

Character Counts! / Parent-Child Book Club

This project involves the formation of a parent/child book club at the Mill Pond School.  The book club will meet once per month by grade level, beginning in October.  Book selections will be made by a grade level teacher, and the theme of the book will relate to one of the monthly Character Education values.

Dance Dance Revolution for Mill Pond Physical Education!

Dance Dance Revolution is a video game played on a dance pad.  The student stands on a dance pad and follows a sequence of dance steps shown on a television screen in front of them. The goal is to have enough equipment so that an entire class could participate in this fun Dancing/Fitness activity at the same time. 

The Business of Soap: Real-life Chemistry Applications in the Classroom

The Business of Soap project involves the integration of chemistry, business, marketing, accounting, art, and technology in the creation of a soap manufacturing company with the high school chemistry classroom.  Students are assigned roles within the company that simulate a typical scientific-organization.  The project is designed to review concepts at the end of the year and to introduce high school juniors to potential careers in science.

Approved in 2005 for three years (subject to availability of funds):

World Religion Symposium

Sixth grade students at the Mill Pond School will be involved in a day long event that revolves around the study of world religion.  Religious leaders from the Boston/Worcester area will come in as guest speakers to work with students in small groups.  They will explain the fundamentals of their faiths' traditions and answer questions that students raise in their social studies classes.