AUTHENTIC TASKS? NEW FORMS? WRITE A GRANT!

Need an idea for a New Form, an authentic task, or just an upgrade to your current methodology?

Have your students write a grant!

If you've seen Heidi Hayes Jacobs speak recently, or read some of the things she's written online lately, you know that she is advocating for curriculum upgrades in the form of "out of the box" thinking. She's discussed what other teachers are doing, she's discussed writing screenplays, and she's discussed writing grants. Specifically, the STUDENTS writing grants.

What better way to write for an authentic purpose for an audience that students may have never considered before?

A couple of resources came across my network in the last couple of days that I wanted to share to help you develop this with your students.

1. From the Today Show this morning, a resource was shared from the PEPSI company called THE PEPSI REFRESH PROJECT. They are funding ideas that will make a difference to our local or global communities.
2. GRANT WRANGLER is a one stop resource for teachers writing grants. You can search by content area, or type a key word, such as TECHNOLOGY, into the search box for relevant results. I noticed there were several good technology grants available that have due dates in mid-May.
3. Here's a resource from TEACHER TAP about the Grant Writing Process with resources and a getting started section.

From Education World on Grants:

ADDITIONAL GRANT RESOURCES

The following sites offer resources that can help you locate appropriate sources of funding for your project.

• School Grants Center Education World offers the latest information about current education grants.
• Discretionary Grant Application Packages The U.S. Government offers this clickable list of application packages for currently open Department of Education grant competitions.
• Grants and Programs The National Education Association Foundation for the Improvement of Education offers information, guidelines, and other resources related to grants the foundation administers.
• The Foundation Center This site for non-governmental funding resources offers both print and online resources for a subscription fee.
• Community Foundation Locator This tool identifies tax-exempt charitable organizations in your community that are possible sources of grants.

With lots of testing coming up soon and teachers looking for some great ideas for continuing the learning process through the end of school after the tests--here are some great opportunities to do high level work, but with a specific purpose!

-Mike

reposted from the Curriculum21 Ning