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LairdLearning.com

Insights on Literacy Grant Funding

11/28/2018

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Through my literacy consulting work, I frequently get asked by educators around the country for insights on how they can receive funding to implement a literacy initiative or project. While I will continue to respond individually to educators who reach out via email or this website's contact form, I wanted to share some highlights here. 

Having worked in rural, Title I, and suburban districts, I understand the need for literacy funding and have written and received several grants allowing me to impact literacy development. My hope is the information below helps educators begin their grant writing journey. Be sure to check with your school district and administrator before applying for grant funding as some districts may have an internal process and checkpoints you must follow. 

Funding Sources (not an exhaustive list): 
  • Dollar General Literacy Foundation
  • Walmart Community Grants
  • Mary Pope Osborne's Gift of Books
  • AFA Educators Grant
  • Wish You Well Foundation
  • Starbucks Foundation Grants
  • Believe in Reading
  • Sidgmore Foundation
  • TJC Companies Foundation
  • Costco Charitable Giving
  • International Paper Company
  • Donors Choose

Award/Recognition Options: 
  • International Literacy Association


Tips: 
  • Have a catchy title - this may seem corny, but when Boards or committees are reading through hundreds of grant applications, catchy titles can grab their attention
  • Have a well thought out project, scope, timeline including reporting out/update measures, budget, and impact statement
  • Include an explanation for future funding. Organizations want to know you have a plan for sustaining the project once the grant funding is spent. 
  • Include an explanation of how you will share/advertise you've received the grant. Organizations want to increase their visibility, so tout your connections in the community and/or on social media.
  • If possible, include quotes from an administrator, colleagues, students, and/or families regarding the need and impact the project will have
  • Do your research - make sure the grant funds match your project, have research and citations to demonstrate the need for your project
  • Be persistent - don't give up if you don't receive funding on your first, second, or third try. Your project may not have been a perfect match for that organization or perhaps there are tweaks you can make to your application. If you don't receive funding, consider contacting those who did receive funding, find out about their projects, and if they're willing to share, look at their proposals. 


If you have additional questions or need for consulting services, feel free to reach out using the contact form. 
                                                                               Best of luck!

Are there grant programs you would like to see added to this list? If so, add a comment and/or complete the contact form and I will add them. 

    Contact Stephanie and LairdLearning Consulting, LLC

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Restart Breakout Edu

5/18/2018

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Literacy Breakout Edu's are one of my favorite uses of game based learning. I've been creating Breakout Edu's over different novels and this one is tied to the book Restart by Gordon Korman. Let me know if you would like a copy of this Breakout, or any of the other ones I've created.

Literacy Breakout Edu over Restart by Gordon Korman

Game Name: Restart

Game Designer: Stephanie Laird @LairdLearning, LairdLearning.com

Content Areas: Reading

Recommended Ages: 3rd-6th grade

Ideal Group Size: Whole Class

Suggested Time: 30-40 minutes

Story:
While recording Brenden’s newest viral video idea, “Dog Walker in Rollerblades,” the group came across a box with several locks. Wondering what was inside, Chase and Brenden wanted to solve the clues, but realized video club was about to begin, and they have 10 dogs to return! Can you help Chase and Brenden by solving the clues and unlocking the box before they return? You have 30 minutes to unlock the box. Your time starts now. 

Lock Combinations:
  • 3-Digit Lock  982 
  • 4-Digit Lock  8263
  • ABC Lock  START
  • Directional Lock  ←←↓→ ↑
  • Key Lock  Taped to a football 

Setup Instructions:
  1. Print out all clue cards
  2. Put together the cipher wheel
  3. On one piece of each film strip, write in invisible ink one of the numbers for the 3 digit lock. Cut apart pieces.
  4. Place flashlight and cipher wheel in small breakout box. Lock with the key lock.​
  5. Place the film strip pieces and the map in another small box. Lock this with the ABC lock.
  6. Hide all clues and decoder lens around the room.
  7. Tape the key to the football
  8. Using the hasp, the directional lock, the 3 digit lock, and the 4 digit lock, lock the Breakout Box.

Reflection Questions:
  1. How did your group utilize each individual’s strengths?
  2. How did you contribute to your team?
  3. Did everyone in your group have an opportunity to contribute?
  4. Describe a moment in the game when your team worked well together.
  5. How could your group have been more effective?

Additional Requirements: 
  1. ​Decoder Lens
  2. Football
  3. UV Pen
  4. UV Flashlight

CCSS:  RL.1, RL.2, RL.3
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Out of My Mind Breakout Edu

5/11/2018

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This Breakout Edu is over the book Out of My Mind by Sharon M Draper. Let me know if you would like a copy of this Breakout, or any of the other ones I've created.
Literacy Breakout Edu over Out of My Mind 
by Sharon M DraperGame Name: Out of My Mind

Game Designer: Stephanie Laird @LairdLearning, LairdLearning.com

Content Areas: Reading

Recommended Ages: 3rd-6th grade

Ideal Group Size: Whole Class

Suggested Time: 30-40 minutes

Story:
There’s an update for Melody’s Medi Talker, but her parents and Mrs. V are so busy helping Penny recover, they haven’t gotten around to installing the update. Rosie wants to help Melody, but needs your help in solving the clues and unlocking the box where the Medi Talker is stored. Will you help? The bus comes to pick up Melody and Rosie in 30 minutes, so time is running out! Work together, problem solve, and use what you learned in Out of My Mind! Your time starts now.

Lock Combinations:
  • 3-Digit Lock  473 
  • 4-Digit Lock  5985
  • ABC Lock  OLLIE
  • Directional Lock  ← ↑ ↓ ← →
  • Key Lock  Taped to a photo of the brain 

Setup Instructions:
  1. Print out all clue cards
  2. Put together the cipher wheel
  3. Place the cipher wheel in the small Breakout box
  4. Set the locks
  5. Lock the small breakout box with the 4 digit lock
  6. Place all other locks on the large Breakout box using the hasp
  7. Tape the key to the back of the brain photo
  8. Hide all clues and hint cards

Reflection Questions:
  1. How did your group utilize each individual’s strengths?
  2. How did you contribute to your team?
  3. Did everyone in your group have an opportunity to contribute?
  4. Describe a moment in the game when your team worked well together.
  5. How could your group have been more effective?​

CCSS:  RL.1, RL.2, RL.3
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Literate Environments in PK-5th Grade

2/23/2016

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As part of my Directing and Supervising K-12 Reading course, we were given the task of using ILA's Standards for Reading Professionals, and creating a summary sheet you could give to a beginning teacher. The goal of the assignment was to not only show you understand the standards, but also that you would be able to help someone else create a literate environment. Below, you'll find my finished product. 
Picture
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