Receiving a Pyramid Award last year really helped my students become more fluent readers. Through my Pyramid Award I was able to get headphones with microphones, so my students could record their voices reading a short passage. My students then graded their fluency abilities using a rubric taught early in the year. Then, at different times during the year, students were able to compare their recordings. My students have increased their reading fluency and are more confident in themselves as readers. This is something that I would not have been able to afford on my own and am thankful that OCEF provided the opportunity to apply and receive resources that make such an impact in my classroom and on my students.

I received a Pyramid Grant to start the Who Was History Club at LaGrange Elementary. With the funds, we purchased small sets of various Who Was titles. During club, students read books together in small book groups, shared their learning from the book through online forms, and participated in classroom and school-wide History Bees. We had so much fun growing our content knowledge this year and are already looking forward to next year's club starting!

I was able to create 12 OT Motor Toolboxes using the Pyramid Grant. There is one for each classroom in kindergarten, first, and second grade. I completed this as my capstone project for my Doctorate in Occupational Therapy. This is my favorite quote from my results: "C. is a very reluctant writer. It is difficult to make him do work that involves strength or coordination. These lessons are painful for him. But using the tools and activities in the binder/box is fun and he can't wait. He chooses to use the box during his free time and is able to do several activities independently. He builds confidence with each activity and loves to show others how to do it.” Student C. currently receives OT services from the capstone student, and he stated, “Thank you Mrs. Taylor for making the toolboxes. I really enjoy using and playing with them."