Published: May 21, 2008 03:15 pm            

BCSC teacher honored for creativity

BROWNSBURG — Beth Mitchell was looking for an innovative way to encourage her White Lick Elementary School students to read. The program she created — “Read All About It! The Non-Fiction News” — was a success in the classroom and also earned Mitchell the 2008 Innovative Grant of the Year Award from the Brownsburg Education Foundation (BEF) and CSO Architects.

Mitchell was surprised with a visit earlier this week from BEF Executive Director Christy Huston, BEF Vice President Mary Patterson, BEF Director Becky Keller, Brownsburg Community School Corporation Superintendent Kathleen Corbin, White Lick Principal Kris Quandt, and CSO Architects Senior Associate Andy McNeilly. The group dropped by Mitchell’s classroom to notify her of the award and present her with the $500 grant money.

Mitchell said it took her a year to come up with the idea of the program. In the end, she said, she decided to have the students — a mixture of second- and third-graders — learn about non-fiction.

“I knew the kids needed to learn non-fiction materials,” she said. “It’s important to teach them the components of non-fiction.”

With the grant money, Mitchell will be targeting an increase in students’ reading comprehension skills. On the last few days of schools, she had her students work on creating their own non-fiction texts.

“I’m never satisfied at just doing a regular lesson to help the kids learn,” Mitchell added.

The students had to research the materials needed for the books, as well as write the text and draw the pictures.

Once the books are finished, Mitchell said they will be sharing them with their “pen pals” at Eagle Elementary School.

During the award ceremony, the presenters rang old-fashioned school bells, which sent many of the students scurrying for the door to investigate the noise.

“I really did think the cows were coming,” Mitchell joked. “I was completely shocked. Touched and flattered.”

amanda.roach@flyergroup.com

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.