History came alive for the third graders at Morley Elementary School this June thanks to this grant that brought them to the Mashantucket Pequot Museum in Ledyard to experience a recreation of a working 16th century Algonquain Village. Teachers, students and even some family members were able to visit what lead applicant Liz Wallack calls a “cultural gold mine”. The field trip supported their social studies curriculum and proved to be the highlight of the students’ year-long study of the indigenous people of the Connecticut region. A dynamic museum tour and stirring scavenger hunt reinforced the children’s lessons on cultural strands and brought concepts and definitions of culture to life.

This grant again reminds us all of the enduring value of reading books, especially longer, non-fiction books. Lead applicant Rebecca Pauluk was able to secure 50 new books for the fifth graders at Duffy Elementary School with the aim of exposing her students to publications with longer chapters, charts and graphs. She also appreciated the opportunity to form book clubs within the classroom. The science-themed texts focused on surviving the climates and challenges in Antarctica. Pauluk relayed that these books spurred even more engagement in the classroom and will be a great aid for years to come.

The grants we award fund opportunities above and beyond what the school budget allows. This is why your support is so important to the work we do. Please donate now to support the Foundation and help us continue to create excellence beyond the school budget limits!

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