Bad News and Not Quite as Bad News

The email arrived....and the news was bad with a little  of not quite as bad news.  We did not get our project funded.  Ok, so much for the bad news.  The not so bad news is we are on the short list of next to be funded if more money becomes available.  I am not a negative personality.  On occasion I have been a tad "Polly Anna"ish.  I am, however, realistic.  In the days of budget cuts and tightening of belts...additional money is right up there with Santa and the Easter Bunny.  (Meaning, of course, they only come around once a year).  :)
I am hopeful we can find some alternate form of funding.  At the same time Jennifer and I will remain hopeful the educational technology funding will fall from the sky.  If anyone reading this is an independently wealthy individual with a heart for technology in the classroom we will be happy to accept your donations.  Please feel free to forward this post to all of your rich relatives and friends.
The plan right now is to forge ahead as much as possible.  Apple has released some applications for the MAC (which is what we have in the classroom).  We will be looking into some of those applications in coming days so stay posted!

Still no news

Thanks for the inquiries on our project.  Still no news on the decision as to the distribution of grant money. I think we are in a holding pattern because of our snow days... ice days...weather experience days. :)  (Our county is large enough and rural enough we have a massive bus fleet.  Any icy spots anywhere in the county means school shut downs - as it should be).  I promise either Mrs. Hawkins or I will let you know anything as soon as we know anything.

Waiting....waiting....waiting...

I am fully aware that waiting is not a strength of mine.  Waiting in a doctor's office - I read.  Waiting in line at the grocery store - I scan the magazines.  Waiting at a stoplight - um...I stare at the stoplight, sending mental messages that I am tired of waiting.  I am trying to decide what to do as I am waiting to hear if we have received funding for our grant.  Sigh....I suppose I will continue to hurry up and wait.  Mrs. McCrary

Here is our Dream

Late yesterday afternoon was the big day.  We made a presentation in front of the grant judges to plead our case for being one of the proposals accepted.  Now we play the hurry up and wait game.  (NOT a game I am very good at playing).  Hopefully the next post will be one of celebration letting you know we are ready to go full speed ahead with our plans.  Wish us luck!!

iCube Project Presentation Video

Presentation Video

Here is the presentation video that was produced by Jennifer Hawkins and Patrice McCrary. The video details the project, research behind our proposal and the needs of our students within our school community. Please post comments, tell us what you think!

Some iPad apps we may give a try

I found this interesting link sharing a wide variety of iPad applications we just might give a try... if our proposal is accepted.  What do you think?  Which ones sound the most interesting?  I am AMAZED to see the multitude of applications already developed that are available for children.  The challenge will be finding those most worthy for content-rich usage.  What an adventure this will be.  Here is hoping our vision becomes a reality and we can take a step into the world of iPads in the classroom!  Here is the link.  Please take the survey on the right side of our page.  We will be sharing our data when we plead our case for the grant funding.  Thanks!
http://www.baraboo.k12.wi.us/district/technology/ipod_ipad.cfm