gear up provides classroom technologies...smarthinking online tutoring service. lake arthur gear up...

Inside this IssueInside this Issue

Classroom Technologies 2-3

Classroom Engagement 4

GEAR UP Services

New GEAR UP Partner 5

Teacher Comments 7-8

Roswell Schools News 11

Valley Schools News

GEAR UP Staff 12

Student Comments 6

Free Tutoring Available 10

Tutoring 9

MOTIVATING STUDENTS FOR SUCCESS IN LIFEMOTIVATING STUDENTS FOR SUCCESS IN LIFEMOTIVATING STUDENTS FOR SUCCESS IN LIFE

GEAR UP PROVIDES CLASSROOM TECHNOLOGIES

Spring 2013

Sierra Middle School student works an

Algebra problem with an iPad™

provided by GEAR UP.

Kimberly Key, Berrendo Middle School math teacher,

instructs GEAR UP cohort students how to solve an

Algebra problem by demonstrating on the Promethean™

board provided by GEAR UP.

Hagerman Middle School students enjoy learning

using iPads ™ furnished by GEAR UP with

Promethean™ board technology in

Mr. Rodriquez's science classes.

Dexter Middle School Spanish

classroom uses the Promethean™

board for vocabulary instruction.

MOTIVATING STUDENTS FOR SUCCESS IN LIFE

GEAR UP PROVIDES CLASSROOM TECHNOLOGIES

Would you like to know Roswell weather at any given moment? GEAR UP provided WeatherBug™, a weather

monitoring station for Sierra Middle School to engage students in science, math, and related technologies. Students

are engaged in learning meteorology and technologies used in reporting the weather.

Log into WeatherBug™ to see this classroom technology in action! http://weather.weatherbug.com/NM/Roswell-weather.html?zcode=z6286&zip=88203

“I have had my Promethean™ board for three years without an ActiView® (document camera). This year, I was

given one from the GEAR UP program and now use it EVERY DAY! Students comment that

they prefer a lesson to be taught using the ActiView® because it is easier to follow along. It also

helps that I can stand to the side of the board instead of having my back to the students which in

turn allows me to immediately see if students comprehend the concept. Students are also more

agreeable to go in front of the class to use the ActiView® to illustrate the process of working out

a math problem and in some cases, request to use the ActiView® to prove their method works. I

believe that the ActiView® grabs the students’ attention and transforms any lesson to become

student friendly. Using the ActiView® has saved me time and has made teaching detailed math concepts easier. Thank

you GEAR UP program for providing this invaluable piece of technology to every classroom teacher at Sierra Middle

School.”

Sabrina Sutherland, 8th Math Teacher, Sierra Middle School


Mountain View Middle School students utilize GEAR UP provided iPad™ and

Promethean™ board technologies in class every day!

Mountain View Middle School GEAR UP students use

iPad™ technology to engage them to learn math concepts.

Mrs. Sutherland’s Algebra classes at

Sierra Middle School use iPads™

on an interactive Algebra website.

They love watching their proficiency

improve within their student

accounts with this website.

Mesa Middle School student learns to use a

graphing calculator provided by GEAR UP .

Mesa Middle School students utilize laptops

provided by GEAR UP for online help with

Smarthinking™ online tutoring service.

Lake Arthur GEAR UP student

uses an MimioPad™ wireless

tablet provided by GEAR UP to

complete her “Bell” work

(introductory lesson)

CLASSROOM ENGAGEMENT


Mountain View Middle School students

make friends with “Mr. Bones,”

provided by GEAR UP, to engage

science students learning Anatomy and

Physiology.

Berrendo Middle School students use Newspapers in

Education provided by GEAR UP and the Roswell Daily

Record to engage them in a variety of ways. Math teachers

utilize them for the ads and pricing comparisons. Language

Arts teachers use newspapers for English, reading, and

related literary purposes.

GEAR UP provided Dexter Middle School cohort students “Math

Fact Fluency” software to engage students in learning math facts.

Megan Savage, GEAR UP teacher wrote, “It was really cool. I

showed it to the seventh graders and we “created” a (virtual) student in

class and we all had a laugh creating him. Then, he started the testing

process and received some self satisfaction because it started with the

facts that he knows. I assume that soon it will get to the ones that he

has trouble with, but it was fun so far. He arrived to the part where he

can select an arcade game as a reward for the correct answers. I also

see a correlation to the way that “Math U See” teaches them , if you

know one fact, you really know more than just than one; you know

two or three more with the associative property. So, I am really excited

to see students working on this and their knowledge of multiplication

and other math facts become more seated in their memories. Thank

you so much for providing this program for us!”

We thank Ms. Savage for making learning math a fun experience for

GEAR UP students.

SkillsTutor ™ Math Fact Fluency


Academic Counselors and Advisors

Online 24/7 Tutoring Services (Smarthinking.com)

Online 24/7 Mentoring Services (EduGuide.org)

On-Site Tutoring Programs

College Campus Visits

Community Service Projects

Professional Development for GEAR UP Teachers

Classroom Equipment and Technologies

Newspapers in Education (NIE) (www.nieonline.com)

Summer Educational Programs

Summer Educational Field Trips

Career Fairs

High School ACT Prep Classes

Motivational Speakers

Parent Workshops

GEAR UP Scholarship Opportunities

And other educational services

GEAR UP STUDENT SERVICES

WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP GEAR UP values our community partnerships, which help us to

help our students. We always welcome new partners to our

program.

Please join us in welcoming Southwest Dairy Farmers as our

newest community partner. Southwest Dairy Farmers has provided

ice cream sandwiches to cohort students for a variety of educational

events as incentives to progress students in their educational goals.

Thank you Southwest Dairy Farmers!

The Southwest Dairy Farmers is an alliance of dairy farmers from Texas, New Mexico, Arkansas, Kansas,

Missouri, and Oklahoma. These producers have pooled their resources to provide consumer education in nutrition, to

promote dairy product use, and provide dairy product information.

In 1982, several key figures in the dairy industry got together with the idea of creating a dairy museum for the

preservation of artifacts and historical documents. The objective of the Museum was to preserve the history of the

Southwestern dairy industry for the enjoyment and education of generations to come.

Source: http://southwestdairyfarmers.com/


GEAR UP STUDENT COMMENTS

“In science class we used the Vernier™ temperature probes (provided by GEAR UP) to calculate how long it took

for water in the test tube to freeze while it was set in a simple cup full of water and ice. Using this lab equipment

made science interesting because it was crazy to watch the temperature descend so quickly as we put the test tube in

the ice water.” Lizzy

“Using the iPads™ make learning much more interesting when we test on Discovery®.” KDS

“The high school tutor in my math class is a very good tutor and he helps me on math problems from my own

perspective.” Lopez

“iPads™ have helped me learn more about science and about technology. My teacher agrees that they are great and

make learning enjoyable. Thanks Mrs. Morley and GEAR UP!” Holmes

Jose is excited to be learning to use laptops; “Writing a paper is much more fun on the laptop!”

“Using the ActiView camera in my math class makes learning math more interesting because

instead of just one student working the problem the whole class can see the problem and

discuss it.” Montes

“The Promethean™ board helps us to comprehend because it has cool math tools that

help us visualize what we are doing.” Jadon

“Using the laptop made researching fun.” Anna

“It is fun to go up and use the board because we get to be a part of the math lesson, especially when

we use the responders to answer questions.” Roberto

“I really like the flipcharts my teacher makes because you’re not just sitting there watching a lecture. It

is more entertaining and interactive!” Grace

“I feel like I’m in high school, typing my papers and everything!” Daniel

Kimberly Key, Berrendo Middle School 8th grade math teacher wrote, “Having a Promethean™ board in

my classroom has been an invaluable resource for student instruction. I am able to present the lessons in a

way that involves the students and they are able to be a part of the lesson. Gone are the days of standing at

the front of the room writing the lesson on the white board with the students copying into their

notebooks! With the resources available with a Promethean™ board, I am able to create

interactive lessons that create excellent student participation. The ActivExpressions® (student

response system) allows the students to send in answers and responses, increasing their

participating and giving me immediate feedback on whatever concept we are working on. There

are awesome math tools available in the program in which I am able to model measurements with rulers,

protractors, compasses, draw three-dimensional figures, and many, many more resources that I use with my

students. Using the ActivSlate® to control the board wirelessly, I can move around the classroom to check

for understanding and be more of a presence in the room, rather than be stuck at the board or my desk.”


TEACHER COMMENTS

Joanna Aguilar, Spanish and ESL/ELD instructor at Dexter Middle School relates that through the use of

the new Promethean™ board provided by GEAR UP, students have been able to interact better in daily

lessons. The Promethean™ board is currently being used in ELL and Spanish acquisition classes. The board

has allowed students to interact with flip charts, whether they are moving items, writing grammar

corrections directly on the board or answering questions using the Activote®. The use of these resources

allows the classroom teacher to gather data about the students as individuals and helps to correct any

misconceptions any student may have. The Promethean™ board also provides great visuals which allow

students to gather background knowledge, clarify misconceptions, and allows access to the internet. It has

been used in the classroom on a daily basis and has proven to be a valuable resource for the classroom

teacher and the students.

The tools GEAR UP has provided the science classroom at Sierra are amazing. We are utilizing

Vernier® lab equipment for testing relative humidity, temperature, and PH

balance in our Eco Labs with plants and aquatic environments. The students have

been able to learn and demonstrate their knowledge in exciting ways using the

iPads™. They do research, presentations, and discovery assessments using the

iPads™, which captivates their attention. Thank you so much GEAR UP for

providing these exciting and hands-on learning tools.

Jeri Dansby

Sierra Middle School

7th and 8th Grade Science

Mr. Smith, Dexter Middle School Language Arts teacher, reports the Elmo® (document camera) has allowed

students to present their projects/writings to the class. The students can enlarge their projects to make it easier

to be seen for all students. The Elmo® also keeps the teacher from having to make so many copies because

Mr. Smith can use the Elmo® to enlarge project text for the students to see; which allows the teacher to

present text which might not be available to students otherwise.

TEACHER COMMENTS (cont.)

“I love the document camera and cart that GEAR UP placed in my classroom. I find myself using the

document camera as much if not more than I use the Promethean Board. It is quick to activate and magic to

use. I can show student work, printed material, and even 3D objects. I replaced my podium with the cart and

enjoy its versatility on a period by period basis.

Thank you, GEAR UP for making this middle school teacher's instruction time more effective and

efficient. I think we are indeed blessed to have Ms. Morley on our campus. THANKS!”

Barbara Walker


Seventh Grade Language Arts


Dan Jennings, Hagerman Schools Technology Coordinator comments, “Andrew Rodriguez teaches

sixth, seventh, and eight grade science at Hagerman Middle School. A Hagerman graduate himself , Mr.

Rodriguez has made using effective technology tools in the classroom a priority. Last year when he taught

high school social studies, he introduced iPads™ from the previous GEAR UP grant to his classes.

Students loved learning with them.

Now this year, Mr. Rodriguez has moved into a classroom with a Promethean interactive whiteboard,

Activote®, student response system, and a cart of iPads™. "If you want to see differentiated instruction,

this is the best way to do it.", explained Mr. Rodriguez on how he engages students interest for science

standards.

Students are engaged and excited to use the tools to learn and demonstrate what they have learned.

GEAR UP funds have helped Hagerman Middle and High Schools implement a MacBook® lab in

science; iPad™ carts in science, social studies, and mathematics; and online curriculum for improving

students' basic skills.

GEAR UP funding provides the opportunity for all Dexter Middle School GEAR

UP students to attend after-school tutoring. In addition, GEAR UP provides

students bus transportation home every school day!

GEAR UP PROVIDES TUTORING SERVICES


Sierra Middle School GEAR UP students receive tutoring/mentoring services.

GEAR UP PROVIDES TUTORING SERVICES


GEAR UP students receive free tutoring in a variety of ways. For online tutoring, Smarthinking™ is available to all

seventh and eighth grade students 24 hours per day, seven days per week. For login information, please contact the

GEAR UP Academic Advisor/Counselor at your middle school.

Students may also take advantage of tutoring at school. GEAR UP provides during and after school tutoring services

for students wanting personal help. High school honor students serve as “mentors” for tutoring and mentoring GEAR

UP students. In addition to peer tutoring, GEAR UP provides certified teachers for tutoring at certain schools. To assist

parents and students in taking advantage of the free tutoring services available, below are tutoring schedules for our

Roswell middle schools.

BERRENDO MIDDLE SCHOOL

TUTORING SCHEDULE

Monday and Wednesday: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Tuesday and Thursday: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Six high school tutors are assisting students

in approximately 18 different classes per day.

They work with around 500 students per day.

MOUNTAIN VIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL

TUTORING SCHEDULE

Tuesday and Thursday: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

(high school tutors/mentors)

Tuesday: 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

(math tutoring with certified teacher)

SIERRA MIDDLE SCHOOL

TUTORING SCHEDULE

Monday and Wednesday:

9:45 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday:

1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Five high school tutors are assisting

students in 14 different classes in math and

language arts. MESA MIDDLE SCHOOL

TUTORING SCHEDULE

Monday and Wednesday:

3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday: 9 a.m.—11 a.m.

Four high school students provide

individual tutoring in math and

language arts classes. Certified

teachers are also available for tutoring

during their prep periods, lunch, as

well as before and after school, and

on Saturday.


Berrendo Middle School had a remarkable response to

the annual GEAR UP surveys. In no small part due to the

folks at South West Dairy Farmers. The seventh graders

put their best effort forward and returned 93% of their

student surveys and 72% of the parent surveys came back

to school. Likewise, the eighth graders pitched in very

well. They turned in 92.4% of the student surveys and

66% of the parent surveys. To say, “thank you” to Mrs.

Goodpasture at South West Dairy Farmers, the art class

designed a very large thank you card and most of the

students signed the card. It is intriguing how a little ice

cream creates very big results.

C.W. Hamilton

Berrendo Middle School

GEAR UP Academic Advisor

[email protected]

Mountain View Middle School GEAR UP continues to

provide tutoring for the cohort group (7th & 8th grade)

students. Tutoring for math is available after school on

Tuesday in Mrs. Diaz’s class. I provide tutoring,

mentoring and career exploration to students. Seventh

grade girls have enjoyed a lunch time Book Club with me.

Students recently completed the book, “Number the

Stars”.

Parent surveys recently went out and we had a 63%

return on these surveys. Plans are being made for a

successful transition to high school for the eighth grade

students. Classroom teachers have been using the

classroom set of iPads™ . For example, Mrs. Busby uses

iPads™ with her students to reinforce teaching

geometrical shapes.

Barbara Eiffert

Mountain View Middle School


[email protected]

ROSWELL MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS

Sierra students have been hard at work preparing for

the NMSBA testing. Students have enjoyed using the

iPads™ provided by GEAR UP to prepare for testing

using Discovery® probes and continuous improvement

monitoring to be sure they are well prepared for the test.

The iPad™ cart has been in high demand as teachers

continue to find new and exciting ways to engage

students in their classrooms through interactive

applications on the iPads™.

Sierra students have taken the annual GEAR UP survey

as I spent time with all the 7th and 8th grade students in

their advisory classes administering the survey and taking

the opportunity to talk about continuous preparation for

high school and college.

Tutoring progresses with Smarthinking™ online

tutoring and high school student tutors that are present in

the classrooms. Students look forward to seeing their

high school tutor each day.

Nanci Morley



[email protected]

Mesa students are pumped up and ready for testing.

Students have worked hard and utilized Smarthinking™

and school tutors to help them prepare for the NMSBA

testing.

We are excited to have our computer laptop cart up and

running; the teachers and students have given them a good

work out already!

GEAR UP surveys were completed and returned with a

great response from both students and parents. Thank you

to all who returned their surveys.

Our eighth grade students are looking forward to high

school and the GEARUP transition event in August.

Jennifer Brewer

Mesa Middle School


[email protected]

GEAR UP IS FEDERALLY FUNDED BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND SPONSORED BY ENMU-ROSWELL.

The contents of this publication were developed under a grant from the Department of Education. However, those contents do not necessarily

represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.

PR/Award # P334A110054 Amount: $1,380,800.00 (100% Federal Funds) and $1,383,837.76 (100.22% Non-Federal Sources)

Designed and Produced by Liz Novak


We’re on the web!We’re on the web!We’re on the web! http://www.roswell.enmu.edu/student-services/gear-up/welcome-to-gear-up

P. O. Box 6000

Roswell, NM 88202-6000

Phone: (575) 624-7104

Fax: (575) 624-7048

Steve Markl—Director

Sarah Kuehnemund—Administrative Assistant

Carl Harrison—-Data Analyst

Mike Gomez—Outreach Coordinator

Elizabeth (Liz) Novak—Budget Specialist

GEAR UP Administrative StaffGEAR UP Administrative StaffGEAR UP Administrative Staff

Dexter Middle School has been busy this nine weeks.

All eighth graders were given the Kuder Interest

Inventory to begin their career exploration for Next

Step Planning. The teachers at Dexter Middle School

put together a fantastic morning for all students called

College Day. Students rotated to hear presentations

about various colleges that their teachers had attended.

The students gave this a 91% approval rating! Diane

Taylor, Chaves County DWI Prevention and

Intervention Specialist, set up a booth for the students

on their incentive day. The students were able to

interact with a simulator to learn the effects of texting

and driving, as well as coping with bullying by means

of electronic devices. Dexter Middle School students

are currently putting together a community service

project to benefit cancer research. An eighth grade

GEAR UP team is leading the way in a series of many

activities.

Rissie Daubert

Dexter Middle School

GEAR UP Academic Counselor Our GEAR-UP students have been working hard the last

month. We had three 8th graders post a 4.0 G.P.A. for the

quarter grading period. CONGRATULATIONS to Justin

Armstrong, Hannah Hamill and Devon Torres-Trujillo.

Great job 8th graders, who are not only good role models in

class, but out of the classroom as well. We had four 7th

graders on the B Honor Roll, and eleven 8th graders on the

B Honor Roll.

Due to all the hard work and commitment our students

have shown, we were able to have a wonderful celebration

for our GEAR UP students to recognize all of their

achievements and to play some team-building games and

work on our leadership skills. Our Peer Leadership Team,

which is comprised of GEAR UP students, did a wonderful

job organizing and facilitating this event and really showed

their passion and commitment to not only the school, but

also the community and their fellow students.

Daniel Hulse

Hagerman Middle School

GEAR UP Academic Counselor

GEAR UP language arts students at Lake Arthur Middle

School use the Mimio™ pad to complete “bell work” on

the whiteboard. This technology helps students increase

their writing and computer skills every day in the

classroom. Bell work is implemented at the beginning of

each class to provide students a time to prepare for the start

of instruction. Language Arts implements incorrect

sentences called “Caught ya” where students correct

capitalization, spelling, punctuation, and grammar.

Mimio™ is an interactive whiteboard system purchased

by GEAR UP for Lake Arthur Middle School cohort

teachers and students.

Bonnie Torrez

GEAR UP Language Arts Teacher

Lake Arthur Middle School

gear up provides classroom technologies...smarthinking online tutoring service. lake arthur gear up...

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