TEACHER'S CORNER: TEACHER USES INCENTIVE GRANTS TO FUND CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES

PATTON -- Incentive grants have helped Amy Cook teach her students at Meadow Heights Elementary School.

For the past three years, Cook, a third-grade teacher, has written and received state incentive grants. With the money, she is able to buy classroom supplies, books and computers.

"My belief is that by actively involving my students in their learning I will increase their motivation as well as their retention," she said. "I enjoy making learning fun for my student and have developed many games we use to practice our skills."

Students play "The Price Is Wrong" to learn estimation skills. The game requires the students to purchase items on display and spend an allotted amount of money, Cook said.

"We compare our totals to determine whose amount meets the requirement the closest," she said.

And to learn better reading skills, students play "Wheel of Fortune." The students guess the spelling, pronunciation and meaning of words when they play.

"These games excite the students and make learning much more enjoyable," Cook said. "I can often hear former students walking by my door saying that they remember that game and they liked to play it. This makes me feel that those students enjoyed being in my classroom and hopefully remember something because of it."

Another grant program Cook began this year is a book publishing company. Some six students meet after school once a week to work on writing and publishing books.

The students learn computer skills and software programs, Cook said, adding that a book display is planned in the spring.

Cook has been teaching at Meadow Heights for five years. and is a 1987 graduate of the school. She graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in 1991.

"I became a teacher because I love working with children," she said. "I enjoy watching them learn new things and I enjoy watching them become young adults."

Cook is a member of CTA and served on the school technology committee. She and her husband, David, live near Scopus.