Category: Programs

Kinesthetic classroom seating

Culture Affirming Kinesthetic Movement in the Classroom

Love Elementary School Grade 3 teacher Maya Porter applied for and received a AEF for a Teacher Mini Grant:

I recently began attending a multi-month training series by Alameda Unified School District in the area of Culturally Responsive Teaching. One of the aspects of culture-affirming classroom management is allowing for kinesthetic behavior that is high-movement oriented.

“I want to first thank you and all AEF supporters for your generous gift to our class.

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Model UN

Model UN Field Trip

National High School Model UN (NHSMUN) is the largest Model UN conference in the world. It hosts students from around the world in New York City to try to solve global issues. Students use diplomacy, problem solving, and public speaking skills to work with other students to try to solve some of the most pressing issues of our time. Encinal High School sent a delegation of students to this conference this year. The students were a diverse cross-section of Encinal learners who are excited about this amazing opportunity.

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Incentivizing reading at EJHS

Incentivizing Reading at EHS

Encinal did not have a librarian for nearly three months of the 2023-2024 school year. As the new Library Teacher, Heidi Swensen, a former graduate of Encinal HS, had the opportunity to become reacquainted with the community she always felt connected to. She also wanted to recharge enthusiasm for reading.

Ms. Swensen requested an AEF mini grant to buy gift cards to incentivize students and staff to participate in a book review raffle,

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Constance Moore illustrator and educator

Artists Featured for Black History Month

In celebration of Black History Month (February), AEF is highlighting 7 African American visual artists and 1 poet who are participants in our Art Changes program. All 8 artists made short videos where they explained (and sometimes demonstrated) their work. Each visual artist video is accompanied by an art activity video made by 2 film students of color. The poetry video is accompanied by an instructional PDF slideshow.

Here’s the list of artists with a description of their video.

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My Big World magazine in a TK class

My Big World Magazine Supplements Main Curriculum

When Paden teacher Jeannie Slone went back to teaching TK from 2nd grade, she found that the resource she had previously relied on, the Scholastic My Big World magazine, was no longer funded by the District. She turned to AEF for help with a subscription to reinforce classroom learning. The magazine helps students navigate the social emotional aspects of school life by providing a strong cross-subject resource that supports social-emotional learning, social studies, math, science,

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Equitable Opportunities to Succeed

Audrey Sigur, works with 6th and 7th grade students at Encinal Junior High School who are participating in the Office of Equity Program. Audrey is an Educational Equity and Family Engagement Coordinator for the Alameda Unified School District.

Ms. Sigur requested books and classroom tools for students who need additional support and a more equitable opportunity to learn and succeed.

Here’s what she wrote to AEF: “Just wanted to send over a few pictures of how the grant has blessed the Scholars far.

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