Magnificent Classroom Makeover for Kindergarten Awarded by ETA hand2mind ! Winners to receive over $6,500 of materials and support to create an ideal environment for literacy learning
VERNON HILLS, IL, August 16, 2004 — ETA hand2mind —the industry leader in interactive literacy programs and manipulative-based education—announced today that Genie McMillan, kindergarten teacher at Center Point Elementary School in Birmingham, Alabama, is the Grand Prize winner of the Magnificent Classroom Makeover for Kindergarten contest. Ms. McMillan’s classroom will receive the ultimate literacy facelift, including books, hands-on materials, and professional development to help teachers in her school enhance their literacy instruction.
To qualify for the Magnificent Classroom Makeover, contest entrants were required to submit a brief essay explaining why they felt their kindergarten classrooms needed a makeover and how their students would benefit. According to Linda Rourke, Director of Reading at ETA hand2mind , Ms. McMillan’s kindergarten classroom was chosen among the numerous entries because, "Ms. McMillan is a highly qualified teacher who knows the importance of kindergarten intervention, but is working with limited resources."
As the Grand Prize Winner, Ms. McMillan’s classroom will receive the Learning Place® for Kindergarten Literacy, valued at over $4,400. As part of the makeover, she and her colleagues will also win a day with kindergarten and early literacy specialist, Miriam Trehearne, author of the Comprehensive Literacy Resource for Kindergarten Teachers recently published by ETA hand2mind . Ms. Trehearne’s professional book is being heralded as the definitive resource linking research and assessment to instruction, providing everything new and experienced teachers need to promote early literacy success.
According to Ms. McMillan, "Winning the Magnificent Classroom Makeover for Kindergarten contest makes a tremendous difference in not only my classroom, but our whole school! Center Point Elementary School is working so hard to fully implement the Alabama Reading Initiative—having all students reading on level by second grade. The makeover will provide us with the tools we need to make this happen for years to come!"
Additional contest winners were Robert Winters of Dennis School in Decatur, Illinois and Linda Williams of Gocio Elementary School in Sarasota , Florida. Both runners-up will receive product prize packages of books and materials for teaching early literacy from ETA hand2mind . Due to the overwhelming number of imaginative entries received, additional prizes for "Most Creative Entry" were awarded to four kindergarten teachers around the U.S. to recognize their inspiring submissions.
About ETA hand2mind
Headquartered in Vernon Hills, IL, ETA hand2mind is recognized as the premier publisher and pioneer of manipulatives-based education, with more than 8,000 supplemental math, reading, and science resources. Aligned to state and national standards, these products offer hands-on educational opportunities that engage students in learning and make teaching more effective for educators.
Londa Della 800-445-5985, ext. 5219
About the Comprehensive Literacy Resource for Kindergarten Teachers
In the Comprehensive Literacy Resource for Kindergarten Teachers, written by Early Literacy Specialist Miriam P. Trehearne, educators will find all they ever wanted to know about kindergarten literacy and how to teach it effectively! Practical, yet research-based, the book provides clear, concise explanations of both the "how" and the "why" of early literacy learning. Each chapter is organized around three core principles of good first teaching: research, assessment, and linking assessment to instruction. Easy-to-follow lessons are supplemented by handy blackline masters for student activities, observation checklists, assessments, and more. This book also includes a bibliography and a model parent workshop.
Cuisenaire and Learning Place are registered trademarks of ETA hand2mind .
