2006-2007 Bright House Networks National Star Teacher Award Winners

Students at Stewart Middle Magnet School in Tampa traveled back in time to “Walk Like An Egyptian” through all phases and aspects of cultural and physical life in Ancient Egypt, thanks to the creativity of two teachers and a school librarian. Using cable programming such as “Engineering an Empire” and “Gift of Nile,” students enriched a very hands-on, interactive study program which included building pyramids, compiling cookbooks and even performing at the Public Library’s Reader’s Theater. The sixth graders both started specific lessons with cable programming and tapped into programming to supplement their extensive research efforts.

Choose Your Destination: There’s A Big World Out There
Nancy Keck, Margie Dilmore
Greenwood Lakes Middle School, Lake Mary, FL 

Mathematics came alive and took regular and at-risk students at Greenwood Lakes Middle School in Lake Mary, Florida on the “road.” Teachers Nancy Keck and Margie Dilmore use programming from over 15 cable channels in a collaborative, multi-disciplinary project that concluded with students making a “Steamer Trunk” scrapbook of their far-reaching experiences. The sixth, seventh and eighth graders explored not only their immediate surroundings, but were able to explore the world thanks to cable programming, and on their journey they learned lessons in measurement, data recording, formula application, problem solving and group participation.

The 20th Century Living Museum Decade Project 
Karl T. Knerr
Clay Middle School, Carmel, IN 

Sixth graders in Karl Knerr’s social studies class created quality living museum exhibits, with the aid of cable programming and other research tools. The first step involved each group selecting their decade and organizing an approach. Traditional and cable programming research (Biography, The Discovery Channel and the History Channel) and an interview with a decade expert resulted in the writing and design of a brochure describing the exhibit, followed by a power point presentation and additional progress tools. The final week culminated in the creation of the actual exhibit, including invitations, artifacts, costumes and display boards.

Let the Generations Know 
Kathi Parks
Stockdale Christian School, Bakersfield, CA 

Teacher Kathi Parks set out to teach her students that “freedom isn’t free.” Her goal was to have them appreciate what U.S. soldiers, both past and present, have done for our country. At the end of the project, her students learned that lesson well and were reaching out on their own to help soldiers and veterans in big ways. The Bakersfield, California eighth graders launched a letter-writing campaign to men and women stationed in Iraq. They also became involved in a national program, “The Veterans History Project,” where they learned many aspects of documentary filmmaking, much of it through valuable cable programming resources. They also committed time to a fundraising project, helping raise over $2500 for a veteran’s memorial in their hometown.

A Pirate’s Quest 
Chris Mackmin, Bill Ferrell, Linda Shepard
Braden River High School, Bradenton, FL 

Over 450 Braden River High School students explored the historical and present-day use of codes and symbols in a three-month project that culminated in a “Treasure Hunt,” complete with prizes and parent participation. They studied symbols and symbolism, learned to decode and decipher messages and then applied the information and problem-solving techniques to real-world problems. The National Geographic Channel and the Discovery Channel provided an abundance of programming on everything from “Navajo Code Talkers,” to extensive information on the “real” DaVinci code. Bonus lessons included cartography, navigation and writing riddles.

Lords, Ladies and Flying Watermelon 
Eric Johnson, Lynn Marie Turner, Carmen Johnson
Hudson High School, Hudson, FL 

In just 30 days, students at Hudson High School extensively researched medieval times and planned and executed a Renaissance Fair complete with costumes, jousting events and armor displays (modern-day variety, thanks to the participation of the local S.W.A.T. team). A&E’s “Knights and Armor” and the History Channel’s “The Crusades: Crescent and the Cross” played a central role in the research. Students came together with parents to sew the medieval costumes that were worn both during the festival and during elementary school visits that were a major part of the students’ project.

Beyond the Storm 
Carla Eschen, Karen Stofcheck, Ingrid Staley
Citrus Springs Elementary School — Inverness Middle School, Citrus Springs, FL 

Both fourth graders and middle schoolers in Citrus Springs, Florida, focused on planning what to do after a severe storm or other natural disaster. A topical subject for Florida children, this project included research using The Weather Channel, a CNN Student News segment on Tornadoes and Flooding in Indonesia, and an HGTV “How’s that Work?” segment on surge protectors. Since every student wrote a book as part of the project, two TLC programs on grammar were also used. The students compiled the knowledge gained about disaster recovery into activity bags, including the self-authored books, to be used at severe weather shelters. They also created a poster with “Tips for Returning Home” designed to be hung in the cafeteria when their school is used as a storm shelter.

Our Manatee Morning 
Rebecca L. O’Connell
Inverness Primary School, Inverness, FL 

Imagine studying an endangered animal intensely for six weeks and then actually visiting its natural habitat and swimming — using a wet suit, mask and snorkel — with the very animals you had learned so much about. Kindergarten students in Inverness, Florida did exactly that AND learned phonics, science, math, technology, music and art in the process. Through cable programming, books, guest speakers, and directed classroom lessons, these five-year-olds became experts on the manatee, its challenges and its habitat. Visiting experts shared information about how Florida’s laws protect manatees and conducted a role play with the children cast as manatees, idle speed zone signs, divers and boats.

Global Dispatch: It’s a Small World After All 
Jessica Ayres, Alison Eckenroad, Everett Jones
Union Park Middle School, Orlando, FL 

Seventh graders conquered the world simply by asking others to send postcards from various parts of the world. Using the popular Parker Brother’s “RISK” game as a model, students gained “control” over a region when they received a postcard from it. Once they had control, they learned about the area through research, cable programming and direct correspondence with their newfound friends. Designed to counter the typically narrow view of the world held by many middle school students, the project generated over 1500 postcards and created countless learning opportunities for the students involved.

South American Adventures 
Jessica Fredricks
Bethune Academy, Haines City, FL 

Math basics were the goal so Jessica Fredericks sent her students to South America, thanks to cable programming “nuggets” that started each lesson. From interesting facts gleaned from scientists working with golden lion tamarin monkeys in the Amazon, to learning how to calculate the radius, diameter and circumference of circle from an Olympic Sprinter, these fourth and fifth graders took their math studies to new dimensions. Test scores improved along with geographical awareness, and overall “student enthusiasm skyrocketed.” The culminating event was a community-wide South American Cultural Festival, involving over 200 young children in songs, games and educational activities.