The Clear Creek Education Foundation (CCEF) received a $7,690 Partners in Education Grant, funded by the Harris County Department of Education, in collaboration with the Education Foundation of Harris County in the fall of 2020. This grant funded a CCEF Teacher Innovative Grant, “Step Into My World,” written by Stephenie Ruby at Clear Lake Intermediate, who had the vision of purchasing giant maps from National Geographic that would bring the world to life for her students.
Clear Lake Intermediate School strives to be a culturally responsive campus and meet the needs of all diverse learners. Research has shown that children learn best when they are highly engaged. With the purchase of giant plastic maps, students are having the opportunity to work together to form a new understanding of the world. This Teacher Innovative Grant is allowing students to walk across America on a giant map as they follow the Trail of Tears, see how the Mediterranean Sea connects to the Red Sea and visualize exactly how big the Sahara Desert really is. Through the different lessons, students are becoming more aware of distance and how cultural differences are directly related to location, all while growing their knowledge in map skills and geographical understanding of the world.
“I am so thankful to have received this grant from the Clear Creek Education Foundation,” stated Stephenie Ruby. “Our grant provided 5 HUGE maps (29×21) of Texas, North America, South America, Europe and Asia. We’ve been able to travel to our favorite places around the world and learn so much about the different cultures, climates, political state and famous icons. The students absolutely love it, and many eagerly ask every day if we are going outside to map walk.”
The “Step Into My World” grant impacts 980 students ranging from 6th grade to 8th grade and can be used at multiple CCISD schools.