I have spent a lot a time in recent days trying to decide on a major project for this class.  There are so many choices.  I finally came to the decision to use one of the Funding Resources from my EdPsy490 NET handbook.  I am going to apply for the Small Grants Program for K-6 Science and Math Education from Toshiba America Foundation.

    After serving on the science textbook committee for two years, we chose to purchase the 2000 edition of Harcourt Science.  The teachers were giving copies of the teacher's edition in April, but nothing has been done about materials.  The committee was told that we would be meeting to choose the additional materials that we would need to purchase because they were not included with our former series.  Since I am the science teacher for both fourth grades in my building, I have started to review the text.  Even if the district purchases all of the materials, I still feel that some of the chapters are lacking a hands on angle.  The area in which I want to focus is electricity and magnetism.  In most years, I have not taught these subjects because of lack of hands on materials.  When I have had time to squeeze in the chapter, it has been at the very end of the year.  This area seems to be a part of the 4th grade science IGAP/ISAT each year.  Since the State seems to be stressing this standardized test, I feel my students would benefit from an earlier and more thorough exposure to the subject.
 

Illinois State Standards - Science Goals
Using hands on materials for teaching electricity and magnetism will help to meet the following goals.
Goal 11
A. Know and apply the concepts, principles and processes of scientific inquiry.
11.A.2a Formulate questions on a specific science topic and choose the steps needed to answer the questions.
11.A.2b Collect data for investigations using scientific process skills including observing, estimating and measuring.
11.A.2c Construct charts and visualizations to display data.
11.A.2d Use data to produce reasonable explanations.
11.A.2e Report and display the results of individual and group investigations.

B. Know and apply the concepts, principles and processes of technological design.
11.B.2a Identify a design problem and propose possible solutions.
11.B.2b Develop a plan, design and procedure to address the problem identifying constraints (e.g., time, materials, technology).
11.B.2c Build a prototype of the design using available tools and materials.
11.B.2d Test the prototype using suitable instruments, techniques and quantitative measurements to record data.
11.B.2e Assess test results and the effectiveness of the design using given criteria and noting possible sources of error.
11.B.2f Report test design, test process and test results.

Goal 12
C. Know and apply concepts that describe properties of matter and energy and the interactions between them.
12.C.2a Describe and compare types of energy including light, heat, sound, electrical and mechanical.

D.  Know and apply concepts that describe force and motion and the principles that explain them.
12.D.2b Demonstrate and explain ways that forces cause actions and reactions (e.g., magnets attracting and repelling; objects falling, rolling and bouncing).

Goal 13
A. Know and apply the accepted practices of science.
13.A.2a Demonstrate ways to avoid injury when conducting science activities (e.g., wearing goggles, fire extinguisher use).
13.A.2b Explain why similar investigations may not produce similar results.
13.A.2c Explain why keeping accurate and detailed records is important. 

A beginning list of other sites that may be useful when teaching the unit
Harcourt Science
SEEING MAGNETIC FIELD PATTERNS IN 3D
magnets
Articles on "Electricity"
St. Clair County - Learning Standards Benchmark Grid - links to lessons

Sites that may be useful in preparing the proposal

Organizing a Proposal Proposal tips from James Madison University.	Tutorial for Grant Writing This very thorough guide was put together by the Environmental Protection Agency and Purdue University.  It includes a mock writing activity and examples.
Short Course on the Web to Help You Write an Effective Proposal Provided by The Foundation Center	Marilyn Sinclair's "Steps To Successful Grant "  Written by a former teacher in Champaign who received several grants from ISBE and private foundations.
Top Ten Ways to Get Funded Jim Levin's site