Photo Gallery Meridith Brown, teacher at Wester, is the recipient of a $1,000 grant from A&E Network for her model lesson plan on the War of 1812.

An FISD middle school teacher has been awarded a $1,000 grant from A&E Network for her upcoming lesson plan to teach about the War of 1812 and the Battle of New Orleans combining a HISTORY channel video, the district’s Bring Your Own Device policy, and a traditional writing assignment. 

Meridith Brown of Wester Middle School reports that she developed this interactive lesson plan after Pamela Crofoot, Wester’s technology facilitator, introduced her to the free, web-based resource www.todaysmeet.com.   Because students are allowed to bring their own communication devices to the classroom for educational purposes, Brown will have the students to watch the HISTORY production of First Invasion, War of 1812 and chat live during the event through the web resource.  The students will also have studied the war and the famous battle in class.  Students will be asked to post at least five original comments during the clip and respond to at least two other students.  As instructor, Brown will log into the chat and be able to grade the responses and provide feedback to their analysis while the students are logged on to the site.  Brown says she will be able to check out devices from the school library for any students who do not have a personal devise to use for the class.

Principal Angela Romney says Wester teachers have been diligent in their efforts to bring technology into the traditional classroom. “Our teachers have worked on utilizing technology, including student devices, into their lessons to better engage our students. We are excited that Ms. Brown was recognized for her model lesson.”