Plains teacher receives grant

Kids in Kathee Hojem’s fourth grade class were surprised by a news camera in their room on Friday, Dec. 3. That afternoon, the Missoula TV news station KPAX, in collaboration with Allegiance Benefit Plan Management, presented Hojem with a classroom grant as part of their “One Classroom at a Time” program.

The “One Class at a Time” program has been going on for over two years. The programs serves schools all across western Montana, according to KPAX reporter Robin O’Day.

“We have been everywhere from Thompson Falls all the way down to Darby,” O’Day said.

Hojem filled out an application for the grant program back in early August. According to Hojem, the grant will be used for a document camera in the classroom. A document camera is hooked to a projector, and can be used to project a large image of anything onto the class’s white board.

Hojem was able to attend a technology conference in Missoula, which was where she first heard about the document camera.

“This was one of the items that teachers had and said they absolutely loved it,” Hojem said.

Hojem is excited about the possibilities that this new piece of equipment could present.

“I have 20 students in my classroom,” Hojem said, “and it’s just really had for me to demonstrate anything or bring in objects.”

One of the advantages of the document camera would be that if Hojem had something she wanted to show to the class, she could place it under the document camera, and an image of it would be projected on the wall in great detail. Hojem sees this as being very advantageous when sharing an assignment with her students, or reading from one book, where instead of having her students crowd around for a glimpse of pictures on the page, Hojem can simply project an image of the page large enough for the entire class to see clearly.

The use of this device is not limited to books or assignments, and can be used on pretty much anything that will fit under the device’s camera.

“Maybe the students might bring in a bug, or a dragonfly and I could put it underneath the camera,” Hojem said, “and again, it will be really nice and big, so everyone can see all of the detail.”

Hojem anticipates that the class can use this document camera for sharing their show and tell. She also plans to use the camera in an upcoming rock unit to share different collections.

Hojem is very excited about the opportunity to use the document camera in her classrooms, and hopes that the students will get some use out of it as well.

“The camera will be an amazing piece of technology,” Hojem said. “The students will be able to interact with it by bringing some objects in for show-and-tell.”

Hojem will also be able to use the document camera in class demonstrations. When working on an art project, for example, she will be able to project what she is doing for all for the students to see. That way, they can see whatever technique Hojem is trying to illustrate without having to crowd around or wait further explanation.

“I can do an art project and show some techniques, maybe drawing, maybe clay work, or whatever the project is,” Hojem said.

Hojem only found out that her class had been chosen as the recipient of the grant on Monday, Nov. 29. The class has funds available for small purchases, such as art supplies, books, birthday pencils, and other things, but the grant comes as a huge financial boost.

“To have $250 was a big chunk of money to get a bigger item,” Hojem said.

For Hojem, the most exciting part of receiving this grant hasn’t been the opportunity to buy something new, but rather the chance for her and her students to use technology to share more effectively.

“It’s not just for me for teaching,” Hojem said, “it’s going to be for them to bring in things to share.”