Understanding a story means connecting its words to a larger world. Understanding math means seeing the ideas behind the numbers.
At Landrum Middle School (LMS), two projects receiving 2026 J. Landon Short Mini Grants for Educators will support students in making those connections.
Congratulations to the following grant recipients:
Grant recipient | Project |
|---|---|
Angela Ayala | Bringing Literature to Life: Building Background Knowledge and Academic Discourse |
Sofia Guerrero | Mathematical Thinking from Concrete to Abstract |
Ayala’s Bringing Literature to Life: Building Background Knowledge and Academic Discourse focuses on helping students deepen their understanding of what they read. Building background knowledge gives students context for exploring a text, while thoughtful classroom discussion encourages them to explain their interpretations, consider other perspectives and support their ideas with evidence.
Guerrero’s Mathematical Thinking from Concrete to Abstract focuses on the connections that help mathematical concepts make sense. Moving from concrete examples to abstract thinking helps students understand how and why math works, building a foundation for tackling more complex problems.
Together, these projects emphasize students’ active role in learning: making connections, explaining their thinking and developing confidence in their understanding. They also reflect the power of supporting educators’ ideas to create meaningful opportunities for students.
Made possible through generous community support, the J. Landon Short Mini Grants for Educators help turn creative ideas into meaningful classroom experiences. It’s #CollectiveGreatness in action.
You can help make great things happen for kids, too. Visit SBISD’s Engage page to learn how to support students, classrooms and schools.