Jack Darcey Memorial Grant: Cultural Games for Engagement
- School Year: 2024-2025
- Applicants: Michelle Nicklas (Hall) Lead Applicant & Elvira Casillas (Conard)
- School: Conard High School, Hall High School
- Subjects: World Language
Post pandemic classrooms are facing increased challenges, including the creation of no phone zones and reteaching students to interact with one another. The Foundation understands that hands-on games in the classroom increase curiosity, engagement, collaboration, and the love of learning; plus, they are fun! By funding Cultural Games for Engagement, the Foundation has made it possible for Hall and Conard to turn intimidated and less interested entry level Spanish learners into students who smile a little more often. These beginners become speakers willing to string sentences together and interacting with others in a strategic and collaborative way. Through the games, students benefit from the necessary repetition in which they would otherwise hesitate to invest, but that is necessary for increasing their proficiency.