Bryan Duc Truong

Project Based Learning Grant Proposal

What inspires?

School Environment Narrative

Liberty Arts Academy opened its doors in 2009 dedicated to a nurturing

environment and high academic expectations with a focus on the arts. Liberty Arts
Academy is run by the Leona Group LLC which is in its 16 th year of operation (Leona
Group 2013) and expansion offering alternative public school education in Arizona,
Florida, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio. Although Liberty Arts Academy is relatively
small with approximately 300 K-8 students (Department of Education 2013) we
believe that the smaller class sizes help promote an atmosphere of community and
allow our teachers to easily reach our students and foster a positive atmosphere.
LAA is a diverse community with students coming from all walks of life and ethnic
backgrounds.

(Department of Education 2013)

In 2013 LAA was ranked in the 63 percentile over all elementary schools in Arizona
(Department of Education 2013). This has been a slight drop from previous years.
However, this school has been going through a transitional period and with a new
principal, Julia Angel at the helm as well as some new staff we are looking forward
towards the future to make LAA the best school that we possibly can.
As previously mentioned LAA is a charter school with a focus on the arts.
Children are offered the usual curriculum as prescribed by state standards however
we also place an emphasis on theater. Our classes of all ranges consistently put on
plays and shows for the community, and just recently we performed a musical
version of Beauty and the Beast and a musical selection from GLEE.
Technology resources available to students are limited. Each classroom has
only 1-2 computers and we are working on installing Smart Boards into all
classrooms. The school itself lacks adequate computer facilities. There is a mobile
laptop cart available with the capacity for 30 laptops, however the high demand for
use and the necessity for the cart to move from classroom to classroom has left
many laptops with cracked screens and various levels of disrepair.
At LAA we consider social development as well as academic growth to be part
of our curriculum. As such we offer various after school programs for all levels of
interest. Our 7th grade teacher Ms. Munden offers a writers club that encourages

interaction with peers as well as academic growth through creative fictional writing.
Our Physical Education teacher offers various activities during school as well as
various extracurricular activities for after school as well. These include an after
school sports club and dance club.

INTRODUCTION
Liberty arts academy focuses on the arts, however I do not believe we have
reached our full potential. The school has a high focus on performing arts, but I
believe we can also integrate visual and literary art to create a more complete
curriculum focusing on art. Our writers club meets weekly and consistently amaze
us with their imaginative stories that only improve as the academic year goes on.
Our visual arts are offered in various ways, but it is always separate from academic
curriculum.
In this project students will learn about various writing styles and methods,
and research authors and artists. They will conduct research on a topic of their
choosing and from the methods and information learned create a literary work. A
second group of students who are focusing on visual arts will then create a piece of
visual art inspired by the students literary work. This will promote art in various
forms while still keeping within the confines of traditional education, and promoting
a sense of community and cooperation among students.
Applicant Bio
Bryan Truong is beginning his first year teaching at Liberty Arts Academy. He
has graduated from Arizona State University with a bachelors degree in Secondary
Education from the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College. Although he is only in his first
year of teaching he brings with him a sense of dedication to his work and those
around him, which he developed while serving five years in the United States Navy.
Project Narrative
What inspired your favorite author, poet, or artist to create their
masterpiece? What inspires you when you create? These questions will fuel an
ongoing project with 7th and 8th graders throughout their education at LAA. Students
during their two years will focus on authors we read, their methods, and inspiration
and historical significance of their writings. Students will then choose an author or
artist of their choosing, limited only by appropriate content. Authors and artists can
be historical, local, famous, or not. Students will then research the lives of chosen
authors and report on what events in their own lives inspired them and what
methods did they use. Throughout the entire process students will also be going
through writing workshops and creating their own literary work. Writings will be
limited only by appropriate content and can be short story, or essay. Once
completed the 7th and 8th grade will be assigned one of their peers literary works.
Students will then use this writing as an inspiration for an art piece related to their
assigned writing.

Access to computers and technology opens up this project by allowing us to

reach out not only to local authors and but worldwide authors and artists as well.
Computers will be used by students to research authors and artists, and allow to
reach out to the community to ask them directly what inspires their work.
By composing their own writing and giving free reign on topic subject I hope
to instill a lifelong appreciation for literature and art. By having peer reviews and
allowing another student access to their writing I hope to instill a sense of pride and
encourage students to put forth their very best, and be able to give and receive
constructive criticisms.
This project will be the result of historical, literary, and artistic research
culminating in each student creating a literary work and having an accompanying
piece of artwork inspired by their writing. The final piece your contribution will have
will be to create a compilation of student works in the form of a published book. This
will show students writing on one page and inspired artwork on the next. This will
allow each student to become a published author and artist instilling a sense of
pride and lifelong learning and hopefully inspiring readers/viewers to create their
own works.
Learning Goals and Outcome
For this project students will learn how to affectively research topics and
identify reliable sources of information. This is a skill that will be used throughout
their academic career and throughout life. Students will also be interviewing artists
and authors and learn how to write professionally and formally for their interviews.
Students will learn artistic techniques and methods and apply them to their own
artwork. Writings and artwork will be checked during workshops and peer reviews in
which students will learn to evaluate and give constructive feedback.

ACCRS
Arizona College & Career Readiness Standards
(8.W.3) Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique,
relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences.
(8.W.4) Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are
appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. (Grade-specific expectations for writing types are defined
in standards 13 above.
(8.W.5) With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as
needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on how well
purpose and audience have been addressed. (Editing for conventions should demonstrate command of
Language standards 13 up to and including grade 8.)
(8.W.6) Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and present the
relationships between information and ideas efficiently as well as to interact and collaborate with
others.
(8.W.7) Conduct short research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question),
drawing on several sources and generating additional related, focused questions that allow for multiple
avenues of exploration.
(8.W.8) Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, using search terms
effectively; assess the credibility and accuracy of each source; and quote or paraphrase the data and
conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citation.

(8.W.9) Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and
research.
(8.W.10) Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and
shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes,
and audiences.

ISTE
1. Creativity and Innovation
a. Apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes
b. Create original works as a means of personal or group expression
2. Communication and Collaboration
a. Interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others employing a variety of digital
environments and media
b. Communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of
media and formats
c. Develop cultural understanding and global awareness by engaging with learners of other
cultures
d. Contribute to project teams to produce original works or solve problems
3. Research and Information Fluency
a. Plan strategies to guide inquiry
b. Locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety
of sources and media
c. Evaluate and select information sources and digital tools based on the appropriateness to
specific tasks
d. Process data and report results
4. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making
b. Plan and manage activities to develop a solution or complete a project
d. Use multiple processes and diverse perspectives to explore alternative solutions
5. Digital Citizenship
a. Advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology
b. Exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports collaboration, learning, and
productivity
c. Demonstrate personal responsibility for lifelong learning
d. Exhibit leadership for digital citizenship
6. Technology Operations and Concepts
a. Understand and use technology systems
b. Select and use applications effectively and productively
d. Transfer current knowledge to learning of new technologies

Assessment
Throughout the year long project students will learn to assess peer works and
how to give critical and valuable feedback to other works, a skill that will be useful
when used effectively throughout their life. Research papers will be assessed
through a rubric based upon accuracy, supporting information, and proper grammar.
Formal writings for interviews will be checked for format, grammar and
professionalism. Final writing and art assignments will be graded on a rubric created
by students and through their own critiques. Mastery will be in the form of final
projects consisting of final drafts of writing and finished artwork. Final writing will be
graded on punctuality of due dates, grammar, participation in workshops, and a
final reflection. Final artwork will be graded upon punctuality of due dates, and final
reflection identifying elements of art in their work.

Sustainment
Although the initial investment will be fairly large your contributions will be
used to create a permanent computer lab within our school. The availability of a
permanent computer lab within our school will allow us to further integrate
technology into our students curriculum from both the academic standpoint and
artistic. This will also allow the entire school to further education and expand our
capabilities to integrate technology not only in our project but also in further
projects for years to come. Initial investment of art supplies will be used for this
project as well as future classes. Your investment here will also result in a tangible
product in the form of a published book available to the public. This will in turn
inspire future classes and stand as an example that writing and arts have value and
is a worthwhile pursuit in life.

Budget

Basic desktop computers with access to the internet and word processing capability will
allow our students access to information technology and expand research capabilities to
worldwide potential. A fully functioning computer lab ensures not only this project, but all future

projects have the potential to integrate technology into our curriculum. A full set of functioning
art supplies will allow our students to expand their creativity and our ability to teach students in
various mediums. Finally your contribution to publishing costs will create a tangible product that
will show our students that the arts are a worthwhile pursuit and that creativity, inspiration and
talent is not limited by age. Thank you for your consideration.

HP Slate 21 Pro Allin-One PC

Ebony Splendor
Brush Class Packs

Grumbacher MAX
Water-Mixable Oil
Colors

These computers we
have found will suit
all of our students
needs and are cost
effective. A computer
lab will also be a
lasting resource that
will help successive
students for many
years.
Your contributions
will provide art
supplies for all
students to express
themselves and allow
students the
opportunity to have
their work displayed
in a prominent
gallery.

$379.00 per unit

Quote

20 units needed to
outfit a new computer
lab

$387.79

Quote

Individual tube
$5.56-$16.79

Quote

$561.45 Full Set

Raphael Oil Primed
Linen Canvas Roll
Printing and ISBN
Services

$787.49
Printing services and $1697 for full service
publishing costs
publishing including
would elevate our
ISBN and barcodes.
project to a legitimate
published work.
When completed
with the project each
participant will
become a freelance

Quote
Quote

published author. All

proceeds will be
donated to further
scholarship and
education.
Total Cost +tax: $11630.50

Direct instruction

andards English Language Arts Writing 1112

7) (8.W.8) (8.W.9) (8.W.10) (ISTE 2a.b.c.d) (ISTE 5 a.b.c.d) (ISTE 6 a.b.d)

ofessional writing and the ability to compose a professional letter.

estions for a chosen professional

Subject: English 7th/8th

ent rough drafts will be submitted along with peer evaluation worksheets for participation points. A copy of final drafts will be submitted and
h appropriate questions, and adherence to a professional outline given to students.

l writing and professional writing.

or chosen author/artist
y and secondary sources
cessors
apply criticisms to improve writing

Materials/Technology Resources to be Used:

Computer lab/ Library will be used for research into topic
letters.
Stationary and postage

ing, and make relevant to real life)

logy such as email, however the ability to compose a professional letter still is a useful and necessary task in todays world. Even if hand wr
s assignment we will be writing and submitting professional letters to authors and artists of the community in the form of an interview. Lette
he theme of inspiration. You may choose any author/artist that is relevant to your topic and they can be local or national. Professional writin
fe when you go to college and apply for grants and scholarships, or in the workplace when communicating with coworkers.

will be given to students giving a format and description of what is considered

riting. Letter project will be introduced to students. Approve/Deny questions
ith ideas.

Student Will: Listen take notes and choose a topic and per

on: Handouts with guidelines and format will be made available as well as examples of writings. Lecture notes and handouts will be made a

r students with basic questions that will prompt students to think critically
fy what is constructive criticism and ensure students remain on task. Check in
w and facilitate group discussions.

Student Will: Students will be paired into groups of three

group members letters. Feedback will be given to students
review handout. Peer Review handouts will be returned to

on: Students who wish can submit a copy of their draft for review before beginning final drafts. Handout will be made available with sample

cording to rubric and mail letters to respective representatives.

on: Letters may be hand written or typed and printed.

Student Will: Type final drafts of letters print and sign, an

Group discussion. Students will reflect and share about topics that they thought were important enough to write about. Reflect upon how the
are received share with class.

References
Leona Group LLC. (2013). Liberty Arts Academy. Retrieved from
http://www.leonagroup.com/index.htm
Leona Group LLC. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.libertyartsacademy.com/
Schooldigger.com. (2006-20014). Liberty Arts Academy. Retrieved from
http://www.schooldigger.com/go/AZ/schools/0078902931/school.aspx
Department of Education. (2013). Retrieved from
school=89868&district=90334

https://www.azreportcards.org/ReportCard?