If you have pursued a National Board Credential you are very familiar with "Contextual Information Sheets" and "Instructional Context" for portfolio entries!

As you begin planning for a grant, develop a description "snapshot" of your class.

School information and location, grade, number of students, demographics, special features, personality, learning abilities and challenges. Add your specific curricular programs and activities, teaching and learning areas that could use funds. 

Here is a description I start with and then add or subtract depending on grant.

Located near the Pacific Ocean, R L Stevenson serves 450 K-5 students, including students who are recent immigrants, speak a language other than English at home, are in special education and gifted programs.   We have identified improving student writing as a school wide goal in our site plan.  ELL and special education students also need support in all areas of literacy: reading, writing, listening and speaking. Ethnic makeup of Stevenson includes 63.8 % Chinese, 3% other Asian, 11.8% Other non white, 2.4% Latino, 3.3% African American, 8.3% Other white .2% American Indian and 7.2 declined to state.  50% are eligible for free or reduced lunch.  11.8% are designated Special Education and 7% are designated GATE.  40% of the students are English Language Learners (ELL-LEP/NEP).

I always start with the budget: What do I want?

Books 

Supplies/materials

Technology/equipment

Authors/Guest Speakers

Field Trip

Special Programs for students to go to OR to actively participate (art, music, science, dance, drama)

Professional Development

Teacher travel

Other