Willis ISD Gifted & Talented 2012-2013

1. Willis ISD Gifted & Talented2012-2013 Amy Rogers – GT Specialist

2. Contact Information GT Page • Office 936-890-6672 • Cell 936-672-9271 • arogers@willisisd.org • @MrsRogersGT on Twitter • Two WebPages: • Willis ISD GT (under Academics on WISD main page) • My teacher page (in Curriculum under Academics on WISD main page) Mrs. Rogers’ Class Page

3. Technology – Class Dojo Class Dojo online, electronic behavior management with student & parent access (www.classdojo.com) Students have login and password in their journals; you have to activate account – see me for technical issues

4. Technology - Edmodo • Provides ability for students to socialize in a safe network with other GT students • Provides ability to turn in electronic assignments (i.e., optional extra credit questions of the week, etc.) • Provides a cloud network for storage for students’ project resources accessible from anywhere Edmodo (www.edmodo.com) – safe, secure, teacher moderated social network • Unique code to connect, no outside access without code • Parent account (via unique code) to monitor – ask me for your unique code

5. B.Y.O.D. – Bring Your Own Device • The opportunity to bring your own electronic device to class – with the exclusive purpose of working on a project • Students will be notified ahead of time when we will have a work day and when it is appropriate to bring a device. • It is not a necessity, just an option

6. Fall Project • We will begin rolling out our fall project this week, they will be due after the Thanksgiving recess [more info will follow] • The GT program follows a PBL (Project-Based Learning) format, with an overarching theme and the students allowed to design a project of their own choice • This type of project allows the students to take ownership of their learning in an area of interest to them. • The theme for our fall project is: “Try Something New” [i.e. learn a new hobby or skill you’ve always wanted to try and share it with the world!]

7. Social & Emotional Needs of GT Students • We will be focusing more on the social & emotional needs of the gifted student this year • Learning how to work more in teams/groups • How to communicate with others more appropriately when working with a partner or in groups • Pushing students outside of their comfort zone via instant challenges • Discussing ways to deal with stress, etc.

8. Grades • You will notice that “GT” will now be showing up on report cards • I will be giving grades based on class, group, and individual activities this year, as well as projects

9. Parent Involvement We want and need you!!!!! • You are a valuable resource and I would love your input and help. • Two options: • Parent GT Advisory Committee - meets near the end of the year to provide input and feedback to plan for the coming year • GT Parent Booster Committee - meets periodically to mobilize volunteers, plan outings/field trips, assist with community service projects on/off campus

10. QUESTIONS??????