Gifted and Talented News
September 2015
Lenora Barnes
http://classroom.misd.org/default.aspx?LenoraBarnes
Office Phone: 936-582-7823 (I am in my office most Fridays and some afternoons.)
I am at a different location each day so the best way to contact me is by email or Bloomz.
Welcome!
Dear Parents and Students,
Welcome back! I hope everyone had a wonderful summer. For those of you that are new, I am very excited to welcome you to Montgomery ISD’s gifted and talented program. For my returning students and families, I am looking forward to another great year with you. The GT students at the elementary schools will once again participate in a pullout program during part of their day, one day a week.
The GT pullout class is designed in alignment with the Texas State Goal for Gifted and Talented Services to facilitate the GT student’s ability to demonstrate skills in self-directed learning, thinking, research, and communication as evidenced by the development of innovative products and performances that reflect individuality and creativity and are advanced in relation to students of similar age, experience, or environment. The 21st Century skills of critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication will be a major focus of the program. These endeavors will facilitate the identification and development of each student’s special gifts and talents.
The link to my website link is http://classroom.misd.org/default.aspx?LenoraBarnes. You may also access my site from your campus website. Please check it periodically for information and updates. Also, click on the links below to sign up for important information notifications through Bloomz. I have also included information for another program we are using this year called Edmodo. Please take a few moments to look over the information and set up an account. You will also find additional information regarding Destination Imagination, GT Parent Night, and supply lists below.
Please complete the Parent Contact Information by clicking the link below.
I am looking forward to getting to know each of you and working with you this year. Please feel free to contact me at any time and I will respond as soon as possible.
Have a wonderful week!
CLICK ON THE PARENT CONTACT INFORMATION LINK BELOW TO COMPLETE THE FORM
GT Parent Night
Tuesday, Sep 15, 2015, 06:00 PM
700 Dr Martin Luther King Jr Dr, Montgomery, TX, United States
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
I’m really excited to tell you our class will be using an app called Bloomz to simplify how I communicate with you and keep you in the know of what your child is doing in GT class. Get ready to see:
* Daily updates on what your child is doing and learning
* Photos from the day or specific activities with a 1 click download option on your desktop
* Access to our class calendar including closures and special events with built in reminders
* Invitation requests to events/field trips
* Volunteer requests and ability to sign up right in the app
* Parent Teacher Conference signups
* And more…
Bloomz even has a messaging feature so you can instantly message me or another parent.
Imagine having access to all these in one place, right on your mobile devices or on the web!
How is Bloomz private? In Bloomz, teachers have control of who participates in class communications. Plus, parents only share the information they choose to share and who they want to share it with.
Click the link above to view the Bloomz website.
Here's How To Join Your Child's Class On Bloomz
1. Go to bloomz.net and click “Join Bloomz”.
2. In the text box, enter the invitation code for your child's class.
3. Create your account.
The Bloomz app may be downloaded on both Apple and Android devices.
Need help? Go to support.bloomz.net or Email Bloomz at support@bloomz.net
MRE Grades 1 & 2 Invitation Code EB3BH7
MRE Grades 3 & 4 Invitation Code 66UDKQ
LSE Grades 1 & 2 Invitation Code XVKY2H
LSE Grades 3 & 4 Invitation Code CCYJQJ
MES Grades 1 & 2 Invitation Code PNB5PH
MES Grades 3 & 4 Invitation Code SJ4EYX
SCE Grades 1 & 2 Invitation Code UU5SZ7
SCE Grades 3 & 4 Invitation Code 4BSNJJ
This school year, our GT class will be using Edmodo, a free and secure online learning platform where teachers and students can collaborate, share content, and use educational apps to supplement in-class learning. In this private learning environment that is managed by the teacher, students can only interact with others in the class. Edmodo provides a safe and easy way to support learning beyond the classroom, and help students develop important online skills.
To find out more about Edmodo and setting up a parent account click the Edmodo link above. The students will receive the group code to sign up for their student account next week. I will send home a permission slip for Edmodo next week also. If you give permission for your child to use Edmodo, please sign the permission slip and have your child return it to me the next class period.
Supply List
Please send the following supplies to be kept in the GT classroom.
· 1 box of crayons
· 1 box of markers
· Scissors
· 1 regular composition book- non-decorative cover
(No Spirals Please)
· 1 flash drive (4GB minimum) These will be used from year to year and will be kept in class unless needed to transfer documents to and from home.
· 1 pocket folder with brads
Purple- grades 1 & 2
Yellow- grades 3 & 4
Other supplies may be requested throughout the year for various projects.
Supplies Needed For The First Week Of Class
On the first day of class the students will decorate their journals and folders. In addition to the composition book, folder, crayons or markers, and glue, the students will need to bring items to use to decorate their composition book journal. Suggested items are pictures from magazines or the internet, scrapbook paper, stickers, photos, or other items that can be glued to the journal cover to personalize it.
*****UPDATE******
At this point, students will need to personalize their journals at home before bringing them to class. We are working on other activities in class now and will not have time to do this in class.
Supplies for Instant Challenges and STEM Activities
Supplies for Instant Challenges and STEM Challenges
Throughout the year, we will do instant challenges and STEM challenges. Various supplies are needed for these activities. If you are able to contribute any of the following supplies, we would greatly appreciate it. These may be sent at any time through out the year.
Felt
Straws
Bells
Toothpicks
Coffee stirrers
Chopsticks
Balloons
Milk carton
Wooden skewers
Corks
Envelopes
Small rubber balls
Foil
Paper Towel tubes
Styrofoam balls
String
Toilet paper tubes
Wire ties
Golf balls (new or used)
Plastic gloves (disposable)
Brads
Tennis balls (new or used)
Paper plates
Bowls (paper, plastic)
Straws
Egg cartons
Toothpicks
Fabric pieces
Balloons
Clothespins
Corks
Craft sticks
Foil
Cups (Styrofoam, paper, plastic)
String
Marbles
Mailing labels
Pipe cleaners
Spaghetti
Plastic spoons, forks, knives
Marshmallows (large and small)
Masking tape
Clay
Ping pong balls (new or used)
Coffee filters
During the first week of class, the third and fourth grade students will receive information about the opportunity to tryout for a Destination Imagination team. This is our second year to offer this opportunity to our gifted students. The program gives students the chance to experience the creative process, learn STEM concepts, and develop the 21st century skills of creative and critical thinking, collaborative problem solving, teamwork, project management, perseverance, and self-confidence.
For more information about DI, click on the title of this section. Students that are interested must sign up by September 11, 2015. Tryouts will be held during the week of September 14-18, 2015. Please be aware that all practices will take place after school.
GT Class Campus Schedule
Monday- Madeley Ranch Elementary
Tuesday – Lone Star Elementary
Wednesday – Montgomery Elementary
Thursday – Stewart Creek Elementary