Ms.
Billmans Gifted and Talented Independent Studies
Syllabus
Welcome to my class!
I am so excited to get to know each and every one of you this year. GTIS allows you to find your
passion and follow it. It is my job to guide you on this important journey as you develop skills that
can help you for the rest of your life.
General Procedures:
Be respectful: We are all members of the same classroom community. It is in everyones best interest
to work together well. Be kind to one another, to me, and to yourselves.
Be scholarly: You are charged with doing the work of historians, politicians, diplomats, orators, and
authors. Take your work seriously, and do it well.
Grow: We are all here to learn. Challenge yourself. Take academic risks. Be passionate and proud of
the work you do, realizing that great gains come from mistakes as well as successes. Do not be
afraid to fail. Be willing to give constructive criticism, and accept it from others.
Contribute: We all learn more and grow more when we are part of a collaborative community that
allows us to safely express our thoughts and have them challenged or affirmed. Be an active part of
that process.
Procedural Directions:
If you need to go to the bathroom, let me know and I will most likely just tell you to take the pass
and go ahead. If someone else is already out, wait. If it is an EMERGENCY just go.
Feel free to drink water in class. Just keep it away from your laptop.
Technology:
There will be abundant use of technology in the classroom. You will need to be responsible
when using it.
o Be on task when using technology
o Phones can be used in the classroom after getting my permission.
o If you are misusing technology, you will lose it.
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Discipline Plan:
If you are having a problem we will work together to fix it, just let me know. If you are doing
something to distract from your classmates learning I will deal with it in an expedient and logical
way. If the problem continues, we will use the campus-wide Five Phases plan.
Supplies:
Make sure to bring your technology and headphones to class everyday..
Donations of hand sanitizer and tissues are gladly accepted.
Attendance:
A student will be counted tardy if he/she is not in the classroom at the time the bell rings. If you are late for a good
reason, you should have a signed pass from a teacher with a time on it. It is a school policy that each late arrival results in
a lunch detention
Grading Policy
In Independent Studies you are the Captain of your ship and will be working with me to create individual
goals. As such, there is only one type of grade for GTIS, Evaluations. Important assignments will be double
weighted, which means major projects and presentations will count twice.
Make-Up Work
Responsibility of the Student!
Days student is absent is equal to days to turn in
Late Work
It is very important to have work in on time!
The GT team is working together to create a consistent late work policy. However, I can tell you that I personally
dislike late work a great deal. If you are worried about your ability to complete an assignment on time, approach
me beforehand so that we can work together to create a plan for you.
Contact
Lindsey Billman
Email: Lindsey.billman@gcisd.net
Phone: 817-251-5320
Conference: 1st period
WEBSITE: msbillmanhumanities.weebly.com
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Please return this to Class on Wednesday 8/23
Parent Signature and Info Page
Students Name: ______________________________________________________________
Birth Date: ___________________________________________________________________
Parents/guardians: _____________________________________________________________
Who do you live with:___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Email(s)______________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Emergency Name and Number: ___________________________________________________
Emergency Name and Number: __________________________________________________
Emergency Name and Number: ___________________________________________________
Medical Concerns (Especially Allergies!): __________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
What are you most looking forward to this year: _____________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
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What is your goal for this school year: _____________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
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What are some of your hobbies or favorite things to do?: ______________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
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What do you think you might study in this class and why?: __________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Who was your favorite teacher last year and why? _______________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Tell me something awesome about you:_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
I have reviewed the syllabus with my student.
Guardian Signature X_____________________________
I have read and understand the expectation in the syllabus.
Student Signature X_________________________________
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