Welcome, Students!

Welcome, Students! Mrs. Willis Technology Teacher

Computer Lab Schedule This is what a typical week in the computer lab looks like.

Learn About the Computer Lab • The teacher • Class goals and community • Rules • Skills to learn • Schedule/Tardiness • Supplies • Getting help • Questions? Raise your hand, please.

Get to Know Me My experience My background I grew up in Monroe, Louisiana up to 4th grade. My family relocated to South Louisiana for 8 years and learned to love the Cajun culture and cuisine! We are big LSU/Saints Fans! My parents now live back in Monroe, Lousiana where I visit often. My mom is probably one of the best cooks I know! I, unfortunately, did not inherit this trait! • This will be my 7th year teaching Technology to students in the grades ranging from K – 12th grade. • I have taught at the high school, elementary, and now intermediate setting. These schools were in cool places such as San Antonio, Texas, El Paso, Texas, Gardendale, Alabama, and now the present Hoover, Alabama! • Here’s a funny teacher story…The Fire Alarm! Geaux Tigers!

My Family • My husband‘s name is William! • Our children are Hunter, Savanna, Trey, Zachary, Bella, Madelynn, and Taylor! • Our pets include a Jack Russell named Jack (go figure!), a Mini Schnauzer named Bruiser (my bodyguard), a neighbor’s adopted dog named Booger, and our Siamese cat-Charlie!

Hobbies/Interests • Going to the Beach • Reading • Shopping • Spending time with my family and friends • Going to the movies • I love to eat!!!! I love chocolate!

Communication • My email: chwillis@hoover.k12.al.us • Class web site: How to get there… • hoovercityschools.net • Schools • Brock’s Gap Intermediate School • Faculty and Staff • Christie Willis

Class Goals • Learn new technological skills in many different areas • Become proficient with Technology (Learning.com Assessment) • Discover new interests related to Technology • Make new friends • Have fun and support each other

Classroom Community • Brock’s Gap Rules • Be Respectful • Be Responsible • Be Resourceful • Be Safe • In Addition, Mrs. Willis’ Rules • Respect the teacher, your fellow students, and the computer equipment • Utilize your time wisely • Learn as much as you can • Eating, drinking, and chewing gum are not allowed in the computer lab • Smile and have fun as you learn cool computer skills this year

Things to know! • Please do not turn off the computer monitor because the button will get stuck! • Please do not download any games or programs on the computer without the consent of teacher! • On my class website, there are a list of educational games sites that you are allowed to play at school. Only these games may be played in the lab~! • Do not share your password with anyone or use another person’s account while on the computer! • When you leave the computer lab, merely log off the computer, hang headphones behind your monitor, push in your chairs, and wait to line up! This must be done each and every time you come into the lab!

Skills you will be learning… • Windows Movie Maker • Lego Robotics • iPod Magic-Letter Photography • SumoPaint-Online Art Creation • Typing Techniques • Appropriate Search Techniques on the Internet • And more…. • History of Computers • Technology Operations and Concepts • Troubleshooting Techniques • Microsoft Word 2010 (word processor) • Microsoft Excel 2010 (spreadsheets) • Microsoft PowerPoint 2010 (presentations) • Edmodo • Digital Citizenship

Logins and Passwords • I have access to all of the student logins here at Brock’s Gap • There is a folder made for each class with each student’s login sheet included • I will pass these out to you during each class until you are able to remember both your username and password • These can be pretty long, so I will work with you to help you to remember them! • Also, this helps me to put a face with name as I pass these sheets out to you! • Please do not give out your login information to any other student!

Assigned Seats • Yes, you will be given assigned seats. • I do this to allow for collaboration with others that you may not normally work with at school! • There will be a seating chart made for each class so I can verify where each students is supposed to be seating! So no cheating!!!

Tardy to Class… • If for some reason you are late to my class, I will expect a pass to be presented or you will be asked to go back from where you came to get that for admittance into class! • You will also need to sign the Tardy Binder so I can keep up with how many times you are tardy to my class! • Learning is so important and you should value your time in the computer lab! You only have it once a week for about an hour! That’s it!

Student Behavior Plan • This year, we are implementing a new Student Behavior Plan! • Students will be given three chances before they are sent to the office. • If you break any of the Brock’s Gap Rules below, you will have to go online to a student form that we have created and fill out a behavior form • Be Respectful • Be Resourceful • Be Responsible • Be Safe • I so believe in second chances, and in this case you will be given three before the office has to intervene. This does not mean, however, that we will not call parents or assign extra homework to you for your misbehavior! Teachers at Brock’s Gap believe in you and want you to do your best!

“The Motivator” Writing Lesson If in class, a student has decided to break one of the Brock’s Gap Rules, “The Motivator” will be incorporated into this student’s computer day. This student(s) will have to write the document word for word in traditional fashion with a pencil and paper and will turn in to teacher at the end of class or if they are not done, it will be assigned for homework to finish to be turned in the next day to me! If this is assignment is not complete, a communication will be sent to parents describing the behavior incidence that happened in class that day! This lesson is designed to help keep all students focused and on task in the computer lab.

THE MOTIVATOR In school there are opportunities for learning, playing, speaking, silence, and listening. I am now writing this in order that I might be properly motivated to the important habit of learning. In a classroom with others, all cannot talk at once. I cannot learn or listen when I am talking. In the learning process, only one can talk and the others must listen, otherwise I offend my fellow students and my teacher. When my teacher gives instructions and information, I must learn to listen. I must remember that a positive mental attitude will go a long way to making me a successful student. True greatness is attained in rendering service to others. One service I can render to my fellow schoolmates is to be silent and listen, so both they and I can learn. I must remember that there are no limitations on what I can learn except those I place upon myself. Too many times, I have been guilty of guessing instead of thinking. I must learn to listen by an act of my will and by my personal discipline. When I accept personal responsibility to watch my own behavior in class, I am not only helping someone else to be a better student, but I am learning also. I recognize that my mind controls my body. Think of myself as inferior and my shoulders will droop. Imagine myself as upstanding, and I will stand proud and tall. Negative behavior in my classes is marked by rebellion, destruction, and criticism, which destroys self-respect. These things help lead me into becoming a troublesome student. In having me write, my teacher is attempting to help me become a winner. Nothing is more important than to know that I set a goal. And then work to achieve that goal. Unless I aim at the best, I will always live below my greatest level of learning and achievement. In writing this motivator, my teacher expects me to make a special effort to improve. I can learn where I am going and how to get there. I will make no alibi. I will always watch my behavior in class to the good of all concerned and not to perpetual self-gratification. I will learn to be a good follower and thus prepare myself to become a good leader. I will keep my actions under control and take advantage of the opportunities given to me in school to become a good citizen and success in life.

Lego Robotics Club http://youtu.be/8-MlnAJklrM • Consists of new 5th graders and previous members from last school year who will be our 6th grade mentors to help train and assist • Students are chosen based on their academics, behavior, and interest in the club. Teachers will rate students in the area of their academics and behavior in the classroom. Those who have the highest points will be considered for the Lego Robotics Club • Great way to make friends, build team collaboration skills, and have so much fun designing and programming NXT robots • As of this year, we have 10 base NXT sets and 4 educational sets to allow for the design of other robotic prototypes such as a scorpion, puppy, catapult machine, a mystery machine and much more • Each member must be willing to compete in the 3 Lego Robotic competitions that we will be having this school year. • Brock’s Gap will be hosting its first ever Lego Robotics Competition with a Pirate/Buccaneer theme • Stay tuned for more information about Lego Robotics Membership

Brock’s Gap Yearbook • Students are brought in to help with the yearbook during Academy • As of now, 6th graders will be able to sign up for the Yearbook Academy • This is a “half-the-year” Academy • But, I still need the help of my 5th graders • We need to pictures for all events: • First day of school • Spirit Week • Red Ribbon Week • Field Trips • Teachers in Action • Students in Action • Etc… • Show previous yearbooks!!!

Supplies • Flash Drive • I will let your teacher know when I need you to bring these to class • Headphones • Optional/donation: • Kleenex • Clorox Wipe • Copy Paper

Questions?

Let’s Have aGreat Year!

Welcome, Students!