1. Gearing Up

2. How many of you actually know how SIGNET got its name
How many of you actually know how SIGNET got its name? Well, SIGNET is an acronym that stands for Schools Involved in Gifted Needs in Education Today

3. Now you are probably asking
Ever since, SIGNET started over thirty years ago, students consistently vote “centers” as their favorite part of the SIGNET day.
Now you are probably asking
What are Centers?
How do I begin?
When do I begin?
Gearing Up

4. Center Time
Center Time (also called independent research time) is an opportunity for you to choose an area of study you are REALLY interested in pursuing! That’s right…what you choose to study is YOUR choice! Since you will be working on this center for some time there are a few points to think about: make sure you are really interested in the topic – don’t choose a center just because your friend chose it choose a center that will expand your knowledge (e.g. if you speak Spanish, do not choose to study Spanish) if this is your first center, you will probably be more successful choosing a topic that capitalizes on your area of giftedness

5. Once you’ve chosen your topic, you will need help getting started
Once you’ve chosen your topic, you will need help getting started. And, as with all new learning, you will be starting at the beginning level of the particular subject you have chosen to study (either demi level or discovery level). The beginning levels are usually printed on pink paper.
center box – a box containing the independent research
contract and activity folders for a specific topic
Contract
activities - tasks arranged in folders in sequential order on a contract
contract – a formal
series of tasks to
guide your study of
a particular subject
What a Thrill!!!
Gearing Up

6. How to decipher a contract!
A contract has several parts and it is important to know what each part means and how they work together:
First, you will see the outcomes which tell what you will be learning
Second, some contracts begin with a scenario
which is a made-up story that presents
a situation meant to engage you in the
subject you will be studying.
Next come the activities which are tasks
arranged in number order on a contract.
A contract will have 3-4 activities.
Finally there is a pre-test to see if you are ready
for the Grand Finale which is the last
activity on a center contract

7. Simple rules for completing a contract
You have one SIGNET period to “try” a center….if you don’t like it, then you can try another). Once you sign your name to a contract, you are obligated to complete it.
Kids always ask, “How do we know what to do to get started?” Well, first it helps to read and reread the activity. If you notice words that are in boldface type, you will find a folder and activity sheet in the Center box that matches the boldface words in the activity. This activity sheet will tell you what to do.
Do the activities in order: they build on each other.
When you complete an activity do not start the next activity
until a SIGNET teacher has reviewed your work and signed
and dated your contract!
If you are taking THE LAST activity worksheet, be considerate and tell your SIGNET teacher so he/she can make more copies for the next student.

8. Evaluating your work… You will be asked over and over throughout
your tour in SIGNET Land, to self-evaluate and
reflect. There are two tools we use to evaluate
your work at SIGNET
We use rubrics which are assessment tools
that tell you the criteria (how you are being
scored) and the expectations for a task or
tasks.
After you complete the Grand Finale on your center you will be asked to
evaluate your work (using a rubric) before starting a new center.
This rubric evaluates how well you did on your Grande Finale.

9. Reflecting Content knowledge
Reflecting is a very important part of our SIGNET day. Whenever you learn new material, reflecting helps you to make sense of it. Reading your reflections also helps the SIGNET teachers to understand your thinking! When you write a reflection, your SIGNET teacher will be looking for and assessing several skills:
Content knowledge
Communication skills
Independent thinking
Completing a reflection is mandatory!!!!
It is NOT optional

10. Reflection Rubric Answering the question asked Content Knowledge
Novice
Developing
Proficient
Exemplary
Answering the question asked
Student has not answered the question that was asked. The answer may have nothing to do with the question!
Student has made some attempt to answer the question, but the answer is incomplete
Student answers the question asked
Student not only answers the question asked, but elaborates with insight
Content Knowledge
Student response shows no understanding of concepts taught
Student response shows some understanding of concepts taught
Student response shows an ability to apply concepts learned
Student response shows content knowledge and connects and elaborates on that knowledge
Communication Skills
Student ideas are difficult to understand or there may be no attempt at communicating ideas
Student ideas are expressed but may be difficult to understand
as thoughts are incomplete.
Student ideas are fluently expressed and are easily understood
Student ideas are fluently expressed, understood, and show elaboration
Independent thought
(Metacognition)
Student response shows no independent thought or personal connection to the learning.
Student response summarizes concept taught but shows no personal connection to the learning or original point of view.
Student response shows some independent thought, some connection to learning, but no original point of view.
Student response shows independent thought, a connection to the new learning, and original point of view.

11. Now you are ready to begin….
Take the SIGNET Orientation Quiz to see if you’ve got the “right stuff” to be part of the Park Staff. You will need to score a 90% or better to be able to begin! Look at the center choices and circle your top 3. List them in the order you would like to complete them…………
Choice 1______________________
Choice 2______________________
Choice 3______________________
Good Luck!!!!!