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Middle School Program

Each HCPSS middle school has one G/T Resource Teacher that serves as the gifted education specialist. The Resource Teacher is aware of and responds to the unique qualities and characteristics of advanced-level learners by enhancing the standard curriculum and providing specialized services. The roles of the G/T Resource Teacher are to:

• Provide direct instruction to individual and small groups of students.


• Act as a consultant to classroom teachers and administrators.


• Act as a liaison to families and the community regarding program services for advanced-level learners.

G/T Content Area Classes

An accelerated and enriched program is provided for identified students who may participate in one or more G/T classes. These classes replace the general education classes in each subject area and are taught on a daily basis by designated G/T content area teachers.

All Howard County public middle schools offer G/T classes in the following academic areas: English, mathematics, science and social studies. The G/T Resource Teacher works with the G/T content area teachers through an interdisciplinary planning team to assist with the implementation of a differentiated curriculum for advanced-level learners.

Additional Information:

• G/T Classes
• Placement Process
• Accelerated Mathematics Program

G/T Instructional Seminars

G/T Instructional Seminars are designed to extend student interests beyond general exploratory experiences. Students develop a broad range of advanced-level skills in preparation for in-depth study and creation of a product on a chosen interest.

G/T Resource Teachers provide advanced-level instruction and schedule these opportunities for interested students. Skill development might include written, oral, and visual communication skills, critical and creative thinking skills, research skills, technology skills, and skills in visual and performing arts.

Seminars may include consultation with professionals involved in the field of study who provide students with additional instruction and guidance as they engage in product development. Instructional seminar products will be displayed for community viewing at the school enrichment fairs in the spring.

Television Production, Middle School Book Club, and the Debate seminars are offered in each of the school system's middle schools. Additional seminars are offered, such as journalism, environmental studies, robotics, creative problem solving, film production, and leadership, based upon the interests of the students at the school.

Teachers, students, or parents may nominate students to participate in an instructional seminar, as they are open to all students based upon student interest.

G/T Curriculum Extensions

G/T Curriculum Extensions extend the essential curriculum of the G/T content area classes to provide additional rigor and challenge and to engage students in advanced-level thinking, questioning, and research. These offerings may be taught in collaboration with G/T content area class teachers or by the G/T Resource Teacher alone.
 
G/T Writers Guild is offered in all Howard County public middle schools. Additional G/T Curriculum Extension Units vary by school.

Additional Curriculum Extensions Information: Writers Guild, History Day and Shakespeare Troupe/Festival.

G/T Research Class

The G/T Research Class is offered at all Howard County public middle schools and is designed for sixth grade students who participate in G/T content area classes. Participating students receive instruction in advanced-level skills that they apply in their G/T classes. This class provides a curricular framework for students to become producers of new knowledge as they apply research skills modeled in the curriculum to an original investigation in a self-selected area of study.

Students will learn how to conduct both primary and secondary research in an effort to address a particular topic and research question. As part of the secondary research process, students will learn how to select and define a topic, locate source material, record notes, and assemble a conclusion paper. While working through the primary research process, students will learn how to state a research question, state a hypothesis, determine the appropriate research design, collect data, analyze data, write a conclusion, and present their findings. See the G/T Research Class Essential Curriculum for further details.

G/T Research Investigations

G/T Research Investigations offer the highest level of enrichment for students who demonstrate a sincere interest in a particular field and a willingness to pursue this interest at an advanced-level over an extended period of time. In their roles as investigators, individuals or small groups of students discover and document real-world problems, create original solutions, and seek to fill gaps in the knowledge within a field of study. Students apply their knowledge of advanced-level content in their pursuit of the investigative process. This process includes formulating a problem, using the research tools and methodologies of a professional, and presenting the results to an authentic audience.

The G/T Resource Teacher provides instruction on advanced-level skills, facilitates the gathering of resource materials, and provides opportunities for feedback from professionals. Investigations generally last throughout the school year. The amount of instructional time each week with the G/T Resource Teacher depends upon the complexity of the investigation and involves additional work outside the classroom.

Parents can expect regular progress reports throughout the investigation and a formal evaluation at the conclusion of the investigation. All research investigations are displayed for community viewing at the school enrichment fairs in the spring.

Middle School Expo

Each year, under the direction of the Gifted and Talented Resource Teacher, middle school students in Howard County Public Schools engage in academic pursuits that allow them to explore their intellectual curiosity. Providing an arena to spotlight these pursuits, the annual Middle School Achievement Expo offers the opportunity for student ambassadors to participate in a professional conference where they can interact with other learners to be inspired to use their voices for change.

The conference begins with a keynote speaker, and then students attend morning sessions where they listen to their peers describe their academic learning in their various fields of study. In the afternoon, ambassadors attend sessions presented by adult professionals who share their research methodologies to inspire the students’ scholarship. The conference closes with the opportunity for students to synthesize their experience and complete a Declaration of Intention, stating how they will use their voices for change in the upcoming school year.

View photo gallery.

G/T Resource Teachers

To view a contact list for all of the Middle School G/T Resource Teachers, click here.

Contact Information

If you have any questions or need additional information, or would like to make a request or simply send a comment, please send an e-mail to debbie_blum@hcpss.org.