Welcome to the Gifted and Talented Program!
To offer a rigorous program which delivers subject content that is accelerated and enriched to advanced-level learners
To use instructional strategies which are modified to meet the unique needs of highly able students
To increase the variety and quality of student products
Curriculum and instruction in GT classes will be differentiated to meet the needs of advanced learners.
Content differentiation, or what students learn, will be more in-depth, require more prior knowledge, and instruction will be faster paced
Process differentiation, or how students learn, will require that students complete more independent background reading and participate more frequently in analytical and evaluative activities
Product differentiation, or demonstrating what students have learned, will require that students complete higher level and more in-depth products to show their mastery of the curriculum
The Gifted & Talented Program offers four content courses. These courses are both accelerated and enriched. Detailed information about the Middle School Gifted and Talented Curriculum can be found at this link.
Students who are new to Howard County will be tested, if requested, when enrolled at Burleigh Manor. Parents may request GT testing at the time of registration by emailing the school's GT Resource Teacher, Ms. Robyn Page, at Robyn_Page@hcpss.org.
Identification for GT classes may, under certain circumstances, involve a placement review. Parents of students who do not qualify for GT content classes through testing may request a placement review. Placement reviews may be requested only after test results have been delivered to parents. Students for whom a review is requested should give evidence in their current course, through superior work and class participation, that they use outstanding abstract reasoning skills to construct thorough and well developed responses in written assignments, projects, and discussions — over and above what is expected of on-grade-level students. A written request for a placement review must be emailed or submitted to Ms. Page within 2 weeks of receiving the test results.
Students who are selected for GT placement will have work samples that demonstrate that they use advanced level abstract reasoning skills in the subject; that they understand at an advanced level the relationships between the concepts presented in the materials; and that in evaluating and interpreting the material, they take a position which is supported by facts and information from the text they have read.
GT Instructional Seminars are designed to extend student interests. Students develop a broad range of advanced-level skills in an area of their choosing. G/T Instructional Seminars offer enrichment opportunities for any interested student, regardless of participation in G/T content classes.
Participating students will be able to access their seminar schedules in Canvas in advance of their seminar meeting times so that they can plan to attend the meetings. Students who participate in a band, chorus, or orchestra sectional may enroll in one GT Instructional Seminar. Students who do not participate in a music sectional may enroll in up to two GT Instructional Seminars.
In September, students are notified via the Bobcat News and their Canvas Student Resources course on how to enroll in GT Instructional Seminars; parents are notified of the registration window via BMMS Alerts.
Questions regarding G/T Instructional Seminars should be directed to the school’s G/T Resource Teacher, Ms. Robyn Page, at Robyn_Page@hcpss.org.
Any interested student may sign up for a G/T seminar. You do not need to be enrolled in any GT classes to participate.
Students who do not have a music sectional may take up to two G/T seminars at a time. Students who have a music sectional may take only one G/T seminar. Please only register for one or two G/T Seminars based on your sectional participation.
G/T Seminar meeting dates will be posted to your Canvas Calendar on a quarterly basis.
Students are expected to inform their classroom teacher in advance of their G/T seminar meeting times. Students are also responsible for reporting to Ms. Page for their G/T seminar at the start of the class period/meeting time. At the end of the G/T seminar meeting, students are dismissed to their regularly scheduled class for the last 8 minutes to hand in any work that is due and to collect work that was missed. The work that was missed should be completed at home and returned the next day. Additionally, regular seminar participation is required. While students who have been ill, or have a scheduling conflict with a sectional or standardized testing are excused, students who do not attend regularly will be removed from their seminar.
Unfortunately, space is limited in our G/T seminars. If you would like to be added to a wait list for a particular seminar, please message Ms. Page in Canvas.
ONLY students may register for a G/T seminar(s) using the links in the Canvas Student Resources announcement. Parents do not have access to the registration forms. In order for students to have an enriching and enjoyable GT experience they must choose to participate.
The deadline to register for G/T Seminars is Tuesday, September 10, at 3:15 p.m.
African American History (Sept. - May) - Students participating in this seminar will develop an understanding of the African American experience through the use of primary documents and speeches and will be expected to apply the tools of the historian, including historical reading skills and historical thinking skills. You will utilize research skills to investigate the various historical time periods in order to understand the global perspective and influences of the time period and you will develop your public speaking skills through participation in seminar activities and the delivery of historical speeches in the tradition of African American orators.
Book Club (Oct. - May) - Book Club is for students who love to read and discuss challenging books. Participants will read 7 exciting and thought-provoking books, then meet once a month to share their ideas with the Club. 2-3 students each month will be invited to the Howard County Middle School Book Club discussion at HCPL libraries.
Debate (Sept. - March) - Debate Seminar provides students with the opportunity to engage in meaningful, persuasive discourse about contemporary issues, thereby strengthening their leadership, critical thinking, and presentation skills. Students use research skills to develop logical arguments supported with evidence to be applied to debates following a prescribed format.
Environmental Science (Sept. - June) - Burleigh’s ‘Earth Defenders’ will research environmental topics of interest, participate in environmental science labs, make data-based decisions, and take action to promote responsible environmental practices for themselves, the school, and the larger community. Students will be encouraged to analyze their relationship to the environment, identify ways to preserve and protect natural resources, and create ways to educate others.
Forensics (second semester): This seminar is designed to explore key topics in forensic science. Throughout this seminar there will be both virtual and hands-on experiences using a variety of forensic tools and technology resources. Students will systematically obtain data and apply scientific processes to understand the details of a crime using fictional, age-appropriate, crime scenarios to understand concepts and processes. Registration for this seminar opens in January. The seminar will run second semester.
Model United Nations (Sept. - June) - Students interested in learning about world politics, diplomacy, research, and public speaking should join the Model United Nations (MUN) G/T Instructional Seminar.
Stock Market Game (first and second semesters) - Students participating in the Stock Market Game Seminar will compete with a team to invest in the Stock Market in real-time (with fake money!) while learning about economics, investing, and personal finance. This seminar will be offered first and second semesters. Students who register will be assigned to either the first or second semester session.
Television Production (Sept. - June) - Television Production Seminar students are asked to think and work like media producers, utilizing the media production process and industry-standard tools to entertain, persuade, inform, and instruct. The Bobcat News morning broadcast serves as an example of a high-quality product wherein students emulate practicing professionals in the field.
Writers Workshop (Sept. - June) - The Writers Workshop Seminar uses peer and teacher feedback to provide creative writers with the opportunity to produce authentic writing based on their interests. Participants will develop their talents by focusing on literary elements. Participants will work on poems and short stories for this seminar outside of school in order to meet the workshop deadlines.
Howard County Public Schools Gifted & Talented Program Web Page
Contact
The school's GT Resource Teacher, Ms. Page, can be reached at robyn_page@hcpss.org or by calling 410-313-2507.