The HCPSS Middle School G/T Program provides advanced-level learning opportunities in academics, visual arts, and music. The middle school G/T curriculum is developed by Howard County educators, is aligned with state and national standards. The goals are to:
Ensure that gifted education services are an integral part of the general education program.
Provide differentiated instruction and curriculum to continuously improve student achievement and performance.
Provide for the social and emotional needs of advanced-level learners.
Recognize and develop diverse abilities and talents.
Provide comprehensive professional development for its teachers to help them meet the unique needs of advanced-level students.
Click to learn more about the HCPSS GT Program, including the placement process.
Role of the Resource Teacher
Each HCPSS middle school has one GT Resource Teacher that serves as the gifted education specialist, supporting differentiated instruction and providing specialized services.
My role here at OMMS is to:
Provide direct instruction to individual and small groups of students.
Act as a consultant to classroom teachers and administrators
Serve as a liaison to families and the community regarding program services for advanced-level learners and talent development opportunities.
Elements of the Middle School GT Program
G/T Content Classes: The middle school G/T curriculum is developed by Howard County educators and is aligned with state and national standards. G/T classes in science, social studies, and English offer enriched curricula with extended opportunities for students to engage in differentiated instruction adapted to the needs of gifted learners. The mathematics program offers students the ability to accelerate through the curriculum and includes placement in above grade math, G/T math (2 grades above), and accelerated math (3 or more grades above). Please note that students may not skip Algebra I. This is a graduation requirement for Maryland schools.
G/T Instructional Seminars: Students who are interested in extending their learning beyond the core middle school curriculum may elect to participate in G/T Instructional Seminars. These seminars meet a few times a month during the school day, and students are pulled from their regularly scheduled classes to attend. ALL students are invited to participate in these seminars, regardless of their participation in G/T content classes.
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 are taught in collaboration with G/T content area class teachers and include History Day and Writers Guild.
6th Grade G/T Research Class: The research 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. 6th grade students who are enrolled in both G/T math and G/T English are eligible to enroll in the class. This course is only offered in 6th grade.
G/T Research Investigations: These independent 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. This process includes formulating a problem, using the research tools and methodologies of a professional, and presenting the results to an authentic audience. Students who are interested in pursuing a research investigation should speak to Ms. Walker.