1. Howard County Public School System Spring Parent Orientation Elkridge Middle School Ms. Cash, Principal Ms. Cheung, Math Instructional Support Teacher / Math Team Leader Ms. Garland, G/T English Mr. Gladding, G/T Math Mr. Herod, G/T Science / Sixth Grade Team Leader Mr. Hoke, G/T Social Studies Ms. Holy-Ilenda, G/T Resource Teacher

2.  Overview of Middle School G/T Education Program  Placement Procedures  Questions

3. The Gifted and Talented Education Program seeks to recognize and develop talents in advanced- level learners.

4. Accelerate the achievement and performance levels of students who participate in G/T Education Program offerings Increase successful participation of underrepresented populations of students in G/T Education Program offerings Build a community of G/T Education Program advocates.

6. Instruction in Advanced-Level Skills Open to All Interested Students Creative Production or Inquiry

7. Student led and produced daily television show that simulates a professional broadcast

8. A Book Club organized and led by advanced- level readers who enjoy participating in thought- provoking literary discussions. It is offered in partnership with the Howard County Public Library System.

9. Students engage in meaningful, persuasive discourse about contemporary issues, thereby strengthening their leadership, critical thinking, and presentation skills. Offered in all middle schools under the direct instruction of the school’s G/T Resource Teacher.

10. STEM SEMINAR  Students participate in a STEM-related seminar, learning advanced level skills in science, engineering, or mathematics.  Sample STEM seminars include Robotics and Green Team.

11. Environmental Films Mathalon Leadership Memory Book iMovie

13. G/T English G/T Social Studies G/T Science G/T Math

14. An accelerated and enriched curriculum, where students use critical thinking skills to explore complex literary works and create compositions of advanced style, tone, and form. Differentiated tasks and texts are included at all grade levels.

16. An enriched and accelerated curriculum, including differentiated objectives, where students explore civic and cultural principles and engage in inquiries that focus on essential, related questions.  6 – G/T Geography and World Cultures; &Intro to NHD  7 – G/T Geography and World Cultures & NHD  8 – G/T U.S. History through the Reconstruction & NHD

17. An enriched and accelerated curriculum, including differentiated objectives, where students explore scientific principles and engage in ongoing original scientific research using an experimental design. Science 6 G/T (Earth & Space Science focus) Science 7 G/T (Biological focus) & STEM Project Science 8 G/T (Physics & Chemistry focus) & STEM Project

18. An accelerated and enriched sequence that follows a curriculum of concepts at least two years above the general education curriculum.  6 - Pre-Algebra G/T  7 – Algebra I/Data Analysis G/T  8 - Geometry G/T

19.  G/T Placement Process  CogAT Testing – administered to all 5 th grade students  Student Performance Indicating Advanced-Level Achievement - multiple criteria examined (i.e. other assessment data, student work samples)  G/T Placement Review Process  Additional work samples from outside of schools  Evidence of participation in advanced-level extra-curricular activities

20.  Why?  Why? To emulate research tools and methodologies of professionals by investigating real world problems and presenting to authentic audiences  Who?  Who? Available to any interested student  What?  What? Publication of book, scientific discovery, historical reenactment, instigation of legislation, original music/dramatic production…

22. HCPSS G/T Website: www.hcpss.org/academics/gt G/T Parent Advisory Website: hcpssgtac.wordpress.com National Association for Gifted Children Website: www.nagc.org

24. Phone: 410 - 313-5040 Emails: gina_cash@hcpss.org holly_cheung@hc[ss.org jeanne_garland@hcpss.org adam_herod@hcpss.org gregory_hoke@hcpss.org robert_gladding@hcpss.org patricia_ilenda@hcpss.org