 What is the G&T / Enrichment Program at B.M.S.?
The program consists of an array of services for identified gifted students as well as for other highly motivated or talented students within the school community.
These services include, but are not limited to: participation in Gifted & Talented cycle courses, A C E (after class enrichment) activities, and interscholastic competitions.
The extent to which identified students become involved in the program is determined by the students themselves, their parents, and their teachers, in response to the options available.
*How are students identified for the G&T program?
We use multiple criteria to identify academically exceptional students. This includes but is not limited to: standardized test scores, report card grades, teacher recommendations, samples of student work, observations, interviews, or previous participation in gifted and talented programs.
The process begins with an examination of all students’ records. In addition to excellent report cards, most candidates for the gifted and talented program have exceptionally high standardized test scores on one or more composite sections of a standardized test, such as the New Jersey ASK, CoGAT, Terra Nova, IOWA, etc. Generally, these scores fall into the 98th or 99th percentile, or the Advanced Proficiency range.
Students may be identified as exceptional in either the verbal/linguistic or logical/mathematical talent domains. Depending on which area is the student's strength, identified students are offered either the Humanities or the Robotics cycle courses.
Notification is by e-mail or a letter sent to parents or guardians.
*What do we offer identified G&T students?
The BMS G&T program offers two strands of G&T Cycle Courses. In each grade, G&T students are identified in two groups: those with greater verbal/linguistic talent, and those with greater logical/mathematical talent. Students with verbal/linguistic gifts are offered the Humanities Cycle Courses. Students with logical/mathematical gifts are offered the MST (Math/Science/Technology) Robotics Cycle. A very small number of students is offered the opportunity to take both courses. Although these classes are recommended for identified Gifted & Talented students, they are also open, at the instructor’s discretion, to other students seeking academic challenge.
 *What are the Humanities Cycle Courses?
The Humanities enrichment cycles are a four-year curriculum studying human beings and their world. The courses feature abstractness—in concepts and generalizations; complexity—in examining inter-relationships; variety—beyond the normal program; the study of people—including individuals and cultures, and how they have reacted to various opportunities and problems; and the study of methods of inquiry—including procedures used by experts working in their fields. The Humanities Cycle Courses are as follows:
5th Grade: Planet Earth
This class focuses on the impact of geology and geography on nature, history and human societies. Texts include readings from “Guns, Germs and Steel” and National Geographic magazine. Lesson topics include geography, geology and environmental science.
6th Grade: Current Events
This class focuses on critical thinking, interpreting and evaluating various media presentations of current events. Texts include newspapers and magazines; taped news broadcasts and print-outs from websites. Lesson topics include public relations, bias in journalism, and propaganda.
7th Grade: Biography
This class focuses on leadership through the study of creative, inventive, and political geniuses. Texts include biographies and works of art. Lesson topics include positive and negative aspects of leadership, the hero and celebrity, ethics, and personal qualities.
8th Grade: Philosophy
This class focuses on an overview of western philosophy with an emphasis on persuasive oral presentation. Text is “Sophie’s World,” by Jostien Gaarder. Lesson topics include comparison and critique of different philosophies, debate and oratory.
*What is the MST Robotics Cycle?
MST Robotics is a four-year curriculum that integrates math, science and technology through the study of robotics. Beginning with an orientation to the field through its history and development, the course presents an authentic experience in the practice of robotics engineering. The MST cycle uses the same type of LEGO NXT equipment and software as the BMS Robotics club. These materials are the accepted standard, used for robotics education in schools and universities around the world. As an added benefit, the LEGO NXT kits are available for highly interested students to purchase for home use.
MST is self-paced, allowing students to progress through the material according to their motivation, interest and aptitude; most of this content is delivered on-line, through internal and external websites, tutorials, exemplars, and hands-on robotics design projects.
The program offers extracurricular extension through participation in the BMS Robotics Club and interscholastic robotics competition.
Since the MST cycle is self-paced, there is no specific timetable for advancement through units of the program, though the units are followed sequentially. Upon finishing the basic content of the course, the student simply continues into higher levels of LEGO robotics, i.e., more complex applications of the skills and principles mastered; research; development of challenge activities, etc. Since LEGO robotics are used at the university level, MST offers an opportunity for student acceleration and enrichment with virtually no ceiling.
Out-of-District Opportunities
For the following programs, parents pay all fees and arrange transportation. While we do not endorse these outside enrichment opportunities per se, we want to keep you informed.
Visit the websites linked below, or contact their information offices for detailed information.
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Academically Gifted/Talented Youth Program of Montclair State University offers students in grades 1 - 11 a variety of morning enrichment classes on Saturdays or Sundays. Check the link below for term dates.
Applicants should be in the 95th percentile on an achievement area of the standardized exams administered locally in the schools or in the upper 5 percent of their class in academic performance. A copy of test scores must be submitted with application and tuition payment. Students who have been identified by their school districts or have participated successfully in a local gifted program are also invited to apply.
While students are attending classes, a program for parents called POGO (Parents of Gifted Offspring) offers free seminars led by experts in the fields of gifted education and child and adolescent psychology. For more information and registration forms, visit the website linked below. Registration takes place in mid-September. For information, contact the program at (973) 655-4104, or visit the website linked below.
 The Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth CTY Talent Search identifies students with exceptional mathematical and/or verbal reasoning abilities. Children who score at or above the 95th percentile on one or more areas of a nationally normed standardized test (such as the Terra Nova or CoGAT), or achieve at advanced levels on state tests (such as Advanced Proficiency on the NJ ASK) are eligible for this program. (If standardized test scores are not available, demonstration of superior academic performance is necessary).
The CTY talent search is open to grades 2 through 8. There are associated costs for participating in the CTY Talent Search and academic programs. Financial aid is available for all CTY programs.
Participating students take a challenging above-grade-level test, which can provide more accurate evaluation of the talents of highly able students. In 5th and 6th grades, students take the PLUS test. In 7th and 8th grades, students take the SAT or ACT test, which can serve as an introduction to taking these tests later in high school.
Students who perform exceptionally well receive information on the education of gifted students, and become eligible to participate in summer programs, distance education programs, and family academic conferences. A number of students in our district have participated in CTY programs in the past.
Phone 410-735-6278, Fax 410-735-6091, e-mail ctyinfo@jhu.edu
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