The GATE program provides instruction to identified gifted students in small groups through a pull-out program in Grades 6-8 during the grade level Resource Periods. This program replaces the traditional Resource period with activities, skill building and projects for identified students. 

In addition the GT Teachers maintains on-going communication and articulation with their students’ classroom teachers to articulate about core curriculum goals and to discuss each student’s progress and performance in the general academic and gifted programs.

The gifted program curriculum in Grades 6-8 is designed to engage students in self-selected independent study investigations separate from the grade-level core curriculum program. The goal of the middle school program for gifted-identified students is twofold: (1) to challenge, stretch and maximize students’ critical and creative thinking abilities and engage in more advanced level research investigations; and (2) to develop their skills as future leaders who, because of their high level of talent and “giftedness” have the capacity to impact change and make a difference on many levels.

GATE 6 Curriculum & Current Project Descriptions

The 6th grade program focuses on the theme of CHANGE through these projects:

1. Self-Awareness and Interests > 

Intro to BCMS programming, CHANGE to middle school and building connections with students based on their interests.  Students complete a mini Genius Hour Workshop on the topic of their choice with a choice of presentation style. Projects also connect to or illustrate CHANGE. 

This project provides a base-line of skills and interests of identified students.

2. Currency CHANGE > 

Investigate characteristics of money, create new currency designs and generate a plan to enact CHANGE in US currency.  Examine the Treasury Department and other Executive departments who enact change in government. Choose an issue that is important and decide how to convince the Secretary of that department that CHANGE is needed. Research budget, department websites and social media to create presentations. 

This project utilizes all Google Education components to ensure students are skilled at Google Drive.

3. Past, Present and 3D Future of Everyday Objects > 

Explore how Everyday Objects have CHANGED since your grandparents were your age... think about the areas of Transportation, Communication, Entertainment, Education. Research the past of a specific object, examine the present modifications and options, and design a future prototype using 3D modeling software and printing. This challenge also has a creativity TWIST when objects are randomly assigned into pairs that must merge and CHANGE the design to incorporate components of both objects. 

This project concludes with an INVENTION CONVENTION where students must market their new objects and learn/enhance their video editing skills in WeVideo.

4. CHANGE CHOICE > 

Create a video that illustrates CHANGE in a creative way. Using WeVideo skills, write, record and edit a short film for a contest. The NJAGC Youth Video Contest (or other similar) provides a real-world audience for film projects. This year's theme, RENAISSANCE IN GIFTED EDUCATION: A FESTIVAL OF CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION, must include a "festival" component and be between 90 seconds and 3 minutes.

This project concludes with a FILM FESTIVAL where students' films are screened and receive feedback. Top films are submitted to contests (with parental consent).

5. DESIGN CHALLENGE>

Using the design process and recyclable materials, solve a problem for a famous or fictional person with a specific object. Past challenges have included a tote bag, shoe and chair. Students must meet requirements and follow constraints.

6. ODYSSEY CHALLENGE > 

Using a product created in the design challenge, student groups solve an Odyssey of the Mind problem. Problems require creativity, problem solving, script writing, prop building, special effects and performance.

GATE 7 Curriculum & Current Project Descriptions

The 7th grade program focuses on the theme of INDIVIDUALITY through these projects:

1. Self-Awareness and Interests > 

Analysis of past and potential projects in GATE BCMS programming, to identify INDIVIDUAL interests and continue building connections with students based on their interests.  Projects range from ONE WORD illustrations (selecting a focus word for the year) to choosing a TED-ED talk that speaks to individual interests. 

This project continues to develop relationships built on skills and interests of identified students.

2. Make Your MARK > 

Investigate the use, characteristics and INDIVIDUALITY of cursive writing through the Science of Writing (graphology, handwriting analysis and forensic evidence), the Reading of Writing (read famous American journals written in cursive) and the Practice of Writing (signature, cursive and calligraphy training). 

Students develop problem solving and analytical skills interpreting cursive writing. 

3. Escape from History > 

Investigate local history through tombstone rubbings. Students choose an INDIVIDUAL from the cemetery through a date, name or other connection. Using stone information, students complete primary source research through multiple US census documents using their cursive writing skills. Students then research what everyday life was like for their individual when they were 12 years old (community, occupations, utilities, communication, entertainment, education and transportation). 

This project concludes with an Escape from History Choice Board project, a creative writing experience that brings to life their INDIVIDUAL from the past. Students choose the format to meet the requirements and constraints.

4. 7 Wonders > 

What makes a Wonder? Who decides? How is it documented? Students create their own INDIVIDUAL 7 Wonders of NJ by identifying a topic, qualities for excellence, and seven individual examples.

Students create webpages to feature their individual wonders. Class then creates a website of their wonders. 

5. INDIVIDUAL CHOICE > 

Using photography illustrates INDIVIDUALITY in a creative way. Using photography skills, create images that illustrate themes including, Near and Far, People without People, Hands or Feet, Not What it Seems, etc.

This project concludes with a PHOTO GALLERY where students' images are displayed and receive feedback. Top images are submitted to contests (with parental consent).

6. DESIGN CHALLENGE>

Using the design process and recyclable materials, solve a problem for a famous or fictional person with a specific object. Past challenges have included a tote bag, shoe and chair. Students must meet requirements and follow constraints.

7. ODYSSEY CHALLENGE > 

Using a product created in the design challenge, student groups solve an Odyssey of the Mind problem. Problems require creativity, problem solving, script writing, prop building, special effects and performance.

GATE 8 Curriculum & Current Project Descriptions

The 8th grade program focuses on the theme of LEADERSHIP and POWER through these projects:

1. Group, Discussion and Debate Norms > 

Analysis of past and potential projects in GATE BCMS programming, as LEADERS to identify changes needed to support individual interests and continue building successful programming.  Arguing productively, having meaningful conversations and addressing issues that matter to current students. Projects range from group discussions, to debates and poster illustrations that speak to individual interests. 

This project continues to develop group dynamics and teamwork skills of identified students.

2. Everyday Leadership > 

Identifying, developing and applying everyday leadership skills and strategies through role playing, discussion and reflection.

This project continues all year as the LEGACY/LEADERSHIP PATH and concludes with a Legacy capstone project created and executed by students.

3. GATE PATHs

To accommodate eighth grade student interests and time constraints, the GATE PATH program (Projects & Activities for Talented Humans) was piloted in 2022 and continues to offer talented students flexible enrichment opportunities while at the same time providing time for students to collaborate on projects for graded classes during the resources period. Currently identified students participate in a minimum of four PATHS with the option to add two PATHS or Resource periods. In addition, all high academic achieving students in the grade are invited to participate in one or more PATHS based on their interests. 

GATE PATHS @ BCMS are enrichment opportunities for high-performing and highly interested students to research and create real projects, products and solutions. PATHs provide high-performing students opportunities for research and performance in areas of interest during the academic Resource period when most students received reinforcement or worked on homework. 

Students are invited to PATH based on 4+ Exceeding Expectations MAP scores in LA/Math OR Teacher Recommendation OR student application. Interested students then complete an Interest Contract including a statement of interest, Resource teacher signatures, and parent permission.

PATHs meet weekly and each provides students a different challenge that requires time, creativity and effort to reach the final destination. Students select PATHs based on their interests and availability to take on an additional challenge. New PATH topics are added based on staff availability and student interest. Staff members meet with students on a weekly basis to investigate topics.

All PATHS involve creating an authentic product, performance or service.

*Current* and Past PATH topics: 

2D/3D DESIGN: 2D/3D room design applying Universal Design. Final Product: Room Layout for Design Lab

AI: AI: Good or bad? Who, what, why and when of AI. Final Product:Presentation on AI for staff and students.

*ART: Advanced art students by invitation and application of the Art Teacher. Final Product: Teen Arts Festival Entries, Art Contest Entries

ASL: Basics of ASL. Final Product: Performance opportunity with choir.

BALSA: Basics of Balsa construction and engineering. Final Product: Weight bearing structure over 8” and under15 grams

*BUDDIES: Buddy for special needs students thru social activities. Final Product: Small group class events collaborating with guidance counselors.

CHESS: Practice, Play, Progress your Chess Skills. Final Product: Chess Tournament

CUBES: Solve it or Speed it with Rubik’s Cubes. Final Product: Performance or Product Display

DEBATE: Basics of Parliamentary Style Debate. Final Product: Judged Debate

DIY: Independent project with real-world exploration and research. Final Product: product, performance or service related to DIY.

DRAMA: Advanced drama students by invitation and application of the Choir Teacher. Final Product: Teen Arts Festival Entries, Drama showcase

*ENSEMBLE: Mashup BAND and STRINGS into a musical ensemble.

GAME DESIGN: Physical Game design: Imagine, design and test your board game. Final Product: Game Festival for Beta Testing games

*GROW: Prep, plant and harvest veggies from the BCMS greenhouse. Final Product: Vegetables for the cafeteria

KITES: Aerodynamics and structure design of flight with kites. Final Product: Flying Kite Festival

*LIBRARY: Assist in the library, write book recs and create displays. Final Product: Library informational displays

LOGIC: Logic puzzles and philosophy to practice logical reasoning. Final Product: Personal Philosophy and logical thinking

MICROBIT: Program and test Micro:bits with simulations/chips. Final Product: Microbit programming demo

MOVIE: Write, direct, and edit a short film.. Final Product: Movie for Teen Arts Festival Entries

NHD: Research and create a National History Day history project related to yearly theme. Final Product: NHD project for contest

PODCAST: Create a podcast and beats using Soundtrap. Final Product: Own show

*SEW: Create with fabric and use a sewing machines. Final Product: Project Linus or other sew-based project

SMG: Invest and manage a Stock Market portfolio with real data and competition. Final Product: $100,000 portfolio results in NJ MS league

*SPEECH: Famous Speeches and the Basics of Oratory. Final Product: Original Speech

SPHERO: Program Sphero Robots and challenge your engineering abilities. Final Product: Sphero programming challenge.

*STRATEGIC GAMES: Practice Skills, Strategies and Problem Solving thru Games

STRINGS: Advanced strings students by invitation and application of the Strings Teacher. Final Product: Teen Arts Festival Entries, Art Contest Entries

VIDEO: Create WeVideo and Canva videos of BCMS events. Final Product: Videos for BCMS display (hall tv)

WEREAD: Research grade appropriate and subject/theme connected books to become a BCMS/Whiton Reader. Final Product: Design an activity, prepare and practice a presentation and travel to Whiton for a final event.

WRITE: Collaborative group for creative writers. Final Product: Teen Arts Festival Publication