Folks MS 6th Grade Planning Guide
2022-2023
6th Grade Course Selections
6th graders will enroll in each of the following content areas:
- ELA or *Advanced ELA (90 minute block)
- Math or Accelerated Math (Must take Accelerated to be in Advanced MS Algebra 1 in 8th Grade)
- Science
- Social Studies
- PE / Healthy Habits (1 semester each)
- ***Advisory or AVID or Robotics or Innovative Thinkers 1 (GT students only)
- Elective Course
*Students who select Advanced ELA must complete a summer reading project. (Summer Project Info Attached Below)
**Healthy Habits is a semester course taken to empower 6th grade students to maintain and improve their health and wellness by developing skills, attitudes, and knowledge necessary to be successful in middle school. Students will take 1 semester of Healthy Habits and 1 semester of PE.
***Advisory supports students as they transition to middle school. Advisory is designed to encourage students to develop intellectually and strive for personal excellence through goal setting, character education, and academic support.
Advanced ELA Summer Reading Project
ADVANCED COURSES
6th graders have two Advanced options: Advanced ELA and/or Accelerated Math.
Northside offers many Advanced courses to middle school students. Participation in advanced academic courses is a foundation of college readiness. Students who participate in advanced coursework are more likely to complete a bachelor’s degree in college and typically have higher grades in college.
Northside ISD recognizes the value of student participation in rigorous academic coursework and encourages students to graduate from high school with at least one advanced academic course credit such as Advanced Placement. Our collective purpose is to ensure
student success in middle school Advanced courses and provide opportunities for higher levels of learning in future grades.
Advanced courses are intended to develop students’ literacy, problem-solving skills, and analysis. These middle school classes are designed to challenge students through rigorous instruction and complex learning tasks in order to prepare them for success in future Advanced classes, AP classes, and college courses.
***If you would like for your student to earn high school Algebra 1 credit in 8th grade, your student must follow the sequence below:
AVID ***closed***
AVID 6 is an academic course taken instead of advisory that prepares students for college readiness and success. Each week, students receive instruction utilizing a rigorous college preparatory curriculum, tutor-facilitated study groups, motivational activities, and academic success skills. In AVID, students participate in activities that incorporate strategies focused on writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization, and reading to support their academic growth.
***Prerequisite: Application and Interview and must take an Advanced ELA and/or Accelerated Math academic course.
An application must be filled out. ***Application deadline - February 25, 2022
Please contact veronica.herrera@nisd.net for inquires.
Robotics ***closed***
Folks Middle School is proud to offer our First Lego League Robotics Competition Team an elective class alternative to a 6th grade Advisory class! We are an award-winning team of motivated students who design, build, and program LEGO robots, and we work on team-building and leadership skills while collaborating to find innovative solutions to world-wide problems.
Do you like to solve puzzles? Do you like to work with your peers? Are you looking for a challenge? If you have experience with your school's FLL Robotics after school activity, that's a plus.
The Folks Robotics Class may be for you!
*Application required. *** Application deadline - February 25, 2022
Please contact wendy.mueller@nisd.net for inquiries.
Gifted and Talented: A New & Redesigned GT Course For Middle School Students
6th grade GT students will take Innovative Thinkers 1 instead of advisory.
In addition to Innovative Thinkers 1, students may also select Advanced ELA and Accelerated Math courses in which both enrichment and acceleration opportunities are available.
For more information on this new & redesigned GT course or to request for your child to be tested for GT in 6th grade, please contact our middle school GT Specialists: margaret.totah@nisd.net
6th Grade Electives
6th Grade Elective Options:
- Beginner Band (appointments for instrument selection required)
- Beginner Orchestra
- Intermediate Orchestra (for students in the elementary STRINGS Program)
- Beginner Choir
- Beginner Theatre Arts
- Dance 1
- Beginner Art
Beginner Band #6017
Beginner Band Level is designed to teach students how to play a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument. No prior music experience or knowledge is required. Students will learn to read music, produce good tone quality, learn rhythm skills, and perform music. Students can develop skills at their own pace. Band concerts allow students to experience live performance. Students earn awards for individual outstanding skill mastery.
Instructor: Carolyn Ireland -- carolyn.ireland@nisd.net
Please contact instructor at (210) 398-1650 to schedule an appointment for instrument selection.
Beginner Orchestra #6079
Beginner Orchestra Level is designed to teach students how to play a violin, viola, cello, or string bass instrument. No prior music experience or knowledge is required. Students will learn to read music, produce good tone quality, learn rhythm skills, and perform music. Students can develop skills at their own pace. Orchestra concerts allow students to experience live performance. Students earn awards for individual outstanding skill mastery.
Instructor: Amber Kober -- amber.kober@nisd.net
Intermediate Orchestra #6086
Orchestra Intermediate Level is designed for students to continue developing music fundamentals on violin, viola, cello, and string bass instruments introduced in
the beginner level class. Orchestra literature is more advanced and promotes increased teamwork, kinesthetic development, expression, leadership, and problem-solving skills. Orchestra concerts include music of all styles. Students earn awards for individual and ensemble mastery of skills.
*6th graders may only enroll in intermediate orchestra if they are currently in 5th grade strings.
Instructor: Amber Kober -- amber.kober@nisd.net
Beginner Treble Choir #6401 or Beginning Tenor/Bass #6402
This course is designed to teach students how to sing properly. No prior music experience or knowledge is required. Girls are assigned to the Treble Choir and boys are assigned to the Tenor Bass Choir. Students learn to read music, produce good tone quality, learn rhythm skills, and perform. Students can develop skills at their own pace. Choir concerts allow students to experience live performance. Students earn awards for individual outstanding skill mastery.
Instructor: Greg Garcia -- greg.garcia@nisd.net
Beginner Theatre Arts #6609 ***closed***
Beginner Theatre is an introductory theatre course designed for the student to experience the basic elements of drama. No previous theatre or drama experience is required. Beginning acting and technical theatre techniques will be explored along with the basic skills needed to create a theatrical performance.
Instructor: Sarah Ford -- sarah.ford@nisd.net
Dance 1 #6810
The first dance course in middle school is designed to give students the opportunity to develop and execute beginner skills in ballet, jazz, tap, modern dance, musical theatre dance, and world dance forms. Various dance genres and styles will be explored while improving students’ technique, self-confidence, creative ability, and concept of wellness. Dance students will have ensemble performance opportunities. No prior dance experience is required.
Instructor: Brittany Valdez --brittany.valdez@nisd.net
Beginner Art #6910
Beginner Art MS 1 is concept-based. Curriculum units include drawing, painting, printmaking, three-dimensional art forms, fiber, and digital art. Content will include student originality and creativity.
Instructors:
Christina Cardenas -- christina.cardenas@nisd.net
Katherine Brannan -- katherine.brannan@nisd.net
Folks Contacts
Counselors
Reach out to your student's counselor for any questions or concerns!
At Folks, students are assigned to counselors based on their last name:
Pilar Rincones, Counselor (A-E)
Angie Perez, Head Counselor (F-J)
Michael Geraci, Counselor (K-Q)
(210) 398-1625
Diana Hernandez, Counselor (R-Z)
Counseling & Grade Reporting Secretary
Norma Esparza
Other Personnel
Javonne Collier
(210) 398-1656
Licensed School Psychologist
Veronica Medina
(210) 398-1611
Student Service Facilitator (504 Services, High School Credit Courses)
Keli Hall
(210) 398-1618
English Second Language Specialist
Lizeth Sampayo
(210) 398-3223
Attendance Secretary
Terry Precie
(210) 398-1608
School Nurse
Mandy Moore
(210) 398-1609