6th Grade Electives
2022-2023 Elective Course Descriptions
Welcome to Gorzycki Middle School
- Please note that some elective courses require a materials fee or instrument purchase/rental. If financial assistance is needed, please reach out to your student's counselor.
Students identified as Gifted/Talented must be registered for Advanced courses in the area(s) in which they have been identified in order to maintain GT designation.
Students who do not meet minimum expectations on the STAAR Reading and/or Math test are required to have an intervention class to prepare for success on their next STAAR test. Counselors work with teachers and students to determine the best placement in a required intervention course in the absence of STAAR scores .
Required Academic Courses
Math Course Descriptions
Academic Math 6 Covers grade level curriculum of 6th grade TEKS, preparing students for Academic Math 7.This course is stacked with Advanced Math 6 which means they are in the same class/same teacher as Adv Math 6, and content is scaffolded.
Advanced Math 6 (previously called Pre AP)
Covers grade level curriculum of 6th grade TEKS, preparing students for Advanced Math 7.This course offers an in-depth analysis and application of grade level concepts.
Accelerated Algebra Path 6 (previously called Advanced)
Students must achieve a qualifying score on the Algebra Readiness Assessment for enrollment.This course covers both 6th and 7th grade TEKS preparing students for Advanced Math 8 in 7th grade and then high school Advanced Algebra I in 8th grade.
It is fast paced and offers a more in-depth analysis and application of key concepts.This path is appropriate for students who are enthusiastic about math, can work independently and are academically motivated.
Accelerated Geometry Path 6 Students must achieve a qualifying score on the Geometry Readiness Assessment for enrollment and will require 2 periods of math (double blocked) in 6th grade in place of one elective course.This course covers all 6th-8th grade TEKS preparing students for high school Advanced Algebra I in 7th grade and Advanced Geometry in 8th grade.It is very fast paced and offers a more in-depth analysis and rigorous application of key concepts.This path is appropriate for students who are very enthusiastic about math, like to work independently and are highly academically motivated.
Physical Education Course Descriptions
Functional Fitness This class focuses on improving a student's overall fitness. Workouts and activities are done to increase muscular strength, cardiovascular endurance, and flexibility. A variety of topics are also taught regarding mental, physical, and emotional health.
Physical Education In 6th grade PE students are taught the rules and skills for basketball, volleyball, flag football, soccer, tennis, and track. Students will develop their knowledge and fitness by participating in game play. A Gorzycki PE shirt needs to be purchased for both Functional Fitness and PE.
Dance PE class Dance is a semester long technique-based curriculum designed to provide students the opportunity to explore the various forms of traditional & contemporary dance and fulfills the district requirement for Physical Education. Students will learn the major bones and muscles of the body as well as the history of dance techniques. Students will be required to purchase a specific uniform and shoes for dance class.
Fine Arts Requirement Information
Fine Arts Course Descriptions
Art Students will work with a variety of processes and materials such as painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, fibers, jewelry and digital media. Students rely on their perceptions of the environment, developed through increasing visual awareness and sensitivity to surroundings, memory, imagination, and life experiences as a source for creating artworks. Art courses include the study of works of art and cultures and evaluation of student work and the works of other artists.
Band This is the first year of instruction on a chosen band instrument in middle school. Students are introduced to the fundamentals of playing a band instrument and no previous experience is required. Students are expected to furnish their own instruments but the band department can provide assistance if needed. Public performance, on a limited basis, is a required component of this course. Band provides students with continued instruction on a chosen band instrument. For more information and sign ups for instrument selection, please visit https://tigerband.org/incoming-6th-graders/
Choir Choir focuses on fundamental vocal techniques, music literacy, and performance skills for the inexperienced singer emphasizing unison or limited part singing. Boys are placed in a separate choir from the girls, but both, boys and girls, will sometimes perform and travel together. Public performance is a required component of this course. Students wishing to be in Glee Club must be enrolled in a choir class.
Guitar Guitar is for students wishing to learn the very basics of classical guitar. Students will learn to read music and gain an understanding of how to play the guitar. Classical music will be the focus of this elective and no previous musical experience is necessary.
Orchestra Beginning orchestra provides instruction on a chosen orchestral instrument where students are introduced to the fundamentals of playing a stringed instrument. Orchestra students are expected to participate in public performances and furnish their own instruments.
Theatre Arts This course will focus on creating original scenes from stories and poems while developing imagination and problem-solving skills. Projects include storytelling, body puppetry, and black light puppetry. Students will be expected to participate in a class production.
Additional Electives - all courses below are yearlong courses
CTE Wheel CTE Wheel is a yearlong course where 6th grade students will have the unique opportunity to explore a variety of Career and Technology Education topics. Students will explore a total of four topics, with a new one every 9 weeks.
Creative Writing Students will explore different genres of writing through reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The goal of this course is to inspire students to develop original pieces and ideas. Through writing and thinking students will learn to become better readers, writers, and thinkers. Some possible writing genres covered poetry, family storytelling, fairy tales, fantasies, short stories, and journals.
Multimedia Journalism Like to tell stories? Want to learn how to conduct an awesome interview? Love making videos or taking photos? Ever wondered about podcasting? Have a legendary social media account? Then this is the class for you! Come explore ways to create compelling content using a multimedia approach. Our focus will be on creating stories using whatever medium fits the topic best - and you get to choose! From writing traditional news articles to penning editorials to creating beautiful photo essays to conducting a press conference - you’ll learn how to best connect with and communicate information to your audience. Along the way, you’ll learn the basics of journalism, photography, and graphic design. This class is portfolio-based, so you’ll take an electronic body of work with you when you finish the year!
Reading Literature The concept of genres is introduced through class discussion and mentor text. Students will explore several different genres throughout the semester. Some possible genres: poetry, short stories, biography/autobiography, fantasy, historical fiction, and mythology. Students may have to purchase or check out books on their own for the class.
Social Justice / Sociology Students study social organizations, institutions, and patterns of social relationships in different cultures. They also analyze the social interactions of individuals and groups. They will learn a systematic method for studying cultures, social institutions, social relationships, and the process of socialization. They also study a variety of social issues such as crime, racial discrimination, gender equity, urbanization, family structure, and other similar topics.
Speech / Debate The study of and practice in the basic principles and techniques of effective oral communication. This course includes reading famous speeches, writing original speeches, and instruction in adapting speech to different audiences and purposes. They will also apply standards to analyze and evaluate propositions and construct valid approaches to both affirmative and negative arguments. Students will hone speaking skills and provide valid and constructive critiques of others
Study Skills Study Skills class focuses on executive function skills needed for effective planning, organizing, starting and finishing all tasks, assignments, and problem-solving. There will also be time built in to the class for homework assistance or reteach concepts from content classes.