CORE COURSES

6​th​ Grade English/Language Arts 

The sixth grade ELA program incorporates a variety of fiction and non-fiction reading materials including novels, short stories, poetry, and research strategies. Areas of focus include basic literary elements, vocabulary development and reading strategies to help students become competent and confident readers in a variety of genres. In addition, students will respond to literature thoroughly, thoughtfully, and extensively throughout the year. Process oriented writing is modeled, along with editing and grammar instruction to provide a well-rounded curriculum. 

6th​ Grade Honors English/Language Arts 

Students will learn Honors strategies that include reading with a more critical eye, annotating, note taking, and responding to and analyzing literature while citing textual evidence. Students will increase the level of complexity in their reading as well as broaden their knowledge of literary texts and quality authors. In addition, there is also a focus on grammar and composition skills with an emphasis on support of a thesis and on interpretation, evaluation, and reflection. GT Honors students will also focus on problem solving as it relates to the literature. Students enrolled in Honors should expect to have homework on a daily basis. 

7th​ Grade English/Language Arts 

The seventh grade ELA curriculum is an integrated approach to the study of literature and the writing process. We will emphasize writing skills, sentence structure, usage, grammar and editing. Students practice these skills through a wide variety of writing assignments. Punctuation, capitalization and spelling rules are stressed through frequent practice and application. Our literature program will expose students to a wide variety of genres, authors’ styles and basic literary elements. 

7th​ Grade Honors English/Language Arts 

This course will follow the basic seventh grade curriculum. In addition, students will learn Honors strategies that will teach them to analyze literature and writing with a more critical eye. Honors courses develop independent thinking skills in students. 

8th​ Grade English/Language Arts 

The eighth grade ELA curriculum encompasses reading, writing, listening and speaking. Students will continue to build fluency skills in both reading and writing as they learn to analyze and respond to literary works. 

8th​ Grade Honors English/Language Arts 

Students learning Honors strategies will read with a more critical eye. Students will increase the level of complexity in their reading as well as broaden their knowledge of literary texts and quality authors. Philosophies, themes, motifs, symbolism, and literary analysis will be encountered and explored. This course also incorporates grammatical and composition skills with an emphasis on support of a thesis and on interpretation, evaluation, reflection, and presentation of textual evidence. 

MATH COURSES

Accelerated Math Courses 

Students wishing to accelerate one grade level in math may do so by scoring at least 80% on a math placement test. This test will be given during the school day in the spring to any student who would like to attempt acceleration. To register your child for this test, please complete the form that will be e-mailed to parents during the springs semester. Study guides or preparation materials are not provided by the school. For any additional questions, please contact the counseling office. 

Beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, 6th grade students who scored in the top 40th percent on the 5th Grade STAAR will automatically be enrolled in an accelerated Math path, to include: 6th/7th Grade Compacted Math, 7th Grade Honors Pre-Algebra and 8th Grade Honors Algebra I. 

6th​ Grade Math – Course 1 

The curriculum of this course will expand the student’s knowledge of numbers, operations, spatial reasoning, quantitative reasoning, patterns, relationships, algebraic thinking, geometry, measurement, statistics, algorithms, properties of rational numbers, proportionality, expressions, equations, and personal financial literacy, technology and use of manipulatives. Connections to other disciplines, writing (communicating mathematics) and utilization of real world problem solving will be included in this course, as well as critical thinking skills. 

6th Grade Honors Math - Course 1

This is a rigorous, fast-paced course designed to introduce skills, concepts and assessment methods to prepare students as they move into Honors math classes and toward AP level coursework in high school. Topics are studied in greater depth than in the on-level 6th Grade Math course. This curriculum integrates problem solving, cooperative learning, real world applications and technology. Connections to other disciplines, writing (communicating mathematics) and utilization of real world problem solving will be included in this course, as well as critical thinking skills. Students taking this course should have strong independent study and work habits. 

6/7 Grade Compacted, Honors Math 

This is a rigorous, fast-paced course that will cover both 6th and 7th grade math curriculum in one year. Students taking this course should have a strong foundation in mathematics and exhibit self-initiative and motivation in their study and work habits. The course is designed to introduce skills, concepts and assessment methods in order to prepare students for success in advanced math courses and college 6 level AP courses in high school. Students taking this course will take the 7th grade STAAR math test in the spring and are recommended to maintain an average of 80 or higher to continue in the course. Students who successfully complete this course will take pre-Algebra in 7th grade and Algebra I in 8th grade. This course is for students interested in accelerating one grade level in math who did not meet the qualifying score or did not take the math placement test. Teacher recommendation, mastery of 5th grade mathematics curriculum, work habits, and organizational skills should be considered to determine readiness for this course. Per Senate Bill 2124, all students who score within the top 40% on STAAR in 5th Grade Math assessment will be automatically enrolled in Compacted Math. 6th Grade students in Compacted Math take the 7th Grade State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) exam. 

7​th​ Grade Math – Course 2 

This course is designed to build upon previously learned skills and concepts and to prepare students for Pre-Algebra. The 7th grade curriculum will focus on mastery of number and operations; proportionality; expressions, equations, and relationships; and measurement and data; probability; and personal financial literacy. Connections to other disciplines, communication through writing and utilization of real world problem solving will be included. Critical thinking skills will be developed throughout the course. 

7​th​ Grade Honors Math – Course 2 

This is a rigorous, fast-paced course designed to introduce skills, concepts and assessment methods to prepare students as they continue to take courses preparing for college level Advanced Placement courses in high school. This curriculum integrates problem solving, cooperative learning, real world applications and technology. Connections to other disciplines, writing (communicating mathematics) and utilization of real world problem solving will be included in this course, as well as critical thinking skills. Students taking this course should have strong independent study and work habits. 

8​th​ Grade Pre-Algebra 

This course is designed to build upon previously learned skills and concepts and to prepare students for Algebra I. The 8th grade curriculum will focus on mastery of rational number operations; an emphasis on multiple representations of data using expressions, equations, tables, and graphs; data analysis, proportional and non-proportional relationships; data analysis; geometry and measurement; and personal financial literacy. Connections to other disciplines, communication through writing and utilization of real world problem solving will be included. Critical thinking skills will be developed throughout the course. Students taking this course will be allowed to use graphing calculators on classwork and the 8th grade STAAR test. 

8​th​ Grade Honors Pre-Algebra 

This is a rigorous, fast-paced course designed to introduce skills, concepts and assessment methods to prepare students for success as they move into high school Honors math classes and toward Advanced Placement level coursework. Topics are studied in greater depth than in the on-level Pre-Algebra course. Connections to other disciplines, writing (communicating mathematics) and utilization of real world problem solving will be included in this course, as well as critical thinking skills. Students taking this course should have strong independent study and work habits. 

Honors Algebra I 

Honors Algebra I is a rigorous, fast-paced comprehensive high school level course developed to ensure that students master first year algebra skills and concepts by integrating problem solving, cooperative learning and technology. Connections to other disciplines, communication through writing and utilization of real world problem solving is included. Critical thinking skills are developed throughout the course. Students taking this course should have strong independent study and work habits. Additionally, since Algebra I is a high school course in middle school, teachers will follow the grading system of the high school. Successful completion of Algebra I will count as one high school credit and the grade earned will be on the student’s high school transcript and will count toward the student’s high school GPA but not toward class ranking (RICA). Students will take the standardized Algebra End of Course Exam from the Texas Education Agency. 

SOCIAL STUDIES COURSES

6​th​ Grade World Cultures 

Sixth Grade World Cultures is the study of the people, places and societies of the contemporary world from each continent. This course enables students to explore how geography, culture, economics, and political structures have developed and influenced history in various countries around the world. Students will study the world’s cultures through a combination of projects, activities, and discussions. The course will include the 6th Grade Social Studies TEKS, with an emphasis on reading and analyzing primary and secondary sources, including historical documents, first-hand accounts, academic texts, maps, graphs, and charts. 

6​th​ Grade Honors World Cultures 

This advanced level course includes a more in-depth study of the on-level World Cultures course. Students will be expected to read, think, and write more critically. The advanced curriculum is based on a set of content-specific strategies designed to introduce skills, concepts, and assessment methods that will begin to prepare students for the rigor of high school AP History classes. 

7th​ Grade Texas History 

Seventh grade Texas History students will survey major events in the history of Texas with an emphasis on the development of Texas as a republic and a state. Important themes include Texas geography, its environment, and the unique heritage that is Texas. The economic development and the governmental structure of the modern state of Texas are also studied. 

7​th​ Grade Honors Texas History 

This advanced level course is enriched and has more comprehensive coverage of the on-level Texas History course. Students will be expected to read, think and write more critically. Instruction is based on a set of content specific strategies designed to introduce skills, concepts and assessment methods that prepare students for success when they take Advanced Placement and other challenging courses in high school. The course will include the 7th grade social studies TEKS, with an emphasis on primary source analysis and writing skills. This course is recommended for students who plan on taking AP History courses in high school. 

8th Grade American History 

8th grade social studies is the study of American History from its European origins, beginning with the English settlement of Jamestown in 1607 and continuing through the end of the post-Civil War Reconstruction in 1877. It is a student-centered, activity-based curriculum that incorporates strands of geography, government, economics, and technology. Students will be involved in a number of activities including research, problem solving, role-playing and class discussion. Students will be expected to keep up with daily reading assignments. 

8​th​ Grade Honors American History 

This advanced level course is enriched and has more comprehensive coverage of the on-level American History course. Students will be expected to read, think and write more critically. Instruction is based on a set of content specific strategies designed to introduce skills, concepts and assessment methods that prepare students for success when they take Advanced Placement and other challenging courses in high school. The course will include the 8th grade social studies TEKS, with an emphasis on primary source analysis and writing skills. This course is recommended for students who plan on taking AP History courses in high school. 

science courses

6​th​ Grade Science 

The study of science in the sixth grade emphasizes problem solving and inquiry. Instruction will be an integrated approach based on physics, chemistry, geology, biology and the nature of science. This includes a study of measurement systems, scientific equipment and methods and the process of research. Other content covered in this course includes the solar system and space travel; properties and changes of matter; rocks, minerals and forces that change the Earth; the structure and function of plant and animal cells; and the interactions of matter, energy, forces and motion. Students will also utilize technology to support scientific investigations. 

6​th​ Grade Honors Science 

Honors sixth grade science is an advanced level science course. Concepts covered are similar to the on-level 6th grade course; however, the topics are investigated in greater depth. Students will learn and apply data-handling skills, information analysis skills, evaluation skills, and learn to communicate their understandings to others. Expectations will include independent reading assignments, individual and group research. 

7​th​ Grade Science 

This course is a general science course with an emphasis in life science. Utilizing a variety of activities, the students will navigate through the systems of the human body, learning about the structures, functions and interactions of the organs in each system. Included in the units on the human body will be reproduction with lesson on sexual education utilizing the Big Decisions curriculum. Environmental science is another major topic, including components of an ecosystem; such as food chains, food webs, biomes, habitats and food pyramids. The physics portion of the course covers force and motion. Dissection discovery will also be a part of this course. 

7​th​ Grade Honors Science 

Honors seventh grade science is an advanced level life science course. Concepts covered are similar to the on-level course; however, the topics are investigated in greater depth. Students will analyze practical science problems, understand the concept of body systems, and design and conduct scientific experiments. Expectations will include independent book studies, individual and group research and a variety of writing experiences. 

8​th​ Grade Science 

Eighth grade science is a course of study that includes laboratory investigations, scientific inquiry, problem solving, and technology applications. The content covered includes matter and energy; force, motion and energy; earth and space; and organisms and environments. Students will use the scientific method throughout the course. 

8​th​ Grade Honors Science 

Honors eighth grade science is an advanced level science course. Concepts covered are similar to the 8 on-level course; however, the topics are investigated in greater depth. Students will explore various topics and identify meaningful scientific problems for investigations. The level of curriculum and instruction will focus on preparing students for advanced placement courses at the high school level. Expectations include extensive reading assignments, individual and group research projects and writing experiences involving real world problem solving. 

REQUIRED ELECTIVE COURSES

Huddle & Health Combo: Grade 6 *This course is required for all 6th grade students in DSISD.

Prerequisite: None

In Huddle, students will learn an array of foundational skills that will help them succeed in their Middle School journey.  Topics will include digital citizenship, Intro to Technology, and navigation of Skyward, Gmail, Google Apps, and Canvas. Benefits will also include study, organizational, and test taking skills.  Students will engage in direct lessons and hands-on activities for social awareness, emotional well-being and leadership skills.  

Health provides instruction that allows youth to develop and sustain health-promoting behaviors throughout their lives. The standards allow students to gather, interpret, and understand health information; achieve health literacy; and adapt to the ever-evolving science of health.  Students gain an understanding of health information and skills through six strands: physical health and hygiene; mental health and wellness; healthy eating and physical activity; injury and violence prevention and safety; alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs; and reproductive health. Essential skills that repeat throughout six strands include decision making, problem solving, goal setting, maintaining healthy relationships with self and others, seeking help and support, and recognizing various influences on health such as social, environmental, media, and genetic.

The Health/Huddle combo is a yearlong course and is required for every 6th grade student.

Health: Grade 7 *This course is required for all 7th grade students in DSISD.

Prerequisite: None

7th Grade Health is a semester-long course, partnered with Career Explorations, that builds on the Health concepts taught in 6th grade. 7th Grade Health provides instruction that allows students to gather, interpret and understand health information; achieve health literacy and adapt to the ever-evolving science of health. Students gain an understanding of health information and skills through six strands: physical health and hygiene; mental health and wellness; healthy eating and physical activity; injury and violence prevention and safety; alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs; and reproductive health. Essential skills that repeat throughout six strands include decision making, problem solving, goal setting, maintaining healthy relationships with self and others, seeking help and support, and recognizing various influences on health such as social, environmental, media, and genetic. This 7th Grade Health course will also address Human Health and Wellness instruction via a parental opt-in system late in the semester. 

Career Explorations: Grade 7 *This course is required for all 7th grade students in DSISD.

Prerequisite: None 

This is a semester-long course, partnered with Health, designed to guide students through the process of investigating and developing a college and career readiness flight plan. Students use aptitude and interest inventory assessments, software, or other tools available to explore college and career areas of personal interest. Students use this information to explore a variety of career paths, especially those in demand, and begin mapping their anticipated secondary coursework and potential postsecondary experiences that are in alignment with their goals. Students explore the questions: Who am I? Why am I here? What am I meant to do with my life? Will my desired career path provide a self-sufficient wage? What occupations are in the highest demand that align to my values and interests? Students use decision-making and problem-solving skills for individual career and academic planning, explore valid, reliable educational and career information to learn more about themselves and their interests and abilities, and integrate skills from academic subjects, information technology, and interpersonal communication to make informed career decisions.