6th Grade Electives 

Students begin to learn to communicate orally and in writing in a culturally appropriate manner about topics related to daily life. They interpret basic information when listening and reading. Vocabulary and basic grammatical structures are taught within the context of these familiar topics. Culture is embedded throughout the course.

NOTE: This is the first half of a two year course. Students must pass the full year of 1A and the full year of 1B in order to earn one high school credit.

WLG1005 MS FY Spanish 1A 

Spanish Literacy 1 A/B , Spanish for Spanish Speakers 1 A/B, Spanish for Spanish Speakers 2 A/B 

Spanish for Spanish Speakers 1 A/B and Spanish for Spanish Speakers 2 A/B are offered in certain middle schools. Spanish for Spanish Speakers courses provide language instruction for students with some proficiency in Spanish, either because it is their first language or it is spoken in their home. Each course integrates history, culture, language, and connections related to the Spanish-speaking world.

Instrumental Music

Note for Students without previous experience playing a musical instrument:

Any student can learn how to play a band or string instrument. Students who did not take band or orchestra in elementary school can get started at Redland. Students who tried in elementary school often find it easier and more enjoyable to play in middle school. This is because music classes meet daily in Middle School, so students always get the help they need. Beginners in any grade can get started right away by registering for Beginning Strings or Beginning Band.

Beginning Band

This class is geared toward students without experience. Students enjoy playing in our band program at Redland. In this class, students learn to play instruments like the flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, or percussion. Students will explore and perform many different types of music throughout the year. Students study the cultural context of the music and its historical significance as they relate to performance. Many students become eligible for participation in the Montgomery County 6th grade Honors Band.

Band 1

This class is geared toward students with prior experience. Students enjoy playing in our band program at Redland. Students with experience on one instrument may explore a secondary instrument, perform chamber music, or even learn to conduct the ensemble. Students will explore and perform many different types of music throughout the year. Students study the cultural context of the music and its historical significance as they relate to performance. Many students become eligible for participation in the Montgomery County 6th grade Honors Band. 

Band 2

This band class  is open to students with 1 year of previous middle school music experience. Like Band 3, this group performs widely during the year at a moderate level, including a performance at Festival. Students may try a new instrument in this class. This band represents Redland Middle School, participating in special public performances and enrichment field trips.

The class works at a challenging pace designed to stimulate musical growth, development of leadership and achievement. Each year, members achieve the opportunity to qualify for participation in the Montgomery County Honors Band, Maryland All-State Band, the Potomac Valley, Maryland Classic and other area Youth Orchestra Programs.

Band 3

This band class  is open to students with 2 years of previous middle school music experience or by teacher recommendation. Like Band 2, this group performs widely during the year, but at an advanced level, including performances at Festival and competition. This band represents Redland Middle School, participating in special public performances and enrichment field trips.

Beginning Strings

This class is geared toward students without experience. Students enjoy playing in our string program at Redland. In this class, students learn to play instruments like the violin, viola, cello or bass. Students will explore and perform many different types of music throughout the year. Many students become eligible for participation in the Montgomery County 6th grade Honors Orchestra.

Strings 1

This class is geared toward 6th grade students with prior experience. Students enjoy playing in our string program at Redland. Students with strong experience on one instrument may explore a secondary instrument, perform chamber music, or even learn to conduct the orchestra. Students will explore and perform many different types of music throughout the year. Many students become eligible for participation in the Montgomery County 6th grade Honors Orchestra.

Orchestra 2

This orchestra class is open to students with 1 year of previous middle school music experience. Like Orchestra 3, this group performs widely during the year at a moderate level, including a performance at Festival. Students may try a new instrument in this class. This band represents Redland Middle School, participating in special public performances and enrichment field trips.

The class works at a challenging pace designed to stimulate musical growth, development of leadership and achievement. Each year, members achieve the opportunity to qualify for participation in the Montgomery County Honors Band, Maryland All-State Band, the Potomac Valley, Maryland Classic and other area Youth Orchestra Programs.

The class works at a challenging pace designed to stimulate musical growth, development of leadership and achievement. Each year, members achieve the opportunity to qualify for participation in the Montgomery County Honors Band, Maryland All-State Band, the Potomac Valley, Maryland Classic and other area Youth Orchestra Programs.

Orchestra 3

This orchestra class is open to students with 2 years of previous middle school music experience or by teacher recommendation. Like Orchestra 2, this group performs widely during the year, but at an advanced level, including performances at Festival and competition. This band represents Redland Middle School, participating in special public performances and enrichment field trips.

The class works at a challenging pace designed to stimulate musical growth, development of leadership and achievement. Each year, members achieve the opportunity to qualify for participation in the Montgomery County Honors Band, Maryland All-State Band, the Potomac Valley, Maryland Classic and other area Youth Orchestra Programs.

Chorus: 

In all chorus classes, students will create, perform, and respond to music in a variety of styles/genres. Students will develop the fundamentals of proper vocal technique and choral singing in relation to posture, breath control, tone, intonation, diction, blending, singing in harmony, music literacy, and sight-singing.  Students will engage with a variety of repertoire from different time periods, cultures. Chorus students will prepare for a minimum of two school concerts  as well as the opportunity to participate in other festivals/performances, and students are expected to participate in all performances. 

Chorus MS 1: Chorus MS 1 is offered to ALL students in Grades 6 with and without experience who want to sing and develop their individual and ensemble vocal skills. Mastery of breath control, vocal production, diction, intonation, tone, blending, singing in harmony, and music-reading proficiency (including sight-singing) are emphasized. Students will primarily sing state level 2 music.  This course is open to all students, regardless of music background. Each year, members achieve the opportunity to qualify for participation in the Montgomery County Honors Chorus. 

Chorus MS 2: General Choir is offered to ALL students in Grades 7 and 8 with and without experience who want to sing and are still developing their individual and ensemble vocal skills built in Chorus MS 1. An emphasis is placed on continuing the basics of vocal production, breath control, diction, intonation, blending, singing in harmony, and music-reading proficiency (including sight-singing). Students will primarily sing state level 2-3 music. The class works at a pace designed to stimulate musical growth, development of leadership and achievement. Each year, members achieve the opportunity to qualify for participation in the Montgomery County Honors Chorus and Maryland Junior All-State Choir. 

Chorus MS 3: Chamber Singers, Redland’s most advanced choral group, is offered by audition to 7th and 8th grade students who demonstrate exceptional vocal technique and choral singing in relation to posture, breath control, tone, intonation, diction, blending, singing in harmony, music literacy, and sight-singing in multiple keys and parts. Students will primarily sing state level 3 music. The class works at a challenging pace designed to stimulate musical growth and development in preparation for performance at the high school level. Each year, members achieve the opportunity to qualify for participation in the Montgomery County Honors Chorus and Maryland Junior All-State Choir. 

General Music:

General Music MS 1: In this course, students will have the opportunity to learn about music and instruments from a variety of world cultures. Students explore various genres of music through singing, performing on instruments, and creating music. General Music is open to all sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students interested in deepening their understanding and application of musical concepts and historical study. 

In this elective course, students will create an invention to address as environmental problem and present their invention at a school showcase. Student will work through the Engineering Design Process—defining a problem, developing solutions, building prototypes testing and optimizing a solution, and communicating ideas—all while working as a team through failure and iterating on ideas. Throughout the course, student will participate in a series of field trips with KID Museum to learn technical skills in coding, technology, fabrication, and engineering, and use these skills to build and present their invention prototype.

All students should begin at Level 1 in the curricular sequence. Students explore how the theater is a space that creates community. Theatre artists create an ensemble amongst themselves which functions as a safe space for risk-taking and creating. Theatre courses are semester courses. 

The fine arts are important to every child’s development and play a vital role in providing students with a well-rounded, world-class education. Dance/Yoga is a semester elective where students will learn basic dance and yoga skills.  Students will learn basic dance skills in 9 weeks and basic yoga and mindfulness skills in the second 9 weeks.