For students attending CDFMS in the fall of 2021, the electronic choice sheet will be sent directly to students via their 5th grade school. They will automatically be registered for:
Language Arts
Science
World Cultures
Math Options for 6th grade students:
Math 6 - students will cover the 6th grade curriculum and be on track to take algebra in 9th grade
Math 6 Accelerated 1 - students will cover the 6th grade and part of 7th grade curriculum and be on track to take algebra in 8th grade. (Algebra is a high school credit course)
Math 6 Accelerated 2 - students will cover the 8th grade curriculum in 6th grade, then take Algebra 1 in 7th grade and Geometry in 8th grade (Algebra and Geometry are both high school credit courses.) Students must be currently enrolled in TAG math in 5th grade to choose the TAG math option. Students who test and qualify for TAG math in spring of 2022 will need to take additional testing in order to take the 6th grade TAG math course. See your elementary counselor for information about the additional testing.
TAG (Talented and Gifted Academics)
TAG classes are predetermined by RRISD criteria. Students who are currently enrolled in TAG classes in 5th grade will automatically be enrolled in TAG classes in 6th grade.
Physical Education:
All 6th grade students are required to select a physical education course. Students may choose regular PE or dance.
A student may not take dance as both a PE and an elective. If a student chooses dance as a PE course they may not choose it in the elective section.
Electives: Students will register for 2 elective courses chosen from the options below and 1 alternate elective courses.
(For a full course description, please see the RRISD Middle School Course Catalog)
Fine Arts - students are required to take one fine arts elective in sixth grade
Art
Beginning Choir
Beginning Band
Dance (A student may not take dance as both a PE and a fine arts elective.)
Beginning Orchestra (If you feel your student needs a higher level of orchestra, please select this course and contact the orchestra director for an audition)
Mariachi Band
Theatre Arts
Languages (A student may not choose discovery and foreign language as a combination for the two 6th grade electives as neither course is a fine arts course)
Spanish 1A or Spanish II
Sixth grade students are not required to start a foreign language in sixth grade. A student needs two years of a foreign language course to graduate high school. This can be completed by:
Taking Spanish 1A&B Spanish 1 (you may continue to advance)
Taking the APPL course (please ask if your student qualifies)
Taking the level 1 course in 9th grade and the level 2 course in 10th grade
Other Elective Options:
AVID & Discovery
Families needing assistance with fees for courses can contact the counseling office.
Important Notes—Please Read Carefully:
The state requires academic interventions for students who demonstrate a need for additional academic assistance. In order to maximize student achievement, students in need of assistance will be assigned to an academic intervention class in lieu of an elective. While every attempt will be made to honor students’ elective requests, budget and enrollment considerations may affect course availability and offerings. Change of mind requests will not be permitted after June 1, 2022. A student who does not choose alternates will have alternates selected by his/her counselor. Elective courses are subject to change or cancellation. By signing below, we commit that these are the courses we request to be scheduled for the 2022-23 academic year. We understand that school resources will be allocated based on these choices.
Art
This course extends the learning of basic elements of art and principles of design, art history, and art appreciation. Students design, develop, and create art using a variety of media.
AVID
A college prep system to prepare students in the academic middle for four-year college eligibility. Students learn strategies for success in college. The course emphasizes rhetorical reading, analytical writing, collaborative discussion strategies, tutorial inquiry study groups, study skills, test taking strategies, time management and personal organization. (Application process is required).
Band (6th grade Beginning)
Prerequisite: Screening for placement on appropriate instrument. Students develop basic playing skills, while learning to play their respective wind, percussion, or brass instruments. Beginning Band is a place for students who are interested in learning a traditional musical instrument. Band students develop leadership, gain self esteem, and learn to perform as a team. Our instrumentation includes: Woodwinds - Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, Clarinet and Saxophone; Brass - Trumpet, F Horn, Trombone, Euphonium and Tuba; Percussion - bells, marimba, snare/bass drum, timpani and accessories.
Choir (6th grade Beginning)
Students will learn choral reading techniques, ear training, vocal production, and basic theory.
Dance
Students will learn basic elements of dance styles and acquire the wellness information and skills to become healthy adults. Class concerts and performances required.
Discovery
This course helps prepare 6th grade students for the technology and skill expectations of Middle School. Class is comprised of basic computer operation skills in Microsoft Office and Google Suite, basic image editing and multimedia creation, introduction to mindset, digital communication etiquette and safety, and other basic life skills such as budgeting and investing.
Mariachi Band
Prerequisite: Instructor approval required and must be currently enrolled in Band, Choir, or Orchestra. This course is designed for those interested in learning to play various instruments utilizing the folk music of Mexico.
Orchestra (6th grade Beginning)
Prerequisite: Screening for placement on appropriate instrument. Students develop basic playing skills, practice habits music reading, and listening skills, while playing the violin, cello, or bass
Theatre Arts
Students explore the elements of drama and conventions of theatre, interpret characters, voice and body expressions and the relationship of theatre to history, society, and culture.
Spanish I (1A/1B)
This two-year course program introduces the language and facilitates opportunities for students to acquire basic language skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing across all three modes of communication: interpretive, interpersonal and presentational. Vocabulary acquisition and communication in daily situations are emphasized. Students will also compare cultures and customs. COURSE NOTE: Level I of a language is a two-year program in middle school equivalent to the high school’s first-year course. In order to receive high school credit, a student must successfully complete both courses 1A and 1B. PREREQUISITE: For 1B - Evidence of successful completion of language 1A. (Foreign Language High School Credit after completion of both 1A and 1B)
Spanish II
This course is designed to provide an accelerated approach to language instruction. Instruction will emphasize reading, writing, and higher-order thinking skills.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Spanish IA & IB or appropriate credentialing. (Foreign Language High School Credit)