HARRIS MIDDLE SCHOOL NORTHEAST ISD Course Selection Guide

HARRIS MIDDLE SCHOOL NORTHEAST ISD Course Selection Guide 2019 -2020 School Year

Middle School Course Requirements Each student MUST have: ■ 3 years of English (general level or Pre-AP) *Summer English assignment may be required-more information to come* ■ 3 years of Reading (general level or Pre-AP) *Summer reading assignment may be required-more information to come* NOTE: If a student selects Pre-AP English, they MUST sign up for Pre-AP Reading. If a student selects ‘regular’ level English, they must also take ‘regular’ level Reading. ■ 3 years of Math (general level or Pre-AP) ■ 3 years of Science (Pre-AP available in 8 th Grade) ■ 3 years of History (Pre-AP available in 8 th Grade) ■ 1 Fine Arts course (band, choir, orchestra, art or theater arts) ■ 4 semesters of Physical Education, with at least 1 semester taken each year ■ 1 semester of Health in 6 th grade

Pre-AP vs General Level Classes Pre-AP classes are designed prepare students for the college level work of Advanced Placement (AP) classes in high school. The purpose of AP classes in high school are to gain college credit for courses by taking the Advanced Placement Exam at the end of the course. Pre-AP students are expected to: ■ Use higher level thinking skills ■ Develop successful study skills ■ Comprehend knowledge at a faster pace ■ Commit to a higher rigor and demand in the class ■ Organize time and efforts to successfully complete the course

Courses by Grade 6 th Grade will take: 7 th Grade will take: 8 th Grade will take: English Reading Science Math Social Studies Science PE Social Studies Health PE PE/Elective Elective Reading Math Elective Fine Art Elective

GEAR UP FOR 2019 -2020 SCHOOL YEAR ALL CURRENT 5 th, 6 th and 7 th GRADE STUDENTS & PARENTS Date: Tuesday, January 22 nd Time: 6: 00 PM Location: Harris Cafeteria You are invited to an exciting evening visiting with elective teachers and learning more about elective choices for next year. Meet Harris Middle School Administration, Counselors, and Elective Teachers

th 6 Grade Electives In 6 th Grade, students will choose one (if taking a full year of PE) or two electives from the choices below. ■ ■ ■ Band* Choir* Orchestra* Theater Arts* Art* AVID ■ Beginning Piano/AIM ■ Beginning Guitar/AIM ■ Technology Explorations/AIM ■ Broadcast Journalism/AIM ■ AIM (full year) * This course will fulfill the state requirement for a fine art credit in middle school.

AIM ■ AIM stands for Academic & Individual Motivation and is available to 6 th grade students. AIM does not count towards the required Fine Arts credit. The focus of AIM is to enhance the curriculum by providing enrichment and or support to the core academic subjects. AIM may also provide students with critical skills such as study habits, note-taking, test taking strategies, organizational skills, time management, goal setting, and character education. If time allows, students may also receive study hall support. Email Lmore@neisd. net with any questions concerning AIM.

Art ■ Art is available to 6 th graders as a full year course and counts as a required Fine Art credit. ■ From a Harris MS Art Teacher: “If you’re interested in learning about drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking and much more, you should take Art. In Art you will explore the world and develop your creative and artistic skills through art projects, art history, and art competitions. Big companies say they want problem solvers and creative people. Art class develops these skills. ” Email Mr Baldizon with any questions concerning Art classes.

AVID ■ AVID is available to 6 th grade students and does not count towards the Fine Arts requirement. If interested, the 5 th grade teachers/counselors will have applications as a completed application is required for consideration into the AVID program. From the Harris MS AVID teacher: “AVID is a program designed for students who are willing to work hard, so they can be taught the skills needed to successfully complete the challenging courses that will prepare them for four-year universities. Students are to take ownership of their own learning and futures, hence the acronym Advancement Via Individual Determination. This program teaches leadership development, organization, critical thinking through cultural and college field trips, teambuilding, tutorials and many other avenues. ”

Band ■ Band is available to 6 th grade students and does count towards the state required Fine Arts credit. A note from our Band Director, Mrs. White: “In band you will learn to play a brass, woodwind, or percussion instrument that we will help you choose. You do not need to know how to play an instrument or even know how to read music – we will teach you everything that you need to know in your band class during the school day. In band, we have so much fun making music together as a team – we are a big “band family, ” join us!” ■ Instrument ‘try-outs’ will be held on this spring for students interested in 6 th Grade band. More information will be sent home with students soon! Please email Mwhite 2@neisd. net with any questions concerning band.

Choir ■ Choir is available to 6 th grade students and does count towards the state required Fine Arts credit. ■ Beginning choir builds on the knowledge, skills and understanding developed in elementary school. Students in this course will experience singing in unison and in parts, with an emphasis placed on proper vocal techniques and sight-reading skills. Please email Arunne@neisd. net with any Choir questions.

Health ■ Health is a required course. It includes the study of the physical and mental well-being of a person, nutrition & fitness, substance abuse, abstinence education, disease prevention, social health, and first aid/CPR training.

Orchestra ■ Available to 6 th grade students and does count towards the state Fine Art requirement. ■ From the Harris MS Orchestra Director: “Orchestra is for students who are interested in learning to play the violin, viola, cello or bass. In orchestra, you will read and write music, discuss music history and perform in several concerts throughout the year. We also do several optional competitions, trips and lock-ins that you will have the opportunity to take part in. ” Please email mturne 7@neisd. net with any Orchestra questions.

Theatre Arts ■ Theatre Arts is available to 6 th grade students and does count towards the Fine Arts requirement. From the Harris MS Theatre teacher: “Theatre is a collaborative art that increases children’s communication skills, creativity, and empathy for reallife situations. We work together to learn movement, vocal techniques, compete at speech contests, and work together to learn the process of producing a play and short film. Students are encouraged to participate in productions and contests after school, as well as join the Harris Drama Club. ” Email kkorth@neisd. net with any questions concerning Theatre Arts.

Other Electives (each offered for a semester and paired with another class) • Broadcast Journalism-Students produce and edit the daily announcements using a green screen and a Apple Mac book. Students also help with online promotion of all of the wonderful things that go on at Harris. • Guitar- Guitar class is an opportunity for your child to learn how to play the guitar. We start from the very beginning so no previous knowledge is necessary. During the course of the semester, we cover notes on each of the 6 strings, basic chords and reading music. Please plan on providing a few necessary supplies. • Piano-Beginning Piano is for students with little to no previous piano experience. Students will work at their own pace learning to read music and play the piano. • Technology Explorations-Students will utilize the computer lab to explore areas of technology including typing, word processing, spreadsheet creation, presentation creation, 3 d modeling, and video game creation. Some graphics and engineering topics may be briefly introduced as well. **None of the courses above count for the required Fine Art credit

Physical Education ■ NEISD requires 4 semesters of PE, with at least 1 semester taken each year while attending Middle School. ■ 6 th Graders have a few options: 1. PE Full year (would now have to take health with another half year elective as health is a required class) OR 2. PE/Health ***If your student would like to be in Athletics in 7 th or 8 th grade or plans on playing a UIL sport, it is HIGHLY recommended that they take a FULL year of PE in 6 th Grade. ***

Course Selections ■ Course Selections for the 2019 -2020 school year will be done ONLINE through the Skyward Family Access program. Your students elementary school counselor or 5 th grade teacher will be discussing details and deadlines with students. ■ Failure to register for courses online by the designated deadline could result in the school selecting classes for you. For additional information and assistance, please contact the Harris Counseling Office at 356 -4126, or by e-mail: Lori More or Jennifer Heisler, counselors, at Lmore@neisd. net or Jheisl@neisd. net

Upcoming Dates DATE EVENT LOCATION TIME 6: 00 P. M. Tuesday, January 22, 2019 Harris Middle School Elective Showcase Cafeteria Parents & students meet elective teachers & learn about different elective options available at Harris MS. January 23 Steubing Ranch January 24 Stahl Northern Hills Fox Run Longs Creek 5 th Grade Field Trip to tour Harris Middle School January 23 and January 24, 2019 August 2019 Harris 6 th Grade Camp Harris Middle School TBA