1. Welcome Parents to 6th Grade Registration

2. Online Course Guide
The following presentation gives reference to Course Guides for Middle School Campuses which is available online at
Or go to GISD Homepage; Departments & Programs; Curriculum & Instruction; Course Guides, Grading & Graduation info.

3. Required Academic Courses & Options
Language
Arts
Math
Science
Social
Studies
*Pre-AP
Prerequisites apply
See course guide for requirements
*Placement based on multiple measures of evidence.
Additional required classes may be determined on an individual basis per administrative placement.

4. Academic Courses State mandated curriculum (TEKS based curriculum)
Focus on comprehension, application, analysis and synthesis of subject area content processes and skills
Mastery of the TEKS curriculum is measured by performance of state-mandated STAAR assessments
C.G. page 4

5. Pre-AP Courses
In addition to the grade level requirements, middle school Pre-AP classes contain the levels of rigor necessary to prepare students for Pre-AP and AP courses in high school. Middle school Pre-AP classes are academically demanding and provide readiness for the increased difficulty in the high school Pre-AP and AP Programs.
C.G. p. 4

6. Pre-AP Classes Prerequisites: See page 24-27 in Course Guide for further details
Target Identification
Must have a level III advanced standard on a state assessment.
Automatic invitation for Pre-AP.
Less than Target
Identification
Must meet 3 of the criteria listed below:
1a. Teacher Rec. from a current subject area teacher
1b. If student does not get teacher rec., then an average of the 4 subject area teachers (matrix score of 32 or greater)
2. Parent recommendation
3a. 80% or higher on a state assessment
3b. If score is below 80%, student must pass a District Generated Criterion Referenced test by 70%
If a student meets the criteria, they will be invited to take Pre-AP classes.
Maintenance
A student must maintain a cumulative average of 75 or higher in an pre-AP class in order to remain in the class. Students with a 74 and below yearly average will be reviewed by the campus placement committee to determine the appropriate placement for the student.

7. G.T. (Gifted &Talented) Services
These classes provide learning experiences for students whose academic and/or intellectual abilities are significantly advanced for their ages.
Identified students are served through specific content-based Pre-AP courses.
Teachers of GT students are trained in methods of differentiating for gifted students. Students must qualify to be able to receive services.
C.G. p 4

8. Gifted and Talented Services
If your child has been identified as a student being served through the Gifted and Talented program, the appropriate course selection will be made for you through the counselor’s office.

9. Other Required Courses
PE/Health (2 semesters)
Boys and girls will have separate classes.
Fine Arts (2 semesters)
All students are required to complete one full year of a Fine Arts course and 4 semesters of PE/Athletics before completing 8th grade.

10. All Year Electives Rank your top choices from 1-6 You will receive two of these classes:
___Band 1
___Choir 1
___Art 1
___Orchestra 1
___Theatre 1
___Keyboarding/Exploring Languages
___Creative Problem Solving (GT only)

12. Example of a Typical 6th grade Schedule
1st Period: Art I
2nd Period: Math
3rd Period: Health/PE (required)
4th Period: Pre-AP Language Arts
5th Period: Band
6th Period: Science
7th Period: Social Studies

13. Example two of a Typical 6th grade Schedule
1st Period: Language Arts
2nd Period: Orchestra 1
3rd Period: Math
4th Period: Keyboarding/Exploring Languages
5th Period: Science
6th Period: Health/PE (Required)
7th Period: Social Studies

14. Example of an atypical schedule
1st Period: Language Arts
2nd Period: Band
3rd Period: Math
4th Period: Learning Power
5th Period: Science
6th Period: Health/PE (Required)
7th Period: Social Studies

15. LUNCH Lunch will not be listed on the student’s schedule.
All 6th grade will have A lunch. A lunch is after 3rd period and before 4th period.

16. Schedule Changes
Please read Page 6 of course guide carefully regarding schedule changes.
Be sure to make your choices very carefully, the entire master schedule and staffing depends on what you write down on this form.

17. Contract
I understand every effort will be made to schedule me into my selected electives; however, conflicts may require placement in alternative electives. I understand that I may not change my elective choices. I know that I will be assigned to a class based on my registration form.

18. Choice Sheets Due Date
These choice sheets are due to your child’s 5th grade homeroom teacher by Friday, March 7th or sooner.
Be sure your choice sheets are neat and legible.

19. We are very excited about the upcoming school year
We are very excited about the upcoming school year! We want to help make your middle school experience excellent! Please feel free to ask questions and let us know your concerns. We are here to help!

20. Questions/Concerns/Contacts
If you have a question or concern about your child’s transition to the 6th grade, please feel free to call us.
Robin Humphrey
ext. 6913
Valerie Wells
ext. 6927

21. GT COURSES
GISD Middle Schools

22. Students receive GT services in Pre-AP courses for Language Arts, Social Studies and Science.
Students that qualify for GT math may choose to participate in the GT math classes at each grade level
GT COURSES

23. GT COURSES GT courses offered: 6th grade math – primarily 7th grade
curriculum, GT level
7th grade math – primarily 8th grade
8th grade math – GT Algebra I
8th grade science – GT 8th grade science
GT COURSES

24. Creative Problem Solving course For all grade levels Primarily using curriculum from Destination Imagination program Opportunity to explore additional research programs (National History Day, Science Fair)
GT COURSES

25. GT COURSES Destination Imagination
National program ideal for GT students to learn
Problem solving skills, team-work, project completion, friendly competition
deos/What_is_Destination_Imagination2009.mp 4
GT COURSES

26. GT COURSES Destination Imagination global levels (Knoxville, TN)
work in groups of 4-7 students
student led, teacher facilitated
no adult input allowed (no adult interference)
work with recycled materials
solve team challenge, choice of 5 problems
compete at local (Austin area), state and
global levels (Knoxville, TN)
GT COURSES

27. GT COURSES Destination Imagination Two part competition:
Central Challenge – usually involves a skit
solving a problem, less than 8 minutes
Instant Challenge– solve a challenge as a team, challenge unknown until day of
competition
GT COURSES

28. GT COURSES For more information: www.texasdi.org www.idodi.org
Questions? Talk to the campus counselor, or Dr. Jana Rueter, Executive Director for Middle Schools, or
Vicki Barbosa at Forbes Middle School
GT COURSES