6th Grade Electives

You will find a detailed list of all elective offerings with course descriptions for GMS 6th graders here.

• Please note that some elective courses require a materials fee or instrument purchase/rental. If financial assistance is needed, please reach out to your student's counselor.

• Students identified as Gifted/Talented must be registered for Advanced courses in the area(s) in which they have been identified in order to maintain GT designation.

• Students who do not meet minimum expectations on the STAAR Reading and/or Math test are required to have an intervention class to prepare for success on their next STAAR test. Counselors work with teachers and students to determine the best placement in a required intervention course in the absence of STAAR scores .

All 6th graders take Math, ELAR, Science and World Cultures. All 6th grade ELAR, Science and World Cultures courses are Advanced unless an IEP denotes otherwise.

Academic Math 6

Covers grade level curriculum of 6th grade TEKS, preparing students for Academic Math 7.This course is stacked with Advanced Math 6 which means they are in the same class/same teacher as Adv Math 6, and content is scaffolded.

Advanced Math 6

Covers grade level curriculum of 6th grade TEKS, preparing students for Advanced Math 7.This course offers an in-depth analysis and application of grade level concepts.

Accelerated Algebra Path 6

This course covers both 6th and 7th grade TEKS preparing students for Advanced Math 8 in 7th grade and then high school Advanced Algebra I in 8th grade. It is recommended that students have achieved a Masters level on their 4th and 5th grade Math STAAR to enroll. This path is fast paced and offers a more in-depth analysis and application of key concepts.This path is appropriate for students who are enthusiastic about math, can work independently and are academically motivated.

Accelerated Geometry Path 6

Students must achieve a qualifying score on the Geometry Readiness Assessment for enrollment and will require 2 periods of math (double blocked) in 6th grade. This course covers all 6th-8th grade TEKS preparing students for high school Advanced Algebra I in 7th grade and Advanced Geometry in 8th grade. This path is very fast paced and offers a more in-depth analysis and rigorous application of key concepts.This path is appropriate for students who are very enthusiastic about math, like to work independently and are highly academically motivated. Hear from some of our Geometry Path students here.

Functional Fitness

This class focuses on improving a student's overall fitness. Workouts and activities are done to increase muscular strength, cardiovascular endurance, and flexibility. A variety of topics are also taught regarding mental, physical, and emotional health.

Physical Education

In 6th grade PE students are taught the rules and skills for basketball, volleyball, flag football, soccer, tennis, and track. Students will develop their knowledge and fitness by participating in game play. A Gorzycki PE shirt needs to be purchased for both Functional Fitness and PE.

Dance PE class

Dance is a semester long technique-based curriculum designed to provide students the opportunity to explore the various forms of traditional & contemporary dance and fulfills the district requirement for Physical Education. Students will learn the major bones and muscles of the body as well as the history of dance techniques. Students will be required to purchase a specific uniform and shoes for dance class.

All 6th graders must take a full year Fine Arts course. Students will not be allowed to switch their Fine Arts choice after the Schedule Change Period in the beginning of the school year. Students must complete one full year of their Fine Arts choice. Many students choose an additional Fine Arts course as their elective - this is a great choice!

Art

Students will work with a variety of processes and materials such as painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, fibers, jewelry and digital media. Students rely on their perceptions of the environment, developed through increasing visual awareness and sensitivity to surroundings, memory, imagination, and life experiences as a source for creating artworks. Art courses include the study of works of art and cultures and evaluation of student work and the works of other artists.

Band

This is the first year of instruction on a chosen band instrument in middle school. Students are introduced to the fundamentals of playing a band instrument and no previous experience is required. Students are expected to furnish their own instruments but the band department can provide assistance if needed. Public performance, on a limited basis, is a required component of this course. For more information and sign ups for instrument selection, please visit here

Choir

Choir focuses on fundamental vocal techniques, music literacy, and performance skills for the inexperienced singer emphasizing unison or limited part singing. Boys are placed in a separate choir from the girls, but both, boys and girls, will sometimes perform and travel together. Public performance is a required component of this course. For more details about the Choir program, click here. Students wishing to be in Glee Club must be enrolled in a choir class.

Orchestra

Beginning orchestra provides instruction on a chosen string instrument (violin, viola, cello, or bass) where students are introduced to the fundamentals of playing a stringed instrument. No previous experience is required to join Beginning Orchestra. For students that have previous experience on a string instrument, please contact Mrs. Dickey to set up an audition to place out of Beginning Orchestra. Orchestra students are required to participate in 4 public performances during the school year and furnish their own instruments. Scholarship instruments are offered on a first come first served basis. For more Orchestra details, click here.

Theatre Arts

This course will focus on creating original scenes from stories and poems while developing imagination and problem-solving skills. Projects include storytelling, body puppetry, and black light puppetry. Students will be expected to participate in a class production.

CTE Wheel

CTE Wheel is a yearlong course where 6th grade students will have the unique opportunity to explore a variety of Career and Technology Education topics. Students will explore a total of four topics, with a new one every 9 weeks.

Creative Writing

Students will explore different genres of writing through reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The goal of this course is to inspire students to develop original pieces and ideas. Through writing and thinking students will learn to become better readers, writers, and thinkers. Some possible writing genres covered poetry, family storytelling, fairy tales, fantasies, short stories, and journals.

Multimedia Journalism

Like to tell stories? Want to learn how to conduct an awesome interview? Love making videos or taking photos? Ever wondered about podcasting? Have a legendary social media account? Then this is the class for you! Come explore ways to create compelling content using a multimedia approach. Our focus will be on creating stories using whatever medium fits the topic best - and you get to choose! From writing traditional news articles to penning editorials to creating beautiful photo essays to conducting a press conference - you’ll learn how to best connect with and communicate information to your audience. Along the way, you’ll learn the basics of journalism, photography, and graphic design. This class is portfolio-based, so you’ll take an electronic body of work with you when you finish the year!

Speech and Debate I

The study of and practice in the basic principles and techniques of effective oral communication. This course includes reading famous speeches, writing original speeches, and instruction in adapting speech to different audiences and purposes. They will also apply standards to analyze and evaluate propositions and construct valid approaches to both affirmative and negative arguments. Students will hone speaking skills and provide valid and constructive critiques of others

Study Skills

Study Skills class focuses on executive function skills needed for effective planning, organizing, starting and finishing all tasks, assignments, and problem-solving. There will also be time built in to the class for homework assistance or reteach concepts from content classes.