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Table of Contents

Page 1
Planning Your Education - Grade 6
Online Registration
Promotion Criteria
Page 2
School Information
Page 3
Course Descriptions

Planning Your Education

Your school provides this course curriculum guide as a means of assisting students and parents in understanding and planning their course of study. Students are encouraged to carefully select related arts courses during the registration process. Your school's guidance counselors and teachers stand ready to assist them. Parents are invited and encouraged to actively participate by assisting their student.

Related arts classes are scheduled based upon student requests. However, due to schedule conflicts and changes in course offerings, the staff cannot guarantee that students will be scheduled for all courses they request. In addition, be aware that the school builds a master schedule and employs teachers based on students' requests; therefore, schedule changes will only be considered on a very limited basis.

Online Registration

Online Registration was implemented in 2004. It allows parents and students to request related arts courses for the next school year from home via the Internet. Families who do not have access to the Internet will be given opportunities to use school computers to register online. Parents and students should understand that requesting a related arts course through online registration does not guarantee that the student is placed in the course the next school year. Final placement in a course is dependent upon enrollment, scheduling feasibility, and teacher allocation. Schools will post the courses that they will be offering the next school year in a course curriculum guide which will be located on the school's website. Parents without Internet access at home will receive a printed copy of the course curriculum guide by request. The window for students to select related arts courses online is posted by the school on the school's website and in parent newsletters. Schools will provide instructions on accessing the online registration tool.

Promotion Criteria for Grades Six through Eight (GCS IHE / Rule 9/11/2006)

Criterion 1: Students in grades six through eight are expected to learn, at a minimum, curriculum standards in English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies, and meet attendance requirements.
Criterion 2: The student earned a minimum average grade of 70% in English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies (if language arts is taught as a separate subject in grades 6-8, the English language arts grade will be determined by the mean of the yearly average of reading and language arts.)
End of Year Promotion Status
The following are summary designation and descriptors for end-of-year promotion status of students in grades six-eight.
Promoted – The student met all promotion criteria. The one exception is that students who fail a high school credit bearing course in middle school are promoted but must retake the course. Enrollment in these credit bearing courses will be determined by the district criteria as stated in the Master Catalog of Middle School Courses which is located in the Important Items section of the Infoweb.
Promoted - Summer School Required - The student failed to meet the criteria for one or two core academic areas, but successful performance in summer school for any deficient area was met.
WELCOME TO MIDDLE SCHOOL!

The transition from elementary school to middle school arguably is the biggest educational transition that a student will face in his educational career.  Typically it is a challenging time for both parents and students.   It is the goal of our faculty and staff at Bryson Middle School to make this transition as smooth as possible.  We offer several opportunities for rising 6th grade parents and students to visit our school and to receive information about our educational program.  Please do not hesitate to contact our Guidance Department at 355-2114 if you have questions or concerns about the registration process or about what to expect during the sixth grade school year.

The events below are important parts of this year's registration process.

Curriculum Night:  January 28th from 6:00 until 7:30 p.m. at Bryson Middle

Fifth Grade Visits:  February 22nd from 9:30 until 11:00 a.m. at Bryson Middle

Registration for Middle School Classes:  March 4th until March 8th at the home elementary school.


Academic Classes for 6th Grade Students:

Elementary teachers recommend our rising 6th grade students for the appropriate levels of 6th grade language arts, literature and 6th grade math.  The elementary teacher bases the recommendations on established district criteria.  If a parent does not agree with the course recommendations that are made, then the parent must discuss this with the student's teacher(s) at the elementary school.  Parents may override the teacher's recommendation with the proper paperwork.  Parent overrides will be honored at Bryson Middle School per district policy.  Parents may not override into the gifted and talented classes.  The elementary guidance counselor is available to discuss this policy with you.

At Bryson Middle School, our sixth grade students attend 5 academic classes each day and 2 related arts classes each day.  Academic classes include language arts, literature, math, science and social studies.    

The Gifted and Talented Program

In middle school, students who have been identified as gifted and talented or "challenge" by the district will be served through their English classes and will be assigned to English GT 6 and literature 6.  Parents who do not want their challenge students assigned to this course must consult their elementary counselors so that proper paperwork, including a parent override form and a challenge withdrawal form, is completed.  Gifted and talented students are not necessarily recommended for advanced math.  Students who are recommended for advanced math (Math 7 for 6th grade) must meet 4 district criteria which include minimal performance scores on both PASS and MAP tests. 

Students in science and social studies classes are not grouped by ability levels.  All sixth grade students will be assigned to social studies 6 and science 6.

Related Arts Classes:

Our sixth grade students participate in two related arts (or elective) classes each day.  Elective courses may be one or two semesters in duration.  While academic courses are recommended by teachers, students may request the related arts courses of their choice during the registration process. 

The Bryson Middle School Guidance Department makes every effort to place students in the related arts classes that they choose.  Sometimes due to teacher allocations and/or student demand for particular courses, it may not possible to honor all student requests.  Students will have opportunities in both their seventh and eighth grade years to request these related arts classes again.  Students who are not placed in the related arts classes of their choice in sixth grade will be given priority for the courses during the following school year.

All sixth grade students participate in physical education and health according to state law.  Students will be placed in a combination PE and health course for one semester during one of their 2 related arts class periods to meet this state requirement.

Year (Two Semester) Electives
Year long elective classes include Band 6, Strings 6 and Chorus 6.  These classes meet every day all year long.  Students who choose to participate in one of these classes should make a year long commitment to the class.  Course requirements will include outside practice and performances.  Students who are interested in participating in band, strings or chorus classes (the Fine Arts Department) at any point during their middle school career  must enroll during their sixth grade year to qualify for courses in their 7th and 8th grade years.
 
Parents are encouraged to help their students make decisions with regard to participation in the Fine Arts Program.  Our Fine Arts Staff is willing to answer questions that parents or  students may have about our programs.  Many parents have questions about instrument rental and its cost.  Our band and strings teachers make every effort to work with parents in their efforts to obtain instruments.  Please contact Mrs. Julie Summey at 355-2178 for more information about the band program and contact Ms. Angela Rex at 355-2109 for information about our strings program. 

One Semester Electives:
Students who are involved in 2 semester (year long) elective classes (Band, Strings or Chorus)  still will be able to request 1 other semester elective class.  Students who do not register for year long elective classes may request 3 semester related arts classes.  Students are encouraged to explore new interests through their related arts choices.    Semester related arts classes include agriculture education, art, computer technology, gateway to technology, life fitness and Spanish.

As is true throughout our district, requests  for elective classes are not guarantees , and placement in elective courses depends upon teacher allocation and student demand for the courses.

Special Education Classes

Bryson Middle School serves its special educational students in one of two environments:  the regular classroom or the self contained classroom.  Special education students who are placed in the regular classroom are served through the co-teaching model whereby two teachers work together to deliver the appropriate standards and to meet proper accommodations.   All special education students have Individualized Education Plans (IEP) and placement is a function of this plan. 

Some of our special education students will be placed in a tutorial class which will meet during one of their related arts classes.  Students may be assigned to tutorial for one or two semesters depending upon the requirement as stated by their IEP.  This tutorial class is designed so that students can receive more intensive assistance in their deficit areas.  Again, placement in tutorial classes is a function of a child's IEP.  If you have questions, please consult your elementary special education teacher.

Course Descriptions

English
Title:
English GT 6
10013200
Course Number:
Unit Credit:
0.00
Duration:
Grade Level:
6
Short Title:
Prerequisite:
Identified as GTA (Gifted and Talented Academic)with a MAP RIT score >236
This course is designed to meet the needs of academically gifted and talented students who were identified through the standard measures implemented by The School District of Greenville County. The curriculum designed specifically for this course meets the guidelines set forth by the South Carolina State Department of Education as criteria for Gifted and Talented instruction. Students should expect to find the curriculum challenging in a number of ways: text complexity, analytical writing, problem solving, creative endeavors, and accelerated pace.
Title:
Literature Strategies 6
10013300
Course Number:
Unit Credit:
0.00
Duration:
Grade Level:
6
Short Title:
Prerequisite:
Students should meet one or more of the following criteria: Teacher recommendation ; PASS score of Not Met in 4th grade; 5th grade MAP RIT scores of <213
This course is designed to meet the needs of students transitioning from elementary to middle school instruction in reading. Instruction will continue to reinforce foundational skills in reading and provide ample scaffolding for those students whose reading skills are still developing.
Title:
Literature Studies 6
10013400
Course Number:
Unit Credit:
0.00
Duration:
Grade Level:
6
Short Title:
Prerequisite:
Students should meet two or more of the following criteria: Teacher recommendation; PASS score of Met in 4th grade; 5th grade MAP RIT scores of 213 - 236
This course is designed to meet the needs of those students whose reading skills are sufficient to allow them to read more difficult texts, analyze what they have read more deeply, and respond without difficulty to the text in writing. The students in this course do not require foundational instruction in reading strategies; however, they will continue to receive instruction in more sophisticated reading practices that prepare the student for literary analysis. Students can expect instruction to move at an accelerated pace.
Title:
Lang Arts Strategies 6
10013600
Course Number:
Unit Credit:
0.00
Duration:
Grade Level:
6
Short Title:
Prerequisite:
Students should meet one or more of the following criteria: Teacher recommendation; PASS score of Not Met in 4th grade; 5th grade MAP RIT scores of <213
This course is designed to meet the needs of students transitioning from elementary to middle school instruction in language arts, writing and research. Instruction will continue to reinforce foundational skills and provide ample scaffolding for those students whose skills are still developing.
Title:
Language Arts Studies 6
10013700
Course Number:
Unit Credit:
0.00
Duration:
Grade Level:
6
Short Title:
Prerequisite:
Students should meet two or more of the following criteria: Teacher recommendation; PASS score of Met in 4th grade; 5th grade MAP RIT scores of 213 - 236
This course is designed to meet the needs of those students whose writing skills are sufficient to allow them to write fluently and cohesively. The students in this course do not require foundational instruction in writing strategies; however, they will continue to receive instruction in more sophisticated practices preparing the student for different modes of writing. Students can expect instruction to move at an accelerated pace.
Title:
Literature 6
10014000
Course Number:
Unit Credit:
0.00
Duration:
Grade Level:
6
Short Title:
Prerequisite:
Students should meet two or more of the following criteria: Teacher recommendation; PASS scores of Met or Exemplary in 4th grade; 5th grade MAP RIT scores >211 in Reading
This course is designed to meet the needs of those students whose reading skills are sufficient to allow them to read more difficult texts, analyze what they have read more deeply, and respond without difficulty to the text in writing. The students in this course do not require foundational instruction in reading strategies; however, they will continue to receive instruction in more sophisticated reading practices that prepare the student for complex literary analysis. Students can expect instruction to move at an accelerated pace.
Math
Title:
Math 6
11100600
Course Number:
Unit Credit:
0.00
Duration:
Grade Level:
6
Short Title:
Prerequisite:
Teacher recommendation
This standards-based sixth-grade course is designed to help students begin the transition from arithmetic to algebraic thinking. It includes concepts, operations, and problems solving with decimals, fractions, and percents in addition to an introduction to integers and ratios. Students will develop algebraic thinking through the investigation of patterns, the use of simple equations and inequalities to represent relationships, and the use of tables and graphs to solve problems. Throughout the course there is an emphasis on the process standards of problem-solving, communication, reasoning, representations, and connections.
Title:
Math 7 for 6th Graders
21100900
Course Number:
Unit Credit:
0.00
Duration:
Grade Level:
6
Short Title:
Prerequisite:
Must meet district criteria including Teacher recommendation
The emphasis in this standards-based seventh-grade course is on algebraic thinking and on extending the understanding of the real number system to include integers, rational numbers, and irrational numbers. Students will investigate applications of number theory and will acquire skills in adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing integers. Students will solve applied problems by using one-step equations and inequalities, percents, and proportional reasoning. Students will develop algebraic thinking by analyzing patterns to discover relationships, by representing information through symbolic, graphical, and tabular methods, and by identifying relationships that are linear. Throughout the course there is an emphasis on the process standards of problem-solving, communication, reasoning, representations, and connections.
Science
Title:
Science 6
12010000
Course Number:
Unit Credit:
0.00
Duration:
Grade Level:
6
Short Title:
Prerequisite:
None
The focus for science in sixth grade is to provide students with inquiry based experiences that develop science concepts in the following areas: Structures, Processes and Response of Plants-structure and function of plants; Structures, Processes and Responses of Animals-structure and function of animals; Earths Atmosphere and Weather-atmospheric properties and processes; and, Conservation of Energy-properties of energy, work, and conservation of energy.
Social Studies
Title:
Social Studies 6
13010000
Course Number:
Unit Credit:
0.00
Duration:
Grade Level:
6
Short Title:
Prerequisite:
None
Sixth grade social studies expands students’ understanding of history through the study of people, places, and events to the era of European exploration and settlement. Students focus not only on facts about various cultures but also on the significance of geography in history, their everyday lives, problems, and accomplishments of people, and their roles in developing the social, economic, and political structures of major civilizations. Instruction should emphasize the elements of social studies literacy—the tools, strategies, and perspectives necessary for understanding how history, geography, economics and government are interwoven.
Arts
Title:
Art 6
15010000
Course Number:
Unit Credit:
0.00
Duration:
Grade Level:
6
Short Title:
Prerequisite:
None
The purpose of this course is to enable students to communicate ideas and concepts through a variety of artwork, including drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, arts, and crafts. A study of artists and their work will help students understand the techniques, skills, and diverse intentions of artists from many cultures and times. Students will focus on developing creative problem-solving skills, visual literacy, and personal expression.
Title:
Band 6
15310000
Course Number:
Unit Credit:
0.00
Duration:
Grade Level:
6
Short Title:
Prerequisite:
None
This course provides beginning-level instruction on brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. No previous musical experience is required. The curriculum includes the development of fundamental skills, concepts, composition, cooperative learning, music as it relates to history and culture, and band techniques. The class will include an expectation for the purchase or rental of an instrument and individual practice at home. Concert performances will be an outgrowth of the study of musical concepts.
Title:
Chorus 6
15410000
Course Number:
Unit Credit:
0.00
Duration:
Grade Level:
6
Short Title:
Prerequisite:
None
The purpose of this course is to enable students to develop fundamental vocal musicianship, technical skills, and aesthetic awareness through the study and performance of varied middle school choral literature. The curriculum for Chorus 6 includes vocal technique, part singing, music fundamentals, and singing music of various historical and world styles through large and small group participation. Concert performances will be an outgrowth of the study of the musical concepts.
Title:
Strings 6
15510000
Course Number:
Unit Credit:
0.00
Duration:
Grade Level:
6
Short Title:
Prerequisite:
None
This course provides beginning-level instruction on violin, viola, cello, and string bass. No previous musical experience is required. The curriculum includes the development of fundamental skills, concepts, composition, cooperative learning, music as it relates to history and culture, and string techniques. The class will include an expectation for the purchase or rental of an instrument and individual practice at home. Some larger instruments are available at the school, and parents should coordinate with the director for their use. Concert performances will be an outgrowth of the study of musical concepts.
Foreign Language
Title:
Spanish 6 Beginner Level
16500000
Course Number:
Unit Credit:
0.00
Duration:
Grade Level:
6
Short Title:
Prerequisite:
None
Aligned with the district's vision, philosophy, and goals for world language education, this beginner course introduces students to the second language through high-quality learning experiences. Not only do students gain an understanding of what it means to learn a new language, they also experience progress over time and are likely to be motivated to continue language study. Students learn enough language to ensure that they will not be total beginners when they take another course in the same language. The goal of this course is to develop some language competence.
Physical Education
Title:
PE / Health 6
14401200
Course Number:
Unit Credit:
0.00
Duration:
Grade Level:
6
Short Title:
Prerequisite:
None
Enrollment in this course fulfills the regulation that all students will complete one quarter of physical education each year in grades 6 – 8 and all students will complete one quarter of health each year in grades 6 - 8. The content of the course will consist of both health and PE standards-based instruction.
Career and Tech
Title:
AgEducation6
18560500
Course Number:
Unit Credit:
0.00
Duration:
Grade Level:
6
Short Title:
Prerequisite:
None
This course is designed to assist students in exploring science as it relates to agriculture. Through well planned instructional activities, students have the opportunity to develop an understanding of human relations, communication, the importance of agriculture to the economy, and key scientific terms related to the field of agriculture concepts.
Title:
GTT6DesignModel
28410000
Course Number:
Unit Credit:
0.00
Duration:
Grade Level:
6
Short Title:
Prerequisite:
Teacher Recommendation
This unit uses solid modeling (a very sophisticated mathematical technique for representing solid objects) to introduce students to the design process. Utilizing this design approach, students understand how solid modeling has influenced their lives. Students also learn sketching techniques, and use descriptive geometry as a component of design, measurement, and computer modeling. Using design briefs or abstracts, students create models and documentation to solve problems.
Miscellaneous
Title:
Life Fitness 6
14990200
Course Number:
Unit Credit:
0.00
Duration:
Grade Level:
6
Short Title:
Prerequisite:
None
Life Fitness is a related arts class taught through the physical education department. It focuses on nutrition, exercise, along with cardiovascular and strength building activities. The purpose of the class is to encourage habits that lead to healthy, active adult life.
Title:
Computer Tech 6
17010000
Course Number:
Unit Credit:
0.00
Duration:
Grade Level:
6
Short Title:
Prerequisite:
Keyboarding skills
This course provides the student an opportunity to work with word processing, spreadsheets, and PowerPoint presentations.