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 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. 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.
Riverside Middle School Registration
Rising 6th Graders
Welcome to Riverside Middle School! We are excited that you and your family will be joining us next year and we look forward to working together in the years to come. Our mission, in cooperation with the home and community, is to provide opportunities which prepare students intellectually, socially, emotionally, and physically to become productive and responsible members of society. To this end, we work to incorporate research-based practices in teaching and learning, use technology appropriately to enhance the educational experience, and create a balanced middle school experience that prepares our students to be well-rounded individuals capable of leading in a global society. Our Riverside Royals are learning today and leading tomorrow.
The transition to middle school is an exciting time when students begin to experience more opportunities and independence. Middle school is also a time when students begin to take on more responsibility for their own education. The first step toward a positive middle school experience is successfully completing student registration. We are committed to working with you to make this transition as smooth as possible. This course catalog is intended to provide you with important information regarding the registration process. Registration for rising sixth graders occurs through all Greenville County elementary schools the week of February 27th.
All rising 6th grade students are required to take English, math, science, social studies, and physical education/health. Placement in English and math courses is determined by district criteria and completed by 5th grade teachers. These recommendations will be visible to students during the on-line registration process. Parents will have the opportunity to review all academic course recommendations and assist their children with the requests of their related arts courses. If you have concerns with your student's academic recommendations, it is your responsibility to contact your 5th grader's current teacher(s) during the registration window. In addition to these required courses, students will request a combination of three semesters of related arts courses; 3 semester-long related arts courses OR 1 year-long related arts course and 1 semester-long related arts courses.
Related arts courses are scheduled based on student requests, enrollment numbers, teacher allocations, and class size. Due to these constraints, students may be placed in any course that they request during registration. The related arts course offerings listed in the following pages are tentative and may change due to decisions made about the budget at the state and district level. As your student completes the registration process please choose related arts course requests wisely as ALL requested related arts courses may be used to complete student schedules and once the registration process is complete all requests are final.
We are excited that you and your family will be joining us next year and hope that you are getting excited about the many opportunities that will be available at RMS in the years to come. As rising 6th grade parents, we encourage you to begin setting goals with your student concerning their education and to nurture a love of learning within the home. Parental involvement is a major component in middle school success.
Go Royals!
Riverside Middle School Registration
Important Dates and Information
Rising 6th Grade Curriculum and Registration Resources
We are excited to be able to share some of the great things happening at RMS through our curriculum and registration slide show. This slide show can be found on the RMS website and includes information about course offerings, registration details, a tour of our building, and video clips from our teachers and administrators.
February 27th-March 3rd: 5th Grade Student Registration
Registration will be completed through Greenville County elementary schools. If you have concerns about any of your child's recommendations, please contact the 5th grade teacher that made the course recommendation.
NOTE: Each individual elementary school will set deadlines for required registration paperwork to be turned in by students. Please be sure you are aware of the deadline for turning in registration paperwork.
August (exact date/time TBD): Riverside Rally
We look forward to welcoming our students and introducing everyone to their teachers, classes, and our building. Information and details will be posted on our school website as we get closer to the event.
Academic Course Placement Policy
Students are recommended for their academic courses by their current teachers using district mandated criteria. The Greenville County School District develops course placement criteria based on student's grades and standardized test scores using many years of research and experience. These criteria are created with student success as the highest priority. In the event you have concerns about your child's placement, it is your (parent's/guardian's) responsibility to contact the teacher that made the recommendation to discuss the placement.
Riverside Middle School, in cooperation with the home and community, will provide opportunities which prepare students intellectually, socially, emotionally, and physically to become productive and responsible members of society.
Riverside Middle School
6th Grade Academic Courses
All rising 6th grade students are required to take English, math, science, social studies, and physical education/health. Placement in English and math classes is determined by district criteria. Elementary school teachers are responsible for completing recommendations for their students. These recommendations will be visible to students and parents during the on-line registration process. Parents will have the opportunity to review all academic course recommendations and assist their children with their related arts course requests and alternate requests. In addition to required courses, students will request a combination of three semesters of related arts courses; 3 semester-long related arts courses OR 1 year-long related arts course and 1 semester-long related arts courses.
LANGUAGE ARTS REQUIREMENT (1 Required)
English Studies 6
English GT 6 (District Approval Required)
MATH REQUIREMENT (1 Required)
Math 6
Math 6/7
SCIENCE REQUIREMENT (1 Required)
Science 6
SOCIAL STUDIES REQUIREMENT (1 Required)
Social Studies 6
NOTE: Any concerns regarding academic placement must be addressed with the current 5th grade teacher. This process must be completed at the student's elementary school during the registration window.
Riverside Middle School
6th Grade Related Arts Courses
Students have the opportunity to take a variety of related arts courses and explore different interests during their three years at Riverside Middle. In addition to the four core academic classes and one semester of PE/Health, students will request a combination of three semesters of related arts courses; 3 semester-long related arts courses OR 1 year-long related arts course and 1 semester-long related arts course. You will have the opportunity to review all academic course recommendations and assist your student with his/her related arts requests and alternate requests.
NOTE: Related arts classes are scheduled based on course requests, enrollment numbers, teacher allocations, and class size.
REQUIRED RELATED ARTS COURSE
Physical Education/Health 6 (semester)
YEAR LONG RELATED ARTS COURSES
Band 6
Strings 6
Reading Assistance 6 (teacher recommendation required)
Skill Building 6 (teacher recommendation required)
Literacy Lab R180 (special education teacher recommendation required)
Intensive Literacy Lab S44 (special education teacher recommendation required)
ESOL 6 (teacher recommendation required)
NOTE: Band and Strings students will need to rent their own instruments. Information regarding instrument selection and rental will be provided the first week of class. In order to participate in middle school band or strings, students must begin in 6th grade.
SEMESTER-LONG RELATED ARTS COURSES
Art 6
Career Education 6
Chorus 6
Foundational Teen Leadership
GTT 6 Automation & Robotics
GTT 6 Medical Detectives
Guitar 6
Keyboarding 6
Spanish 6 Beginner
Theatre 6
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English
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Title:
English Studies 6
10013100
Course Number:
Unit Credit:
0
Grade Level:
6
English Studies 6 is designed to prepare students for College and Career readiness as required by the South Carolina State Standards. The curriculum exposes students to a variety of genres, both literary andinformational. Placement Recommendation - Successful completion of grade 5.
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Title:
English GT 6
10013200
Course Number:
Unit Credit:
0
Grade Level:
6
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. Prerequisite: Identified as GTA (Gifted and Talented Academic)
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Title:
Reading Assistance 6th
10240000
Course Number:
Unit Credit:
0
Grade Level:
6
This course offers students remediation and additional assistance in reading skills in support of on grade level instruction in the regular Language Arts and/or Literature classroom. PREREQUISITE: Guidance Placement
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Math
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Title:
Math 6th
11100600
Course Number:
Unit Credit:
0
Grade Level:
6
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. PREREQUISITE: Teacher recommendation
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Title:
Math 6th/7th
11100700
Course Number:
Unit Credit:
0
Grade Level:
6
This standards-based course is designed to help students begin the transition from arithmetic to algebraic thinking. It includes all of the grade 6 standards and half of the grade 7 standards. Topics include operations and problem-solving with decimals, fractions, integers, ratios, proportions, and percents. Students will develop algebraic thinking through the investigation of patterns, the use of one-and two-step 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. PREREQUISITE: Must meet district criteria including Teacher recommendation
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Science
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Title:
Science 6th
12010000
Course Number:
Unit Credit:
0
Grade Level:
6
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. PREREQUISITE: None
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Social Studies
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Title:
Social Studies 6th
13010000
Course Number:
Unit Credit:
0
Grade Level:
6
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. PREREQUISITE: None
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Arts
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Title:
Art 6
15010000
Course Number:
Unit Credit:
0
Grade Level:
6
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. PREREQUISITE: None
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Title:
Theatre 6th
15210000
Course Number:
Unit Credit:
0
Grade Level:
6
This course explores theater arts through the use of creative dramatics, diction, vocal expression, improvisation, dramatization, technical theatre, audience etiquette, and theatre appreciation. Performances will be an outgrowth of study. PREREQUISITE: None
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Title:
Band 6
15310000
Course Number:
Unit Credit:
0
Grade Level:
6
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. PREREQUISITE: None
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Title:
Chorus 6
15410000
Course Number:
Unit Credit:
0
Grade Level:
6
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. PREREQUISITE: None
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Title:
Strings 6
15510000
Course Number:
Unit Credit:
0
Grade Level:
6
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. PREREQUISITE: None
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Title:
Guitar 6th
15995200
Course Number:
Unit Credit:
0
Grade Level:
6
This course provides beginning-level instruction in guitar. 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 of the purchase or rental of an instrument and individual practice at home. Concert performances will be an outgrowth of the study of musical concepts. PREREQUISITE: None
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Foreign Language
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Title:
Spanish 6 Beginner Level
16500000
Course Number:
Unit Credit:
0
Grade Level:
6
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. PREREQUISITE: None
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Physical Education
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Title:
PE / Health 6
14401200
Course Number:
Unit Credit:
0
Grade Level:
6
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. PREREQUISITE: None
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Career and Technology
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Title:
GTT6 Automation & Robotics
17810000
Course Number:
Unit Credit:
0
Grade Level:
6
Students trace the history and development of automation and robotics. They learn about structures, energy transfer, machine automation, and computer control systems. Students acquire knowledge and skills in engineering problem solving and explore requirements for careers in engineering.
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Title:
GTT6 Medical Detectives
17890000
Course Number:
Unit Credit:
0
Grade Level:
6
Students play the role of real-life medical detectives as they collect and analyze medical data to diagnose disease. They solve medical mysteries through hands-on projects and labs, measure and interpret vital signs, examine nervous system structure and function, investigate disease outbreaks, and explore how a breakdown within the human body can lead to dysfunction.
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Title:
Career Education 6th
18300000
Course Number:
Unit Credit:
0
Grade Level:
6
This course introduces the students to the careers that are available to them after their education. Students are given a chance to research and explore various careers as well as learn about the skills that are needed for a particular occupation. During this time, the students are also introduced to the career clusters that are used in the district. PREREQUISITE: None
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Title:
Keyboarding 6
18510000
Course Number:
Unit Credit:
0
Grade Level:
6
This course is designed to provide an opportunity for students to master the skill of entering alphabetic, numeric, and symbolic information on a keyboard and a ten-key pad using the touch method of keystroking. Emphasis is placed on development of accuracy and speed, proper techniques, and correct fingering. Formatting of basic documents will be introduced. PREREQUISITE: None
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Miscellaneous
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Title:
Skill Building 6th
17990100
Course Number:
Unit Credit:
0
Grade Level:
6
This course focuses on skills that students need to make better and more efficient use of study time. Students will actively engage in learning time management skills, study techniques, organizational skills, and test-taking strategies to strengthen their performance in the classroom. PREREQUISITE: None
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Title:
ESOL 6th
17990300
Course Number:
Unit Credit:
0
Grade Level:
6
This course is designed for the student who has a primary language other than English, and is not proficient in listening, speaking, reading, writing, or comprehension in the English speaking classroom. Instruction will be provided in the areas of listening, speaking, reading, writing, and comprehension to assist students in classrooms where English is the language of instruction. Students will receive skills to aid in the transition to all academic areas, as well as help in the preparation for middle school formal tests. Limited English proficiency should be determined by an approved language assessment instrument. PREREQUISITE: Guidance Placement
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Title:
Study Topics 6th
17990400
Course Number:
Unit Credit:
0
Grade Level:
6
This course focuses on skills that students need to make better and more efficient use of study time. Students will actively engage in learning time management skills, study techniques, organizational skills, and test-taking strategies to strengthen their performance in the classroom. PREREQUISITE: None
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Title:
Visionary Teen Leadership
27991300
Course Number:
Unit Credit:
0
Grade Level:
6 - 8
Teen Leadership begins with a review of concepts learned in Foundational Teen Leadership, so that trust and safety can be established in a new setting, with new classmates. The course continues with Chapters 8 and 9 of the Teen Leadership Curriculum, covering: the importance of affirmation and listening skills; making meaningful relationships; understanding family types; the influence of vision on the future; developing a vision; how one’s approach to life determines how one accepts responsibility, and how it affects reaction to people and events; balancing dreams with reality; and, having a sense of purpose. With each chapter, students continue to develop confidence and build skills in delivering speeches. Each instructor will have Capturing Kids’ Hearts training and be curriculum certified by the Flippen Group.
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Title:
Responsible Teen Leadership
27991400
Course Number:
Unit Credit:
0
Grade Level:
6 - 8
Responsible Teen Leadership begins with a review of concepts learned in Foundational Teen Leadership, so that trust and safety can be established in a new setting, with new classmates. The course continues with Chapters 5, 6, and 7 of the Teen Leadership Curriculum, covering: the connections between choices and consequences; taking responsibility for their one’s own actions; what it means to live a principled life; examination and practice of concepts of effective communication; positive and negative peer pressure; and, defending and rescuing skills. With each chapter, students continue to develop confidence and build skills in delivering speeches. Each instructor will have Capturing Kids’ Hearts training and be curriculum certified by the Flippen Group.
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Title:
Foundational Teen Leadership
27998200
Course Number:
Unit Credit:
0
Grade Level:
6 - 8
Foundational Teen Leadership is composed of the first four chapters of the Teen Leadership curriculum created by the Flippen Group, and is designed to produce quality leaders. The course covers: goals and relationships; the importance of first impressions; the process of reframing; internal and external qualities of leaders; emotional intelligence; the difference between image and self-concept; the relationship between public self and private self; the importance of values to leaders; and, community service. With each chapter, students develop confidence and build skills in delivering speeches. Each instructor will have Capturing Kids’ Hearts training and be curriculum certified by the Flippen Group.
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