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Table of Contents

Page 1
Planning Your Education - Grade 6
Online Registration
Promotion Criteria
Page 2
School Information
Page 4
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. 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, Seven, and Eight

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 60% 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.
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.

Rudolph G. Gordon School     Rising Sixth Grade Student Registration

Welcome to 6th grade at Rudolph G. Gordon School.  We are so excited that you and your family will be joining us next year for 6th grade, where our students will receive a rigorous, well rounded education using an inquiry and project-based learning model.  This STEAM model incorporates Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math.  Through the use of projects, students will learn academic content, and practice twenty first Century skills such as collaboration, communication, and critical thinking.  We look forward to working together with parents and students to have a successful school year. 

Our mission, in cooperation with home and community, is to prepare children to become lifelong learners and responsible, productive citizens, by creating meaningful experiences in a safe, nurturing environment.  We believe all children can learn; and all children should be given opportunities to meet their unique needs, gifts, and learning styles in order to reach their full potential.  We believe education is a shared responsibility involving students, teachers and staff, parents and community members; and school should be a safe and nurturing environment where the cultures and customs of families are respected.  Finally, we believe educational experiences should encourage students to learn to communicate effectively, solve problems competently and creatively, and act respectfully.  Our goal is to work with each student to select the courses best suited for their individual needs.  We want this to be a smooth and productive transition for everyone involved and look forward to an exciting year and many years to come!

This course catalog is intended to provide you with a timeline and important information regarding the registration process as our students begin the transition to sixth grade. 

All rising 6th grade students are required to take English, Math, Science, Social Studies and Physical Education. During the registration process, 5th grade teachers will recommend academic courses for their students for 6th grade. Placement into English and Math is determined by district criteria for each of these classes.  Parents will be able to view the recommendations made by teachers during the registration process.  If a parent has concerns about an academic recommendation, it is their responsibility to contact the student's current 5th grade teacher to discuss those concerns.  

It is important to note, that final Related Arts courses will be based on student requests, student enrollment, teacher allocations and class size.  Due to these contingencies, students are not guaranteed the courses they select during registration. 

The Related Arts electives offered consist of semester and year long courses.  See Related Arts electives offered below, and refer to course catalog for course descriptions and academic levels. 
----------------------------------------------------------
Year Long Courses
Band 6
Strings./Orchestra 6
Chorus 6

Semester Long Courses
Art 6
Broadcast Journalism 6
Gateway to Technology Design and Modeling
Computer Tech
Spanish 6
------------------------------------------------------------

Students have two options when requesting Related Arts courses during registration.  They may select three semester long courses or a one year long course and a one semester long course.  See examples of options below:  

Examples of Related Arts selections:

Option 1- Three semester long courses

Art 6  +   Broadcast Journalism 6  +  Gateway to Technology 6

OR

Option 2- One year long course and one semester course


Band 6  +  Art 6

                         Rudolph G. Gordon 6th Grade Registration
                               Important Dates and Information


February 15th RGS Curriculum Night for Rising 6th grade
 During curriculum night, students and parents will have the opportunity to meet our Related Arts team and listen to their presentations on the electives that they will be teaching in 2022-2023. Our School Counselors and Administrations will be reviewing the registration process.

February 28-March 3rd : Rising 6th Grade Student Registration
Registration will be completed with students attending Greenville Country 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: Please be sure you are aware of the deadlines for turning in registration paperwork.


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/guardian's) responsibility to contact the teacher that made the recommendation to discuss the placement.

6th Grade Academic Courses
All rising 6th grade students are required to take English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Physical Education/Health.
In addition students will request either three semester-long related arts courses OR one year-long related arts course and one semester-long related arts course. Placement in English and Math classes are determined by district criteria for each of these classes.  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.

English Requirement (1 required)
GT English
English Studies

Math Requirement (1 required)
Math 6
Math 6/7

Science Requirement (1 required)
Science 6

Social Studies Requirement (1 required)
Social Studies 6

 



Course Descriptions

English
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.
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)
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
Math
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
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
Science
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
Social Studies
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
Arts
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
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
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
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
Foreign Language
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
Physical Education
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
Career and Technology
Title:
GTT6 Design & Modeling
17800000
Course Number:
Unit Credit:
0
Grade Level:
6
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:
Computer Tech 6
17010000
Course Number:
Unit Credit:
0
Grade Level:
6
This course provides the student an opportunity to work with word processing, spreadsheets, and PowerPoint presentations. PREREQUISITE: Keyboarding skills
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
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
Title:
Broadcast Journ 6th
17992100
Course Number:
Unit Credit:
0
Grade Level:
6
In this course, students study journalism in a television broadcast setting. Study includes review of principles of journalism, writing, camera technique, research and interviewing, culminating in regular production of actual programming for in-school television and community viewing. PREREQUISITE: Teacher Recommendation
Title:
Academic Literacy 6th
17992800
Course Number:
Unit Credit:
0
Grade Level:
6
This class will teach strategies and support textbook and print literacy across the curriculum, to include strengthening skills to break down linguistically represented prompts. PREREQUISITE: Teacher Recommendation