Rising 6th Grade Transition

1. Read the course descriptions below 

2. Choose Option 1 or 2 and select classes. Note: All students take PE/Health.

3. ALS Counselors will visit elementary schools between April 23-30 to help students register for their classes in Infinite Campus.

Have questions? Our School Counselors are here to help!

Career Exploration: Students will learn about health department careers including nursing, nutrition, environmental health, and health education. They will practice basic hands-on activities that health department professionals use.

Engineering: Discover and use technology, engineering, and design journals and the Engineering Design Process. Construct and test prototypes to various design challenges. Experiment with different types of energy sources.

Keyboarding: Students will learn how to type without looking at the keys and practice correct posture. Students will build speed and accuracy. Students will also learn about code.org. 

Middle School Spanish: In this course, students will be introduced to the study of Spanish. Topics include: pronunciation, greetings, vocabulary, formality, gender and number agreement, numbers to 100, date and time phrases, and weather phrases.

Visual Arts: During the 6th grade art class, students will be introduced to various materials and concepts including, but not limited to, facial proportion, safe materials handling, the Elements of Art and various projects aligned to their other classes as well as historical and cultural art.

Vocal Music: Students will learn solfege and sight singing along with beginning music theory including treble and bass clef notes and dynamic markings. They will prepare several concert pieces, perform a concert with the other grade levels, learn about music from different cultures throughout the world, and begin to develop music listening skills.

AVID: AVID is a course designed to help students be successful in school and in life by using researched based strategies combined with successful mindsets (i.e. Growth Mindset) in all of their classes and work. The AVID course encourages and supports students in researching how to continue their education after high school.  Weekly tutorial sessions, grade sheets and binder checks are just some of the strategies used to help students be successful in their academics in middle school. Students who are chosen for the AVID program have strong academic initiative but may need support to find their true potential. Many are first generation college, low income, a traditionally underserved population or a special circumstance. Most AVID students want academic and emotional support to be successful and have the ability to achieve honors and AP classes later in high school.  Application due March 6, 2026.  Interviews held on March 24, 2026 from 4 - 6 pm. 

Band: No experience needed! The Beginner Band class offers instruction on woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments with a focus on the skills necessary for long-term student success. Fundamentals taught will include proper posture and playing position, development of characteristic tone quality and training in music literacy. Students in the woodwinds section can start with flute or clarinet. Students in the brass section can start with trumpet or trombone.

Band: As band students, we learn to play music together and perform at many exciting events! Everyone should be in band! In 6th grade, students will be able to pick one of the four following instruments: Flute, Clarinet, Trumpet, or Trombone.

You will learn how to play these and then have the opportunity to switch to other instruments like Saxophone, Tuba, Baritone, or Percussion! The GHMS 6th grade band will have two concerts a year. Please note that students are required to obtain their own instrument. The instrument rental program at Music & Arts in Burlington is the easiest to obtain an instrument.

If it is impossible for you to obtain an instrument, please contact Mr. Landess at brad.landess@orange.k12.nc.us.

AVID: Advancement Via Individual Determination. This program introduces 6th graders to lessons involving writing, reading, collaboration, inquiry and organization skills. These skills will work in any of your classes of Math, Science, Social Studies and English Language Arts. AVID provides students two days of tutorials per week with UNC students.

Also we explore the world of college life by enriching your life with field trips. If you are interested in AVID, you must complete the AVID application. Students must also have two teacher recommendations. 

Art: This semester course is filled with projects and activities that will boost your critical thinking habits, improve your collaborative participation, grow your
creativity and develop your communication skills through writing and talking about art. We will focus our exploration of the art world through the Studio Habits. The Elements of Art and Principles of Design will be important aspects of all projects. Students will engage in experiences that encompass art history, art appreciation, art criticism and art production.

Career Explorations: Career Exploration is a fun, hands-on class where students learn about different jobs and discover what they enjoy and are good at. Through projects and teamwork, students practice skills like communication, problem-solving, and working with others. This class helps students start thinking about their future and builds confidence for school, careers, and life.

Chorus: In 6th-grade chorus, students learn the fundamentals of music including music history, how to read music, and how to sing. We will work on developing these skills in a fun and creative environment! There will be multiple opportunities to perform as an ensemble including a Winter Concert and a Spring Concert.

Fundamentals of Biotechnology: Biotechnology is a science elective based on biology (the study of life). Biotechnology uses living systems or
organisms to make products like vaccines and antibiotics. In 6th grade we cover Introduction to Biotechnology and Biotechnology Careers! See you in class!

Keyboarding and Basic Word Processing: This 6th grade elective course is composed of instructional modules designed to provide hands-on instruction in basic keyboarding skills, computer concepts and basic word processing documents.

Spanish: In this course, students are introduced to the Spanish language and the products, practices, and perspectives of the Spanish-speaking world. At the end of the semester, students should be able to: understand individual words, answer basic questions, list/name/identify common things, and write/say a few things about themselves.

Health and Physical Education (Required Elective Course): This course is designed to provide learning experiences that encourage the development of
behaviors that promote a wellness-oriented lifestyle and emphasize the choices and skills essential to a healthy life. This course is divided into two
components: Physical Education and Health. Students will complete health lessons on a weekly basis, which will include the following topics: Drugs, Tobacco, Alcohol, Mental/Emotional Health, Nutrition & and Reproductive Health. The rest of the course will be physical education-related activities. Students will be introduced to various individual/team activities. Skills, rules, strategies & sportsmanship will be covered with a variety of activities!

1. Read the course descriptions below 

2. Choose Option 1 or 2 and select classes. Note: All students take PE/Health.

3. ALS Counselors will visit elementary schools between April 23-30 to help students register for their classes in Infinite Campus.

Have questions? Our School Counselors are here to help!

Biotechnology: It gives students a sampling of the field of biotechnology. Topics include the history of biotechnology, biotechnology careers, cell structure and function, DNA, and genetics. Most work is done with a partner or a small group and includes hands-on activities as well as computer activities.

Engineering: Discover and use technology, engineering, and design journals and the Engineering Design Process. Construct and test prototypes to various design challenges. Experiment with different types of energy sources.

Keyboarding: Students will learn how to type without looking at the keys and practice correct posture. Students will build speed and accuracy. Students will also learn about code.org.

Middle School Spanish: In this course, students will be introduced to the study of Spanish. Topics include: pronunciation, greetings, vocabulary, formality, gender and number agreement, numbers to 100, date and time phrases, and weather phrases.

Visual Arts: During the 6th grade art class, students will be introduced to various materials and concepts including, but not limited to, facial proportion, safe materials handling, the Elements of Art and various projects aligned to their other classes as well as historical and cultural art.

Vocal Ensemble (Semester Long): Students will learn solfege and sight singing along with beginning music theory including treble and bass clef notes and dynamic markings. They will prepare several concert pieces, perform a concert with the other grade levels, learn about music from different cultures throughout the world, and begin to develop music listening skills.

AVID: AVID is a course designed to help students be successful in school and in life by using researched based strategies combined with successful mindsets (i.e. Growth Mindset) in all of their classes and work. The AVID course encourages and supports students in researching how to continue their education after high school. Weekly tutorial sessions, grade sheets and binder checks are just some of the strategies used to help students be successful in their academics in middle school.

Students who are chosen for the AVID program have strong academic initiative but may need support to find their true potential. Many are first generation college, low income, a traditionally underserved population or a special circumstance. Most AVID students
want academic and emotional support to be successful and have the ability to achieve honors and AP classes later in high school.

Band: No experience needed! The Beginner Band class offers instruction on woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments with a focus on the skills necessary for long-term student success. Fundamentals taught will include proper posture and playing position, development of characteristic tone quality and training in music literacy. Students in the woodwinds section can start with flute or clarinet. Students in the brass section can start with trumpet or trombone.