HARRIS MIDDLE SCHOOL
NORTHEAST ISD
Course Selection Guide
2016-2017 School Year
Middle School Course Requirements
Each student MUST have:
■ 3 years of English (general level or Pre-AP) *Summer English assignment may be requiredmore information to come*
■ 3 years of Reading (general level or Pre-AP) *Summer reading assignment may be
required-more information to come*
NOTE: If a student selects Pre-AP English, they MUST sign up for Pre-AP
Reading. If a student selects ‘regular’ level English, they must also take
‘regular’ level Reading.
■ 3 years of Math (general level or Pre-AP)
■ 3 years of Science (Pre-AP available in 8th Grade)
■ 3 years of History (Pre-AP available in 8th Grade)
■ 1 Fine Arts course (band, choir, orchestra, art or theater arts)
■ 4 semesters of Physical Education, with at least 1 semester taken each year
■ 1 semester of Health in 6th grade
Pre-AP vs General Level Classes
Pre-AP classes are designed prepare students for the college level work of Advanced
Placement (AP) classes in high school. The purpose of AP classes in high school are to
gain college credit for courses by taking the Advanced Placement Exam at the end of
the course.
Pre-AP students are expected to:
■ Use higher level thinking skills
■ Develop successful study skills
■ Comprehend knowledge at a faster pace
■ Commit to a higher rigor and demand in the class
■ Organize time and efforts to successfully complete the course
Courses by Grade
6th Grade will take:
7th Grade will take:
8th Grade will take:
English
English
English
Reading
Reading
Reading
Math
Math
Math
Science
Science
Science
Social Studies
Social Studies
Social Studies
PE/Health
PE
PE/Elective
Fine Art
Elective
Elective
Elective
Elective
Elective
GEAR UP FOR 2016-2017 SCHOOL YEAR
ALL CURRENT 5th, 6th and 7th GRADE
STUDENTS & PARENTS
Date: Tuesday, January 26th
Time: 5:45 PM to 7:30 PM
Location: Harris Cafeteria
You are invited to an exciting evening visiting with elective
teachers and learning more about elective choices for next
year.
Meet Harris Middle School Administration, Counselors, and
Elective Teachers

Overview Presentation in Cafeteria 5:45pm-6:05pm
 Visit Elective Classrooms 6:10pm-7:30pm
6th Grade Electives
In 6th Grade, students will choose one (if taking a full year of PE) or two elective from
the choices below.
■ Band
■ Choir
■ Theater Arts
■ Art
■ AVID
■ Orchestra
■ AIM
All courses above (except for AVID and AIM) will fulfill the state requirement for a fine art credit in
middle school.
AIM
■ AIM stands for Academic & Individual Motivation and is available to 6th grade
students. AIM does not count towards the required Fine Arts credit.
The focus of AIM is to enhance the curriculum by providing enrichment and or support
to the core academic subjects. AIM may also provide students with critical skills such as
study habits, note-taking, test taking strategies, organizational skills, time management,
goal setting, and character education. If time allows, students may also receive study
hall support.
Harris is hoping to offer some specific AIM classes next year such as guitar, career portals and
technology explorations. If your student is interested in one of these, in lieu of AIM, they can indicate
this on the course selection sheet that will be going home. These classes are not guaranteed as they
will depend on staffing and student choices.
Email Ckalis@neisd.net with any
questions concerning AIM.
Art
■ Art is available to 6th graders as a full year course and counts as a required Fine Art
credit.
■ From a Harris MS Art Teacher:
“If you’re interested in learning about drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking and
much more, you should take Art. In Art you will explore the world and develop your
creative and artistic skills through art projects, art history, and art competitions. Big
companies say they want problem solvers and creative people. Art class develops these
skills.”
Email Kfox@neisd.net with any questions concerning Art classes.
AVID
■ AVID is available to 6th grade students and does not count towards the Fine Arts
requirement. If interested, the 5th grade teachers/counselors will have applications
as a completed application is required for consideration into the AVID program.
From the Harris MS AVID teacher:
“AVID is a program designed for students who are willing to work hard, so they can be
taught the skills needed to successfully complete the challenging courses that will
prepare them for four-year universities. Students are to take ownership of their own
learning and futures, hence the acronym Advancement Via Individual Determination.
This program teaches leadership development, organization, critical thinking through
cultural and college field trips, teambuilding, tutorials and many other avenues.”
Please email Lrobin2@neisd.net with any questions about AVID.
Band
■ Band is available to 6th grade students and does count towards the state
required Fine Arts credit.
A note from our Band Director, Mrs. White:
“In band you will learn to play a brass,
woodwind, or percussion instrument that we
will help you choose. You do not need to
know how to play an instrument or even
know how to read music – we will teach you
everything that you need to know in your
band class during the school day. In band,
we have so much fun making music
together as a team – we are a big “band
family,” join us!”
■ Instrument ‘try-outs’ will be held on
Saturday, February 27th, 2016 in
the Harris Middle School band hall.
More information will be sent home
with students soon!
Please email Mwhite2@neisd.net or Nboeni@neisd.net with any questions concerning band.
Choir
■ Choir is available to 6th grade students and does count towards the state required
Fine Arts credit.
■ Beginning choir builds on the
knowledge, skills and
understanding developed in
elementary school. Students in
this course will experience
singing in unison and in parts,
with an emphasis placed on
proper vocal techniques and
sight-reading skills.
Please email Econtre@neisd.net or Jsalda@neisd.net with any Choir questions.
Health
■ Health is a required
course. It includes the
study of the physical and
mental well-being of a
person, nutrition &
fitness, substance abuse,
abstinence education,
disease prevention,
social health, and first
aid/CPR training.
Orchestra
■ Available to 6th grade students and does count towards the state Fine Art
requirement.
■ From the Harris MS Orchestra
Director:
“Orchestra is for students who are
interested in learning to play the
violin, viola, cello or bass. In
orchestra, you will read and write
music, discuss music history and
perform in several concerts
throughout the year. We also do
several optional competitions, trips
and lock-ins that you will have the
opportunity to take part in.”
Please email mturne7@neisd.net
with any Orchestra questions.
Theater Arts
■ Theater Arts is available to 6th grade students and does count towards the Fine Arts
requirement.
From the Harris MS Theater teacher:
“Theatre is a collaborative art that
increases children’s communication
skills, creativity, and empathy for reallife situations. We work together to
learn movement, vocal techniques,
compete at speech contests, and work
together to learn the process of
producing a play and short film.
Students are encouraged to participate
in productions and contests after
school, as well as join the Harris Drama
Club.”
Email kkorth@neisd.net with any questions concerning Theater Arts.
Physical Education
■ NEISD requires 4 semesters of PE, with at least 1 semester taken each year.
■ 6th Graders have 2 options:
1. PE/Health (each for 1 semester)
2. PE (full year) and AIM/Health (each 1 semester)
– If choosing option 1, students will have 2 additional electives in their
schedule
– If choosing option 2, students will have only 1 additional elective as they
must also take Health (state required class)/AIM
***If your student would like to be in Athletics in 7th or 8th grade or plans on
playing a UIL sport, it is HIGHLY recommended that they take a FULL year of
PE in 6th Grade.***
Course Selection Sheets
■ Course Selection Sheets for the 2016-2017 school year will be distributed by the
elementary schools and MUST be returned by February 5, 2016 to your 5th grade
teacher.
■ The 5th Grade teachers/counselor will be discussing the Course Selection Sheet with
students during the school day in January.
■ Failure to return the course selection sheet on time could result in the school
selecting classes for you.
For additional information and assistance, please contact the Harris Counseling Office
at 356-4126, or by e-mail: Cindy Kalisky 6th grade counselor at ckalis@neisd.net.
Upcoming Dates
DATE
January 26, 2016
Tuesday
February 5, 2016
Friday
May 16, 2016
Steubing Ranch
Northern Hills
Fox Run
EVENT
LOCATION
TIME
Harris Middle School
Elective Showcase
Harris Middle School
Cafeteria
5:45 P.M. to
7:30 P.M.
Deadline for Course Selection Sheets to be
returned to 5th Grade Teacher
5th Grade Elementary
Teacher
3:30 P.M.
5th Grade Field Trip to tour Harris Middle School.
Harris Middle School
May
16-17
Harris 6th Grade Camp
Harris Middle School
TBA
Parents & students meet elective teacher & learn
about different elective options available at
Harris MS.
May 17, 2016
Longs Creek
Stahl
August 2016**