Incoming 6th Graders

March 5

• Elective Course preview night for current 5th graders and their families, 6:30–8:00 p.m.

March 10

• Course Request Process opens for current 5th graders.
• Fifth Grade Student Visit to Pine Lake, 9:30–11:00 a.m.
• Fifth Grade Parent Night, 6:30–8:00 p.m.

March 20

• Optional Course Request Question and Answer (Q&A) Session for Current 5th Grade Families via Zoom, 1:15–2:00 p.m.

March 22

• Course Request Closes for Current 5th Grade Families, 8:00 p.m.

Welcome to Pine Lake Middle School "Electives Open House"

Please use the following guide as you move throughout the building during the open house. You may also download this information here.

Music Electives:

Trimester Electives:

Trimester Electives are open for you to review at your leisure.

6th Grade Core Course Selection

Our school allows 6th-grade students to choose their core courses in English Language Arts, Math, and Science based on their interests and aspirations. Some courses are more challenging and require strong motivation and work habits. For certain courses, achieving specific levels on the SBA or i-Ready assessments is recommended to ensure success.

4 CORE COURSES

• Math
• Language Arts (LA)
• Science
• Social Studies (SS)

Accelerated Options:

• Math
• Advanced Language Arts
• 7th Grade Earth and Space Science (skip 6th Grade Life Science content)

Note: There is no advanced Social Studies option in middle school.

6th Grade students will select:

Students choose either English Language Arts 6 or Advanced Language Arts 6. Advanced English Language Arts is a program for students which provides additional challenge and rigor in the areas of reading, writing, speaking, listening and language.

ADVANCED LANGUAGE ARTS

Students choosing advanced/accelerated courses should:

• Reflect student’s interest and aspirations in that course of study.
• Have excellent study habits and organizational skills.
• Have strong communication and reading skills for engaging with rigorous material.
• Demonstrate motivation, maturity, perseverance and stamina for learning challenging material.
• Be active participants in all aspects of the classroom, including discussions, group or individual projects.
• Consider the increased time commitment to studies outside of the school Please consider all responsibilities, including sports, music and club affiliations.
• Consider the possibility that grades could be lower than if students took the typical course sequence(s).

6th Grade English Language Arts (KL600)

Learning Recommendations: Completion of 5th Grade, enrolled in 6th Grade.

Description: 6th Grade English Language Arts is aligned with the Washington State Standards and includes novels and the Writing Fundamentals curriculum. Students will explore diverse literary genres by exploring theme and character analysis. Critical thinking and persuasive skills are strengthened. The course provides a framework for understanding narrative structures across various texts and will read the novel, Freak the Mighty. There is an emphasis on empowering students to be effective communicators and analytical thinkers. Through a combination of whole-class instruction and small group workshop experiences, students will sharpen their language arts skills and strengthen self-expression.

6th Grade Advanced Language Arts (KL601)

Learning Recommendations: SBA ELA Score: Level 4. Report Card Grades in Reading and Writing: 4. i-Ready reading score in 5th Grade above 4.00 and reading above grade level.

Description: Advanced 6th Grade ELA is aligned with the Washington State Standards and includes novels and the Writing Fundamentals curriculum. The topics covered are similar to the 6th English Language Arts (see description above) but covered more in depth and requires an increased volume of reading and writing.

For Math, students choose one of 3 math pathways. Middle school pathways are the same at all ISD middle schools. High school offerings are unique at Skyline High School due to the International Baccalaureate Program.

The math class you choose in 6^th grade determines the math courses you take in 7^th and 8^th grade as well as influences your choices for math courses in High School. Use the planning guide and mathematics course sequence to map out your three-year plan for middle school mathematics. We also encourage you to think ahead about the sequence of courses you will want to take in high school, the courses you take now can impact your options later. This way you will know what courses to choose in middle school to be prepared for the high school courses and your future that interest you.

For more information to help choose which path is best for you, see Mathematics Course Sequence above and refer to the Mathematics Frequently Asked Questions below. 

For Science, students choose from the 6th grade Science Pathway I, which starts with Life Science, or Science Pathway II, which skips Life Science and begins with students taking the 7th grade science course, Earth and Space Science. For more information to help choose which path is best for you, see 6th Grade Science.

Science recommendation: 6th grade students generally register for Life Sciences.  Students may take 7th Grade Earth and Space Science only if they plan to register for Math 1/2 or higher. 

Life Science – 6th Grade (KS100)

Learning Recommendations: completion of 5th grade; enrolled in 6th grade

Life Science introduces students to the science lab while studying life science topics. Students learn lab skills such as using a microscope, safely conducting investigations, and working with chemicals and glassware.

Focus Content and Practices:

• Structure and function of cells and organisms
• Inheritance and variation of traits
• Unity and diversity among organisms
• Populations and resources within ecosystems
• Developing and using models
• Planning and carrying out investigations

Earth and Space Science – 7th Grade (KS102)

Learning Recommendations: Life Science

Learning Recommendations for students requesting this course in 6^th grade: Level 4 grades in math and reading, Level 4 on i-Ready and SBA assessments. Students in 6^th grade that request this course should also register for Math 1-2 or higher. Students need to have successfully completed Algebra by 8^th grade to take Chemistry in 9^th grade. These students will skip Life Science and should therefore have a strong background in Life Sciences to be prepared for high school biology in 8^th grade.

Earth and Space Science builds on the lab skills learned in life science while exploring the Earth we live on and Space we live in.

Focus Content and Practices:

• Earth’s constantly changing surface, including volcanoes and earthquakes
• Weather and climate
• The Sun-Earth-Moon system and broader universe
• Defining problems and designing solutions
• Developing and using models

For more information to help choose which elective is best for you, see the Pine Lake Middle School Electives Description.

Taking elective classes allows you to explore new interests and broaden your areas of learning. This can improve the overall quality of your middle school education. School electives prepare you for tomorrow, setting the stage for new interests, college majors, and career paths.

6th Grade Students select either:

One year-long elective (e.g. Choir, Orchestra, Band) OR the trimester-long elective rotation (Intro to Woods, Art, and Computer Science 1)

Year-Long options:

*Please note that year-long elective classes are dependent on staffing and the number of requests.

Beginning Band: Woodwind (KC104)

Description: Students will learn their choice of woodwind instrument in a group setting starting with flute & clarinet with opportunities to switch to a variety of other woodwind instruments mid-year - including oboe, bassoon, bass clarinet, and alto/tenor/baritone saxophone. Students are responsible for their instrument, method book and any music they receive. Home practice is required. Students will also learn the basics of music theory, and music history. Activities include performing at evening concerts and an optional league solo/ensemble contest.

Beginning Brass (KC105)

Description: Students will learn reading strategies for music and develop fundamental skills in tone, technique, and expression. Instruments offered include trumpet, French Horn, trombone, tuba and baritone. Students are responsible for their instrument, method book and any music they receive. Home practice is required. Students will also learn the basics of music theory, and music history. Activities include performing at evening concerts and an optional league solo/ensemble contest.

Chorus 6 (KC200)

Description: This performance-based class is designed for students who enjoy singing a variety of repertoire. Students will learn sight singing, music theory and history. Students will develop or advance their singing through vocal technique. Performance opportunities include, but are not limited to: concerts, assemblies, festivals and community events.

Beginning Orchestra (KC300)

Description: Beginning Orchestra provides students the opportunity to learn the violin, viola, cello or string bass.  This is a performance-based class for students with little or no previous string instrument experience. Students will develop individual technique on their instrument and learn large ensemble performance skills, as well as basic music theory. Activities include performing at three evening concerts and an optional league solo/ensemble festival. Students with previous experience on their instrument may audition for the seventh grade orchestra; auditions take place in the spring.

Trimester-long elective rotation:

Computer Science 1 (KCS678)

Description: This is an introductory computer science course where students will learn the basics of computer coding. Students will learn the Python Coding language and focus on problem solving, design, and programming. Throughout the class, students will gain the skills in code writing, debugging, and analysis. These skills will support students to work independently and in small teams to create games, art projects, and more.

Intro to Woods (KWO060)

Description: Along with safety, students learn how to use a variety of hand tools along with some power tools such as, band saw, belt sanders, drill press and lathe. Students will make six projects in this class: Golf Tee Game, String Art, Small cutting board, Picture frame, Wooden pen, Pencil Holder.

Exploratory Art (KAX060)

Description: This course is designed to give students a wide variety of art experiences, through projects such as charcoal drawing, stamp making, T-shirt design and screen printing, and paper mâché sculpture. Students are introduced to many techniques and produce art in a variety of media.