Gorzycki Middle School7th/8thGrade Course Descriptions

Detailed descriptions of course offerings are available in the Austin ISD Secondary School Information Guide. The guide is available online at

Required Courses:

All students should select only one course offering (R for Regular or H for Pre-AP) for each of the core subject areas of English, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies.

Students identified as Gifted/Talented must be registered for Pre-AP classes in the area(s) in which they have been identified in order to maintain G/T designation. For placement in Algebra, students must meet eligibility requirementswhich consist oftaking Advanced Math in 6th and 7th grades or scoring 80% on a credit by exam test for 8th grade math. Grades earned in this course are included in the high school grade point average.

All students will be part of an EXCEL elective. Four days a week is tutoring and/or study hall. Friday students will receive a Social Emotional Learning (SEL) lesson.

It is required that students who did not meet minimum expectation on the STAAR Reading/ Math test enroll in an intervention class to prepare for success on the STAAR test. Counselors work with students to determine the best placement in a required intervention course.

Keyboarding:Is a one-semester high school credit course in which students apply technical skills usingbusiness applicationsoftware. Students will learn skills using word processing, visual presentation, and spreadsheet applications while alsolearning Internet search andfile management techniques. A proficiency exam is offered to students in 6th and 7th grade to substitute for this requirement. The following courses also fulfill a student’s keyboarding requirement;:Video Game Design, Media Production, Graphic Animation and Design, Business Careers or Intro to Journalism, you are considered proficient by district standards,and do not have to take Keyboarding.

Required Electives:

All students are required to have one semester of Physical Education during the 7th and 8thgrade year, unless the District Athletic Offices grant Category II waiver. Students must apply for the waiver through the District Office (see the AISD website for more information). The completed waiver packet must be approved in the District office on or before the first day of each semester. For all Physical Education/Dance classes students will be required to purchase a specific uniform.

Physical Education: In grade 6-8 students acquire the knowledge and skills for movement and physical activity that provide the foundations for enjoyment, continued social development through physical activity, and access to a physically active lifestyle. Students learn about functions of the body, learn to measure their own performance more accurately, and develop plans for improvement.

Athletics: This classis designed for students who want to compete in team sports for GMS. Requires physical.

Fall semester sports are: Football, Volleyball and Girls’ Basketball.

Spring semester sports are: Boys’ Basketball and Track.

Coaches’ approval required. Choosing the Athletics class does not determine who makes the actual team. Coaches will determine the final selection. There will be no schedule change out of athletics for students who do not make the team. Students can play sports even though they are not in Athletics.

Sports Strength and Conditioning: The goal of the class is to teach young boys and girls how to train. The course will teach students ways to improve their speed, strength, change of directions, power, explosion, flexibility, core drills, and strength training. Requires physical.

Dance: This is a semester long technique-based curriculum designed to provide students the opportunity to explore the various forms of traditional & contemporary dance. Students will learn the major bones and muscles of the body as well as the history of dance techniques.

Tigerettes:This is a yearlong advanced level performance-based dance class. Selection is by an audition process only.

Tiger Dancers: This is a yearlong intermediate/advanced level performance-based dance class. Selection is by an audition process only.

Tiger Drill: This is a yearlong intermediate level performance-based dance class. Selection is by an audition process only.

Fine Arts:

Art: This class builds skills in drawing, painting, printmaking, clay, sculpture, and digital media. Explore Art History from various cultures. Students develop high level thinking skills using the critical process to analyze their work and others. The class focuses on building upon basic skills to express individual creativity and includes an Art Museum field trip. Students are placed in Art based on the number of years taken in middle school.

Band: Band provides students with continued instruction on a chosen band instrument. Students will be placed in a specific band class based on their current skill level and previous experience.

Steel Drums: This class is devoted to the study and performance of a wide array of musical styles on a set of instruments native to the Caribbean, but made famous through performances all over the world. In this class students will refine their skills in music counting, learn to play the steel drum, and perform music in many different styles! Prerequisite – students must have at least one year of band or orchestra to be considered.

Jazz Band:This class is devoted to the study and performance of jazz. Students joining this class will have the opportunity to learn about famous jazz musicians, perform jazz standards, compose music, and learn to improvise over many different scales and chord progressions. Students must have at least one year of band or orchestra experience and be currently enrolled in band or orchestra in order to join this class.

Choir: This class focuses on vocal techniques, music literacy, & performance skills for the developing and advanced singer. Boys are placed in a separate choir from the girls, but both, boys and girls, will sometimes perform and travel together. Public performance is a required component of this course. Students wishing to participate in Glee must be enrolled in a choir class. Girls wishing to be placedin intermediate or advanced choir must audition & mustcurrently be enrolled in choir.

Piano: Thisis a semestercourse for students who want to learn how to play piano. Prior musical training is not necessary for this course. However, students with prior piano experience are welcome to take thiscourse to advance their current level of skills. Students will learn how to read music, will learn music theory, & will perform selections they have learned for their class each week. Students do not need to have a Piano at home all learning and practice will be in the classroom.

Orchestra: This is the continued instruction on a chosen orchestral instrument. Students will be placed in a specific orchestra class based on their current skill level and previous experience.

Guitar: Thisis a course for students wishing to learn the very basics of classical guitar. Students will learn to read easy music on their instrument and gain an understanding of how to play the guitar. Classical music will be the focus of this elective and no previous musical experience is necessary. There will be a set of guitars to use in class but if students wish to practice at home they will need to acquire their own instrument

Intermediate Guitar: The course is open to all students who have had one semester of guitar experience. By the end of the year, students will have the ability to play chords, scales, and be able to read music fluently in multiple positions. Students will learn a number of popular songs and will continue to learn the basic classical guitar techniques for a lifetime of music making. There will be a set of guitars to use in class, but if students wish to practice at home they will need to acquire their own instrument and footstool which is highly recommended.

Theatre Arts: Thisis course with a focus on developing acting and directing skills. Projects include monologues, duet acting scenes, musical mime and a class production. Students will be expected to perform as a requirement of the class.

Intro to Technical Theatre: Thiscourse introduces students to the basics of light, sound, set and costume design through a hands-on project approach.

Theatre Production: Thiscourse with a focus on producing scenes and plays. Students will apply theatre skills to productions. Students are expected to participate in the AISD one act play festival and commit to after school rehearsals. Selection is by an audition process. Prerequisite: One full year of theatre arts.

Movie Makers: Students are giventhe opportunity to get involved in all aspects of filmmaking: design, production, acting, observation, and analysis while working on PSAprojects and a short film.Students study the history of film by watching, discussing, and reproducing the ways great filmmakers achieve the effects that captivate audiences. Students gain a greater appreciation for the world of filmmaking and learn the craft needed to create a film.

Career and Technology Education (CATE) Classes:

The following CATE courses may require a materials fee.

# Courses substituted for keyboarding.

Skills for Living: This class not only introduces you to the wonderful world of cooking, but also takes you into everyday living situations you are sure to encounter! These hands on activities will assist in teaching you about communication & family, clothing care (ironing, sewing on a button, etc.), budgeting your money, child care, nutrition, and cooking. While providing you with essential living skills, you will also be introduced to the many careers the Family and Consumer Science field has to offer.

Culinary Arts: Do you love to cook? Are you always trying out new recipes or should you be on the next episode of Cupcake Wars? In this elective, you will get hands-on training on the how “to’s” of cooking, baking, & food styling various meals & desserts. Culinary Arts allows students to cook or bake every week, giving you the opportunity to explore career opportunities the hospitality field has to offer! You will also apply the principles of nutrition and wellness to create healthier versions of favorite foods. Safety and use of proper skills are heavily emphasized in this course.

Engineering Design Challenges:Construct a balsa bridge that holds 1000 times its weight, explore 3D modeling, compete in the straw rocket challenge, and design egg drop containers that can survive a 100 foot slingshot launch. In Engineering Design Challenges, students gain practical experience with various technical fields and their associated careers through hands-on building and problem solving projects.

Robotics Careers: Is an introduction to engineering using Lego Mindstorms NXT robots. In learning what robots are capable of, and how to program their behaviors, students will learn key concepts in both computer programming and engineering. While learning, you will compete in the various challenges of the Robot Olympics with events ranging from ball launching to remote-controlled robot sumo.
Construction and Manufacturing Careers(Woodshop): Do you like building things? Do you like working with tools? This course is designed to enable students to investigate careers in the construction and manufacturing industry while learning practical woodworking, building, and repair skills they can use now. In our Woodshop, students will be provided with opportunities to learn basic woodworking techniques, including concepts of safety, working with hand and power tools, and basic design and construction techniques. Safety is the top priority and is heavily emphasized.

Rocketry, Aerospace, and Transportation: Imagine, invent, and build unique rockets, gliders, planes, and cars. Harness wind tubes, propeller power, and high pressure air propulsion as you design, fabricate, modify, and race a series of wooden models and self-propelled rolling and flying vehicles. Learn to safely and accurately use tools to cut, shape, sand, and complete your projects to a high level of quality. Perfect for developing imagination, design, and hand skills.

Video Game Design #: Love playing video games? Do you have an idea for the next great game? In Video Game design you’ll learn the basics of computer programming while exploring the tools and technology used to create various types of computer games including 2D, 3D, mobile, RPG, and even Kinect (body-controlled) games. We will experience the complex process of game creation from start to finish. No programming knowledge is required for the course; you will learn as you go.

Graphic Animation and Design #: Have you ever wanted to create that perfect looking game character or design scenes and images like they do at Pixar? In this class you'll learn how to use several graphic design programs that can be used to create simple custom made screen savers to complex video game images. We utilize a Photoshop like program called Gimp, and other programs such as: Inkscape, Smith Micro Animator and Blender a 3D render program.

Interior/Fashion Design: Do you have a passion for fashion or find yourself creating things and diving into the newest DIY projects for decorating? Welcome to Interior/Fashion Design! During this semester elective, you will gain hands-on experience creating a unique 3D living space designed by you, and design & sew clothes/accessories using the elements & principles of design. While designing and creating, you will also practice the basics of machine/hand sewing! This is an exciting and creative class that will also introduce you to various careers Interior & Fashion Design has to offer.

Business Careers #: Do you enjoy watching “Shark Tank”, or think about starting your own business? Students can explore the path for turning their own ideas into realities, while learning basic entrepreneurial concepts. At the end of the course, students will have a chance to pitch their products to our own “Tiger Tank” panel of judges.

Exploring Careers: In this elective, students will take interest inventories, learn about their skills and talents, and then discover exciting careers that match their abilities. They will explore different career clusters and learn how to start preparing for a great career, while they’re still in middle school.

Investigating Careers in Green Agriculture: Raise and care for chickens! Grow your own salad! Design a butterfly garden! Green Agriculture is an entry level course that allows students to explore all areas of the AG Industry. Areas of focus include animal husbandry, landscaping, gardening and career exploration. Students will be involved in small, hands-on projects. These projects include, but are not limited to, handling and care of chickens and other farm animals, gardening, and landscape design and implementation.

Introduction to Journalism #:Wondering what it takes to designthe yearbook, edita video broadcast, or take better photos? Students will use technology to learn and apply the principles of media development.

Media Production #:Learn the ins and outs of integrated media, including video broadcast, newspaper, and online. This class creates all the content for Gnasher News broadcast, Digit newspaper and theDigit.Press website. Students will film, interview,write news stories, take photos and produce pieces on a variety of topics using visual, print and electronic media.Students in the class must be in good academic and disciplinary standing with the school.

Yearbook:Application at yearbook.gmstigers.org. Priority for those with Introduction to Journalism, Media Production or Yearbook experience.Work as a team to publish The Roar, Gorzycki’s yearbook. Students develop skills in news judgment, photography, writing, graphic design, editing, interviewingand marketing.

World Languages:

Spanish- Foreign Language:This is a high school credit and level course that covers the first year of the chosen language over two years at middle school. A commended score on the STAAR reading test is recommended before taking a foreign language. This course requires daily homework and practice. Grades earned in this course are included in the high school grade point average.

Due to District staffing allocations, students may not receive their first choices for elective classes and some classes may not be available due to staffing constraints.