6th Grade Elective Courses

HMS Art is a combination of graphic and visual art techniques. Students will experience hands-on projects and (visual) art-making through illustration and animation (graphic). This course is designed to help improve students’ basic art skills, such as drawing, painting, sculpting, designing artwork using various media and techniques, developing students’ creativity and self-expression, and recognizing and using art elements and design principles.

Computer Literacy & Media is a hands-on course focused on building essential computer and digital skills for middle school success. Students learn to think critically about the media they see, including videos, advertisements, social media, and news, while identifying purpose, audience, and persuasion and marketing techniques.

Through a variety of projects, students practice communication, organization, collaboration, and problem-solving. By the end of the course, students will be prepared to use technology confidently, responsibly, and effectively in middle school and beyond. Students will also receive an introduction to media creation in the makerspace/studio at Houston Middle. This course aligns with Tennessee 6-8 Computer Science Standards, particularly in the areas of digital citizenship, media literacy, responsible technology use, and Impacts of Computing.

6th Grade Computer Science is an introductory elective that gives students a hands-on foundation in coding, computational thinking, and problem-solving. Aligned with Tennessee state standards, the course includes interactive projects that help students explore how computing systems work and how computer science connects to the world around them. Students will also learn how to use technology safely and responsibly. No prior experience is needed—just curiosity and a willingness to learn.

This semester-long Digital Art class is designed for incoming 6th graders who are

excited to explore creativity in the digital art world. Students will learn how to use the

app Procreate on the iPad while also practicing real-life drawing skills to strengthen their

artistic foundation. Through fun projects, they will transform their hand-drawn ideas into

vibrant digital artwork, learning techniques like layering, coloring, and design along the

way. By the end of the course, students will have built confidence in their creativity and

developed skills that bring their imagination to life both on paper and on screen.

This elective course will introduce students to the cultural and physical geography of the world’s major regions. Students learn basic geography skills and background knowledge for navigating the world and understanding the relationships among people and places.

This elective course will introduce students to the history of Memphis and Shelby County. Some of the topics covered will include the geography of the area, the founding of Memphis, its role during the Civil War, the Yellow Fever Epidemic, and the civil rights movement. In addition, we will examine the contributions of Memphians in the areas of business, history, medicine, music, politics, and sports. Course-related field trips are planned each semester for this class.

Step into the spotlight with 6th Grade Intro to Performing Arts! This exciting class

introduces students to the world of singing, theatre, and recording. From acting games

and vocal exercises to hands-on experience with sound and stage production, students

will develop confidence and creativity. Whether you love to perform or want to learn

what happens behind the scenes, this class is the perfect place to start!

This course is intended to increase students’ finger dexterity, skill, and proficiencies necessary for quick and accurate information processing on any keyboard. This course provides the keyboarding basics necessary for future academic requirements in middle school/high school. It is geared towards students who are: 1) new to keying or do not key efficiently; 2) looking to increase keying speed and accuracy; or 3) interested in learning a basic overview of Microsoft/Google document processing.

Students will come away from this course with an understanding of how the STEM disciplines work together to investigate the world, define problems, and create optimal solutions to benefit society. For context, students will relate most of their coursework to robotics. Students will gain an understanding of robots as programmable machines with interconnected parts and systems. As students use the engineering design process to experiment and build, they will gain an understanding of the necessary inputs to achieve a desired output.

Survey of World Languages: a multilingual course designed to give students an understanding of a language that they might want to study in the future. Students will learn the basics by combining listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills as well as reflecting on cultural topics such as history and literature.

No previous music experience is required. This is a beginning band class where students will learn the fundamentals of playing their instrument. This course is a prerequisite course to be able to join the 7th Grade Band class. Instruments include flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, bass clarinet, alto sax, trumpet, French horn, trombone, baritone, tuba, and percussion; percussion students will learn drums, mallets, and accessories. They will learn how to read music accurately, develop performance skills on their instrument, and learn how to perform in an ensemble setting. Students in this course will perform in four concerts a year.

The advanced art course is offered to 6th graders interested in studying art methods in more detail in a year-long class. Students will be exposed to more art materials than in the standard semester course. Advanced art class allows more freedom in the creative art-making process than the semester-long course. This course also sets students up for success to continue their art studies in the 7th-grade advanced art course. Students interested in this course must get approval from their current elementary art teacher.

Welcome to 6th Grade Choir! No prior experience needed—just bring your love for

singing! This class is all about learning vocal technique, choral tone, and performance

skills while singing a variety of fun and exciting music. Students will participate in

concerts, field trips, and other special performances throughout the year. Get ready to

build confidence, make new friends, and create unforgettable musical memories!

No previous music experience is required. Students can choose to play the violin, viola, cello, or double bass. Students will play in an ensemble to create performances within the school and outside venues. Students will have opportunities to compete for spots in regional orchestras. In addition to playing their instruments, students will explore music theory to enable them to read, interpret, and write music. Students will also learn to critique performances and recordings and develop a knowledge of music history that connects them to the rest of the world. This course also teaches skills such as punctuality, responsibility, teamwork, and leadership that extend into the professional world.