- Mounds View Public Schools
- Overview
Curriculum & Assessments
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Curriculum
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In Mounds View Public Schools, we are driven by the commitment to prepare all students for opportunities of their choice after high school. We believe in educating the whole child. Therefore, student connectedness is foundational to our work. It is important students feel welcomed and encouraged. Every student will have opportunities to develop strong, trusting relationships with staff as we work together to accomplish instructional goals.
In Mounds View Public Schools, we provide standards-based instruction to students. The Minnesota Department of Education dictates standards by subject area. Within the classroom, differentiated instruction occurs to personalize learning for each student. Teachers use a variety of instructional strategies to ensure all students achieve at the highest level possible.
Elementary Schools
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In Mounds View Public Schools, we believe elementary school provides a foundation for lifelong success. Beginning in kindergarten, students build the skills necessary for success in and out of the classroom. We offer a comprehensive approach to student learning focused on building skills within core subject areas while also growing their social-emotional intelligence. Students learn critical thinking skills and academic behaviors that serve them throughout their educational experience.
During elementary school in Mounds View Public Schools, children will have instruction in:
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Studies
- Art
- Music
- Physical Education
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The Mounds View Public Schools literacy experience fosters life-long readers and writers who engage in real reading and writing for real purposes. Students are engaged in authentic reading and writing, worthwhile literacy tasks and accountable conversations across all content areas. All students will see themselves as readers and writers and value their continuous growth in those areas. There is a balance between whole group instruction, small group instruction, and independent practice.
From 2020 English Language Arts Standards Minnesota Department of Education, pg. 2
The organization and structure of the standards communicates how ELA education is conceptualized for Minnesota students. The standards are organized into three strands:
- Reading – Taking in information from a wide variety of sources through reading, listening, and viewing.
- Writing – Sharing information with a variety of audiences through writing, speaking, and presenting.
- Listening, Speaking, Viewing, and Exchanging Ideas – Communicating and collaborating with others through speaking, listening, and viewing.
Core Resources:
- Units of Study for Teaching Reading- Lucy Calkins/Teachers College
- Units of Study: Phonics - K-2
- Phonics, Spelling, and Word Study - Fountas and Pinnell - Grade 3, Grade 4 (2022-23)
- EZ Write - K-1
- Heggerty for Phonemic Awareness - K, 1st grade (2022-23)
- Decodable texts (2023-24)
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We are aware of the science of reading information and have made shifts based on this information.
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A full review of the core resources will be part of the process to implement new 2025-26 standards from the Minnesota Department of Education.
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At Mounds View Public Schools, the math experience ensures that each student has access to high quality mathematics instruction and understanding. Teachers meet the unique needs of each student by engaging them in critical thinking, problem solving, and discussion. Students will work collaboratively to persevere when solving complex problems. We are committed to building a strong conceptual foundation so that each student has opportunities at the secondary level to be successful in the math pathway of their choice. Each student will see themselves as mathematicians and be able to make mathematical connections to the world in which they live.
The Minnesota Academic Standards in Mathematics are organized by grade level into four content strands:
- Number and Operation
- Algebra
- Geometry and Measurement
- Data Analysis and Probability
Core resource: Everyday Math
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At Mounds View Public Schools, the standards-based science curriculum fosters the natural curiosity children have. Students will ask scientific questions about the world around them and investigate how and why things work the way they do. They will collect and analyze data to construct explanations for what they investigate and experience. Using an inquiry model and hands-on learning, students develop the ability to use science practices to independently explore and investigate scientific phenomena.
The Minnesota Academic Standards in Science are organized by grade level into four strands:
- Exploring phenomena or engineering problems
- Looking at data and empirical evidence to understand phenomena or solve problems
- Developing possible explanations of phenomena or designing solutions to engineering problems
- Communicating reasons, arguments and ideas to others
Resources used: Mystery Science, Star Lab
MN State Standards Note - We are implementing the 2020 standards with full implementation in the 2024-2025 school year.
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At Mounds View Public Schools, we believe in developing students to become informed citizens who are able to participate in a democratic society. Instruction focuses on: inquiry, critical thinking, problem solving, and communication.
The Minnesota Academic Standards in Social Studies are organized by grade level into four strands:
- Citizenship and government
- Economics
- Geography
- History
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At Mounds View Public Schools, the visual arts curriculum is delivered through instruction in art and/or music. It is grounded in MN State Standards and provides students with the opportunity to explore different materials and technical skills. Students will create and share a variety of artwork throughout their time in elementary school.
Students grow as musicians by creating, analyzing, and performing musical pieces from many different cultures while developing their creative potential. In 4th grade, students may enroll in orchestra. In 5th grade, students may enroll in orchestra and/or band.
From 2018 Arts Standards Minnesota Department of Education:
Artistic literacy, which includes visual and performing arts, is the ability to combine foundational knowledge and skills in an art form with four processes fundamental to the arts:
- Creating
- Performing or Presenting
- Responding
- Connecting
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At Mounds View Public Schools, physical education is an integral part of a child’s education. We believe in promoting social development, mental health, and lifelong physical activity by providing opportunities that emphasize teamwork, personal and team achievement, and character.
The 2018 Standards include grade-level benchmarks for each of the five standards that address:
- Competency in motor skills and movement patterns.
- Application of knowledge of concepts, principles, strategies and tactics to movement and performance.
- Demonstration of knowledge and skills to achieve and maintain physical fitness and physical activity.
- Demonstration of responsible personal and social behavior that respects self and others.
- Recognition of the value of physical activity for health, enjoyment, challenge, self-expression, and social interaction.
Middle Schools
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The middle school model in Mounds View Public Schools provides a wide range of educational experiences to 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. Every student has a Personal Learning Plan focused on post-secondary success. The comprehensive, standards-based curriculum includes math, social studies, language arts, and science, as well as allied (non-core) classes such as art, Spanish, integrated sciences, health and physical education, coding, and music. Middle School is a place where students link to the larger real world.
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The Mounds View Public Schools literacy experience fosters life-long readers and writers who engage in real reading and writing for real purposes. Students are engaged in authentic reading and writing, worthwhile literacy tasks and accountable conversations across all content areas. All students will see themselves as readers and writers and value their continuous growth in those areas. There is a balance between whole group instruction, small group instruction, and independent practice.
From 2020 English Language Arts Standards Minnesota Department of Education, pg. 2
The organization and structure of the standards communicates how ELA education is conceptualized for Minnesota students. The standards are organized into three strands:
- Reading – Taking in information from a wide variety of sources through reading, listening, and viewing.
- Writing – Sharing information with a variety of audiences through writing, speaking, and presenting.
- Listening, Speaking, Viewing, and Exchanging Ideas – Communicating and collaborating with others through speaking, listening, and viewing.
Each standard will have one to four benchmarks that are grade-level specific. The benchmarks are placed at the end of the grade level where mastery is expected with the recognition that a progression of learning experiences in earlier grades builds the foundation for mastery later on.
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At Mounds View Public Schools, the math experience ensures that each student has access to high quality mathematics instruction and understanding. Teachers meet the unique needs of each student by engaging them in critical thinking, problem solving, and discussion. Students will work collaboratively to persevere when solving complex problems. We are committed to building a strong conceptual foundation so that each student has opportunities at the secondary level to be successful in the math pathway of their choice. Each student will see themselves as mathematicians and be able to make mathematical connections to the world in which they live.
The Minnesota Academic Standards in Mathematics are organized by grade level into four content strands:
- Number and Operation
- Algebra
- Geometry and Measurement
- Data Analysis and Probability
Core resource:
- 6th Grade Standards: Everyday Math
- 7th and 8th Grade Standards: Big Ideas
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At Mounds View Public Schools, the standards-based science curriculum fosters the natural curiosity children have. Students will ask scientific questions about the world around them and investigate how and why things work the way they do. They will collect and analyze data to construct explanations for what they investigate and experience. Using an inquiry model and hands-on learning, students develop the ability to use science practices to independently explore and investigate scientific phenomena.
The Minnesota Academic Standards in Science are organized by grade level into four strands:
- Exploring phenomena or engineering problems
- Looking at data and empirical evidence to understand phenomena or solve problems
- Developing possible explanations of phenomena or designing solutions to engineering problems
- Communicating reasons, arguments and ideas to others
Resources used: STEMScopes
MN State Standards Note - We are implementing the 2020 standards with full implementation in the 2024-2025 school year.
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At Mounds View Public Schools, we believe in developing students to become informed citizens, who are able to participate in a democratic society. Instruction focuses on: inquiry, critical thinking, problem solving, and communication. Lessons at each grade level are grounded in MN State standards.
The Minnesota Academic Standards in Social Studies are organized by grade level into four strands:
- Citizenship and government
- Economics
- Geography
- History
Resources Used:
- 6th Grade Standards: Northern Lights
- 7th Grade Standards: History Alive!
- 8th Grade Standards: Geography Alive!
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At Mounds View Public Schools,the visual arts curriculum is delivered through instruction in art and/or music. It is grounded in MN State Standards and provides students with the opportunity to explore different materials and technical skills. Students will create and share a variety of artwork throughout their time in elementary school.
Students grow as musicians by creating, analyzing, and performing musical pieces from many different cultures while developing their creative potential. Band, Orchestra, and Choir are elective courses at the middle school level.
From 2018 Arts Standards Minnesota Department of Education:
Artistic literacy, which includes visual and performing arts, is the ability to combine foundational knowledge and skills in an art form with four processes fundamental to the arts:
- Creating
- Performing or Presenting
- Responding
- Connecting
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At Mounds View Public Schools, physical education is an integral part of a child’s education. We believe in promoting social development, mental health, and lifelong physical activity by providing opportunities that emphasize teamwork, personal and team achievement, and character.
High Schools
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Mounds View Public Schools recognizes that every student has different academic and social needs. As a result, students are provided with a variety of programs, courses, and services tailored to meet these needs. This includes over 200 course offerings at the high school level.Every student develops a Personalized Learning Plan with their dean and has access to post-secondary planning tools. Students also have the opportunity to earn college credit while in high school.
These are the minimum number of credits required to graduate from high school:
- English - 4 credits
- Social Studies - 3.5 credits
- Mathematics - 3.0 credits
- Science - 3.0 credits
- Physical Education/Fitness for Life - 0.5 credits
- Health - 0.5 credits
- Fine Arts - 1.0 credit
- Electives - 6.5 credits
Students are required to complete at least 22 credits to graduate.
