Academics

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 communicate 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.

Core Resources

• MN State Standards

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 succeed in their chosen math pathway. 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 Resources

• Amplify Desmos Math is used in grades 6-8 as the core resource.

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

Core Resources

• STEMScopes
• MN State Standards  Note - We are implementing the 2020 standards with full implementation in the 2024-2025 school year.

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

Core Resources

• 6th Grade Standards: Northern Lights
• 7th Grade Standards: History Alive!
• 8th Grade Standards: Geography Alive!
• MN State Standards

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 middle 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

Core Resources

• MN State Standards

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.

Core Resources

• MN State Standards

The STEAM Framework

High Performing Learners