Middle School Curriculum
Mankato Area Public Schools' middle school experience reflects the attributes identified within a middle school model that supports the success of young adolescents. The middle school model establishes a mentor relationship between teacher and student, creates a small community of learners, and implements a flexible interdisciplinary curriculum that encourages active and personalized learning. Mankato middle school students continue to develop their skills and knowledge in the core areas of English Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, Science, and Health.
In addition to the core classes, students have a wide variety of educational experiences in the exploratory classes of Art; Communications; Family and Consumer Science; Project Lead the Way; Physical Education; and Music. Accelerated offerings and differentiated instruction allow students' needs to be met at individualized levels. Our staff works to ensure that all students learn at high levels and meet their fullest potential.To accomplish this, they use ongoing formative assessments and work in Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) to analyze student data to address individual needs.
Philosophy
The philosophical foundation of the middle school model is grounded and centered on what is best for the young adolescent student. In a 1963 address at Cornell University, Dr. William Alexander spoke of a new model of teaching for students between the ages of 10 and 15. This new model called for relevant curriculum and essential learning processes that were developmentally appropriate for the unique needs of this age group. Adopting this philosophy across much of the nation, middle schools have grown and evolved over the past 50 years to become progressive learning environments in the American school experience. The basic foundational elements of an effective education for young adolescents includes providing experiences that are developmentally responsive to their unique needs; appropriately challenging curriculum and learning for all learners; strategically preparing students for their future; and purposely creating an equitable experience for all.
What makes this a successful model of education for young adolescents is a school community that includes adult advocates who are committed to doing what is best for middle level students; guidance and support services that are available to support and reinforce healthy choices; and families who are invited to actively participate in the educational process. The 16 Characteristics of Successful Schools Association for Middle Level Education. (2010). This we believe: Keys to educating young adolescents. Westerville, OH: Association for Middle Level Education. |
Grade 6
In their first year of middle school, 6th graders embark on a new journey in their schooling, and with that come new challenges and changes. In many ways, 6th grade is a year of significant transition for students as they use the skills they have previously learned and apply them to more complex and independent learning in deeper and more rigorous ways. The specific texts and topics studied in 6th grade vary across states, districts, and sometimes schools. Consult your local state standards, school, or teacher for more details regarding the texts and topics your child will be studying. In addition, see the guide below for sample texts recommended by the common core for 6th-8thgraders.
Often, the structure of a school day for 6th graders varies greatly from that of elementary school. Rather than being taught by one (or mainly one) teacher, teachers in middle school usually vary by subject, and the students switch classrooms. With this new structure, students must be more aware of their own schedules and belongings than they ever were in elementary school.
Grade 7
The middle school experience fosters students' academic, social and emotional development. To support students' academic development, they are assigned to teams and receive instruction in the core areas of English Language Arts, mathematics, physical education, science, and social studies within their teams. Differentiated instruction and accelerated offerings allow students' needs to be met at individualized levels. Seventh grade students are provided a variety of learning opportunities with an exploratory focus. Two periods each day are dedicated to exploratory classes. Exploratory classes include Communications; Family and Consumer Science; Gateway to Technology; Health; and a music offering. Students choose between band, orchestra, and vocal music. Self-worth and a sense of belonging are very basic social and emotional needs of middle school students. The Homeroom Teacher/Advisor program provides a setting that strives to meet these needs. This program emphasizes the human relationship skills required for positive interactions. In Homeroom, students have the opportunity to participate in activities designed to develop positive self-image, improve study skills, better peer relationships, and learn cooperative participation and other skills needed to be successful. Homeroom also provides a time for teachers, referred to as teacher/advisors, to be aware of the academic and social progress of their advisees and to interact with them individually. In addition to advisement activities, Homeroom provides a time for student business, school elections, intramural activities, and other special events. Homeroom Teacher/Advisor Program Objectives: •To meet the social and emotional needs of students. |
Grade 8
The middle school experience fosters students' academic, social and emotional development. To support students' academic development, they are assigned to teams and receive instruction in the core areas of English Language Arts, mathematics, physical education, science, and social studies within their teams. Differentiated instruction and accelerated offerings allow students' needs to be met at individualized levels.
Eighth grade students are provided a variety of learning opportunities with an exploratory focus. Two periods each day are dedicated to exploratory classes. Exploratory classes include Communications; Family and Consumer Science; Gateway to Technology; Health; and a music offering. Students choose between band, orchestra, and vocal music.
Self-worth and a sense of belonging are very basic social and emotional needs of middle school students. The Homeroom Teacher/Advisor program provides a setting that strives to meet these needs. This program emphasizes the human relationship skills required for positive interactions.
In Homeroom, students have the opportunity to participate in activities designed to develop positive self-image, improve study skills, better peer relationships, and learn cooperative participation and other skills needed to be successful. Homeroom also provides a time for teachers, referred to as teacher/advisors, to be aware of the academic and social progress of their advisees and to interact with them individually. In addition to advisement activities, Homeroom provides a time for student business, school elections, intramural activities, and other special events.
Homeroom Teacher/Advisor Program Objectives:
•To meet the social and emotional needs of students.
•To encourage student-involvement.
•To provide time to connect with an adult outside of the regular class time.
Middle School Departments
- Art
- Communications
- English Language Arts
- Family & Consumer Science
- Gateway to Technology
- Health
- Mathematics
- Music
- Physical Education
- Science
- Social Studies
- Spanish
Art
Students will:
- understand and use art vocabulary.
- analyze and interpret artwork from a variety of time periods and cultures.
- compare visual arts to other art forms.
- use artistic processes to create a variety of visual art contexts.
- express and communicate ideas using the components of visual arts.
- generate ideas for artistic expression in visual arts.
- make and explain artistic choices in creating visual art.
- use feedback to revise artistic expression in visual art.
Communications
Communications
In Communications, students learn how to give introductory, informative, and persuasive speeches. Cooperative group activities also enhance students’ understanding of the communication process. In the media literacy unit, students evaluate the content and credibility of articles found on the internet and they evaluate and analyze a variety of print and non-print media messages.
Communication 7 is a nine-week course that was created to address two main English curricular areas: Speaking, Listening and Viewing and Media Literacy. Course Objectives SPEAKING, LISTENING AND VIEWING
MEDIA LITERACY
Communication 8 is a nine-week course that was created to address two main English curricular areas: Speaking, Listening and Viewing and Media Literacy. Course Objectives SPEAKING, LISTENING AND VIEWING
MEDIA LITERACY
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English Language Arts
English Language Arts
English 7 In English 7 students develop their comprehension skills by reading and studying a variety of literary genre including fiction and nonfiction. Students expand their reading, listening, and speaking vocabularies through study in Greek and Latin roots, prefixes, and suffixes, content area and academic vocabulary, analogies, similes, and metaphors. They also study grammar through creating informative, expressive and persuasive writing pieces. English 8 In English 8 students continue to develop their reading and writing skills through work that focuses on answering these essential questions:
In addition, 8th grade English builds upon and extends students’ literary analysis skills from seventh grade by using more complex text and writing assignments. |
Family & Consumer Science
Family & Consumer Science
Our world is changing fast. There's always a new and improved gadget to help us keep in touch and stay organized. We're bombarded by messages about what to eat, how to exercise, and what products to buy. As we approach adulthood, how do we learn the skills and savvy to make the right choices? The implementation of our STEAM program allows students the opportunity to learn through real-life applications. Students become engaged in hands-on projects where problem solving, collaboration, and the results of their efforts make the lessons more relevant than a textbook alone ever could. Students create real things that “matter".
Foods and Nutrition Child Development Consumer Studies Interpersonal Relationships and Career Awareness
8th Grade FACS will focus on the following areas: Foods and Nutrition Finance Interpersonal Relationships And Career Goal Exploration |
Gateway to Technology
Gateway to Technology (GTT)
Gateway To Technology’s (GTT) cutting-edge program addresses the interest and energy of middle school students, while incorporating national standards in mathematics, science, and technology. GTT is "activity oriented" to show students how technology is used in engineering to solve everyday problems in units of study. There are currently four instructional units that excite and motivate students to use their imaginations and teach them to be creative and innovative, while gaining the skills they need to develop, produce, and use products and services.
The Gateway To Technology 7 program for seventh graders focuses on showing - not telling- students how engineers use technology to solve everyday problems. The course is comprised of two units that focus on the development of stronger math, science, and technology problem solving skills. Through the Design and Modeling unit students will use geometry, problem-solving, teamwork and project management skills to design and develop product prototypes. Through the Science of Technology unit students design and build projects that teach the principles of motion, such as weight support and energy absorption. These units prepare the students for the elective Gateway to Technology course offered at the 8th grade level. |
Health
Health Education
In Health 7 we will explore a variety of health topics that are very real to 7th grade students. Some of the topics that we will learn about may have an impact on a 7th graders personal life in the future, may have happened in the past or is happening now in the present. Promoting healthy and safe behaviors among students is an important part of the fundamental mission of the Mankato Area Public Schools Health Education. We aim to provide young people with the knowledge and skills they need to become healthy and productive adults. Units Include: Health and Wellness In Health 8 we will explore consequences of daily life choices in regards to personal health and wellness, chemical use, and sexual behaviors, as well as psychological issues such as depression, suicide, and eating disorders. We focus on good decision-making skills with an emphasis on making choices based on an understanding of the life-long consequences.
Personal Health and Wellness Mental Health Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Human Sexuality I Human Sexuality II |
Mathematics
Mathematics
Grade 7 Mathematics Students will be studying Pre-Algebra from Holt McDougal Mathematics Course 3. Pre-Algebra reinforces the use of basic math skills while challenging students to think more abstractly in preparation for Algebra I. This course emphasizes positive and negative rational numbers, exponents, variable expressions, equation solving, functions, proportional thinking, and problem solving. Grade 8 Mathematics This course will cover Algebra I topics. By the end of this course students should be able to understand the language and tools of algebra; perform operations with equations, formulas, proportions and percents; solve, graph and write inequalities; graph, write, and apply general functions; identify characteristics of and use linear functions; solve systems of equations and inequalities; use the properties of exponents and polynomials to solve problems; factor polynomials; identify, graph, and solve quadratic, exponential and radical functions; and analyze data and solve probability problems. |
Music
Music
Orchestra Band Choir |
Physical Education
Physical Education
The mission of MAPS Physical Education is to empower all students with the knowledge and skills to be confident in sustaining a physically active and healthy lifestyle.
The purpose of Physical Education 7 is to provide students with the knowledge and skills to prepare for an active lifestyle. Physical Education 7 will build upon student knowledge and understanding of the F.I.T.T. principles. The course will provide 7th grade students with opportunities for individual and group fitness activities to improve their overall health. The focus in grade seven is on strategizing and energizing. A good planner knows when and where to make adjustments. Good health and fitness contributes to a person’s productivity. Healthy competition can positively affect technique, behavior, attitude, and performance. Sample Weekly Rotation Monday- Weight Room
Schedule – 8th grade PE will alternate quarters with Health. 1st and 3rd Quarter student will have PE and 2nd and 4th student will have Health. |
Science
Science
The 8th grade earth science course is an inquiry and standards based class. Through the use of WICOR strategies, lab investigations and differentiated lessons, students actively engage individually, through small groups and in full class activities. Throughout the year, students ask and investigate scientific questions, acquire a comprehensive scientific vocabulary and engage in note-taking and reciprocal teaching lessons. |
Social Studies
Social Studies
United States Studies 7 follows the new Minnesota Department of Education Social Studies Standards for the 7th Grade. The course covers US history, geography, and economics from 1800 – to the present day. |
Spanish
CONTACT
Department of Teaching & Learning
10 Civic Center Plaza, Suite 3
Mankato, Minnesota 56001
507-387-7353