Additional Information - Curriculum

English Language Arts

The English language arts involve appreciating, integrating, extending, refining, evaluating, and applying what is learned from engaging with oral, visual, and written texts for authentic purposes in multiple settings including home, school, community, and workplace. The English language arts are comprised of both the processes of listening, speaking, reading, writing, and viewing and the content of the oral, visual, and written texts that promote connections with other disciplines as well as the world outside the classroom.

Significant ideas, values, experiences, cultural perspectives, and moral questions define the content of text. Insights from texts help us shape our personal vision of the world; understand our own cultural, linguistic, and literary heritages; and value the diversity and commonalities of local, state, national, and world communities. The ultimate goal for all English language arts learners is optimal literacy in personal, social, occupational, and civic contexts.

Science

The Michigan Science Standards (MSS), adopted in November 2015, represent a significant change in science teaching and learning as it requires a three-dimensional approach weaving together the disciplinary core ideas (content), with the cross cutting concepts, and science and engineering practices. There is an increased focus on students’ abilities to deeply understand key scientific concepts and apply those to life. Equity and opportunity were key considerations in the development of the MSS and a Framework for K-12 Science Education. Ensuring every student has the opportunity to deeply understand key scientific concepts and connect that learning to a world beyond their school is a priority. Providing courses and course sequences that align with standards ensures an equal opportunity for all students to learn. The MSS are built on the foundation of the Framework for K-12 Science Education and the Next Generation Science Standards, which are both rooted in providing greater access and equity for all students.

Social Studies

The goal of the Midland Public Schools Social Studies program is to develop responsible citizens by helping students acquire knowledge and develop critical thinking skills. An understanding of the world around them is essential to every student’s success, and the diverse resources of MPS can help student achieve such awareness.

We are currently using the Michigan Academic Standards which should be approved by the State of Michigan in the next few months.

Art

Art is an integral and unique part of a child’s core education, developing curiosity, creativity, critical thinking and problem solving skills through study, creation and reflection. At Midland Public Schools, the art department strives to teach students to be willing to explore different options, tackle open-ended challenges, take risks, make choices and refine possible solutions through exploration of art. We strive to cultivate self-discipline and persistence and become creative problem solvers. Our mission is to prepare students to be appreciators and supporters of the arts as they become contributing citizens of the community.

Overview of Elementary Art Classes and Curriculum:

At the elementary level (grades K-5th grades), students will have an opportunity to learn art every week in a 45-minute art class. Although individual projects and assignments will vary from building to building, all students will learn and create art based on both 2D materials (pencil, crayons, markers, oil pastels, chalk pastels and colored pencils), 3D materials (such as clay and/or paper mache) and fibers (sewing and weaving). The goal at the elementary level is to teach each student the Principles and Elements of Art as well as growing their love and passion for art in upcoming years.

Primary Years Programme (PYP) is taught at the elementary level through a concept-based curriculum that ties art to everyday learning in the classroom. It also encourages student-led projects and working collaboratively with classmates. Among many other things, the PYP program helps develop the child into a well-rounded student, both emotionally and physically.

Overview of Middle School Art Classes and Curriculum:

Sixth Grade Art: This class is offered to students for one, two, or three days a week for a semester or all year. Students have the opportunity to try out two or three electives. Art offers them a creative outlet to explore different 2D & 3D mediums. This exploratory class provides an introduction to drawing, watercolor painting, perspective, ceramics, oil pastel, and many other art mediums.

Seventh Grade Art: This class is offered to students for one semester. They have the choice of up to four different electives during the school year. Art offers them the opportunity to practice more of what they learned in 6th grade while also increasing their skills in new mediums. Students are introduced to acrylic paint, two-point perspective, and types of carving. While this is still an exploratory class, students are able to practice and improve their skills.

Eighth Grade Art: This class is offered to students for one semester or all year. Most students choose to take the full-year course because they are able to experience the full range of mediums and processes. They also develop their skills in art and are able to see the growth from the beginning to the end of the year. Students will try out more advanced techniques with colored pencils, watercolors, acrylic paints, and ceramics. This is a great opportunity and class before taking any art courses at the high school level.

Overview of High School Art Classes and Curriculum:

Beginning Art: This course is offered to students for their first year of high school art. It also satisfies the VPAA credit for high school graduation. This course covers a broad range of 2D, 3D and screen based art mediums. This broad range helps students select an art course for their second year. Many students excel in either 2D or 3D mediums and can decide if they want to improve their skills further with an advanced class. With a teacher’s recommendation, students can enroll in Advanced 2D Design and/or Advanced 3D Design. If they feel they need another year to further develop their skills, they can choose Intermediate Art.

Intermediate Art: This course is offered to students for their second year of art. It can also satisfy their credit for a second year of a world language for high school graduation. Students get another year of a broad range of 2D, 3D, and screen based art mediums. They continue to work on their skills and can take an advanced course the following year if they choose.

Advanced 2D Design: This course is offered to students after they have successfully completed Beginning and/or Intermediate Art. This course looks more in depth at drawing, painting, and print-making media. Students create a portfolio and practice skills that they will use either in a more advanced class or after graduation at the collegiate level. This course also satisfies their credit for a second year of a world language for high school graduation.

Advanced 3D Design: This course is offered to students after they have successfully completed Beginning and/or Intermediate Art or after taking Advanced 2D Design. This course looks more in depth at sculpture, ceramics, casting, and carving. Students create a portfolio and practice skills that they will use either in a more advanced class or after graduation at the collegiate level. This course also satisfies their credit for a second year of a world language for high school graduation.

Commercial Art (DHS): This course is offered to students after they have completed either Advanced 2D or 3D Design. It is an Honors course as well as a one or two year course. It is currently only offered at H.H. Dow High school, but can be offered at Midland High School if enough students enroll. This course looks more in depth at graphic design, print-making, screen-printing, and product design. Students practice skills that are directly relevant to graphic design and production of goods. Many second year students create materials for members of the community.

IB/AP Visual Art: This course is offered to students after they have completed either Advanced 2D or 3D Design. It is an Honors course as well as a one or two year course. It is currently offered at both high schools. Students have the opportunity to earn college credit in this course. AP testing is available for first or second year students in AP 2D Art and Design, AP 3D Art and Design, or AP Drawing. IB testing is available for IB SL (first year students) if they are diploma candidates or IB HL (second year students) for diploma candidates or individual certificate students. (Please note that testing is available for IB SL students who are not diploma candidates, but it is discouraged because universities only accept IB HL credit.) Students can also take this course and not test. They will have the opportunity to build an advanced portfolio for applying to colleges, universities, and art programs of their choice. Day to day activities include working on a sketchbook and their studio work as part of their grade. Students who do not test still experience the rigor of the course, but do not submit their work at the end of the year.

AP Visual art offers an opportunity for students to earn college credit in high school. Students can choose between IB SL Visual Art, IB HL Visual Art, AP 2D Art and Design, AP 3D Art and Design, and AP Drawing to earn college credit. Each of their prior art classes helps them prepare for the portfolio they will eventually submit.

Career and Technical Education

The career and technical education programs follow the Michigan Career Pathways model, which focuses students on making informed career preparation decisions for college and career success. Career and technical education programs provide rigorous and relevant learning that enables students to effectively compete in an expanding global economy. Although each program offers unique opportunities, the hallmark of the career and technical education is to provide students with the technical skills, relevant academic skills, career employability skills and 21st century skills needed for success in both college and career. In order to best prepare students for post-secondary success, career and technical education programs have begun to offer free articulated college credit specific to the technical program. Additionally, specific programs have met the standard to offer the certain academic credits, specifically for the visual, performing, and applied arts and the fourth year related math credit requirement. Please check individual course descriptions for more information located in the Secondary Course Offering Guide.

Health & Physical Education

Midland Public School curriculum is aligned with the guidelines developed by the Michigan Department of Education and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, approved by the State Board under Section 1278b.

Health Education is a continuum of learning that enables people to make health-enhancing decisions. In a coordinated school health education program, health literacy is defined as the capacity of individuals to obtain, interpret and apply health information in ways that promote personal, family, and community health. 

Music

Music is an important part of the lives of all people in a global society, and it can have a positive effect on the lives of students through dynamic instruction.

Our music program includes general music classes for elementary students along with elective band, orchestra, and choral classes for students in grades 5-12.

Marching Bands

Both of our high schools offer large marching bands of more than 200 students. These groups perform at home football games and in community parades.

The marching band is the focus of the first nine weeks of high school instruction. It is usually preceded by a week-long band camp prior to the start of the school year.

Singing Opportunities

All students in grades 1-5 receive general music instruction once a week for 35 minutes. In fifth and sixth grade students may also opt to participate in choir, which meets once a week for 35 minutes in fifth grade and one hour in sixth grade.

In grades 7-12 choirs meet daily as one of the students regular classes much like band and orchestra classes.

Advanced Opportunities

We offer small ensembles such as jazz ensembles, chamber music groups, and solo opportunities. These programs are often involved with the MSVMA and MSBOA small group festivals such as Solo & Ensemble activities.

Defined Curriculum

Our curriculum is aligned to the National Standards for Music Education.

We strive to ensure that students learn concepts beyond the performing skills though performing skills will always be the vehicle through which concepts are measured and assessed.

World Language

Program Statement

Language and communication are at the center of the human experience. The United States must prepare students and future citizens to be successful communicators in a multilingual and multicultural global economy. The vision sets the stage for all students to be proficient in English and at least one other language.

Learners of language and culture:

•     communicate across cultures and in various settings
•     develop insight into their own language and culture
•     recognize language learning as a lifelong process
•     develop mental flexibility, creativity, divergent thinking, and higher order thinking skills
•     score higher on tests of basic skill
•     gain direct access to new information/content
•     make connections with other disciplines
•     are able to participate socially and economically in a national, multinational, and international community
•     demonstrate familiarity with contributions of other cultures
•     demonstrate an understanding and an openness to differences in people, cultures, and ideas

Early Middle College

Midland Public Schools is excited to offer a new option for our high school students. MPS is launching an Early Middle College (MPS-EMC) program in the fall of 2022 for current 10th grade students. Starting with their 11th grade year, MPS Early College students will take some classes at Delta College or Davenport University to fulfill the general elective credits that are required for most Associate's/Bachelor's degrees. Students enrolled in the Early Middle College program will extend their high school years by one additional year, meaning they will have five years in high school. While this means an additional year of being an MPS student, students will spend 100% of their 5th year on the Delta or Davenport campus. In summary, this program will allow students to have half of their college expenses paid before transferring to a university for a Bachelor's degree. MPS Early Middle College students will be able to walk at commencement with their senior year class, however, they will not receive their diploma until after their fifth year is completed. Successful Early College students will graduate from high school with an Associate's degree or at least 60 transferable credits to the university of their choice. Applications for this exciting new Midland Public Schools Early Middle College program are available from the student’s high school counseling department.

For those interested, here is some additional info about the Early Middle College program from the Michigan Dept. of Education:
An early middle college (EMC) is a Michigan Department of Education approved five-year program of study. EMCs work closely with postsecondary partners to provide students with an opportunity to earn a high school diploma and one or more of the following: 60 transferable college credits, an associate degree, a professional certification, the Michigan Early Middle College Association (MEMCA) technical certificate, participation in a registered apprenticeship.

A professional certification is any certificate or industry-recognized credential in which the pupil prepared for by taking course work provided by a Michigan public or private college or university.

Cross Grading – Elementary

Math cross-grade testing occurs each Spring for 5th grade students only. NWEA is used to determine eligibility for this cross-grade option. Please contact your building principal for more information.

eLearning

Credit Recovery

For credit recovery, Edgenuity, an eLearning program, has been aligned with our curriculum to provide the same content as our current course offerings. MPS curriculum coordinators work to match the Edgenuity content as close as possible to what is being taught in the traditional classroom.

Credit recovery students are enrolled into the eLearning Lab during the school day. They work to complete as many courses as they can during that period. Edgenuity is available to students at any time, day or night, week day or weekend. Students are encouraged to finish multiple courses in one semester.

The Edgenuity system consists of a rigorous curriculum including: vocabulary, video lectures, journal activities, additional online links related to the subject matter, homework, and quizzes. Additional features to Edgenuity include essays, virtual labs, and manipulative technology in math classes called Gizmos, which help students better understand the concepts. Following several sections, students complete a test, and all courses have a required final exam. Students work on the course until they achieve mastery, and are given a letter grade with GPA on their transcript when they complete the course.

Students who have been unsuccessful in the classroom and need to make up credits (core and elective classes) are encouraged to see their counselor to learn more about credit recovery.

Credit Protection

We also use Edgenuity to offer credit protection. Credit protection is a teacher initiated program. Teachers can identify students who have been unsuccessful in a marking period in the classroom, and offer the student the chance to complete specific lessons or units through Edgenuity system. Students then meet with their eLearning Facilitator. They will then work on their course outside of the school day from home, and complete within a specific time period.

When a student successfully completes the assigned material, the teacher will then convert the failing marking period grade to a grade of D-, which earns credit.

Virtual courses non-Attendance

MPS works in conjunction with Edgenuity and the Genessee ISD to provide virtual courses that do not require attendance for high school students for high school students, which is authorized by the Michigan Department of Education. Our Virtual Academy is designed specifically for students who cannot attend school due to medical issues or other needs but still wish to obtain their diploma through MPS. The student will work on online classes from their home, working with an assigned mentor teacher at the high school. Students must go through an application and interview process to be granted this waiver. Students should contact their counselor or Mr. Lucas Peless (Principal of Virtual Programs) for more information.

And Beyond...

Our eLearning classrooms provide a portal to online courses beyond what MPS currently offers for students with identified schedule challenges as well as for courses we do not offer. Students interested in this opportunity should contact a counselor for more information.

Personal Curriculum

The Michigan Legislature has provided an opportunity for students to slightly modify the State of Michigan graduation requirements for the Class of 2010 and later. This is called a personal curriculum. A student and parent may request a personal curriculum meeting according to the circumstances described on this web page.

The use of a personal curriculum modification is allowed by state statute for only three reasons:

•     A student wishes to modify the math requirement in Algebra II  
  
• A student wishes to go beyond the academic credit requirements by adding more math, science, English, or world languages credits
•     A student with a disability needs to modify the credit requirements based on his or her disability and Individual Education Plan (IEP)
  

The legislative intent of the personal curriculum is to increase the rigor and relevance of the education experience.

While a personal curriculum can be requested at any time during a student’s high school experience, with the exception of social studies and math, it should be used in limited circumstances after students have had the opportunity to succeed in the Michigan Merit Curriculum (MMC) and have exhausted their elective options.

Students participating in these programs are expected to meet the MMC credit requirements and use effective planning and scheduling to meet these needs.

Please contact your school’s counseling office for additional information.