7-8 Grade Curriculum

7-8 Math

Courses at Miller Middle School

7th grade Math

8th grade Math

Algebra I (students enrolled must meet district acceleration criteria)

Geometry (students enrolled must meet district acceleration criteria)

7-8 Science

Courses at Miller Middle School

7th grade Science

8th grade Science 

Students also receive a trimester of Project Lead the Way coursework in both 7th grade and 8th grade.

7-8 Social Studies

Courses at Miller Middle School

7th grade Social Studies

8th grade Social Studies

Students receive Junior Achievement Units in both 7th and 8th grade Social Studies courses.

7-8 Language Arts

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A Miller student looking over his homework.

Courses at Miller Middle School

7th grade Composition

8th grade Composition

7th grade Literature

8th grade Literature

7th grade Spanish Composition (Dual Language program)

8th grade Spanish Composition (Dual Language program)

English 9 – Students must meet district acceleration policy criteria)

7-8 Fine Arts

MUSIC

Instruction provided by:  Music/Band/Orchestra Instructors

Music Standards- General Music Standards 

Curriculum:
  • The music curriculum is guided by the music performance standards grouped under the artistic processes of: Creating, Performing and Responding.  
  • Students in 7th and 8th grade can select to continue in  chorus, show choir, band, jazz band, and  orchestra.   Students advance in their musical skills and emphasis is placed on critical listening and complexity of musical skills.
  • One of the music standards is performing.  All students share their talents with families, friends and communities in performances in their buildings or at the MHS/Community Auditorium.

ART

Instruction provided by:  7-8 Art teachers

Art Standards- Visual Arts Standards

Curriculum:
  • Art Mission Statement: The Marshalltown Art Department works together to grow a well-rounded student who has the ability to do multiple tasks with skill, creatively solve problems, empathize and relate to others around them.
  • Artistic Processes are the cognitive and physical actions by which arts learning and making are realized. National Core Arts Standards are based on the artistic processes of Creating; Performing/ Producing/Presenting; Responding; and Connecting.
  • All students in the Marshalltown Community School District have the opportunities to grow through art experiences starting in kindergarten.  All students receive art instruction through grade 8 and students at the high school have a selection of electives to continue their exploration.  
  • At the K-8 levels, students not only create their art, but they learn about famous artists and try and create from the inspiration of another artist, they display and curate works to see commonalities in themes and they learn to reflect on their work in order to improve their learning.  Students are introduced to many media including paint, chalk, stenciling, clay, printmaking, pencil and ink.  As student increase their knowledge and skill during the intermediate and middle school years, they add complexity and different techniques to their creations. 

7-8 Physical Education

Instruction provided by: 7-8 PE teachers

PE Standards – SHAPE America

Curriculum:

  • Marshalltown School District Physical Education will empower physical learners with the skills, knowledge, and healthy mindset to pursue lifelong fitness.

MOVE – CONNECT – LEARN

  • Healthy kids learn better. Physical activity can help students be healthier but more and more research is showing that physical activity may also impact academic achievement. Physical activity wakes up the brain, improves behavior and increases concentration.  One of the goals of the Physical Education program is for students to celebrate physical literacy, which is the ability, confidence and desire to be physically active for life. 
  • The PE department utilizes a fitness room as part of their health and wellness training along with group and individual activities.  They use heart monitors to help students understand their levels of activities and its effect on their bodies.  The department has recently added the Drum Fit curriculum to their PE program as a means to integrate music, rhythm and movement.
  • One of the most important skills learned in the physical education program is the social aspect.  The students learn cooperation, teamwork. best effort and positive attitudes along with a growth mindset. An active life can enhance the student’s social and emotional learning.  Being physically active can release endorphins which can alleviate feelings of stress, anxiety, sadness, depression, and frustration to name a few.  Body control and personal and team success can boost positive energy and confidence.

Library Services

LIBRARY SERVICES/TECHNOLOGY

Instruction provided by:  Teacher Librarians/Media Specialists

Library Standards –Iowa School Library Standards

Curriculum:
Jackson XLP
XLP students working on Chromebook assignments.
  • Mission Statement:  We develop students and staff who become effective users of information and embrace a love of reading and literature through personalized learning experiences. 
  •  The Marshalltown Community School District Libraries follow a curriculum aligned with the American Association of School Librarians, the National Education Technology Standards, the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, and the Iowa Core Curriculum.
  • All schools offer a fully staffed and full-service library with a  teacher librarian who is uniquely prepared and strategically positioned to:
    • teach students to think critically and independently to construct new understandings and insights from varied information sources.
    • lead and embrace the integration of technology to enhance learning.
    • connect communities of learners in virtual and physical spaces.
    • collaborate with the school community to design and enact rigorous learning experiences and participate as positive digital citizens.
    • maximize access to quality print and digital resources.
    • champion and support the reading life of students.
    • nurture curiosity to develop in students a passion for learning for life.
  • Teacher Librarians enhance the student literacy and technology experiences.  Each school maintains a library with print and digital resources and maintains websites with online resources for inquiry and research.  Students are also introduced to information literacy, digital citizenship and Project Lead the Way coding in their library experiences starting as early as kindergarten. Various additional activities such as Battle of the Books, Lit over Lunch, and Poetry Out Loud and a positive relationship with the Marshalltown Public Library provide students additional opportunities to explore reading as a lifelong passion.  

Technology

  • Students in the district use various forms of technology.  The district is one on one with Chromebooks for students in grades 2 through 12.  Students in kindergarten and grade 1 are at a ratio of one Chromebook for every two students.  The district uses the Google Suite of products to promote communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking skills.  Coding is introduced at the elementary levels and continues at all grade levels through middle school.