Curriculum: A Closer Look
In the Mequon-Thiensville School District, curriculum in the general sense is the interactive system of teaching & learning derived from content based on the district-approved standards. More specifically, it is the knowledge and skills students are expected to learn; the units and lessons taught; the assignments and projects used; the books, materials, videos, presentations, and reading used in a course; and the tests, assessments, and other methods used to evaluate student learning
Curriculum is developed aligned to the district's mission, vision, and strategic plan. MTSD is on a 7-Year Academic Review Cycle for review of all content areas.
View the Guidelines for Homework at MTSD.
Scope & Sequence:
In the Mequon-Thiensville School District, Scope and Sequence is the interrelated concept that refers to the overall organization of a guaranteed and viable curriculum in order to ensure its coherence and continuity. Scope refers to the breadth and depth of content and skills to be covered. Sequence refers to when and how these content and skills are ordered and presented to learners over time. The purpose of a Scope and Sequence is to ensure that all students in MTSD receive an equitable high-quality educational experience regardless of school or classroom.
Select a Grade Level
Elementary: Grades 4k-5
Select a Curriculum Subject
Art
Art
Curriculum Overview: Art instruction provides a means of developing fine motor skills, while nurturing and engaging the imagination. Elementary school art specialists use a variety of media (e.g., drawing, painting, ceramics) to teach students self-expression, creativity and the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills. In learning how to see things in the world around them, channeled through the artworks they create, children discover details and other useful information that become internalized in their intellectual and emotional growth. Students explore the components of art through a wide variety of methods, including hands-on art making, interactive presentations, discussions, written reflections, cross-curricular collaborations, integration with literature and critical thinking exercises. Through these activities, students discover how art influences society, develop an appreciation for art history and learn how to generate personal and meaningful connections with their own art-making. As students explore and develop these new skills, they are able to develop a strong sense of self, refine their technical abilities and expand their capacity to think critically and creatively about their world.
Literacy
Literacy
Curriculum Overview: K-5 Elementary Literacy uses a workshop framework that includes a mini lesson, independent/partner time (K-2)/share time to allow for solid, sustained amounts of time for independent reading and writing practice while the teacher teaches students in small groups and/or individually depending on students’ literacy goals. It is driven by instructional standards and guided by student literacy data. Students are given tools and taught strategies to help them master literacy skills and/or independent reading and writing behavior goals.
This model allows for students to have choice in the texts they choose to read and to work at their individual levels, so it is differentiated for each student by design.
Balanced Literacy
The Mequon Thiensville School District’s English and Language Arts scope and sequence is delivered through a balanced literacy framework. Students are provided with ample opportunities to practice and apply their learning by participating in a workshop model consisting of a mini lesson focused on a specific skill or strategy, time to practice and collaboratively work with peers and teachers, and share out as a community of learners. In addition, targeted instruction is designed around interactive read-alouds, with an emphasis placed on discussing key text features and application to the text and beyond, phonemic awareness and phonics, and vocabulary to promote student agency.
In addition to our dedicated teachers, each elementary school provides a full-time literacy specialist to work with individual and small groups of students and lead professional development for teachers. We ensure that our students receive research-based, rigorous, differentiated instruction.
Learn more about literacy instruction and assessment at MTSD
Click on the cards below to view the Scope & Sequence by grade level.
Math
Mathematics
Curriculum Overview: The MTSD mathematics curriculum ensures all students develop the behaviors and habits of mind necessary to be mathematically proficient and engage in deep mathematical understanding. To develop the necessary behaviors and habits of mind, MTSD math teachers use the 8 Standards for Mathematical Practice:
- Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
- Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
- Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.
- Model with mathematics.
- Use appropriate tools strategically.
- Attend to precision.
- Look for and make use of structure.
- Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.
Mission of Math in MTSD: Together, we inspire students to understand, value and persevere with mathematical knowledge to develop and apply the skills necessary for experiences in life.
Vision of Math in MTSD: Empowering all math students to become accurate, efficient, engaged and flexible problem solvers.
Click on the cards below to view the Scope & Sequence by grade level.
Music
Music
Curriculum Overview: A robust, comprehensive music program is an essential part of a child’s education. All elementary school students participate in general music class, which builds their skills in music through singing, instrument playing, movement critical listening, and creation. In these classes, students are exposed to music from various historical periods and cultural traditions. Creativity and collaboration are encouraged as students learn to read and perform music. It is in elementary music that students express themselves via voice and instrument, enjoy collaborative music making, and are shaped as young musicians.
Beyond the general music programming, students in upper elementary grades also have access to elective options in orchestra and band. MTSD offers the only public school orchestra program in Ozaukee County; orchestra is offered to students in 4th and 5th grade. Band is offered to students beginning in fifth grade. Band and orchestra students attend two large ensemble rehearsals before school and receive one 30-minute, small-group lesson during the school day each week
Click on the cards below to view the Scope & Sequence by grade level.
Phy Ed
Physical Education
Curriculum Overview: Physical education classes provide each student the opportunity to participate in a comprehensive program consisting of skill development, team sports and physical fitness activities. The curriculum is designed to enhance the cognitive, motor, affective and fitness development of each student. Students receive instruction in rules and strategies associated with a variety of sports, and also have experiences that prompt them to question, analyze and communicate concepts. Through engagement in physical education classes, students develop lifelong habits that promote wellness and physical activity. The program promotes the spirit of cooperation, leadership, fair play and friendly competition.
Click the cards below to view the Scope & Sequence for each course.
Science
Science
Curriculum Overview: With a strong emphasis on teaching students how to use the scientific method, elementary school teachers use inquiry-based, active, hands-on investigation to engage students in authentic applications of science. Students engage in science investigations and experiments by first looking at all the evidence before making a statement of fact. By teaching the scientific method as a technique for students to develop conclusions, students learn how to answer a question in a logical manner. Science instruction is a key tool used to ensure students develop problem-solving skills that empower them to participate in rigorous science coursework in the secondary setting.
Click on the cards below to view the Scope & Sequence by grade level.
Social Studies
Social Studies
Curriculum Overview: The key priority of social studies instruction is preparing our students to be responsible citizens for the nation, the state, and the local area. Throughout students’ elementary school experiences, teachers use social studies instruction to grow students' understanding of the history, traditions, geography, economic and political context, and values that influence who they are today. Through a strong community partnership with Junior Achievement, students at every grade level engage in early lessons on entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and work readiness. This enhances the school’s social studies curriculum with authentic applications and experiential learning that allows students to put their new knowledge and skills into practice.
Click on the cards below to view the Scope & Sequence by grade level.
Human Growth & Dev. (Gr. 4 & 5)
The Mequon-Thiensville School District has made a commitment to provide health education to all students. One vital element of health education is the instruction of Human Growth and Development. While the parent/guardian is and will continue to be the primary educator, the Mequon-Thiensville School District will provide accurate and current information and materials that promote health and awareness to the students. Mequon-Thiensville School District firmly believes that a comprehensive Human Growth and Development curriculum is about the development of the whole student. The curriculum emphasizes the individual's safety, respect, responsibility and sexual risk avoidance.
Middle School: Grades 6-8
Select a Curriculum Subject
- AVID
- ELA
- FACS
- Fine Arts
- Financial Literacy
- Math
- Performing Arts
- Phy Ed
- PLTW
- Science
- Social Studies
- World Langauge
- Human Growth & Dev.
AVID
AVID
Curriculum Overview: Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) is academic elective courses that prepares students for college readiness and success. Each week, students receive instruction utilizing a rigorous college preparatory curriculum that incorporates strategies focused on Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, and Reading (WICOR) to support their academic growth. In addition, the AVID standards include a focus on Character Development, Communication, and College Preparedness. Students will have the opportunity to express their personal identity and goals, explore career options, and learn more about colleges across the country. Most importantly, students will work together to create a meaningful community. As an AVID family, students will support, challenge, and celebrate each other.
Click the cards below to view the Scope & Sequence for each course.
ELA
ELA - English Language Arts
Curriculum Overview: ELA instruction includes four distinct areas: reading, writing, speaking and listening, and language. ELA has a broad emphases on:
- ELA as an integrated discipline,
- ELA instruction building an understanding of the human experience,
- Literacy is an evolving concept, and becoming literate is a lifelong learning process,
- Critical thinking and problem solving, communication, collaboration, and creativity are aspects of effective ELA, instruction and attributes desired for Wisconsin graduates,
- Literacy, language, and meaning are socially constructed and are enhanced by multiple perspectives.
Through instruction in ELA, all students will:
- Demonstrate independence,
- Build strong content knowledge,
- Respond to varying demands of audience, task, purpose, and discipline,
- Comprehend as well as critique,
- Value evidence,
- Use technology and digital media strategically and capably, and
- Come to understand other perspectives and cultures.
Learn more about literacy instruction and assessment at MTSD
Click the cards below to view the Scope & Sequence for each course.
FACS
FACS - Family and Consumer Sciences
Curriculum Overview: Family and Consumer Science curriculum consists of a variety of topics, such as health and nutrition, dietary needs, leadership, teen issues, family, careers, community service, entrepreneurship, job skills, managing life, consumerism, culture of food, food customs and traditions along with goal setting, babysitting safety, kitchen safety and sanitation. This course is an interactive course where students have the ability to refine their skills through numerous hands-on projects.
Click the cards below to view the Scope & Sequence for each course.
Fine Arts
Fine Arts
Curriculum Overview: In art courses, students develop and enrich basic skills such as drawing, composition, design and color theory using a variety of media choices explored through both two and three-dimensional projects. Students also learn about the impact of art on their daily lives through hands-on art activities. 21st century skills are infused into the art curriculum at all levels.
Click the cards below to view the Scope & Sequence for each course.
Financial Literacy
Financial Literacy
Curriculum Overview: The sixth grade Financial Literacy course is designed to provide students with practical money management skills and as an introduction to career assessment and financial planning. Students explore careers, the fundamentals of money management and consumer responsibility, bank services, credit and credit scores, and risk management.
Click the cards below to view the Scope & Sequence for each course.
Math
Mathematics
Curriculum Overview: The MTSD mathematics curriculum ensures all students develop the behaviors and habits of mind necessary to be mathematically proficient and engage in deep mathematical understanding. To develop the necessary behaviors and habits of mind, MTSD math teachers use the 8 Standards for Mathematical Practice:
- Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
- Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
- Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.
- Model with mathematics.
- Use appropriate tools strategically.
- Attend to precision.
- Look for and make use of structure.
- Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.
Mission of Math in MTSD: Together, we inspire students to gain an understanding and appreciation of mathematics that lasts a lifetime and evolves to meet the changing demands they will experience in life to shape our ever changing world.
Vision of Math in MTSD: Empowering all math students to become accurate, efficient, engaged and flexible problem solvers.
Click the cards below to view the Scope & Sequence for each course.
Performing Arts
Performing Arts
Curriculum Overview: Band, Choir and Orchestra provide the opportunity for students to study instrumental and/or choral music and performance technique. The literature explored in these performance ensembles exposes students to a variety of forms and styles, as well as providing instruction on the elements of music: melody, harmony,rhythm, tone, form, tempo and dynamics. Students will receive two full ensemble rehearsals and one small-group sectional rehearsal each week. Students may participate in the WSMA Solo and Ensemble Festival each Spring and will present a minimum of three concerts each year.
Click the cards below to view the Scope & Sequence for each course.
Phy Ed
Physical Education & Wellness
Curriculum Overview: Physical education is a part of all students’ curriculum throughout middle school. Physical education classes provide each student with the opportunity to participate in a comprehensive program consisting of skill development, team sports and physical fitness activities. The curriculum is designed to enhance the cognitive, motor, affective and fitness development of each student. Students receive instruction in rules and strategies associated with a variety of sports, as well as learning experiences that prompt students to question, analyze and communicate concepts. Students also have the opportunity to participate in individual sports, which encourage lifelong involvement in physical activity. The program promotes the spirit of cooperation, leadership, fair play and friendly competition.
Click the cards below to view the Scope & Sequence for each course.
PLTW
PLTW - Project Lead the Way
Curriculum Overview: Students are exposed to a variety of projects in the field of technology and engineering. Students will work independently and in teams to utilize computer aided drafting, geometry, problem solving, and project management skills to complete projects that are reflective of real world problems and issues. Students meet daily for 6 weeks in the PLTW course Design & Modeling in 6th grade. Seventh graders meet every other day and have opportunities to solve authentic engineering problems such as engineering a piece of playground equipment, designing and creating a pen using machine and hand tools, and prototyping and constructing working digital electrical circuits. Eighth grade students will participate in the Fluid Power Challenge, Automation & Robotics, Green Architecture and Flight & Space.
Click the cards below to view the Scope & Sequence for each course.
Science
Science
Curriculum Overview: Science is an academic discipline encompassing the study of the natural world including engineering applications, understanding problem-solving and design thinking within the human built world. Engineering ideas encompass the interactions of science, technology, and society and provide an important foundation to prepare students for post-secondary education, careers, and community involvement.
Click the cards below to view the Scope & Sequence for each course.
Social Studies
Social Studies
Curriculum Overview: Social studies is the integrated study of economics, geography, history, political science, and the behavioral sciences of psychology, sociology, and anthropology to promote civic competence. This area of study provides an important foundation to prepare students to become engaged, informed participants committed to the ideas and values of our democratic republic, able to apply the skills of inquiry, collaboration, decision making, and problem solving (adapted from the National Council for the Social Studies definition). Students will become civically-engaged problem-solvers who critically examine their roles in local, regional, state, national, and global communities. Through the study and application of the individual disciplines of social studies (behavioral sciences, economics, geography, history, and political science), students become lifelong learners able to collaborate and thrive in our interdependent world.
Click the cards below to view the Scope & Sequence for each course.
World Langauge
World Languages
Curriculum Overview: The mission of the Mequon-Thiensville School District World Language Program is to equip all students with transferable skills that encourage them to recognize, respect and respond to cultural perspectives while inspiring a passion to investigate the world as informed global citizens. The World Language Department embraces its mission statement and offers students the opportunity to learn three of the official languages used by the United Nations: Chinese, French and Spanish, in addition to a time-honored classical language, Latin.
The middle school world languages program is designed to prepare our students to enter high school ready for the second level in French or Spanish. These courses focus on vocabulary development through the introduction of grammar points, verb conjugations and cultural awareness.
Click the cards below to view the Scope & Sequence for each course.
Human Growth & Dev.
The Mequon-Thiensville School District has made a commitment to provide health education to all students. One vital element of health education is the instruction of Human Growth and Development. While the parent/guardian is and will continue to be the primary educator, the Mequon-Thiensville School District will provide accurate and current information and materials that promote health and awareness to the students. Mequon-Thiensville School District firmly believes that a comprehensive Human Growth and Development curriculum is about the development of the whole student. The curriculum emphasizes the individual's safety, respect, responsibility and sexual risk avoidance.
High School: Grades 9-12
Select a Curriculum Subject
- AVID
- Business
- Computer Science
- English
- Engineering
- Fine Arts
- Math
- Phy Ed & Wellness
- Science
- Social Studies
- World Language
AVID
AVID
Curriculum Overview: Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) is academic elective courses that prepares students for college readiness and success. Each week, students receive instruction utilizing a rigorous college preparatory curriculum that incorporates strategies focused on Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, and Reading (WICOR) to support their academic growth. In addition, the AVID standards include a focus on Character Development, Communication, and College Preparedness. Students will have the opportunity to express their personal identity and goals, explore career options, and learn more about colleges across the country. Most importantly, students will work together to create a meaningful community. As an AVID family, students will support, challenge, and celebrate each other.
Click the cards below to view the Scope & Sequence for each course.
Business
Business
Curriculum Overview: Wisconsin Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs (Business and Information Technology; Family and Consumer Sciences; Health Science; Marketing, Management and Entrepreneurship; and Technology and Engineering) have a rich history and foundation of preparing young adults for the next steps in their lives—postsecondary education and the world of work. Through ties to business, industry and community, CTE programs provide perspectives and partnerships necessary to educate the entire student. Career and Technical Education is both a collection of educational programs or content areas as well as a system of preparing students to be career and college ready.
Personal financial literacy education is the focus on teaching students the ability to understand, evaluate, and communicate information about money and financial services. This learning includes the selection of appropriate financial options, the ability to plan for the future, and the capability to respond to life events and their effect on personal finances. The Wisconsin Standards for Personal Financial Literacy (the standards) are divided into six strands: Financial Mindset, Education and Employment, Money Management, Saving and Investing, Credit and Debt, & Risk Management and Insurance.
Click the cards below to view the Scope & Sequence for each course.
Computer Science
Computer Science
Curriculum Overview: Computer Science is an academic discipline that encompasses the study of computers and algorithmic processes, including their principles, their hardware and software designs, their applications, networks, and their impact on society. Students will have the opportunity to experience many of the aspects of computer science from beginning coding to multimedia production to game design to cybersecurity.
Click the cards below to view the Scope & Sequence for each course.
English
English
Curriculum Overview: English Language Arts instruction includes four distinct areas: reading, writing, speaking and listening, and language. ELA has a broad emphases on the following principles:
- ELA as an integrated discipline that promotes achievement across all disciplines
- ELA instruction building an understanding of the human experience
- Literacy as an evolving concept, and becoming literate is a lifelong learning process
- Critical thinking and problem solving, communication, collaboration, and creativity as integral to effective ELA instruction and as attributes necessary for Wisconsin graduates
- Literacy, language, and meaning as socially constructed, evolving, and enhanced by multiple perspectives
Through instruction in ELA, all students will engage in these academic tasks:
- Demonstrate growth and academic independence, including goal setting
- Build strong content knowledge and skill
- Respond to varying demands of audience, task, purpose, and discipline
- Comprehend as well as critique
- Select evidence based on relevance and reliability
- Synthesize ideas from multiple sources
- Use technology and digital media strategically and capably,
- Come to understand a wide array of perspectives, values, and cultures
Three ways students in our classes connect with pieces of literature:
1. Major Work/Full Class Instruction: In most English classes, students read an anchor text together. In some courses, students read multiple texts all together. Some courses have no full class texts. Anchor texts are aligned to the specific standards for the course. Direct instruction, discussion, and writing in response to the text all happen as full-class activities.
2. Limited Choice Independent Read or Literature Circle: In a closed choice reading experience where students are doing independent work with a book but can only choose from teacher-provided selections. Students are applying skills in a more independent or group reading experience with direction, conferencing, and mini-lessons from the instructor. This is a less common situation, but we do have a few closed-choice lists in our 9-12 curriculum.
3. Open Choice Independent Read or Literature Circle: Independent reading experiences where students or groups of students, including students enrolled in Literature Seminar, a senior elective course, fit into neither of the above categories. In these cases, the students choose a book that fits particular criteria related to the standards of the course (examples include: award-winning, young adult, literary fiction, nonfiction, biography, etc.), but they have an open choice to select the specific title. Students may choose any book that meets the criteria. Therefore, the books cannot go through a vetting process, and often the teacher will not have read all of the texts. Students are applying skills in a more independent or group reading experience with direction, conferencing, and mini-lessons from the instructor.
Important Note: All literature in our curriculum has been carefully selected based on the standards of the course and their literary merit. Nevertheless, we affirm that what an individual student reads is always a family decision. We deeply respect the views of our students’ families. Therefore, students in Homestead English classes may choose to skip reading scenes with sensitive content if they wish. In this case, we provide them with a brief summary of the scene as an alternative. If your family prefers that your student not read a particular novel, we provide an alternative experience that aligns with the standards of the unit.
Click the cards below to view the Scope & Sequence for each course.
Engineering
Engineering
Curriculum Overview: Engineering empowers students to step into the role of an engineer, adopt a problem-solving mindset, and make the leap from dreamers to doers. The program’ s courses engage students in compelling, real-world challenges that help them become better collaborators and thinkers.
Click the cards below to view the Scope & Sequence for each course.
Fine Arts
Fine Arts
Curriculum Overview: The Homestead Fine Arts Department comprises five different areas: Band, Choir, Orchestra, Theater, and Visual Arts. Through exposure to the arts, we strive to cultivate an environment where our students can grow into successful, confident adults. Artists can select from courses in acting, directing, technical theater, concert band, string orchestra, Highlander Choir, metals, ceramics, digital art, painting, photography, AP Music Theory, AP Research, and much, much more.
Click the cards below to view the Scope & Sequence for each course.
Math
Mathematics
Curriculum Overview: The MTSD mathematics curriculum ensures all students develop the behaviors and habits of mind necessary to be mathematically proficient and engage in deep mathematical understanding. To develop the necessary behaviors and habits of mind, MTSD math teachers use the 8 Standards for Mathematical Practice:
- Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
- Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
- Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.
- Model with mathematics.
- Use appropriate tools strategically.
- Attend to precision.
- Look for and make use of structure.
- Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.
Mission of Math in MTSD: Together, we inspire students to gain an understanding and appreciation of mathematics that lasts a lifetime and evolves to meet the changing demands they will experience in life to shape our ever-changing world.
Vision of Math in MTSD: Empowering all math students to become accurate, efficient, engaged and flexible problem-solvers.
Click the cards below to view the Scope & Sequence for each course.
Phy Ed & Wellness
Physical Education & Wellness
Curriculum Overview: Physical education is a sequential curriculum designed to develop motor skills, knowledge, and behaviors for mental and emotional health and active healthy living. Physical education contributes to the development of physical literacy, which is defined as an individual having the motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge, and understanding to value and take responsibility for purposeful engagement in physical activity for the development of the whole person throughout their lifespan. Beyond creating physically literate individuals, physical education is a subject supporting learning in all academic areas as evidence affirms participation in physical education improves concentration and memory, increases problem-solving abilities, enhances social and emotional learning, and fosters positive relationships.
-Adapted from Wisconsin State Standards for Physical Education
Each physical education class is graded based upon six categories; participation, effort, self direction, self control, respect, and understanding.
Click the cards below to view the Scope & Sequence for each course.
Science
Science
Curriculum Overview: Science is an academic discipline encompassing the study of the natural world including engineering applications, understanding problem-solving and design thinking within the human built world. Engineering ideas encompass the interactions of science, technology, and society and provide an important foundation to prepare students for post-secondary education, careers, and community involvement.
Click the cards below to view the Scope & Sequence for each course.
Social Studies
Social Studies
Curriculum Overview: Social studies is the integrated study of economics, geography, history, political science, and the behavioral sciences of psychology, sociology, and anthropology to promote civic competence. This area of study provides an important foundation to prepare students to become engaged, informed participants committed to the ideas and values of our democratic republic, able to apply the skills of inquiry, collaboration, decision making, and problem solving (adapted from the National Council for the Social Studies definition). Students will become civically-engaged problem-solvers who critically examine their roles in local, regional, state, national, and global communities. Through the study and application of the individual disciplines of social studies (behavioral sciences, economics, geography, history, and political science), students become lifelong learners able to collaborate and thrive in our interdependent world.
Click the cards below to view the Scope & Sequence for each course.
World Language
World Languages
Curriculum Overview: The mission of the Mequon-Thiensville School District World Language Program is to equip all students with transferable skills that encourage them to recognize, respect and respond to cultural perspectives while inspiring a passion to investigate the world as informed global citizens. The World Language Department embraces its mission statement and offers students the opportunity to learn three of the official languages used by the United Nations: Chinese, French and Spanish, in addition to a time-honored classical language, Latin.