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Teaching & Learning
At the heart of our school district
Teaching and Learning is at the heart of our school district. The three big ideas of our mission statement -- critical thinking, lifelong learning and character development -- inform how we approach student learning. Our goal as a school system is to create learning opportunities that challenge students to think, connect to their lives in a meaningful way, and help them work collaboratively with their peers.
Curriculum
All district curriculum is approved by the school board. The district regularly updates curricula to offer the best research-based materials to our students. Click here to see the curricula used in our school system.
4 Questions of teaching and learning
The district uses the work of education researcher Rick DuFour to support quality teaching and learning. DuFour poses four question for teachers to address when they come together to discuss improvement strategies. They are:
1. What do we want students to know? (Need: Clear learning targets)
2. How do we know if they have learned it? (Need: Balanced assessment system)
3. What do we do if they have? (Need: Enrichment activities)
4. What do we do if they haven't? (Need: Intervention strategies)
In 2009-2010, MVSD teachers will come together on six professional days to examine student work and address the questions above. At the elementary level, teachers will focus on the new math curricula, Math Expressions (grades K-5) and Connected Math Project (grade 6), while the junior high and high school teachers meet in departmental teams to discuss specific subject areas.
Math Expressions & Connected Mathematics Project
In 2009-2010, MVSD has a new math curriculum called Math Expressions for grades K-5 and Connected Mathematics Project for sixth grade (also used in seventh and eighth grades).
Click here to go to the Math Expressions website for kids' online math games and a glossary of terms.
Click here to go to the Connected Mathematics Project website parents' section, which includes homework tips.
