5-6 Math

Instruction provided by: Classroom teachers 

Relevant training: Our classroom teachers have had professional development around the Iowa Core Math Standards and been provided professional development by Go Math! and ST Math trainers as well.

Curricular Resources: 

  • Go Math! for core classroom math instruction 
  • ST Math:  a language-free supplemental digital resource that students work through at an individualized pace.

Assessments: 

  • District-wide classroom assessments tied to the Iowa Core standards
  • FAST aMath assessment
  • Iowa State Assessment of Student Progress

5-6 Science

Instruction provided by: Classroom teachers

Relevant training: Teachers have had professional development around the Iowa Core Science Standards and STEMscopes curriculum. 

Student petting sheep
A Lenihan student petting a sheep that was brought to the school for a science lesson from MHS FFA.

Curricular Resources: 

  • STEMscopes for core classroom science instruction 
  • One PLTW Launch module per grade level, which focus on the biomedical and engineering pathways.

Assessments: 

  • Classroom level STEMscopes assessments
  • Classroom level PLTW assessments
  • Iowa State Assessment of Student Progress at grades 5, 8, and 10

5-6 Literacy

Instruction provided by: Classroom teachers

Relevant training: Classroom teachers have had professional development around the Iowa Core Literacy Standards and their core curricular materials.

Curricular Resources: 

  • Amplify CKLA for 5th grade core classroom literacy instruction
  • Amplify ELA for 6th grade core classroom literacy instruction
  • Really Great Reading for supplemental phonological awareness and phonics instruction

Assessments: 

  • Classroom level curricular assessments provided by Amplify
  • FAST aReading and CBM-R assessments
  • Iowa State Assessment of Student Progress

5-6 Social Studies

Instruction provided by: Classroom teachers

Relevant training: Our classroom teachers have had professional development around the newly released Iowa Core Social Studies Standards.

Curricular Resources: 

Teacher and student
Lenihan students receiving worksheets.
  • We are currently using teacher-created units for our social studies instruction.
  • Community volunteers deliver Junior Achievement curriculum focused on workplace readiness, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship.
  • Sixth grade teachers deliver Junior Achievement curriculum focused on workplace readiness, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship in a unit that culminates in a trip supported by community volunteers to JA BizTown for a daylong visit to a simulated, fully interactive town.

Assessments: 

  • Classroom level unit assessments

5-6 Specials

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.  
  • Fifth  grade music is a continuation of the K-4 music curriculum, with focus on reinforcing skills that are used in band, orchestra, and chorus, as well as world music drumming and keyboards.
  • Students in 6th grade music explore the history of rock and roll from its roots to the present.  Many different styles of music are covered, as well as the historical events that happened at the same time.  Emphasis is placed on critical listening and analysis of music and lyrics.
  • The Lenihan Band program consists of a fifth grade band,  sixth grade band, and sixth grade Jazz Band. Our Band Program has over 250 students, including members from our parochial partners (St. Francis & Marshalltown Christian School). 
  • The 5th grade Lenihan Orchestra program meets twice a week for introduction to instruments and orchestral music.  The 6th grade program meets 3 tines a week to add complexity in skill and music levels.  
  • 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.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Instruction provided by: 5-6 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

Kids playing corn hole
Lenihan students participating in a cornhole tournament.
  • 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 uses the Spark curriculum to meet the PE standards. Students start with space awareness and movement.   The students use heart monitors to check their levels of activity and to try and increase their movement.  PE instructors also provide part of the health curriculum with focuses on food and nutrition and keeping the body healthy through activity.
  • Intramural activities are available at the 5th and 6th grade levels.  Student are able to practice the skills they learn in their physical education classes in a fun and active manner.  Intramural activities are held twice a week after school with transportation provided.  The intramural activities include, basketball, volleyball, soccer, fitness club, ultimate football/Frisbee, and golf.
  • 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.

ART

Instruction provided by:  5-6 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. 

LIBRARY SERVICES/TECHNOLOGY

Instruction provided by:  Teacher Librarians/Media Specialists

Library Standards –Iowa School Library Standards

Curriculum:

  • 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 PK through 12.  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.