Latest Posts
Preparing Elementary Students for the Global Future
Project Lead The Way, a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics) curricular program already set in place at Mineral Point Middle and High School, is excited to announce the development of Project Lead The Way (PLTW) elementary, the newest addition to PLTW’s hands-on, project-based curricular offerings. Studies show that students decide as early as second… Continue Reading Preparing Elementary Students for the Global Future
Back to School
Like most people the beginning of my school year has been a bit hectic. I am adjusting to having my own son in school, and the balancing act that goes along with that. I do apologize for not posting sooner. We have been up to some fun things already this year, so let’s take a… Continue Reading Back to School
Second Grade: Japanese Influenced Fans
To help decorate the gymnasium for the Grandparent’s Day Program last week, we decided to make some Japanese fans. We looked at the landscape and traditions of Japan and talked about how this influenced the themes in their artwork. We then used these themes to decorate our own work.
First Grade: Paint & Oil Pastel Flowers
To practice making concentric circles, our first grade friends made these lovely flowers. After drawing our circles, we used black paint to trace our lines. By the next class period our paint was dry and we were able to add oil pastel for color. Students with additional time were given the option of tracing a… Continue Reading First Grade: Paint & Oil Pastel Flowers
MS Foreign Language
%3Ch3%3E%3Cstrong%3EStaff%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fh3%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDan+Van+Galen%3Cbr+%2F%3E%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cem%3EMiddle+School+Science+and+Foreign+Language+Teacher%3C%2Fem%3E%3Cbr+%2F%3E%3Cem%3Edan.vangalen%40mp.k12.wi.us%3Ca+href%3D%22mailto%3Avickie.dahl%40mp.k12.wi.us%22%3E%3Cbr+%2F%3E%3C%2Fa%3E608-987-0730%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Ch3%3E%3Cstrong%3Eclasses%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fh3%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ESpanish+1%3A%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fstrong%3ESpanish+1+is+a+one+year+elective+which+lays+the+groundwork+for+communicative+competency+in+Spanish.+Students+learn+vocabulary%2C+basic+sentence+construction%2C+and+pronunciation+in+order+to+begin+to+speak+and+write+in+Spanish.+Students+also+study+some+aspects+of+culture+in+Hispanic+countries.+Students+should+speak+Spanish+in+class%2C+and+much+of+the+course+is+conducted+in+Spanish.+Activities+include+dialogues%2C+classroom+conversations%2C+reading%2C+working+with+recordings+or+native+speakers%2C+writing+sentences%2C+lists%2C+and+paragraphs%2C+viewing+videos+and+DVDs%2C+vocabulary+games%2C+and+individual+projects.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EForeign+Language+Exploratory+%28Spanish%29%3A%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fstrong%3EForeign+Language+Exploratory+is+open+to+seventh+grade+students.+This+class+will+emphasize+oral+communication%2C+speaking+and+listening+skills%2C+in+Spanish.+Basic+words%2C+phrases+and+simple+communication+will+be+taught.+Activities+will+also+be+presented+to+create+a+cultural+awareness+of+Spanish+speaking+countries.+This+exploratory+class+will+meet+for+a+semester.%3C%2Fp%3E
MS Science Classes
%3Ch3%3E%3Cstrong%3Estaff%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fh3%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%3Cstrong%3EHelen+Klaas%3Cbr+%2F%3E%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cem%3EMiddle+School+Science%2C+Language+Arts%2C+Reading%2C+Health+and+Social+Studies+Teacher%3C%2Fem%3E%3Cbr+%2F%3E%3Cem%3Ehelen.klaas%40mp.k12.wi.us%3C%2Fem%3E%3Cbr+%2F%3E%3Cem%3E608-987-0720%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%3Cem%3E%3C%2Fem%3EMr.+Van+Galen%3Cbr+%2F%3E%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cem%3EMiddle+School+Science+and+Spanish+Teacher%3Cbr+%2F%3E%3Cem%3Ehelen.klaas%40mp.k12.wi.us%3C%2Fem%3E%3Cbr+%2F%3E%3Cem%3E608-987-0720%3C%2Fem%3E%3Cbr+%2F%3E%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Ch3%3E%3Cstrong%3Eclasses%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fh3%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEarth+Science%3A%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fstrong%3EThis+course+is+Earth+Science+with+some+emphasis+on+lab+techniques.+After+review+of+the+metric+system+and+experimentation%2C+the+course+focuses+on+changes+above+and+below+the+earth%27s+surface.+Other+topics+are+plants%2C+Science+World+magazine%2C+and+mineral+and+rock+identification.+Requirements+include+labs%2C+assignment+notebook%2C+rocket+construction%2C+use+of+a+calculator%2C+PowerPoint+presentations+on+planets%2C+Wisconsin+rivers+and+national+parks.+Extra+credit+can+be+earned+by+participating+in+the+Science+fair.%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ELife+Science%3A%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fstrong%3EThis+is+a+Life+Science+course+with+an+emphasis+on+the+relationships+between+all+living+things.+After+an+introduction+to+the+basic+structure+and+classification+of+living+things%2C+this+course+stresses+the+basic+life+processes+and+how+plants+and+animals+carry+them+out.+Requirements+include+an+assignment+notebook%2C+leaf+collection%2C+insect+collection+and+a+research+paper.+Extra+credit+can+be+earned+by+participation+in+the+Science+fair.%3C%2Fp%3E
Technology
%3Ch3%3Estaff%3C%2Fh3%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EKyle+Carey%3Cbr+%2F%3E%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cem%3ETechnology+Teacher%2C+Skills+USA+coordinator%3Cbr+%2F%3E%3C%2Fem%3E%3Cem%3Ekyle.carey%40mp.k12.wi.us%3Cbr+%2F%3E%3C%2Fem%3E%3Cem%3E%28608%29+987-0730+x270%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Ch3%3ECLASSES%3C%2Fh3%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIntroduction+to+Technology%3A%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fstrong%3EIntroduction+to+Technology+is+a+course+designed+to+introduce+the+student+to+the+four+technological+systems+of%3A+Communications%3B+Manufacturing%3B+Power%2C+Energy+and+Transportation%3B+and+Construction.+Units+in+this+course+include%3A+Rocketry%2C+Engineering%2C+Audio%2FVideo%2C+Drafting%2C+CAD%2C+Aerospace%2C+Silk+Screening%2C+Notepad+and+Business+Card%2C+Design+and+production+of+a+mass+production+project.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECommunications%3A%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fstrong%3ECommunications+is+a+semester+course+designed+to+cover+the+areas+of+the+audio%2C+visual%2C+and+graphic+communications.+The+course+presents+a+wide+spectrum+of+activities%2C+processes%2C+materials%2C+and+methods+used+in+the+communications+industry.+These+include%3A+mechanical+drawing%2C+CAD%2C+VCR+presentations%2C+camcorder+techniques+and+silk+screening.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower+Technology%3A%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fstrong%3EPower+Technology+is+a+course+designed+to+cover+existing+and+%22new%22+energy+sources+and+devices+that+can+produce+power+to+help+meet+the+increasing+demand+for+energy.+Units+include%3A+Aerospace+Technology+-+design+rocketry%2C+space+exploration%2C+flight+simulator%3B+Research+%26amp%3B+Development+-+designing+a+CO2+racer%3B+Small+gas+Engines+-+disassemble+%26amp%3B+reassemble%2C+testing+of+small+engines%3B+Applied+Physics+-+force%2C+work+in+mechanical+systems%3B+Pneumatics+-+fluid+power+experiments%3B+Hydraulics+-+theory+%26amp%3B+application+of+hydraulic+power%3B+Exploring+electronics+-+experiments+with+circuits%2C+transistors%2C+magnets%2C+%26amp%3B+Ohm%27s+Law.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFurniture+Construction+Technology%3A%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fstrong%3EFurniture+Construction+Technology+is+a+two-semester+course+which+deals+with+aspects+of+woodworking+which+are+important+for+industry.+The+course+includes+the+tools%2C+materials%2C+processes%2C+and+the+%22why%22+as+well+as+the+%22how%22+of+machine+woodworking%2C+cabinetmaking%2C+and+furniture+design.+In+Furniture+Construction+Technology%2C+the+student+will+learn+about+skills+necessary+to+work+with+wood+and+also+study+the+materials+and+major+developments+that+have+taken+place+in+the+furniture+and+cabinet+making+industry.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EApplied+Communications%3A%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fstrong%3EApplied+Communications+is+a+one-semester+course+which+deals+with+use+of+audio+equipment%2C+video-taping+school+activities%2C+and+putting+together+videos+of+student+activities+for+video+yearbook.+Students+will+learn+use+of+video+software+and+editing.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EConstruction%3A%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fstrong%3EConstruction+is+a+one-semester+course+which+provides+students+with+experience+in%3A+masonry%2C+rough+framing%2C+sheathing%2C+insulation%2C+wiring%2C+plumbing%2C+design%2C+site+preparation%2C+and+site+layout.+the+emphasis+is+to+provide+the+basic+residential+construction+and+efficient+level+carpentry+skills.+Current+trends+in+today%27s+energy+homes+are+discussed.+Students+will+develop+floor+plans+and+build+model+houses.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAdvance+Studies+in+Technology%3A%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fstrong%3EAdvanced+Studies+is+a+one-semester+course+which+may+be+repeated+using+different+subject+materials.+As+a+pre-requisite%2C+the+student+must+have+had+at+least+one+of+the+cluster+area+courses.+This+course+is+designed+to+further+develop+a+high+interest+area+for+the+individual+student.+This+allow+the+student+to+have+a+challenging+experience+which+may+lead+to+a+decision+about+a+career+goal+or+help+to+develop+more+aptitude+and+broader+body+of+knowledge+about+an+occupation.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECar+Care+and+Home+Maintenance%3A%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fstrong%3ECar+Care+and+Home+Maintenance+is+a+course+designed+for+the+student+that+feels+the+need+to+know+more+about+the+care+and+maintenance+of+today%27s+automobile.+The+course+will+also+include+units+on+selecting+a+competent+service+facility+to+help+in+maintaining+a+car%2C+and+practical+home+maintenance+procedures+such+as%3A+basic+plumbing+and+electrical+procedures%2C+and+the+use+of+basic+power+and+hand+tools.+at+the+completion+of+this+course%2C+the+student+will+be+more+aware+of+the+value+of+a+good+maintenance+program+for+his%2Fher+own+car+and+know+how+to+perform+basic+maintenance+tasks+around+his%2Fher+home.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIntro+to+Computer+Aided+Drafting+and+Design%3A%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fstrong%3EIntroduction+to+CADD+is+a+course+that+will+take+the+lessons+learned+from+mechanical+drawing+%28INTRO%29+and+apply+them+to+CADD%2C+and+other+software+typically+used+in+industry+such+as+%28REVIT%29.+Students+will+be+able+to+draw%2C+dimension%2C+design+and+engineer+projects%2C+blueprints%2C+etc.+Some+projects+may+require+pre-engineering+problem+solving.+This+class+is+designed+to+teach+the+basis+of+CADD+for+engineering+purposes%2C+problem+solving%2C+as+well+as+industrial+application.%3C%2Fp%3E
Social Studies
%3Ch3%3E%3Cstrong%3EStaff%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fh3%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDan+Burreson%3Cbr+%2F%3E%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cem%3ESocial+Studies+Teacher%3Cbr+%2F%3E%3C%2Fem%3E%3Cem%3Edan.burreson.mp.k12.wi.us%3Cbr+%2F%3E%3C%2Fem%3E%3Cem%3E608-987-0730%3C%2Fem%3E%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ETerry+Cool%3Cbr+%2F%3E%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cem%3ESocial+Studies+Teacher%2C+Mock+Trial+Coordinator%2C+Senior+Class+Advisor%3Cbr+%2F%3E%3C%2Fem%3E%3Cem%3Eterry.cool.mp.k12.wi.us%3Cbr+%2F%3E%3C%2Fem%3E%3Cem%3E608-987-0730%3C%2Fem%3E%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cdiv%3E%3Cem%3E%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fdiv%3E%0A%3Ch3%3E%3Cstrong%3ERequired+Classes%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fh3%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWorld+Today%3A%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fstrong%3EThis+course+provides+a+chance+to+discuss+the+%22current+events%22+with+an+emphasis+on+how+to+get+more+out+of+the+news.+We+will+take+a+broad+look+at+the+major+news+stories+of+the+day+and+in-depth+study+of+the+most+interesting+story.+World+Today+does+not+count+towards+your+Social+Studies+requirement.+%281%2F2+credit%29%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAmerican+History%3A%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fstrong%3EThis+is+required+survey+course+for+freshmen.+The+course+will+cover+US+History+from+the+causes+of+the+civil+war+through+World+War+I.+The+course+will+explain+the+industrial+revolution+and+westward+expansion.+Futher%2C+the+course+will+trace+the+growth+of+the+nation+isolationism+to+world+power.+the+course+should+provide+students+with+insights+into+how+our+nation+has+developed+and+better+understand+our+position+in+the+world+today.+%281+credit%29%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EModern+American+History%2FEconomics%3A%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fstrong%3EThis+is+a+required+course+for+sophomores.+The+first+semester+of+this+course+would+begin+with+American+History+from+end+of+World+War+I+and+the+roaring+twenties+and+cover+in+detail+the+emergence+of+our+nation+through+World+War+II%2C+the+Cold+War+and+the+modern+war+on+terror.+The+course+will+discuss+the+social%2C+political+and+economic+changes+that+have+occured+in+the+last+80+years+that+has+made+our+country+a+global+superpower.+During+the+second+semester+the+students+will+cover+the+basic+principals+of+Macro+and+Micro+Economics.+The+students+will+discuss+the+fundamentals+of+American+capitalism%2C+government+spending%2C+taxation%2C+personal+finance+and+the+stock+market.+%281+credit%29%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EJunior+World+History%3A%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fstrong%3EOne+year+required+course+for+Juniors.+The+first+semester+of+the+course+will+focus+on+non-western+world+cultures+emphasizing+the+Middle+East%2C+China%2C+India%2C+and+Africa.+Students+will+discuss+the+historical+influence+and+modern+position+of+these+global+areas.+The+second+semester+will+focus+on+Economics.+Students+will+cover+the+principals+of+both+Macro+and+Micro+Economics+and+investigate+American+capitalism%2C+government+spending%2C+taxation%2C+the+stock+market%2C+and+other+key+financial+principals.+This+component+will+allow+the+students+to+be+fully+aware+of+the+economics+of+life+as+an+American+citizen.%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ESocial+Issues+and+Government%3A%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fstrong%3ESocial+Issues+and+Government+is+a+required+course+of+study+for+Seniors.+It+is+designated+to+promote+the+creation+of+a+stable+self-image+within+each+individual+along+with+the+development+of+satisfying+relations+with+others+built+on+trust%2C+respect%2C+cooperation%2C+and+caring.+Special+emphasis+will+be+placed+on+the+problems+and+challenges+facing+both+the+individual+and+the+family+within+the+American+society+today.+A+second+purpose+will+be+to+examine+how+government+on+the+local+and+state+levels+may+address+these+social+issues+and+how+the+individual+may+participate+in+the+solution+to+these+problems.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Ch3%3EElectives%3C%2Fh3%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAdvanced+Placement+U.S.+History%3A%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fstrong%3EThis+advanced+placement+program+is+designed+to+provide+students+with+analytical+skills+and+factual+knowledge+necessary+to+deal+critically+with+problems+and+materials+in+U.S.+History.+The+course+prepares+students+for+intermediate+and+advanced+college+courses+by+making+demands+on+them+equivalent+to+those+made+in+full-year+introductory+college+courses.+%28Open+to+Juniors+and+Seniors.+Prerequisite%3A+Modern+American+and+either+World+History+or+Area+Studies.%29%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWorld+Geography%3A%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fstrong%3EThis+course+is+designed+to+acquaint+the+student+with+the+physical+and+political+geography+of+an+ever+shrinking+world.+The+physical+and+political+make-up+of+the+world+will+be+studied%2C+with+special+emphasis+on+how+the+United+States+is+affected.+As+potential+foreign+travelers%2C+every+student+should+have+a+working+knowledge+of+the+geographical+aspects+of+the+world.+%281%2F2+credit%29%3C%2Fp%3E
Science Classes
Biology: This course is designed to acquaint the student with the fundamental concepts of biology. Once these concepts are mastered, a study of the five major kingdoms and how they interrelate follows. One year of high school science is a prerequisite. Biology 2 – Anatomy and Physiology: This course will completely study the systems of the human… Continue Reading Science Classes
Notable Mineral Point Alumni in the Music Field
John Paynter: Director of Bands – Northwestern University; Instrumental in development of school concert bands; Founder and Director of the Northshore Concert Band Carol Stephenson: Assistant Principal Oboe – National Symphony Orchestra, Washington, D.C. Dr. Richard Grunow: Professor of Music Education; Eastman School of Music If you know of someone to add to this list, please let me… Continue Reading Notable Mineral Point Alumni in the Music Field