Minnesota has adopted academic standards in the areas of language arts, mathematics, the arts, social studies and science. State standards were developed and revised through a committee and public hearing process and presented to the legislature for approval.
The standards provide a summary description of what students know or are able to do within a particular subject area and at a particular grade level.
Grade-level benchmarks specify the academic knowledge and skills that schools must offer and students must achieve to satisfactorily complete a state standard.
Moorhead Area Public Schools has incorporated the core language arts, science and social studies standards for all K–12 students. Other district developed standards have been incorporated into the K–12 curriculum. The district has benchmarks for each grade level as described in the grade-level expectations in the elementary progress reports.
Elementary Standards
Kindergarten
I. Language Arts
Foundational Skills
- Reads beginning-reader books
- Recognizes all letters and letter sounds of the alphabet
- Reads common sight words
- Understands how books work
Reading Literature
- With support, asks and answers questions about stories including details
- With support, retells familiar stories including characters, settings, and major events
- Recognizes common types of text (storybooks, poems, etc.)
- Asks and answers questions about unknown words
- With support names the author and illustrator of a book
- With support, describes how illustrations help tell a story
- Compares and contrasts adventures of characters
Reading Informational Text
- Identifies parts of a book: front cover, back cover, title page
- With support, finds similarities and differences
Writing
- Draws, dictates, and writes about events
- Draws, dictates, and writes for a variety of purposes: opinion, informative, narrative
- With support, writes to answer questions
Language
- Prints many upper & lower case letters
- Spells simple words using letter sounds
- Writes simple sentences with end punctuation
- Capitalizes the first letter in a sentence
II. Mathematics
Number and Operation
- Counts to 50
- Counts backward from 20 with and without objects
- Identifies numbers to 31
Algebra
- Recognizes, extends, and creates patterns
Measurement
- Compares and orders objects according to size, length, or weight
Geometry
- Recognizes a variety of shapes
- Sorts objects using characteristics
III. Science
- Understands grade-level concepts and ideas
IV. Social Studies
- Understands grade-level concepts and ideas
Grade 1
I. Language Arts
Foundational Skills
- Reads fluently and accurately for understanding
- Reads aloud with expression
- Uses strategies to read unfamiliar words
- Uses phonics (letter sounds) to read unknown words
Reading Literature
- Asks and answers questions about stories including details, characters, setting, and events
- Uses details in fables, folktales, and myths from different cultures to find message or moral of story
- Describes how illustrations add to understanding a story or text
- Explains similarities & differences between books that tell a story and books that give information
- Learns the meaning of new words
- Explains who is telling a story
- Reads and understands stories, drama, and poetry on grade level
Reading Informational Text
- Finds main idea and retell details of a text
- Knows headings, tables of contents, glossaries, to locate facts
- Reads to explain relationships between individuals, events, and ideas
- Reads informational text at grade level
Writing
- Uses the steps of the writing process
- Writes to share opinion, information, and create stories
- Writes to answer questions with details
- Writes to communicate and considers the audience
Language
- Uses correct punctuation, capitalization, and grammar
- Spells grade level words correctly
- Writes simple complete sentences
- Uses grade level vocabulary from content
II. Mathematics
Number and Operation
- Reads, writes and compares numbers to 120
- Counts forward to 120 with and without objects
- Counts backward from 30 with and without objects
- Finds ten more and ten less than a given number
- Combines and takes apart numbers to 10
- Models and solves addition and subtraction with objects
- Solves real-world mathematical problems
Algebra
- Recognizes, extends, and creates patterns
- Finds missing numbers in number models, such as 3+_=7 using objects or numbers
Measurement
- Compares and orders objects according to size, length, or weight
- Tells time to the hour and half-hour
- Identifies pennies, nickels, and dimes
Geometry
- Sorts and describes two- and three-dimensional shapes
III. Science
- Understands grade-level concepts and ideas
IV. Social Studies
- Understands grade-level concepts and ideas
V. Art
- Uses art elements (color, line, shape, etc.) and principles (balance, repetition, emphasis)
- Learns techniques (cutting, drawing, painting, etc.)
- Views and identifies artwork by famous artists from different cultures
VI. Music
- Sings or performs diverse music alone or in groups in tune and with correct rhythm
- Reads, identifies, defines, and composes music symbols and notes
- Identifies, describes, and/or compares music of different historical periods
VII. Physical Education
- Moves in ways that produce different levels of activity
- Participates regularly in physical activity
Grade 2
I. Language Arts
Foundational Skills
- Reads fluently and accurately for understanding
- Reads aloud with expression
- Uses strategies to read unfamiliar words
- Uses phonics (letter sounds) to read unknown words
Reading Literature
- Asks and answers questions to show understanding
- Uses details in fables, folktales, and myths from different cultures to find message or moral of story
- Compares and contrasts stories from other cultures including those about Minnesota American Indians
- Describes the beginning, middle, end of stories
- Uses illustrations, words, or digital text to understand characters, setting or plot
- Reads and understands stories and poetry at grade level
- Explains point of view of characters in a story
Reading Informational Text
- Finds details and main ideas in paragraphs
- Connects a series of historical events, scientific concepts, or technical directions
- Finds important facts using bold print, subheadings, glossaries, and indexes
- Reads and understands informational text
Writing
- Uses the steps of the writing process
- Writes to share opinion, information, and creative stories
- Writes to create research reports
- Writes to communicate and considers the audience
Language
- Uses correct punctuation, capitalization, and grammar
- Spells grade level words correctly
- Writes complete sentences
- Uses grade level vocabulary from content
II. Mathematics
Number and Operation
- Reads, writes and compares numbers to 1,000
- Finds 100 more and 100 less than a given number
- Knows and understands addition facts and related subtraction facts
- Uses mental math to add and subtract two-digit numbers
- Uses and creates graphs and charts
- Solves real-world mathematical problems
Algebra
- Recognizes, extends, and creates patterns
- Finds missing numbers in number models, such as 3+_=7 using objects or numbers
Measurement
- Compares and orders objects according to size, length, or weight
- Measures length using centimeters and inches
- Tells time to the hour, half-hour, and quarter-hour
- Identifies pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters; finds combinations of coins for a given amount
Geometry
- Sorts, describes, and compares two- and three-dimensional shapes
III. Science
- Understands grade level concepts and ideas
IV. Social Studies
- Understands grade level concepts and ideas
V. Art
- Uses art elements (color, line, shape, etc.) and principles (balance, repetition, emphasis)
- Learns techniques (cutting, drawing, painting, etc.)
- Views and identifies artwork by famous artists from different cultures
VI. Music
- Sings or performs diverse music alone or in groups in tune and with correct rhythm
- Reads, identifies, defines, and composes music symbols and notes
- Identifies, describes, and/or compares music of different historical periods
VII. Physical Education
- Moves in ways that produce different levels of activity
- Participates regularly in physical activity
Grade 3
I. Language Arts
Foundational Skills
- Reads fluently and accurately for understanding
- Reads aloud with expression
- Uses strategies to read unfamiliar words
Reading Literature
- Asks and answers questions to show understanding
- Uses details in fables, folktales, and myths from different cultures to find message or moral of story
- Predicts, retells, and summarizes
- Learns the meaning of new words and figurative language
- Reads and understand stories, drama, and poetry at grade level
- Explains point of view, character, setting, and plot in a story
Reading Informational Text
- Reads and understands informational texts including social studies, science, and technical material
- Reads informational text to find main ideas and details
- Collects information from multiple sources to gain knowledge about a subject
- Reads to explain relationships between individuals, events, and ideas
Writing
- Uses the steps of the writing process
- Writes to share opinion, information, and creative stories
- Writes to create research reports
- Writes to communicate and considers the audience
Language
- Uses correct punctuation, capitalization, and grammar
- Spells grade level words correctly
- Writes complete sentences
- Uses grade level vocabulary from content
II. Mathematics
Number and Operation
- Compares and orders numbers to 100,000
- Adds and subtracts multi-digit numbers using a choice of math strategies
- Models and represents multiplication and division facts for understanding
- Multiplies two- or three-digit number by one number using different strategies
- Orders and compares fractional models with like denominators to understand numerators and denominators
- Solves real-world mathematical problems
Algebra
- Uses input-output rules with addition, subtraction, and multiplication to solve problems
- Solves problems with unknowns using multiplication and division basic facts (5 x n=45)
Measurement
- Measures distance around objects
- Measures temperature in Fahrenheit and Celsius
Geometry
- Identifies and uses parallel and perpendicular lines to create geometric shapes
Data Analysis
- Collects, displays and interprets data using graphs and tables
III. Science
- Understands grade-level concepts and ideas
IV. Social Studies
- Understands grade-level concepts and ideas
V. Art
- Uses art elements (color, line, shape, etc.) and principles (balance, repetition, emphasis)
- Learns techniques (cutting, drawing, painting, etc.)
- Views and identifies artwork by famous artists from different cultures
VI. Music
- Sings or performs diverse music alone or in groups in tune and with correct rhythm
- Reads, identifies, defines, and composes music symbols and notes
- Identifies, describes, and/or compares music of different historical periods
VII. Physical Education
- Moves in ways that produce different levels of activity
- Participates regularly in physical activity
Grade 4
I. Language Arts
Foundational Skills
- Reads fluently and accurately for understanding
- Reads aloud with expression
- Uses strategies to read unfamiliar words
Reading Literature
- Finds details and examples from reading to show understanding
- Uses critical thinking when reading to create and answer questions
- Learns the meaning of new words including words in mythology
- Reads and understands stories, drama, and poetry at grade level
- Compares and describes characters, events, plot, setting, and point of view
- Compares and contrasts traditional literature from different cultures including American Indians
- Describes how information presented visually, orally, or digitally adds to understanding
Reading Informational Text
- Reads and understands informational texts including social studies, science, and technical material
- Collects information from multiple sources to gain knowledge about a subject
- Reads to explain relationships between individuals, events, and main ideas
Writing
- Uses the steps of the writing process
- Writes to share opinion, information, and creative stories
- Writes to create research reports
- Writes to communicate and considers the audience
Language
- Uses correct punctuation, capitalization, and grammar
- Spells grade level words correctly
- Writes complete sentences
- Uses grade level vocabulary from content
II. Mathematics
Number and Operation
- Reads and writes numbers from thousands to thousandths
- Knows multiplication and division facts with understanding
- Multiplies multi-digit numbers using different strategies
- Divides multi-digit numbers by one- or two-digit numbers
- Solves multi-step, real-world mathematical problems using different strategies, including mental math
- Uses fractional models to find equivalent fractions and add and subtract fractions with like denominators
Algebra
- Uses input-output rules using addition, subtraction, multiplication and division to solve problems
- Solves problems with unknowns using multiplication and division
Measurement
- Measures, compares, and classifies angles
- Finds the area of geometric shapes with understanding of multiplying length x width
Geometry
- Describes, classifies, and draws triangles and quadrilaterals
- Uses translations, reflections and rotations to show congruent figures
Data Analysis
- Uses tables, bar graphs, timelines, and Venn diagrams to display data
III. Science
- Understands grade-level concepts and ideas
IV. Social Studies
- Understands grade-level concepts and ideas
V. Art
- Uses art elements (color, line, shape, etc.) and principles (balance, repetition, emphasis)
- Learns techniques (cutting, drawing, painting, etc.)
- Views and identifies artwork by famous artists from different cultures
VI. Music
- Sings or performs diverse music alone or in groups in tune and with correct rhythm
- Reads, identifies, defines, and composes music symbols and notes
- Identifies, describes, and/or compares music of different historical periods
VII. Physical Education
- Moves in ways that produce different levels of activity
- Participates regularly in physical activity
Grade 5
I. Language Arts
Foundational Skills
- Reads fluently and accurately for understanding
- Reads aloud with expression
- Uses strategies to read unfamiliar words
Reading Literature
- Finds details and examples from reading to show understanding
- Uses critical thinking when reading to create and answer questions
- Learns the meaning of new words and figurative language
- Reads and understands stories, drama, and poetry
- Compares and contrasts characters, stories, events, and point of view
- Describe how information presented visually, orally, or digitally adds to understanding
Reading Informational Text
- Reads and understands informational texts including social studies, science, and technical material
- Collects information from multiple sources
- Quotes accurately from a text when explaining what the text says and to support understanding
- Reads to explain relationships between individuals, events, and main ideas
- Notes important similarities and differences
Writing
- Uses the steps of the writing process
- Writes to share opinion, information, and creative stories
- Writes to create research reports
- Writes to communicate and considers the audience
Language
- Uses correct punctuation, capitalization, and grammar
- Spells grade level words correctly
- Writes complete sentences
- Uses grade level vocabulary from content
II. Mathematics
Number and Operation
- Reads and writes decimals from millions to millionths
- Estimates solutions to arithmetic problems
- Divides multi-digit numbers
- Solves multi-step, real-world mathematical problems requiring addition, subtraction, multiplication and division using different strategies, including mental math
- Recognizes, orders, and generates equivalent decimals, fractions, mixed numbers and improper fractions
- Adds and subtracts decimals, fractions, and mixed numbers
Algebra
- Describes and uses patterns of change to solve problems
- Applies the commutative, associative and distributive properties and order of operations to solve problems
- Evaluates and solves equations with variables when the values for the variables are given
Measurement
- Uses formulas to find the area of triangles, parallelograms, and figures that can be separated into triangles
- Understands how to find the volume and surface area of three-dimensional figures
Geometry
- Describes and classifies three-dimensional figures
- Recognizes and draws a two-dimensional model for a three-dimensional figure
Data Analysis
- Creates and analyzes double-bar graphs and line graphs
- Knows how to create spreadsheet tables and graphs to display data
- Knows and uses the definitions of mean, median, and range for a set of data
III. Science
- Understands grade-level concepts and ideas
IV. Social Studies
- Understands grade-level concepts and ideas
V. Art
- Uses art elements (color, line, shape, etc.) and principles (balance, repetition, emphasis)
- Learns techniques (cutting, drawing, painting, etc.)
- Views and identifies artwork by famous artists from different cultures
VI. Music
- Sings or performs diverse music alone or in groups in tune and with correct rhythm
- Reads, identifies, defines, and composes music symbols and notes
- Identifies, describes, and/or compares music of different historical periods
VII. Physical Education
- Moves in ways that produce different levels of activity
- Participates regularly in physical activity