Activity Directions: Background and Structure of Academic Standards in each Content Area

1. Print or make available digital copies of the Reading: Introduction to Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards so that all participants can review it.

2. Print or make available digital copies of each of the content areas participants can select to review.

· Reading: Introduction to Minnesota Academic Standards in Art

· Reading: Introduction to Minnesota Academic Standards in English Language Arts

· Reading: Introduction to Minnesota Academic Standards in Math

· Reading: Introduction to Minnesota Academic Standards in Physical Education

· Reading: Introduction to Minnesota Academic Standards in Science

· Reading: Introduction to Minnesota Academic Standards in Social Studies

1. Divide the participants into content-specific groups.

2. Distribute copies or link to the Reading: Introduction to Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards; and provide copies or links to the group’s identified content area standards.

3. Give individuals an appropriate amount of time to read and reflect on the prompts on the Reading: Introduction to Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards and content area standards.

4. Have each group discuss the following questions:

· What is the purpose of Minnesota’s Academic Standards?

· What are the purposes of grade-level benchmarks (or in some cases, grade-banded benchmarks)?

· What are the historical contexts for your content area?

· How are your content standards organized?

· What information regarding your content area standards might be helpful for others to know?