Academics

MSIS offers students the unique option of receiving academic instruction in both Spanish and English while being held to high standards. The school is designed to teach students the Spanish language while incorporating cultural awareness and diversity. During their time at MSIS, students learn to read and write in two languages, giving them an advantage in today’s society. In partnership with parents, educators foster student success through the use of formative assessments, collaborative reflection and goal setting.

Students in K4, K5 and grade 1 are only instructed in Spanish. Students begin Reading in English and Language Arts lessons in grade 2 and continue to be instructed in Spanish in all other subject areas except English. By grade 5, the students will receive approximately 80% of their instruction in Spanish and 20% of their instruction in English.

MSIS students are offered assistance through the Student Achievement Guaranteed in Education (SAGE) program. SAGE offers a reduce class size of 15 students to one teacher from kindergarten to grade 3. Designed to equip students with the skills needed to succeed in a diverse world, the MSIS curriculum is aligned with Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction State Standards and MPS Learning Targets. The MSIS School Learning Team collaborates to ensure these standards are met.

Language Arts/Writing

Reading

Mathematics

Science

Social Studies

Physical Education

Art

Health

Music

Language Arts/Writing

The Language Arts/Writing curriculum at MSIS enables students to use the English and Spanish languages as tools for self-expression. Taught solely in Spanish, Kindergarten instruction focuses on the child’s verbal skills and on connecting the spoken and written word. In grade 1, children continue to express themselves using new words. They also gain additional practice with computer software, basic research and the media. Grade 2 learners begin writing in English and improve their Language Arts/Writing skills by expanding their vocabulary, creating pieces of writing through multiple drafts and participating in class discussions. In grade 3, students apply proper grammar and exhibit correct spelling to a variety of writing selections while students in grade 4 develop well-organized writing assignments, complete with details, effective word choice and correct sentence structure. Grade 5 students use revision strategies and peer feedback to write a report and then present it to the class. They also design media products to teach their audience about a specific issue. By the time students leave MSIS, they are well-equipped with strategies that will help them succeed in middle school, high school and beyond.
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Reading

At MSIS, the staff recognizes the impact well-developed bilingual reading skills have on a student’s education. In order to excel in all subject areas, students must have a strong foundation in literacy. In kindergarten, the youngest learners at MSIS are introduced to reading readiness skills and are prepared for the beginning stages of reading. Grade 1 learners explore relationships between different letters and sounds while gaining meaning from stories. In grade 2, students enhance their reading skills as they apply new strategies to a variety of texts in both Spanish and English, reading aloud with expression and analyzing parts of a story. Grade 3 students are mostly fluent readers and are able to read simple chapter books in two languages. They analyze and summarize story elements from a variety of books, discuss main ideas and distinguish between different genres. The focus in grade 4 is on teaching children to use reading materials as sources of information, applying a variety of reading strategies to unlock the meaning of text. Grade 5 learners begin making connections between what is read and real life while using multiple resources to research and gain information. These skills are crucial to success in later years and the MSIS strives to help students reach their maximum potential and become independent readers.
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Mathematics

Mathematics instruction at MSIS equips students with the resources needed to apply mathematics concepts to real-world problems. During the kindergarten years, children practice counting and sorting, learn about colors and shapes and discuss how numbers represent quantities. Grade 1 students practice addition and subtraction while identifying shapes, recognizing patterns and developing ideas in data. In grade 2, children increase their knowledge of geometrical shapes, describe data and use measurement tools. Grade 3 learners practice multiplication and division, while students in grade 4 work with fractions and decimals. Students collect and apply mathematical data while estimating, measuring and predicting outcomes in grade 5.
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Science

The Science curriculum at MSIS provides students with exemplary instruction through hands-on scientific investigations and in-depth concepts taught using scientific methods and vocabulary. Kindergarten students explore and discover the world around them while learning to appreciate the beauty of nature. Grade 1 learners discuss careers in science, study motion, identify the sun, moon, stars and planets and learn about the life cycles of living things. In grade 2, students are taught about different scientists and important discoveries throughout history. They also explore sound, properties of earthly materials and the impact of technology on the world. Grade 3 learners develop a deeper understanding of scientific principles as they construct sketches and models to explain ideas and concepts. They also discuss changes in the environment and what causes them. As students advance to grade 4, they begin interpreting what they observe and learn to group and classify living and nonliving things. They also investigate electricity in addition to light, sound, heat and magnetism. In their final year at MSIS, students discuss important scientific events throughout history and record their own personal work using models, graphs, maps and charts.
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Social Studies

The Social Studies curriculum at MSIS includes five areas of study: Geography, History, Civics, Economics and Behavioral Sciences. Kindergarteners begin their journey in Social Studies education by exploring their role as members of a diverse world. During these early years, young learners are also introduced to maps and globes, family cultures and traditions and rights and responsibilities. At a young age, they learn the importance of embracing cultural differences and learning from and respecting one another. Grade 1 children use historical artifacts, documents and photos to describe how families are related. The focus in grade 2 is on diversity in neighborhoods as students explore the community around them, discuss the idea of citizenship and explain similarities and differences in cultures. Grade 3 children learn about the larger world and connect it to their lives in Milwaukee. States and regions are discussed in grade 4, with an emphasis on the state of Wisconsin. In grade 5, students study the United States in greater depth, focusing on different regions, creating a timeline of historical events and explaining the influence of supply and demand on the nation.
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Physical Education

The overall goal of Physical Education (P.E.) at MSIS is to develop awareness of the importance of physical activity. In kindergarten, children are encouraged to develop an interest in physical activity as they practice basic movements and follow directions. Students begin playing physical games together as they learn about cooperation and sportsmanship in grade 1. Grade 2 P.E. instruction guides children as they stretch themselves to meet new challenges. In grade 3, students show pride in their accomplishments and give positive feedback to classmates as they play games together. Children also demonstrate different types of exercise, including warm-ups, cool-downs, strengthening and aerobic. The focus in grade 4 is on improving individual skills while participating in group activities where children learn about teamwork. Grade 5 students learn how their bodies work and apply this knowledge to physical activities.
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Art

Art education is as essential to the basic education of all children as Reading, Writing and Mathematics. As an area of study, art education focuses on how things are presented visually, knowing what beautiful art is and solving problems creatively. Kindergarten students gain awareness of art and begin creating their own artwork. Grade 1 learners identify the work of famous artists, analyze how mood is created and make simple three-dimensional forms, such as clay figures. Students recognize that art takes different forms, develop skills using artistic tools and discuss how art is affected by color in grade 2. As they advance their skills in grade 3, students distinguish between different types of art and are introduced to perspective. In grade 4 children develop greater skill using art materials and discuss artistic design. In their final year at MSIS, learners further their experience with perspective as they analyze unique ways in which art is created and viewed.
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Health

Health education at MSIS includes both a personal and community approach to health care. During their kindergarten years, children are taught the basics of caring for themselves and keeping themselves safe. Grade 1 children describe the importance of eating healthy foods while continuing their education on safety. Students connect their own actions and health habits with others in the community and are taught how diseases can be passed from one person to the next in grade 2. As they advance to grade 3, children examine messages the community gives and receives about health. The focus in grade 4 is on the reproductive system while grade 5 learners explore the connection between health and personal habits.
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Music

MSIS learners are encouraged to enroll in either violin or piano lessons available through the MPS Music Department. Children in grades 1-5 may enroll in violin lessons while piano lessons are offered to students in grades 2-5. Lessons are provided for a small fee.
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