Curriculum
A school district's curriculum is at the heart of the educational process. It is the substance and essence of what is being taught. Great efforts are made to ensure that all material taught in our classrooms is appropriate and educationally valuable to our students.
Our school district has long maintained a curriculum review process through which we research and evaluate new materials and resources, carefully analyzing their impact on student learning and ensuring alignment to state and national standards.
The Minnesota Academic Standards are reviewed at the state level in one content area per year on a 10-year cycle, and the standards committee invites public comment during the review process. Below is the current list of content areas scheduled for standards review. You can visit Minnesota Department of Education's Academic Standards page for links to standards updates for specific content areas.
MDE Standards Review Schedule
2019-2020 English Language Arts
2020-2021 Social Studies
2021-2022 Math
2022-2023 Physical Education
2027-2028 Arts
2028-2029 Science
Elementary Curriculum
Literacy
The Forest Lake Area Schools Components of Literacy model outlines the four components of a balanced literacy program. Click on the photo below to see a chart that outlines these important components.
Reading is Fundamental
When you put a book into a child’s hands, good things happen! Literacy is embedded in all aspects of learning and builds student success. With a partnership between home and school, your child will become a lifelong reader and writer.
A balanced literacy program, which we provide at Forest Lake Area Schools, ensures that the components of effective instruction are taught through a variety of reading and writing experiences.
Our Philosophy: Forest Lake Area Schools, in partnership with family and community, strive to provide a variety of literacy opportunities through standards-based curriculum and differentiated instruction that will allow students to develop positive attitudes and become effective readers, writers, communicators,
and lifelong learners.
Literacy Standards
FLAS offers a comprehensive reading curriculum. Students learn and practice basics and continue to develop further understanding of the fundamental concepts of literacy.
The standards covered are:
Reading and Literature
- Word recognition, analysis and fluency
- Vocabulary expansion
- Comprehension
- Literature
Writing
- Types of writing
- Elements of composition
- Spelling, grammar and usage
- Handwriting and word processing
- Research
Speaking, listening, and viewing
- Effective verbal and non-verbal communication
- Information analysis of electronic and print media
- Effective expression of ideas gleaned from print, pictures, audio and video
Other Elementary Curriculum Topics
Parent notification is provided to parents regarding these topics, at least one week prior to presentation.
For more information about these topics, please reach out to your student's school principal.
School Board Policy #623: Procedure for Review of Curriculum Content and Alternative Instruction
Human Growth and Development
In late spring, fourth and fifth-grade students in Forest Lake Area Schools receive age-appropriate instruction on human growth and development concepts. The goal of human growth and development lessons at the elementary level is to provide clear and accurate information that is age-appropriate about body systems and the changes that occur as youth enter their early teenage years.
5th Grade Leadership Lab & Junior Achievement - Preparing for Middle School
Students in the fifth grade participate in a two-part program that develops their leadership and financial literacy skills. The first part, Student Leadership Lab, helps students understand the traits of effective leadership by exploring their personal values, strengths, communication styles, and the impact of their decisions. This foundational program is designed to build self-awareness and strengthen their ability to build relationships with others, leading toward the development of leadership qualities.
After completing the Leadership Lab, students participate in Junior Achievement where they have a valuable opportunity to explore various career paths, develop essential financial skills, and hone the leadership skills they worked on developing and identifying from the Leadership Lab. This culminates in Junior Achievement – BizTown, a hands-on, simulated city in which students take on various roles in a real-world business environment. They will manage finances, collaborate with peers, and learn about civic responsibility, all while getting a glimpse into potential future careers. Together, these programs prepare our students to become engaged and responsible members of their community.
Second Step Curriculum, Elementary
Teaches students to regulate their emotions, advocate for themselves, and show kindness to others. This curriculum specifically includes a bullying prevention unit.
Efforts to create productive & safe environments for kids, all schools
Dealing with hurtful and hateful words in school
With an aim to create productive environments for all students that feel welcoming and safe, this work by staff helps students build knowledge and awareness of words and speech that are demeaning or harmful to students. This program gives students the opportunity to learn and restore the relationship that was harmed. It includes both a prevention component and a response component.
Middle School Curriculum
Middle School students receive their curriculum from various elective and required classes. The middle school course catalog and other curriculum information can be found at the link below:
High School Curriculum
High School students have the most choice in their class selection and curricular pathway. Curriculum and registration information, along with a high school course catalog, can be found at the link below: