Extended Learning Program - XLP - Marshalltown Community School District

10/01/2026

National History Day students at Miller have been exploring a variety of primary sources from the Vietnam era in XLP. Sources include postcards, a diary, military police handbooks, and much more! As students examine these resources, they also consider what primary sources might be available and useful for their own NHD projects.

09/25/2026

Fourth grade XLP students enjoyed their first program with Naturalist Emma Bruck from Grimes Farm. Emma focused on insects and metamorphosis as well as look-alike butterflies. Students caught insects, used field guides, and a few even helped with tagging monarch butterflies. What a great way to start off our XLP program!

09/25/2026

It was a fun day today at B.R. Miller Middle School! Our ACEs group (Agriculture, Conservation & Environment) dissected cow eyes! Students located the iris, pupil, retina, the lens, cornea, and the optic nerve.

09/23/2026

Mentoring magic was made today at Lenihan with a student created Science Fair Workshop! Marshalltown High School XLP Students shared their expertise in Science Fair by creating a workshop for 5th & 6th graders to help guide their scientific and engineering thinking. This was a truly student created and led experience!

Students focused on engineering were asked to build a structure strong enough to hold a sack of pennies. Students interested in a science experiment were asked to explore whether peppermint helps increase reaction time. Both sets of students worked through the Engineering Design Process or Scientific Method with coaching from their mentors. Lots of fun learning connections were made, and mentors had the opportunity to practice their communication skills.

In the end, EVERYONE got ready to rock State Science & Technology Fair of Iowa! Thank you to James Marquess, Hunter Fors, Gina Banakeng, Carson Daters, Garrett Thede, Ian Kouang, Ulises Castanon Hernandez, and Logan Bailey for inspiring our growing scientists and engineers!

09/17/2026

Sometimes opportunities come across the XLP email inboxes, and we like to share everything we can with our families. If this is something that might interest you, please feel free to reach out to the Belin-Blank Center at the University of Iowa for more information.

Any student who is currently in 3rd–8th grade is eligible to apply for Weekend Enrichment. They do not need to be in a talented and gifted program to apply. Qualified students will show a high level of interest in the topic, motivation to learn, and ability to positively contribute to a classroom...

09/17/2026

If you know a family new to TAG, encourage them to join the Gifted Together Parent Engagement Series Fall Webinar on Wednesday! FREE at 8pm! Register today to get the Zoom info! See you there!

https://iowatag.starchapter.com/meetinginfo.php?id=15&ts=1788545824

09/14/2026

Lenihan Junior Conservationists took their first trip to Grimes Farm today! This lucky group got a peek of sunshine 🌞 during our adventure!

First, students worked collaboratively in order to cross a grid of carpet square puzzles create by Naturalist, Emma Bruck. Students would use trial, error, and memory to figure out the pathway. Students had to help each other without talking! We have a very encouraging group this year.

Next, the team decided on our theme to study this year: Water! We then learned about monarch butterflies. The students had the opportunity to tag and release butterflies so they can be tracked as they migrate to Mexico. Thank you to Emma Bruck and the Marshall County Conservation Board for being so willing to share these opportunities with our learners!

09/12/2026

Check out this great art enrichment activity at the Grimes Farm Nature Center! This art exploration will be led by local artists. All three classes are geared toward students 3rd-12th grades. The first session is September 16th. Registration in advance is required. Check out the link for more information.

We are excited to announce a new collaboration with the Arts + Culture Alliance, Young Artist Studio. Grades 3rd through 12th are invited to join local artists to learn and sharpen their art skills. Each session will focus on an element of art or type of media, a project to work on, and studio time to be creative and work on other projects. Participants can sign up for all or one session. Preregistration is required one week before studio time. To register call 641-752-5490, email [email protected], or text only 641-758-9777.

09/10/2026

Today our Lenihan 5th & 6th graders participated in a science experiment and ice breaker at the same time! Students used the Scientific Method to make Invisible Ink! This is also a review for Science Fair students who have a quiz tomorrow to see what they remember (*cough cough) 😉.

Students shared their dream vacation spot with the team aloud, wrote it in invisibile ink, and traded cards so they didn't get their own card. Students then revealed the secret message using a second solution. They then found the person who wrote the message and chatted about why that's their dream vacation spot. Next time, we'll discuss why there was a chemical change and a little about the history of invisible ink.

09/09/2026

The Marshalltown Community Theatre will be performing a staged reading of the docu-drama "110 Stories" by Sara Tuft to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the fall of the World Trade Center. Performances will be Friday, September 11th and Saturday, September 12th at 7:00 pm. Tickets are $10 at the Orpheum.

This is a really wonderful way to share history with students. However, as there will be real-life retellings of the events and images projected on the screen, we would recommend this to families with students in (approximately) middle school and above with parental guidance.

Join us as we commemorate the 25th anniversary of the attack on the Twin Towers in New York City on September 11, 2001, in a special performance of "110 Stories" by Sara Tuft.

This docu-drama relates events of 9-11-2001 through stories told by those who were there--survivors who escaped the collapse of the towers, firefighters, police officers, nurses, and others--as well as the memories of some who perished, told by family members and friends of the victims.

Join us at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 11, or Saturday, Sept. 12
The Orpheum Black Box Theatre
220 E. Main St., Marshalltown, Iowa.

Tickets are $10 at the door.

Despite construction on Main Street, parking is available in public lots on the South side of Main Street as well as in the Orpheum lot East of the building. Please be mindful that the Orpheum lot is more accessible for those who need handicapped parking.