Curriculum & Instruction

A Constructivist, Project Based Instructional Model

A Student Perspective on the Valley Charter Learning Experience

"Valley Charter School made a lasting impact on my life and learning. The school’s project based learning, diverse community, and love of reading shaped my passion for knowledge. VCS taught me the value of curiosity and action—whether it was editing my teacher's book as a fourth grader or leading a project to get flowers donated to beautify our campus. Now, as I prepare for college, I carry with me the confidence, problem-solving skills, and love of learning that VCS instilled in me."

 

-Ella, VCS Alum, current student of George Washington University

 

Valley Charter Elementary Core Program Elements:

• Singapore Math

  • Valley Charter Singapore math instruction is supported by Singapore math coach Bill Davidson.  Click here for additional information and resources about this program.

• Balanced Literacy 

  • Phonics instruction
  • Reading workshop
  • Reading intervention at VCES

• Writing Workshop

• Project Based Learning: Science and Social Studies

  • Read more here about 2nd grade project-based learning on our school blog

• Physical Education

• Music

• Art and Yoga Enrichment

• Social-Emotional Learning at Valley Charter Elementary School

Valley Charter Middle Core Program Elements: 

• Mathematics

  • The VCMS math curriculum is aligned to the California common core standards and integrates several different resources: the use of Eureka Math² curriculum inform the pacing, planning, and delivery of standards-based instruction, the online platform Teach to One Roadmaps provides each student a personalized pathway to grade-level mastery, and teacher-created tasks and unit projects help students to connect mathematics to the real world. Students use Eureka Math² textbooks in class and workbooks at home, when assigned by the teacher. Please read about the mastery-based approach to assessing students here.

• Science

• • The VCMS science curriculum is aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), informed by the TCI “Bring Science Alive” curriculum, and integrates teacher-designed hands-on classroom tasks, projects, and unit assessments to spark student curiosity and critical thinking. Students use the TCI textbooks in class as a resource and workbooks at home, when assigned by the teacher.

• History

  • The VCMS history curriculum is aligned to the California History Standards and is informed by TCI’s “Bring History Alive” curriculum, and integrates teacher-designed, hands-on tasks, projects, and unit assessments to engage students and help them practice the core skills of historians, including a heavy emphasis on writing that incorporates claim, evidence, and reasoning. Students use TCI textbooks in class and workbooks at home, when assigned by the teacher.

• ELA (English Language Arts) 

  • For ELA, VCMS uses Teach Like a Champion’s Reading Reconsidered curriculum, which is aligned to the common core ELA standards and integrates reading and writing instruction that is centered around whole class texts. In 6th grade, students explore the theme “coming of age” by reading Crash, Esperanza Rising, and Number the Stars. In 7th grade, students explore the theme of social issues by reading The Outsiders, I am Malala, and One Crazy Summer. In 8th grade, students explore the theme of the American dream by reading The House on Mango Street, A Raisin in the Sun, and Of Mice and Men. Each grade level also incorporates one film study unit and one poetry/song study unit that align with the grade-level theme. We also support students’ progress in reading by requiring them to complete two iReady ELA lessons per week.
  • VCMS Literacy Projects

• Advisory

  • VCMS uses a teacher-based curriculum to foster a sense of belonging and community for all students, and help students develop the executive functioning and organizational skills required to be successful in school and beyond. Students also do fun projects geared towards their grade level, as well as prepare for student conferences during advisory.

• Art Elective for 7th and 8th Graders 

  • The VCMS art curriculum is aligned to art standards. This 7th and 8th grade art class will focus on art techniques, value scale, composition, personal narrative, visual and written communication, and art vocabulary development. Students will learn to analyze, create, and express their ideas effectively. Units over the course of the year include: Community Building through Art, Your Life, Still Life, Animal “Self” Portraits, Role Model Portrait, Local Landscapes, and Personal Project. We also engage in a series of “pop up” lessons including Classroom Career Day and Marvelous Marbling.

• Physical Education

  • Our Physical Education (PE) program for grades 6–8 is designed to support students' physical, social, and emotional well-being through regular movement, skill development, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Throughout the year, students engage in a variety of activities that promote fitness, coordination, and healthy habits, including team sports (volleyball, soccer, basketball), individual fitness challenges (mile run, yoga, stretches, swats, and lunges), and cooperative games.

• Learning Labs/Intervention

  • Students with individual education plans (IEPs) may have a combination of push-in support and pull-out learning lab with a small group where they are provided targeted support related to their IEP goals, as well as extra time and support with grade-level classroom assignments. 
  • In the math learning lab, students who need additional support to meet grade level standards meet with our math intervention teacher two to five times a week for targeted instruction and support with foundational math skills.
  • In the reading learning lab, students who need additional support to meet grade level standards in reading meet with their ELA teacher to engage in an adolescent reading intervention program designed to support middle school readers who still need extra practice with fluency and comprehension. What makes this program special is that it takes place in small groups and teaches skills through high-interest texts and topics designed for middle schoolers.

• After School Sports: VCMS Athletics

  • The VCMS after-school sports program is free and open to all students. It offers year-round opportunities for competitive league play across a variety of sports. The following reflection from our Athletic Director illustrates how equitable access to athletics can shape a student's future:

"As the Athletic Director at Valley Charter Middle School, I’m proud to share that we offer competitive sports for every student who wants to play—regardless of experience. Our program provides students with opportunities to build skills, experience teamwork, and compete against other charter and private schools in the area. What makes our athletics program especially meaningful is that it is completely free. We believe every student should have access to the benefits of sports participation.

One former student-athlete returned to visit during a soccer game. Now in college, he reflected on his time at Valley Charter and shared how meaningful his experience had been. He said, 'Thank you. I was able to attend college because of the opportunity I got to play soccer at Valley Charter.'

He explained how his family faced challenges, including not being able to afford cleats or reliable transportation to games. But his love for soccer, sparked at VCMS, motivated him to continue in high school—and ultimately in college.

Stories like this are why I do this work. Every student deserves the chance to experience the growth, connection, and confidence that come through participation in sports."

• Clubs at VCMS 

  • Yearbook
  • Student Leadership Council
  • With the exception of Yearbook and Student Leadership Council, clubs at VCMS change each year as they are driven by student and faculty interest.