GRADES K-4

The PA Virtual Charter School Elementary program includes students in Kindergarten through Fourth grade. Highly qualified, PA-certified teachers offer unprecedented individualized support in partnership with Learning Coaches and the K12 Inc. curriculum. Teachers analyze student performance to make data-driven decisions through differentiated instruction. All students are assessed using the DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) assessment. We offer asynchronous and synchronous instruction and provide students a strong educational foundation to support lifelong learning.

PA Virtual Elementary students complete engaging lessons in Math, Language Arts/Phonics, History, Art, Science and Music. These courses offer:

• Child centered approach to Phonics instruction
• Classic literature
• Step-by-step writing process instruction
• Math journaling
• Scientific process, hands-on science experiments
• Chronological history approach
• Art and music appreciation and methods

PA Virtual provides the Learning Coach academic support through a highly qualified, PA-certified teacher and the easy-to-use lesson plans in the K12 Inc. curriculum. We also offer non-academic support through our Family Support department with Guidance Counselors and every student has a Family Support Coordinator to assist them with all non-academic needs.

PA Virtual Elementary teachers provide instruction through the use of Blackboard Collaborate. These sessions provide students the opportunity to interact audibly, through written text, and visually via the use of web cameras, which offer peer-to-peer learning opportunities for students. Educational videos, games, stories, virtual tours and songs help reinforce, remediate and enrich skills.

INSTRUCTIONAL MODELS

PA Virtual Elementary School program utilizes synchronous and asynchronous instruction to foster academic achievement.

ASYNCHRONOUS INSTRUCTION

Asynchronous lessons are led by the Learning Coach with support from the PA Virtual teacher, allowing students to move through the curriculum at a pace that is conducive to his or her learning needs. The Learning Coach works with the student daily to help the student remain on task and provides general support with the course content. Teachers support Learning Coaches and work with students online at minimum twice a month in small group instructional sessions. The Online School (OLS) is used to provide students access to daily and weekly lesson plans. Detailed lesson plans are provided for each subject to guide the Learning Coach through the instructional process.

SYNCHRONOUS INSTRUCTION

Synchronous classes are live small group classes lead by certified teachers who actively engage the students in class activities through the use of webcams, microphones, and the virtual whiteboard.  The synchronous option offers students 45 minutes of Phonics/LA instruction four days per week, 30 minutes of cross curricular instruction 2 days per week, and 45 minutes of math instruction once per month and additional tutoring when needed.  Synchronous classes are available to all Kindergarten and First grade students who are working at grade level in LA/Phonics and to students in Second grade and above who are working below grade level in Phonics/LA.  Synchronous spaces are limited, so a waiting list may occur with increased interest.

CONFERENCING AND INSTRUCTIONAL SESSION REQUIREMENTS

Elementary students meet with their teacher at minimum twice a month through Blackboard Collaborate instructional sessions. These sessions offer students instruction aligned with the PA state standards, which supports their learning in the Online School courses and allow teachers to authenticate learning. Teachers use a variety of techniques to engage elementary students during online sessions including multimedia tools, web cams and podcasts. These sessions offer students small group peer-to-peer learning opportunities.

PORTFOLIO ASSIGNMENTS

Portfolio assignments help teachers authenticate learning, and measure student growth and development. The submission of portfolio assignments is an integral part of the dialogue between teacher and student.

• Math and Language Arts portfolio assignments are submitted four times per academic school year.

Standards based progress reports are issued twice per academic school year.