Curriculum & Instruction
Curriculum
Welcome!
Please visit our Student Achievement Plan to view what your student will be learning this year!
You may also find a comprehensive list of grade level standards, along with additional resources, here:
Middle School Courses
The California Virtual Academies offers students in the state of California the opportunity to work in an independent study program that is individualized to meet student needs. All students are placed in their age-appropriate grade level and courses, with remediation and enrichment support, provided as deemed appropriate by the student’s assigned teacher.
English Language Arts
MS ELA Course.mp4Math
MS Math Course.mp4Science
MS Science Course.mp4History
MS History Course.mp4Physical Education
PE.mp4Electives
MS Elective Courses.mp4Please note:
- *History and Art courses are offered out of K12 grade level order, to comply with California education standards. Sixth-grade students should receive World History I course materials, even though they are marked as HIST07. Seventh-grade students should receive World History II course materials, even though they are marked as HST08. Eighth-grade students should receive American History to 1877. The same is true for our art curriculum.
- ** Students can choose to participate in the World Language program in place of Music. World Language is not a teacher supported course, and therefore the student does not receive academic credit.
- In compliance with California state law (EC 51930-51939), all eighth graders are enrolled in Health 8 for portion of the Spring Semester. The law requires that both comprehensive sexual health and HIV prevention education are taught once in middle school and once in high school. “Comprehensive sexual health education” means education regarding human development and sexuality, including education on pregnancy, contraception, and sexually transmitted infections (EC 51931).
Meet Our middle school curriculum specialists
Autumn Ellenson
Autumn Ellenson earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of California, Berkely. She then went on to study teaching, receiving a Master of Arts from George Fox University in 2010. She has over two decades of experience working with students in the public school system.
Ms. Ellenson taught 1st, 4th and 5th grade before joining the CAVA 8th grade teaching team in 2018. She enjoyed teaching, leading an after-hours club and serving as an NJHS advisor for 6th grade. She now serves as a Middle School Curriculum Specialist, overseeing Math and Science and other special programs, and is dedicated to helping students thrive in every way possible.
When she is not working, Ms. Ellenson loves spending time with her children and dogs, hiking or reading a good book.
Jenna Marberry
Jenna has a Liberal Studies degree from the University of California, Riverside, with a Minor in Education.
Jenna taught in public school from 2007-2017, then joined CAVA as an 8th grade teacher in 2018. She now works as a Middle School Curriculum Specialist overseeing ELA and History.
In her spare time, Jenna loves spending time with her family, reading, and crafting.
Shannon Williams
Shannon has been with CAVA since 2019. She has a Bachelor of Liberal Arts & Science degree in Child Development from Arizona State University. As well as her teaching credential and a master’s degree in Education from National University. She was a part of the 8th grade teaching team here at CAVA from 2019-2023. She now serves as a Middle School Curriculum Specialist, overseeing elective courses, Health, and special programs. When she is not working, you can find her spending time with her family at the beach, or on the court playing volleyball.
Instruction
Math Tips for getting the most out of Class Connect Sessions
ELA Tips for getting the most out of Class Connect Sessions
- Take notes
- Volunteer to read aloud
- Track with your cursor
- Always answer in a complete sentence; restating the question in your answer
- Use proper capitals and punctuation in chat box! The more you practice, the better the habit!
- Read Everything! Take it up a notch and read it aloud!
In a review of students’ Star 360 results in ELA or math, we identify specific areas in which we can help students grow math or ELA foundational skills.
Students practice and grow these skills on a fun, adaptive, interactive website called Freckle!
Purpose
The purpose of Freckle is to provide identified students remediation of foundational skills in math or ELA in identified grade level high priority standards.
How does it fit with coursework?
The Instructional Leads will assign practice to students that is aligned to Student Achievement Plans (SAPS) and what they are doing in their Class Connect sessions and coursework.
Requirements
Students will practice math or ELA skills for a minimum of 20 minutes EVERYDAY for a total of at least 100 minutes weekly per subject assigned.
Students will complete any assignment in the Freckle Program
If they have extra time after completing their assignments, they can practice math or ELA and/or go shopping at the store! They will need to practice for at least 20 minutes each session.
Meet Our middle school Instructional leads
Donna Meatty
Instructional Lead
Ramona Jones
Instructional Lead
Donna earned her Bachelor of Arts in Child Development and Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from California State University, Northridge in 1997. Donna taught kindergarten through fifth-grade students for twenty-five years and was a Reading Coach for five years before joining CAVA in 2023. She started as a 7th-grade ELA/History teacher at CAVA and was inspired by her students' growth in the online school environment. Donna is excited to join the CAVA Instructional Lead Team and is eager to work with the CAVA administrators and teachers to create an amazing year of growth in student-centered learning. Donna is passionate and dedicated to helping teachers design a thorough learning environment for students through connection and collaboration.
Ramona Jones has been with CAVA since 2022. She began as a 6th grade teacher, then transitioned into the role of Foundations Teacher the following year. Her passion has always been for intervention and inspiration. Figuring out where students are coming from and helping them to overcome challenges in their lives in order to succeed has been a lifelong goal. She feels that all of this has culminated in her taking on a new position of a Middle School Instructional Lead.
Ramona began in the public school system as a middle school teacher in both the Evergreen School District (San Jose) and the Elk Grove School District. Even in her second year of teaching, she took on the role of teaching a class of 7th graders who completed all their core classes with her. The focus with these students was to create a smaller class size for them with one teacher aiding them in the middle school experience.
From public school, Ramona moved into the private sector and was heavily involved with homeschooling, co-ops, and private tutoring; always gravitating toward students needing extra support in their education. Her most valuable accomplishments have always come in the area of boosting lower performing students and seeing their growth.
In her private life, Ramona lives with her family on a small farm in Nevada County. She is living out another of her life’s passions by raising goats, donkeys, and horses. She enjoys the tranquility and simplicity of country life.