Play it again! Switched-On Online Music Appreciation for grades 9-12 takes students from hearing music to active listening. Journeying through the development of classical music throughout history, students examine how music provides enjoyment and reflects the world around them. With this dynamic, media-rich elective, students learn effective techniques for listening and responding to music. Study topics include identifying common instruments, defining musical terms, comparing music from different historical periods, and recognizing the effects of music throughout the 20th century.

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"Valley Christian Academy in Yuba City has been an Alpha Omega School for three years. In that time we have seen wonderful growth in our students academically. VCA opened its doors in 2007 with one teacher and one sixth grade student. Today VCA has two full time teachers, one part-time P.E. instructor and a volunteer reading aide. We have fifteen students that range from 1st through 12th grades and look forward to holding our first eighth grade graduation in May. The Alpha Omega curriculum has enabled us to serve our community in ways other schools have been unable. VCA uses a combination of Switched On Online, Horizons and Life Packs to give our students the individualized instruction they need. Examples would be Courtney and Becca. Courtney came to VCA during our summer session in 2008. She was 16 at the time and worked at a low third grade level. Courtney excelled during that summer and enrolled in our after school program during the 2008-2009 school year. Today Courtney is a full time student working at the fifth grade SOO level. Not only has she shown growth academically, but physically and emotionally as well. Becca was the first student enrolled at VCA. You might say she was our "lab rat". It became apparent quite quickly that the SOO curriculum was outstanding. Becca was able to work at her level. She was advanced in math and science, but needed help in language arts. SOO engaged her and drew her in. Her parents had to ask her, on a regular basis, to put her computer away at night and go to bed. She wasn't playing games or emailing, she was working on schoolwork. In her first year using the Alpha Omega program, Becca caught up in language arts and the steady "B" student became a straight "A" honor student. As an administrator and teacher I feel blessed to be working at an Alpha Omega school. The great variety and styles of curriculum enable my staff and me to offer an individualized education to each child who enrolls at VCA. We are able to accept students who are advanced and need to be challenged as well as those who are behind or have special needs and design a program just for them. To see a child that walks through our doors who has struggled and watch as they are transformed is a blessing. "

-Principal, CA
Valley Christian Academy