Academics

Academics at Viewlands

The academic program at Viewlands Elementary School is stellar. We embrace our vision of “Every child known, safe, inspired, challenged and empowered”, and this is the lens we use to teach students in our community.

Students need to feel safe to learn, and by knowing every child, we better understand their interests, learning strengths and challenges, which allows us to inspire and offer curriculum and intellectual demand designed to challenge them at their own level.

Teachers use a variety of effective instructional strategies to engage all students and facilitate student learning. If you visit any of our classrooms, you will see students working independently, in partners, small and large groups or interacting with technology.

We believe learning occurs beyond the classroom walls and feel very fortunate that Carkeek Park borders our school and is considered part of our campus.

Curriculum at Viewlands

Our curriculum is aligned with other elementary schools in Seattle Public Schools. Please select a subject below to learn more about Viewlands curriculum.

For Language Arts, we have implemented Readers/Writers Workshop and Words Their Way for our spelling program.

The Math curriculum is Math In Focus.

The Science units are unique for every grade level and we augment district curriculum with our own focus on sustainability and environmental science in our “outdoor classroom” at Carkeek Park.

Our K-3 pod enjoy a program of hands-on outdoor science discovery through Learning In Places curriculum created by the University of Washington and partner Tilth Alliance. With Carkeek Park as their classroom, students explore in fall, winter and spring.

For PE/Health, we have a full time teacher who has a dynamic program called“Five for Life” that enables our students to learn habits and skills that will keep them healthy throughout their lifetime.

The Fine Arts Program, includes visual arts and music. Students receive an aligned curriculum in art and our art teacher works with staff on integrating art into every content area. Our music program currently offers instrumental music to fourth/fifth graders.

We meet students’ individual learning needs in a variety of ways. MAP testing is a tool that assists teachers in their instruction to address individual student progress. All students are screened through MAP twice each year.

We use Dream Box, an interactive math computer program that allows students to work on any gaps in their math learning or expand their competency in math skills. Students can work on Dream Box at home as well as at school.

Students also have access to Reading A-Z and RAZZKids, computer programs aimed at improving reading skills that can be used both at school and at home.

Viewlands is proud of their free, multi-day Kindergarten Jump Start camp offered each August. The camp prepares incoming Kindergartners, and their families, for what to expect when school starts. Students learn songs, tour the school, meet staff, and get acclimated to the Viewlands community. New families will receive communication with camp details in early summer.

We believe that social and emotional development is critical for students to be positive community members. Our school wide guiding principles are; Be Safe, Be Kind and Be Helpful.

Having a common language around how to treat one another is a powerful tool, and you will hear these principles frequently referenced not only in conversations between staff and students but also between students.

Our staff is trained in Positive Discipline so that we can consistently teach students how to self-regulate as well as empower them to problem-solve. We work hard to create an inclusive school community.