Trillium Charter School

Curriculum

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Click here to access the Trillium ePearl online portfolio program

Curriculum

Trillium's curriculum moves students through a logical progression of community, urban, and global studies. Graduates of Trillium meet or exceed state standards and are prepared for college, with exceptional communication and critical-thinking skills. We also emphasize foreign language studies. We believe students learn more when they are active participants in their education, pursuing their own interests in a variety of ways under the guidance of their educational team. Trillium employs mixed-age classes that reinforce teamwork, problem-solving, and respect for others. Courses are built around interests and abilities rather than grade level.

Trillium's integrated curriculum is founded on the belief that learning is achieved in a variety of ways, allowing students to construct knowledge without the restrictions of conventional subject areas. Our philosophy is centered on contextual teaching and learning, and constructivism. Contextual teaching and learning employ problem-based learning, collaborative/cooperative learning, project-based learning, service learning, and work-based learning. We provide a curriculum in which the arts, academics, critical thinking, and problem solving are valued equally. Within this context, our three core study areas are summarized as follows.

Community Studies (grades K-5)

Click here to download the K-1-2 Learning Framework

Click here to download the 3-4-5 Learning Framework

Community Studies provides a platform for safe exploration of the community. It builds the foundation of global awareness and helps link the three core study areas together. Along with solid academic instruction, students are given ample opportunities to explore art, music, movement, and drama. They explore the interconnectedness among themselves, their home, their community, and their world. The major goals of this program are to:

• increase awareness and understanding of our community.
• prepare future community leaders.
• instill a desire to explore and serve the community.
• develop life-long learning skills.

Urban Studies (grades 6-8)

Click here to download the Middle School Learning Framework

Urban Studies provides a framework for expanding students' understanding of the larger community in which they live. The middle school focuses on four areas: urban planning, art/architecture/design, leadership, and community/environment. Community service is part of each student's education plan and students have the opportunity to explore career fields. The major goals of this program are to:

• increase awareness of the symbiotic relationship between urban and rural environments.
• prepare future regional leaders.
• instill a desire to understand the various cultures and people that make up a community.
• engage in service to the regional community.
• develop life-long learning skills.
• develop an aesthetic sense of the world around them.

Global Studies (grades 9-12)

Click here to download the High School Learning Framework

Global Studies provides an opportunity for inquiry into global interdependency, relationships between peoples and nations, and multiple-identity. Students test their beliefs by analyzing multiple points of view on wide-ranging issues. In addition to required courses in rhetoric and public speaking, students spend large amounts of time in the field doing research, job shadowing, and community service. Students and staff focus on important skills, such as writing, research methods, and computer literacy. The major goals of this program are to:

• increase international awareness and understanding.
• prepare future world leaders.
• instill a desire to explore, learn, and understand other cultures and people.
• engage in service to the international community.
• develop life-long learning skills.

Assessment

Trillium relies upon a balanced set of assessment tools. Along with the Oregon state-mandated tests, Trillium includes individual Education Team assessments, academic descriptors, student-led conferences, and student work portfolios. They may also include performance projects, community service logs and project evaluations, and exhibitions. An exhibition is a student presentation to a panel of faculty and experts to determine the student's knowledge and ability to explain what was learned. By using a variety of assessment tools, we increase the likelihood of gathering accurate information. We use narratives as an alternative to letter or number grades. Students at Trillium also develop portfolios of their work, including ePortfolios to showcase their ongoing work towards learning goals.

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