6 Tips for Homeschooling Your Middle Schooler with Florida Virtual School

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the idea of teaching your middle schooler using online courses? With more than 25 years of experience teaching students in the online learning environment, we know that every student learns differently. Which is why we have dedicated state-certified teachers who will support you every step of the way to learn what works best for you and your family. To help you get started, we’ve put together six tips to homeschool your middle schooler with Florida Virtual School.

1. Create a structured, but flexible daily routine

The middle school years are full of changes, which is why it’s essential to establish a routine. This means setting aside specific times for schoolwork, breaks, meals, and other activities. 

Homeschooling with Florida Virtual School gives you the flexibility to create a schedule that works for you and your family. No more rigid schedules that aren’t achievable for your family. 

You can also work with your child to establish priorities. By deciding the most important tasks, your child can take responsibility for their schedule and find the most efficient ways to stay organized and on track. Many of our students find success with time-blocking. This time management strategy incorporates scheduling the day into smaller chunks where they can focus on a single or similar task. This prevents a back-and-forth effect, where a student can lose momentum and focus.

2. Check out our award-winning curriculum and resources 

In addition to meeting Florida state standards, our online curriculum challenges students to understand concepts and master new skills. We do this through engaging course experiences like interactive games and quizzes, video and audio, and practical written lessons and assessments. We recommend exploring all the course features that can help your student reach success! 

Additionally, Florida Virtual School provides a wealth of resources, specifically for homeschooling families. We recommend starting with our school overview videos to learn more about what it’s like to learn online and what a day in the life of a Kindergarten-12th grade student looks like. 

3. Encourage independent learning

Middle schoolers are at an age where they want to start taking ownership of their learning as they develop their own interests and learning styles. Encourage your child to take the lead with their studies, and give them the freedom to explore topics that interest them. Whether it’s Language Arts, Math, Civics, Spanish, Computer Science, Peer Counseling, Coding Fundamentals, or Visual Arts, Florida Virtual School middle school courses connect your child’s interests with their learning.

4. Use our course progression guides and counselor support

Choosing relevant classes is essential for homeschooling success! Luckily, Florida Virtual School streamlines the educational process with our course progression guides for grades Kindergarten-12 to assist students and parents in selecting the right courses. 

Plus, our team of dedicated counselors is available to provide guidance and support. The counselor office is the one-stop shop for guidance services for Florida Virtual School homeschool families, including topics such as career readiness, college preparation, scholarship and financial aid information, advisement, personal growth, social skill building, and more. Learn more about our counselor support services. 

5. Socialize through our Florida Virtual School clubs

Homeschooling doesn’t mean you and your child are isolated. Florida Virtual School has more than 60 online clubs that your middle schooler can join to make new friends and connect with other students who share similar interests. 

A few examples of some of the exciting clubs offered to our middle school students include Speech and Debate Club, Junior Gaming Club, Art Club, Agriculture Club, and Photography Club. Learn more about our community, including student clubs and activities. 

6. Have fun

Learning shouldn’t be boring! Find ways to make it fun and engaging for your middle schooler. Use games, puzzles, and other interactive activities to help them learn. And remember, it’s okay to take breaks. Homeschooling should be a positive experience for both you and your child.

Florida Virtual School has a vibrant homeschool community and we are here to be a partner on your educational journey. To learn more, visit www.flvs.net/HomeschoolTogether.