Homeschool Edition
Can Students REALLY Learn Math Online?
By Guest Blogger on December 3rd, 2013
Whenever I tell someone I am a teacher, they give me an approving look as if to say, “Oh! That’s great.”
In the natural progression of the conversation, they always ask next, “What do you teach?”
Once the word “Math” or “Algebra” comes out, the look changes to one of pity as if I were drafted to teach such a subject.
As the conversation spirals, the final question is, “Where do you teach?” This is the question that shifts the gears of the conversation and allows me the opportunity to explain the amazing work that is done at FLVS. Once I tell someone I teach Math online, it is as if I have personally uncovered the lost city of Atlantis. The many questions surrounding this new discovery start rolling in. Continue reading
The Real Win is in Losing!
By Amy LaGrasta on November 19th, 2013
Losing is part of life. In fact, it is one of the most valuable lessons one can learn.
We don’t get everything we want all of the time. We can’t win every race. Tasting defeat only allows us to savor victory and try harder the next time. Learning how to lose teaches us how to win.
If a child knows they will automatically get a reward for showing up, what motivation is there to try? If our students’ walls are adorned with ribbons and trophies for participation, we have done them a disservice. We are teaching them that a promotion will be handed over on a silver platter, not earned. Grades will be given based on attendance, not effort. Continue reading
Virtual Schools are Changing Education
By Guest Blogger on November 12th, 2013
Recently, under the headline “Cyber Schools Flunk, but the Money Keeps Flowing,” Politico — a nonpartisan, Washington-based political journalism organization that features in-depth coverage of politics and policy — reported on the poor performance of students taking online courses from various providers in a variety of states.
I am concerned that stories like this create a negative image for all online providers by painting with a broad brush. Virtual schools are as varied in their approach and their results as are traditional schools.
What Five-Year-Olds and Teenagers Have in Common
By Guest Blogger on November 7th, 2013
Twenty. Nineteen. Eighteen…
Every morning, my son Sawyer reminds the whole family how many days are left before he turns five. Yesterday, on day 15, Sawyer flashed his best 1,000 Kilowatt smile and announced what he wanted for his birthday: one Lightning McQueen race car, four other race cars from the Cars franchise, and one tank.
Sawyer couldn’t know it, but his request was actually pretty modest; I could buy all those toys for under $30. But I looked around the living room and saw the hundreds of toys that Sawyer already had – toys he never played with. So I made a reasonable request: we would buy him his birthday toys, but we had to give away some of his old toys. Continue reading
FLVS Student Wins the US Open Boys’ Doubles
By Guest Blogger on November 5th, 2013
FLVS Full Time student Martin Redlicki practiced tirelessly to win the US Open boys’ doubles on Saturday, September 7th.
As if that wasn’t enough, he also is taking senior level courses, with two of those courses being Honors, here at FLVS.
Martin certainly had a unique experience at the tournament. Continue reading
Multitasking: Technically Impossible
By Guest Blogger on November 1st, 2013
These days it seems like everyone is always trying to multitask.
It’s certainly possible to fold laundry while talking on the phone, or ride a bike while listening to music, but it just doesn’t work well to attempt two tasks that involve brain power at once.
Why? Our brains can hold only five to nine things in their short-term memories, so when someone’s trying to accomplish two dissimilar tasks that both require some level of thought and attention, that’s where the “multitasking” ends and the switching from one task to another begins. And when information doesn’t make it into the short-term memory, it can’t make it into long-term memory to be recalled later. Continue reading
Red Ribbon Week 2013
By Amy LaGrasta on October 25th, 2013
Although many of us know that Red Ribbon Week is recognized annually during the last week of October to raise awareness about the dangers of drugs and alcohol, you may not know the history behind it. It all started with one man, Enrique “Kiki” Camarena. Kiki joined the Marine Corps after high school. After his discharge, he worked as a fireman, police officer, and narcotics investigator. Kiki’s devotion to keeping drugs off the streets and out of schools led him to join the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). Kiki was assigned to the DEA office in Mexico and his mission was to stop the drug trade from crossing the borders into the US. Continue reading
Developing Digital Citizens
By Guest Blogger on October 23rd, 2013
Photo credit: Common Sense Media
We beat stupidity celebration cones. #zimmerman #defense #dadkilledit
Over the summer, George Zimmerman’s defense attorney Don West had to apologize to the media for his daughter’s immature and insensitive Instagram post in the middle of a very heated George Zimmerman trial. After receiving national media attention, the photo of the lawyer enjoying ice cream cones with his daughters instantly went viral, and Molly West’s Instagram account had to be shut down the following day.
#whatwasmollythinking
How do we help teach kids that something they do online today could potentially affect the future in ways they can’t even imagine? We need to help them understand the power of their digital footprint. Everything they post, share, or like is a direct reflection of themselves and their values. And it’s potentially out there for the world to see forever. Just ask Molly. Continue reading
Field Trips with FLVS Full Time
By Guest Blogger on October 10th, 2013
The Florida Virtual School Full Time program has experienced epic growth throughout the years, doubling in size for two years in a row. This year we continue to expand our reach and will be serving over 7500 students.
As we grow, so does our dedication to overall student success by creating a unique schooling community in which students not only grow academically, but socially as well. Continue reading
Take Action to Stop Bullying
By Amy LaGrasta on October 8th, 2013
As the following statistics show, bullying is widespread and touches someone we all know. It is increasingly important that parents and educators talk to their students about bullying.
Be aware of the signs of bullying, pay attention to your students, and check in frequently to ensure their safety. One of the best ways to prevent and reduce bullying is to talk about it. Continue reading