The Virtual Voice

Parent Edition

8 Tips for Homeschooling Your Kindergartner

By on August 15th, 2019

As a virtual Kindergarten teacher, I work closely with homeschool families. After spending three years in this role, I’ve seen firsthand what works for students learning at home. Read on for my top tips for home education families with young children! Continue reading

FLVS Corkboard: Back to School Highlights

By on August 12th, 2019

Welcome to the 2019-20 school year! Whether you are new to FLVS or are a returning student, we’re glad you’re here! Your teachers and the FLVS team have been hard at work preplanning and getting ready for an exciting new school year. Before we dive in with some highlights to note, it’s always nice to start by marking your calendars for the first official “holiday/day off” from school. Continue reading

5 Things You Need to Get Ready for Virtual School

By on August 9th, 2019

It’s that time of the year again. Back to school!

For many FLVS families, this will be their first experience having their child attend school virtually – but even parents with experience can use some fresh ideas to start the new school year. Here are proven tips from teachers and parents of virtual school students to help your child get ready! Continue reading

Back-to-School Basics for Elementary Parents

By on August 2nd, 2019

It’s a teacher’s most wonderful time of the year – time to start a new school year! We’re ready to serve our Kindergarten through 5th Grade students with style and eager to help them strive for success!

FLVS Elementary has some information for getting this school year started off right. Parents and home educators play an important role in their child’s success at FLVS. Here are some ways to help your child feel fully supported at home. Continue reading

FLVS Corkboard: Summer Edition

By on June 10th, 2019

Ah, summer. It’s the ideal time for hanging out with friends, heading to the pool or the beach, soaking up the warm weather, enjoying cookouts, reading good books, and maybe taking a vacation with family. It’s been a great year, and you’ve earned a break!

“Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is hardly a waste of time.” – John Lubbock

In between all the fun, be sure take a few minutes to catch up on FLVS happenings! Continue reading

Saturday Science: Creating Lava Lamps

By on June 7th, 2019

Find Saturday Science instructions for creating your own lava lamp below!

Saturday Science is a monthly enrichment opportunity for FLVS elementary students and their families.

During these online sessions, we do an experiment together that helps us “see” and better understand various scientific concepts. Experiments are chosen to include materials commonly found at home or the local dollar store. A big emphasis is also placed on selecting experiments that require materials that might otherwise be thrown out after use, such as plastic water bottles, plastic bags, paper towel cardboard rolls, boxes, etc. Elementary students can perform the experiment live during time together or simply watch if they do not have the materials. All sessions are recorded so that if a student misses the “live” event or later acquires the materials, it can be viewed at any time.

As a teacher, it is my hope that Super Saturday Science helps create and/or deepen a love for science and hopefully plants a seed of interest that encourages our elementary students to pursue a career in science! Continue reading

5 Lessons Learned from Elementary Career Day

By on May 2nd, 2019

How many kids dream of becoming an astronaut as a child?

At this year’s FLVS Flex Elementary Career Day, NASA Astronaut Dr. Anna Fisher shared a story that was out-of-this-world and inspired kids to never give up on their dreams. Dr. Fisher served as a Mission Specialist on the STS-51A Discovery in 1984. She was just one of our special guests who recently came to visit the virtual classrooms of our elementary students.

Here are just a few of the lessons our students learned at Career Day! Continue reading

8 Simple Rules for Homeschooling

By on April 30th, 2019

Being a parent can be tough! However, being a student’s principal, school counselor, teacher, custodian, cafeteria worker, and bus driver can be just as tough. When you choose to homeschool your child in the state of Florida, you are taking on many additional hats and full control of your child’s education.

Do you know the “8 simple rules” of homeschooling in Florida? Continue reading

A Seatbelt Can Save

By on April 12th, 2019

One of the many things I love about Tallahassee is the trees. Beautiful, shade-providing, mature live oaks. It’s the tree-lined entrance of my subdivision that captivated me at first site and drew me to live here. It’s so un-Florida like—feels more like North Carolina and my northeastern upbringing.

Earlier, as I left my home and got in my car to go meet a friend for a meal, I decided to make a quick phone call. Bluetooth can be a beautiful thing. The person who I had just called answered when I heard what sounded like a smash ahead of me. Continue reading

Brain Breaks for Online Elementary Students

By on April 11th, 2019

Brain breaks are a BIG part of most elementary classrooms that you will see today. These mental breaks help students refocus, get some wiggles out, and most importantly – have fun! 

Setting aside time for brain breaks is important in every classroom, especially in the virtual world where a lot of time is spent on the computer. We are always looking for ways to get our kids UP and MOVING!  Continue reading