Student Edition
Autism Awareness Month
By Anne Flenner on April 25th, 2013
Since the 1970s, April has been recognized as Autism Awareness Month. Autism is a developmental disability that affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others. There is no known single cause for autism and no known cure. “In March 2012, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued their ADDM autism prevalence report. The report concluded that the prevalence of autism had risen to 1 in every 88 births in the United States and almost 1 in 54 boys.” (1) There are varying degrees of Autism and many different ways that behaviors can be presented. Continue reading
Home Education
By Guest Blogger on April 18th, 2013
The term “homeschooling” continues to raise the eyebrows or evoke comments of skepticism from the mainstream. Even though homeschooling has been in practice since the 18th century, for some it still feels novel and new.
As we look at the evolution of homeschooling, we find that some of our most accomplished athletes, artists, entrepreneurs, and leaders were homeschooled. The list may surprise you. Continue reading
Why FLVS is Important for Kids
By Guest Blogger on April 15th, 2013
When people ask me what I do and I tell them I’m a teacher, they almost always ask, “Where?” When I reply Florida Virtual School, I am often met with a confused expression. Then the questions start. Where is it located? How do the students take their courses? How often do you see them? What kinds of courses are offered? Why would kids want to take their courses on a computer anyway? Of course I try to answer all of these questions in the best way I can, but I never know if I get across to people how important online schooling can be for students. Maybe I didn’t even fully realize it myself until today. Continue reading
Homework Hassles
By Guest Blogger on April 8th, 2013
My sister is conducting her own personal rally against homework. I don’t blame her one bit. Most of my working-parent friends pick up their children after 5:30 p.m. By the time they get home and eat dinner, they may have one-and-a-half hours of quality time left with their child. Then the homework monster rears its head, which often consists of the parent helping to clear up incorrect concepts. My niece did her share of complaining about homework too. I thought the United States was making headway in educational practices, but from her comments, it seems that rote practice is normal. Are we still in 1900? Continue reading
Where Can I Get Some Grit?
By Guest Blogger on March 25th, 2013
Photo Credit: http://blog.elementsofcinema.com/2010/12/true-grit-on-tcm/
All the cool kids have it, or at least the successful kids. This ability to keep battling in the face of challenges seems to be the talk of the education industry. Paul Tough is talking about it in his new book. Angela Lee Duckworth is talking about at TED. Brian Williams is even talking about it on Rock Center. Apparently it’s the secret sauce. But where do I get it? Because I’d like to soak my son in it.
I understand the concept of teaching kids perseverance, self-control, and the importance of struggle in the learning process, but that’s not easy stuff for a fourth-grader and I need him to learn from his mistakes now, before I make another trip to the emergency room. Continue reading
Cut it Out: Self-Injury Awareness
By Amy LaGrasta on March 12th, 2013
Self-injury is the deliberate infliction of damage to your own body, and includes cutting, burning, hair pulling, and other forms of injury.
Experts estimate that about 4 percent of the population practices self-injury, almost equally divided between male and female. According to researchers, recent studies of high school and college students put the number at approximately one in five.
While cutting can look like attempted suicide, it is most often not the intent, rather an unhealthy way to deal with emotional stress. Most people who self-harm do it as a way to regulate mood, escape feelings, cope with stress, express pain, or punish themselves. People who hurt themselves in this way may be motivated by a need to distract themselves from inner turmoil, or to quickly release anxiety that builds due to an inability to express intense emotions. Continue reading
Word Nerd
By Amy LaGrasta on March 4th, 2013
Photo Credit: http://barnraisersllc.com/2011/03/top-20-words-people-twitter-tells-2/
I am a self-proclaimed word nerd. When I come across a word I don’t know, first, I try to figure out what it means by context. Then, I look it up in my handy-dandy, good, old fashioned Webster’s dictionary! Finally, I put the word into use. For the next week, I incorporate it into my everyday use. I may be greeted with a roll of the eyes at the use of “kanban” and “lagniappe,” but it does not deter me. The more I use these new words, the more likely they will become part of my everyday language. Continue reading
February is American History Month!
By Guest Blogger on February 19th, 2013
Teaching American History Grant Cohort Members, Ca’ d’Zan Mansion
I am a history teacher, a lover of American History, and also member of the Florida Virtual School Teaching American History Grant. During the past four years, my grant cohort colleagues and I have visited historical places in the United States. Our studies began in colonial times in Williamsburg and St. Augustine; included slavery and the Civil War, for which we visited Antietam and Gettysburg; and continued with the progressive era where we stayed in Florida and visited Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota. In honor of this month, I wanted to share some great historical places in Florida, perfect for kids and adults! Continue reading
National School Counseling Week
By Guest Blogger on February 5th, 2013
Yesterday marked the first day of National School Counseling week (February 4–8, 2013). In anticipation of this weeklong event, I’ve been considering the question, “What makes student counseling services unique and valuable?” School Counselors endeavor to make an impact on student lives and act as change agents to affect positive outcomes. The unique service provided by Professional School Counselors is to critically examine a problem while focusing attention toward providing the most relevant options for families. The advice offered is valuable in that it leads all parties toward resolution.
Various students have contacted me over the years for assistance with academic advising, planning for college, dealing with peer pressure, or working through emotional concerns. One particular student comes to mind. Continue reading
It’s National Get Organized Month! Help Create an Organized Desktop for Your Online Learner
By Guest Blogger on January 21st, 2013
Professional organizers are women and men who are great at sifting through clutter and creating Zen. You have seen them on television, maybe even read about them in a magazine. This was a career I seriously considered when I left college, but never thought anyone would pay me to organize their stuff! Boy was I wrong.
January is National Get Organized Month and what a better way to begin 2013 then by getting your child organized and ready for his or her online courses. The holidays are over and students are returning to their studies. Continue reading