Tips for Parents
Celebrate National Internet Safety Month
By Guest Blogger on June 3rd, 2013
Get ready to post your party photos on Instagram because The National Cyber Security Alliance is recognizing June as National Internet Safety month.
This is no big deal for teachers and students living in the virtual school world because they celebrate Internet safety every day. However, for the rest of you, I offer up a few helpful tips to keep you safe online (tips courtesy of the new Social Media course offered by Florida Virtual School). Continue reading
Set SMART Goals
By Amy LaGrasta on May 23rd, 2013
There are five things to consider when setting goals. They should be: specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely; hence the acronym SMART.
SPECIFIC
Is your goal clearly written, easily understood, and straightforward? A goal to simply “lose weight” or “eat healthy” is not specific. Instead, clearly specify the outcome. “I will lose five pounds by May 15.” “I will eat five servings of fruits and vegetables daily.” Being specific allows us to clearly focus on what we accomplish. Continue reading
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
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
The Distinction Between Commitment and Attachment
By Guest Blogger on April 11th, 2013
Photo credit: Isaac B2 via Flickr.com
I learned a long time ago from my grandfather that there is a distinction between commitment and attachment. Pop always used to tell me that those who are committed will always succeed. I have never set out to accomplish something and failed as I am prepared to change course, when need be, as I am not attached to this path. Pop would tell me that when I was attached to something, I was fixated on one idea and could not open myself to other ideas or possibilities. Since life is full of possibilities, I “tried this on” and have created many possibilities for myself and my life. I fully subscribe to this distinction and believe this has created the space for me to stay committed to my wellbeing, health, and fitness. 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
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
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