Fact or Fiction........

I have had lots of family and friends ask questions about our non-traditional way of schooling Elyzza. I found this article and thought I would share it.

Fact: Virtual public school is not home school
The two are very different. Virtual public schools deliver public education in the comfort of the student’s home. Like all public schools, they are tuition-free to students. State-certified teachers deliver a rigorous curriculum that correlates to state standards and provide students with a variety of curriculum materials and learning resources.

Fact: Certified teachers do the teaching
Students learn at home under the guidance of a certified teacher. Assisting the student in day-to-day activities is an adult Learning Coach, who is typically a parent, but also could be another family member or responsible adult caregiver. The teacher works directly with both the student and Learning Coach to develop an individual learning plan, provide instruction and grade assignments.

Fact: Students use textbooks, pencils, microscopes and interactive curricula
In virtual schools, the computer is a tool for teachers and parents to manage and track assignments, communicate (along with the phone) and deliver interactive curricular materials. However, students complete many assignments “unplugged,” and spend time reading textbooks, using workbooks, reading library books and doing hands-on experiments—just like they would in a traditional school.

Fact: Students regularly socialize and interact with peers
Virtual students have many opportunities to interact with each other. Just like all kids, they choose to IM, text, or talk to each other on the phone. UTVA sets up numerous field trips each month so students can get together as a group. Many of the students also find that the flexibility of virtual education makes it possible to be involved in outside extracurricular activities, such as sports and volunteering.

"A mother understands what a child does not say."

What keeps me going!

Homeschool!?! Non-traditional schooling!?!

Yes, it is true. We are proud to announce that Elyzza is going to be part of Utah's Virtual Academy and K12 starting this school year. As many of you know Travis and I are very hands on and we don't want to miss anything when it comes to our children. We are both so excited to be an active part in her day to day education.

She has already started her summer program and I am thrilled with what I have seen so far. The month of July she has 4 field trips to attend. :) I do not remember going to all the fun places that they take them when I was in school. I have started my orientation to prepare for my duties as her "learning coach". Soon I will meet with her teacher and to do her beginning of the year testing.


The stock up begins!

Bug in action!

She is not excited at all ;-)

Things that Elyzza has said to me since she started her summer program:

"Did you know that if you took all the bones out of your body you wouldn't be able to stand?"

"Mom, I bet you didn't know that air is lighter than water. That's why ballons filled with air float and ballons filled with water sink."

"Tigers live in Asia."

"Cody and Marni really like on the same continent as we do?"

LOVE HER!

Zoo Day

We had a wonderful day at the zoo with a little suprise at the end. There is never a dull moment.
Tucker's fav part was the trucks and Andrea.
Elyzza's fav. part was Andrea and Grandma Diane (go figure)

A hiking we will go...........a hiking we will go.... hi. ho..

We took the kids on a 3 mile hike on July 4th. Travis and I were so proud of our 5 and 3 year old for being such troopers. All of us were so exhausted by the end, but it was worth every min.



A huge ice glacier with a river running under it.