My Virtual Success Stories |
Gabriella D. moved to a new city and had to switch schools at the tail-end of her sophomore year in high school. Like most of us, Gabriella found change to be difficult. She began having anxiety attacks and wanted nothing to do with school. The thought of attending a virtual school crossed her mind over the summer so she enrolled but didn’t take it seriously or put much effort into her schooling.
Shortly after realizing she wasn’t taking online learning seriously, her mom sent her back to her previous high school. Gabriella was unhappy and had already made up her mind that she didn’t want to attend. Gabriella recalled, “I was skipping school all the time. In the time I was there, I skipped every day. I wanted to drop out. I wanted to give up. I brought up the idea of giving virtual school another try and said I wouldn’t drop out if I could take school online.”
She went on to say, “My senior year came around and I was told I was technically a junior again, and that’s when I thought to myself, ‘What am I doing?’ Around October or November of 2017, I started to work on school and by January 2018, I had already completed 8 classes. It is now April and I now have 15 classes completed and I will now be a graduate of 2018 as I should be.”
That’s the beauty of virtual learning. When you attend My Virtual Academy, you can work at your own pace – as slow or fast as you want. That flexibility allows students like Gabriella to recover credits and work at a more rapid pace so that they stay on track with their original date of graduation. The pride shown on student’s faces as they graduate on time or ahead of time is priceless.
Gabriella proudly says, “No words will ever describe how proud of myself I am and how good it feels to say I worked really hard for this! And, of course, with the help of my amazing teacher, Mrs. Premcevic! I honestly didn’t think I’d graduate and then I thought I would graduate next year but now I’m graduating 
this year. I’m so proud of myself!”
Gabriella is still contemplating what she wants to do after graduation, but as of now, she has her sights set on attending cosmetology school. One thing is certain, whatever she sets her mind to, she will achieve! We are so proud of you, Gabriella!
If your student would benefit from a customized lesson plan, being able to work from the comfort of their own home, and learning at their own pace, please reach out to us to learn more about our academy. It’s a tuition-free school that may be the perfect fit for your student! Visit our website or call 800-297-2119 for more information. We hope to hear from you soon!
Activities, Creative Learning, Family Fun, STEM |
Students always look forward to a nice, long holiday break but as much as they look forward to it, it takes them about 3 nanoseconds before they utter the dreaded words: I’m bored! To keep things interesting this holiday break, keep these ideas in your pocket and when you hear those dreaded words, be sure to break one of them out to keep your kids entertained and maybe learning something along the way.
Take a break and bake!
Everyone loves enjoying some delicious cookies or cakes during the holidays so why not use this as an opportunity to whip up some new creations? Your culinary skills don’t need to be reserved just to baking – try making up a whole new dinner and follow it up with a delicious dessert!
Your child will learn all about measurements and how things interact with one another to combine and make a culinary masterpiece. To keep things interesting for your older teens, try having them triple the recipes. You could always freeze the dough for later while using it as a time to work on multiplying fractions. If baking cookies, you could decide to follow two different recipes, one that is for cake-like cookies and one that is for chewy. Discuss why the varying ingredients make a difference in the texture.
Do handwritten thank you notes.
Everyone loves to be thanked when they do something nice for someone and gift giving is obviously no exception. If your teen receives something as a gift during the holiday, encourage them to write a heartfelt note of thanks. This will teach them about gratitude as well as let the giver know how much the gift was appreciated. Challenge your teen to use 5 new descriptive words to practice and expand their vocabulary. Everyone is so used to doing things on a computer these days; it’s easy to forget the art of a nice, handwritten thank you note.
Visit the library.
Reading doesn’t just have to be done as a school assignment. Reading can be done for fun and is a good way to open the lines of communication with your child. You could set time aside to visit the library and then hold your own mini book club. You could either read the book together, discussing as you go, or read it separately and then talk about it once you are both done. Reading keeps our brains growing and developing and is the perfect way to pass time during the break.
Make a craft.
When the weather is frigid outside and you don’t feel like leaving the house, it’s the perfect time to pull your craft supplies together and make a new craft! Maybe you have washi tape and your teen wants to decorate their school supplies, like their stapler and pencil holder. Let them use their imagination and go to town! Perhaps they want to upcycle some of their old clothes into things that they’ll wear again. Go for it! Get those creative juices flowing.
Enjoy a museum.
There are a lot of things to explore when you turn to your local museums. Your teen could learn all about ancient Egypt and see mummies at the Detroit Institute of Arts. You could venture over to Cranbrook Institute of Science and explore all they have to offer. How about going to visit The Henry Ford? That’s one of our nation’s great treasures and it houses a lot of artifacts that your child is sure to find amazing.
Find activities at your local rec center.
Your local recreation center knows kids of all ages will be bored over break so they’ve been busy planning activities to keep their minds occupied! Head over to your local rec center’s website and check out all they have to offer. They usually do some type of dance classes, yoga, karate, crafting, and other local field trip type activities that will keep your kids busy and entertained.
Send them outdoors.
Cold weather typically brings snow and snow opens up a whole new world of outdoor activities. Why not encourage your teen to go skiing or snowboarding at your local ski hill? They could even join up with a bunch of friends and hit the local sledding hill for a couple of hours of fun. Physical activity is not only good for the body, but it’s good for the mind. Make sure they have warm gear and a snack and encourage them to get outside!
Encourage STEM activities.
STEM activities combine science, technology, math, and engineering to complete a project. Have your kids look up some videos on the internet and have them try to copy their project. Get them using their minds to build and create something. Let them use clay, computer coding, wood, batteries, whatever they need to safely make a STEM project. The internet has a vast array of options for winter STEM crafts and we’ve mentioned some on our blog before, so be sure to check them out.
What activities are you planning on doing when your kids are bored this break? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page! We’d love to hear what other families are planning and your comment might be helpful to someone else in our My Virtual Academy community.
If you have any questions regarding our program feel free to call 800-297-2119.
Advice, Education, High School, Teenagers, Virtual School |
The stores are bustling, houses are lit up with outdoor lights, and students are itching for a break. That can only mean one thing: Holiday break is right around the corner! When this time of the year approaches, it’s easy for students to start to lose motivation and interest when all they want is a much needed (and deserved!) break from school.
It can be hard to keep your student focused during these last couple of weeks before break, but try some of these strategies to keep their eyes on their schoolwork and they’ll continue nailing their tests and coursework right up until the holiday break.
Change Where They Study
A simple change of location can do wonders to reinvigorate the mind. Does your student usually study in their bedroom at their desk? Why not offer that they study at the kitchen table or in the living room? They could change the location up every couple of days if it helps their motivation.
Switch up Their Seating
Have any of those exercise balls lying around? Ask if your student wants to use that instead of their desk chair! They are used a lot in traditional classrooms now to help students keep their mind on their work and your teen may find them a nice change of pace.
Get Up and M.O.V.E.
Fresh air (even cold air!), sunlight, and the energy flowing in nature are sure to give your student a nice, quick break and reset their mind where they are ready to focus and dig into their schoolwork. Have your student take a walk, sit on the patio, or take a quick run for about 15 minutes to clear their head and refocus.
Keep Hands Busy
Remember that fidget spinner craze? Some traditional schools and homeschooling parents have actually found that proper use of them, or products similar, can actually keep your student’s hands busy and allow them to channel their energy into their studies. If you can’t get your hands on a spinner, give them some Play-Doh. It might seem juvenile, but just manipulating it in their hands as they study can help them listen and learn.
Ask Your Student to Teach You
In order to make sure they are really focused and understanding the concepts, why not ask your child to teach you the lesson? Have them act as the teacher and teach you the current math method they are learning or have them explain what they are studying in social studies. This will not only refresh your memory in case they have questions or need help, but it will give them another opportunity to go over the material and lock it into memory.
Explore Different Ways of Learning
When your student hits a lull, encourage them to explore different ways of learning about their current topic. Instead of just reading about the ancient Egyptian pyramids, sit with them and find videos or documentaries on them. Learning in a variety of ways keeps things spiced up and interesting so don’t be afraid to venture outside of the box.
Take Five
Like we mentioned before, everyone needs a break during the day and your student is no exception. Sometimes a 5 minute break is what’s needed to clear the head and direct their focus. Laugh, tell jokes, watch a quick video on YouTube, or grab a snack. It’s like a power break so make it count and then have them get back at it!
At My Virtual Academy, our teachers are always coming up with new ways to make lesson plans exciting and engaging. We realize this time of year it can be hard to keep student’s focused since they have the excitement of the holiday’s right around the corner. You might have out of town relatives coming in or parties to attend. Whatever is happening in your household, it is sure to be enough to make your students mind wander so use our strategies above to bring their attention back to their schoolwork.
Our staff at My Virtual Academy works really hard to provide your student with an online environment in which every student will thrive. We take pride in our flexible learning method and create our coursework to meet each student’s unique, individual needs. To learn more call 800-297-2119.
Have you visited our Facebook page lately? We are always posting things that enrich our student’s lives and it allows you an opportunity to connect to the rest of the My Virtual Academy community. Head over here and “like” our page today!
All Educations |
Being a successful high school student takes a lot of work. It also takes a lot of motivation, determination, and patience. Balancing school work, extracurricular activities, and the active teen social life can be challenging, but high school can be one of the best times in a student’s life. With these few tips, your teen can successfully juggle it all.
Invest in a planner.
Whether it is a digital planner that is on their phone or a paper planner that they fill out each day, a planner is necessary to keep organized and stay on top of due dates. They should be writing test dates, homework, and other assignments in there also. Basically everything they are responsible for (including extracurricular activities) should be able to be seen at a glance in their planner.
Set your teen up for success.
Your teen should have an area that is designated for schooling, especially since they learn virtually. This should be in a distraction-free area of the house and a comfy place for them to study. Ideally, they would have a desk, lamp, computer, paper, pencils, pens, etc. Just as you have a desk set up with everything you need to do your job at work, your teen should have one at home for their schooling.
Get your teen involved in groups.
While school life is important, so is their social life. Encourage your teen to get involved in various academic organizations, sports clubs, rec center activities, and other clubs for teens. They will love the social interaction with others their age and will make great friendships along the way. These clubs will give them a much needed mental break from their school work and other responsibilities.
Know their GPA.
Now, GPA (Grade Point Average) isn’t the end-all, be-all but it does indicate how well your student is doing in their classes. Knowing where they stand in each class will help you determine if they need additional help or instruction from their teacher. So keep on top of that and if they start to dip down below the level you are comfortable with, reach out to us.
Keep in mind that each student is unique.
There is only one you. Your teen shouldn’t be compared to others because it adds stress and frankly, it isn’t fair. Everyone learns differently. Everyone tackles their work differently. If your teen spends their day focused on how they are stacking up to the next door neighbors teen, they aren’t being the best them that they can be. They are wasting time focusing someone who probably won’t be in their life in the long run versus bettering themselves. Encourage them to stop the comparisons and turn their attention inward.
Stop procrastinating.
Most teens always think they can do things at last minute. They can study for a big test the night before. They can complete that homework assignment the morning that it’s due. They are always racing to beat the clock. Teach them to plan ahead and not cram. This is a skill that will not only benefit them during their high school days, but also in their adult life.
Encourage your teen to take care of themselves.
People who run on lack of sleep are setting themselves up for failure. Your brain needs rest to function at its highest capacity. Try to have your teen get as close to 9 hours of sleep each night as they can. This will allow them to start the day refreshed and ready to go.
Your teen’s body not only needs the right amount of sleep, but it also needs the right fuel to keep it going. Often time’s people tend to skip breakfast but that’s an important meal that gets your body going for the day. When your stomach is rumbling, your attention is turned to that and not the task at hand. Make sure to eat a healthy, sustaining breakfast and a good lunch to keep your body and mind going.
Keep your student’s eye on the prize.
Even if times get tough or your teen is struggling in a subject, remind them to keep their head in the game. If they get an occasional bad grade on a test, let them know it’s ok and that you can work together to study more next time. They could ask the teacher if there is an opportunity to earn extra credit. The extra credit could bring their grade back up and improve their GPA.
It’s hard sometimes to think back to the stress you felt as a teen in high school but the stress is real. The pressure to keep grades up, be involved in sports or other activities, as well as keep up with those in their social circle can be daunting and a lot for some to handle. Hopefully the tips mentioned above will help you and your student stay on track and on the successful path all the way through graduation and beyond.
Reader survey: How do you keep your student motivated and on the successful path? Head over to our Facebook page and share your secrets to success! If you would like to know how My Virtual Academy might be able to help your teen on their road to success, then visit our website or give us a call at 800-297-2119.
Advice, Education, High School, Technology, Virtual School |
How many of you go to work every day and are on the computer from the minute you walk in until the moment you leave? We hear you! It can be draining both physically and mentally. Not only can your back start to ache a bit from sitting, but your eyes can feel strained and your mind can start to wander. It’s perfectly normal to hit a funk when part of your everyday life revolves around being on a computer or device of some sort, but there are ways to combat your computer woes and actually become more productive along the way. Try these suggestions for both you and your student and we think you’ll notice your energy and motivation will be through the roof!
Switch up your work-space
We encourage our families to have a designated school space in the house for their student. That should have a desk, lamp, computer, and plenty of work-space. However, sometimes they need a break from the everyday routine of things, and that includes where they do their schooling. If they have a laptop computer, try working at the kitchen table for a bit or outside on the patio. You could even suggest they have a big change of scenery and spend the morning studying and doing coursework at a local coffee shop.
Have you noticed that some employers are offering standing desks to their employees now? That gets them out of the ordinary and changes things up. Sometimes something simple is all it takes to break up the routine and kick up the productivity and creativity. Why not give the same thing a try at home?
Use a reward system
Remember when teachers would put gold stars on your paper if you did a great job? A reward, no matter how small, can go a long way! Implement your own reward system and make goals with your teen. For instance, if they need to catch up on their science work, set a goal of what you want them to accomplish by 1:00pm and if they did it, you will treat them somewhere for lunch or give them extra video game time. The rewards don’t have to cost anything either for them to be effective. Enticing them with being able to pass on a weekly chore could be incentive enough to get them plowing through their work. This gets them off of the computer and onto other things in no time. One more tip: keep the goals small and attainable. If your teen feels the goals set are unattainable, they won’t even try.
Add in a distraction
This sounds counterproductive, but as crazy as it sounds, some people work better when there are lots of things happening around them. If your teen finds a quiet environment where they are parked in front of the computer screen boring, or if they can’t keep their mind from wandering, try letting them listen to music on their headphones while doing their schooling. Does your student like to draw or squiggle? Let them express themselves on paper while taking in their math lesson or other coursework. Sometimes having the TV on in the background translates to a “white noise” sound and enables the student to focus better on their schoolwork. Whatever works for your student is what’s best and should be done. After all, virtual learning is flexible learning, right?
Take breaks from the screen
Just like in a work environment, it’s good to take breaks every now and then to clear your mind and regroup. Same goes for virtual learning. Every hour or so, tell your student to take a quick 5-10 minute break. Have them get up from their desk, walk around, grab a snack, and use the bathroom. Knowing a break is coming allows them to forge ahead in their work and not feel bogged down.
A break also doesn’t have to be limited to what we just mentioned. Before your teen begins their school day, see what lessons need to be done on the computer and what can be done away from it. Suggest that they group their computer work together so that they tackle that and get it out of the way. Then, they can do their off-line work afterwards. Or, if they want to break up the computer work throughout the day, have them do a little online work, followed by off-line work, and repeat until they have completed the day’s workload.
Make a date with the gym
A big reason why people love to workout
is because the exercise clears their head and gets them ready to tackle their next project. If your teen is feeling stressed with school or personal life, have them schedule some type of physical activity into each day. This time is spent on bettering themselves and will set them up for success for the rest of the day. To break up screen time throughout the day, have them plan on doing some schooling in the morning, followed by their workout and lunch, then get back at it in the afternoon. The exercise will provide a much needed break and will give them a boost of energy.
As we mentioned, the best thing about virtual learning is that it is FLEXIBLE. If your student feels like they need a break, let them take one. After all, they set their own schedule and work at their own pace. We’re sure you can identify with feeling like you need to clear your mind or break up the everyday routine when you are in front of a computer all day. Keep them motivated and ready to learn with our suggestions and you’ll be surprised at the great strides your teen will make!
Have you “liked” our Facebook page yet? What are you waiting for? Head over and check out all the great information we are continuously posting for our My Virtual Academy community. If you would like more information about our program feel free to call 800-297-2119 or visit our website.
this year. I’m so proud of myself!”
