Advice, Creative Learning, Study Tips, Test Preperation |
In our everyday life, as adults we have a lot of things to remember and the same rings true for your child. Algorithms. Schedules. Formulas. Vocabulary words. Writing assignments. Upcoming test dates. Dates with friends. The list goes on and on of things that your teen is trying to commit to memory.
Every time we take in something new with our senses, our brain briefly holds onto that information. This short-term “holding tank” is our short-term memory. This “holding tank” is very, very small. In fact, if we don’t do something with that information, it will be forgotten rather quickly. That’s right – in order to move this information over to our long-term memory, we need to DO something with it. There are some proven tricks to help improve your memory and move this information from short-term storage to long-term. These tricks work great for people of all ages, but they will be very beneficial when your student is trying to retain information for an upcoming quiz or test!
Put it to music.
If you think back to your earliest memories, one of the first things you learned was the alphabet. To this day, if you are asked to recite the alphabet, you will most likely sing the ABC song. The easiest way to memorize those 26 letters was to put it to song and look, it stuck with you all these years! Encourage your teen to create their own song, rap, or rhyme with the facts they are learning. They could even put their facts to the tunes of their favorite song or create a new one. Doing a simple internet search of songs for the periodic table will give tons of examples to get your teen started. When material is interacted with in such a creative way, it is sure to become a long-term memory.
Scan, read, recall.
Does your student ever find themselves reading a chapter in a book and then afterwards they have no idea what they just read? It happens to the best of us all the time! Sometimes we aren’t fully present and our mind is wandering in a million different directions. To make sure they are taking in what is being read, first ask them to scan the reading for pictures and headings. These are clues as to what the material will be about. Next, as they begin to read, ask them to stop and recall what it is that they just read. This pattern of scanning, reading, and recalling will help lock the key points into memory. It may sound time-consuming to read this way, but it beats having to read and re-read the text over and over again.
Acronyms!
An acronym is a word or name formed as an abbreviation from the initial letters or syllables in a phrase or word. We’re all used to learning with acronyms because they are so effective. Some examples that many people have heard of include:
- HOMES: Used for memorizing the Great Lakes (Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior)
- ROY G BIV: Used for memorizing the colors of the rainbow (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet)
- FANBOYS: Used for memorizing conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)
The easiest way to make an acronym is to list out what you need to remember and then try to make up a word based on the list you made. Sometimes it takes a moment, but with some creativity, the acronym will be sealed in your long-term memory forever!
Break facts into groups.
It’s impossible to memorize huge groups of information. It’s an overload for your brain and even if you were able to somehow memorize the facts, they 
would soon be forgotten because it’s not a realistic way to have your brain store the information. Breaking large information down into smaller groups is the way to go! Consider this number: 4398071625. Now consider this number: 439-807-1625. The numbers are the same but when it’s broken down into a phone number format, it’s much easier to remember. Grouping facts by what they have in common is the easiest way to sort information. Whether people sort things by color, size, region, or characteristics is up to them and the material at hand. Just remember to make sure the groups make sense to you and then memorizing what is in the groups will come easier.
Give your brain a rest.
If your teen had a particularly hard study session, have them take a brief cat nap. Research shows that resting your brain helps transfer short-term memories into long-term. So, whether it is a short power nap or a good night’s rest, be sure to let your rest give your brain a boost.
How does your teen prep for a big test? Do they have any tricks to lock key information into memory? Leave us a comment and let us know! We’d love to hear from you. Also feel free to share your memory tricks with the My Virtual Academy community over on our Facebook page.
Advice, Education, High School, Virtual School |
Just like in traditional school, virtual learners encounter coursework that may be challenging and they may get discouraged from time to time. We don’t want your students to let a hard assignment or a poor grade send them in a downward spiral. After all, the decision to become a virtual learner may have been made because they were struggling in the traditional classroom. While we want your child to be academically stimulated, we don’t want them to feel that they don’t have the skills needed to tackle a tough assignment or bounce back from a low grade.
Teaching your student how to deal with hurdles in life and in school will be central for their success. We’ve compiled some tips below that will help your middle or high school child get out of their funk and ready to tackle whatever they come across in school.
It starts with you.
An involved parent helps hold a child accountable for their daily actions. This ranges from school to chores. Your teen should be at an age now where they can work independently but still check in with them daily in regards to their schooling. Let them know that you are there to offer support. Ask them what their week looks like. What assignments are due? Do they have a test coming up? Do they have their time properly allocated to complete their coursework, study, and have free time? Do they find themselves struggling in any areas? Would it help clarify what they are learning if they reached out privately to the teacher? Make yourself available to your teen and show that you are vested in their life. These questions all show your teen that you are there to offer guidance and give them the necessary support. Checking in with your teen in this manner will also allow you to motivate them and steer them back on track, should you feel they are in a slump.
Make a plan of attack with your student.
We are big supporters of planners. When your student learns virtually, time management is a skill that is of utmost importance. At home, distractions come easily and in the blink of an eye, it could be 6:00PM and your teen could have no schooling done that day. Learning how to plot out their day takes the stress off and stops the cramming. No one likes to cram and feel rushed, but if they don’t make good use of their time, that’s what happens. As we mentioned before, it all starts with you. Sit down with your child and look at what lies ahead in their week. Help them divide up their time appropriately so that they have time to complete their coursework and assignments each day. There may be adjustments that need to be made, and that’s okay. Your student will feel at ease and not overwhelmed once they see there is time for everything.
Reward good habits.
We all need motivation. We need something that sparks the drive in us and encourages us to succeed and do well. This is never truer than when we are in a rut. If your adolescent needs a bit of a nudge, why not think of a reward that they can work towards? Tickets to the movies, a new book, a new video game, or a nice dinner out might be the motivation they need to dive back into their studies with a new attitude. Work together to set a goal and be clear about what their reward will be. Check in with your child, off and on, to see how they are progressing. Knowing they are working toward a goal and closer to a reward, may be just what they need to get motivated and back to their good schooling habits.
Make rules and consequences.
When your teen is struggling with school and their behavior is unacceptable, they need to know what your rules are and what the consequences are for their behavior. Behavior that goes unchecked is bound to continue because there are no negative reactions for their actions. It can be hard if your teen simply gives up over one bad grade or hits a hard subject and shuts down. They need to know what your rules and expectations are of them. If poor school performance is something you won’t tolerate, let them know what the consequences are. When you see things you don’t like, it’s important to nip it right then and there or the time will pass and any disciplinary actions won’t be effective.
Help your teen by showing them how to stay organized and manage their time and workload. Letting them know there are consequences for unfavorable behavior/grades and rewards for favorable ones, will help your middle and high school student overcome any hurdle they may face during their schooling. Consider these tips and keep your teen motivated and on track for a successful school experience.
Has your teen ever hit a rut with their schooling? How did you motivate them and get them back on the track to success? We would love to hear your comments below! While you’re at it, head over to our Facebook page and share your parenting tips with the rest of the My Virtual Academy community!!
Education, High School, Virtual School |
As the parents of a virtual learner, have you ever found that you were in a conversation where you had to defend your school choice? We hear about this off and on from families and it can get frustrating having to defend why you chose virtual learning for your child.
Often times, people are just ignorant to the concept. They’ve maybe heard about it in passing but don’t really know the ins and outs of virtual learning. They don’t understand that your child is perhaps getting a better education than their counterpart that is enrolled in a traditional, brick-and-mortar school.
At My Virtual Academy, our programs are tailored to fit your child’s individual needs. They no longer need to feel that they have to keep up with the rest of the class if they are struggling to understand a concept. They are no longer pushed through with near failing grades just because the rest of the class needs to “move on.”
At My Virtual Academy, if your child is gifted and could use some additional challenges in regards to coursework, we have that covered too. The gifted will no longer have to sit back with boredom while the other 20+ students learn the material that they could do in their sleep. Students can learn at their own pace, however fast or slow that needs to be.
Not only is virtual learning a great benefit in that your student learns at their own pace, but they also can learn comfortably. They no longer need to worry about being bullied at school and picked on at lunch. When students are bullied, all focus goes out the window. All they are concerned about is how they will make it through the day. Will someone pick on them? Will someone embarrass them? That’s a terrible way to spend each and every school day. After all, in the traditional school, they see their peers more than they see their family so who would want to spend all that time being ridiculed and picked on?
At a virtual school, such as My Virtual Academy, we work hard to stomp out bullying. We realize that a lot of our students have faced those challenges in the past and we want their main focus to be on their school work, not on who is picking on them that particular day.
Another reason why a lot of families choose virtual learning is because their student couldn’t conform to the rigid hours of traditional school. Having a set 7 hour school day isn’t always realistic and going to work for all families. Some families have someone suffering from a terminal illness that needs care or lots of doctor appointments and hospital stays. Some families are on the road as truck drivers and the student needs to be able to do their schooling on the go. Others are following their athletic dreams and need to work in between practices and competitions. Virtual learning seems to be an excellent choice for those families and it relieves the pressure from the student because they aren’t “falling behind” like they would in a traditional school.
There are also a lot of students that have learning difficulties. Perhaps your child suffers from ADD, ADHD, or dyslexia. These are all common learning differences that can stop a student in their tracks in a traditional middle or high school. Students with learning differences may need a different approach or may need to take extra time. When they are learning virtually, that is okay and expected!
You may find that people question you on how your child socially interacts with others when they learn from the comfort of their own home. The myth that virtual learners don’t interact with other students is just that – a myth! They will still do group projects, interact with other students, and will have weekly interactions with their teachers and mentors. In addition, they can easily sign up for athletic teams, bands, dance class, etc. all through their local recreation center or through their local middle/high school, should they choose.
In summary, virtual learning isn’t the “easy way out” or a “fluff” school. Our students work just as hard as any other students and they receive a better education because they are working on their time-frame, at their own pace, in the comfort of their own home. They are able to focus and dedicate the hours needed to complete their coursework, but do so as it fits into their daily schedule.
We love our students and families at My Virtual Academy and we are so happy you decided to have your student work towards their high school diploma with us. You made the right decision to give virtual learning a go and we hope you are seeing the positive impact it has had on your student! Never be ashamed that you spoke up and made the right move for your son/daughter. Should you need any additional resources or would like to connect to others in our My Virtual Academy community, head over to our Facebook page. Our staff updates it regularly and we’d love to stay connected!
If you know anyone who would like to switch to an online learning environment as you have for your student, have them call 800-297-2119 to get started today!
All Educations, Communication, Education, High School, Technology, Virtual School |
Teachers are the backbone of a student’s education. Along with parents/guardians, they help keep their students moving forward when life gets hard and they feel like quitting. We go to great pains when bringing a teacher on board at My Virtual Academy, and we may have a slight bias, but we think we have the best teachers around!
Take a moment to watch this edition of “What’s Up Wednesday” with Renee Weaver-Wright where she interviews one of our high school teachers, Mr. Jason Z.
Jason’s passion for teaching radiates in every word he speaks. Like the rest of our staff, Jason makes it a point to develop personal relationships with the students and takes a strong interest in making sure they succeed. One of his main objectives is inspiring each student he meets to achieve success in their academic lives, which usually translates over to their personal lives.
As a student, contact with your mentors, teachers, and supporting staff is vital to your success. Jason contacts his students on an almost daily basis. This contact allows him the chance to see what his students are working on, answer any questions they may have, give some help with the lesson plan they are working on, and direct them to a Curriculum Specialist if they need additional help.
In this interview, Jason points out that a key difference between traditional school and virtual learning: the teacher-student relationship. Even though you are face-to-face on a daily basis in a traditional school, you forge much deeper relationships when you are in a virtual setting. How and when you can interact is not dictated by the bells at the beginning and end of class. With virtual learning, communication happens much more freely and is more flexible. Teachers become more aware of the challenges and struggles their student’s are facing and they can help guide them along the way.
In addition to being an outstanding teacher, Jason is also the designated “Bell Ringer” at MVA. Want to know why we ring the bell? Tune in here to find out why we have this awesome tradition!
After you watch that episode of “What’s Up Wednesday” with Renee and Jason, reach out to us for more information. You care about your student and their success and we do too. Bringing students in and getting them to graduation is our main objective and your student will be no different. You can visit our website, follow us on Facebook and Twitter, or simply give us a call at 800-297-2119. We are currently enrolling for the 2021-2022 school year so call today!!
Advice, Communication, Education, Teenagers |
Think back to your grade school days, critical thinking has always been something teachers strive to teach their students. After all, it’s a skill that is vital in life. Critical thinking is when someone thinks independently, clearly, and rationally, by connecting ideas, forming their own opinions, analyzing, and then drawing a conclusion.
There are many opportunities to teach your child how to think critically, so don’t just leave it up to their educators. As human beings, we tend to be curious creatures and with a few strategies and talking points, you can turn an everyday moment into a teachable one.
Ask questions that can’t be answered with a simple “yes” or “no.”
Take a moment to think about the questions you are asking your child. Do you always keep things simple and get one word responses? Change up what you ask. Instead of asking if the sky is blue, try asking why is the sky blue. Just switching the question around a little bit will turn it from a no brainer question to one that they have to think about before answering.
Look to classic literature pieces.
Do you have a teen who loves to read? Encourage them to read the great classics, such as Shakespeare. Classic pieces have characters that are deep and rich. They are sure to get your teen thinking in a critical manner while they think about what will happen next in the story, what the characters motives are, and so on.
Relate questions to real life events.
As we mentioned, life presents opportunities at every turn for one to think critically. Watching the evening news, reading the newspaper, or even simply people watching at the local mall will provide plenty of opportunity to pose questions and have open discussions with your teen.
Ask questions such as:
- What do you think that person was thinking?
- If you were in their shoes, what would you do?
- What were the dangers there?
- Who were the helpers?
- How would doing that benefit them?
- How did their actions help achieve their goal?
- What were the possible outcomes in that situation?
Questions like these will get them digging deeper and also will get them thinking about how they would respond if they were in a particular situation.
Teach them to sort through information.
A big part of critical thinking is knowing how to dissect vast information. Your teen will need to know what information will be crucial to them when forming their opinion and what information is just “fluff.” They will need to know how to read information given to them and find the useful and pertinent facts relative to their topic. They already do this to some extent when working on project or pulling out which information to focus on when studying for a test. Help your student further develop this skill by reading passages from newspapers or articles online. Ask them to read the story and then let you know their opinion and what information they used to form their opinion. This opens a gateway for a nice dialogue between you and your child.
Correct assumptions.
Remember, your teen’s brain is still developing which is why we are focusing on their critical thinking skills. They might have assumptions or misconceptions of what they are reading. This is a great time to talk with them should you notice their line of thinking isn’t factual. When you give them information that they might not have had or explain to them why their assumption is wrong, you are widening their horizons and broadening their knowledge so never miss out on that opportunity.
At My Virtual Academy, we are always striving to incorporate critical thinking into our lesson plans. With help from parents like you at home, your teen will have the skills needed to be successful for life after graduation. Looking to stay in-the-know with the MVA community? Make sure to “like” our Facebook page. Our staff is always sharing useful information about our school and ways to help your students.
would soon be forgotten because it’s not a realistic way to have your brain store the information. Breaking large information down into smaller groups is the way to go! Consider this number: 4398071625. Now consider this number: 439-807-1625. The numbers are the same but when it’s broken down into a phone number format, it’s much easier to remember. Grouping facts by what they have in common is the easiest way to sort information. Whether people sort things by color, size, region, or characteristics is up to them and the material at hand. Just remember to make sure the groups make sense to you and then memorizing what is in the groups will come easier.
