Connections Academy Blog, Virtual Learning Connections

What’s it really like to juggle parenting and be a Learning Coach for your child’s online schooling? What does the role of Learning Coach involve? Are virtual school students and Learning Coaches required to interact all day long, every day? If you’re thinking about online school for your kids, it’s important to learn the answer to these questions and grasp the big picture of how virtual school works with regard to your child’s responsibilities and the duties you’ll be performing as the Learning Coach. You’ll especially want to understand how these roles will change as your child grows up (which sometimes happens more quickly than we’d like!).

Online Elementary School: Children in Motion

As a parent, you already know that in elementary school busy little bodies need ongoing supervision! At this stage, attention spans are as tiny as the children themselves. Learning Coaches will need to help kids stay on task by minimizing distractions and by setting a schedule with varied activities and breaks. Remember, kids need exercise and playtime every day to burn off their excess energy!

Online school students in grades K–5 will have a very flexible schedule and do a large percentage of their schoolwork offline, including reading books, writing, and doing hands-on assignments. As a Learning Coach, you should expect to spend about five hours each day supervising these learning activities.

To support a child’s learning, a Learning Coach’s role includes demonstrating positive organization and good study skills, and providing assistance with time and ...

As school winds down, it’s customary for parents whose children attend traditional schools to thank teachers for their efforts all year long. During Teacher Appreciation Week, May 7–11, we’d like to encourage parents with kids in virtual school to do the same!

While you may not live very close to your online teacher’s location, which makes it challenging to just stop by with a plate of cookies or a potted plant, there are many great options for expressing your gratitude. Parents should not feel obligated to give large or expensive gifts; small yet thoughtful tokens of appreciation can be just as meaningful to our dedicated, hardworking educators. Two of our blog contributors, Kim McConnell and Tracy Ostwald-Kowald, both virtual school teachers, have gathered some fantastic teacher appreciation gift ideas—mostly free or low-cost, all easily mailed and sure to be appreciated!

1. Express your thanks in writing. Most teachers cherish the personal notes of thanks they receive most of all—and save them for encouragement. One of the teachers we asked said, “I keep a folder with notes from students and parents, some from as long ago as 15 years. When I read these notes, I am reminded that I do make an impact on students.” Another teacher told us, “We like to know we’re making a difference for our students.”
2. Make something. Whether it’s a personalized mug or decor, a beaded bracelet, a holiday ornament, or student artwork, handmade gifts are sure to touch a teacher’s heart. 
3. Make a donation. Honor ...

When the Patterson family relocated to a rural Arizona town, they never imagined that the change would have a negative effect on their son’s social and academic development. As the new kid in town—and one of the smallest children in his new bricks-and-mortar school—their son Beau became a victim of bullying, and soon his grades and his self-confidence began to suffer.

More than 13 million kids will be bullied this year, according to thebullyproject.com. As shown in the controversial and thought-provoking new documentary Bully, recently released in theaters nationwide, the consequences of bullying can be devastating. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services concurs; its research proves that young people who are bullied are at a higher risk for depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, physical ailments, truancy, and even suicide.

Now a 14-year-old online high school freshman at Arizona Connections Academy, Beau says he’s glad that his mom found out about virtual schooling. Working in a safe environment at home, he’s improved his grades and feels good about himself again. He’s had the opportunity to meet classmates and make friends through online activities and in-person field trips. Beau also appreciates having a flexible schedule that allows him to play baseball, ride horses, and compete in rodeos. Watch his uplifting story now:

Having trouble seeing? Try going directly to YouTube.

If your child is experiencing school bullying, you should know that bullying prevention resources are available to help you talk with your school administration and ...

When the weather turns warm, many students interpret the change in the weather as a signal that the school year is over and their vacation has begun. How do you help virtual school students stay focused on their schoolwork and still put forth their best effort? Here are some pointers to help keep online school students on track for finishing the year strong.

• Set a good example for your student. Make a point of being a good role model by taking responsibility for tasks and finishing what you start. If students see you frequently delaying your work in favor of fun activities, they may feel it’s okay for them to slack off with regard to their schoolwork, too. 
• Discuss consequences. What will happen if students don’t finish their work? Will they receive a failing grade? Will they have to repeat an online course during the summer or stay in the same grade level? While making your child aware of undesirable consequences, be sure to also emphasize the positive consequences of finishing schoolwork on time: the satisfaction of a job well done, plus a whole summer to enjoy! 
• Set incentives for getting work done. Use those fun warm-weather activities everyone looks forward to as incentives for completing lessons and other assignments. Playing under the sprinkler, making homemade popsicles or ice cream, or taking a trip to the park all make great motivators! Let your students know what you have planned so they can look ahead to the positive rewards ...

As a parent, one of the most powerful ways you can influence your children’s futures is to teach them to be financially responsible. Kick off your efforts during National Financial Literacy Month, which runs through the end of April, but don’t forget that you can demonstrate positive financial behaviors—like saving money, creating a budget, and setting financial goals—all year long. Consider it an investment in your children’s future financial health! Here are a few more tips and ideas for teaching your kids about managing money:

Teach kids about budgeting.
Talk with your children about where your family’s money goes—and why. While you may not want to share every detail of your finances, explaining monthly household bills and expenses will help children understand the concept of a budget and how one plays out in everyday life. Here are a few low-risk, hands-on ways to give your kids budgeting experience:

• Give your children control over the family’s entertainment budget for a month. Encourage them to research affordable options for stretching the allotted money as far as it can go. Explain that once the budgeted amount is used up, the family will have to stay home instead of heading out for pizza or to the movies. 
• Put your children in charge of researching choices for the family vacation. Meet as a family to narrow down the options first, then set a budget, help them brainstorm a list of what needs to be included (hotel, airfare or gasoline, meals, admission prices to attractions, ...

Did you know that April is National Financial Literacy Month? Now that tax season is over for the adults in your family, why not devote some time to starting your children on the path toward a financially responsible future? Here are a few ideas and suggested resources for teaching kids about money:

Reinforce money-counting skills with play.
For very young children just beginning to grasp the concept of money, play-acting a trip to the grocery store or shopping mall, complete with shopping bags and pretend money, makes a great way to practice counting money or making change. A wide variety of colorful money worksheets can also be found online to reinforce these skills.

Turn grocery shopping into a learning experience.
Equip kids with calculators, pencils, and notepads, and turn your trip to the market into a lesson in comparison shopping. As you shop, ask them to calculate the difference in cost between various brands and advise you on which ones you should purchase. Make sure they jot down the amount saved for each item. Afterward, add up how much money they helped you save—and let them select a special treat as a reward.

Encourage careful money management.
Whether your child receives money from an allowance, birthday gift, or job, it’s a smart idea to teach him or her to keep track of it! Consider encouraging (or even requiring) your child to save a portion of his or her money, too.

• Teach younger children to set aside part of ...

Believe it or not, there are now 2.5 million kids in the U.S. who receive some of their education online, while an estimated 250,000 students are getting their entire education virtually. Many parents consider virtual school because their children learn faster or slower than their peers; have special health, scheduling, or other needs; or simply do not thrive in a traditional classroom. The increased personalization and flexibility that online schools offer may enable these students to succeed academically, schooling at home at their own pace and at a level that suits their educational needs.

Families considering virtual schooling for students in kindergarten through twelfth grade should keep in mind that this educational method may not work for every student, or for every family. Careful consideration of the following “ABC’s” of successful online schooling can help you determine if it’s a good fit for your family:

• “A” is for Available Parent: Most full-time virtual schools require a parent or trusted adult in the home throughout the day to monitor student progress. This equals a major commitment of time and attention.
• “A” is also for Attitude: Parents need to be positive and engaged in the learning process. Students need the right mind-set, too. Being self-motivated, open to learning in a nontraditional setting, and comfortable with technology all contribute to success.
• “B” is for Beyond the Traditional Classroom: While online schools give students the freedom to learn almost anywhere, it is important to have a dedicated learning space at home in ...

When the weather is nice, it’s easy to send your kids outside to run around and burn off some of that seemingly endless excess energy. But on rainy days (or in other weather where you’d rather stay indoors), you need ways to keep kids entertained and engaged inside the house.

One solution is to break out the rainy day crafts. They’re easy, inexpensive projects you can do on a Saturday afternoon, or use as a break during the school day. Sometimes they’re also a good way to keep one child entertained while you work on a tough assignment with another.

During any season, one of my favorite rainy day crafts is making homemade thank-you cards. They are the perfect, personalized way to show appreciation for birthday and holiday presents and even just the simple things that family and friends do for your kids.

Using just a few supplies and a little imagination, your kids can create touching thank-you cards that every recipient will truly appreciate. Encourage them to draw pictures or find images and words from old magazines and newspapers to express their thanks.

In addition to homemade thank-you cards, I’ve gathered some other crafts you can enjoy:

• Book Blankets: Get your kids excited about reading and use these personalized covers to protect their favorite books.


• Colorful Sun Catchers: These vibrant, easy-to-make sun catchers are the perfect way to capture the sunshine once it returns.


• Habitat Dioramas: This activity is versatile because it can be used to occupy several hours ...

Through my experiences as both a homeschool parent and an online school Learning Coach, I have realized the importance of identifying your educational philosophy. While it may sound lofty, “educational philosophy” is really just a fancy name for your unique beliefs about the value, purpose, and goals of learning. Clearly defining your family’s values can:

• Help you make solid general decisions for your child’s education
• Simplify choosing an appropriate K–12 online school
• Clarify what you expect from your student
• Help guide your child’s teachers in determining what resources will work best for your student’s success

Here are some tips to get you started on defining your educational philosophy and goals:

• Fill in the Blanks: Try completing the following sentence: My child’s education should _________. You may find that you have many different types of answers. Although every family will have its own unique views, the following answers may jump-start your thinking. Many people believe that education should:
• Open doors for a child now and in the future
• Develop a child’s personality and character
• Be responsive to a child’s questions, interests, and individual needs
• Spark curiosity rather than be a source of anxiety
• Be developmentally appropriate
• Prepare a child for the 21st-century workforce


• Brainstorm the Past: Try reflecting on your own education. Were there good experiences you’d like to duplicate for your child? Were there unpleasant experiences you hope your child can avoid?


• Picture the Future: We often speak about children and young people in our society as “the future.” ...

When you’re busy acting as both parent and online school Learning Coach, you may wonder if your house will ever be clean and tidy again. Something as ambitious as spring cleaning may seem like an impossible dream!

To accomplish your household goals, why not involve your family in projects like spring cleaning? Your children can learn from your example. By enlisting their help, you can teach valuable lessons about planning, setting goals and priorities, responsibility, and teamwork. Here are a few tips and ideas to get you started on the right foot:

• Discuss the Plan – Before you begin, talk to your children about what you are doing, what it will accomplish, and how they can help. Using a whiteboard or large sheet of paper, make a big checklist of all the cleaning tasks so everyone can clearly see what needs to be done. Check off tasks as they are completed. If you plan to weed out old items, give children some autonomy by letting them choose a few things in their rooms that are “off-limits” and won’t be touched, like a favorite box of action figures or collected rocks.
• Establish Rewards – Naturally, you’ll want to reward your child for hard work completed with your words of praise and gratitude. But you may also want to consider an appropriate incentive when a goal is achieved to keep motivation high, like a favorite meal, a trip to the zoo, or a new video game. The bigger the accomplishment, ...