I was just reflecting on the power of blogs and wikis to influence and to share students' learning, and decided to look up our old blog that we used to share J's learning with family and friends as we began the journey of home schooling.
Two years later, we are in a very different situation than we were in 2011. J continued with the Texas Virtual Academy until we moved to California in December of 2011. At that time, she switched seamlessly over to the California Virtual Academy - same curriculum, format, etc. Social Studies and Science were a little different because we moved to a different state, and each state has its own set of required learning for each grade level. But, for the most part, the transition was excellent.
We continued with the California Virtual Academy until June 2012. That is because we found a very small school in the area that we moved to in California that meets her needs very well. She is currently attending Orion Academy in Moraga, CA. http://www.orionacademy.org/ They are helping to address some of her social and emotional needs in a very small and highly efficient school environment. She is absolutely enjoying having a variety of teachers, the variation in learning opportunities, and being around other students (for the most part). There are only 5 students total in her 8th grade class, and about 62 students total in the 8th-12th grade school. Academically, she continues to excel. Socially, she enjoys being around other students and has made friends in all grade levels. The social and emotional issues still have their challenges, but the school is set up with staff psychologists who are ready, willing and able to help her process and learn to react to her moments of frustration or anxiety. The school is "paperless," (except for math) so the transition from the Virtual Academy to this school where she carries a MacBook with her to all of her classes has been seamless for this techie student.
One amazing side note is that I could check on the statistics for this blog site. J's article on Ligers based on the style of National Geographic for Kids has received over 3,600 views! That is incredible for a blog that was utilized for approximately one month's worth of project-based home schooling. Right there is an example of the power of the internet and Web 2.0 tools. Sharing one's learning is priceless. Plus, she is creating a positive digital "footprint," which could be very helpful for her future.
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Texas Virtual Academy
Well, it seems that it is definitely time to change the title of this blog site. Now that J is part of the Texas Virtual Academy (TXVA) powered by K-12 Online, her days are filled with meaningful and efficient assignments. I must admit that it's not NEARLY as fun and as engaging as our own Integrated Project-Based Homeschool Approach. But after nearing the end of our first major "project," I found myself wondering, "What's next?" That's when we received the call at the end of January informing us that J was off of their waitlist and could join their program, which includes field trips, on-line clubs with live virtual meetings, and live on-line math and language arts lessons each week.
I was also concerned about the gaps that could occur in various subjects as we pursued J's interest-based learning program. It turns out that much of what she is doing with TXVA is quite interesting and relevant to her, particularly the literature that she is reading. Within the next two weeks, she will begin a literature unit of her choosing. TXVA offers her about 15 different novels from which to choose, with complete on-line lessons available for each novel. She chose Jack London's "White Fang" (can't underline with this blog site), which is no surprise to anyone who knows her.
Her most interesting academic discovery is Shakespeare! TXVA sent her an abridged version of "Twelfth Night." She fell in love with the language and humor! What an amazing 12-year old we have!
I was also concerned about the gaps that could occur in various subjects as we pursued J's interest-based learning program. It turns out that much of what she is doing with TXVA is quite interesting and relevant to her, particularly the literature that she is reading. Within the next two weeks, she will begin a literature unit of her choosing. TXVA offers her about 15 different novels from which to choose, with complete on-line lessons available for each novel. She chose Jack London's "White Fang" (can't underline with this blog site), which is no surprise to anyone who knows her.
Her most interesting academic discovery is Shakespeare! TXVA sent her an abridged version of "Twelfth Night." She fell in love with the language and humor! What an amazing 12-year old we have!
Monday, January 31, 2011
Cats in Ancient Egypt - PowerPoint Presentation
J is hoping to present this to some 1st grade students when they are studying about Ancient Egypt this spring. She created it completely by herself, did the research, and found a National Geographic Video to include. Watch this to learn about how cats were mummified. The presentation is animated when shown as a slideshow in PowerPoint.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Texas Virtual Academy with K-12 Online...Here We Come!
We just got a call this evening that Julia has a spot at Texas Virtual Academy Southwest, powered by K-12 Online Curriculum, which is very well known for its quality.
We start NEXT WEEK! It will be interesting to compare their program to what we are doing. They emphasize that this is NOT homeschooling. It is a public charter school that has attendance requirements, TAKS testing in the spring, checking in frequently with a Texas certified teacher, etc.
The nice thing is...if we don't like it, we can go back to our own homeschooling! I have a feeling we'll be doing their curriculum and our own fabulous projects anyway, but we'll see how it goes.
We start NEXT WEEK! It will be interesting to compare their program to what we are doing. They emphasize that this is NOT homeschooling. It is a public charter school that has attendance requirements, TAKS testing in the spring, checking in frequently with a Texas certified teacher, etc.
The nice thing is...if we don't like it, we can go back to our own homeschooling! I have a feeling we'll be doing their curriculum and our own fabulous projects anyway, but we'll see how it goes.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Liger Article Based on the Style of National Geographic Kids
Ligers: Hybrids and the Ultimate Cat
By Homeschool Student, J
By Homeschool Student, J
Lions and Tigers and…Ligers? Oh my! Ligers are the most well-known hybrid in the current animal hybrid community. They are larger than a lion or a tiger and have features of both! They are not native to any part of the world, though, as they are bred entirely in captivity. Now, let’s explore what makes these cats so unique.
A DIFFERENT BREED
Ligers are a cross between a female tiger and a male lion. The lion and tiger did not breed in the wild. Ligers are created when geneticists artificially breed a female tiger and a male lion together. But what’s the difference between a liger and a tigon? Tigons are created when geneticists artificially breed a female lioness and a male tiger together. Ligers lack the ferociousness of lions or tigers as they are raised entirely by humans.
A male and a female tigon (cross between a male tiger and a female lion)
AGAINST ITS PARENTS
How do ligers stack up against lions and tigers? Well, ligers are much larger than the two. A tiger can jump ten to twelve feet in the air, but a liger gets to that height without its back paws leaving the ground! Ligers haven’t ever been in the wild, and their incredible size would be their worst enemy as they would tire more quickly than lions or tigers. But, ligers do have massive teeth and claws larger than that of a lion or a tiger. Because ligers have never been in the wild, they cannot yet hold the title of ultimate cat.
Size Matters
What Do You Think?
So what do you think about ligers? They’re bred unnaturally through humans combining big cat DNA! How do you stand on humans creating new, unnatural species of animals? Those animals cannot be released into the wild and cannot reconnect with their wild roots. Is it wrong to create ligers, tigons, ti-ligers, li-tigons, etc? It’s an ethical preference that varies from person to person.
Wrapping It Up
Ligers are massive, captivity-only hybrids. They are twice as large as a lion or a tiger, and this size makes it impossible for a liger to survive in the wild and hunt like a regular lion or tiger would. They definitely wouldn’t be able to climb a tree like a leopard without taking down the tree with them. Is it right to artificially breed ligers? It’s your call there, but one thing’s for certain: ligers cannot hold the title of the ultimate big cat…yet.
But what about ligers vs. leopards? Leopards are the smallest of the three big cats, so how would they do against a liger? Leopards can drag prey weighing more than its own body weight (leopards weigh about 130 pounds) up a tree! Why do they have to do this? Because leopards are the smallest of the three big cats, they need to be able to eat their prey away from the contest: lions and tigers. But could ligers scale a tree? Again, it’s their immense size that limits them from existing well in the wild. And, ligers can weigh 1000 pounds. That tree couldn’t stand a chance!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Over The River And Through The Woods To The Cat Vet We Go
Our cats, Mark and Simon, were WAY overdue for a visit to the cat vet. That, and I had a few interview questions for her. So, we went off with the cats in their carriers, Simon making a terrible racket and being a cold wimp, and Mark being as heavy as always. The cats were totally healthy minus Mark's obesity...we got some extra-lite food for him and we'll work on getting him to 14 pounds.
Anyway, Dr. Weldon happily answered my questions. Here they are:
1. J: How long have you been a veterinarian?
Dr. Weldon: 14 years.
2. J: Why did you want to become a veterinarian?
Dr. Weldon: I have always loved animals and have always wanted to help them.
3. J: Although you could treat any other animals, why did you decide to only treat cats?
Dr. Weldon: Cats are my favorite animal, and I've had other animals but have preferred cats.
4. J: What college did you graduate from?
Dr. Weldon: Louisiana State University (LSU).
5. J: What's the strangest cat illness/injury you have treated?
Dr. Weldon: A cat caught in the fan belt of a car, and I have two cats who were born without the very edge of their eyelids.
6. J: How many cats have you had at the office (your cats) and/or at the at home at one time?
Dr Weldon: I normally have 6 cats at home, and I have one very shy office cat.
7. What's the busiest time of year for you?
Dr. Weldon: Springtime. The cats sometimes get fleas, and some cats suffer from allergies. Also, the males get in fights over mating.
8. How old is the oldest cat you have treated?
Dr. Weldon: 27 years old.
9. Do you believe in declawing?
Dr. Weldon: No. There's a 1 in 5 complication rate, it's basically like cutting off the last bit of your fingers...and cats that are declawed tend not to use the litter box.
Anyway, Dr. Weldon happily answered my questions. Here they are:
1. J: How long have you been a veterinarian?
Dr. Weldon: 14 years.
2. J: Why did you want to become a veterinarian?
Dr. Weldon: I have always loved animals and have always wanted to help them.
3. J: Although you could treat any other animals, why did you decide to only treat cats?
Dr. Weldon: Cats are my favorite animal, and I've had other animals but have preferred cats.
4. J: What college did you graduate from?
Dr. Weldon: Louisiana State University (LSU).
5. J: What's the strangest cat illness/injury you have treated?
Dr. Weldon: A cat caught in the fan belt of a car, and I have two cats who were born without the very edge of their eyelids.
6. J: How many cats have you had at the office (your cats) and/or at the at home at one time?
Dr Weldon: I normally have 6 cats at home, and I have one very shy office cat.
7. What's the busiest time of year for you?
Dr. Weldon: Springtime. The cats sometimes get fleas, and some cats suffer from allergies. Also, the males get in fights over mating.
8. How old is the oldest cat you have treated?
Dr. Weldon: 27 years old.
9. Do you believe in declawing?
Dr. Weldon: No. There's a 1 in 5 complication rate, it's basically like cutting off the last bit of your fingers...and cats that are declawed tend not to use the litter box.
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