Monday, October 26, 2015
Sacramento Children's Museum Homeschool Days
Did you know about this? I didn't, but I know a family who went recently and LOVED it!
It is worth checking out :) And the museum is a Visions vendor so you can get a voucher for the cost of admission!
From their website:
DETAILS During Homeschool Days, students will have exclusive access to all of the Museum's hands-on exhibits, and two different classes per age group will be offered. Classes are appropriate for Grades Preschool-6 and may include science, art, music, cultural, and/or literacy classes.
DATES/TIMES The program will be offered the second Monday of each month from 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. On-site registration and check-in begins at 12:30 p.m. Upcoming 2015 Homeschool Days are Nov. 9 and Dec. 14.
COST Admission is $5 per person, which includes all classes and Museum play. Members and children under 1 are free. The Museum is a vendor with Horizons Charter Schools, Visions in Education, South Sutter Charter School, and Pacific Charter Institute and its entities.
CLASSES Registration is required to take classes. To register, click HERE to sign up online, e-mail sherry@sackids.org, or call 916-638-7225 ext. 104. Classes are split by age group. However, if you would like your child to attend a class time outside of their age group or would like all of your children to attend the same class, you are more than welcome to sign them up for your preferred class time. Each class will be tailored to meet the needs of that age group. Please note: Registration is NOT required if you are coming for Museum play only.
This Week's Meeting Schedule
Monday 10/26
Professional Development
Tuesday
Ione
Khloe & Sadie - 11:00
Tyler & Lexi - 1:00
Wednesday
Ione
Leila - 11:00
Zora - 12:30
Lillian - 1:35
Jaye - 3:00 (Clark's Corner)
Thursday
Pioneer Library
Xanett - 12:00
Joey - 1:10
Wyatt - 2:20
Emma E.- 3:30
Friday
Office Day
Professional Development
Tuesday
Ione
Khloe & Sadie - 11:00
Tyler & Lexi - 1:00
Wednesday
Ione
Leila - 11:00
Zora - 12:30
Lillian - 1:35
Pioneer Library
Xanett - 12:00
Joey - 1:10
Wyatt - 2:20
Emma E.- 3:30
Friday
Office Day
Monday, October 19, 2015
Where The Wild Fractions Are: The Power Of A Bedtime (Math) Story
I heard this story on NPR's All Things Considered last week...
"Parents who are uneasy about their own math skills often worry about how best to teach the subject to their kids.
Well ... there's an app for that. Tons of them, in fact. And a study published today in the journal Science suggests that at least one of them works pretty well for elementary school children and math-anxious parents.
A team from the University of Chicago used a demographically diverse group of first-graders and their parents — nearly 600 in all — across a wide swath of Chicago. One group got to use an iPad app called Bedtime Math, built by a nonprofit with the same name. (The app is also available for Android, but we're told most used the iPad version) The no-frills app uses stories and sound effects to present kids with math problems that they can solve with their parents."
See the rest of the story here.
Harvest Festival - This Friday
Friday, October 23, 2015 - 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Sunrise Community Church, 8321 Greenback Lane; Fair Oaks, CA 95628
Bring the family and enjoy Visions annual Harvest Festival.
Enjoy games and activities including Bean Bag Toss, Fishing Booth, Face Painting, Cake Walk, Crafts and more. This is a no fee event.
Food and snacks will be provided.
This Week's Meeting Schedule
Monday 10/19
Office Day
Tuesday
Plymouth
David - 8:30
Jezreel - 10:00
Ione
Grace - 11:30
Alex & Luke - 1:00
Wednesday
Ione
Lily - 1:00
Jasmine & Roxy - 2:30
Thursday
Camino
Alex M. - 11:00
Placerville Library
Yarrow - 2:10
Teran - 3:20
Friday
Harvest Festival - Sacramento
Office Day
Tuesday
Plymouth
David - 8:30
Jezreel - 10:00
Ione
Grace - 11:30
Alex & Luke - 1:00
Wednesday
Ione
Lily - 1:00
Jasmine & Roxy - 2:30
Camino
Placerville Library
Yarrow - 2:10
Teran - 3:20
Friday
Harvest Festival - Sacramento
Monday, October 12, 2015
Upcoming
- LP2 Ends: Friday 10/16
- Harvest Festival: FLYER: Friday 10/23.
- Daylight saving time ends: Sunday, November 1
- Sly Park Science Camp: Monday, November 2 - Friday, November 16
- Overnight science camp for 5th & 6th graders only. Student enrollment by contacting Nancy Peterson at napeterson@viedu.org.
- Veteran's Day (Holiday): Wednesday, November 11
- LP3 Ends: Friday, November 13
- Thanksgiving Week Break: Monday, November 23 - Friday, November 27
- Scholastic Book Fair: Monday, December 7 - Friday, December 11
- LP 4 Ends: Friday, December 11
- Optional School Pictures: Thursday, December 10
- Spelling Bee: Friday, December 11, 9-1 p.m.
- Christ Community Church, Manzanita Avenue, Carmichael. Grades 1-8 will do a grade level preliminary spelling bee. The top three winners of grades 3-8 will progress to a final round. The winner of the final round is eligible to participate in the Central Valley Spelling Bee.
- Winter Break: Monday December 21 - Friday, January 1
Keyboarding Skills
Looking for some cool resources to teach your students keyboarding skills?
Being able to quickly maneuver around the keyboard is a valuable skill. Not only are our standardized tests being administered on the computer, but kids are using academic programs on the computer more and more these days.
Here are some well reviewed paid programs:
Typing Instructor for Kids Platinum 5
Here are some free programs (beware of ads):
BBC Dance Mat Typing
http://www.bbc.co.uk/guides/z3c6tfr
learninggamesforkids.org
http://www.learninggamesforkids.com/keyboarding_games.html
Typershark
http://www.shockwave.com/gamelanding/typershark.jsp
e-learningforkids.org
http://www.e-learningforkids.org/computer-skills/lesson/keyboarding-skills/
Typing master games
http://www.typingmaster.com/games/typing-games.asp
This Week's Meeting Schedule
This is one of the rare LPs that we have four actual school weeks. Therefore, there are no regularly scheduled meetings this week. I will be busy working from home getting all of your work samples ready to submit to the school. I will be available by text, phone, or email to answer any questions you may have.
Monday 10/12
Jackson
Emily - 12:30
CT Meeting @ 1:30
Tuesday
Office Day
Wednesday
Office Day
Thursday
Office Day
Somerset
Available for make-up meetings at Crossroads Cafe, 6032 Grizzly Flat Rd, Somerset, CA 95684
Gage - 11:00?
Lily - 12:00?
Friday
Office Day
Monday 10/12
Jackson
Emily - 12:30
CT Meeting @ 1:30
Tuesday
Office Day
Wednesday
Office Day
Thursday
Office Day
Somerset
Available for make-up meetings at Crossroads Cafe, 6032 Grizzly Flat Rd, Somerset, CA 95684
Gage - 11:00?
Lily - 12:00?
Friday
Office Day
Monday, October 5, 2015
Studies Weekly Update
I heard at our staff meeting today that Studies Weekly was inundated with a HUGE increase in orders this year, something like a 10 fold increase. That is why we have experienced such an issue with orders and shipping.
If you still don't have your Studies Weekly order, or your order came and it was incorrect, please use the "Help with Orders" button on your Launchpad Order screen to notify the resource center so they can check on your order for you.
Meanwhile, you can view all of the Studies Weekly newspapers online. You don't need a registration # or email to do so. Just go to Studies Weekly and register as a teacher.
https://www.studiesweekly.com/online/
If you still don't have your Studies Weekly order, or your order came and it was incorrect, please use the "Help with Orders" button on your Launchpad Order screen to notify the resource center so they can check on your order for you.
Meanwhile, you can view all of the Studies Weekly newspapers online. You don't need a registration # or email to do so. Just go to Studies Weekly and register as a teacher.
https://www.studiesweekly.com/online/
CAASPP Results Coming
The California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) results will be mailed out to families next week.
The CAASPP report will include the Smarter Balanced results for grades 3-8 and grade 11. In addition, for students in grades 5, 8, and 10 the reports will have the Science California Standards Test (CST) results.
Remember...
- This is only one of multiple measures of how your student is doing
- The results should be viewed as a conversation starter or “a tool” to help identify where your student is performing well, and where he or she might need a little bit extra support
- These results cannot be compared with the old Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) system scores because it is measured on a different scale and the test varies greatly from the old STAR tests
- With all new systems, it is understood that it takes three to five years to become familiar with new standards and learning strategies for scores to reflect a complete transition
Understanding CAASPP reports links:
- CAASPP Individual Score Reports Home Page
- Sample Score Report
- Grades 3-5 Parent Guide
- Grades 6-8 Parent Guide
- Grade 11 Parent Guide
- Understanding Your Child’s Score Report Video
Are you curious as to how Visions students scored overall? How California students scored overall?
(Downloaded from the California Department of Education website on 10/2/15)
Visions in Education CAASPP report 2015
State of California CAASPP report 2015
This Week's Meeting Schedule
Monday 10/2
CT Meeting
Tuesday
Ione
Gage - 11:00
Haley, Riley, Madeline, & Paige- 12:30
Wednesday
Jackson - Grace Church
Wyatt - 11:30
Ana & Baruch - 12:30
Emily - 2:30
Tristan - 3:30
Thursday
Pine Grove
William - 11:00
Emma N. - 12:15
Joy & Tobias- 1:30
Lily - 3:30
Friday
Office Day
Pine Grove
IEP at 10:00
CT Meeting
Tuesday
Ione
Gage - 11:00
Haley, Riley, Madeline, & Paige- 12:30
Wednesday
Jackson - Grace Church
Wyatt - 11:30
Ana & Baruch - 12:30
Emily - 2:30
Tristan - 3:30
Thursday
Pine Grove
William - 11:00
Emma N. - 12:15
Joy & Tobias- 1:30
Lily - 3:30
Friday
Office Day
Pine Grove
IEP at 10:00
Monday, September 28, 2015
Still Waiting on Curriculum?
If you are still waiting on curriculum, you can do a few things.
1) Wait another week or so to see if it arrives and use your list of grade level standards to create learning activities.
2) If it was a TextbookX order, I can check the backorder list for you. Just email me what books you are waiting on, and I can check the estimated time of shipping.
3) If you order was through another vendor, and it has been over 3 weeks since your order was processed (check on Launchpad), you can use the "help with orders" button on your Launchpad Order page to contact the resource center. They can check the status of your order.
Also, if you don't have access to an online component of your curriculum, one that was supposed to be included in your order, use the "help with orders" button to request the access info from the resource center.
Let me know if you still have problems!
Jurassic Quest Coming to Monterey
Thanks to Bianca Sigala for sharing this info!
Coming to Monterey October 23-25.
This Week's Meeting Schedule
Monday 9/28
Office Day
Somerset
Yarrow - 11:00
Tuesday
Ione
Khloe & Sadie - 11:00
Tyler & Lexi - 1:00
Wednesday
Ione
Leila - 11:00
Zora - 12:30
Lillian - 1:35
Jaye - 3:00 (Clark's Corner)
Thursday
Pioneer Library
Xanett - 12:00
Joey - 1:10
Wyatt - 2:20
Emma E.- 3:30
Friday
Office Day
Google Hangouts
William - 1:00 ?
Office Day
Somerset
Yarrow - 11:00
Tuesday
Ione
Khloe & Sadie - 11:00
Tyler & Lexi - 1:00
Wednesday
Ione
Leila - 11:00
Zora - 12:30
Lillian - 1:35
Jaye - 3:00 (Clark's Corner)
Pioneer Library
Xanett - 12:00
Joey - 1:10
Wyatt - 2:20
Emma E.- 3:30
Friday
Office Day
Google Hangouts
William - 1:00 ?
Monday, September 21, 2015
Quick Links From The Wire
(Links will only work if you are signed in to Launchpad)
K-8
Sutter's Fort Environmental Program
Science Camp for 5th and 6th grades
High School
ASVAB Career Exploration Program
Pumpkin Ball
PSAT
Sierra College Parent Information Nights
Sierra College Career and Tech Ed Exploration Day
Foster Youth Training Program
K-8
Sutter's Fort Environmental Program
Science Camp for 5th and 6th grades
High School
ASVAB Career Exploration Program
Pumpkin Ball
PSAT
Sierra College Parent Information Nights
Sierra College Career and Tech Ed Exploration Day
Foster Youth Training Program
Meeting Scheduling
Do meetings seem closer together than last year? I heard this question a lot this LP, so I thought I would share with you how our meetings are planned.
We are required to meet once each learning period. Learning Periods can have from 15 to 20 school days, and some of them have holidays smack in the middle.
I have used the Learning Period calendar to set up three weekly "groups". (I can't schedule four, because some of the learning periods don't have four weeks :) Your meetings will fall into the first, second, or third meeting-week group of the learning periods. These groups are represented on the calendar below in orange, green and yellow.
There are no regularly scheduled meetings on Mondays and Fridays. Mondays are when Visions schedules our professional development meetings and our CT meetings. In addition, many holidays fall on Mondays. Fridays are my day to do paperwork.
Since standardized testing has not been scheduled this year, we may need to be flexible in April or May.
I'm hoping to be able to note all of your meeting dates on your semester plan by the end of our LP2 meeting.
Let me know if you have any questions!
We are required to meet once each learning period. Learning Periods can have from 15 to 20 school days, and some of them have holidays smack in the middle.
I have used the Learning Period calendar to set up three weekly "groups". (I can't schedule four, because some of the learning periods don't have four weeks :) Your meetings will fall into the first, second, or third meeting-week group of the learning periods. These groups are represented on the calendar below in orange, green and yellow.
There are no regularly scheduled meetings on Mondays and Fridays. Mondays are when Visions schedules our professional development meetings and our CT meetings. In addition, many holidays fall on Mondays. Fridays are my day to do paperwork.
Since standardized testing has not been scheduled this year, we may need to be flexible in April or May.
I'm hoping to be able to note all of your meeting dates on your semester plan by the end of our LP2 meeting.
Let me know if you have any questions!
This Week's Meeting Schedule
Monday 9/21
Office Day
Tuesday
Plymouth
David - 8:30
Jezreel - 10:00
Pine Grove
William - 12:00
Wednesday
Ione
Grace - 11:00
Luke & Alex - 12:30
Jasmine & Roxy - 2:30
Thursday
Camino
Alex M. - 11:00
Placerville Library
Marley - 1:00
Yarrow - 2:10
Teran - 3:20
Friday
Office Day
Office Day
Tuesday
Plymouth
David - 8:30
Jezreel - 10:00
Pine Grove
William - 12:00
Wednesday
Ione
Grace - 11:00
Luke & Alex - 12:30
Jasmine & Roxy - 2:30
Camino
Alex M. - 11:00
Placerville Library
Marley - 1:00
Teran - 3:20
Friday
Office Day
Sunday, September 13, 2015
Upcoming...
Monday 9/21 - LP2 Begins
Wednesday 9/30 - F.A.M.E Begins
Monday 10/19 - LP3 Begins
Friday 10/16 - Last Day to Add/Drop
Friday 10/23 - Harvest Festival
Sunday 11/1 - Daylight Saving Time Ends
Monday 11/2 - Friday 11/6 - Sly Park Science Camp (5th & 6th Grades)
Wednesday 11/11 - Veterans Day - No School
Monday 11/16 - LP4 Begins
Monday 11/23 - Friday 11/27 - Thanksgiving Break
LP2 Begins Next Monday
We are almost through the first LP of the year. It was a short but busy one!
I will be inputting your LP2 assignments into Launchpad on Friday, so please have your semester plans updated (at least through LP2) by Thursday. Thanks!
If we are meeting this week, I can help you update it then. If you have any questions about your semester plan, please contact me.
This Week's Meeting Schedule
Monday 9/14
CT Meeting
Rancho Murietta
David - 2:00
Tuesday
Ione
Gage - 11:00
Haley, Riley, Madeline, & Paige- 12:30
Wednesday
Jackson - Grace Church
Emma E. - 12:00
Ana & Baruch - 1:30
Tristan - 3:30
Emily - 4:30
Thursday
Pine Grove
William - 11:00
Emma N. - 12:15
Joy & Tobias- 1:30
Lily - 3:30
Friday
Office Day
Phone
Emma N. - 10:00
Joey - 11:00
CT Meeting
Rancho Murietta
David - 2:00
Tuesday
Ione
Gage - 11:00
Haley, Riley, Madeline, & Paige- 12:30
Wednesday
Jackson - Grace Church
Emma E. - 12:00
Ana & Baruch - 1:30
Tristan - 3:30
Emily - 4:30
Pine Grove
William - 11:00
Joy & Tobias- 1:30
Friday
Office Day
Phone
Emma N. - 10:00
Joey - 11:00
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
This Year's FAME Schedule
(Courtesy of Tracy Muldery)
Join us at the Amador Center (Grace Fellowship - 8040 S. Hwy 49, Jackson) for fun and informative sessions about music and art, open to grades K-8+. Each FAME (Fine Arts Mini Experience) session includes a lesson about an artist and a musician, which will be followed by a hands-on art lesson with materials provided for each student. This is a relaxed atmosphere where students and parents can come together to meet other families.
Class Time: 9:30 - 10:45
Cost for four classes: $20 - Enroll in Launchpad Class ID#16033
Each lesson consists of:

Semester 1 Class Dates:
Class # 1 - September 30:
(FAME III) The Marriage of Giovanni Arnolfini and His Bride (Jan van Eyck) and Minuet in G and Toccata & Fugue (Johann Sebastian Bach.) Lunch provided (open to all students.)
Class # 2 - October 28:
(FAME III) The Purple Robe (Henri Matisse) and Rhapsody in Blue (George Gershwin.)
**December 2 – Additional Fee - $15.00 – *Enroll in Launchpad Activity # (Gingerbread Houses (9:30-11:30), Party & Talent Event following at 11:30. Refreshments provided **NOTE: Not included in class fee.
Semester 2 Class Dates
Class # 3 - February 24:
(FAME III) The Blue Boy
(Thomas Gainsborough) and Sonata in C Major (Wolfgang A Mozart)
Class # 4 - May 11:
(FAME III): Persistence of Memory
(Salvador Dali) Hungarian and Rhapsody #2 and Liebestraum (Franz Liszt) Lunch provided (open to all students)
Hope to see you there! ~Traci Muldery, CT (209-217-6538) and Kirstin Leggett (Musician/Parent.) Complete, sign and bring one Field Trip Permission Form per family/semester
Link to Flyer
Join us at the Amador Center (Grace Fellowship - 8040 S. Hwy 49, Jackson) for fun and informative sessions about music and art, open to grades K-8+. Each FAME (Fine Arts Mini Experience) session includes a lesson about an artist and a musician, which will be followed by a hands-on art lesson with materials provided for each student. This is a relaxed atmosphere where students and parents can come together to meet other families.
Class Time: 9:30 - 10:45
Cost for four classes: $20 - Enroll in Launchpad Class ID#16033
Each lesson consists of:
- Introductory segment (skit, presentation, etc.)
- Information about a selected composer and artist of same genre, timeline.
- References to elements of art (line, texture, composition, etc.)
- Large reproductions of featured art, featured music, pictures of artist/composer.
- Individual student art projects emphasizing the same featured concepts.

Semester 1 Class Dates:
Class # 1 - September 30:
(FAME III) The Marriage of Giovanni Arnolfini and His Bride (Jan van Eyck) and Minuet in G and Toccata & Fugue (Johann Sebastian Bach.) Lunch provided (open to all students.)
Class # 2 - October 28:
(FAME III) The Purple Robe (Henri Matisse) and Rhapsody in Blue (George Gershwin.)
**December 2 – Additional Fee - $15.00 – *Enroll in Launchpad Activity # (Gingerbread Houses (9:30-11:30), Party & Talent Event following at 11:30. Refreshments provided **NOTE: Not included in class fee.
Semester 2 Class Dates
Class # 3 - February 24:
(FAME III) The Blue Boy
(Thomas Gainsborough) and Sonata in C Major (Wolfgang A Mozart)
Class # 4 - May 11:
(FAME III): Persistence of Memory
(Salvador Dali) Hungarian and Rhapsody #2 and Liebestraum (Franz Liszt) Lunch provided (open to all students)
Hope to see you there! ~Traci Muldery, CT (209-217-6538) and Kirstin Leggett (Musician/Parent.) Complete, sign and bring one Field Trip Permission Form per family/semester
Link to Flyer
I Can Statements, Standards, Learning Units & Report Cards
Looking for information on what your child needs to know this year? Here are some links to commonly asked for information.
Learning Units
The subject units for grades K-8. These are the "big picture" units you choose to focus on each learning period (LP) to help ensure that the standards are covered. If you lose this link, the learning units can be found on the Hub. Open the Helpful Homeschool Documents and scroll down. The link is at the top of the second page.
Learning Units Link
California Standards (Common Core)
If you lose the following links, the standards can be found on the Hub. Open the Helpful Homeschool Documents and scroll down. The standards can be found on the second and third pages.
Transitional Kindergarten & Kindergarten
1st Grade
2nd Grade
3rd Grade
4th Grade
5th Grade
6th Grade
7th Grade
8th Grade
High School Standards (Link to the CA Dept. of Education page)
I Can Statements
Created by the Folsom-Cordova School District, they turn the standards into an "I Can" statement that makes them easier to understand. (K-6, + TK Math)
I Can Statements Link
Last Year's Report Cards (K-5, 6th grade and up receive letter grades)
These are for reference only. I don't imagine that there will be many changes, but you never know.
Last Year's Report Card Folder Link
Learning Units
The subject units for grades K-8. These are the "big picture" units you choose to focus on each learning period (LP) to help ensure that the standards are covered. If you lose this link, the learning units can be found on the Hub. Open the Helpful Homeschool Documents and scroll down. The link is at the top of the second page.
Learning Units Link
California Standards (Common Core)
If you lose the following links, the standards can be found on the Hub. Open the Helpful Homeschool Documents and scroll down. The standards can be found on the second and third pages.
Transitional Kindergarten & Kindergarten
1st Grade
2nd Grade
3rd Grade
4th Grade
5th Grade
6th Grade
7th Grade
8th Grade
High School Standards (Link to the CA Dept. of Education page)
I Can Statements
Created by the Folsom-Cordova School District, they turn the standards into an "I Can" statement that makes them easier to understand. (K-6, + TK Math)
I Can Statements Link
Last Year's Report Cards (K-5, 6th grade and up receive letter grades)
These are for reference only. I don't imagine that there will be many changes, but you never know.
Last Year's Report Card Folder Link
This Week's Meeting Schedule
Monday 9/7
Labor Day - No School
Tuesday
Ione
Khloe & Sadie - 11:00
Tyler & Lexi - 1:00
Wednesday
Ione
Leila - 11:00
Zora - 12:30
Lillian - 1:45
Thursday
Pioneer Library
Wyatt - 12:00
Joey - 1:10
Xanett - 2:20
Emma E.- 3:30
Friday
Office Day
Labor Day - No School
Tuesday
Ione
Khloe & Sadie - 11:00
Tyler & Lexi - 1:00
Wednesday
Ione
Leila - 11:00
Zora - 12:30
Lillian - 1:45
Pioneer Library
Wyatt - 12:00
Joey - 1:10
Xanett - 2:20
Emma E.- 3:30
Friday
Office Day
Monday, August 31, 2015
What to Expect From Meetings
Meetings begin this week so I thought I would just do a quick rundown of what to expect.
I will be...
- meeting with you for approx. one hour each Learning Period (each student).
- bringing your attendance sheet for you to initial.
- bringing any other paperwork that needs to be submitted.
- notifying you of deadlines and upcoming important dates.
- answering questions and helping with issues that arise.
- collecting work samples and discussing them with you and your student(s).
- reviewing your semester plan.
- discussing your student's progress and collecting progress grades.
Here is how you can get ready for your meeting:
- Have work samples ready for collection, review and discussion. (See next post for more info about work samples.)
- Update your Semester Plan with any changes to your assignments or materials. (I will go over this with all new families at our first meeting.)
- Enter progress grades and comments into your Semester Plan. (I will go over this with all new families at our first meeting.)
I do my best to be prompt about meeting times, however, due to the nature of the job and the distances I travel, I may be up to 15 minutes early or late to any meeting.
Work Sample Guidelines
The Basics...
- 1 work sample for each subject, each meeting.
- Samples should come from the time period between meetings and reflect the learning units and assignments on your Semester Plan.
- Samples should be on 8.5 x 11 paper so I can easily file them. (I am required to keep work samples on file for all of my students for 3 years)
- Samples need to show student work. (No multiple choice tests or activities, or screen printouts of computer based activities.)
- Please don't put dates on the work samples. (If there are dates, they need to match exactly with information on Launchpad, and that can be a challenge.)
- Please try to leave the upper right hand portion of the paper blank. (I will be placing labels with your student's name, the learning unit and the assignment in that section.)
Art and PE Samples
A hand drawn image or photograph of the activity on the top half of a piece of paper, with a written description/narrative on the bottom half.
(In general, descriptions/narratives should follow these guidelines: K - can be dictated and parent/guardian can write, 1st grade - one sentence, 2nd grade - two sentences, 3rd grade - three sentences, 4th grade - four sentences, 5th grade - five sentences, Middle and High School - half page + write-up)
Official Samples
Twice a year I need to submit official sample packets to Visions. I try to collect these samples during LP1 and LP6. I understand that it can be difficult if not impossible to have all of your samples ready for our first meeting of the year, especially if you don't have curriculum yet, or if we meet the first week or two of the year. In those cases, I will collect the remaining official samples at the LP2 meeting.
Tips and ideas:
- Put your student(s) in charge of choosing, creating and organizing work samples.
- Gather your work samples the week of our meetings so they are of recent work and students will easily be able to discuss what they learned.
- Make the school day before our meeting day a "work sample day" where students can pull together things they want to share and create things that they don't have ready yet.
- If it is easier for you to gather work samples early each LP, to get it out of the way, consider having your student(s) review them the day before the meeting so they can remember what they did :)
- Get together with other homeschool families to create Art and PE samples.
If you are having trouble coming up with work samples, please let me know. We can brainstorm ideas. Remember, it is only one sample, per subject, per learning period, and you are working every day!
This Week's Meeting Schedule
Monday 8/31
Office Day
Tuesday
Plymouth
David - 8:30
Back to School Picnic
Detert Park 10:30 to 12:30
Jezreel - during or after picnic
Wednesday
Ione
Grace - 11:00
Luke & Alex - 12:30
Jasmine & Roxy - 2:30
Thursday
Camino
Alex M. - 11:00
Placerville Library
Marley - 1:00
Yarrow - 2:10
Teran - 3:20
Friday
Office Day
Pine Grove
Lily - 11:00
Office Day
Tuesday
Back to School Picnic
Detert Park 10:30 to 12:30
Jezreel - during or after picnic
Wednesday
Ione
Grace - 11:00
Luke & Alex - 12:30
Jasmine & Roxy - 2:30
Camino
Alex M. - 11:00
Placerville Library
Marley - 1:00
Yarrow - 2:10
Teran - 3:20
Friday
Office Day
Pine Grove
Friday, August 28, 2015
Happy First Day of School
And it is a FRIDAY! What genius planned it that way?
I am super excited to meet with everyone, find out about how your summer was, and learn of your plans for the year. It is going to be a GREAT one with lots of growing, learning, and exploring.
Remember: Start out slowly. The first week or so should be about building excitement for learning, adopting a routine and procedures that work, and setting up your classroom and curriculum. Give yourself room to make mistakes. Give yourself room to grow. Remember why you choose to do this, and HAVE FUN!
Here are some Back-to-School thoughts and ideas:
- Back-to-School Tips for The Homeschool Mom (or Dad)
- 120 Ideas for Back-to-Homeschool
- Homeschooling 101: First Day of School
You know where I am if you need me :)
Do you have more/better resource links to share? If so, email them to me and I will add them to the Homeschool Resources Blog page!
Back-to-School Picnic
Tuesday, September 1st
Detert Park in Jackson
10:30 to 12:30
Bring a picnic lunch
Link to the flyer.
Those Lego Classes...
The Lego class registration opened today. Last time I checked, the K-4 class was already 1/2 full with 8 slots left.
To order:
- Go to Launchpad, Click on My Orders
- Click the New Order button
- Click Next to get through the new order Wizard screen.
- Choose VIE Classes & Events
- Select Class in the dropdown menu
Monday, August 24, 2015
School Starts Friday
If you need help with ordering, planning, or anything else, just let me know! I am available via phone, email, text, Skype, or Google Hangouts to help with anything you need.
Here is the link to the meeting schedule for the first LP.
Here is the link to the meeting schedule for the first LP.
2015-16 School Calendars

School Year Calendar:
Click on this link: 2015-16 School Calendar
Learning Period Calendar:
Sign into Launchpad on a separate tab, and then click on this link: 2015-16 Learning Period Calendar
School starts on Friday, August 28.
CTs will begin contacting all families on Friday, August 14.
Enrichment Classes
Visions Enrichment Classes - Resuce
To view the Rescue enrichment classes, go to the Home Schoo Hub, click on Classes and Events and filter for Rescue on the Location bar on the right hand side.
Here is a direct link to a printable version of the schedule. You can order Rescue Enrichment classes through Launchpad "classes and events" starting Friday.
Visions Lego Classes - Jackson (not on the Hub)
5th -12th Grade
Mary Longacre Enrichment Classes (Pine Grove)
To view the Rescue enrichment classes, go to the Home Schoo Hub, click on Classes and Events and filter for Rescue on the Location bar on the right hand side.
Here is a direct link to a printable version of the schedule. You can order Rescue Enrichment classes through Launchpad "classes and events" starting Friday.
LP# 16815
Sep. 23 Pullback motor dragster
Oct. 28 Skyscraper (group project)
Nov. 18 Truss Bridge
Dec. 16 Rail Racer
5-10th Grades Robotics 1:40-3pm
LP# 16816
Sep. 23 Mini Golf Robot
Oct. 28 Dead Reckoning Robot
Nov. 18 Basketball Shooter Robot
Dec. 16 Moving Target Robot
$66 for all four classes.
Registration opens first day of school, August 28th. (Order through "classes and events" in Launchpad).
Boston Alley Homeschool Fitness Classes (Sutter Creek) - Starting September
5th -12th Grade
Mondays & Wednesdays at 3:30
K-3 (4th graders also welcome, but the focus will be on the K-3 PE learning units)
Thursdays at 10:00
Please call Tyler at Boston Alley if you are interested in these classes.
Please call Tyler at Boston Alley if you are interested in these classes.
209-507-2305
43 Boston Alley, Sutter Creek
(Order voucher through Launchpad)
Mary Longacre Enrichment Classes (Pine Grove)
Mary offers science, history, art, music and writing classes for K-8 students.
(Order voucher through Launchpad)
Ann Kania Art Classes (Ione)
Ann offers Art classes for grades K-12 using Artistic Pursuits materials.
(Order voucher through Launchpad)
Do you know of other opportunities for home school families in this area that you would like to share? If so, just send me an email and I will post it.
Friday, August 14, 2015
Check-in
Hello Everyone! I hope your summer was as relaxing, engaging, and fulfilling as mine was :) I am so excited to see everyone, hear how your summer went, and get started on this new school year.
While school doesn't officially start for students until Friday, August 28th, I'm sure you are anxious to begin planning, ordering, scheduling and checking-in. All Visions CTs begin work today, so I am available to you for any questions or help you need.
I will be calling all new families either today or Monday to touch base and get started.
Returning families, please feel free to call, text, or email if you have any questions or need any help.
Meanwhile, (for new and returning families) make sure to fill out the meeting preferences form below so we can start scheduling meetings :)
What is New at Visions
You may have noticed some changes at Visions for this school year.
Funding has been increased from $1,700 to $1,800 per student. Yay!
The Homeschool Hub, The Wire, and the ehandbook have been updated. They are all accessible through one location. The New Wire.
Funding has been increased from $1,700 to $1,800 per student. Yay!
The Homeschool Hub, The Wire, and the ehandbook have been updated. They are all accessible through one location. The New Wire.
Meeting Schedule
Tamsen Bryon - student location map (35), August 2015.
One of the first things we need to do is organize our meeting schedule.
As most of you know, I travel quite a bit to meet with students, and it can be a challenge to be flexible about meeting dates and times. I know that you have busy lives with lots of activities and commitments, so I will do my best to make sure our meetings are at a time and place that is convenient for you.
Please fill out this form with information about your meeting day and time restrictions as well as desired locations of our meetings. Thank you!
Semester Plans
I have created everyone's semester plans and will be sharing the links out to returning families (via email) by the end of the day today. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns about how to use the semester plan.
New families will get their semester plans at our first meeting. We will work on them together.
Reminder: We want to have the Fall plan complete by the end of LP1, and the Spring plan complete by the end of LP5.
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
Boston Alley Homeschool Gym Class?
The idea would be to incorporate the standards for: Balance & Rhythm, Ball Skills, Movement, Fitness, Aerobics, Strength & Flexibility, Body Composition, Social & Emotional, Cardiovascular Activities, and Enrichment.
This could/would include beginning mixed age tumbling, rock fit, ball basics, yoga and group games to reinforce all of these areas.
Possible times are:
Thursdays: 9:30 - 10:30
Thursdays: 10:00 - 11:00
Wednesdays: 12:00 - 1:00
Ages: 5 – 10 years old (maybe a little older as well)
If you are interested, please email jaz@bostonalleyfitness.com with your 1st and 2nd time preference and put Homeschool Class in the subject line. Boston Alley Fitness would love any ideas you might have.
This Week's Meeting Schedule
Monday 5/25
Memorial Day - No School
Tuesday
Jackson Library
Daisy & Gracyann - 1:30
Leila - 2:30
Tristan - 3:30
Wednesday
GRADUATION!
Thursday
Office Day
Friday
LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!
Memorial Day - No School
Tuesday
Jackson Library
Daisy & Gracyann - 1:30
Leila - 2:30
Tristan - 3:30
Wednesday
GRADUATION!
Thursday
Office Day
Friday
LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!
Monday, May 18, 2015
Ordering Reminders
As you prepare to submit your curriculum and voucher orders for next school year, here are a few reminders to help your orders get processed without delay.
Before You Submit Your Order
Be sure to look over your order carefully before submitting. Remember to fill in all fields (Item #, Product Title, Price, etc.) Use the notes box if there is a special circumstance or detail that should be included.
Purchasing Guidelines Matrix (link)
Supplementary materials, listed on the Purchasing Guidelines Matrix may be ordered as long as they're deemed acceptable. Supplementary materials are classified as either Acceptable or Unacceptable. For acceptable materials there are specific limitations and guidelines listed in the matrix. Items listed in the Acceptable category as "None", or items listed under the Unacceptable category, will not be approved for purchase under your student’s Visions account.
This document is intended as a reference guide and is not inclusive of all items that can or cannot be ordered. All orders will be checked for reasonableness. All items ordered are for student use only. This document can change throughout the school year, and it is important that you frequent this page prior to ordering.
Instructional Materials Purchasing Policies (link)
This Google Doc is a helpful reference. Please take note of these procedures and guidelines for Curriculum and Voucher orders.
Please note: Amazon orders should be limited to no more than 30 items per order.
Before You Submit Your Order
Be sure to look over your order carefully before submitting. Remember to fill in all fields (Item #, Product Title, Price, etc.) Use the notes box if there is a special circumstance or detail that should be included.
Purchasing Guidelines Matrix (link)
Supplementary materials, listed on the Purchasing Guidelines Matrix may be ordered as long as they're deemed acceptable. Supplementary materials are classified as either Acceptable or Unacceptable. For acceptable materials there are specific limitations and guidelines listed in the matrix. Items listed in the Acceptable category as "None", or items listed under the Unacceptable category, will not be approved for purchase under your student’s Visions account.
This document is intended as a reference guide and is not inclusive of all items that can or cannot be ordered. All orders will be checked for reasonableness. All items ordered are for student use only. This document can change throughout the school year, and it is important that you frequent this page prior to ordering.
Instructional Materials Purchasing Policies (link)
This Google Doc is a helpful reference. Please take note of these procedures and guidelines for Curriculum and Voucher orders.
Please note: Amazon orders should be limited to no more than 30 items per order.
Monday, May 25 - Memorial Day (No School)
Wednesday, May 27 - Graduation Day
Friday, May 29 - Last Day of School
Friday, May 29 - Field Trip reimbursement deadline
Friday, May 29 - Pre-Ordering deadline
Friday, June 5 - Book Returns in Jackson, 9:30 – 11:30 am, Grace Fellowship Church
Friday, June 5 - Book Returns in Rescue 1:30 – 3:30 pm, Foothills United Methodist Church
Thursday, June 18 - Visions book sale
Tuesday, July 7 - TextbookX ordering opens
Friday, July 10 - Vendor and voucher orders open
Friday, August 14 - CTs will contact families
Friday, August 28 - First day of school
This Week's Meeting Schedule
Monday 5/18
Office Day
Tuesday
Ione
Gage - 1:30
Daisy & Gracyann - 12:30
Lillian - 3:00
Wednesday
Plymouth
Michael & David - 8:30
Ione
Grace - 11:00
Somerset
Teran - 1:00
Thursday
Pioneer
Wyatt - 12:00
Joseph - 1:00
Emma E. - 2:15
Friday
Office Day
Office Day
Tuesday
Ione
Gage - 1:30
Lillian - 3:00
Wednesday
Plymouth
Michael & David - 8:30
Ione
Grace - 11:00
Somerset
Teran - 1:00
Pioneer
Wyatt - 12:00
Joseph - 1:00
Emma E. - 2:15
Friday
Office Day
Monday, May 11, 2015
Book Return Events
From The Wire...
As we are wrapping up another great school year, we wanted to let you know that we will be hosting several regional events to assist you in your year-end book returns.
Please see the following information for the locations, dates and times:
Have a great end of the school year!
As we are wrapping up another great school year, we wanted to let you know that we will be hosting several regional events to assist you in your year-end book returns.
Please see the following information for the locations, dates and times:
- May 29 – 10 am – 12 noon, Pleasant Hill Community Park, 147 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill
- June 3 – 10 am – 2 pm, Northgate Christian Fellowship, 2201 Lake Herman Road, Benicia
- June 4 – 10 am – 12 noon, Century Assembly Church, 550 West Century Blvd., Lodi
- June 5 – 9:30 – 11:30 am, Grace Fellowship Church, 8040 S. Highway 49, Jackson
- June 5 – 1:30 – 3:30 pm, Foothills United Methodist Church, 3301 Green Valley Road, Rescue
Have a great end of the school year!
This Week's Meeting Schedule
Monday 5/11
Ms. Bryon in Carmichael for Professional Development
Tuesday
Pine Grove
Emma N. - 1:00
Joy - 2:15
Tristan - 3:30
Wednesday
Jackson Public Library
Emma P. - 11:30
Ana & Baruch - 1:00 - 3:00
Leila - 3:00
Thursday
Placerville
Marley - 11:00
Thomas, Dianne & Kennedy - 12:15
Friday
Ms. Bryon in Carmichael for Professional Development
Tuesday
Pine Grove
Emma N. - 1:00
Joy - 2:15
Wednesday
Jackson Public Library
Emma P. - 11:30
Ana & Baruch - 1:00 - 3:00
Leila - 3:00
Thursday
Placerville
Marley - 11:00
Thomas, Dianne & Kennedy - 12:15
Friday
Office Day
Phone -
Thomas, Dianne & Kennedy - 1:00
Phone -
Thomas, Dianne & Kennedy - 1:00
Monday, May 4, 2015
LP10!
Wow. LP10 is here. The last month of school. This has been such a wonderful year. Watching your children grow and learn, and being part of your educational choice has been such a privilege for me. Thank you.
A few things to keep in mind as we wrap up the school year:
- Our next meeting will be the last one of the year. It will also be our report card meeting.
- Mother's Day is Sunday, May 10.
- Memorial Day is Monday, May 25.
- Graduation Day is Wednesday, May 27.
- Field Trip reimbursement deadline is the last day of school, Friday, May 29.
- Pre-Ordering deadline is the last day of school, Friday, May 29.
- Regular ordering begins for TextbookX on July 7. (TextbookX marketplace orders begin August 14).
- Regular ordering for other vendors and vouchers begins July 10.
- Visions book sale in on June 18. (Thanks Audre for catching my error!)
Don't forget to check your returnables list. There will be a book drop off day in Jackson at the beginning of June. Time and date to be determined. You can also give books and materials to me at our last meeting and I will return them for you. If you forget to return books or materials, they will just roll over to next year's account at 10% of their current value.
Field Day This Friday
Field Days are a “no fee” event and open to all K-12 Home School students and their immediate family members. Students will compete in a variety of field games supervised by the Visions staff.
While your children are playing, parents/guardians will have an opportunity to network with CTs, administrators and other Visions home school families.
The morning ends with a family barbecue provided and cooked by Visions staff. [Hot dogs (turkey and vegetarian), chips, lemonade and water]
Questions? Contact Nancy Peterson in the Home School Office at 916-971-5518 or email napterson@viedu.org
Where: Detert Park, 560 North Highway 49/88, Jackson
When: Friday, May 8, from 9:30 to 12:30
You will need: to register here and bring a completed permission slip available here.
Flyer
While your children are playing, parents/guardians will have an opportunity to network with CTs, administrators and other Visions home school families.
The morning ends with a family barbecue provided and cooked by Visions staff. [Hot dogs (turkey and vegetarian), chips, lemonade and water]
Questions? Contact Nancy Peterson in the Home School Office at 916-971-5518 or email napterson@viedu.org
Where: Detert Park, 560 North Highway 49/88, Jackson
When: Friday, May 8, from 9:30 to 12:30
You will need: to register here and bring a completed permission slip available here.
Flyer
This Week's Meeting Schedule
Monday 5/4
Ms. Bryon in Carmichael for Professional Development
Tuesday
Plymouth
Jezreel - 11:00
Haley, Madeline, Paige & Riley - 12:15
Wednesday
Camino
Alex - 11:00
Thursday
Ione
Alex & Luke - 12:30
Jasmine & Roxie- 2:35
Friday
Field Day
Ms. Bryon in Carmichael for Professional Development
Tuesday
Plymouth
Jezreel - 11:00
Haley, Madeline, Paige & Riley - 12:15
Camino
Alex - 11:00
Thursday
Ione
Alex & Luke - 12:30
Jasmine & Roxie- 2:35
Friday
Field Day
Monday, April 20, 2015
Vendor Fair
From The Wire...
We’ve compiled our list of participating vendors and are excited to share them with you below. The fair is your chance to take the guess work out of which curriculum or services to purchase in Fall. You will have the opportunity to learn more about each vendor, browse through their curriculum, check out e-vendor websites, take home brochures/catalogs and goodies, and to speak directly to a company representative or a CT who is familiar with the vendor’s services.
There is no fee to attend and parents are welcomed to bring the kids!
Participating vendors are (companies marked with * indicate new or never represented vendor):
Monday, May 4th
10am-12pm
Christ Community Church
5025 Manzanita Ave Carmichael CA, 95608
This year’s Curriculum Vendor Fair is bigger than ever with 34 vendors participating—16 of them brand new to Visions or never before represented at the fair!
Participating vendors are (companies marked with * indicate new or never represented vendor):
- ABC Mouse
- Acorn Naturalists*
- All About Reading & All About Spelling
- Blackbird & Company*
- Book Shark*
- Brain Pop
- Brave Writer
- Brighter Child
- Essentials in Writing*
- Evan-Moor Educational Publishers*
- Gradpoint*
- Growing with Grammar/Soaring with Spelling/Winning with Writing
- Highlights*
- Homeschool Programming
- Institute for Excellence in Writing
- Kids Discover*
- Lakeshore Learning
- Math U See
- Mathletics*
- Moving Beyond the Page*
- Nasco Science*
- Oak Meadow, Inc.*
- Quality Science Labs
- Raddish Kids*
- Right Start Math
- Royal Fireworks Press*
- Singapore Math
- Spelling City
- Starfall & More Starfall
- Study Island*
- Superkids
- Tech Rocket*
- Time4Learning & Time4Writing
- Visions In Education Classes
- Visions In Education Resource Center
- Zoo-phonics
Testing Update...
Testing begins this week for those of you that are testing at the Rescue site.
Rescue Site
Foothills United Methodist Church
3301 Green Valley Rd.
Rescue, CA 95672
STAR Testing*
April 20, 12:45 p.m.
April 20, 12:45 p.m.
SABC Testing
April 21, 22 and 23, 12:45 p.m.
(Dianne, Thomas*, Alex)
Please arrive 10 to 15 minutes early for check-in.
April 21, 22 and 23, 12:45 p.m.
(Dianne, Thomas*, Alex)
Please arrive 10 to 15 minutes early for check-in.
Go Thomas, Dianne and Alex! Try to relax and just do your best.
This Week's Meeting Schedule
Monday 4/20
Office Day
Tuesday
Ione
Gage - 11:00
Daisy & Gracyann - 12:30
Lillian - 12:45
Wednesday
Plymouth
Michael & David - 8:30
Ione
Grace - 11:00
Somerset
Teran - 1:00
Thursday
Pioneer
Wyatt - 12:00
Joseph - 1:00
Emma E. - 2:15
Friday
Office Day
Office Day
Tuesday
Ione
Gage - 11:00
Lillian - 12:45
Wednesday
Plymouth
Michael & David - 8:30
Ione
Grace - 11:00
Somerset
Teran - 1:00
Pioneer
Wyatt - 12:00
Joseph - 1:00
Emma E. - 2:15
Friday
Office Day
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)














































