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, 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/

    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
    Below are some links to help you understand the CAASPP reports, and you can always email, text or call me with any questions you may have.

    Understanding CAASPP reports links:

    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

    Monday, September 28, 2015

    Still Waiting on Curriculum?

    A number of families are still waiting on their curriculum. Some items on backorder, and the Studies Weekly has had some difficulties shipping this year.

    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 ?

    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

    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!

    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

    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

    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:

    • 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

    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

    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!