We have a new learning program starting in Fraser Lake, BC. Read on for more info!
Thank you so much for your interest in the new Fraser Lake Foundations and Learning Extensions (FLEX) cooperative. We’re incredibly excited about the opportunity to work with you and your family. FLEX is being built as a vibrant learning environment rooted in community, where students thrive through a strong academic foundation and hands-on, real-life experiences. Our mission is to partner with you to shape individualized goals that foster growth not only academically, but also physically, socially, and emotionally. We are committed to helping our students become confident, competent, and collaborative problem-solvers.
Our Blended Learning Approach & Schedule
FLEX is designed to be a supplementary part of your homeschooling journey. We will run two blended classes a week through our partnership with the Traditional Learning Academy (TLA) to cover aspects of the curriculum from ELA, Science, Physical and Health Education (PHE), Applied Design Skills and Technology (ADST), and Arts Education (AE). We anticipate that parents will continue to guide curriculum for core subjects like Math, Social Studies, and a second language for students in grade 5 and up.
- Our ELA program is based on the Science of Reading and the Science of Writing. This evidence-based approach focuses on key literacy components like Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, and Fluency to build a strong foundation for all learners. This ensures that students from kindergarten through grade 9 develop strong, confident reading and writing skills. Complementing this, the Science of Writing is a structured approach that breaks the writing process into manageable components. We provide explicit instruction on fundamental skills like sentence structure and grammar, which then build into more complex skills such as organizing essays, crafting compelling arguments, and honing a unique writing voice in a variety of genres.
- For Science, we will take a STEM approach that goes beyond memorizing facts. Students will engage in hands-on, project-based learning to apply knowledge and solve real-world challenges, fostering crucial problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
Our proposed weekly schedule is as follows:
- Tuesdays: Grades K-3, 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM
- Wednesdays: Grades K-3, 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM & Grades 4-9, 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM (12-1 PM is a community/family lunch and group activity time)
- Thursdays: Grades 4-9, 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Additionally, our Learning Hub space at Lakeview Bible Chapel will be open Monday to Friday from 9 AM to 3 PM for students in preschool through grade 9, with parent or guardian/adult supervision. Learning Extension Activities run by our community will be held on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.
FLEX Parent-Driven Focus Groups
The true strength of FLEX lies in our community, and we believe that parents’ opinions and passions are our greatest asset. As we grow, we will be developing parent-driven focus groups that allow you to bring your unique talents and interests to life for our children, providing great value beyond the blended program itself.
- Community Connections: This group will find ways for our students to interact with and benefit the community. For example, we are in the planning stages of a collaborative cooking program iwith the Village of Fraser Lake, local food producers and the RDBN that would culminate in a student-run “Harvest Meal.” This is a perfect example of a project that would teach students new skills while also serving the community.
- Physical Activity: Dedicated to building a lifelong love for movement, this group will provide opportunities for our children to enjoy a variety of activities like hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, soccer, swimming, and hockey.
- Financial Literacy & Entrepreneurship: This group will teach our students financial skills, allowing them to learn from successful community members. They will also lead fundraising and grant-writing initiatives, such as for the “Harvest Meal” dinner.
- Hands-on Skills: We aim to equip our kids for the future with practical, real-life skills. This group will plan learning events in areas like carpentry, mechanics, horticulture, and animal husbandry, providing tangible, meaningful experiences.
- Fine Arts: Believing that music, art, and drama are essential for a well-rounded education, this group will create opportunities for our children to explore these subjects, enriching their lives and developing their creativity.
You can find more information about TLA and distance learning at https://schoolathome.ca/about.
Your Next Steps
To move forward with FLEX and ensure we’re ready for the upcoming school year, please take the following steps:
- Submit your application to the Traditional Learning Academy (TLA) through their website.
- Sign up for a meeting with me using my booking calendar HERE. These meetings are for both families who have decided to join and want to discuss their student’s learning plan (SLP), as well as those who are still unsure and want to talk through whether this is a good fit.
- Complete this FORM before your SLP meeting to help us prepare.
- Review the attached Curriculum Guide to get a better idea of our learning approach and resource options HERE.
We are so excited to begin this journey with you and look forward to building this incredible community together. I can’t wait to meet with each of you!
All the best,
Dave Brown
TLA Online Teacher
