Saturday, March 28, 2020

How Online Science Classes Can Help You Reach Your Career Goals

How Online Science Classes Can Help You Reach Your Career GoalsAs a Princeton Review Chemistry tutor, I see many students who are simply out of their depth with regard to their understanding of the subject. You may have a fancy degree in chemistry, but if you do not know how to apply your knowledge to solve problems in a real chemistry lab environment, your career is going to be short lived. Fortunately, you can overcome this obstacle by simply taking a Chemistry tuition online course.For those of you who have an interest in improving your education and career, the first thing that you must understand is that online courses can vastly improve your knowledge of the subject, but they do not come cheap. Unlike traditional college classes, online tuition includes all necessary materials including study materials, laboratories, tests, and other course requirements.Online science classes have changed the way we learn things, and they provide immediate results, too. Once you take online cla sses, your tuition and registration fees will never be due until your work is done. This allows you the flexibility to work on the classes during your spare time.You can expect to spend at least one full day in each class session, unless you plan on attending evening classes or evening labs. After finishing your assignments, you will receive instant feedback, which will help you move forward with your studies, rather than continue working on it for several months at a time.Online classes are much cheaper than attending a lecture in person or being assigned a laboratory or class material on campus. In addition, online tuition provides students with more flexibility with regards to scheduling conflicts. What's more online tutors do not have to worry about delivering lessons during holiday seasons, school vacations, and other shifts in schedule.Online science classes offer students all the information they need to learn the material in a natural manner, without being stressed out by th e amount of information that is required for the project. As a matter of fact, most online schools allow students to work as much or as little as they want on their assignments, and they also give tutors some leeway with how much time they can spend with their students. In a nutshell, online science programs are designed to get you back into the laboratory and teach you how to apply the knowledge you learned in class.When you are ready to improve your education and career, taking online science classes is an excellent option. The average online student can expect to save up to 60% compared to traditional courses.

Friday, March 6, 2020

Spotify Language Learning Electrified!

Spotify Language Learning Electrified! 3 Ways Spotify Can Meet Your Language Learning Needs YouTube is only for watching cat videos.Amazon is all about buying Stephen King books.And Spotify is just for  music.None of these statements are anywhere near the truth.If youre a fan of cat videos and Stephen King, you might readily accept the first two statements, but Spotify?Get ready to completely change what you think about Spotify! Why Use Spotify for Language Learning?Spotify is a digital music-streaming service. In other words, it allows you to listen to millions of songs from the internet. Spotify works with most devices and since its compatible with iOS, Android and Windows, you can stream awesome music through your computer, tablet or smartphone.Theres Spotify Free, which means you don’t have to pay a single dime to listen to music (although it does come with ads and some listening limitations, of course). Then theres Spotify Premium for that total on-demand music experience. (A monthly Spotify subscription is $9.99, but students get a discount and only pay $4.99.)So, what can a service like Spotify do for language learners like you?Well, when I said earlier that Spotify is a “music-streaming service,” that’s really not all there is to it. Yes, its known for its curated playlists (and that will probably always be the first thing we think of), but they also have programs designed to teach you French, Mandarin, Vietnamese, etc.Considering this (and the fact that theyre breaking into the video market), Spotify might just be the next biggest multimedia platform since YouTube!So its time to jump on the Spotify bandwagon and take advantage of everything this technology has to offer language learners!3 Ways Spotify Can Meet Your Language Learning Needs1. Make the Most of the Spotify Music SelectionWe might have mentioned a time or two that listening to foreign language songs is a great way to learn the language.Songs have a way of getting into our long-term memory better than any other medium. They help us to hear and learn grammar, pronunciation and vocabulary naturally and have a way of making us sound fluent faster. They make language easier to remember.Yes, you can find every song by Ed Sheeran and Lady Gaga on Spotify, but why not mix it up with some cool tunes in your target language?(“Despacito,” anyone?)Songs are such great language sources that you just can’t leave them out of your learning routine.But how do you get to them?Weve got some suggestions to find the best ways to find the perfect tunes for your playlist.Forget artists and song titlesThis isn’t your run-of-the-mill Spotify search where you only need to type the title of the song or the artist. You might not even be familiar with many songs or singers in the target language.So the best thing you can do is use the target language in your search string. For example, if you’re doing a search for Italian songs, you can use the general term “Italian” or “Italy” and type in phrases like:“Italian songs”“Italian playlists”“Italian sing ers/artists”“Italian classics”“Best Italian”“Classic Italian”The idea here is to pair your target language with common search terms. Itll tease out relevant foreign language songs, artists, albums and playlists. This is really a general search, sort of acquainting you with the landscape of what’s available.Don’t worry if you feel like youre sort of simply nibbling on the sides. The next tip will take care of that.Follow the trail: Let one artist or song lead you to a thousand othersIn reality, you’ll probably only be using the previous search technique once or twice. Spotify is very proactive in offering you song after song after song related to the one you’re currently listening to. So you can simply let Spotify lead the way and automatically find songs you might be interested in. Just tap and follow the trail.Found an Italian artist that you love? Spotify will give you a list of other songs by the same artist. Itll also let you see other songs in the same alb um. And just to make your day, if you scroll down, you have the “Related Artists” section where Spotify identifies singers of the same genre.Use the “Viral 50 by Country” featureGo to Spotify’s “Browse” section, and in there you’ll see an icon labeled “Charts.” Tap on that and you’ll be presented with a page featuring the “Viral 50 by Country” option. Tap on that, and what do you get?Well, only the top 50 songs that have exploded onlineâ€"categorized by country. (Spotify has a special algorithmic to determine this list.)So you’re given the countries in alphabetical order. For the language learner, this should already alert you to scroll down to the country where the target language is spoken.If you’re learning Japanese, scroll down to Japan and tap on the square picture representing the country. You’ll then see the list of the most viral songs in Japan at the moment. Of course, the list will include your perennial and international favoritesâ€"your Br uno Mars and Beyoncéâ€"but a large part of it will be local talents; artists producing hit songs in their respective countries.The list is a goldmine for language learners! By employing the previous technique of “following the trail,” you can find plenty of songs in the target language.Create your own language learning playlistWeve already talked about finding user-generated playlists, now lets talk about creating your own language learning playlist.Spotify gives you ultimate control over your songs. While searching for foreign language music, you can make a playlist of the songs that you like as you go along. Simply long press on the song and select “Add to Playlist.” You’ll have the option of adding songs to existing ones or make a new program with just your favorite foreign language beats.A tip on titling your playlist, make sure the target language is clearly specified. So if the list is about Mandarin songs, then make sure “Mandarin” is in the title (eg. “Easy Mandarin Songs for Language Learners), so others would know what to expect.And, just as a “thank you” to all the folks who shared their own language playlists and made your life a little easier, you can make own playlist public too. Go to “Your Library” and tap on “Playlists.” Long press the program you want others to see and choose “Make Public.”You can even make a playlist collaborative, allowing your language-learning friends to add songs that they think would benefit everybody. Again, just long press on the playlist and choose “Make Collaborative.” Anybody who follows your list can make changes to it. Just another way for language learners to help each other out.Tips:Only listen to foreign language songs you actually like.  It’s interesting how language learners abandon their preferences when it comes to language learning content and just make do with what comes their way. Thats understandable for hard-to-find content and minor languages, but when you’re studying a popular language like French, Spanish, German or Italian, you really have a surplus of options available to you.Sing along!  There’s something funny about a guy on a train, headphones on, singing  â€œLa Mer”  (The Sea) out of tune. But this is exactly what you should be doing. Pronouncing the words and the phrases and learning how specific words make your mouth, tongue, palate and throat undulate is an important part of being fluent.Loop it!  Spotify actually makes it very easy for you to loop the songs or an entire playlist. Click on the title that’s playing and tap on the icon that looks like a Recycle icon once to make the whole playlist loop. Tap on it again and you’ll loop just the one song. You’ll know you’re just repeating one song because there’ll be a small “1” sign on the icon.Use the Musixmatch app.  Don’t you just wish that while you listened to that German pop song that you had the accompanying lyrics? (Because sometimes you can’t quite make out the actual words.) Well, that wish comes true with an awesome app called Musixmatch. It works perfectly with Spotify and gives you the synchronized lyrics to whatever is playing on your Spotify.Listen to different versions of the same song. If you find a song you really like, dont just rely on the Top Result. Always tap See all songs or See all artists. Youll find lots of covers of the same song. (The Spanish hit Despacito, for example, has close to two hundred different versions and covers, from acoustic to reggae and remix.)2. Find Your Perfect Spotify Language CourseJust to prove that the platform goes beyond music, believe it or not, Spotify itself sponsors language learning programs.Go to “Browse.” You know, that’s where you usually go when you want to search for songs via genre. You’ll get sections on pop, rock, hip-hop, Christian and RB. Spotify also arranges them via mood, like chill, party or sleep.Scroll down to the bottom and you’ll get a section called “Word.” Tap on it and you’ll get selections on spoken word tracks like poems, audiobooks, scary stories and guided meditation.You’ll also find language programs that teach you not only the basic greetings but the structure, pronunciation and grammar that make a language work. And these arent just your “token” language courses that teach very little. They mean business here. (French, for example has 45 hours worth of free audio lessons. Swedish has six hours.)Other languages include: Spanish, Chinese, German, Arabic, Italian, Irish, Russian and Portuguese.So head on over now to the “Word” section of “Browse” and listen to your heart’s content. Spotify courses are there waiting for you!Here are some other options you should check out.Coffee Break Languages (by Radio Lingua Network)The Radio Lingua Network, producer of Coffee Break Languages, was launched in 2006. Their podcasts, both densely informative and professional, have won a string of European Podcast Awa rds and is continually upping the language podcast game.Coffee Break Spanish, hosted by Mark and Kara, is particularly popular. Their passion for teaching shines through and when you listen to them, you immediately feel a kind of connection with those voicesâ€"which by the way, have a Scottish accent. (The company is headquartered in Scotland.)The programs take you beyond the “listen-and-repeat” track, although it does give you plenty of time to practice the target language. In addition to language lessons, you also get interesting cultural asides, which make the programs more robust for faithful listeners. You get more than you bargain for with their podcasts, and it’ll feel like listening to friends who really want you to succeed with languages.Presently, they have podcasts for Italian, German, Spanish and French.Learn In Your Car (by Penton Overseas, Inc.)As suggested by the title, these programs were created to be consumed while driving to or from work. But don’t worry, you don’t need to get a car for this one. You can be on a train platform or on a restroom queue during halftime and still engage in a little language learning.Penton Overseas Inc. offers a slew of programs that are specifically targeted to vocabulary and verbs. In addition to the “Learn in Your Car” series, they also have the “Vocabulearn” series which teaches you words, nouns, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions and expressions in the language. Their “Verbs 101” programs teach you conjugation principles and patterns as well as tenses.Penton offers free lessons for Spanish, French, German, Italian, Mandarin, Korean, Vietnamese, Arabic, Japanese, Hebrew, Swedish, Tagalog, Ukrainian, Polish, Portuguese and Swahili.Learning Language CompanyOf the language programs offered here, this one has the slimmest of pickingsâ€"offering just three languages: French, Spanish and English.The three programs do have different flavors and approaches, probably due to that fact that differen t folks developed these courses. The French program has a more grammatical approach, with tracks tackling lessons on nouns, regular and irregular verbs, adverbs and conjunctions. The Spanish program is more topically arranged, with tracks that teach vocabulary related to animals, clothes, days of the week, numbers, etc.The English course, for its part, is quite advanced and would be perfect for those learning the subtleties of written English, having tracks that explain the uses and nuances of the comma, colon and semi-colon, for example.Complete Language LessonsIf you’re learning Spanish, French, German, Italian, Mandarin, Cantonese, Japanese, Portuguese, Norwegian, Swedish, Russian, Polish, Arabic, Vietnamese, Finnish, Czech, Bengali, Turkish, Swahili, Nepali, Cambodian, Tagalog, Thai, Bulgarian, Hebrew or Farsiâ€"then you’re in luck.Complete Language Lessons has you covered! And theyre all free! Admittedly, they’re not the full-blown programs like a paid course, but they do a mighty job of starting you off right. You learn the basics for each of the languages mentioned. You get the fundamentals, the basic grammar rules and the most words and expressions.With today’s technology, there’s really very little stopping you from learning that second or third language. The material is there. You just have to do the work.So the next question would be, how do you make the most out of the courses and programs on Spotify?That’s what we’ll tackle next.Tips:Do download. And here’s why  Did you notice that when you have WiFi on your phone it’s actually very difficult to get some serious language learning done? Notifications from other apps are flooding in, messages from all your friends come every other second, apps are begging to be updated. So many things are begging for your attention. If you’re always online, why not try thisâ€"temporarily and purposely disconnect yourself. Be free from distractions. Youll find that your productivity will jump and target language fluency suddenly and strangely becomes achievable.Do one course at a time.  Spotify has multiple courses for each language, which means you have loads of options. Language learners often cope with the situation by downloading as many courses as possible, thinking the more programs they take, the better. (Ugh, not good!) Don’t fall for FOMO, the fear of missing outâ€"thinking there’s a program that’s better than the one you’re currently on. Pick one, and run with it.Don’t be a shy headphone jock. Speak!  In order to learn how to speak German, you have to speak German. Albeit, quite funky at first. But you have to speak the language that youre learning. There’s just no way around it! Talk to yourself. Record yourself speaking. Itll be one of the most educational and eye-opening language experience ever. Listen carefully and compare your pronunciations with that of a native speaker. Better yet, ask a native speaker how you’re doing.Mix it up.  Spotify is f illed with language learning courses that you could listen to, but you really shouldn’t limit yourself. Tap into all other sources of language learning content like textbooks, novels or childrens books during the journey.3. Take Advantage of Other Authentic Spotify ContentLast but not the least, Spotify can be an excellent source for other types of authentic content.Authentic content is defined as material that native speakers of the language consume. Programs for language learners tend to be at a slower speed and have modified content to increase the comprehension of the listener.This isnt the case for authentic materials. Since the resource is geared towards native speakers, its a great opportunity to tune your ears to the language spoken at a natural speed and hear vocabulary in context.Find the perfect podcastTo search for podcasts in your target language, simply type the language in Search. Spotify will then generate everything from songs, playlists, artists and albums that c ontain your search term.Scroll down to the podcast section and take your pick. For example, a Spanish search will get you HabloGeekâ€"a Spanish-language podcast that discusses everything technology-related. A German search would give you Machenâ€"a German podcast on business and startups.A great resource for foreign language podcasts is the Australia-based SBS (Special Broadcasting Service) Radio, which has programs, news and interviews in a whopping number of languages. Just type SBS plus the language you want to listen to. They have tracks for 74 languages, including Finnish, Dutch, even Somali and Khmer!Podcasts can really get those linguistic muscles of yours stretched and pushed to the next level. They immerse you in the language and you get to work with it the same way native speakers do.Browse the selection of audiobooksBesides podcasts, another type of authentic material on Spotify are those  audiobooks  in the target language.English learners will have an awesome time with classics like “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” “The Great Gatsby,” “Pride Prejudice” and “Great Expectations.”To search, simply use the target language as a search term (e.g. German) and add the term audiobooks. For example, searching for German audiobooks will show you a playlist that includes Der kleine Prinz (The Little Prince).There are also audiobooks in Spanish like El gato con botas (Puss in Boots) and  Le Petit Prince (The Little Prince) in French.To get the most out of these foreign language audio, try to get hold of a digital or printed copy so you can read along.Read along and read aloud so your mouth and ears can get accustomed to the language. You’re going to look and sound like a fool again, but do it anyway.Tips:Dont try to understand everything. Don’t fret if you miss a few words or phrases. But give it a try and negotiate meaning using context clues. You’re really not supposed to understand everything. Some things will go over your head. Cut yourself some slack and give yourself a pat on the back instead.Listen in small chunks. If you feel your mind wandering, its better to stop listening to that podcast or audiobook until you can really focus. Whether thats for 10 minutes or an hour, know when youve reached your limit. Its best to listen again when your mind is fresh and you can really absorb the content.Repeat after the speaker. Podcasts and audiobooks are great opportunities to practice your pronunciation. Throughout your listening session, repeat what the speaker is saying. This gives you a chance to practice the vocabulary in context and gauge your pronunciation.  Try to copy the rise and fall of the tone, the inflections, etc. Itll seem awkward at first, but itll come more naturally as you progress.Didn’t think there would be so much language learning stuff on Spotify, did you?So download the app now and find out why this resource is your dream come true.Spotify is indeed language learning electrified!

3 Ways to Cope with Coworker Disputes

3 Ways to Cope with Coworker Disputes Image via. https://pixabay.com/en/silhouette-teamwork-business-3120378/ Setting Boundaries It’s extremely important to set boundaries with anyone in your life, especially coworkers. If you’re working on a project with a coworker that you don’t particularly enjoy, be sure to set work-appropriate boundaries. If possible, only work on the project together when you’re at the office. If this isn’t possible because the project is too big to be finished while at the workplace, go to a neutral location where other people are doing work as well, like a coffee shop or a library. Some offices are even open to employees after-hours, so you can work there too if you can. If you aren’t working on a project together, but you have to see them on a regular basis, keep conversations to a minimum, don’t except any after-work activity invites, and be cordial, but not overly friendly so you don’t give him/her the wrong idea. Make it Out in the Open If there is a mutual “dislike” between you and your coworker, maybe set up a time to sit down with him/her to clear the air. It’s never fun when someone doesn’t like you and when you don’t like someone, so why not talk about it if it’s apparent that the feeling is mutual? If you lay everything out on the table, you and your coworker might come to some sort of understanding so that things don’t have to be awkward anymore. Who knows, you two might even become good friends after talking to him/her! Whatever you do, if you do make this conflict out in the open, do not get other coworkers involved. Drama is so middle school, there is no need to bring drama into a busy workplace. You can talk to your close friends/coworkers about it, but don’t make it a big thing because it will 100% make the situation worse if you do. If you don’t feel comfortable talking about it with the person you have the issue with, then please keep it to yourself for your own sake and for his/her sake. Image via. https://pixabay.com/en/call-center-operator-adult-agent-3506652/ Coming to Terms with It Sometimes, coworker disputes can’t be fixed. I know this isn’t what you wanted to hear, but this is the cold, hard truth. So, when coworker disagreements and dislikes are irreparable, how do you deal with it? Well, continue to establish boundaries, only converse with the person if you have to, keep your thoughts about your coworker to yourself, and just remind yourself that it isn’t necessary, nor possible, for everyone you come across in life to like you and/or for everyone you come across in life for you to like them. Before going into work, take a few deep breaths, remember what your goals are and why you’re there, and walk in with confidence and kindness. Always be pleasant, but you don’t have to go out of your way to be overly nice to the coworker you don’t enjoy. You didn’t get the job to be friends with everyone, so don’t let a little bit of animosity get you down. Remember your purpose and when you need a break from your coworker, then take a walk around the office and take a breather. I hope none of my readers ever have to deal with this problem, but if you do I promise you that it’s not the end of the world. You can get through this and you never know what might happen in the future. For all you know, this coworker will end up being the maid-of-honor or best-man at your wedding. Just remember to never be outwardly mean to your coworker, don’t be petty, be cordial, but just don’t go out of your way to be friends with him/her if you don’t want to. Go to work, do your job, be friends with who you want to be friends with, and keep it at that. Good luck if you are trying out my coping mechanisms!

Thursday, March 5, 2020

My Teaching Philosophy

My Teaching Philosophy My Story: School and How I Learned I Wanted to TeachMy earliest memory of my education was in my kindergarten classroom. I remember my teacher, and how she would play “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” and “Oh When the Saints” on her xylophone to signal to the students that she wanted them to come to the rug. No words were spoken, it was just known by all the students in the class that this was our cue.This experience has stayed with me all through my schooling, and will remain within my future as an educator. As a student, I always enjoyed school, enjoyed learning and enjoyed the atmosphere. This feeling continued, and even when school required more studying and less exploration, I still saw its value. I do not know how this this appreciation came to me, if it was instilled in me by my family, my teachers, if it came naturally, or possibly a combination, but I was grateful it was there. Entering the field of education, and having gained experience working within schools, I have s een that this experience is not typical. I have met different students with many different stories, and not one of them is the same as another. As a child it is more difficult to see these discrepancies, but looking back on my experiences in school, as well as what I have learned since then, it is clear to me that there is no typical experience, no cookie cutter student and no one way to teach. Each teacher must forge their own path to discover how they will inspire each of their students. “It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge” (Albert Einstein) and that is my aspiration as a teacher. How My Philosophy Helps My StudentsThe most vital, and foundational philosophy that any teacher, of any grade, demographic or subject area needs to consider is how the student views themselves within the classroom community that you have created. If a student feels that they are not valued as part of this community, or that they are not a positive contributor to this community, their success academically, socially and emotionally is compromised. Classrooms today represent a wide range of diverse learners, whether it be students with disabilities, English Language Learners, minority groups or students who may just feel ostracized or “different”. It is our job as teachers to awaken the joy in students within this community. Give students to opportunity to show what makes them special. Value their differences and celebrate them. Give every the student the opportunity to do something great, something that will make them feel proud of themselves, and feel that they are a part of the group of students around them. This will be different for every student and may be easy, or may take a lot of trust, support and encouragement. However, that one small moment of being included, involved, and belonging may be what makes the difference for a student to succeed and awaken the inspiration within them.Once a student feels comfortable an d valued in their classroom community, the foundation of learning can begin. A student will be more open and willing to learning new things if they are comfortable. Students will be even more willing to learn and experience new things if they can see the value that the learning has to them. A student is more likely to see the value in learning and be actively involved if they can identify how the material can relate to and help them in their own lives. How do we expect students to blindly follow teachers and they teach lessons, but do not understand why they are learning what they are learning? Tips: How What I've Learned Can Help Other Teachers, Tutors, and StudentsTeachers need to take the time to explain to students on why what they are learning matters to them, and for each student, that may be different. This element does not need to be overtly repeated in every situation, it may be subtle and may be woven into the lesson or activity you area leading. What is important is that students can make connections to what they are learning in the classroom to real life experiences. This connection does not only inspire them to learn, but enables the learning process by making that connection and solidifying what that student is learning. Furthermore, to ensure that a student’s interest and learning continues to grow, teachers must make the time to pursue topics that students find interesting themselves. With curriculum standards and state requirements, teachers often tend to avoid migrating from the strict curriculum. Does that mean if a student or groups of students show a unique interest in a topic not specifically outlined in a framework that we, as teachers, should ignore it? Or does it mean that we, as teachers, should recognize this opportunity for curiosity and learning and allow students to pursue interests. It is not impossible. Any topic or idea can be adapted to work within a classroom setting. Teachers need to be flexible and adaptable. We need to gauge student interest and seize opportunities when we see them. Teachers need to “awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge” within their students to help ensure their futures are bright.“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its abili ty to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”

4 Ideas to Make a Rainy Day Fun

4 Ideas to Make a Rainy Day Fun 4 Ideas to Make a Rainy Day Fun When thinking of summer fun, we typically imagine outdoor activities like swimming in the pool or playing at the park. While physical activity is very important and can even boost your kids’ learning ability, sometimes it’s just too hot out to play in the sun. If it’s a scorcher of a day, raining cats and dogs, or maybe your kids just want to switch up the routine, we have some fun ideas on how to make the most of your kids’ indoor time. Read A Book â€" and then Watch the Movie A rainy day is a great time to get lost in a good book. Introduce your kids to your favorite childhood book, or choose one from Kumon’s Recommended Reading List. Reading can open up new worlds to your children and ignite their imagination. If your kids is are reluctant readers, choose a book with a movie adaptation, and promise to watch the movie with them once they’re done. Here (link to Jenna’s article) are great suggestions for kids of all ages. Have Fun in the Kitchen Baking is a wonderful activity for kids. It’s an opportunity to learn about measurements, get messy, and enjoy a tasty treat! However, we know that sweltering weather might make you reluctant to turn on the oven. Luckily there are plenty of no-bake options to make with your kids instead. You can freeze your own popsicles in any flavor you like, make pudding, or put together a healthy fruit salad. Here are 10 additional no-bake desserts that are perfect to enjoy on a hot summer day, and easy enough for your kids to make themselves. Color Coloring is fun for kids (and adults) of all ages, but it’s also a great activity to help your young kids develop motor skills. Coloring is a major component of Kumon’s Level Z, also known as the Pencil Skills Level. That’s because coloring can help your kids build strength and dexterity in their hands, which will lead to better handwriting in the future. For fun printable, educational coloring activities, check out the Ready Jet Go! website. Kumon is a proud sponsor of Ready Jet Go!, an animated series on PBS Kids that teaches kids about science and astronomy. Stage a Performance Stoke your kids’ creativity by encouraging them to put on a performance. Acting out a scene can help your children develop public speaking skills at an early age and encourage their imagination to go wild. For performance newbies, why not ask them to act out a scene from their favorite book? For more experienced thespians, encourage them to write their own play to present. Either way, your kids will develop reading, writing, and presenting skills, all while having so much fun they won’t even realize they’re learning! Being stuck indoors over the summer doesn’t have to be boring. There are endless opportunities for fun and learning right in front of you. Children’s active imaginations can make seemingly mundane activities tons of fun. Take advantage of their ability to turn an ordinary stick into a magic wand or a box into a cave and let them take you for an adventure in your living room! You might also be interested in: Better Grades are Just a Hop, Skip, and a Jump Away 5 POPULAR CHILDREN’S BOOKS-TURNED-MOVIES TO EXPLORE THIS SUMMER 6 Simple Ways to Make Learning Fun this Summer How to Teach Your Kids About the Stars This Summer 4 Ideas to Make a Rainy Day Fun 4 Ideas to Make a Rainy Day Fun When thinking of summer fun, we typically imagine outdoor activities like swimming in the pool or playing at the park. While physical activity is very important and can even boost your kids’ learning ability, sometimes it’s just too hot out to play in the sun. If it’s a scorcher of a day, raining cats and dogs, or maybe your kids just want to switch up the routine, we have some fun ideas on how to make the most of your kids’ indoor time. Read A Book â€" and then Watch the Movie A rainy day is a great time to get lost in a good book. Introduce your kids to your favorite childhood book, or choose one from Kumon’s Recommended Reading List. Reading can open up new worlds to your children and ignite their imagination. If your kids is are reluctant readers, choose a book with a movie adaptation, and promise to watch the movie with them once they’re done. Here (link to Jenna’s article) are great suggestions for kids of all ages. Have Fun in the Kitchen Baking is a wonderful activity for kids. It’s an opportunity to learn about measurements, get messy, and enjoy a tasty treat! However, we know that sweltering weather might make you reluctant to turn on the oven. Luckily there are plenty of no-bake options to make with your kids instead. You can freeze your own popsicles in any flavor you like, make pudding, or put together a healthy fruit salad. Here are 10 additional no-bake desserts that are perfect to enjoy on a hot summer day, and easy enough for your kids to make themselves. Color Coloring is fun for kids (and adults) of all ages, but it’s also a great activity to help your young kids develop motor skills. Coloring is a major component of Kumon’s Level Z, also known as the Pencil Skills Level. That’s because coloring can help your kids build strength and dexterity in their hands, which will lead to better handwriting in the future. For fun printable, educational coloring activities, check out the Ready Jet Go! website. Kumon is a proud sponsor of Ready Jet Go!, an animated series on PBS Kids that teaches kids about science and astronomy. Stage a Performance Stoke your kids’ creativity by encouraging them to put on a performance. Acting out a scene can help your children develop public speaking skills at an early age and encourage their imagination to go wild. For performance newbies, why not ask them to act out a scene from their favorite book? For more experienced thespians, encourage them to write their own play to present. Either way, your kids will develop reading, writing, and presenting skills, all while having so much fun they won’t even realize they’re learning! Being stuck indoors over the summer doesn’t have to be boring. There are endless opportunities for fun and learning right in front of you. Children’s active imaginations can make seemingly mundane activities tons of fun. Take advantage of their ability to turn an ordinary stick into a magic wand or a box into a cave and let them take you for an adventure in your living room! You might also be interested in: Better Grades are Just a Hop, Skip, and a Jump Away 5 POPULAR CHILDREN’S BOOKS-TURNED-MOVIES TO EXPLORE THIS SUMMER 6 Simple Ways to Make Learning Fun this Summer How to Teach Your Kids About the Stars This Summer

Chemistry Tutors at UMass Amherst

Chemistry Tutors at UMass AmherstChemistry tutors are in high demand and UMass Amherst has just added a new member to its list of faculty members. On the faculty is Ashwin Jagadeesan, a full-time, tenured professor of Chemical Engineering at UMass Amherst. He is an associate professor of Chemical Engineering and a member of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Chemistry and Biochemistry.Ashwin's career is as long as his neck. In fact, his very first appointment was as a post-doctoral fellow for almost a decade, studying polymer architecture and synthesis. Since then, he has taught Chemical Engineering at UMass Amherst, PhD-Chem and MS degrees in Chemistry, and has been an active faculty member with the American Chemical Society. His research focus is in organic chemistry, and the resulting research projects have led to the development of the polyaniline polymer.The interesting thing about Jagadeesan is that he started his career in a bachelor's degree program from whi ch he did not advance to any degree beyond basic study level. This made him the perfect candidate for a tenured position in the department.Being a chemistry tutor is quite challenging in the sense that you have to convey information and concepts in a short time. It is important that you are able to give clear, concise and even poetic explanations in order to make sure that your students understand. You also have to work hard to keep up with what the other students are doing, so that you can keep ahead of them as well.This is what makes a chemistry tutor stand out from the rest. When one of these individuals gets a tenured position, it means that he or she has accomplished something impressive. Their accomplishments will help them earn tenure, which is the only step that most faculty members take to get tenure. You can see from this, that being a chemistry tutor is not only a profession but also a way of life.Being a chemistry tutor at UMass Amherst will be something that you can cal l your professional identity. Once you are appointed as a professor, it is something that you have to maintain in order to maintain your reputation as a quality professor. You have to do this whether you enjoy it or not. And to help you earn the trust of your students, you will need to be an engaging lecturer and communicate the ideas clearly and concisely to them.A good tip for you is to get a reputation of being a good professor at UMass Amherst before you start teaching. This is something that you can do because you have already received a good reputation as a teacher. Also, as a professor, you will be required to continue with the job search. This will let you gauge how your teaching style is appreciated by the students.

Why We Choose Frisco Math Tutoring

Why We Choose Frisco Math TutoringThere are a number of reasons why we would choose to use a company that is known as 'Frisco Math Tutoring Comapsios' over other online tutoring services. One of the first reasons why people are opting for this company is because of the fact that they have been giving tutoring services to kids for many years. When you are in the city, you can always depend on them for help them also.At first glance, there may be people who will automatically assume that tutoring from 'Frisco Math Tutoring Comapsios' is a scam. That is one thing that you should be careful about when you are looking for tutoring in your city. The fact is that you need to put yourself in the shoes of the parents who have children who would like to be tutored. There are parents who do not mind paying a small fee so that their child can have the opportunity to be tutored because that is the only way they can afford it.Parents of students in the city would need to look at the cost of tutori ng programs and wonder why the parents would choose to go for the low-cost tutoring programs. As a parent, you are the only one who can know what your child needs and what he or she has potentials for. The only way to know that is by hiring a tutor to give them the needed help.Another reason why people are choosing to go with the tutoring companies in the city is because of the convenience factor. When you are in the city, you can never be sure of getting the time to go somewhere else. Being able to go somewhere else to get help whenever you need it is one of the great advantages of tutoring in the city. It gives you the ability to have someone help you when you need it the most.In case you have any doubts, all you have to do is ask someone who is already a tutor and he or she can give you an answer. That is the reason why tutoring in the city is more popular than any other option. You can get the help you need when you need it the most.With the knowledge of these factors in mind, y ou can now decide which company you want to use. Since you know why it is preferred, you can now choose between tutoring with tutors from 'Frisco Math Tutoring Comapsios' or you can choose any other program.It all boils down to how much time you have to spend and the amount of money you have to spend. As long as you do not have those two things to worry about, then using tutoring in the city can be one of the best things you can do for your child.

Violin For Beginners Easy Violin Songs To Learn

Violin For Beginners Easy Violin Songs To Learn Which Songs Should Budding Violinists Learn? ChaptersWhy Learn Songs to Improve Your Playing?Classical Music for Violin BeginnersRock Music for ViolinFrench Music for Violin BeginnersTraditional Music for ViolinSoundtracks and Film Music for ViolinTaking music theory tutorials to learn more about the treble clef, rhythm, learning to read music, or just simply learning how to play the violin is always a good start. However, playing violin or the fiddle should always be fun!When you first start learning to play stringed instruments, it can be disheartening learning music theory and techniques (such as holding the bow correctly and just tuning the thing!) and many students end up giving up long before they get anywhere near an orchestra. When you start learning violin for beginners, you'll see why it's one of the hardest instruments to learn.Reading music can be difficult and the violin lessons can be plagued by complicated musical compositions. As a newbie, you need to find the best violin lessons for beginners and the right teac her...Everyone wants to have violin lessons near me that are both useful and fun by learning their favourite violin music. Who said you couldn’t do just that?From Jean-Jacques Goldman to Beethoven via Coldplay, there’s a huge range of artists and styles to choose from to help you with your violin playing.Even if the songs seem very difficult at first, there are plenty of arrangements that allow beginners to play simplified versions of their favourite songs and teach themselves.What are you waiting for? Every concert violin player has to start somewhere! TomViolin Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors StacyViolin Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValtieViolin Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors BenedictViolin Teacher 5.00 (8) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TaisiiaViolin Teacher 5.00 (1) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AmyViolin Teacher 5.00 (1) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tu tors LuísViolin Teacher 5.00 (6) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MomokoViolin Teacher £45/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhy Learn Songs to Improve Your Playing?You can’t deny that the learning the violin is tricky. That's why violin teachers exist, after all.It’s very difficult to be able to play a song during the first weeks or months of learning. In the beginning, it’s more important to focus on your left hand, violin fingering, and playing notes on the violin strings well. For some people, this is a step that can take several years. Additionally, the violin bow can feel unwieldy to beginner violin players and when you first learn to play the violin, don't be surprised if you produce the sound of a cat being strangled. Even famous violinists were like this once.There are tricks for improving your left hand finger placement. (Source: mystock.photos)There are a lot of tips and tricks that can help you learn how to play violin more quickly such as put ting stickers on the neck in order to give yourself a better idea of where to place your fingers, investing in a violin tuner to make sure that your instrument is always in tune, and warm up exercises for your wrist, fingers, and arm, so that you're ready for whatever your violin lesson throws at you.Once you’ve gotten past this stage, you can start learning songs.But which ones should you learn?Learning a musical instrument, no matter which one, can often be learnt by playing children’s nursery rhymes and lullabies. These are made of simple melodies and are very handy for budding violinists. However, there probably aren’t many people relishing at the opportunity to learn “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”.Don’t worry, though! Thanks to the internet, there are plenty of little gems you could learn to play instead. On YouTube, for example, a lot of people post video tutorials for beginners. You’re bound to find the song you want to learn. Some videos will show precisely wher e your fingers need to be on the fingerboard at any given moment, just like playing a game of Guitar Hero. You need to remember that even songs that seem too difficult for your level can be simplified in order to be played.Learning to play the songs you like can go a long way towards helping you progress. These songs can give you a goal to accomplish. This can really help beginners. Songs are also an opportunity to learn new techniques. With a clear goal in mind, you’re far less likely to give up.Enjoy yourself! Look for songs from your favourite playlist. You’ll surely be able to find the simplified version for beginners on the internet.Enjoying what you’re playing is a great way to keep enjoying playing the instrument when things get tough. You’ll be happy to pick up your violin and start playing some of your favourite songs.Make sure you have fun when you're playing. (Source: stock.tookapic.com)Once you’ve mastered playing a given song, why not perform it for your frien ds? Ask for a second opinion and see if there are any parts you could improve upon. Even if they’re not musicians themselves, their opinions can still be useful to you. It’s often easier to be objective when you’re not judging yourself. Don’t forget that you can use criticism to improve.If it turns out that you’ve perfectly mastered the song, what’s better than showing it off to an audience. It’s your chance to shine. While nursery rhymes might be fun, it’s unlikely that you’ll become famous from playing them.When choosing music, make sure that you choose good violin pieces for your level. For example, if you're an absolute beginner, you want to avoid pieces that have a lot of vibrato, pizzicato, or other intermediate and advanced techniques. A teacher can you learn violin and choose appropriate contemporary and orchestral violin pieces. Don't forget to invest in a metronome, too!Why not learn more about the history of the violin?Classical Music for Violin Beginner sWhile it seems to be getting harder and harder to find young people interested in classical music, there are still people who much prefer it to genres such as rock and RnB. For those who enjoy this type of music, there are plenty of songs in the violin’s repertoire for beginners to learn.Shostakovich’s Second WaltzDo you know this one? This song is the one that comes to mind whenever André Rieu’s name is mentioned. If you’re familiar with it, it’ll be easier to play. These notes are quite easy to remember and good for beginners to play.Palchelbel’s CanonEven if classical music isn’t really your thing, you’ll have definitely have heard this one. It was famously played on electric violins in YouTube videos a few years ago (there were also versions on almost every single instrument known to man). Impress your friends by playing this well known masterpiece. Goosebumps guaranteed!Für EliseBeethoven’s Für Elise isn’t just for pianists (or Elise). Violinists can als o learn to play this beautiful song. Of course, your version will have to be more basic, but the notes making up the song are some of the simplest ones for budding musicians to learn. TomViolin Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors StacyViolin Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValtieViolin Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors BenedictViolin Teacher 5.00 (8) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TaisiiaViolin Teacher 5.00 (1) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AmyViolin Teacher 5.00 (1) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LuísViolin Teacher 5.00 (6) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MomokoViolin Teacher £45/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsRock Music for ViolinClassical music isn’t the only genre that’s made use of the violin. In recent years, with the advent of the electric violin, musicians have found new ways to play the instrument.This means that a lot of conte mporary music can be played by beginners...Even big rock bands are using the violin. (Source: pixabay.com)Coldplay - Viva la VidaOnce again, you can find a tutorial for this on YouTube. With these video tutorials, you won’t need to be master of music theory since they’ll tell you where your fingers need to be at any given moment. Try it yourself!Lindsey Stirling - CrystallizeLindsey Stirling is a violin and dance expert. Not only does she cover the biggest hits on the violin but she also composes her own original music. Crystallize, which came out in 2012, is one of her own pieces. While it may seem complicated at first glance, it can be played by beginners. Of course, with a good tutor, it’d be easier to learn.French Music for Violin BeginnersTo find a wealth of music for the violin you only need to look across the channel. There are plenty of French artists making use of this beautiful instrument. From Catherine Lara to Louise Attaque, there are plenty of songs you should be adding to your violin playlist.Debout sur le Zinc is a French group that was founded in 1995. Inspired by a mix of rock and gypsy music, a lot of their songs have a violin part. While it’s hard to find video tutorials on YouTube for them, you can find violin sheet music or tablature for their songs.The second you listen to the song Je t’emmène au vent, you’ll want to pick up a violin. The song by Louise Attaque is an absolute tune and can be learnt by a beginner with the help of violin tabs or sheet music.Catherine Lara is both a violinist and singer. She learnt violin from a young age. However, when her singing career took off, she never gave up playing the violin. Many of the singer’s songs, including Nuit Magique, include her violin.Singer songwriters also like pairing up with violin players. (Source: pixabay.com)The French superstar Jean-Jacques Goldman released an album in 2001 called Chansons pour les pieds. This is a great collection of songs for violinists. The son g Tournent les violons  is where you should start.Traditional Music for ViolinAre you interested in folk music from Ireland or Brittany? Folk music often includes violin parts. It can also get the people moving.The tune Scottish Fougères is a great one for those who are new to the violin. While this piece is often played with a harmonica (and sounds great on it), you can adapt it for the violin. Again, you can find some good tabs or sheet music for this piece.Who could forget Amazing Grace? While most famous for being played on the bagpipes, there are plenty of different versions. The once religious lyrics are more so a symbol of freedom and rights nowadays.Soundtracks and Film Music for ViolinThe music from films is often a good choice for budding violinists. Composers like John Williams and Hans Zimmer often try to create melodies that anyone can sing along to.For those just starting out with the violin, there are plenty of beautiful pieces to choose from that will help improve y our technique and are fun to play.Mission ImpossibleWho could forget the iconic theme from Mission Impossible?Whether on the guitar, piano, or violin, the notes in the piece can be played by any musician on any instrument.AmélieThe soundtrack from Amélie is a favourite amongst those learning to play the piano. However, the melodies can also be played on violin.You can also simplify the songs by taking inspiration from what a few YouTubers have done.Game of ThronesThere are few people on the planet who wouldn’t be familiar with this music.The Game of Thrones theme has been covered plenty of times on the internet if you need inspiration. To make things easier, keep in mind that this piece can be played on the two lowest strings of a violin. No need for finger gymnastics! Great for those wanting to take things slow.Star WarsStar Wars is one of those films whose theme can be learnt by beginners. Since it’s quite repetitive, you can learn it quite quickly.Once you’ve mastered it, you could do the same as the two teenagers who stood on John William’s lawn playing it.Maybe he’ll open his door to you.Whether you want to learn the violin, cello, or any other string instrument, you should check out some of the online violin and music tutorials or contact a violin teacher near you. You'll get better with each lesson and once you've mastered your violin scales, you'll even be able to improvise! Just make sure that your violin's tuned or you're definitely going to sound awful.

Bonne Fête des Mères! French Vocabulary for Mothers Day

Bonne Fête des Mères! French Vocabulary for Mothers Day Sign up successful You might also want to celebrate your grandmother, or grand-mère,  when  la  fête des mères  comes around. If you want to be less formal, you can address your grandma as grand-maman, gra-mère, or even  mémé or  mamé.  If you have a stepmother, you can celebrate her as well on Mothers Day. In French, you call your stepmother, ma  belle-mère. French Gifts for Mom Just like in America, French moms love to start their special day with le  petit déjeuner au lit, or breakfast in bed. You should also be sure to get a nice present, or un cadeau, for maman. Some popular gifts for maman include les fleurs (flowers), un collier (necklace), le chocolat (chocolate), les livres (books), and le parfum (perfume). Often, young children in France will make craft projects at school to bring to maman for  la fête des mères.   Finally, you cant go wrong with a handmade  carte de vÅ"ux, or greeting card, with a heartfelt message of love and gratitude for your mom. Dont forget to write, je taime, which means, I love you. In French families, it is traditional to present maman with a cake resembling a bouquet of flowers and to prepare a lovely diner for her and the whole family. French Translation Practice for Mothers Day Now that youve studied a little bit of French vocabulary for Mothers Day, see if you can translate this paragraph from French Etc.: La fête des mères est fêtée une fois par an, le dernier dimanche de mai ou le premier dimanche de juin â€" ce n’est pas à la même date dans tous les pays â€" par tous les enfants des écoles. Dans toutes les classes, les travaux manuels vont bon train. On travaille secrètement ; qui, au collier de nouilles ; qui, au livre de recettes écrit à la main. Le matin du Jour J., on récite un compliment et on offre son cadeau fait amoureusement. Les plus grands lui offrent un plus grand cadeau, bien sûr. Et toute la journée, la maman est la reine. On lui fait tout, on la chouchoute, on la cajole, on lui prépare le dîner, etc. (You can check your work here, or find a French tutor to help you continue your studies.) Will you be celebrating Mothers Day with the French this year? What are your family traditions? Share them with us in the comments below! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher