Primary School English Curriculum, Exams Difficulties

Primary School English Curriculum, Exams Difficulties A Complete Guide to Primary School English ChaptersAn Overview of Key Stage LearningResources for Young English LearnersWhy Not Play Games to Learn?Measuring English Proficiency at Key Stage LevelIt is not only your child who has anxiety attacks at the start of every school year.Statistics show that parents feel separation anxiety as well as frustration  over their child's social situation at  school.However, if your child is well prepared for the initial Key Stages; if you know what to expect and how to help for English, you can minimise your and your little student's stress.This article is an overview of what to expect in English classes during these first years at school, ways to help your child get ahead and tips to make English learning more fun, for you and your child.Your child's English capabilities will be assessed with his peers' Source: Pixabay Credit: Tolmachothis more advanced SAT exam after successful completion of Scholastic Year Six.Should there be any areas of weakness revealed by this exam, your child will h ave the opportunity to resit in Year Seven.To avoid the possibility of an exam retake, you could incorporate some of these extra study activities to help your child learn English better, faster.Learning English can be fun with interactive exercises Source: Pixabay Credit: GeraltResources for Young English LearnersAs your child gains English language skills, s/he is preparing to take his/her place in society.The ability to read, write and speak English puts your progeny on par with the more than a billion and a half English speakers around the world.Let us take a look at how you could help launch him/her successfully with English language resources.Your local library is the one-stop place to find legends, heroes, princesses and trolls.The only thing that you absolutely have to know is the location of the library â€" Albert EinsteinAt the library closest to you, there should be workshops, English tuition and other activities that can help build your young learner's overall English ski lls.Students enrolled in the UK's public schools are introduced to poetry and literature during the first year of Key Stage One.Considering that, doesn't it make sense to take your child to the place where literature reigns supreme?Consider an English TutorYour child will have taken an English assessment exam at the end of Reception Year.The English teacher should have communicated what level of proficiency your student has demonstrated with the language, and whether additional English language courses are advised.If so, you might consider enlisting with an agency that specialises in helping  young learners with English.Whether your child is an international student or a native English tutor, s/he can benefit from tutoring agencies which specialize in delivering English lessons that follow National Curriculum guidelines.By some reports, more than a quarter of Britain's students benefit from private tutoring. In London, that percentage grows to nearly fifty!Beware that private tutori ng costs rest exclusively with you.Should private tutoring not be an option for you, you might consider checking with the British Council.Their English Department offers several programs to help with elementary English learning.You could talk with a local council representative, or check out their web page.What About Practising English Online?Education experts all agree: an engaged student learns better and retain more of what they learn. How to get your child involved and interested in learning?To learn English, one mustn't always conjugate verbs and focus on exams.Making learning entertaining and fun helps young students realise that English grammar does not have to be drudge work.Colouring pictures is a fun way to develop fine motor skills Source: Pixabay Credit An3344625Why Not Play Games to Learn?The site FunEnglishGames provides amusing  activities that cover the whole spectrum of English learning, from grammar quizzes to vocabulary building exercises.If you are more of a seri ous bent, you might check out Cambridge English. They host a website dedicated especially to young learners, where you will find:gamesquizzesinteractive learning initiativesvideostools to help develop listening skillsThe more your student plays on that site, the more challenging the reading and writing activities become.Now, let's talk about games and activities you can play with your young learner to foster a love of English learning.Build Spelling SkillsI Spy, With My Little Eye... something that starts with M!A twist to the classic observation game, the player leading the game announces what letter the spied object's name starts with.Participants should look around for objects that start with that letter, calling out words until the spied object is correctly guessed.Mat, mum, mirror, mouse... and so on.For learners at Key Stage Two level, the objects can be spelled instead of named.Did you spy a m-a-s-k? Or was it a m-o-p-e-d?The game continues, with a different object to be gues sed, that starts with different letter of the alphabet.You can check here for more fun games that build and reinforce spelling skills.Help Your Child Learn to Love WritingBy all reports, handwriting is no longer emphasised in America, and cursive writing is no longer taught at all. However, in the UK, penmanship is still an important criterion of early education, with skills being assessed at Key Stage exams. Foreign language students entering University in Britain must take IELTS,where they must demonstrate handwriting capabilities, among other facets of English proficiency.That signals the expectation that everyone in UK schools must be able to write legibly. It also underscores the importance of being able to write fluently and well.How do you develop these fine motor skills in your student? Nothing Beats TraditionWe pay tribute to generations of parents who have hoisted their child onto their lap and guided tiny hands to form letters properly. Their method of training future wri ters was way ahead of its time.Muscle memory learning involves building neural pathways so that repetitive movements no longer require conscious thought.There is nothing wrong with this tried-and-true method of helping your child improve writing skills.A note of caution: if your child demonstrates as either left-handed or right-handed, this teaching technique would work best if you are inclined to use the same dominant hand. You Write, I WriteWhy should story time always be someone else's stories, read out loud?Why not write a story with your child, or get the whole family involved?For this activity, you only need a notepad, a pen and a bit of imagination. You start the story by composing the first sentence, writing it in the notebook.Your child expands on it, writing the next line. You (or another family member) follow... and so on, until the story is complete.Taking turns composing sentences, you would be surprised at how quickly you can flesh out an adventure, and fill a notebook !This writing activity is perfect for cold, rainy days, when lounging indoors is preferred to splashing outside.Before we discover ways to learn good spelling habits, let us talk about learning disabilities.Statistics show that more than a quarter of a million school-aged children in the UK are learning, in spite of any sort of disability.Not being fluent in English is not considered a disability under these guidelines.Unfortunately, it is generally only the most obvious of disabilities that are quickly recognised.Others, such as dyslexia, are more difficult to spot in younger learners.If you have concerns about your child's progress in reading, writing or spelling, be sure to talk with your child's English tutor.Taking steps to work around learning disabilities will reduce your child's school anxiety.How to Instill a Lifelong Love of ReadingExperts in early education aver that reading to your child is one of the best ways to get them ready for their formal schooling.Reading to your child also stimulates curiosity â€" a characteristic of rapid intellectual development.As you and your tot delve into the magical world of books, it stands to reason that you could also help cultivate reading skills.Many books for young children are written using rhyming words and repeating phrases because our smallest learners enjoy recurring words and sounds.Such stories give little listeners a feeling of accomplishment by being able to predict what comes next.Let's put that to good use, shall we?Let your child choose the story.Most likely, there will be lines that repeat, such as in Have You Seen My Cat?.This is not my cat! / Have you seen my cat?This type of line works wonders with young learners, especially if you add 'sound effects'.While you read, point to each word with your finger as you speak it, and pronounce each word clearly.Soon, you will find that your child will say select lines with you. When s/he does, stop saying it and let him/her have all the fun!If s/he is a r eluctant participant, prompting should give encouragement: “Have you seen...?” for example.Or you could ask: “What is this word?” while pointing to various words in the text.This activity helps your child establish a correlation between the written and spoken word, and gives early exposure to word recognition.You will most likely find a great selection of such books at your local library.English proficiencies will be measured through a series of Key Stage exams Source: Pixabay Credit AntoniusalesMeasuring English Proficiency at Key Stage LevelAmidst all the fun and hard work of teaching  their child, parents seldom think of reaching milestones, measuring progress, or assessing achievements.By contrast, the UK education system focuses on those developmental stages intently.Your child's grasp of the English language will be measured through a series of standardised examinations throughout his/her academic career.S/he will have already sat for one evaluation toward the end of R eception Year. This is an unofficial test, to gauge competency before moving into Key Stage One learning.Key Stage One AssessmentWhile there is one other informal exam at the end of Year One, your young learner will sit for his/her first formal exam toward the end of Year 2, during the month of May.English language aspects that are measured at that time are reading, grammar, vocabulary, punctuation, and spelling.The reading portion is made up of two short texts, from which your child will answer questions.Reading comprehension is generally allotted thirty minutes per segmentThe spelling test covers twenty randomly chosen words, and lasts approximately twenty minutes.The grammar, punctuation and vocabulary part is taken separately, in two segments.Each lasts about ten minutes, and students may enjoy a small break between them, if needed.Test takers's results are interpreted along a spectrum, much like the letter marks one receives on a composition paper.The median mark of one hundred points means your English learner's language competence is as expected.Key Stage Two AssessmentThis more exacting test weighs heavily on your child's official academic record, it is accorded an expanded schedule.Although the test your child took in Year Two defined his/her ability to learn on par with peers, the Year 6 exam carries substantial gravitas.The results of this exam are considered a part of your child's academic record.The reading portion comprises of questions drawn from three separate textsthe selection is expanded to magazine articles, poetry and classic literatureSpelling competencies are challenged through dictationGrammar and punctuation proficiencies are incorporated into one paperAs with Key Stage One, your child's official result will be a composite score, and the target of one hundred remains as the national average.Students sitting for the Year 6 exam are expected to fall in the one hundred and above spectrum.Learners must achieve a mark of four (4) or above, else they will be scheduled to resit during Year Seven.You should be aware that little accommodation is given to students with learning disabilities, even if they have a SEN certificate. Every  Year Six student is expected to sit for exams alongside their peers, including non native students.SEN stands for Special Educational Needs.By preparing your child for school: playing word games and reading out loud, by practising writing and spelling, your young learner stands a better chance at lower stress levels and, more importantly: at academic success.And that's really what every parent wants for their child's school experience, isn't it?

Motion

Motion Motion Motion or movement is a topic and a concept which we experience every moment! There is not a second that we can claim that an object is not moving. It is fascinating to understand everything in the Universe is moving. But how? If we are sitting in our room by ourselves, we say that we are just sitting and not moving. But it should be noted that the person sitting in the room is simply sitting with respect to his roommate. But how about with respect to Moon? It may sound overwhelming, but yes because we are on Earth and Earth is continuously spinning around its own axis and around the axis of the Sun, if there is a person standing on the Moon, he will say that the person sitting in the room is also moving. So with the above example it is to be understood that the terms moving and not moving are relative terms, dependent on the surroundings. Whether we look at an apple falling from a tree, or the chemical and nuclear reactions, or the case of heart pumping blood, everything is moving and this change in position is termed as Motion. What is Motion? Motion is the change in an objects position with respect to its surroundings. Motion is also defined as the process of any movement or the action of being moved. The study of motion plays a huge and a very important role in Physics. The concepts of Physics always revolve around the aspect of motion. In Physics, the study of the motion of objects is termed as Mechanics. The branch of Mechanics which involves describing the motion of objects using various tools such as equations, diagrams and graphs is known as Kinematics. This motion is usually described in terms of distance, time, displacement, velocity and acceleration. Distance and Displacement: Distance is the physical quantity which describes how much path or ground an object has entirely covered during its motion. Distance is a scalar quantity as it only has magnitude and no direction. Displacement is the physical quantity which describes the objects overall change in position. It is also defined as the shortest distance of an object from its initial position to its final position. In many cases it is typically distinct from the objects actual path covered. Displacement is a vector quantity as it has both magnitude and direction. Let us look at an example below which tells us the difference between distance and displacement. Let a car starting at point P travel 3m down South and then 4m in the East direction as shown in the figure on the right. The cars initial position is at point P and its final position is at point B. The total distance travelled by the car = PA + PB = 3m + 4m = 5m However, the displacement of the car must be the shortest distance from the initial point to the final point, and this implies displacement = PB We can calculate PB by using Pythagorean Theorem == PB = (32 + 42) = 25 = 5m Hence the displacement of the same car is 5m. Speed and Velocity: The term used for describing how fast an object is moving is Speed. Speed is a scalar quantity as it is associated only with the magnitude. An object travelling faster has greater speed, and hence covers more distance in less amount of time. Velocity is a physical quantity which describes the rate at which an object changes its position from one point to another. Velocity is a vector quantity as magnitude and direction both apply to it. Acceleration: Acceleration is defined as the rate at which an object changes its velocity. This implies that an object is said to be accelerating only if it is changing its velocity. If the object is not changing its velocity and instead travels with a uniform velocity, then the acceleration of that object is said to be 0. If an object has an initial velocity of u and final velocity of v, then the average acceleration of that object in a certain time interval of t can be calculated using the formula shown below: Types of motion: There are 2 types of motion based on whether an object covers equal distances or unequal distance in a certain interval of time. a) Uniform motion: If an object covers equal amount of distances in equal intervals of time (it is alright if the time intervals are really short), then such a motion is known as the Uniform motion. Example: If a car covers 5m in the 1 second, 10m in 2 seconds, 15m in 3 seconds, then we say that the car is travelling with uniform motion as it is covering constant 5m in every single second. b) Non-Uniform Motion: If an object covers unequal amount of distances in equal intervals of time, or if it covers equal amount of distances in unequal intervals of time, then such a motion is known as the Non-uniform motion. Example: If a car initially travels 5m in the first second and then 12m in 2 seconds, and 18m in 3 seconds, and so on then it is non-uniform motion. Motion is primarily classified into 3 types based on the path taken by the object in motion: 1) Translatory motion: If the position of an object changes with respect to a fixed point (or object), without a change in its orientation, then such a motion is known as the Translatory motion. Theoretically the path of an object in pure translatory motion can be a linear path or a curved path. The motion along a straight line path is known as the linear motion and the motion along a curved path is known as the curvilinear motion. Examples: A bus moving on the road, path of a moving vehicle on a straight road. 2) Rotatory motion: If an object moves in a circular path about a fixed point in space (about the axis of rotation) is known as the Rotatory motion. Examples: The wheel of any moving vehicle, hands of a clock, spinning top etc. 3) Oscillatory motion: The to and fro motion of an object is known as the Oscillatory motion. Examples: Swinging pendulum, swings in a playground, swinging cradle etc. There are other types of motion such as vibrational motion, periodic motion, random motion which can also be observed in our daily life. Newtons Laws of Motion: Isaac Newton, a scientist in the 17th century put forward 3 laws that explain why the objects move and why they dont move. These 3 laws have been popularly known as the Newtons Laws of Motion. These laws are extremely important and are the baseline for various concepts in physics. 1)Newtons First Law of Motion: The first law states that an object at rest stays in rest and an object in motion continues to stay in motion (with the same speed in the same direction), unless acted upon by an unbalanced force. This law brings out an underlying concept known as the Inertia. Inertia can be defined as the tendency of an object to resist a change in its motion. Example: A coffee placed inside a car remains steady even when the car is moving forward. But in a situation when a sudden brake is applied, as the coffee continues going forward with the same speed in the same direction, it is spilled all over the wind shield. 2)Newtons Second Law of Motion: The second law states that the acceleration of an object as produced by a net force is inversely proportional to the mass of the object, and is directly proportional to the magnitude of the net force (direction being the same as the net force). This law when translated to a mathematical statement can be written as shown below: The above equation when rearranged gives us: 3)Newtons Third Law of Motion: When objects come in contact with each other, as a result of those interactions the push or pull that acts upon the objects is termed as Force. There are forces which are termed as Contact Forces as they result from interactions that come through contact. Examples of contact forces are normal force, tension force, frictional force, and any applied forces. There are other types of forces that show effect even from a distance. Examples of such forces are gravitational force, magnetic force, electrical force etc. According to Newton, whenever objects interact with each other they apply force on each other. And in this interaction the 2 forces that act upon the objects in contact, are the action-reaction forces. So Newtons third law states that, every action has an equal and opposite reaction. So this law clearly explains that forces always come in pairs, and when the objects are in contact with each other the size of forces (magnitude) on the first object by the second, and on the second object by the first are the same. The direction of force exerted on the first object is opposite to the direction of force exerted on the second object. Example: When a person sits on the chair, the person exerts downward force on the chair and the chair exerts upward force on the person. This is an action-reaction pair resulting from the contact between the person and the chair. Equations of Motion: There are 3 equations of motion which are used to describe motion of any object. These equations are in terms of distance, time, displacement, velocity and acceleration. 1)First Equation of Motion: Consider an object travelling on a straight line with an initial velocity of u at t = 0, and reaches final velocity in a certain time interval of t. If the acceleration during this time interval is a, then the first equation of motion is given as: Acceleration, a = Change in velocity/ Time a = (v u) / t This can also be written as == a * t = (v u) The above when rearranged gives us: v = u + a*t Example: A car initially starts at rest and when time is 6 seconds it travels with a velocity of 30m/s. What is the acceleration of the car in this time interval? Given: Car starts at rest == at t = 0, initial velocity, u = 0m/s After t = 6 seconds, final velocity, v = 30m/s Acceleration, a = ? From the first equation of motion we have: v = u + at This implies: 30 = 0 + a*6 == 30 = 6a == a = 30/6 = 5m/s2 Therefore, the acceleration of the car is 5m/s2 in the given time interval. 2)Second Equation of Motion: Let u = initial velocity of an object v = final velocity of an object t = total time taken for the object to travel a displacement = d a = acceleration of the object We know that: Average Velocity = Total displacement covered / Total time taken Now, Average Velocity can be written as the average of the initial velocity and the final velocity of an object. Therefore, average velocity = (u + v)/2. Substituting this average velocity in the above equation we get: (u + v)/2 = Total displacement covered / Total time taken ==(u + v)/2 = d/t. This gives: (u + v) = 2d/t Now from the First Equation of Motion we have: v = u + at. Substituting this into the above equation we get: (u + u + at) = 2d/t == 2u + at = 2d/t == t * (2u + at) = 2d == 2ut + at2 = 2d Now solving for d, we get: d = 1/2 * (2ut + at2) == d = ut + *at2 Example: Andrew is waiting at a stoplight. When the stoplight turns to green, Andrew accelerated from rest at a rate of 8.00 m/s2 for a time of 4 seconds. What is the displacement of Andrews car during this time period? Given: Initial velocity of the car, u = 0m/s Acceleration, a = 8m/s2 Time taken, t = 4seconds Displacement, d = ? From the given information, here we can use the Second Equation of Motion. Therefore, d = ut + * at2 == d = (0* 4) + (1/2 * 8 * 42) == d = 64m Hence the displacement of Andrews car during the given time period is 64m 3)Third Equation of Motion: Let u = initial velocity of an object v = final velocity of an object t = total time taken for the object to travel a displacement = d a = acceleration of the object From the First Equation of Motion we have: v = u + at. This equation when rearranged gives us (v- u) = at Equation 1 Now, we know that: Average Velocity = Total displacement covered / Total time taken (u + v)/2 = d/t. Hence (v + u) = 2d/ t Equation 2 Now multiplying both Equation 1 and Equation 2 we get: (v u) (v + u) = at * 2d/t Therefore we get: (v2 u2) = 2ad Example: Edward is driving a bike and he accelerates from 4m/s to a speed of 10m/s over a distance of 20m. What is the acceleration of the bike? Given: Initial velocity, u = 4m/s Final velocity, v = 10m/s Distance covered, d = 20m Acceleration, a = ? From the given information, here we can use the Third Equation of Motion. Therefore, v2 u2 = 2ad == (102 42) = 2* a* 20 == (100 16) = 40 * a == 84 = 40 * a Now solving for a we get: a = 84/40 == a = 2.1m/s2

Are You Ready for a Makeover of Your Personal Brand - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Are You Ready for a Makeover of Your Personal Brand - Introvert Whisperer Are You Ready for a Makeover of Your Personal Brand? Personal Branding starts with how well you speak about YOU.  I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook â€" The Definitive Guide to Creating and Using an Elevator Speech.  In this guide, I give you simple to follow instructions for creating a “wardrobe” of ways to talk about you â€" to leave a lasting impression. Get your copy now! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran  â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential.  Introvert Whisperer

Violin or Cello Which Instrument Is Right For You

Violin or Cello Which Instrument Is Right For You Sign up successful Because the instrument has been popular now for around 400 years, there isn’t a shortage of repertoire to keep both budding and experienced violinists challenged. Within orchestras, spaces for violinists also tend to be the most numerous, so in that sense violinists have an advantage (especially over winds, brass, and percussion). Compared to other string sections however, violin can also be more competitive because so many people play it. It might not be too difficult to earn a spot in the second violin section, but earning a place among the upper ranks can be more difficult. Pros and Cons of the Cello The cello is often cited for its practical disadvantages â€" mainly its size and expense. But for students who enjoy the sound of the cello more, hauling around a larger and more expensive instrument is well worth the care and effort. The cello’s low register and tonality resonates with many musicians far more than the violins higher register. Both the violin and cello have a unique range and repertoire that tend to draw different people. While violin repertoire is probably more extensive, the cello also has a well-established and diverse repertoire, including significant solo works. Fewer students study the cello than the violin, so cellists are usually in higher demand than violinists. This tends to hold true even when taking into account the typically lower number of cellists required to create an orchestra or chamber ensemble. Which is Harder to Play: Violin or Cello? Many students wonder, which instrument is more difficult: the violin or cello? People who have tried both instruments tend to say the cello is less difficult due to its more natural position. The position of the violin can feel awkward at first, however advanced violinists insist that it becomes natural over time. Many experienced musicians say that both instruments have their own difficulties. For example, although a cellist’s playing position is easier to learn, the thumb position on the cello is difficult for many students. Advanced cellists also must learn three clefs instead of just one. SEE ALSO: How Easy is it to Switch Instruments? [Infographic] Making the Choice Between Violin or Cello Music students and their families can do a number of things to help them in their decision between the violin or cello. First, consider what opportunities are available at school or in the community. Keep long term goals in mind. Make sure the student has exposure to both instruments. This can include videos, CDs, or local concerts. Local colleges and conservatories often perform concerts for the general public and many of these feature the violin and cello. Local symphonies also put on free concerts in the park. To be sure you’re making the right choice, it’s always a good idea to sample each instrument and take a couple lessons. Check out this directory of violin teachers, and this directory of cello teachers. Lessons are available both in-person and online all over the country. Above all, the student should love the sound of whichever instrument they choose, whether it’s the higher and more cheerful violin or the deeper and rich cello. What are your thoughts on whether the violin or cello is a better instrument? Let us know in the comments below! .TeacherBox { border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 20px; padding-left: 0; margin-bottom: 20px; white-space: nowrap; } .TeacherBox > div { display: inline-block; vertical-align: top; white-space: normal; } .TeacherBox > Post Author:  Carol Beth L. Carol Beth L. teaches  viola  and violin  in Sacramento, CA. She currently plays viola in the Rancho Cordova Civic Light Orchestra and has been teaching students since 2012. Learn more about Carol Beth here! 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

What is it Like to Attend The University of Kansas

What is it Like to Attend The University of Kansas The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Stephen is a New York City tutor specializing in College Essays tutoring, Writing tutoring, AP English tutoring, and more. He graduated from The University of Kansas in 2006 with a Bachelors degree in Sociology. Check out what he had to say about his undergraduate experience: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options.How urban or safe is the campus?Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Stephen: The University of Kansas (KU)is in the center of Lawrence, a town of about 100,000 people. The campus is really beautiful and spread out across Mount Oread. Flowering trees dot campus, and walking across campus while petals flutter to the ground always filled me with a sense of joy, even when walking to my dreaded biology lab. KU has a bus system that transports students across campus, and it links up with Lawrences bus system. A car or bike is nice, as there are no grocery stores nearby. However, I didnt have a car for the first year I was at KU, and I had no problem. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Stephen: I had a very close relationship with my advisors in both the Sociology and English Departments.I also pursued relationships with them. I had lots of friends who had difficulty finding their niches at KU. If a student was passive during their educational process at KU, then it was very easy for them to get lost. I think that if a student desires strong mentoring from their professors, advisors, and TAs, KU might not be the best choice for them. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Stephen: There are eight residence halls, as well as Scholarship Halls. The halls are very diverse in what they offer. Some are classic dormitory style, while others have suites with private bathrooms. Also, there is apartment style living for upperclassmen. All the dorms are on the edge of campus, but there are buses that transport everyone onto campus. Its not required that students live in student housing. For food, there are three different cafeterias, as well as sack lunches. All of the food is serviceable. I found dorm life really rewarding, as it pushed me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to be exposed to a lot that I might not have otherwise encountered. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? Stephen: I studied Sociology and Playwriting. I have always been interested in why people do what they do, and looking at their actions from a macro-level perspective fascinates me. Also, I knew I wanted to write, so Sociology and Playwriting seemed like a natural fit for me. I felt like the university did a good job of giving space and funding to both of my programs. I never had any complaints about either one. VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Stephen: I spent my first two years living in Hashinger, a dormitory that specializes in the arts. I found it really easy to meet people, as everyones doors were very open and RAs encouraged interaction among peers. At Hashinger, I met friends on my floor with whom I am still very close. KU does have a very active Greek life, and if someone wants to participate, they can. However, there are lots of options, both on and off campus, to meet people. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Stephen: There are study spaces in all the dormitories. The Memorial Unions and the libraries have tons of study rooms and individual cubicles. I never had any problem finding a place to set up shop and work. VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between?To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Stephen: Downtown Lawrence is about two miles away from campus, and its got a really vibrant music scene. Lawrence is geographically situated so lots of touring bands come. Students go downtown all the time, as there are tons of restaurants, bars, and shopping that cater to both students and locals. Also, Lawrence has a great farmers market on the weekend and public parks that frequently host events. There are frequent parades, late-night movie screenings, and coffee shops galore. Lawrence is an interesting intersection of collegiate liberalness and surrounding conservatism, so theres a really interesting mix of people and social scenes. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Stephen: There about 20,000 undergraduates at KU. The lower level general classes can be huge. My Psychology 101 class had 1,000 students. But once I settled into my major classes, they were relatively small, with only about 16 people in them. I even had classes as small as eight people. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Stephen: One of the coolest experiences I ever had during my undergraduate career was when a one-act play I wrote was given a staged reading at Lawrences performing arts center. This was because Professor Paul Lim had created his own theatre company to produce the works of students. It was the only English department with its own theatre company in the nation. Professor Lim exposed me to so much art I would have otherwise never sought out myself, and Im forever indebted to him. Check out Stephens tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Italian Food Around the World

Italian Food Around the World The Influence of Italian Cooking around the World ChaptersItalian Cuisine in North AmericaItalian Cuisine in South AmericaItalian Cuisine in EuropeWhy Is Italian Food so Universal?There are few types of food as universally popular as Italian food.Which other cuisine can boast pizza, pasta, ice cream, and many health benefits?In fact, thanks to its simplicity, Mediterranean flavours, and popularity, Italian food firmly established itself as a global cuisine.It’s estimated that 14 billion plates of pasta (including fusili, penne, spaghetti, and ravioli) are consumed every year around the world.Other countries have been familiar with spaghetti for years. (Source: Nile)Pasta carbonara is thought to be the most commonly cooked dish on the planet. A lot of Italians are probably annoyed by the use of cream in the recipe, though. The original recipe just calls for pasta, bacon or pancetta, parmesan, and eggs.While pasta can be found almost anywhere in the world, bruschetta, Italian cheeses (parmesan, pecorino, ricotta, etc.), and curied m eats like Parma ham and pancetta, are also popular in many places.Waves of Italian immigrants have also helped spread Italian culinary tradition all over the world.Over the course of this article, Superprof will be taking your taste buds on a journey from Italy to all the places where Italian cooking ended up and how it ended up changing in its new homes.Here, you'll see there's more to the cuisine than just pizza and pasta.Let’s go! GiovanniCooking Teacher 4.83 (12) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HalimaCooking Teacher £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HakimCooking Teacher 5.00 (5) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors VincenzoCooking Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors GinellaCooking Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ArronCooking Teacher 5.00 (2) £9/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoshuaCooking Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FlickCooking Teacher 5.00 (1) £50/h1 st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsItalian Cuisine in North AmericaBoth the United States and Canada are fine examples of Italian influence. Just take New York’s Little Italy, for example.This lively neighbourhood is as unmissable in the Big Apple as the Statue of Liberty!  â€œLittle Italy” is the name of the neighbourhood where most Italian immigrants can be found following two major periods of immigration:Between 1860 and 1930 when many Italians left their country to head to America.European emigration starting in the 1950s.For health, economic, and social reasons, Italians left Italy looking for a better life.  Fortunately for many, they brought gnocchi, focaccia, Parma ham, and authentic Italian style cooking with them, giving rise to these famous neighbourhoods.While the neighbourhood in Manhattan is no longer home to only Italians, but rather Italian Americans and other nationalities, you can still find plenty of Italian American restaurants and businesses offering fres h pasta and other dishes just like they would in Italy.The best cooking classes on Superprof.Italian food has been in the United States of America for many years. (Source: RitaE)You can get pesto (a sauce made from pine nuts and basil), mascarpone, gorgonzola, and other ingredients to make Italian dishes at home from Italian delis.The Feast of San Gennaro is still celebrated in the Italian neighbourhood. This street festival, which lasts 11 days, pays homage to Italian food and traditions.  You can even take part in a pasta-eating contest!Other Italian neighbourhoods of note in the US and Canada include:The Hill in Saint Louis, where you can find plenty of Italian restaurants and delis.Little Italy in Cleveland, which has Italian art galleries as well as traditional Italian trattorias.Federal Hill in Providence, home to many pizzerias and Italian ice cream parlours.Petite Italie in Montréal, with plenty of Italian cafés and trattorias.Little Italy in Toronto, a small neighbourhood that lives and breathes its Italian heritage.The food and restaurants in North America have been greatly influenced by Italian food. There’s no lack of pizza, pasta, or risotto.Italian Cuisine in South AmericaIn Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, you can find the largest group of Italian descendants in the world.In fact, Argentinian food was largely influenced by Italy: pizza and pasta can be found on the menu at most classic Argentine restaurants.Veal Milanese, an Italian recipe where the veal is breaded with parmesan, flour, and breadcrumbs, has become a typical Argentine dish.Parmesan is an essential ingredient in veal Milanese, even in Argentina. (Source: Icb)On the 29th of each month, Argentines eat gnocchi.  This is because it's just before payday and many Argentine families would only have the ingredients for gnocchi in their cupboards. Polenta is also regularly cooked by families in Argentina.  Unlike in North America, there’s no Little Italy in Buenos Aires but ra ther an Italian influence that can be found all over the town. In fact, during the largest waves of Italian immigration, nearly half the population (45%) of Buenos Aires was Italian and nearly two thirds (63%) of Argentines are descended from Italians.The Italian influence isn’t as strong in other South American countries. That said, you can still find the veal Milanese on menus in Bolivia, Chile, and Peru.While they might add a tomato sauce, the basic ingredients are all there.Italian Cuisine in EuropeAccording to a Tripadvisor survey, Italian food is the most popular in Europe. Italian food is most common in the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, and Germany.This can be explained by the presence of Italian immigrants in these countries during the 20th century. Whether you’re in London, Paris, Brussels, or Berlin, you can easily:Eat in an Italian restaurant or trattoriaBuy Italian products in Italian delisGet Italian cooking classes from Italian chefsOpening the borders across Eu rope has allowed for Italians to move about more easily, bringing their cooking traditions with them.You can now enjoy squid ink risotto without having to travel all the way to Venice. (Source: Gellinger)The number of restaurants offering the antipasti, primi piatti, secondi piatti formula is increasing.In Italy, there are two main courses! Don’t forget there’s also limoncello for afterwards. An “aperitivo” isn’t all. The Venetian “Spritz” cocktail was everywhere during the summer of 2016.When it comes to alcohol, the Italians have prosecco, the sparkling white wine similar to champagne.Did you know that Italy is one of the world’s biggest wine producers?While Italian restaurants around the world didn’t always follow their culinary tradition to the letter, in recent years, this has started becoming the case again.More and more Italian chefs are promoting traditional Italian recipes straight from Italy. Spaghetti bolognese is no longer just pasta with tomato sauce, but rather with minced beef or meatballs as it should be. Delicious!There are plenty of Italian chefs who’ve moved to the UK and are showing us Brits exactly how their food should be. Try a genuine Italian pizza and taste the difference!Why Is Italian Food so Universal?Italian food is often thought of as being the most popular in the world.  You don’t need to look very hard to understand why. Just ask your taste buds.Simple and natural ingredients are used and there's a culture of eating homemade food. Olive oil, cheese, and charcuterie (cured meats like Parma ham and prosciutto) is used for both starters and mains and are both delicious and easy to cook.Basil, garlic, cherry tomatoes, capers, and mushrooms are also used in Italian recipes from traditional pasta dishes to the Neapolitan pizza.  Italian food is also famous for how healthy it is.There are plenty of products with protected designations of origin in Italy: Balsamic vinegar from Modena, Sicilian blood orange, cheeses like Gorgonzola, Gran Padano, and, Mozzarella di Bufala Campana, and meats like Mortadella and Pancetta. This means that if these products aren't from Italy, they're not the real deal!There’s a stark difference between a generic mozzarella and Mozzarella di Bufala Campana, isn’t there?The best type of mozzarella is mozzarella di bufala. (Source: Congerdesign)More proof that Italian food is popular around the world is the Italian cuisine week that took place across 105 different countries during its first year in 2016. There were gatherings in the UK, US, France, and many other countries celebrating Italian food.Its goals were to:Spread the traditions of Italian cuisinePromote Italian cooking methodsPromote collaboration between Italy and other countriesAmbassadors, Italian chefs abroad, and even school pupils worked towards spreading Italian culture to everyone.Given that an Italian-food-themed park opened in 2017, it doesn’t look like Italian food’s popularity is going to dwindle any time soon.  With restaurants, delis, and vendors, you can discover how Italian products are made and, more importantly, try them!If you want to eat traditional Italian dishes, try a selection of cheese, or try out some wine tasting, this place is like Disney World for foodies and those who don't like roller coasters.If you can't make your way to Bologna, whether you fancy a lasagna, seafood, or a vegetarian option (roasted stuffed vegetables, for example), there's something on an Italian menu for everyone!Once you've finished your meal, why not try a tiramisu or panna cotta? Italian desserts are outrageously good!While Italian restaurants are great, Italian food is best served at home and you should try cooking it for yourself. If you can't cook, you can always get Italian cooking tutorials from a private tutor.See 20 great Italian recipes. Learn more about Italian Food around Italy.

The University of Virginia College Experience

The University of Virginia College Experience Azam is a current student at the University of Virginia. He is majoring in economics, and specializes in algebra tutoring, English tutoring, and a number of other subjects. Below, he shares his experience at the University of Virginia: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. Azam: The campus of University of Virginia is gorgeous. The fall is my favorite time, as all of the trees change color and the entire campus is beautiful. I feel very safe on campus, and there is always transportation for us to get to different places on campus. How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Azam: The professors encourage students to come to their office hours. For academic advisors, we must make an appointment earlier to meet with them. How would you describe the dorm liferooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Azam: There are three dorm room options for first year students at UVa. Old dorms, new dorms, and Gooch-Dillard. Each one allows you to build a community that you will keep for all four years. Dining options are fine, and there are social opportunities every single weekend for everybody. Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? Azam: I would say that UVa represents a lot of different majors and programs. I am currently studying economics and my university continually supports this department. How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Azam: It was quite simple to meet people. I simply went up to people in the dining halls or social events and introduced myself. Greek life is huge on the UVa campus, providing many chances for you to be part of an on-campus family. How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services? Azam: The Career Center provides amazing opportunities for us to grow. There are many reputable companies that come to the University of Virginia to recruit. How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Azam: The libraries are clean and busy. My favorite is Alderman Library, since it has some noise and natural lighting. The dorm lounges in Gooch Dillard and new dorms are amazing, however the lounges in old dorms are sometimes very busy and hard to study well there. Describe the surrounding town. Azam: UVa is located in Charlottesville, VA. The most popular thing to do outside of campus is to go to Downtown Mall. There, you can shop, go to the movies, and eat awesome food. I head to the Downtown Mall around once every 2-3 weeks. How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Azam: The UVa student body size is perfect, in my opinion. Its not too large that youd feel invisible. Also, its not too small that you will not find a place for you to feel loved and like you are at home. There is a place for everyone at UVa. Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Azam: One memorable experience occurred when I woke up late and had to run to my English class. It was in the early part of the first semester, and I ran in late feeling extremely scared that the professor would hate me for being late once. I was super nervous! Luckily, I redeemed myself by participating a lot that day in class and staying after class to explain that this would never happen again. Apparently it worked, as she gave me a letter of recommendation after the semester ended for an internship opportunity! Check out Azams tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Four Tips for Talking to Teens About Student Loans and Budgeting

Four Tips for Talking to Teens About Student Loans and Budgeting Lets face it, Mom and Dad. A college education costs a lot these days. Even if youve been contributing regularly to your childs 529 plan or another college savings account, you might not have enough funds set aside to fully cover the cost of college. Its time to talk with your teen about how your family will fund his college education and other costs associated with living independently. Here are a few tips as you broach this important conversation: Start with a discussion about colleges importance. Hopefully, youve laid the foundation already, but as your teen approaches junior year, its important to make it clear that college is important. With a bachelors degree, your teen will have greater earning power and more career opportunities. Even if your teen needs to pay for part of college, its definitely worthwhile. Create a college budget. Even if youre funding your teens tuition and fees (or a portion), your teen needs to learn how to manage money and live within his means. Thats where a budget comes in. Have your teen create a simple spreadsheet and detail out the following: All income sources, including financial aid funds, money from you, scholarship funds, work-study income, his own savings, etc. Some of these line items might be unknown until your teen receives a financial aid package, but build them into the budget anyway. All expenses, including school expenses (tuition, books and fees), transportation expenses (e.g. gas or a parking pass), housing (e.g. dorm or rent), and any food, entertainment or other expenses (such as a cell phone). Address which of these costs will be your vs. your teens responsibility. It might seem premature to create a college budget before your teen is in college, but getting a start on one will help him or her begin to grasp what kinds of costs your family will need to fund in the years to come. Go over the types of financial aid available to you and your teen. While the budgeting exercise is important, it helps to follow it up with some dialogue about options to fund all those expenses. The U.S. Department of Education Federal Student Aid website can help you estimate the amount of aid you might receive with FAFSA4caster. Take advantage of this tool to plan ahead. Generally, though, here are your and your teens options. You can take out federal parent loans (called Direct PLUS loans). And your teen can apply for federal financial in the form of loans, grants and work-study aid. Federal student loans offer benefits that other types of loans (from banks or other sources) do notnamely lower interest rates and the delayed payoff time (until after college). There are four types of loans available to students with or without financial need. Grants are free money awarded to students based on financial need. Federal work-study provides part-time jobs to college students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to pay for school. Talk about other ways to reduce the cost of college. There are a number of ways students can reduce that college bill. Scholarships, of course, can help, so encourage your teen to work hard in high school and apply widely for scholarships large and small. They can add up. Working part-time during the school year is a great way to cover things like books or housing, and working full time over summer break can help your teen replenish the bank account for school-year bills. Your teen could even consider starting at a nearby community college and transferring to save big on tuition and housing (by living at home). The key to the college cost conversation is to be transparent. The sooner you talk with your teen about what you will likely be able to contribute toward college and what will be expected of her, the better. While college might be on your teens mind, paying for it might not. Discuss the financial part of college early and often, which will help your teen prepare and encourage her to make the very most of the investment.