25 Creative Writing Prompts to Practice Spanish

25 Creative Writing Prompts to Practice Spanish Suzy S. Want to perfect your Spanish and put your knowledge of vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure to practice? Try these 25 Spanish writing prompts that tutor  Joan B  recommends To improve your Spanish, it’s important to apply the concepts you’re learning directly in practice. Writing is an especially helpful  way to do this, since you can develop and practice specific grammatical structures, and then ask for feedback from a native speaker, your tutor, or a teacher. The Spanish writing prompts below  all address specific concepts that are crucial to expressing yourself fully and correctly. Even though there are many fun ways to learn Spanish, this exercise  is very hands-on and your progress will be  noticeable. So grab a pen and paper, and lets get started! 1) Write a one-paragraph biography of your life so far. This can include a variety of past tenses to describe habitual and one-time actions, as well as tenses to describe events that happened before or after another event. You can also practice using sequencing and transition  words such as primero, después, and  entonces.   2) Describe your family. Not only will you be  using family-related vocabulary, youll also get practice describing age and occupation. 3) Create a written sketch of your best friend. Detail why you like him or her, and also make use of physical and personality descriptors (alto, rubio, amable, cómico). You can also explain how you met using the reciprocal verb conocerse. 4) Recount a joke or funny event. This will challenge you to correctly use colloquial expressions as well as unique vocabulary that will take you outside of the box of typical Spanish vocabulary. 5) Relate a specific event, either historical or personal, that occurred. Then rewrite it in the present tense. Bonus points if you rewrite it again in the future tense or the plus perfect tense! This exercise will help you to become faster and more accurate at conjugating verbs in any tense. 6) Write an ad for something (a roommate, an item for sale, etc.). This will help you practice describing cost and specific details (for example, size or shape), as well as expressing requirements and commands in a polite way. 7) Write an opinion piece in which you express your subjective opinions, wishes, and feelings about a controversial issue. This will allow you to practice using the subjunctive mood (when necessary). 8) Discuss an issue that affects the public (a drought, an electricity outage, etc.) and express the impersonal in a variety of ways to give suggestions and recommendations for what people should do (for example, Hay que comunicar  con el gobierno  si). 9) Imagine you are a king or queen what would you instruct people to do? Use command forms (for example, Traiga la comida.) to order others to fulfill your wishes. 10) Write a dialogue between two people. Use question words to form interrogative sentences, and make sure the other person responds with the appropriate verb form (for example, if the question refers to you all, the response to use is we.). 11) Write a short story. Try to make it as descriptive as possible while also including lots of action verbs to move the story along. Have fun with it; it can be a crazy story  with  a creative twist or unexpected angle! Youll certainly improve your Spanish reading comprehension if you write enough of these! 12) Review a book or film. Take a stance and then justify your reasoning, using connecting words like además, pero,  etc. 13) Write an instructional paragraph about how to do something (arrive at a certain location using the bus, cook a particular dish, etc.). Tailor the formality of your words to your intended audience. 14) Write  a letter in Spanish to a long-lost love. What would you say to this person to express your anguish, your delight, your memories, and your regrets? Use diminutives to express your affection for the person. 15) Write a paragraph introducing yourself for a job. Describe your education, skills, motivations, and interests. 16) You completely forgot to do a huge assignment that your teacher is now collecting what can you say to explain why you dont have the assignment to turn in? What compromise can you request in order to not receive a failing grade? 17) Create a short poem it doesnt need to rhyme. Try reading a few poems (check out Pablo Neruda, for example) to find inspiration. 18) Pick an object you know well or have in front of you to observe, then describe the item as fully and descriptively as you can. You can use comparisons (tan    como) and superlatives (el más). 19) Describe an ideal world (for example, No habrá.). This is another opportunity to use the future tense. 20) Write a letter to another foreign-language student. In the format of a pen pal letter, explain what you like about learning Spanish, what you find difficult, what you hope to use Spanish for, and why you decided to learn a foreign language. 21) Convince someone to adopt your position on an issue. Use persuasive language (en mi opinión es necesario.) to convince them of the strengths of your argument and the weaknesses of theirs. You can choose a political topic, a personal decision, or anything else that can be argued for or against. 22) Write a short gratitude note what are you grateful for today? Express your thanks with words of appreciation. 23) Introduce a reader to your town, city, or region whats particularly unique and interesting about it? Aim for the style of language you find in guide books and travel section articles. 24) Where have you traveled to that was interesting? Describe your trip, your travel partners, your activities, and your experience of this new place. 25) What goals would you like to accomplish in the future? If you could do anything, what would you do? Share this Image On Your Site pstrongPlease include attribution to TakeLessons.com with this graphic./strong/pbr /br /br /br /br /br /br / pa href=/blog/Spanish-writing-prompts-z03img src=/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/MO-Spanish-Writing-Prompts-Graphic1.png alt=25 Creative Writing Prompts to Practice Spanish width=720px border=0 //a/pbr /br /br /br /br /br /br / p Try to practice writing one prompt each day or each week; by committing to a specific schedule you’ll make  substantial and long-lasting progress as you learn how to speak Spanish. You can also respond to a prompt, go back at a later date, reread what you’ve written, and edit it based on your more advanced  knowledge of vocabulary and grammar. Alternatively, you can also respond again to a prompt without rereading your original copy first, and then compare to see how your Spanish has changed. Most of all, enjoy using these prompts as a creative way to find your voice, en español! Want more help with beginner or intermediate Spanish? Check out our FREE classes live and online through the TakeLessons classroom!  Learn more here.   Post Author: Joan B. Joan B. lives in Carmichael, CA and has been teaching high school Spanish for more than 18 years. A lover of language, shes studied French, Arabic, and Italian and spent time living in Spain. Joan aims to help students improve on tests and increase their conversational ability when traveling to Spanish-speaking countries. Learn more about Joan  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

How to Perfect Couple Dancing

How to Perfect Couple Dancing How Can You Learn to Dance as a Couple? ChaptersStep 1: Warming UpStep 2: Learn the MovesStep 3: Practising Along with MusicStep 4: Stretching and Cooling Down“A day without dancing is a day wasted” - NietzscheSeveral studies have shown that dancing can improve a couple’s relationship.  Be it for a night out, a dance show, or just improving your moves, anyone can learn to dance as a couple.So what’s a dance class for couples like?Regardless of whether it’s at a school or with a private tutor, salsa, bachata, waltz, Argentine tango, every dance will follow a similar structure.In this article, we're going to look at what learning to dance is like. We're going to see a common structure that's used for most dance styles, rather than looking at each one so that you have a better idea of what to expect before you both get on the dance floor. SeamDance Teacher 4.96 (24) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JamieDance Teacher 5.00 (6) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErickaDance Teacher 5.00 (1) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamuelDance Teacher 5.00 (4) £100/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FlavioDance Teacher 5.00 (7) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HakimDance Teacher 5.00 (5) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HannaDance Teacher 5.00 (4) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ClareDance Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsStep 1: Warming UpMost dance classes london will take place either after working or during your lunch break. This means you mightn’t be full of beans when you show up to your class.As every good dancer and dance instructor knows, before your first dance of the day, you're going to have to warm up. This is why each dance lesson will start with a warmup.Whether you're learning ballroom dance, Latin dance, swing, samba, or the foxtrot, you shouldn't attempt any complicated new dance moves without having gotten your muscles ready.Regardless of whether you’re doing group classes , a trial class, or intensive classes, your dance teacher will probably start with some warming up.You have to stretch before you dance. (Source: energepic)Warming up helps to prepare your muscles for a bit of exercise. Without warming up, your muscles can cramp up and you run the risk of injuring yourself. In order to have a successful dance class, you need to have warmed up properly.You need to warm up gently and stretch various parts of your body: ankles, knees, thighs, hips, shoulders, neck, wrists, elbows, etc.Start with a few simple and gentle exercises like rotating your ankles and shoulders, for example. Then you can start gently attempting the splits, stopping once you start to feel your muscles stretching. Of course, don’t go too far or you’ll hurt yourself!Your dance tutor will make sure you’re doing it right. If you’ve just started your dance lessons, you probably won’t be an expert at warming up, after all.  Your dance teacher will show you how to warm up unti l you can do it without their guidance.Firstly, you’ll do this on your own before doing it as a couple.  Warming up is the perfect time for you to leave all your worries behind. Forget about work and any other concerns and leave your problems at the door of the dance studio.A lot of modern dance tutors prefer to put music on as students warm up in order to help them. Bit by bit, you’ll get the hang of it.Whether you’re doing Zumba, dancehall, modern dance, jazz, contemporary, break dancing, hip-hop, or waltz, make sure to make the most of the ambience.In a couples’ dance class, the music should be appropriate to the style of dancing that you’re learning.  You can certainly make the most of the music if you’re learning Zumba. Some dances an even be used to help you warm up.Step 2: Learn the MovesOnce all the students are warmed up, the next thing they’ll need to do is learn a few dance techniques.  Each style has its own unique set of rules and how to move.Learning danc e steps is essential for learning how to dance. When it's a couple dancing, your routine will have to be choreographed and both dancers will need to be both familiar with their own moves and their partners.Have you already tried learning how to dance by looking at the people on the dancefloor?Learning the steps is key to any dance routine. (Source: Free-Photos)This could be useful on a night out in a nightclub or at a disco if you're not sure how you should be dancing. While you mightn't have a dedicated choreographer, just by watching other people, shows like Dancing with the Stars, and dance videos online, you should be able to get through any social dance situations.If you use social media a lot, you should follow celebrities and famous dancers like Witney Carson, Mark Ballas, Phillip Chbeeb, and Kym Johnson, for example.If you’re getting ready for a dance, it’s a good idea to learn the steps ahead of time. When it comes to dancing as a couple, don’t forget that each person needs to learn their steps and then the couple needs to bring them together.The men are usually on one side of the room while the women are on the other. In a lot of couples’ dances, the steps are learnt with partners facing each other. You’ll have to learn to move one leg back when your partner advances, for example.A dance teacher’s goal is to teach their students as quickly and effectively as possible so that they start showing off their moves on the dancefloor as quickly as possible. This means they’ll learn a few basic steps. They’ll also need to be able to count along with the music and then they need to move around in time to the music.Advanced dancers can improve their legwork as well as incorporate their arms. Of course, your limbs play an important role.  Advanced dancers generally have more freedom when it comes to choosing the dance steps and routines they want to do because they have more moves in their repertoires than beginners. This is when dancing gets re ally interesting as you can let their imagination run wild.When students start advancing is a great time to start teaching them about the history of dance and the different styles available to them.Have you always wanted to master the Viennese Waltz?Step 3: Practising Along with MusicOnce a few dance steps have been mastered, it’s time to start putting them into practice. This is usually when music comes into it.  You need to dance along with the music and use the steps you’ve just learnt.If you're not enjoying yourself, you're not doing it right. (Source: Vladislav83)In couples’ dance classes, this moment can be used for:Learning to leadBalancing each other’s weightImprovisingIt’s all about having fun and not counting each step. You need to learn the steps and bit by bit, you won’t have to think about each step their making and will just let go. It’ll become a habit. Unlike what you probably think, you won’t spend the entire session dancing with the same partner.In a lot of dance lessons, you’ll change partner. You may have to dance with the person to your left or right and keep doing this until eventually, you end up back with your original partner.Why do you have to leave your partner behind?You’ll learn a lot more if you dance for a bit with someone who’s better than you. Dancing with different people can also help you to learn to move in different ways and adapt to any partner.  That’s why you can learn to dance with a partner even if you go to the lesson your own. You might even find your soulmate!When there are more women than men, which can often be the case, some of the women will have to take the leading role. It can be useful to learn both roles.Traditional gender roles are becoming less common in contemporary dance and anyone can learn any role.However, if you learn how to dance the Tango, gender roles are clearly defined!Step 4: Stretching and Cooling DownWhether you’re learning ballroom dancing, Kizomba, Argentine tango, Rumba, Bachata, Cuban salsa, Puerto Rican salsa, pasodoble, Viennese waltz, cha cha, Merengue, Mambo, or flamenco, you’ll still have to do your stretches and cool down at the end.This step usually takes around ten minutes. Your teacher will probably put on some calming music as you slow down your heart rate. These exercises can also make you feel better the following day.By the end of your lesson, you should be feeling pretty good. (Source: lograstudio)Stretching and cooling down are essential parts of any lesson, no matter where it is.Oriental dance, jazz, hip-hop, African dance, tap, Zumba, and ballet lessons all end with a bit of a cool down.  Make the most of this part of the lesson and relax.You can actually feel more relaxed after strenuous exercise. That’s why you should try and do physical activities every day.In a couple’s dance class, you can do stretches as a couple which can make a lot of stretches easier to do. You need to make sure you can feel the stretches wor king.Once the class is over, your teacher will thank you and turn off the music. You can also chat with your teacher at the end of the lesson if you have any questions or just need something clearing up.  You can also ask them about places to go dancing.Dancing elsewhere can also help you learn more quickly. It’s almost like your lesson never ended!If you've just got engaged, don't forget that the bride and groom will have to do their wedding dance. While you won't need to be professional dancers or impress everyone with a complicated swing dancing routine, it might be a good idea to hire a private tutor to help you through the etiquette of the affair, help your partner dance if they've got two left feet, or just help you both get a good rhythm so that you can get people dancing at your wedding.Superprof's complete guide to couples' dancing might help you out, here!The best dance routine is whatever you both feel comfortable with. Nobody is expecting you to do an elaborate hip-hop dance routine that they've seen trending on YouTube, they just want to see you happy, having a laugh, and celebrating your big day so that your wedding photographer can get some adorable dancing pictures of you for your wedding album!If you've never really danced before, don't worry, either! A private dance tutor can put together some simple choreography for you and your partner to do. You can be a romantic couple without having to learn the whole routine from Dirty Dancing!

Where Can We Learn To Play The Violin

Where Can We Learn To Play The Violin How To Learn The Violin And Where ChaptersThings To Know About Playing The ViolinTips On Playing The ViolinFinding a Teacher To Learn The ViolinLearn The Violin At SchoolLearn To Play Violin At Home With A TutorLearn A New Musical Skill With Violin LessonsLet's say you've always yearned to play a musical instrument but, for whatever reason, you simply never got the chance as a child. Now, master of your own destiny, you intend to satisfy the need to express your artistic side by studying music and learning how to play an instrument.You're not really sure which instrument appeals to you the most and, quite frankly, you don't really care which instrument you learn to play. In fact, your criteria for selecting a musical instrument comes down to a handful of factors: availability - of lessons and equipment, affordability and ease of mastery.As so many of us do in times of indecision or when more information is needed, you turn to your trusty research assistant, _______ (insert name of your favourite search engine here).  You are astounded to discover that the answer to both of your questions, 'easiest musical instrument to learn' and 'most difficult musical instrument to learn' is one and the same: the violin.  How can a single instrument be both the easiest and the most difficult?You Superprof examines both sides of the violin: the ease and joy of playing as well as the hardships involved in mastering this melodious music-making device.Along the way, we'll provide tips and tricks you can use to quickly achieve mastery!violin players are no different in that aspect.Mastering the basics - feeling the violin correctly positioned and playing simple chords are all great achievements in your development as a violin player.The intermediate stage of learning, when you are more than a beginner but not yet qualified to successfully audition for a band or a chair placement (if playing in an orchestra or ensemble is your intent) can last a very long time; years, even!Another aspect that affects violin players exclusively is  mastering the art of holding a violin and working the bow in an optimal  position to prevent pain and injury. Getting the physical aspects of violin playing down pat  takes a lot of practice, as does the ability to actually play a tune.That that scratchy sound you make whilst you get your head around holding your bow properly is normal, and it will ease up over time!All of those screeching sounds your instrument makes as your pass your bow over the strings are actually essential: if you are able to make your violin sound like a cat in agony, the closer you are to finding your ideal fingering, posture and bow pressure.Soon, muscle memory will take over the act of positioning yourself and your instrument correctly. Any further screeching, should there be any, will be quickly corrected.Harsh solvents may ruin the finish of your violin! Source: Pixabay Credit: PexelsYou must take care of your violinIt should go without saying that if you want your violin to play well an d last a long time, you must take good care of it.The idea of maintaining a piece of musical equipment seems a little tedious to some but it is necessary and, rest assured, it will become a habit. You may be wondering: what exactly is involved in caring for a violin?Essential steps include:Wiping rosin off the bow and strings after every playing sessionDon't forget to dust both the instrument and the wooden part of the bow!Avoiding the use of harsh solvents to remove sticky rosin residue; that could result in your damaging the finish of your instrument!Loosening the bow after each sessionEnsuring the bridge and sound post are correctly positionedMaking sure your instrument's pegs are properly fittedChecking strings for wear and replacing them as necessaryStoring your violin in its case, in a temperature-controlled environmentIf you have ever watched a violinist prepare for a performance, you will no doubt have seen them checking over their instrument, tightening their bow and rubbin g what looks like a small object up and down the length of the bow hair.The instrument's unique sound comes from the friction of the bow as it passes over the strings.Violin rosin is applied to the bow  prior to playing - either in concert or practising, to ensure the proper amount of friction for optimal sound.Beware that, especially as a beginner violinist, you may apply too much rosin! Beyond your instrument sounding 'uneven' - a tonal quality only a violinist could describe well, you will see a sticky powder accumulate on your violin's body.The opposite is no better: forgetting to rosin or deliberately not applying any will make for a weak, whispery sound. It might take you a while to discover the best rosin and the correct amount for your particular bow.Tips On Playing The ViolinNow that you know what to expect when you start learning to play the violin, see our tips for beginners below.1. Things you will needWhen you learn to play the violin, it's easy to be fooled into thinki ng all you need is yourself and your instrument. However, every violinist needs, as well as their trusty instrument:-a good bow - a carry case -a rosin (described above) -a music stand and some sheet music -pencils and erasers (for note-taking) -a metronome (a device that helps you stay in time) -good lighting (in which to read music and practice playing in)One of the things you will need, along with your violin, is a bow. Photo credit: BotheredByBees on Visual hunt2. When and how often to practiceIt may seem a bit of a silly tip but  practising at the same time every day actually makes you more committed.Remember earlier, when we mentioned muscle memory? Just as you get hungry at regular intervals and sleepy around the same time each night, dedicated violin players itch to play at 'their' certain time.Besides, if you don't set aside a specific time to practice, you are far more likely to be too busy, too tired or to find some other excuse to skip practice altogether.That is the sta rt of the slippery slope that leads to frustration so many budding musicians experience at one time or another!Even if your violin tutor recommends practising every day, it really comes down to you: how much and how long you practise between lessons, but it goes without saying that if you practice on a regular basis, you will improve faster.3. Try out appsPlaying live music and using apps just don't seem like they should mix - but they do! So many violin apps and  great digital tools have been developed in recent years to help musicians, like practice trackers, music journals, tuner apps, etc...One of the more popular apps musicians of all instruments appreciate is the digital metronome.A metronome helps you keep time musically by announcing beats. Its steady 'tick-tock' sound, set at whichever tempo the piece of music you are playing is written in, will help you keep the correct time that piece is meant to be played in.The speed at which your metronome 'counts' is entirely up to yo u. You may set it fast or slow, or anywhere along that range. A good idea would be to start off slow, say at a 2/2 beat and, as you warm up, increase the tempo until you are playing a most fiery piece!Some violinists aver that a classic metronome, one that functions on the same principles as clockwork is more suited to their instrument. However, there is nothing wrong with trying out a digital metronome; there are plenty of well-reviewed metronome applications available for download at no cost.The idea of saving what you might have spent on a standard metronome is surely enticement to try!    Other apps for music playing in general and violin specifically may be  free to download  while some might charge a small fee. It would be up to you to determine if the cost is worth - or if the app is even necessary at this stage in your playing.4. Keep a folderAs you learn to play the violin, you might be surprised to find that it's not all rosin, bows and music notes. During your lessons, yo ur violin teacher is sure to impart musical theory or music history or, even more fascinating, the history of the violin itself. Wouldn't you want to take notes on all that?It's also a good idea to make notes outside of class. Do you have questions for your violin tutor that you might forget before your next session? Perhaps you came across an interesting nugget on a music chat board and you wanted to run it past your instructor....For all of those reasons and more, it is a good idea to keep a notebook or folder for any notes you might make as you learn. You will be pleasantly surprised, as you progress in your skill with the violin, when you go back over them to see how far you've progressed!Along with a carry case to pack your instrument into, make sure you include a folder for all of your sheet music.Many beginners mistakenly assume that a few sheets of paper tucked inside their instrument's case is perfectly acceptable but, in general, violin cases have sculpted interiors, the b etter to cradle your instrument with. Tucking random papers around your violin might work for a while but that practice doesn't coincide with the discipline and orderliness essential to quality musicianship.Nor is it recommended as doing so may damage your violin!  You might find a case with external pockets or an interior pocket meant to store your sheet music. Otherwise, a supplemental shoulder bag would be the order of the day, and that solution offers an advantage: you can throw in your notebook, a few pens, pencils and erasers so that you have everything you might need in one place.Keeping all of these essentials in one place can make practicing so much easier and more efficient.Most classical violinists owe their skill to their teachers, at least in part Source: Pixabay Credit: Yanna Zazubuild on their raw talent during term-time.Learn To Play Violin At Home With A TutorYou don't have to spend an absolute fortune on violin classes with a professional musician boasting decades of experience.There are many accomplished individuals seeking to pass on their skill on the violin; however, they may or may not have any experience teaching music theory. The advantage to choosing that route in your search for a violin teacher that you will certainly find someone with whom you 'click'; someone you feel compatible with and can learn well from.Another option, one possibly easier on your wallet, would be to interview with conservatory or university music students. These  younger, less seasoned teachers may be better placed to teach you the basics in a more logical way, having not so long been a beginner themselves.Always available for your learning needs, Superprof features violin tutors with varying levels of experience and offering different rates.With this platform, you can either choose a tutor based in your area, one who either has a studio or will come to your home. Another option would be online classes via video link, which could save you money in the long run -  no travelling time to and from lessons, and your tutor  might give you a discounted rate because s/he won't have to travel, either!You might also be interested in knowing that most Superprof tutors give their first hour of lessons at no charge, just to see if you two would learn well together. With such an offer, how could anyone not choose   that option?Learning the violin over Internet connection is also great for those who have busy lives and need to schedule in lessons with minimal disruption to their routine like having to travel to a studio or tidy up in preparation for a visit from a tutor.Whichever method you decide on to learn the violin, bear in mind that the joys and benefits of learning by far outweigh any potential pitfalls.If you lose faith, why not take inspiration from the Royal Philharmonic  Orchestra or other famous musicians featured on radio stations like Classic FM.Should you be more of a jazz, rock or country fan, throw on some Ian Cooper, King Crimson or V anessa Mae and remember: the summer concert season is just around the corner!What new talent will be uncovered then?  Some children get the opportunity to play string instruments like violins at a young age at school. Photo credit: juhansonin on VisualHunt.comLearn A New Musical Skill With Violin LessonsAdmittedly, when youngsters think about playing any musical instruments, most gravitate to those featured in their favourite band: guitar and drums, maybe the bass or the keyboards.Perhaps, if said youngsters knew about Boyd Tinsley or Charlie Daniels, two violinists who have taken their art into the popular music arena, the violin would be a more popular choice!Whoever one's violin heroes may be - classical, jazz or rock violin, aspiring musicians can learn at least the essential elements of playing the instrument by signing up for lessons and workshops. Whether it's beginner violin lessons you're after or something more advanced, you can find violin lessons or violin teachers tailo red to you.If you are only just beginning to play the violin, you may seek a workshop or clinic detailing violin anatomy and maintenance.During such a session, you can  learn about the different violin parts  like the pegs and the mysterious sound post. What if you're left-handed: can you still learn to play?  Will you be taught  how to read music and, ultimately, how to play?Twinkle Twinkle Little Star is one of the most popular first pieces aspiring violinists are taught to play; in fact, the Suzuki Method advocates for that being the first tune any violinist should play, no matter how old s/he is. From there, your  instructor will work on ways to take you from being a little star to a huge star on the music scene!As you learn melody after melody, a good teacher will gradually introduce new techniques to help you make more beautiful music and make the experience more enjoyable.Pretty soon, you will look back on years of playing and wonder: was it really you who didn't know so much as how to hold a violin, let alone a bow?Check for violin lessons London here.

Homework Tips for Parents- Raise Your Kids Confidence

Homework Tips for Parents- Raise Your Kids’ Confidence 0SHARESShare Are homework troubles blocking your kids’ progress? Here are some tips . Helpful Homework Tips for Parents- you need to know It is basically a positive attitude with good focus on studies that could save the time and energy of kids while doing homework. So, you follow these Helpful Homework Tips for Parents. Talk to the teachers and find out what they expect in homework Prepare a schedule for your kid and arrange things accordingly Set yourself  as an example for homework doing with your assigned tasks during that time Don’t give room for diversions and help the children concentrate on their work Help them segregate which work to do first Find out from the teachers how far they progress in their work Appreciate them for their good work and stand by them when they feel miserable with erring spots Notice   your teens’ problems and render emotional support on time Back your high school going children with a genuine support for their targeted scores If you still find your children’s struggle in homework tasks, seek the help of leading sites like Tutor Pace and benefit by their Helpful Homework Tips for Parents. [starbox id=admin]

The Art of Being Productive in High School to be a More Attractive College Applicant (Part 2)

The Art of Being Productive in High School to be a More Attractive College Applicant (Part 2) ACT SAT Prep and College Admissions Blog In our last blog post on this topic, we explored why today’s high school students must be so productive in high school. Getting good grades isn’t quite enough anymore. You need to show a variety of interests and ideally achieve leadership positions outside the classroom to maximize your chances of admission to a top college. We offered a six-step process to being more productive in high school: Identify the activities and subjects you value and are genuinely interested in Identify key areas of alignment between what you value and what colleges would also value to create “leverage” Set goals and build a plan to meet them Get organized Prioritize and re-prioritize Get help when you need it In this blog post, we explore each step in more detail. Identify the activities and subjects you value and are genuinely interested in. The first step in becoming more productive is to think about what you value and enjoy. If you are trying to get the most out of each year of high school, a major consideration should be your personal preferences. You want to do things you enjoy with people you like hanging out with. If you enjoy writing or taking pictures, the yearbook or school newspaper is a good option. Obviously, there are lots of different sports to consider. It’s also important to think about which subjects you’ll target for more advanced study (i.e., AP classes, etc.). If you’ve always been pretty good at math, then make an actual or mental note that AP calculus is in your future. If you don’t like reading or writing, consider for now that perhaps AP English isn’t for you. At this stage, it’s just important to realize that, for better or worse, it’s important to be involved in a range of activities during high school, and you want to build a list of what interests you and put yourself in a position to take a leadership role in some of them eventually. At the same time, you want to take a reasonably challenging academic course load that you can both handle and do extremely well in. Identify key areas of alignment between what you value and what colleges would also value to create “leverage.” Next, and this is perhaps new to some students, you want to think about how those activities fit into a normal high school or college curriculum. This should start with an understanding of the primary importance of GPA, but with the sometimes-contradictory secondary importance of taking advanced, difficult, challenging classes. In other words, you’d be well served to get a perfect, 4.0 GPA. If you take all average classes though, and never take an honors or AP class, that 4.0 GPA is worth a lot less. On the other hand, when I was in high school, I loaded myself up with tons of AP and honors classes, and then didn’t put in the work â€" and perhaps really didn’t have the time - to get enough A’s. I was left with an “OK” GPA matched with a long list of challenging classes. That’s not ideal either. You want to look at your course of study and put your potential classes into categories: Required, core classes that you must do well in Optional classes that you choose, and again expect to do quite well in More advanced classes that you know will be a challenge, but which help your academic resume look challenging and impressive You’ll want a mix of courses across those categories. Next, consider the extracurricular activities in which you are interested, and note what opportunities might exist to build your resume while also covering required academic requirements. This creates “leverage,” allowing you to accomplish multiple objectives with one endeavor. For example, participating in the student newspaper and/or the yearbook development process often includes taking classes which count towards your English requirement. So, you are taking a class, but also getting involved in an activity. Similarly, if you are planning on taking AP level math or AP level French, there is probably some overlap with a math club or French club in which you could get involved, where part of the time you spend on the activity occurs during class. If you play a varsity sport, perhaps gym class is waived, making time for you to study during school. Students are often surprised at the opportunities they have to “kill two birds with one stone.” Obviously, it’s more than OK to get involved in something just because it seems interesting or a friend suggests it, but you should also be thinking about your options and interests in a structured way to identify these points of leverage. Set goals and build a plan to meet them The last step is about generating your list of options. In this step, you work out an actual plan. Now, if you are reading this early in your high school career (or, more likely, are a parent reading this earlier in their child’s high school career), you are in a better position. But it’s relevant for any student. Here, you realize that you only have X many classes you can take and Y many hours after school, and you decide what you are going to do, keeping in mind the “leverage” opportunities above. But before you can do that, you should consider your academic goals. If you want to go to Harvard, you’ll really need to do it all. High GPA, high ACT or SAT score, tons of activities, leadership, and community service. But, if you want to go to an excellent state school, a high GPA and test score will probably do the trick. If you are targeting a high selective liberal arts school, GPA and test score might be a bit less important relatively speaking and demonstrating unique and deep interests in a few activities is likely more important. The key is to identify where you want to end up, acknowledge the requirements, and then start planning. Your goal is to design an academic course of study that is challenging but reasonable, and supplement that with extracurricular activities that put you in a position to demonstrate a breadth of interests, skills, and leadership ability. Get organized One you have your rough plan, inclusive of courses you are going to take and activities in which you are going to engage, the key to success is staying organized. What does it mean to be organized? I like to think of organization as being driven by two fundamental concepts: a) filing systems and b) to-do lists. Filing systems are the physical or digital folders on your computer where information from each class or activity is kept. Your locker and your back-pack are also filing systems. To-do lists help you manage your time. I generally keep three different types of to-do lists, which help me best use the time I have in any given day: long term, medium term, and daily. In other words, I have a list of things I need to accomplish in the next 3 or more months, things that must get done in 1-4 weeks, and then things I want to accomplish today. An academic planner is a popular form of to-do list that I recommend. Prioritize and re-prioritize One of the hidden keys to truly high levels of productivity for a high school student is prioritization. You should pause at the beginning of each week as well as the beginning of each day to review and update your to-do lists and think about how you truly need to spend your time. You’ll be surprised how important it is to take a deep breath, step back, and decide what to do after comparing all of the things on your mental plate and on your to-do list. You might have that big project on your mind, but should you really spend another 3 hours working on it? Or, should you start studying for that quiz tomorrow? You may want to go hang out with your friends, and you should find time to do that. But if you have a big test tomorrow, what is more important? Get help when you need it I think students tend to vastly underutilize after school time with teachers, getting help from each other, their parents, and even private tutors. If you studied for a quiz but did not do well and are feeling your grasp of a concept slipping away, don’t just assume it’ll all make sense at some point before the mid-term exam. Go get help from the teacher. Spending the time to get that help earlier rather than later is a critical way to save time and increase your overall productivity. If you wait, you’ll end up spending even longer going over old concepts that you didn’t really understand at the time, and which you now have completely forgotten as you try to get up to speed before a big test. Don’t get too lost. Get help and support early. Summary Motivated high school students need to be highly productive in today’s competitive college admission environment. Productivity comes from working hard, yes. But it also comes from planning your academic course load and extracurricular activities carefully.

Foolproof Time Management System

Foolproof Time Management System A students life is very full. Much of the day is spent at school, but theres a lot to fit in after the bell rings toolike studying, homework, extracurricular activities, dinner and sleep. A time management system is essential so that children can make the most of every hour and fit in everything they want and need to do. What exactly should that system entail? Here are six important components: Commitment It probably goes without saying, but its vital that your child commits to owning responsibilities and planning his or her time responsibly. Without that sincere commitment, any effort by your child to take control of his or her day and many tasks will simply fall flat. A planner A planner is a must for any student. Your child should use it to write down all daily assignments, dates for tests, quizzes and projects due, as well as any other commitments such as scheduled work or volunteer hours, sports practices, club meetings, performances or games. A structured schedule Have your child block out all scheduled time on the calendar in his or her day planner, including school hours, sports practices or other activities, sleeping, eating dinner and winding down. An hourly schedule in the planner helps your child visualize his or her time and get a clear picture of what time is and isnt free or flexible. Its a good idea to hang a family calendar in a central spot in your home as well. A running list of goals Goal setting is so important and goes hand in hand with time management. Encourage your child to keep a list of short-term and long-term goals and refer to it (and revise it) often. Short-term goals might focus on your childs current classes while long-term goals can be bigger and contain multiple smaller goals. For example, the college-bound teen might want to get into his or her dream college, but there will be many small sub-goals to achieve to get there. Prioritization skills Good time management is about much more than keeping an organized calendar and list of goals. As early as possible, teach your child to spend a few minutes at the beginning of homework time looking over his or her planner and labeling all tasks to be completed today, tomorrow, this week or later. That prioritization process helps your child get focused and mentally prepared to get to work. To-do lists Last but not least, its critical that your child break things down to the specific tasks that he or she must complete each day. The planner serves as a master to-do list, keeping track of everything your child has coming up on the homework/test/quiz front. But after prioritizing at the start of a homework session, your child should develop a game plan: a to-do list for the evening that guides the homework session. Your child should write or print out that list and check things off as completed. Teach your child to own his or her time and not be owned by it. A trusted time management system will minimize stress and wasted time, boost productivity, and set your child up for school and life success.

The Dangers Of Taking Focus Medications For Studying

The Dangers Of Taking Focus Medications For Studying Image via betches.com Adderall, the most commonly abused stimulant on college campuses, carries the same effects. Some people believe that since this drug is an actual prescribed medication, it can’t be “that bad.” But, it is. First of all, stimulant drugs are mostly used for school. Good for you? Not exactly. These drugs are abused in order to improve study efficiency. So, naturally, students believe better study habits create better grades. Wrong. According to drugabuse.gov, “Prescription stimulants do promote wakefulness, but studies have found that they do not enhance learning or thinking ability when taken by people who do not actually have ADHD. Also, research has shown that students who abuse prescription stimulants actually have lower GPAs in high school and college than those who don’t.” What is happening in your body when you do happen to take this drug? To start off, dopamine greatly increases. This chemical in your brain is the neurotransmitter for pleasure, movement, and attention. For actual patients with ADHD, the drug amount is slowly enlarged to steadily reach a beneficial effect. Therefore, when you take someone else’s dosage, it will not cooperate with your brain at all. Additionally, there is more that goes on. Such stimulants increase blood pressure and heart rate, thus putting you at risk for heart attack. The desire to eat and sleep is also decreased. Abuse can lead to malnutrition. With malnutrition comes hostility, paranoia, and serious cardiovascular difficulties. Focusing again on the heightened levels of dopamine, withdrawal symptoms are a factor. Fatigue and depression follow the abuse of stimulants. Consequently, the feeling that is attained when taking such a drug creates a state of euphoria for the user. Dopamine in the brain is rapidly amplified, causing the ecstasy and possibly resulting in the risk of addiction. Image via addictioncenter.com But wait, why would you need to be in a state of euphoria to study? The truth is, not only is Adderall used for school, it is used for partying. What a shocker it must be. And what a surprise it also must be that there are negative side effects to abusing prescription drugs. Stats from 2012.Image via medicineabuseproject.org Students with the prescribed medication carry the legal risk of dealing it. In legal terms, Amphetamine possession without a legal prescription is a crime. (Amphetamines being stimulants). Furthermore, dealing it has serious consequences. It comes down to intent to sell and attempted sale. Charging someone with intent to sell stimulants relies on evidence. It depends on the amount in the defendant’s possession, purity of the drug, and amount of cash from sales. Here is the interesting, yet scary, part, according to criminaldefenselawyer.com. “Under the Controlled Substances Act, a person convicted of selling or attempting to sell amphetamines near a school, including a college, or other areas where young people may be present faces  twice  the maximum prison sentence,  twice  the maximum fine, and  twice  the term of supervised release (21 U.S.C. 860).” So if you are thinking of selling amphetamines to your friends for a study-boost, think again. Those convicted of selling stimulants can earn five to 20 years in prison. Or, you can be fined $250,000 to $5 million. And if you happen to be super unlucky: both. Just for additional information, (hopefully this does not apply to any college campus), if someone dies because of your little Adderall sale, you face life in prison. So even if it is for school, it is still super illegal. Good thing there are alternatives to using Adderall for studying. First and foremost, caffeine is your friend. Coffee or soda, it will keep you awake. There is always a Starbucks open somewhere or a vending machine in order. Not only is this option cheaper, it is safer. Waiting until the last minute: we all do it. Start studying days before your exam so you do not have to cram all night and, therefore, result to Adderall. Do not put yourself in the position to take drugs. Skip the party. An effective way to not take drugs is to not be around them. In another perspective, the party will take up hours of study time. Therefore, if you study Saturday, you won’t have to cram Sunday. It all comes down to time management. If you put yourself in a position where you are crammed for time and cannot focus, that is when you start looking for ADHD medications. In conclusion, you do not want to have a heart attack nor do you want to get arrested with a felony. Stimulants can lead you to both. It is a greater risk over reward if there even is a reward.

Five Books for the Nature Lover in You

Five Books for the Nature Lover in You Are you a nature lover? Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Natures peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn.” John Muir, Our National Parks Youre sitting at your desk, staring at the blank page that should be an essay. Out of all the times to have writers block, your mind picks the weekend before a crucial due date. You look around, trying to find inspiration in just about anything. The dirty clothes, magazines, and movie tickets scattered on your floor fail to get the brain going. Suddenly, a monarch butterfly graces your window pane. Mesmerized by its other-worldliness, you start writing. Unless youre Nabokov, a butterfly might not be enough to type the next great novel, but you get my point. Nature has always been a source for inspiration, wonderment, and wisdom this applies to anyone, not just a nature lover. Sadly, were losing more and more of it everyday, but hope is not lost. Many communities, schools, and cities have taken initiative into their own hands; developing greener educational environments. For example, Moton Elementary school in Tampa Bay, Florida has created a gardening program that spans a students entire grade-school career. The program is a learning experience, with hopes to gain awareness that food and flowers come from the ground. Some of our greatest minds have been naturalist, botanists, and nature lovers. Where would we be as a nation without our National Parks? You have green thinkers such as John Muir to thank for that. Further, learning about nature through the passionate eyes of such men and women is inspiring for any student. Did you know Mr. Muir wept with happiness the first time he discovered the elusive Calypso borealis? Whether youre struggling to find some writing inspiration, or just need a good wave of intellectual curiosity, here are five naturalist books everyone should read. One last thing, make sure you read these under a tree, or by a babbling brook, well, just anywhere away from your Facebook. Enjoy. 5. Kindred and Related Spirits The Letters of John Muir and Jeanne C. Carr Edited by Bonnie Johanna Gisel Fate and flowers have carried me to California, and I have reveled and luxuriated amid its plants and mountains nearly four months John Muir In the rare situation of a light schedule, I enrolled in a three credit Nature and Religion course my senior year at Michigan State University. Though we only had a brief two days learning about John Muir, I was struck by his commitment. Recently, while searching the towering walls of books at Bargain Books in Van Nuys, I came across this charming collection of letters between the famed naturalist and his lifelong friend Jeanne C. Carr. Its an excellent documentation of Muirs growth as a botanist, as well as an incredible friendship. 4. Turtle Island Gary Snyder The first time I read about Gary Snyder was in Jack Kerouacs The Dharma Bums. As the inspiration behind the   Japhy Ryder, Snyders ecological wisdom finds its roots in indigenous spirituality, animism, and Buddhism. He seems almost mad with natural contentment Japhy notoriously treks the wilderness in the buff. More than just a poet, Gary Snyder was a dynamic educator. In this collection of poetry and straight talk, youll find an incredible amount of knowledge behind his imagery. 3. The Spiritual Emerson Essential Works by Ralph Waldo Emerson Odds are youre familiar with Ralph Waldo Emersons famous essay Self-Reliance, but its a shame to just stop there. A pioneer of transcendentalism, Emerson preached, through poetry and prose, that any and all individuals must find their own unique relation to the universe. Whether it be in solitude, under an old oak tree with nothing but songbirds to keep you company, or in front of a classroom, mankind is lost without nature. This Tarcher Cornerstone Edition includes such provoking essays as Circles, Fate, and much more. Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.” 2. Silent Spring Rachel Carson The release of this book was paramount in starting the modern environmentalism movement. To put it simply, the natural world is as fragile as it is complex. Though our innovations are meant to make life easier, they sometimes cause dangerous side-effects. You may recall old footage from the 1950s of municipal vehicles driving down suburban streets, leaving a wake of chemical clouds in its path. What was so striking about this image was the children laughing and chasing the cars, encompassed by the mysterious cloud. The vehicles were spreading DDT, and its results were staggering . As the strongest pesticide the world had ever seen, DDT was successful in killing mosquitoes, and, at the time, believed to be safe. Nowadays, the idea of inhaling DDT is terrifying. Its a known carcinogen, and lethal to species other than mosquitoes. Thanks to the curious eye of some University students and professors, the mysterious death of thousands of birds caused an investigation that would lead to the poisonous culprit. Rachel Carsons, at the time controversial, book,   Silent Spring, allowed the world to become wise to the effects our actions have on the planet, and that we must be mindful of our relationship to it. 1. A Sand County Almanac: With Other Essays on Conservation from Round River Aldo Leopold Our ability to perceive quality in nature begins, as in art, with the pretty. It expands through successive stages of the beautiful to values as yet uncaptured by language.” The finest environmentalist writer since Emerson and Thoreau, Aldo Leopold captures the wisdom of our enormous planet in the frame of Wisconsins countryside. The author/ nature lover Demands an ethical relationship to nature, as well as an effortless wonderment of its beauty. Feeling inspired? Now that your essay is finished, how about a drive to Topanga park for a hike? Remember, inspiration can come from anywhere, but its up to you to discover it, Los Angeles!