Essentials Of The New STAAR Tests

Essentials Of The New STAAR Tests The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) is a series of standardized exams used by Texas public schools students to assess students academic abilities. The STAAR test is based on state standards which provide a framework for the material students should be learning in the classroom each year. The exam measures the academic achievement and learning in other words, to evaluate how well students are meeting Texas grade-level expectations. Public school students are not the only ones required to take the STAAR assessment. Any charter school, private school, or homeschooling that collects financial support from the state of Texas must complete the four-hour exam as well. The STAAR grade-level and end-of-course exams are designed to assess material covered by Texas official, state-mandated curriculum for kindergarten through twelfth grade. In other words, STAAR tests how well students have developed the required knowledge and abilities. STAAR is designed by Pearson Education Company, which works with teachers and the Texas Education Agency (the division of the state government responsible for public education) to insure that material is grade-appropriate. STAAR replaced the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) in spring 2012 after the Texas State Senate abolished the TAKS exam in 2007. TAKS had been in place since 2003. Students who began 9th grade before the 2011-12 school year will continue to take the TAKS exam, and will be the last generation to do so. Students who are expected to graduate in 2015 will be the first class who must pass all of their courses as well as fulfill state-mandated end-of-course examination requirements in order to receive a diploma. STAAR tests the same subjects as the former TAKS for elementary and middle school students. Material varies by grade. Third through eighth graders are assessed on their reading and mathematical skills. Fourth and seventh graders are tested on their writing and composition abilities. Fifth and eighth graders must take a science assessment. Only eighth graders are required to complete a social studies test. Where high school students were once required to take grade-specific exams, they now must complete end-of-course exams that are subject-specific. These subjects include biology, chemistry, physics, Algebra I, geometry, Algebra II, world geography, world history, U.S. history, English I, English II, and English III. Many of TAKS policies carry over onto the STAAR exam; the two standardized tests are very similar. However, the new STAAR is much more rigorous than the previous TAKS. It is designed to measure individual performance in various subjects as well as academic growth. Texas STAAR exam assists educators and parents in determining whether students are making satisfactory progress towards acquiring the necessary academic knowledge and skills. State law mandates that students must possess the sufficient skills in order to graduate. Test results are used as part of an accountability system for public schools to insure that the proper, grade-appropriate curriculum is being used in classrooms across the state. STAAR test results will also let parents and educators know if students may need additional support or educational assistance in order to succeed in the classroom and beyond.

Pond Food Chain Online Biology Tutors Tutorpace

Pond Food Chain Online Biology Tutors Tutorpace Pond is an aquatic ecosystem. The food chain can be defined as the transfer of energy from plants througha series of organisms with repeated eating and being eaten Or who eats whom .At each trophic level a largeportion of the potential energy is lost as heat. The number of steps in a food chain is usually limited to four orfive, since the energy decreases during the transfer from one step to another. In any food chain, energyflows from producers to primary consumers, from primary consumers to secondary consumers, fromsecondary consumers to tertiary consumers and so on. Producers prepare their own food using solar energyand convert it to chemical energy. In a pond ecosystem the food chain starts from phytoplankton and goes through zoo plankton, smaller fish,bigger fish, and birds and so on. The producers in a pond ecosystem are macrophytes and phytoplanktons.The phytoplankton when presentin abundance, gives the pond water a greenish colour.The phytoplankton usually comprises diatoms, bluegreen algae, green algae etc. In pond the macro consumers are the animals. They can be categorized into: 1. Primary consumers 2. Secondaryconsumers 3. Tertiary consumers The primary consumers feed on living plants or plant remains. Theprimary consumers are the zoo planktons and benthos. The zooplanktons include dianoflagellates,heliozoans, and copepods while Mollusca and annelids form the bottom dwelling forms. The secondaryconsumers are the carnivores which feed on primary consumers like predaceous insects, small fishes, frogsetc. The tertiary consumers are some large fish like game fish that feed on the secondary consumers.

5 Common Reasons to Quit Playing Guitar... And What You Can Do to Stick With It

5 Common Reasons to Quit Playing Guitar... And What You Can Do to Stick With It Maile Proctor Dont let the title fool you, were not encouraging you to quit guitar. In fact, we want to help you stick with it. Oftentimes when people decide to learn an instrument, they  end up quitting before they realize their full potential. Here, Irvine, CA guitar instructor Douglas F.  breaks down five of the most common reasons people quit playing guitar, and what you can do  to overcome your excuses. In everyday encounters, it’s surprisingly common to hear I used to play guitar, but after someone finds out that I play or teach guitar. What follows is a slew of excuses that I’ve compiled and compressed into the top five reasons for quitting guitar. You may have heard these excuses, and maybe even used a few yourself. When youre feeling discouraged, heres what you can do to push past your rut and stick with it! Self Doubt Lack of skill as a beginner is one of the most common reasons that people drop the guitar for good. In my opinion, this  excuse makes the least amount of sense. With any new skill, why would anyone expect to be great without preparation and practice? This is nothing but a combination of self-doubt and classic learning frustration. In conversations like this, I like to share my personal experience: When I first started, I was not very good (AT ALL) at guitar, drums, or bass. The  truth is, no one is born a musician; all it takes is the genuine desire to learn. This should not be confused with natural ability and the amount of time you have played guitar. Lack of Time / Time Management If you can devote 20 focused minutes to playing guitar every day, you’re on your way to greatness. Comparing the amount of time you’ve played guitar to others is useless. People watch me play guitar and think that since I have played for about 10 years, it must take that long to play comfortably. Wrong; in fact, the amount of time you have played is pretty much irrelevant. Before starting with a new student, I often ask how long they’ve played guitar. I’ve learned over the years that the answer to this questions has very little correlation to the student’s ability level. I’ve had students bumping out John Mayer songs after only a few months, and people who have tinkered around with guitar for 55 years and never decided to learn more than three songs. Here’s a tip:  Try recording yourself  so you can hear how much you’ve improved. You’ll be surprised, if you’re learning the right way, you’ll notice that you sound and feel better every single time you pick up your guitar. Learning Guitar is Challenging If you have this excuse, youre not learning the right way. Learning and practicing should be fun the whole time I promise this is actually possible. Stop memorizing make habits instead. Don’t let memorization stress you out! Don’t bother memorizing chord structures, song structures, scales, when you can pull them up on devices, print them out, or get that chord poster they have in every music store. You don’t need to know scales to learn songs, and if you’re learning scales before songs- please fire your instructor today. Dont waste your time and brain power. The habits will slide themselves into your playing- just like they do best. You will easily memorize things like chord shapes quicker than you may expect, because guitar playing is all about muscle memory! Boredom / Loss of Interest To me, this just screams that you arent having fun; probably for very justifiable reasons. Here are some of the reasons this may be.. Once you consider playing guitar as homework or feel dreadful about practicing, you know something is wrong! In a lot of cases, music instructors will choose the  music for their students, when it should be the complete opposite. A good instructor will know how to take your favorites song, and create a way for you to play it at your skill level. Music is about the feeling you get when you play, there will never be a good reason to play music you don’t enjoy: so stop playing the songs that bore you and find something you want to dance around to! If you dread playing a certain song because its too difficult, then that’s another story. Play something that gets you grooving and hungry for more, and then go back to learning the difficult song. Unrealistic Expectations You have to remember that the musicians you look up to were also in your shoes at one point. In fact, they are still learning more, all the time! Change your mentality: Whats your goal, anyway? Is it to be able to play comfortably within a couple months? Could being a guitar player” simply mean playing a song you really like? Learning just one song is a much more realistic goal than setting out to become a rock god who can awe a crowd with a high-speed guitar solo. Set mini goals for yourself! Every day is a new chance to play guitar in a totally new mentality. Rock out and have fun! Remember, It’s never too late to learn to play guitar, so if youve put it down, dont be afraid to pick it back up and give it another go! Post Author: Douglas F. Douglas teaches guitar, drums, and music theory in Irvine, CA. He studied music theory at North Carolina State University, and has been playing guitar and drums for over 10 years. Learn more about Douglas  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

Multiplication with carrying

Multiplication with carrying There are different mathematical operations in math such as addition, subtraction and division. Multiplication is one of the arithmetic operations used in different branches of mathematics. Multiplication is denoted by a cross sign . Multiplication can be used between different types of numbers such as integers, fractions, decimals and many more. Example 1: There are 15 snack-bars in a box. If Ben brought 6 boxes how many snack bars does he have? Solution: Number of snack bar in each box = 15. Number of boxes Ben brought = 6 Total number of snack bars = 15 x 6. Here for the multiplication 6 is multiplied to the ones place 5 x 6 = 30. Carrying the 3 on the tens place. Multiple the tens place 1 x 6 = 6. Now add the carried number to the 6; 6 + 3 = 9. Hence 15 x 6 = 60. Total number of snack bars = 90. Question: Multiple choice question (Pick the correct option.) What is the answer when 56 is multiplied with 4? a) 204 b) 224 c) 2024 d) None of these. Correct answer: option b. Explanation: Here for the multiplication 56 x 4 =? Multiply 4 to the ones place this gives 6 x 4 = 24. (Write the 4 and carry the 2 in 24). Carrying the 2 on the tens place. Multiple the tens place 5 x 4 = 20. Now add the carried number to the 20; 20 + 2 = 22. Hence 56 x 4 = 224.

GCSE Chemistry Syllabus Topics At A Glance

GCSE Chemistry Syllabus Topics At A Glance Mastering GCSE Chemistry ChaptersGCSE Chemistry: Atomic Structure And The Periodic TableGCSE Chemistry: Chemical ChangesGCSE Chemistry Revision: Chemistry Of The AtmosphereGCSE Chemistry: Chemical AnalysisGCSE Chemistry Revision: Bonding, Structure And The Properties Of MatterChemistry is a fascinating subject, as it can teach you so much about the world around you, from the composition of atoms to larger objects and substances.However, the study of chemistry is not just confined to learning about protons, neutrons, and electrons. There are actually a lot of different topics that you will have to learn about if you want to gain a GCSE in chemistry.As a result, you’ll most likely have to be prepared to undertake a fair bit of revision if you’d like to do well in your chemistry GCSE and get the best marks possible.While it’s certainly not impossible to do well in your GCSE chemistry exam (and indeed, many, many students across the country each year get a passing mark in the subject, if not higher) it alw ays pays to be aware of what you will be studying and the types of materials that you will cover.This is regardless of whether you are taking GCSE chemistry as a single science or as a combined science.With that in mind, the below article highlights some of the topics that you might encounter as part of your GCSE chemistry studies.Atomic structure is just one of the many topics you'll likely learn about within a GCSE chemistry syllabus. (Image Source: CC0 1.0, burlesonmatthew, Pixabay)The nucleus tends to comprise protons as well as neutrons; andElectrons surround the nucleus.If you have a good grasp on these principles, then you should ultimately be able to work out which atoms represent which elements, as you can often discern an element by the number of protons there are within an atom.This is why atomic structure and the periodic table go hand in hand. Once you’ve identified an element, you can then understand its properties and how it interacts with other elements, provided y ou understand the various periods and groups that the elements are organised in on a periodic table.GCSE Chemistry: Chemical ChangesAnother area that is, somewhat unsurprisingly, covered at GCSE level is that of chemical changes. Some exam boards, such as AQA, may break this topic down into two separate topics, namely chemical changes and energy changes.There is no getting around the fact that there are a lot of chemical reactions in chemistry, and it’s important that any student of chemistry has an understanding of why certain reactions behave in certain ways, and what this means.As a result, you will likely learn, or further develop your knowledge of, a variety of core ideas in chemistry as you are taught about chemical and energy changes, including, but not limited to:Acids, bases, alkalis and salts (chemical changes);Electrolysis (chemical changes); andExothermic and endothermic reactions (energy changes).Acids and alkalis may be something that students are already familiar wi th, or they may learn about them from scratch. Either way, concepts such as this, along with how to identify an acidic or alkaline substance through the use of tools such as litmus paper, reach the heart of chemistry.As such, if you’re planning on having a future career in chemistry, or would like to study it at A-level or above, topic areas such as chemical changes and energy changes are important to be aware of, and could well feature as part of one or more questions in a GCSE chemistry exam paper.Naturally, Superprof tutors are standing by for A Level chemistry tuition...Learning about the atmosphere in GCSE chemistry can be really interesting. (Image Source: CC0 1.0, jplenio, Pixabay)Climate change; andThe elements that are part of Earth’s atmosphere.For instance, you might be surprised to learn that today’s atmosphere actually is largely comprised of nitrogen (it accounts for around 80% of the atmosphere). Oxygen, on the other hand, only accounts for about 20% of the atmo sphere, with small amounts of other gases such as carbon dioxide also present in the atmosphere’s total composition.GCSE Chemistry: Chemical AnalysisAlthough it can be fun to learn about topics such as the chemistry of the atmosphere, there are other topics that need to be taught as part of a GCSE in chemistry. One of these topics is chemical analysis.Indeed, if you do have aspirations to study chemistry at A-Level, or would even like to ultimately become a chemist or scientist one day after taking chemistry or a related degree at university, then it’s worthwhile getting to grips with the lessons taught as part of chemical analysis now.This is because your future studies will likely build upon the knowledge you gained during your GCSE studies.As the topic title suggests, much of what you will learn as part of any  chemical analysis is how to identify and analyse various substances, including:Pure substances;Mixtures; andFormulations.You might also become familiar with different chemical and flame tests, which can be carried out in order to identify ions such as metal ions as well as negatively charged ions.You might learn about the various states of matter as part of your GCSE chemistry syllabus. (Image Source: CC0 1.0, qimono, Pixabay)GCSE Chemistry Revision: Bonding, Structure And The Properties Of MatterAnother area that could well be tested in your GCSE chemistry exam is the topic of “bonding, structure and the properties of matter.” You’ll learn a lot within this topic area, such as the facts that:There are three different states of matter â€" solid, liquid, and gas, although it is possible for a substance to change its state;Covalent bonds can form molecules or giant covalent structures; andMetals tend to have high boiling and melting points and conduct heat and electricity well.Getting Ready For RevisionThe topics listed above are just some of the topics you might encounter as you progress through your chemistry GCSE studies.Although it might seem like a lot to learn at the start, the best way you can prepare yourself for your GCSE chemistry exam is to stay on top of your work, coursework, and homework, and ask your chemistry teacher if there are any parts of your lessons that you haven’t fully understood.Equally, it’s really worthwhile putting together an effective revision plan, as this should help you focus your efforts when it comes to revising and give you the best possible chance to do well in your chemistry exam.Ideally, the sooner you can start revision the better, as you’ll have more time to address any problem areas in the syllabus, although any revision is better than none at all if you are pressed for time.It’s also worth remembering that there are lots of revision resources out there to help you prepare for your chemistry GCSE, including:Websites that provide revision resources for GCSE exams, such as BBC Bitesize;Revision books for GCSE chemistry that provide overviews of topics and practice questio ns to test your knowledge; andPast GCSE chemistry exam papers.What’s more, you could also look at hiring an experienced chemistry tutor, who can help you with issues such as poor exam technique as well as give you exercises to help consolidate your knowledge of chemistry and test you in any areas that you need extra assistance with.Look up for an  online chemistry tutor now.Superprof has a range of experienced chemistry tutors, so it’s simply a case of searching for a chemistry tutor that has the experience you need. With in-person or online-only tuition possible, there are lots of different ways you could make tuition work for you, particularly in the run-up to your final GCSE chemistry exam.Let your search for chemistry tutors near me come to an end: Superprof surely has the tutor you need!

What is it Like to Attend University of Florida

What is it Like to Attend University of Florida The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Emily is a New York City tutor specializing in Algebra tutoring, Statistics tutoring, Essay Editing tutoring, and more. She graduated from University of Florida in 2012 with Bachelors degrees in Marketing and Psychology. See what she had to say about her alma mater: 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? Emily: Gainesville is a college town with the campus in a central location and transportation options that make it very easy to get around campus and around Gainesville. Campus is very safe with a strong presence from the university police department and services such as SNAP, which provides free rides anywhere on campus at night. The areas of Gainesville where students live and hang out are also safe. The RTS bus system has city and campus bus routes that make it easy to get from class to class or travel around the city. When I was an undergraduate, I did not have a car and I was able to get where I needed to go by bus, bike, or sharing rides with my friends. Campus is very bike-friendly with lots of bike racks and bike lanes. When you first arrive on campus, it may seem very big but you will soon discover that most of the major buildings are within walking distance. VT:How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Emily: Professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants are all very available and willing to help students. All professors are required to hold weekly office hours. Large classes will have several teaching assistants that are easily available to answer questions about course material. Some academic advisers require appointments, or there may be long wait times, especially at the beginning of the semester and during registration. When you visit an academic advisor it is best to come prepared with a list of specific questions so that you are able to get the most out of your session. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Emily: There are many different types of dorms are UF. It can be hard to get into the dorm that you want your freshman year but dont worry if you dont get into your first choice. There are several types of dorms: traditional style, suite style, and apartment style. Many freshmen end up in traditional style dorms and these tend to be the most social dorms because of all the common areas. There are two dining halls on campus and most of the dorms are a quick walk to one of the dining halls. There are also several dining options such as the Reitz Union and the Hub. All of the dorms are close to bus routes so it is very easy to get to class by bus or by walking. There are many socialization opportunities with other students and it is easy to get involved. At the beginning of every semester, there is a student involvement fair where all of the student organizations help students get involved. Greek life is pretty popular; about 25% of the students are in a fraternity or sorority. Rush is at the beginning of every semester so it is easy to rush and see whether or not joining a Greek organization is right for you. 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? Emily: There are over 100 majors and minors at UF and the advisors and professors provide a lot of guidance in finding the right major for you. I dual majored in Marketing and Psychology. The College of Business and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences were great with supporting my majors and providing opportunities for students. The College of Business always had information about internships and job opportunities and was very invested in the success of the graduates. The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences provided many research opportunities for students as well as information about graduate programs. With so many students on campus, each college is very well developed to support the students and help them succeed. 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? Emily: Coming to a school with 35,000 undergraduates can be overwhelming for some students, but the school makes it easy to meet people and make friends. Many freshmen live in the dorms and each floor has a resident assistant that puts on programs and helps create a community in the dorms. Strong friendships are easy to make in the dorms because there are so many opportunities to meet other people. Greek life is definitely noticeable but you do not have to be in a fraternity or sorority to meet people. Additionally, each fraternity and sorority is different so even if one does not sound appealing, there may be a different one that you really like. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Emily: The Career Resource Center is consistently ranked as one of the best in the nation. The CRC will provide help as early as your freshman year with finding internships, applying to graduate school, and getting jobs. There is a career showcase during the fall and spring semesters that brings out many reputable companies. UF has a very strong reputation so employers are always on campus recruiting students. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Emily: There are many areas to study on campus. The main library is Library West, which can be crowded and is sometimes known as the social library. There are many libraries on campus that have plenty of space to study individually or in groups. The Reitz Union has many meeting rooms and places to study. In almost every building, there are quiet places to hang out between classes in order to get work done. Groups of dorms are called areas and every area has study rooms and libraries. These areas have equipment such a projectors and white boards that make it easy to study in groups. 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? Emily: One of the best things about Gainesville is the community of Gators. Gainesville revolves around Gator sports teams but if sports are not your thing, there is still a lot to do. Downtown Gainesville has a number of restaurants, a weekly Farmers Market, and a theater that puts on many great plays throughout the year. There are also lots of outdoor activities such as going hiking in Paynes Prairie or taking a trip to Lake Wauberg. Most students live off campus after their freshman year and the areas surrounding student apartments provide lots of relief from campus life. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Emily: There are 35,000 undergraduates at UF. While this huge number may seem daunting, there are many ways to make the university seem smaller. All students must fulfill general education requirements and these classes tend to be pretty big; sometimes there are 600 people in one class. As you get to taking classes for your major, the classes become smaller. Do not let the large classes deter you from UF. Professors will go out of their way to get to know students and there are teaching assistants that help you understand the course material. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Emily: One of the great things about UF is that you are surrounded by smart students and you learn as much from other students as you do from your professors. One of the toughest classes that I took was Marketing Management. The professor was very well known, and for many of the students in the class, this was the major class we needed before looking for jobs. Every week, we had to do presentations and critique each other. While this was challenging, it was also a great learning experience because we got to use our peers knowledge to improve our skills. This was probably one of the most useful classes that I took because the professor knew what skills we would need for our future jobs and he pushed us every class to become better. Check out Emilys tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Resources for Preparing Home Tutoring Classes

Resources for Preparing Home Tutoring Classes Which Tools Should You Use to Organise Academic Support? ChaptersKey Qualities for Private TutorsTangible Resources for Private TutorialsLearning Through PlayIf you want to teach academic support, be it for maths, physics, English, French, Spanish, homework help, etc., you’re going to have to be familiar with both your student’s level and their course at school.In recent years, the private tutorial market has grown and is now worth around £6b.  Over 40% of children in London had received private tutorials.So how do you plan academic support tutorials?Here are some teaching resources that the experienced tutors on Superprof swear by. CalumDrama School Entrance Teacher 5.00 (15) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ToriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OliviaSchool support Teacher 5.00 (2) £21/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkESOL (English) Teacher 4.76 (17) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YuweiChinese Teacher 4.33 (6) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tu tors JenniferMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LouiseAutoCAD Teacher 5.00 (3) £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RickyPercussion Teacher 5.00 (7) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicolasGuitar Teacher 5.00 (2) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MyriamOrganic chemistry Teacher 5.00 (13) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JonathanEconomics Teacher 5.00 (9) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Oluwakemi imoleMaths Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlexPhysics Teacher 5.00 (1) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AdamSinging Teacher 5.00 (14) £48/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValentiniMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (2) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MilenaMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RashmiEconomics Teacher 5.00 (1) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsKey Qualities for P rivate TutorsIt might seem obvious that if you want to help a student to catch up with their studies, you’re going to have to be familiar with the subject that you’re teaching.  If someone hasn’t done maths in ten years, it’s possible that the student may surpass the teacher.Make sure you introduce yourself with a friendly handshake and a smile. (Source: rawpixel)Some students might be failing. Others are just struggling in a few subjects and don’t want to have to resit.  Some may just want to improve their grades in order to get into a good university.It’s worthwhile mentioning that there are many reasons for getting private tutorials and the tutor will have to adapt to their students’ needs.Whether you’re teaching a brand new student for the first time or teaching them throughout the whole academic year, you’re going to have to opt for resources that work with the student.First and foremost, you have to make sure that you arrive on time. Tutors who regularly show up late to class will leave a bad impression on both the student and their parents.Before an academic support tutorial, you need to take care of your physical appearance by making sure that you’re appropriately washed and dressed. While this isn't a resource, it is key to ensuring that your tutorials go well.Academic support and private tutorials often require an in-depth knowledge of the curriculum.So, how can you teach private tutorials if you’re not familiar with what’s on the curriculum?Whether you’re teaching sciences (maths, physics, chemistry, biology, etc.) or the arts, you’ll need to bridge the gap between what the students are being taught in school. Another intangible resource is your teaching approach.The right teaching approaches can unlock your potential as an educator and help your students to improve. You also need to adapt your approaches to your student’s level. Here are some of the key qualities that a good tutor should have:Transferring knowledgeA ra nge of teaching approachesPatienceSpeaking skillsAvailabilityListening skillsIf you can't transfer knowledge, you can't teach. A tutor's main goal is to make sure that a student learns something. If they leave the tutorial knowing the same or less than they did when it started, something has gone wrong. While you're never guaranteed that a student will immediately get something, a range of teaching approaches can help you to change things up when something isn't working.This is where patience comes into play. A tutor can never get annoyed with the student for not getting something immediately. They need to remain calm so that they can continue to teach effectively.Your speaking skills will ensure that you provide students with information as clearly as possible. The last thing you want is for a student to be confused because your delivery was poor or because you didn't explain something well. Listening to your student will also ensure that you're always aware of what's going on in c lass.Finally, you need to be available to your student. While you don't have to be on call  for twenty-four hours a day, your tutee should be able to contact you in the event that they have a problem. Make sure you set limits and acceptable times for your students to get in touch. The last thing you want is phonecalls at 3 a.m. because they're stressing about an exam that you know they're going to have no problem passing.Punctuality, friendliness, and a familiarity with the national curriculum are also useful qualities, but what tangible resources do you need to teach private tutorials?Here are several online teaching jobs for teachers.Tangible Resources for Private TutorialsWhile you may have all the skills and qualities that make a good tutor, you can’t arrive at your private tutorial empty-handed.Even for your first ever tutorial, you should probably bring a few resources to start the student off with a bit of revision: textbooks, digital resources (apps, websites), revision bo oks and sheets. It might be worthwhile also bringing something to test their level so that you know exactly what to bring to the next tutorial.In maths, economics, and science tutorials, a graph can go a long way to explaining what you mean. (Source: 6689062)Textbooks often have exercises for them to do. Again, you need to take the student’s age and level into account. Older students can probably work on essay skills or exam technique right from the start. They can also focus on essay structure.A private tutor will probably include more interactive and engaging activities for younger students. There are plenty of sites with fun games and activities for a wide variety of different subjects, especially for those in primary school.It’s important that your classes are carefully prepared according to the students level and needs. Are they catching up, a failing student, or applying to a top university and need the best grades possible?In a way, preparing your tutorials should be like filling a toolkit with the right tools.You’ll need resources that can help the student’s cognitive abilities:A course planRevision sheets (especially for GCSE and A Level students)Documents relating to the chapter they’re studying (with diagrams, tables, texts, articles, etc.)Exercises (either found online or prepared by the tutor themselves)Analytics exercises: Who, what, where, when, why, and how?Brainstorming ideas with the student.An evaluation at the end of the sessionWhile some tutors still prefer pen and paper, a computer means that you don't have to carry tonnes of documents. (Source: StartupStockPhotos)When it comes to private tutorials, the tutor often arrives with a tonne of teaching resources since they can never be sure how the lesson is going to go.Is the student going to be enthusiastic, tired, irritable, or relaxed?They always need to bring backup materials, too. In some cases, a digital resource may not work and they’ll need other things to do to replace it .Learning Through PlayHow do good tutors motivate students or show their parents that their child just needed a different approach to what they were getting at school?Teaching DifferentlyIn order to get the most out of the student and save them from resits or failure, there’s a great teaching approach to help students learn: the Montessori Method of education.The aim is to let the child develop at their own speed.Both adults and children can learn a lot from games and play. (Source: Thaliesin)How do you teach them what they need to know?Firstly, you need to let the child choose the activities they want to do. From the age of 3, the child should be able to focus on certain tasks. This teaching approach focuses on freedom and learning at one’s own pace (without judging how quickly they’re learning) and letting them experience things and understand them.Games and physical objects are used for things like teaching addition and subtraction.  The Montessori Method can be included in private tutorials because most of the activities are designed for individuals or small groups.Naturally, you may wonder whether it is better to tutor at your home where you would have all of these resources available, or at your student's home, where s/he would feel more comfortable...Games for Online TutorialsNowadays, there are plenty of resources revolutionising teaching that can be freely accessed by tutors. Online academic support is starting to replace traditional tutors. Using video games in tutorials can make learning easier as students are enjoying playing.They can help children to learn as they can focus their attention and motivate them as they don’t even realise they’re learning because they’re having so much fun.  Games and digital resources blend real tangible objectives (learning or practising) with the fun of video games.  You'd be hard-pressed to find a young child that wouldn't rather play video games than study (even if they don't realise they're doing both ).Platforms like Khan Academy, one of the world's most popular MOOCs, can be used between two tutorials in order to help a student practice or revise.There are courses for adults and children and a huge database to inspire tutors who are planning their tutorials. Furthermore, it’s free!Preparing games for academic support tutorials is a great way to help students learn.Convinced?Don’t hesitate to take your computer, smartphone, or tablet to your private tutorials. They’re some of the best resources for helping students learn.Now discover more ideas to personalise your tutoring sessions...

ADHD and Organization in the Classroom

ADHD and Organization in the Classroom When Im planning a classroom visit parents will often tell me that Ill have no problem figuring out which desk belongs to their child its the one overflowing with papers, books, pencils, and countless random items. Problems with organization can seem like they arent as impairing as other ADHD-related difficulties, like impulsivity or difficulty staying focused, but in fact, studies show that the kids with ADHD who struggle the most academically are those who have the greatest difficulty with organization. When children are disorganized, its harder for them to find their materials and get started right away, they have a harder time blocking out the visual clutter so they can stay on task, and their self-esteem can suffer if they are frequently criticized for their messy work area by parents and teachers and are teased by peers who label them as the messy student in the classroom. While it may appear that a disorganized child with ADHD is careless or sloppy, often these students care very much about their materials and wish they could have a neat desk like their classmates. The problem is that the executive functioning skills required for organization are underdeveloped, making it almost impossible for them to maintain an organized desk and work area on their own. For kids with ADHD, getting organized and staying organized requires structure and support from their teacher and repeated practice of organizational skills and strategies. Here is a simple 5 step process that will help the student get the support that they need: Do an initial desk clean out with the child. At a time when there are no other students in the classroom, do a complete desk clean out with the student. Everything should come out of the desk, and only the absolute minimum number of items should go back in. Fewer materials in the desk means there will be less to keep track of an organize on a day-to-day basis. Create an itemized checklist and tape it to the top of the desk. Make a checklist that includes every item the student needs to keep in the desk. The rule should be that if an item is not on the checklist, then it does not belong in the desk. If the student wants to put something in the desk that is not on the list, then he or she needs to ask permission and either update the list (if its a permanent addition) or take the item back home with at the end of the day so it doesnt create clutter. Schedule a daily desk check-in. At the end of each day, review the desk checklist with the student. Make sure only checklist items are in the desk and clear out any clutter that may have accumulated throughout the day. Over time you can have the student go through the checklist alone and call you over when he or she is ready for you to review his or her progress. Alternatively, if there is a kind, organized student in the classroom, you can have that student be a peer helper who is responsible for helping the student go through the checklist and clear out the clutter. Provide praise and rewards. Remember that keeping a desk organized is an extremely challenging task for many students with ADHD. Provide a lot of praise when you complete the daily check-ins, and when the desk is looking particularly neat, snap a picture to share with the students parents so the student can receive praise at home as well. Some kids may need to receive rewards as well to stay motivated. You can provide rewards either by adding a daily desk organization goal to his or her daily report card, or by providing small stickers or incentives at the end of each day. Review and update the desk checklist with the student monthly. As the curriculum changes throughout the year the student may need to add or remove items from the desk checklist. Review the checklist with the student and ask if there are items on the list that he or she is no longer using, or if there are things he or she needs regularly that arent in the desk or on the list. Actively engaging the student in this process will help him or her feel a sense of ownership over his or her organization and will help him or her develop valuable skills that he or she will be able to use independently in the future. While its unlikely that a child with ADHD will go from being highly disorganized to the neatest student in the classroom overnight, with a few supportive strategies and daily practice the student can keep his or her materials reasonably organized and will no longer stand out as having a desk thats the messiest one in the room. ABOUT DR. MARY ROONEY Mary Rooney, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco. Dr Rooney is a researcher and clinician specializing in the evaluation and treatment of ADHD and co-occurring behavioral, anxiety, and mood disorders. A strong advocate for those with attention and behavior problems, Dr. Rooney is committed to developing and providing comprehensive, cutting edge treatments tailored to meet the unique needs of each child and adolescent. Dr. Rooney's clinical interventions and research avenues emphasize working closely with parents and teachers to create supportive, structured home and school environments that enable children and adolescents to reach their full potential. In addition, Dr. Rooney serves as a consultant and ADHD expert to Huntington Learning Centers. ABOUT HUNTINGTON Huntington Learning Center is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students of all levels succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntington's mission is to give every student the best education possible. Call us today at 1.800.CAN LEARN to discuss how Huntington can help your child. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. This website does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The material on this site is provided for educational purposes only.