TakeLessons Rock Star Teacher of the Week Joshua M.

TakeLessons Rock Star Teacher of the Week Joshua M. ksurmacewicz This weeks Rock Star Teacher of the Week is the multi-talented Joshua M., who teaches several subjects including singing, acting and music performance in the Washington, DC area.   A graduate of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Joshua has a strong background and interest in musical theater and also studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.   In addition to his role as a TakeLessons certified instructor,   Joshua has worked as a Musical Director/Rehearsal Pianist for many shows within the NY/NJ/DC tri-state area and serves as the Co-Artistic Director of No Rules Theatre Company based out of Washington, DC and Winston-Salem, NC. He remains active in theater and has performed in, written and directed a number of   musicals; some of his notable performance credits include roles in Godspell, Othello, Show Boat, Sweeney Todd, and Les Miserables. Joshua believes in creating a strong foundation for his students to learn, and focuses primarily on breath, placement and eliminating bad vocal habits early on so that students can grow and develop new skills.   His students describe him as easy to work with and incredibly patient, and praise his ability to help them understand the core principles and underlying concepts of singing and acting. Congratulations on a job well done, Joshua!

Why One School Is Rejecting Technology

Why One School Is Rejecting Technology Computers, tablets, smartphones, social media, smart boards have been all the rage in education the past few years. Some schools are adopting these practices seemingly because everyone else is doing it. But one school, the Waldorf School of the Peninsula in Silicon Valley, is refusing to join the trend, according to an article in the New York Times. The school just uses the traditional pens and paper without computes. In fact, the school does not allow any screens at all, and it even frowns upon students using them at home. The Silicon Valley school is one of about 160 Waldorf schools in the country that have all adopted a teaching philosophy focused on physical activity and learning through creative, hands-on tasks. The schools believe that computers hinder creativity, movement, human interaction and attention spans. The schools philosophy is nearly 100 years old, but it intensifies the current debate about the role of technology in the classroom. I fundamentally reject the notion you need technology aids in grammar school, Alan Eagle, 50, whose daughter, Andie, is one of the 196 children at the Waldorf elementary school; his son William, 13, is at the nearby middle school Times. The idea that an app on aniPadcan better teach my kids to read or do arithmetic, thats ridiculous. Eagle, however, works at Google and uses an iPad, smartphone and other gadgets, but sees no need for his kids to be introduced to them at a young age. Many of the Waldorf students parents actually work at huge tech companies like eBay, Google, Apple, Yahoo and Hewlett-Packard. Other schools have spent their time and money stocking up on as much technologically-advanced gadgets, thinking they would improve students learning and interest. But, Waldorf equipped with its chalkboards, wooden desks and No. 2 pencils thinks differently. It says all those gadgets just distract students. The schools equipment may be antiquated and mundane; however, its teaching methods are fairly uncommon. The school teaches problem-solving, patterning and math skills by knitting wooden needles around balls of yarn. And it teaches multiplication by having students turn their bodies into lightning bolts. The teacher asks students what four times five is, and collectively, they all shout 20 and zap their fingers at the number on a blackboard. Its an activity a room full of iPad-focused students could not do. Younger students learned language skills by repeating verses after their teacher, as they play catch with bean bags. Its an activity that synchronizes body and brain. The school believes that technology just limits students learning and creativity. However, schools that implement technology argue that it interests students and makes them more enthusiastic about learning. They also argue it introduces students to the technology they will probably be using in their future careers.

Top 10 Essay Editing Tips

Top 10 Essay Editing Tips For many students who struggle with writing, the difficulty has more to do with editing. Learning to self-edit can be a struggle for even the most seasoned writers and for those just getting started, it may present a significant obstacle. Because writing is something youll use throughout your life, it is important that you learn how to effectively edit those essays now. Though a computer program can offer useful suggestions for spelling and grammar, and a second pair of eyes is always a welcome addition, learning to self-edit is an invaluable skill. Here are our top 10 essay editing tips to help you master this skill: 1. Recognize the difference between editing and proofreading Both editing and proofreading are important steps of the writing process, but theyre quite different. While proofreading focuses on surface errors (spelling, grammar, punctuation), full editing includes looking at things like tone, overall flow, paragraph structure, messaging, and content. Develop a process that involves both proofreading and editing as one to turn in the best possible work. [RELATED: 4 Confusing Grammar Rules Cleared Up] 2. Read for each error type It can be difficult to catch multiple kinds of errors at once when youre reading an essay, so make sure you read and revise several times. Each sweep of the paper, look for a different error type. Maybe the first time through youre looking for typos, followed by punctuation, etc. 3. Read backwards Were not talking about entirely backwards we still want your words to make sense! Just take your paper a sentence at a time. This will force you to look at your words at the sentence level, catching small mistakes that you may otherwise overlook. If you are prone to sentence fragments, this trick will be of great use. 4. Change the format Sometimes, all your brain needs to catch errors is a change of form. If youve written the essay on the computer, print it out. A printed copy is a great way to proofread and edit you can use different color inks to mark trouble spots and get a good visual representation of the editing map before you. Moreover, your eyes wont tire out as quickly from all that screen time. 5. Explore your resources Many students struggle with writing simply because they dont know what theyre up against. Take some time to familiarize yourself with potential resources you may have access to. For instance, is there a writing center or peer-editing program at your school? Does your school subscribe to an editing program or offer staff assistance? Perhaps youd benefit from in-depth writing tutoring. Learn what resources are around you and dont be afraid to use them throughout your academic writing career. 6. Give yourself some distance When we spend a lot of time writing something, there often isnt enough distance to give it a proper edit. We tend to skim because were so familiar with the text, overlooking potential errors. If you can, give yourself at least a day in between writing and editing. This planning will help you learn to edit more effectively and give you the time and space required to properly draft your work. 7. Reread the directions One of the most common mistakes students make is failing to comply with all directions given by the instructor. Before you turn in your essay, go back and look at the prompt again. Check for things like style appropriateness, clarity, and correct citations. Give your paper a final read-through to make sure youve met all requirements of an assignment. 8. Examine each paragraph alone Go back through your essay and look at each paragraph as an individual unit. Are your paragraphs fully developed? Each should have a topic sentence followed by supporting evidence, so revise as necessary. Make sure your paper transitions well from paragraph to paragraph as well. Creating a reverse outline can be a useful way to check for such organization. 9. Read aloud Though it sounds simple, reading aloud is one of the best things you can do to proofread your work. At no point is an extra word or misspelling more clear than when you come across it while verbalizing your words. You may feel silly at first, but you cant argue with the results! You can read out loud to yourself in a quiet room, to a group of people, or even to your pet youll notice wordy or awkward sentences, issues with language, and tone. 10. Give yourself some room for mistakes Writing is a lifelong learning process, so if you struggle with editing and proofreading in the beginning, give yourself a little credit. There are resources around you to help you learn to be a great self-editor. Spend some time familiarizing yourself with language by reading a lot, writing trial essays, and peer editing with a friend so you can both provide insights to each other. By doing these things consistently, you'll already be on your way to becoming a better writer and editor. Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

A Guide to Finding and Using GCSE English Past Papers

A Guide to Finding and Using GCSE English Past Papers Find GCSE English Past Papers Online for English Literature English Language ChaptersWhy Doing English Past Papers Is A Great Form Of RevisionHow Should You Use Past Papers?What Can Be Learnt From Completing Past Papers?Where To Find Past Papers For English CoursesIf you are currently wondering about past papers and how they can benefit you, the chances are that you are coming into your final year of the GCSE course and are subsequently in need of some tips for the exam. If, however, you are only just embarking on the GCSE journey, then well done for starting to think seriously about your course and revision for exams already.As an English student, you will be used to analytical reading and the idea of understanding what a text’s meaning is. How about if we told you that taking this and applying it to the exam mark scheme, which is readily available to all students enrolled on the course, is the recipe for success? Yes, really! The information you need to ace the exam is all there, it is what you do with it that will determine the final outcome.So many pupi ls enter the exam hall with a huge sense of apprehension, but this is so easily avoidable. Exam boards provide you with information about the way in which papers are graded, what skills must be displayed to reach particular grades and they even provide examples of tests taken in previous years.What could give you a better understanding of what your exam paper might look like than seeing an actual past paper on the desk in front of you?There really is no need to feel nervous going in to an exam if you have done the necessary preparations. Photo credit: Maxwell GS via VisualHuntAlthough it cannot be said that the board is giving you the answers, which in any case is impossible due to the subject being completely subjective, you can take away the tips, instructions and documents mentioned in this post and use them to help you to excel in this subject, particularly when it comes to achieving a good exam performance. 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As previously mentioned, there is no explicitly right or wrong answer with English, as the subject is designed to invoke personal feelings and individual opinions (especially when it comes to English Literature).This is why looking at past papers and, more importantly, reading specimen answers helps you to realise what your own exam might be like and how you will be expected to perform on the day. It will allow you to judge how long you might need to spend on certain sections in order to write a response of a similar calibre, and the volume of terminology required in your answer.Do you know where to find the best online resources to revise for English GCSE? Find out here!How Should You Use Past Papers?Your school may organise a mock exam for you, which is a great trial of your performance under pressure. Even before going in to a mock exam environment though, it is a good idea to have practiced answering past papers either at home or in class.Your teacher may set a classroom task which simulates an exam, making you write responses to questions under timed conditions and with limited resources. If you feel you need or want some extra exam experience though, you can attempt some past papers at home as well.Either way, the key is to stay focused and to take away the maximum from this very valuable experience. If you do plan to work from home, be sure to get yourself ready before the timer starts (i.e. getting a glass of water, going to the toilet, etc...) and ask your family members not to disturb you.In the exam hall, there is strictly no talking, passing notes or any other form of communication allowed so remember to switch your mobile phone off too so that you are not tempted to pause and chat with friends. The idea of past papers is that they are to be used in an environment that recreates the exam setting.If you are completing past papers at home, do not allow yourself to get distracted. Photo credit: DAEllis via Visualhunt.comAs you may or may not know, English exams are often described as closed book assessments which means that texts (even those studied as part of a module) are not allowed to be consulted at any time during the exam. Invigilators will ensure that you only have on your person what is allowed, to be sure that it is a fair test for all students taking the course.Once you have completed your past paper, whether at home or in the classroom, ask your teacher to mark it for you to give you a better understanding of how you are p erforming or improving at different stages of the course. They will then be able to offer you constructive feedback and indicate the areas that you need to go and study harder for.Although past papers are most commonly looked at in the months leading up to the exam period, remember that they are a useful tool throughout your course so start doing them as early as possible to avoid feeling immensely under pressure in your final year.Knowing this essential information is also vital to GCSE English Language success!What Can Be Learnt From Completing Past Papers?Exam-taking is not all about what you know and how well you cope under pressure, it is also about your ability to respond to questions with well-constructed answers and if you successfully display an understanding of key terminology and context. If you familiarise yourself with the types of questions that are commonly asked, you can then work out what exactly it is the examiners are trying to get out of you and keep this in mind while you revise.If you are relatively new to essay-writing or formulating exam-style responses, then completing past papers is great practice as it will help you to learn about techniques specific to English exams.If your nemesis is literature, read these helpful hints!Technique does not come naturally, even to the most talented students, so it is a skill in itself to master ahead of the exam. You may be an excellent writer and full of great ideas, but it might be that your inability to show the examiner what he or she needs to award you the top grades is missing. You can bet that many of the world’s top-selling authors would have had to craft their skill in order to reach the top, and you are no different!In addition, responding to questions under timed conditions will teach you to plan and manage your time effectively. Until now, you have probably not experienced strict exam conditions and had to stop writing when your time is up.Have you had an introduction to English and Lit erature for GCSE?Practice your time management skills so that you are not disappointed after your exam.It can be so upsetting when you run out of time and feel you had so much more to say, so practicing your time management skills can be invaluable in making sure you write down all of your key points. Even if you do not ultimately reach the highest grade, at least you will be satisfied that you could not have done more on the day.Are you a mature student looking to take English GCSE? Congrats, this will go along way to help for English in your professional life.Where To Find Past Papers For English CoursesThe best place to start when looking for past papers is by asking your teacher for some resources. In addition to the ones they set as tasks in the classroom, they may also be able to offer you some alternative papers to try at home. The great thing about going to your teacher is that they will know the level at which you are working and will be able to guide you to a better grade by giving you tips tailored to you as an individual.For instance, they may show you some sample responses which resulted in two or more grades. They might use these to explain to you where you are at now but where you could be with a little extra help and revision. Seeing the difference between an ‘A’ grade and a ‘B’ grade in black and white is perhaps the best possible way to understand what sets an ‘A’ apart from a lower grade.As well as asking your private English tutor, you may be able to source some past papers from your school library, either in paper form or via an electronic catalogue. Past papers for particular exam boards are additionally posted on the individual boards' websites (including AQA, OCR, WJEC and more), so if you are going to search for past papers yourself then be prepared by knowing which specification you are enrolled on.Don't forget about checking marking schemes!Finally, if you have exhausted all avenues, you might look to the Internet to prov ide you with some additional revision resources, like past papers. Even though answering any relevant questions is better than not doing any preparatory  work, you should be cautious of any documents found on unofficial websites as you cannot guarantee these are genuine copies of past exam papers.So as not to be led astray, your best bet is to stick to documents found on government-led or educational websites during your quest to revise for the English exam.If you have any concerns about your performance prior to the exam, then you may wish to speak to your teacher about the possibility of finding someone to offer you private English tuition.On Superprof you can find English tutors in every UK city. Find an  English tutor Glasgow,  English tutor London,  English tutors Manchester or English tuition Leeds with us.

The 2013 PSAT is over now what

The 2013 PSAT is over now what Now that the end of October is upon us, juniors have taken the 2013 PSAT, and some students and parents are wondering: whats next?  If this is you, read on!With the PSAT finished, its time to start thinking about SAT preparation (yes, already).  Many students will take the March 2014 SAT, although some target the January SAT.  AJ Tutoring offers an efficient and effective 9-session SAT program that teaches the content of the math, critical reading, and writing sections of the SAT, and also addresses test-taking techniques and strategies.The PSAT differs from the SAT in a few ways:The PSAT is scored out of 240 points, while the SAT is scored out of 2400.  To get an approximate SAT score, just add a zero to the end of the PSAT score.  PSAT scores are usually released in December.Colleges consider SAT scores, not PSAT scores, for admission purposes.  However, PSAT scores determine eligibility for the National Merit program.The PSAT is shorter than the SAT about two-thirds the len gth.There is no essay on the PSAT, so the writing score on that test is determined solely on the basis of multiple-choice grammar questions.The PSAT and the SAT are both produced by the College Board and test very similar content.  A students PSAT score is generally a good predictor of his or her SAT score.The SAT is offered on four Saturdays in spring 2014: January 25, March 8, May 3, and June 7.  To register for the SAT, please visit the College Boards website.If youve already completed AJ Tutorings 3-session PSAT tutoring program, you might want to continue on for our full 8 or 9-session SAT program.  In our full SAT program, your tutor will extensively review all content tested on the SAT.  Students who complete the full SAT program will take 3 or 4 full-length practice SAT tests, with the option to take them at AJ Tutorings San Jose, Palo Alto, or Menlo Park offices on Saturday mornings.  For more information about how AJ Tutorings SAT program can help you get ready for th e spring 2014 SAT, check out our website  or give us a call at (650) 331-3251.

English Collocations with Education - English Lesson via Skype

English Collocations with Education - English Lesson via Skype Here you will   learn English collocations with Education.  These fixed expressions will help you talk about education in English almost without thinking.   Collocations with Education TO GIVE SOMEONE AN EDUCATIONExample: My parents gave me the best education that money could buy.TO GET AN EDUCATIONExample: My parents always encouraged me to get a third level education.TO INVEST IN EDUCATIONExample: The government will continue to invest in education.TO SAVE FOR EDUCATIONExample: Contact us today if youd like to save for your childs education but dont know where to start.TO RETURN TO EDUCATIONExample: A growing number of young people return to full-time education.TO PAY FOR YOUR EDUCATIONExample: Every month we put money aside to pay for our sons education.GOOD EDUCATIONExample: I really want my children to have good education.HIGHER EDUCATIONExample: The number of students in higher education has doubled in the last ten years.ACCESS TO EDUCATIONExample: Access to higher education has improved, with more students now in university. Collocations with Education PRIVATE EDUCATIONExample: About a quarter of parents with children in private education have help with the fees from their own parents.PRIMARY EDUCATIONExample: The primary education is free and compulsory for children five years of age, and lasts for eight years.  SECONDARY EDUCATIONExample: After class 6, the final year of primary school, pupils leave primary school for secondary education.STANDARD OF EDUCATIONExample: Its very good news, the quality of the standard of education is improving.THE RIGHT TO EDUCATIONExample: The right to education ensures access to quality schools.PRESCHOOL EDUCATIONExample: One important part of improving the standard of education, is improving the standard of preschool education.

Why are Sunsets Red

Why are Sunsets Red If youre just like most people then you feel happy and excited about the beautiful scene of an orange-red sunset. Have you ever asked why are sunsets red? No? Well, go on reading and learn the knowledge to impress your school-aged boy who shows some interest in science The short answer to the question Why are Sunsets Red is because of the Scattering of Light. Light can be regarded as ray or particle. First, lets use the particle model. Our dear sun bombards the earth each day with tons of light particles called photons. Upon entering the atmosphere of our planet Earth these photons interact with the molecules in the air. Most of our atmosphere is made of Nitrogen molecules (N2). When photon hits a Nitrogen molecule it is absorbed and then re-emitted. Physicists would say these photons promote one of the electrons orbiting the Nitrogen nucleus into a higher level. But the new orbit of the electron is not stable. It spirals back to its previous state. When doing so it re-emits one photon. This absorption and emission process is call scattering of light. Now lets apply the ray (or wave) model to the light. Each wave or light has a wave length. It is the wave length which determines the color of light. Red light means a more longer wave length while blue denotes shorter length. Now lets apply our wavelength model to scattering: Shorter wave lengths (blue light) are scattered more intensely than red light. In fact, a small change in wave length has a large impact on scattering. To be precise, scattering is inversely proportional to the cube of the wavelength. In other words, shorter blue light gets scattered much more intensely than longer red light. Using our concept of scattering think of a red sun set as follows: The light coming from our sun as equal portions of red and blue light. Also think of the suns white light to consist only of blue and red components. The red light shines straight through the atmosphere while the shorter blue wave is scattered (washed out) and will shine on observers elsewhere. In other words sunsets are red because the blue light is washed out from the suns whole light spectrum. Only red light remains. Moreover, now you known why the sky is blue: These are the scattered photons criss-crossing our sky until they reach our eyes and do not participate in sun-sets. Setting the intricacies of physics aside, I like to share some trivia about worlds most beautiful sunset. While opinions differ and people would say sunsets are most beautiful in San Francisco, on a Caribbean cruise or in the middle of the sand-swept Sahara, there is a consensus for the worlds most appreciated sunset: This at Oia a place on the Greek island of Santorini. Hundreds gather nightly in Oia, taking up every last inch of space along its rock walls, stairs, gates and pathways to snap photos and give a loud and rousing round of applause as the sun sinks into the Aegean Sea. The last rays creating a spectacular light show over the whitewashed town.

4 Reasons to Take Finance and Economics in College

4 Reasons to Take Finance and Economics in College 4 Reasons to Take Finance and Economics in College 4 Reasons to Take Finance and Economics in College Young people are coming out of college with a lot of knowledge about math, English, and their particular major field of study but they often dont know how to manage their own finances or know how the world of finance and economics works in the United States or globally. Although these classes are not required for students who are studying outside of these majors, it’s something that every student should add to their class roster need more advice on which classes to take? Talk to your Irvine private college tutor. 1. Understanding your own finances Its important for students to be able to learn how to complete basic but essential tasks such as balancing their own checkbook or bank account, understanding the difference between a checking and savings account and what they are for, knowing the difference between a long-term CD and a liquid advantage money market account, overdraft protection, debt consolidation and so on and so forth. If any of these terms are even slightly unfamiliar then students definitely need to be taking college finance courses and should also sit down with their personal banker (READ: Tips from an Irvine college tutor: Warning signs of a college dropout). 2. Understanding the local economy Many students do not understand important factors such as cost of living, standard of living, market value of a job title and other important factors when deciding where to live after college and which companies to seek a job with. Understanding the local economy can also help students determine which major may be most lucrative for them. For instance, a new grad living in Southern California will likely have higher than average job opportunities but much higher than average cost of living. This means that they will be more likely to have a job, either full or part-time, than their counterparts in other states but still may not be able to pay the rent or other bills due to high cost of living. Additionally, moving to a lower cost of living region may not be as simple as it seems because there may be no jobs available at all. The key is to find a balance between cost of living and salary, which is much harder than may first appear. 3. Being knowledgeable about the American economy People who have an in-depth look at the American economy and its history will better understand not only their finances but the economic outlook of their entire nation. This can affect everything from voting for a political candidate to choosing to rent vs. buy a home to making personal and retirement investments. People Who play the stock market or invest in real estate ventures that they dont truly understand will often find themselves in financial trouble if anything goes wrong (think job loss).   If terms such as zero down, subprime loans, balloon payments, and conventional loans are at all unfamiliar, a student is probably in need of a basic Econ class. Studying the economic history of the United States can also help students understand where our country got into financial trouble in decades past and how to recognize economic trends that may repeat or cycle over time. 4. Understanding the global economy Its easy to think that the United States has an isolated economy; however this is not true. If the European Union gets into economic trouble, the US will likely have issues as well, and if the Chinese market goes down, the US may experience difficulties with import and export. The entire world is connected at least to some degree from real estate to oil prices to job availability. Understanding how our global economy is truly connected will help a young person understand, both in theory and in practical applications, how the world economy can affect their personal finances and their future (READ: Study Abroad 101: Staying Healthy). Bottom line Although it may be attempting to take easy elective classes in college, Econ and Finance should be at the top of every student’s list regardless of their major field of study. Although the assignments will be time-consuming and the exams will be difficult, these courses could potentially save a student thousands of dollars over time by knowing how to make   good investments and good personal finance choices in their future. Heading to college this fall? Make sure you take advantage of an Orange County summer academic tutor to make sure youre ready to hit the ground running. Call us before the summer is over! All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us write.