Tuesday, March 24, 2020

5 Reasons Why Your Body Language Might Be Holding You Back - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / 5 Reasons Why Your Body Language Might Be Holding You Back - Introvert Whisperer 5 Reasons Why Your Body Language Might Be Holding You Back SELF-PROMOTION Let me emphasize that Self-Promotion doesn’t have to be obnoxious to be effective.  But, if you don’t Self-Promote you, who will?  If you ever want to get ahead, you have to learn how to Self-Promote. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my video that shows you simple, yet effective ways to Self-Promote. Start watching now by clicking here! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

Friday, March 6, 2020

GCSE Geography Revision Tips, Tricks, and Strategies

GCSE Geography Revision Tips, Tricks, and Strategies We're Here to Help with GCSE Exam Preparation. ChaptersRevising Geography DifferentlyWhat Geography OffersOnline Revision Resources for GCSE GeographyCase StudiesFind Geographical Information in Newspapers and MagazinesGCSE Textbooks and Revision WorkbooksUsing Past Papers for Geography GCSEsPreparing for Geography Exams with a Private TutorRelaxing, and Self-CareConclusionRevising for your examinations can be a little stressful. It can be frustrating, a little dull, and often lonely. We all feel like this when working on our own towards assessments which our teachers tell us are of the utmost importance or completely crucial to our lives.This pressure is not entirely fair. You know that it’s not exactly the most helpful thing in the world and, as you get older, you’ll see that it’s also not actually entirely true. SerenaGeography Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoelGeography Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChloeGeography Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Matth ewGeography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DavidGeography Teacher 5.00 (10) £32/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ConnieGeography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LaurieGeography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamGeography Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsRevising Geography DifferentlyBelow, you’ll find some tips and guidance about how to excel in your revision. But first, let’s try and change the way we think about exam preparation.Firstly, no matter what happens, it’s not the end of the world. GCSE exams are important, yes, but you needn’t strain yourself or push yourself far too hard in the subjects you are studying. As you’ve probably heard, to study efficiently and effectively is better than working hard. Secondly, let’s try to cultivate an enjoyment of the subject you are studying. This doesn’t mean that you have to love every bit. But you will find revision much easie r if you can appreciate at least some parts of the curriculum. A small proportion is enough. So, sit down and think through the syllabus, and try to recognise a favourite part. Or alternatively, think about something that you enjoy and try to fit it into the framework of the exam â€" as this will encourage you to revise a little more.A meander - every geography student's favourite landform, for some reason.What Geography OffersWhen it comes to geography â€" whether human geography or physical geography â€" you will find that there will be things that do interest you. If you have ever been interested in injustice in the world, you might benefit from delving further into ideas such as the urban environment, globalization and development, and global warming.If, on the other hand, you have always been someone who likes science â€" chemistry maybe, or biology â€" you could spend more time thinking about the ecology or geology parts of your programme.Geography is interesting and, whilst y ou may not immediately think so, it is such a broad subject that there must be at least one thing that makes you want to pay closer attention. So, before anything else, find that thing, and let your appreciation of it help with moving you towards your examination and your subsequent achievement. It’s worth taking a moment to do this, as it will help your enthusiasm in the long run. Online Revision Resources for GCSE GeographyOnce you have thought about what you like, it’s time to get started. And one of the best ways to begin â€" interactive, enjoyable, and effective in its attempt to get facts to actually stick â€" is through the internet.There are hundreds of different resources available and, over your course of revision, you’ll find the ones that suit you best. BBC BitesizeBBC’s Bitesize is an institution, having provided students of geography and other subjects with articles, information, and quizzes that are clear, fun, and engaging. Whether it’s cultural geography y ou are studying or something like hydrology â€" the fancy term for the study of water â€" you’ll find all the fundamental facts that you require for your geography course.Revision WorldA competitor to Bitesize is Revision World, a site that compiles information on every topic in your geography specification. Whilst this site is less interactive in its approach â€" as it is merely a compilation of texts â€" the details given are comprehensive. It’s a perfect site for those looking for quick facts and concepts. They cover everything from coastal and river landscape to population, resource management, and tectonic activity.Internet GeographyFinally, for this section, try Internet Geography. This is a website that focuses mainly on physical geography, from coasts and erosion to environmental problems, earthquakes, and ecosystems. Whilst not specifically directed towards your course, it is a great resource for those looking to find information which isn’t immediate, obvious, and wh ich the examiners haven’t necessarily seen a hundred times before.An incredible geography case study for urbanisation: La Paz, Bolivia.Case StudiesAll geography topics at GCSE will have a relevant case study that you will need to research and know. These are important as they tie the theoretical ideas that you will be taught to the real world in which we live. Whether it’s on the preparation for an outcome of a particular volcano or earthquake, or on the management of space within the boundaries of a city, case studies will make you look at the world outside of your classroom.How best can you learn these things then? As said above, you should first find a case study that you know or that might be interesting to you. Do you live in a big city that might be interesting to think about in terms of urban geography? Do you remember a particular earthquake â€" or have you been to a place that experienced one recently? A personal attachment to the case study will make you more intereste d in the topic! SerenaGeography Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoelGeography Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChloeGeography Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MatthewGeography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DavidGeography Teacher 5.00 (10) £32/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ConnieGeography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LaurieGeography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamGeography Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsFind Geographical Information in Newspapers and MagazinesWe have been talking about finding ways to enjoy your studying. For a learner this is key! Yet, we have not mentioned one of the most interesting ways to develop the breadth of your knowledge of the topics you have studied.This is reading newspapers and magazines. Whilst you might think that only adults read these things, they are super helpful in giving you up-to-date information on every different subject. Try a newspaper like The Guardian or The Times, or a beautiful magazine like National Geographic or Geographical. Just flick through them and see what you find, but we bet that you’ll come across something that both interests you and is relevant to your course.GCSE Textbooks and Revision WorkbooksIn terms of taking in geographical knowledge, then, the final important resource that you can use is textbooks, workbooks, and revision books. These will be designed to fit your course â€" in terms of content and exam structure â€" and so will make up an important part of the organisation of your revision.In these books â€" from CGP, My Revision Notes, and Revise Edexcel, just as examples â€" will be explained the fundamental concepts for your course â€" alongside every different requirement of your particular exam board. They are listed here last as people often rely too much on these books, copying by rote the information included and looking nowhere else. This isn’t advised, as it is usually this that makes revision experiences so unpleasant!Using Past Papers for Geography GCSEsAs you will see in our article on GCSE geography past papers, an essential part of your revision timetable should be dedicated to these. Whilst people often recoil from them in horror, they are incredibly helpful â€" and, once finished, they can give you a real sense of satisfaction.Past papers are great for giving you a sense of the knowledge you have gained during your revision and the areas that you still need to teach yourself. This is essential to keeping track of your progression, and it can be a real reassurance that you can actually do it!It also helps you nail your exam technique and makes you aware of the pace you need to go at to finish the exam on time. This, as the examiner’s report will make clear, is one of the main problems that a geography pupil might face â€" so give this your attention too!Preparing for Geography Ex ams with a Private TutorIf you are still struggling with maybe cartography, reading tables, understanding a particular model, or in another of the key skills you will need for your exam, you can get in touch with a private tutor. These will explain or help to walk you through every conceptual issue that you might be facing, and they are, more often than not, university alumni who are very experienced and knowledgeable in their field.Superprof is a great place to find such a tutor â€" for sessions over Skype, or in person, wherever you are.Once you've finished your geography revision, remember to do something relaxing, please.Relaxing, and Self-CareThis, finally, is the most important point of all: during the whole process of revision, make sure that you are well-rested, well-fed, and well-supported by friends and family. Revising is hard and, at the end of the day, you are absolutely entitled to relax and chill out. There is no point working so hard that you fall asleep at your desk !Remember that revision is not a competition, so seek the help of your friends and family â€" as they may well have the answers to the questions with which you are struggling.Good luck!ConclusionIf you are an A Level student, try our guides to A Level geography past papers and A Level geography revision. There's a general guide to geography revision as well.

How to Conquer Your Public Speaking Nerves - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / How to Conquer Your Public Speaking Nerves - Introvert Whisperer How to Conquer Your Public Speaking Nerves Whether youre a first-year student or a seasoned professional with years of work experience, public speaking is a common fear that can affect anyone. Even politicians and celebrities suffer from stage fright, so the good news is that it doesn’t have to stop you from having a successful career. Whilst it could take time and practice to conquer your nerves, once you’ve got to grips with the basics, your new found confidence will definitely come in handy when it comes to going to job interviews and giving presentations. The Science Bit Glossophobia is the fancy name for a phobia of speaking in public, and whilst your fear might not be a full-blown phobia, identifying why you’re feeling nervous is the first step in your battle to becoming a more confident public speaker. There are all sorts of reasons that anxiety can set in before speaking in public. When we feel were in a threatening situation, our body goes into fight or flight mode which triggers feelings of panic. And whilst delivering a presentation to a room full of people might not be life-threatening, it can still be pretty overwhelming. Humans are sensitive souls and when all eyes are on you its perfectly normal to feel concerned about stumbling over your words or dropping your notes. Face Your Fears There’s a whole wealth of research out there suggesting that the best way to get over your fears is to face them head-on. In his TED Talk entrepreneur and best selling author Tim Ferriss says “fear is an indicator. Sometimes it shows you what you shouldn’t do. More often than not it shows you exactly what you should do”. Susan Jeffer’s best-selling book ‘Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway’ advocates a similar concept and gives practical advice for turning negative thoughts and feelings into ones of power and positivity. Practice Makes Perfect The old adage ‘practice makes perfect’ definitely rings true for public speaking. If you feel more prepared and confident then youre less likely to feel panicky on the day. Practice in front of the mirror, your family, your cat. Whatever makes you feel most comfortable. Getting some honest feedback may help too (your cat might not be able to help you with that one though). Your nerves may not disappear overnight but research shows that by exposing ourselves to fear, the less intimidating it becomes over time. You never know, you might even end up enjoying it! Organise Your Way to Confidence Feeling calm and in control can do big things for overcoming your public speaking anxieties. If youre going for a job interview then really familiarise yourself with the job role and the company’s background, products and culture. Worrying about tough interview questions might be making you nervous, so look at the job spec and personal requirements and try to anticipate the sorts of things that they might ask you. If youre making a presentation then check through your any digital slides you’ve prepared and print out a few emergency notes in case of technical issues. The name of the game is that it’s always better to be over prepared than under prepared!     And… Relax The night before your public speaking gig, try and get lots of sleep and do whatever helps you relax. Everybody is different when it comes to relaxation techniques but try to find something that works for you whether that’s going for a brisk walk, reading a book or having a long hot soak in the bath. Author Bio Emily Valentine writes for Inspiring Interns, which specialises in sourcing candidates for  internships and graduate jobs. Go to top Personal Branding starts with how well you speak about YOU.  I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook â€" The Definitive Guide to Creating and Using an Elevator Speech.  In this guide, I give you simple to follow instructions for creating a “wardrobe” of ways to talk about you â€" to leave a lasting impression. Get your copy now! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Why Advanced Degrees Are Becoming More Popular

Why Advanced Degrees Are Becoming More Popular Employers have raised their standards to the point where many now require a masters degree instead of a bachelors degree, according to an article in the New York Times. Employers can be very selective in whom they hire as the unemployment rate rises. Combine that with the fact that a higher percentage of people now have bachelors degrees than they did 10 years ago, and careers are just looking bleak for recent college graduates. The masters is now the fastest growing degree, as 657,000 were awarded in 2009, twice as many since the 1980s. The rate has skyrocketed in the past few years as many with bachelor degrees could not find jobs. About 2 out of every 25 people (aged 25 or older) now have masters degree, which is about the same ratio that had bachelors degrees or higher in the 1960s. Some education experts attribute the rise to more specific degrees. Typically, a bachelors degree is a very general degree in business or marketing. However, masters degrees are becoming much more specific than they used to be. Students can earn masters degrees in supply chain management and in managing mission-driven organizations, which prove to be very useful because employers know they do not have to take a business major or a marketing major and mold him/her into a supply chain manager. Specific masters degrees can help employers select more qualified employees and cut down on training time. This type of job-specific education has helped create a new degree, the professional science masters or P.S.M. Only a handful of schools offered this degree a few years ago; however, 239 programs now offer it, making the P.S.M. the fastest growing degree in America. Many of the P.S.M. degrees are in the STEM areas (science, technology, engineering and math) because these fields have grown to be very specific and complex. College administrators figured that their students need to get jobs once they graduate. So, they are now adjusting their degrees to make their students more qualified to enter the labor force, rather than giving them a broad education. Some economists believe that the college degree is devaluing. They argue that colleges have become too lenient in admissions and are simply turning out more graduates than the economy can handle. Therefore, students need masters degrees to stand out. Some employers admit that people dont need masters degrees to be successful in their fields. Some even say that bachelors degrees are not even necessary. But, when all three candidates are available at about the same price why wouldnt they hire the most educated ones?

Solving Challenging Behavior Problems with the Collaborative and Proactive Solutions Model

Solving Challenging Behavior Problems with the Collaborative and Proactive Solutions Model The Collaborative and Proactive Solutions (CPS) model (described in a previous post)is a treatment approach that views challenging behaviors as a symptom of a gap between a childs skills and an adults expectations. The CPS model doesnt target challenging behaviors directly by emphasizing rewards and punishments. Instead, it focuses on identifying problem areas and the skills that a child needs to develop and/or the expectations that adults need to adjust. Once the problem areas are identified, the CPS approach outlines three ways parents and teachers can choose to respond. Plan A represents a common response to challenging behaviors. When a child doesnt do what they have been asked, parents and teachers simply announce their solution to the problem without engaging the child. Teachers may announce that classwork must be done before the child can have free play. Parents may announce that the child has 20 minutes to get ready in the morning, and if they are late getting out the door, they will lose their tablet for the rest of the day. These announcements are often made in the heat of the moment, in a raised tone of voice, and with more than a little frustration. While parent- or teacher-driven solutions are often necessary for children with ADHD, they need to be planned out in advance and implemented calmly and consistently. Plan C focuses on the adults expectations and actually emphasizes dropping an expectation temporarily if it consistently leads to problem behavior. While this may seem counterintuitive, dropping an expectation can be helpful when its done within the context of a larger plan. Kids with ADHD have many skill-expectation gap areas and it is simply not possible to address all of these areas at once. Dropping lower-priority expectations in the short term will help you make progress on high-priority expectations more quickly. Plan B is comprised of three basic steps that form the core of the CPS approach: Step 1: Practice empathy. The adult is focused on hearing the childs perspective on the problem. In this step, the adults only job is to hear what the child has to say, ask clarifying questions if needed, and empathize with the child. Step 2: Define adult concerns. In this step, the adult expresses their point of view and concerns about the problem. They do this without blaming the child but may highlight ways in which the situation is negatively affecting the child, the adult, or others. Step 3: Invite the child to discuss solutions. Here, the child is invited to participate in a brainstorming session with the adult to identify possible solutions. In most situations, the brainstorming sessions will result in at least one identified skill that the child can develop. Other strategies will include things like simplifying routines, getting things done the night before school so mornings arent so hectic, keeping an extra set of school books at home if the child repeatedly forgets materials needed to complete homework assignments, and so on. This step, when done well, ultimately results in a clear, actionable plan that the child and the adult can easily follow through on. As part of this step, the child and adult agree to engage in a follow-up brainstorming session if their strategies and solutions dont go according to plan. The CPS model is a flexible approach that can be applied to a wide range of challenging behaviors associated with ADHD. It also teaches problem-solving skills that, if practiced repeatedly, become a tool that your child can eventually use on their own. These skills will be especially valuable as your child gains independence while navigating the challenges that come with middle school, high school, and beyond. If you would like to learn more about how to use the CPS model with your child, check out the Lives In the Balance website, maintained by a non-profit organization founded by Dr. Green, the developer of the CPS approach. 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.

The Final Phonecall

The Final Phonecall Most of the best tutors I know make time to call a student after they have finished working together. I’ve done this consistently for the last decade and have found it not only good for business but… …hugely fulfilling on a personal level. Every student is different, however there are a number of things that most of these calls have in common. I usually thank them for working hard, ‘for making my job easier by putting in the effort’, and give them credit for how far they’ve come. If I’ve done my job well, there will have been changes in their studies. Even if this isn’t reflected in huge grade increases, it will be evident in their attitude to school and work in general. Most of my students start off hating Maths and/or Science, so this can be something else to mention: ‘I want to acknowledge you for putting the work in even though it’s a subject you hate so much!’ I will then ask them if there’s anything they want to ask or say to me. Usually there isn’t much to be said, but it does allow them to get anything that’s been worrying them off their chests. Things like, ‘I don’t know if I worked hard enough.’ Your job at this point is mostly to listen to them and understand why they may feel this way. Maybe they could have worked harder, but sometimes part of your job is to encourage them to ease up a little. Don’t invalidate their feelings by saying something like, ‘You’re wrong’. If you do disagree with them, instead say something along the lines of: ‘I understand why you might feel that way. Actually I think you could not have worked any harder.’ Very often I find myself saying how much I’ve enjoyed working with them. I try to give specific examples of what I’ve learnt from them, too. It’s rare that I meet a student who I don’t learn something from (even if it’s about Pokemon cards). Finally, I will end the call by thanking them for trusting in me and wishing them good luck in the future. There are three reasons why these phone calls can be a good idea: 1. Positive reinforcement for the student. One of the greatest lessons a person can learn in life is that working hard is far more important than grades. Grades should be a reward of working hard, but not the only focus of a student. By acknowledging how hard they’ve worked and how far they’ve come, you’re helping them to see that in the future (especially when they’re struggling with something) they can overcome it with perseverance. This is particularly effective if you can remind them of a specific topic or exam question they couldn’t do in the beginning and now can.  2. It provides both of you with closure on your time together. When any relationship comes to an end, including the working relationship between tutor and student closure can be important for both of you. There are a number of papers and articles (most available online) that discuss this topic in great detail. You might find it useful to look at papers that specifically deal with the  need for cognitive closure in education. 3. Positive memories. Very often the student’s last memory of you is in the context of a stressed and hurried final lesson just before an exam. By making this phone call you can leave the student (and their family) with a positive memory of you. This is also comes in handy when they recommend you to friends or if younger siblings eventually need a tutor. It can take time to get used to making this kind of call, but it’s often during these conversations that I’m reminded of why I love tutoring so much.

Why Do You Need Renters Insurance

Why Do You Need Renters Insurance Image via Pexels All of the nuts and bolts, fine print and red tape that comes with moving into a place of your own can be a chore to say the least, but while the excitement is looming, don’t forget to look ahead and think about emergencies such as fire, flood, smoke, theft, vandalism, lightning, and other nature disasters that could occur. A main part of thinking about such probable causes is obtaining the protection you need which can be found in renters insurance. So what is renters insurance and why do I need it? Here’s the short, simple version. Rental insurance is basically coverage of damages to personal possessions. It covers everything that you own such as furniture, clothes, electronic devices, books â€" you name it. It also provides liability protection if someone is injured in your place and wants to hold you responsible for the incident. For example, if your apartment burns down and your roommate suffers second-degree burns, then renters insurance (the liability coverage part) will protect you from liability, having to pay out of pocket for his injuries. Another example is if your dog bites the postman and he chooses to sue you for injuries, renters insurance will cover the medical costs and the court costs. Additionally, if your home is unusable for a certain time, most forms of renters insurance will provide funding for you to stay in a temporary place that is at least comparable, in some cases better, than your current apartment. Well, you might be saying my landlord has insurance on the apartment, why should I get it on my own? Isn’t that like double insurance? Yes and no. The insurance your landlord buys only covers the apartment building which is the just the physical building structure. It does not include any of your personal belongings. So if an apartment building were to burn down, the landlord’s insurance would kick in to restore the building only. Renters insurance kicks in to restore your personal possessions. Of course, this is not the fun part about having your own place, but it is a lot easier, a lot more fun, and a lot less stress and headaches if you pay for renters insurance on a monthly basis and then, if, on the slim chance, there is an emergency, you are prepared long before it happens. So, I’m sold on getting renters insurance, but what exactly will it cover? OH, MY STUFF: Of course, as mentioned above, renters insurance covers most of your personal belongings in the event of fire, theft, vandalism, and water damage (for example, in my own case, if your washing machine backs up and begins to overflow). However, most renters insurance companies do not cover damage from more severe events such as earthquakes, flooding, landslides and so forth. You may need to check for a separate policy or an add-on to your insurance policy if you live in a part of the country in which such weather is prone to happen (earthquakes on the west cost or hurricanes on the east coast for example). Additionally, most renters insurance companies have a limit as to how much coverage will be given on certain items. For example, $1,000 may be the coverage limit for fur coats and Gucci handbags; $2,000 for furniture; $3,000 for electronics. This means that if you have three fur coats and two Gucci handbags that total $3,500, then $2,500 is going to have to come out of your pocket, not from the insurance company. If your electronics total $7,000, then $4,000 worth of electronics will be up to you to kick out if you want those items back. Further, if you have expensive jewelry such as engagement or wedding rings, a personal article policy add-on may be helpful to you. It costs a few bucks more but if you have multiple items that are special to you, then it will be worth it. OH, MY LIVING: As mentioned earlier, if something were to happen to your apartment that made it completely unfit to live in, then renters insurance would cover any expenses incurred with moving to another place including certain bills at least for a reasonable time and in some cases, the cost of food and travel expenses. OH, MY LIABILITY: Negligence resulting in an accident to someone else physically or to property is covered by renters insurance (dog bites postman, for example). However, some other types of negligence are not covered by insurance. If you own a home business and someone doesn’t get their products in the timeframe promised and they want to sue, you need small business insurance to cover this. You get into a car accident and run over someone’s mailbox, you need auto insurance for this. You get injured at work and are unable to continue working for six months, you need disability insurance for this. There are many types of different insurance out there and it is important to know which one is right for you. So, I’m definitely getting renters insurance. What’s the cost? And where do I get it? On average, renters insurance policies cover anywhere from $25,000 to $55,000 for apartments and upwards of $100,00 for homes. The first question you want to ask yourself is how much does your stuff cost. Make an itemized list of every important thing in your apartment furniture, electronics, clothes, and any other personal items of worth. Second, take pictures or record video of everything so that if you don’t know the price, you can search for the item by photo or video and find the same or similar pricing. Take this list to your insurance agency and together you can determine how much coverage you need. Insurance prices as well as liability limits vary by state. You can start by communicating with the agent who insures your vehicle and check for a bundle package. This will keep all your insurance in one place and give you a much lower cost per month. When we moved to our new place, we got a bundle package for our property and vehicle for a reasonably lower cost than getting both separately. Almost all major insurance companies provide renters insurance. A basic policy should cost anywhere from $20 to $30 a month and that’s not a whole lot. Think of renters insurance like a plan B. You may never even get to use it, but the pennies for peace of mind is simply smart and worth it.

5 Ways Parents can Prevent Learning Loss over Summer Vacation - ALOHA Mind Math

5 Ways Parents can Prevent Learning Loss over Summer Vacation “The more you read the more things you know. The more you learn the more places you go.” Dr. Seuss. Non-structured days, swimming, playing ball, bicycling, and camp are just some of the summer activities children love during their three month hiatus from reading, writing, arithmetic and other studies. However, this lax and non-educational routine harms children. Do you remember each fall revisiting the material you already knew? That is because teachers must spend 4 to 6 weeks reviewing concepts and lessons taught the previous year for those who did not retain the material during the summer vacation. According the Johns Hopkins University Center for Summer Learning, on average, students lose approximately 2.6 months of grade level equivalency in mathematical computation skills during their summer vacation. What can be done to prevent brain drain? Enroll your child in your library’s summer reading program. Instead of your child watching television or playing videogames, head to the library and ask for assistance in locating books on superheroes, horses, or whatever interests them. Each summer most libraries offer reading programs for adults and children. Libraries may offer participants prizes and programs during and after the program ends. Read to your child.When parents spend time reading to their young children, they are more apt to learn and improve language and social skills. This in turn also develops confidence. Select a regular time to read to your child and eventually this could become a highly anticipated activity. Limit Electronics.Turn off the TV, computer, phone, tablet, and handheld games. There are between one and five types of electronics in most households. Children and adults are attached to their mobile devices more than ever before, even multitasking while watching television. A year ago psychologist Dr Aric Sigman told the BBC that the average 10 year-old had access to five different screens at home. He stated that the prolonged screen time could lead to reductions in a child’s attention span because of its effects on the brain, leading to screen addiction. Incorporate math activities into the daily schedule. Number sense is important for your child’s success. For example, children could review counting random items to everyday math, such as helping set the table and counting out the correct number of utensils for family members. Learn and enhance children’s fraction knowledge with music.Students participating in a study learning fractions involving music scored 50 percent higher on tests than their peers who learned from traditional instruction methods. “Academic Music” article Educational Studies in Mathematics October 2012 Volume 81, Issue 2 pp. 251-278 then republished by Scientific American. No doubt children are exuberant for summer vacation, as are their teachers. In order for them to avoid significant loss of learning over the summer, children need regular skill building, problem solving, and enrichment activities to retain and enrich what they learned during the school year and excel. Contact ALOHA Mind Math http://alohamindmath.com for further assistance and for summer reading and math program specials.