What Is The Newest Innovation In Online Tutoring

What Is The Newest Innovation In Online Tutoring 0SHARESShare The actual biggest innovation is the technology of online tutoring. The process uses several tools apart from emails. Skype, Adobe Connect are systems that integrate voice and text communications principally helpful for synchronous sessions. Choosing the best one depends on the context and the needs. Professionals are recurrently working to improve the system. The technology should be available for both the student and the tutor, and they should feel comfortable using it. Students can buy more than one tutorial for the same uncertainty. The most important modernization of the process is that the system helps students to rate their tutors depending on the quality of reply and assistance they receive. This makes certain that tutors who proffer admirable work time and again rise to the top and get the chance to offer their guidance to more numbers of students. Tutor Pace a well recognized USA based online tutoring website allows you to use Google Docs (now Google Drive). It really helps in sharing files and editing them simultaneously with others. You may even maintain a backup of your work. Peer-to-peer learning, YouTube teaching- learning makes the system well accepted. Now online math tutoring  sessions may be attended from iPads too.   The process facilitates students to solve math problems access algebra worksheets from the comfort of home. Register for online tutoring and discover the innovations. Happy Learning! [starbox id=admin]

How to Get Your Gamer to Do Their Homework

How to Get Your Gamer to Do Their Homework As you almost assuredly know, most middle school students love their screens. From smartphones to laptops to TV, screens are everywhere. And many students use these screens to play games. While theres a lot of controversy over whether or not screens are healthy for young people, its clear that some games can be a good way for students to unwind and have fun. Some games can even encourage creativity. But sometimes gaming can be so much fun that it can be hard to peel your student away to do their homework. Redirecting your middle school student away from their games to their homework desk can seem like a daunting task. If you need help, heres some advice on how to get your gamer to do their homework. 1. Set a time limit for gaming Setting a daily time limit for gaming can encourage your student to step away from the screen. They may also be more likely to use the gaming time they have wisely if that time is limited. If your student has a hard time adjusting to limits on gaming, remind them that its important to balance academics and fun. Hold your student accountable by gently reminding them when their gaming time is up for the day. If they protest, discussing why balance is importanti.e. it helps you get good grades while allowing you to have funcan be helpful. Ask your student to set a timer to the agreed length every time they sit down to a game. [RELATED: A Parent's Guide to Learning in the Digital Age] 2. Use time for gaming as a reward Another strategy to help your student cut back on gaming and spend more time on homework is to use gaming as a reward for completed homework. If your student struggles to get homework done because of gaming, try setting a rule that gaming can only be done after your student completes their homework. This strategy can hold your student accountable for doing their homework. It may even incentivize doing homework for some students who have a hard time leaving their games or who struggle with schoolwork. [RELATED: Keep Calm and Study OnHow to Avoid Homework Meltdowns This School Year] 3. Positively reinforce homework completion and good grades Video games are so appealing to middle schoolers in part because they bring with them instant gratificationsomething that homework doesnt usually do. Incentivize the act of doing homework by positively reinforcing it. You can do that by praising your student every time they finish their homework. Encouraging healthy study habits, such as sitting down at the same time every day to do homework, can also be helpful. The more successful your student feels when doing homework, the more likely theyll be to continue doing it. Help them win at homework by praising good study habits, good grades, and completed assignments. Some students turn to games because they struggle with homework. If this is the case for your student, hiring a tutor can help them stay on top of all their work and feel successful! [RELATED: 5 Tactics to Encourage Academic Confidence in Your Middle Schooler] 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.

What is it Like to Attend University of Pennsylvania

What is it Like to Attend University of Pennsylvania The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Jennifer is a Boston tutor who specializes in SAT prep tutoring, ACT prep tutoring, Chemistry tutoring, Writing tutoring, and much more. She graduated from University of Pennsylvania in 2012 with a Bachelors degree in Biochemistry as well as a Masters in Chemistry. 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? Jennifer: Penn is an urban campus to the west of center city Philadelphia, across the Schuykill River. It is moderately sized, spanning a six-by-four block area. It takes about ten to fifteen minutes to walk from one end to the other end of campus. Penn is one of the few colleges where all of the associated schools (law, dental, medical, etc) are all on the same campus--which is extremely advantageous when it comes to taking advanced courses or participating in research. Because there are so many schools located within a small urban space, the buildings tend to be close to each other which made getting from one class to the next on time pretty easy. Penn's campus borders West Philadelphia which might raise concerns about safety. However, Penn employs one of the largest private security forces in the world. Police officers can be found patrolling the campus by bike at any given time of night and are happy to escort you back to wherever you need to go. There are cameras mounted at the intersection of every street for a ten block radius past the western edge of campus. I had no qualms about walking across campus at four in the morning. Nevertheless, one should probably still practice the common sense required of living on an urban campus. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Jennifer: In terms of professors, I think it depends on the subject being taught. I generally tended to email TAs in my lower level science classes where the class size was well into the hundreds and generally received prompt and helpful replies. For smaller classes of under 20 people (many of my English classes and my graduate science coursework), the professors were very approachable and happy to help. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Jennifer: I lived in the Quad during my freshman year (I think it's the quintessential freshman experience) and became fairly close with my hall. The dorm rooms in the quad are very nice for how old the buildings are. Most students aim for one of the three high-rises once they become upperclassmen where each unit is shared between four roommates and it's easy to hang out with other people in the same building. I moved off campus with a friend after my sophomore year and since everything is so close, still found it fairly easy to hang out with other people. From what I hear, the dining halls have improved significantly since I stopped having a meal plan, and Penn has been pushing local food and sustainability. Even without a meal plan, there is plenty to eat in the area--between the various food trucks on Spruce or 38th and the many restaurants near campus, it's easy to find whatever you're in the mood for. The Chem Cafe in the Chemistry building makes a pretty good meatball sub and if you're ever up early and want a cheap breakfast, the cafeteria at CHOP gives you a lot of food for a very reasonable price. There's also a fruit salad food truck at upper Quad gates that I'm convinced gives out more fruit than all the other fruit trucks on campus. Outside of class, the best way to meet other people is to join organizations that you're interested in. There is a huge variety of groups on campus and it's not difficult at all to find a group of people with similar interests. 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? Jennifer: There's a good mix of majors at Penn but there's no denying that Wharton Business School is a major presence. One thing that I would have to mention about any field of study at Penn is that people tend to be very career-driven; there are a lot of pre-med, pre-law, pre-something students. On-campus recruiting is a huge deal not only for the Business students but for various other majors as well. I was in the Vagelos Program for Molecular Life Sciences which allowed me to graduate with both a BA in Biochemistry and MS in Chemistry in 4 years. I thought that my academic education was pretty comprehensive--but the most important aspect of studying science at Penn was the vast number of principal investigators on campus who are willing to take on undergraduates. I learned a lot through my coursework, but I learned so much more by working and tackling my own independent research project in lab. 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? Jennifer: It's easy to socialize and make connections with new people if you put in the effort. You will probably start out by hanging out with your hall before you find the people who will become lifelong friends. Greek life does play a role in campus social life, but it's not necessarily significant. I was part of Alpha Phi Omega and made close friends there, but my closest friends tended to come from the Vagelos program. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Jennifer: The pre-med advisors and Career Services were both fairly helpful. One thing that's great about Career Services is that they have many Penn-specific contacts that might be able to help push students past the initial screening process--plus the alumni network across the globe is pretty extensive. Many reputable companies definitely do recruit on campus but I don't know much about the process firsthand since I didn't participate. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Jennifer: Van Pelt is the biggest library on campus and has a good number of desks/study space areas. I used Van Pelt's study room reservation system through to the end of my senior year for group projects and study groups. For individual studying, I tended to hang out with a few close friends in a conference room in the research buildings where we could spread out and use the whiteboards. There were various other libraries on campus (Fischer Fine Arts, Biomedical, Law) or areas in each dorm building that were available for study as well. 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? Jennifer: Penn is a short subway ride away from center city Philadelphia. Between the historic sites, the various museums, and the restaurant scene, there's a lot to do. Art galleries in old city open their doors for free to the public on every first Friday of each month. Philadelphia is also home to various theatre companies (Philadelphia Theatre Company, Arden, etc.) who have done some really excellent productions. If you have access to a car, Valley Forge is a quick drive away. Take advantage of the urban location of Penn's campus and spend some time in Philadelphia! VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Jennifer: Penn is pretty big since all of the students are congregated on one campus. For lower level classes geared towards freshmen or sophomores, the class sizes are pretty large, especially for basic science courses. When I took it, Organic Chemistry was taught by two professors with maybe around two hundred students in each class. However, the more advanced the courses got, the smaller the class size became. I had a memorable graduate Cardiovascular Biology course with 11 other students, listening to professors at the top of their field give lectures about different aspects of vasculature and metabolism. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Jennifer: The most important professor I had at Penn was a Creative Writing professor that I took classes with for three semesters. From the very first time I workshopped a piece in his class, I had my entire view of creative writing swept out from under my feet. I broke down my way of writing and rebuilt it into something much more compelling, much better. He was the sort of professor who spoke quietly, who could pinpoint exactly where I could improve, who observed everything and understood me better than I did at times. He changed not only the way I write but the way I approached life, all for the better. Check out Jennifers tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

5 Reasons to Fit Jam Sessions Into Your Guitar Lessons

5 Reasons to Fit Jam Sessions Into Your Guitar Lessons Suzy S. Is jamming with friends and noodling around on your guitar beneficial? We say yes! In fact, incorporating jam sessions into your guitar lessons can be a great way to build your chops. Check out Wheaton, IL teacher Scott C.s thoughts here Anyone who has ever taken or taught music in some capacity has probably come into contact with what I call “Human Tablature” lessons. In short, this is where you show up, you ask the teacher to teach you a song, and they teach it to you. A perfect example is when American Idiot by Green Day came out; it was almost like every guitar teacher in the country was given a full month’s lesson plans all they had to do was show up and show the student where to put his or her fingers. These lessons are usually so boring you can audibly hear your life getting duller, and both the teacher and the student are constantly shooting shifty glances at their watch. Guitar lessons like this, even when accompanied with theory or fundamentals exercises, do little to improve the student’s skills, and in my experience never get the student to love music or to continue their education for that matter. What they are doing is simply playing the role of a guitar tab or an online instructional, in which case the lesson is expendable because we live in the age of YouTube. The student becomes stunted, bored, and gets sick and just as tired of American Idiot as the rest of us. Something that has shot adrenaline into my own lessons has been to teach improvisationâ€" in whatever way goesâ€" as soon as possible with a student, and then to leave pure, clean, well-lit open space at the beginning of every lesson. What this does is make each lesson not just a time for musical education, but a musical experience, which is exactly why we all wanted to learn music in the first place, right? I know, I know, you might be thinking that you can’t possibly “jam” when you are just beginning, but fear not, it just takes a little calibration. What it looks like for me is simply teaching the most base form of a scale at the beginning of a season of lessons, laying down the fundamentals of improvisation (even if it’s just with a few notes), and then consistently allowing time and space for music to happen, for creativity to strike, and for you to land a killer note or fill that positively gets your blood pumping. If we are learning a particular song together, I will usually start out with that at the next lesson for a jam, and then we will see where it goes. This is great for five grossly beneficial reasons: It’s fun! It instills the blueprint for creativity and improvisation from the very beginning, which sharpens and hones your theory and technical skills, so that you don’t become a musical robot. It puts music in your court where you taste what it’s like not to just learn music, but to make it. It is an easy way to go over and remember things previously learned from other lessons. It makes your lesson time exciting, and gets you psyched about that hour or half-hour. Scott C. teaches guitar, drum, bass guitar, songwriting, music recording, mandolin, banjo, harmonica, and music theory lessons to students in Wheaton, IL. His specialties include folk, bluegrass and country music styles, and he joined the TakeLessons team in October 2012. Learn more about Scott, or search for a teacher near you! 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 Photo by L. Bernhardt, Resident Loon

Central Dogma Theory Online Biology Tutors Tutorpace

Central Dogma Theory Online Biology Tutors Tutorpace The chromosomal DNA contains complete information about all the specific proteins to be synthesized in the cell for their needs. It is coded in the DNA as the particular sequence of bases called genetic code. The unit of genetic information is called codon which is a group of three adjacent deoxyribonucleotides that specify a single amino acid in a polypeptide chain. A polypeptide is a single chain of amino acid. Theinformation for the synthesis of polypeptide chains of proteins is found on DNA molecule. This information is given to single stranded RNA molecules which act as a messenger. The messenger RNA transfers the message to ribosomes for the synthesis of a protein molecule. This unidirectional flow of information from DNA to RNA and from RNA to protein is called central dogma. Central dogma of molecular biology was proposed by Crick in 1958.In this genetic information is stored inthe 4 letter language of DNA.The same is transferred during transcription to 4 letter language of messenger RNA but with two differences. 1. Complementation in code language 2. Replacement of letter T with U. In 1970 Temin and Baltimore discovered retroviruses which contain RNA as genetic material. The virus produce an enzyme called reverse transcriptase which performs the central dogma reverse by synthesizing DNA over template of genetic RNA.The newly synthesized DNA then functions as a master copy producing RNAs controlling translation to synthesize polypeptides. The process of formation of DNA from RNA is called reverse transcription.

The Roman Empire

The Roman Empire The Roman Empire from its Origins to its Fall ChaptersWhen and Where was the Roman Empire?The Origins of the Roman EmpireThe Golden Age of the RomansThe Achievements of the Roman EmpireThe Roman Empire Splits: East and WestDecline and Fall of the Roman EmpireWe have got so much from the Roman Empire â€" our language, our roads, our law. But what exactly was this ancient civilization, what was its political system, and how did it become quite as influential as it did?At its peak, the Roman Emperor ruled over five million square miles and about seven million people. If we say that was some 21% of the world’s population, that’s the second largest empire ever after the British Empire â€" and it stretched from as far as Britannia in the west to Syria and Arabia in the east.Just by the way, the Romans also invented the term ‘Empire’ as we know it now â€" as it came from their word for Emperor, imperator, meaning commander. MarkHistory Teacher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JohnHistory Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarjotteHistory Teacher 5.00 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErinHistory Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChantelleHistory Teacher 5.00 (2) £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndriyHistory Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeterHistory Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SerenaHistory Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhen and Where was the Roman Empire?The Roman emperors ruled in a period between 27BC, officially speaking, and 395CE. At this point, the Empire splits into two distinct parts â€" the Eastern Roman Empire and the Western Empire. After a century, in 476, the emperor of the west is deposed, and the Eastern Empire continues under a different name â€" Byzantium.As happens with all empires, the frontier of the Roman Empire fluctuated and changed as successive rulers lost and gained territory in battle. Yet the borders of the Empire spread to what is now Iran and the Persian Gulf in the east, through Asia Minor, Europe south of the Danube, to France, Spain, and what is now England. It also governed territories on the north coast of Africa â€" in modern Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, and Libya. It was centred around the Mediterranean.This map shows the Roman Empire at its largest, in 117. Isn't it huge?The Origins of the Roman EmpireRome was founded in 753BC, supposedly by brothers Romulus and Remus, and it becomes a republic in 509BC with the establishment of the Roman Senate. This brought about the leadership of magistrates, who collectively debated and made decisions about the governance of Roman society. Continually expanding its borders, it did not stretch outside of what is now Italy until 300BC â€" and, whilst it was not yet officially an empire, this behaviour was already vaguely imperial.In 45BCE, after successes at war, a certain Julius Caesar was given the title of ‘dictator’ of Rome. Yet, j ust a year later, he was assassinated and, given his popularity amongst the lower classes of Romans, there was a revolt and, ultimately, a civil war.Whilst this was pursued by Marc Anthony and Octavian â€" Caesar’s adopted son â€" against Caesar's assassins, the two ultimately turned against each other, and the resulting war ended in Marc Antony’s defeat in 31BC. Octavian is consequently given by the senate the title of ‘first citizen’ â€" and this is thought to be the first moment in properly imperial Rome.Octavian became known as Augustus, and he came to dominate the senate which was, in name at least, still the highest authority in Rome. Augustus’s dynasty led the Romans through a period of unprecedented peace and prosperity. MarkHistory Teacher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JohnHistory Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarjotteHistory Teacher 5.00 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErinHistory Teac her £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChantelleHistory Teacher 5.00 (2) £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndriyHistory Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeterHistory Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SerenaHistory Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe Golden Age of the RomansJulio-Claudian DynastyOctavian, or Augustus, was the first emperor in what became known as the Julio-Claudian dynasty. His rule was hugely successful in expanding the territory over which the Empire ruled: he conquered parts of Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, and Algeria, as well as most of the northern Mediterranean. He also brought Roman control over the Iberian Peninsula, what is now modern Spain and Portugal, and made peace with the Parthian Empire in Iran to ensure a stable border on the eastern frontier.The Julio-Claudian dynasty comprises Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Emperor Nero. Claudius began the conquest of Britannia, whi ch continued through major expansions under the reign of Vespasian and with the famous wall across the Scottish border by Hadrian.Nero’s famously capricious personality ruled unhappily through the year of the Great Fire of Rome of 64AD, and his suicide led to a civil war known as the Year of the Four Emperors, of 69AD. This ended the Julio-Claudian dynasty.Flavian DynastyThe Flavian Dynasty starts in 69 with Emperor Vespasian, who was the last of the Year of the Four Emperors. He was the Emperor to build Rome’s famous Colosseum, which was completed and updated by his heirs Titus and Domitian (this is why the structure is also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre).Whilst beset by a number of massive issues â€" the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 which destroyed Pompeii and Herculaneum, and the fire and plague of Rome in 80 â€" Titus is considered a very able ruler. However, he died young, and his younger brother, Domitian, replaced him in 81.Domitian was assassinated in 96, as he was kno wn as an autocratic and severe emperor. He was replaced by an advisor, Nerva.Nerva-Antonine Dynasty, or The Five Good EmperorsThe dynasty that Nerva founded is known as the Nerva-Antonine Dynasty, and the five emperors included â€" Nerva himself, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus, and Marcus Aurelius â€" are known as the Five Good Emperors.Trajan, the only Roman emperor not to be born in the Italian peninsula, built the Empire into its most extensive form. He conquered Dacia â€" what is now Romania, Moldova, parts of Bulgaria, Hungary, Ukraine, Slovakia, Serbia, and Poland â€" as well as Syria.The Nerva-Antonine Dynasty ruled between 96 and 192, and it is Commodus’s reign, the final in this dynasty, that is believed to signal the decline of the Roman Empire.Marcus Aurelius was one of the great Roman emperors - and his death signaled the start of Rome's imperial decline.The Achievements of the Roman EmpireAs with the British and the Mongolian Empires, the Roman Empire presided over a long period of peace â€" at least within the boundaries of its rule. This was known as the Pax Romana, which allowed a flourishing of trade that had never before been seen. In very practical terms, a major legacy of the Roman Empire was in engineering â€" in the building of roads (famously very straight) and aqueducts. An aqueduct is used to move water and the Romans constructed and used them to bring water into cities, markets, and farms. The Aqueduct of Segovia, constructed during the reigns of Domitian, Nerva, and Trajan, is a famous example of this.In the arts, Roman culture excelled in poetry, drama, and sculpture â€" and anyone who has studied Latin at school will know that we still study these achievements now, as they formed the way that we write, read, and are entertained, even today. Latin is, itself, what became the language of politics essentially across Europe for almost the next thousand years.The later Roman Empire â€" after its split â€" made Christianity the official re ligion, starting with Constantine the Great’s conversion. This led to the spread of the religion, and Judaeo-Christian culture in general, from east to west across the empire.The Roman Empire Splits: East and WestAfter the last of the Five Good Emperors, Marcus Aurelius, Commodus’s reign begins the decline of the empire. In 192 he was assassinated, beginning the Year of the Five Emperors. This introduced a massive political instability into the empire, culminating in the Crisis of the Third Century, beginning with Septimius Severus’s seizure of power in 193 which set a precedent for the rest of the century.After a number of barbarian invasions throughout the century, and with plague and natural disasters ravishing the empire from within, Diocletian took over the empire in 284 and ended the crisis. His response was to split the huge empire into two.The Eastern would be ruled by Diocletian in Constantinople, or Istanbul, and would be known as the Byzantine Empire, alongside the Western, which moved from Rome to Milan.Constantinople - modern-day Istanbul - became the capital of the later Roman Empire.Decline and Fall of the Roman EmpireUltimately, both of the now independent empires collapsed, although the Eastern lasted much longer in the guise of the Byzantine Empire.It was Odoacer, the barbarian King of Italy, who ultimately caused the collapse of a Western Empire severely weakened by incompetent leaders and by invasions by Vandals, Ostrogoths, and the Visigoths. Odoacer, a Goth based in northern Italy, overthrew the last Wester Emperor, Romulus Augustulus in 476.The Eastern Roman Empire, better known as the Byzantine Empire, survives until its fall to the Ottoman Empire in 1453. Constantine the Great, the first Christian emperor, reclaimed land lost during the Crisis of the Third Century, whilst Justinian (527-565) sought to reconquer the lands of the Western Empire.Justinian’s contribution to law, his sort of massive building projects, and his presid ing over a time of greater prosperity have made him known to history as Justinian the Great â€" and even as the last Roman Emperor. After this, the Byzantine slowly declined, and Constantinople was finally conquered by Mehmed the Conqueror in 1453, the Ottoman Emperor.Find out more about The Russian Empire and the Qing Dynasty in our other articles on the great empires in history.

the) and Gender Issues

Dressing Girls as Boys; A Lesson on Articles (a/an/the) and Gender Issues I read this article in the New York Times Magazine and was fascinated by the phen0menon of girls dressing as boys in Afghanistan. I also watched the video and was intrigued by the inconsistencies of gender in Afghan society. Im not sure what language Azita Rafaat, the mother in the story, speaks, however I noticed that she has a similar way of speaking to some of my students. When I listened again I noticed she has difficulties with articles, so here I will explain the English article.English Practice Pre-Listening Questions:Does your country and culture prefer to have boy children over girl children? Why?Are there any beliefs about how the gender of a baby is decided?Do you have both boys and girls in your family?Would you prefer a boy child over a girl child? Why?What problems do countries have that show a preference to the boy child over the girl child?Read through the grammar rules, watch the video, and then do the listening exercises. Rules:English has two articles: the and a/an . The is used to refer to specific or particular nouns; a/an is used to modify non-specific or non-particular nouns. We call the the definite article and a/an the indefinite article.the = definite articlea/an = indefinite articleFor example, if I say, Lets read the book, I mean a specific book. If I say, Lets read a book, I mean any book rather than a specific book.a + singular noun beginning with a consonant: a boy; a car; a bike; a zoo; a dogan + singular noun beginning with a vowel: an elephant; an egg; an apple; an idiot; an orphanIn some cases where h is pronounced, such as historical, use an:Definite Article: theThe definite article is used before singular and plural nouns when the noun is specific or particular. The signals that the noun is definite, that it refers to a particular member of a group. For example:The dog that bit me ran away. Here, were talking about a specific dog, the dog that bit me.I was happy to see the policeman who saved my cat! Here, were talking about a particular policeman. Even if we dont know the policemans name, its still a particular policeman because it is the one who saved the cat.I saw the elephant at the zoo. Here, were talking about a specific noun. Probably there is only one elephant at the zoo.Countable and Uncountable NounsThe can be used with uncountable nouns, or the article can be omitted entirely.I love to sail over the water (some specific body of water) or I love to sail over water (any water).He spilled the milk all over the floor (some specific milk, perhaps the milk you bought earlier that day) or He spilled milk all over the floor (any milk).A/an can be used only with count nouns.I need a bottle of water.I need a new glass of milk.Most of the time, you cant say, She wants a water, unless youre implying, say, a bottle of water.Geographical use of theThere are some specific rules for using the with geographical nouns.Do not use the before:names of most countries/territories: Italy, Mexico, Bolivia; however, t he Netherlands, the Dominican Republic, the Philippines, the United Statesnames of cities, towns, or states: Seoul, Manitoba, Miaminames of streets: Washington Blvd., Main St.names of lakes and bays: Lake Titicaca, Lake Erie except with a group of lakes like the Great Lakesnames of mountains: Mount Everest, Mount Fuji except with ranges of mountains like the Andes or the Rockies or unusual names like the Matterhornnames of continents (Asia, Europe)names of islands (Easter Island, Maui, Key West) except with island chains like the Aleutians, the Hebrides, or the Canary IslandsDo use the before:names of rivers, oceans and seas: the Nile, the Pacificpoints on the globe: the Equator, the North Polegeographical areas: the Middle East, the Westdeserts, forests, gulfs, and peninsulas: the Sahara, the Persian Gulf, the Black Forest, the Iberian PeninsulaOmission of ArticlesSome common types of nouns that dont take an article are:Names of languages and nationalities: Chinese, English, Spanis h, Russian (unless you are referring to the population of the nation: The Spanish are known for their warm hospitality.)Names of sports: volleyball, hockey, baseballNames of academic subjects: mathematics, biology, history, computer scienceClick here to watch the video.Practice your English Listening skills:What kind of morning is it?Azita is the ______ winner. She earns the most money for the family.Because she didn’t have any sons she decided to do something ________.She has decided to reveal her secret, _______ of the risks posed to her.Why is Azita a target?How old is she?Azita takes ________ from her constituents while she cooks for her guests.Azita and her husband are also __________?Try this grammar practice below:Complete the gaps with a/an, the or (if no article is required)THE GIRL AND THE WOLFOne afternoon______wolf waited in ______dark forest for____girl to come by. He was very hungry because it had been _____long time since he had eaten anything. Finally,______little girl did come along __path and she was carrying ____basket of food.____girl was happy, ___weather was good, ____sun was shining and _____birds were singing. She loved _____nature and being with _____animals. “What ____beautiful day!” she thought. She was happy that is was ____holiday and that she wasn't at _____school.______wolf asked her if she was going to visit her grandmother and she said that she was. So ___wolf asked her where her grandmother lived and _____little girl told him. Then he ran off. When _____little girl opened _____door of _____Granny's house she saw that there was somebody in _____bed listening to ______radio, wearing_____nightcap and ____nightdress. When she was ten meters from _____bed she saw that it was not her grandmother but _______wolf, because eerybody knows that ____wolf in ____nightcap looks nothing like your granny. So she took ______gun from her basket and shot _______wolf dead.Moral: It is not so easy to fool_____little girls nowadays as it use d to be.Questions? Email us, or contact us about English classes.

How Soon is Too Soon Diagnosing ADHD in Young Children

How Soon is Too Soon Diagnosing ADHD in Young Children Getting kids the help they need as early as possible will set them up for success later in life. There are numerous early intervention programs available for kids who fail to meet their developmental milestones on time or struggle with speech problems. But when it comes to behaviors related to ADHD, like impulsivity, hyperactivity, and difficulty paying attention in young children it can be harder to identify the source of the problem, and harder to know how to help. How soon is too soon to start thinking about an ADHD diagnosis, and when can you start to intervene? According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, ADHD can be reliably diagnosed in children as young as 4-years-old. Although its important to note that not all kids with ADHD can be identified this early. Kids who receive diagnoses at this young age are more likely to be boys than girls, and their symptoms will cluster more around hyperactivity and impulsivity than difficulty paying attention. Why? During the preschool years the demands placed on kids attention are generally fairly light. At school or day care, activities are brief, they change frequently, and they are designed to be engaging and active. They are exactly the type of activities that kids do well with when they have short attention spans! As a result, attention challenges may not be obvious at this age. If youre the parent or teacher of preschool age children, or have spent any time around preschoolers, then you know that in general kids at this age are very active, and most behave pretty impulsively they act first and think later. So, how can you tell the preschoolers with ADHD from the preschoolers without ADHD? The kids with ADHD are much more hyperactive and impulsive than their peers. They rarely sit still, although some may sit for longer stretches of time if theyre watching TV or playing videogames. They run and climb on things excessively, to such an extent that their parents and teachers worry about their safety. Some of these kids may have already had trips to the ER because of falls and other accidents. Their high activity levels and impulsive behavior also cause serious challenges at school or day care. Their parents receive calls from school at least once a week, and sometimes kids with these ADHD symptoms are asked to leave their day care or preschool program altogeth er. At home, mealtimes are a challenge because of difficulties with staying seated at the table, even for a few minutes. Going to a restaurant, church, or participating in any activity that requires sitting feels next to impossible, even when parents provide activities to keep their kids entertained. More active family outings may feel difficult too, because its hard to keep the child from running off or having a meltdown if he or she doesnt get their way. When it comes to diagnosing ADHD in preschool children, higher levels of activity and impulsive behavior alone arent enough. Diagnosing ADHD at any age can be challenge, but in young children it is especially difficult. Kids who are anxious, have learning differences, a history of trauma, social challenges, or other mental health concerns can behave in ways that mimic ADHD symptoms. A thorough assessment by a medical doctor or psychologist to rule out other causes is essential. This assessment should include gathering detailed information from parents, teachers, and the child to determine whether or not ADHD is present. When a preschool child is diagnosed with ADHD, behavioral interventions, especially those that are put into place by parents and teachers under the guidance of a trained therapist, are the first line treatment according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Kids who dont improve with intensive behavioral interventions can be treated with medication, in addition to ongoing behavior therapy. ADHD medications have been shown to be effective with kids as young as 4-years-old, although they may not work quite as well as they do for older children and may be accompanied by greater side effects. One treatment to avoid is one-on-one therapy, where the child talks directly to the therapist week after week without parent involvement in the sessions. At this age especially, it is essential that parents are involved in sessions and are learning new skills that they can use at home to help their child. If you suspect that your preschooler may have ADHD, talk to your pediatrician. Let them know about your concerns and request a thorough assessment. If ADHD is the source of the problem, then start treatment as soon as possible. Getting help for your childs ADHD now will set him or her up for success in elementary school and beyond. 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.