Why Richmond, VA Is Choosing to Be Part of the Club Z Tutoring Movement

Why Richmond, VA Is Choosing to Be Part of the Club Z Tutoring MovementWhy a Birmingham school is moving away from the traditional method of PreK through the use of Goldie's International Kindergarten and toward a better one called the Club Z Tutoring Program? The Richmond Public Schools has not had a standardized program for this program in the past two years. This move away from PreK and to a program that are an outgrowth of the successful program at Princeton University has been a deliberate one and has been planned for quite some time.First of all, the parents of the children who are involved in the Club Z tutoring program have spent a lot of time talking with teachers at the Princeton University School of Education and learning what their plan was. It should be noted that the state of Virginia has an extensive program of preschool for both young children and teachers in the public school system. So the parents of these children are working with some of the most skilled educators in the nation who know all about teaching students and how to take those lessons from them.The reason why it is becoming more popular to use Goldie's International Kindergarten as a program for the Club Z Tutoring Program is that Goldie has a proven track record and a track record of success. In fact, the Goldie International Kindergarten program has become very popular among many teachers at the high schools in Richmond. This is very much in line with the national trend in our education system, which is to look for the best programs for their own children.Goldie International Kindergarten, like the others, is focused on the development of an individualized educational plan for each child that will help them achieve the academic level they have set for themselves. The programs are designed by experienced, well-trained professionals who have the best understanding of the needs of each student. The programs are available at various times for different children, so that you can meet t he needs of your own child as well as the needs of other children.The biggest advantage of using Goldie's International Kindergarten is that they include a variety of different subjects that all come together in a holistic way. There is a program that includes math, English Literacy, American Sign Language, and the proficiency tests that test their literacy skills. These are a good base for the other subjects that are included in the program.Not everyone is comfortable having their child's teacher to sit down and work out a comprehensive plan for that child, but when you consider all the different learning styles in the school system, this is an option that helps. The Teacher's Guild in Richmond has been very involved in the hiring of Goldie International Kindergarten instructors. They are pleased with the teacher candidates they have chosen to work with their own children.Goldie International Kindergarten has great teachers who are able to work with any child, and they have experie nce working with children who have different learning styles. They are also a recognized leader in the field of pre-kindergarten. This is a program that is designed for the rest of the world to learn from.

4 Valentines Day Literacy Activities for Younger Students

4 Valentine's Day Literacy Activities for Younger Students Holidays are typically accompanied by class parties, school assemblies, and other celebratory events. Valentines Day this year is a great opportunity to incorporate educational activities into your elementary or middle school students holiday plans. Engaging Valentines Day literacy activities for younger students can include writing a personalized letter, composing a poem, or creating a word search. With Valentines Day just around the corner, students can practice literacy skills while joining in on the holiday spirit. Here are four Valentines Day literacy activities for younger students: 1. Write a personalized letter Have your child choose someone to write a letter toa family member, for instance, or a friend, a teacher, or anyone they look up to. They could even write a letter to a fictional character or celebrity. Your child may already have ideas of how theyd like to express their appreciation for this person, but prompts you could also suggest include: What qualities do they admire about the individual? What activities do they enjoy doing together (if applicable)? What are they thankful for about the person? The letter could be a simple Im thankful for you, I love you, or Im glad youre my friend. Writing a letter is a great way to practice the conventions of letter-writing, including a greeting and closing, as well as indenting and dating the letter. As an added bonus, have your child address an envelope to the recipient. [RELATED: 3 Eco-Friendly Winter Crafts for Kids] 2. Write a heartfelt poem Poems have a long and storied history of expressing love and appreciation and are perfect for Valentines Day. There are excellent K-8 poems that can be found onlinethese would be great to read together for fun and as a model for their own poem. Besides rhyming poemsperhaps the most well-known of poemsdiscuss other types of poems your child may or may not be familiar with, including: Acrostic poems, where the first letter of each line spells out a word. A concrete poem, in which the poem takes on the shape of an object. In this instance, the words could be arranged in a heart shape, for example. Haikus, a shorter option that helps children practice syllable recognition. 3. Make your own Mad Lib Mad Libs are silly, fun, and often a hit with elementary and middle school students. Try making a Mad Lib with your child by writing a story together, then choosing some words to replace with blanks. This is a great way to practice parts of speech, if your child is at that level. Just like a published Mad Lib, add instructions to the blank, specifying whether a noun, verb, or other part of speech is needed. You could also get more specific by labeling each blank with categories like animal, sound, or car. This is a great family activity where the Mad Lib can be used more than once. [RELATED: 3 STEAM Activities to Try in the New Year] 4. Do or create a word search or crossword puzzle Word searches and crossword puzzles are excellent ways to practice reading and critical thinking skills. Depending on your childs skill level, they can do a word search or crossword puzzle, or they can make one of their own. Have your child come up with a list of Valentines Day-themed words, write them in the shape of a box, and fill in the remaining spaces with random letters. Crossword puzzles are great for more advanced students. Again, have your child come up with a list of words, place them in a crossword shape, and come up with a list of numbered definitions or hints that correspond to the words. [RELATED: 3 Winter Art Crafts for Kids] Whether or not your childs classroom celebrates Valentines Day, the four activities above are fun ways to engage with language. These could be a special personalized gift for a family member, or they could even be made in multiples to give out to a class. 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 Introverts Can Learn from Extroverts to Rise up the Corporate Ladder - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / What Introverts Can Learn from Extroverts to Rise up the Corporate Ladder - Introvert Whisperer What Introverts Can Learn from Extroverts to Rise up the Corporate Ladder According to a study by the Sutton Trust, individuals with extrovert-like traits are 25% more likely to get high paying jobs than those lacking those traits. In addition, the data stipulates that extroverts are more preferred for leadership positions in an organization. Introversion, on the other hand, is commonly seen as a barrier to growth in corporate leadership. But don’t be demotivated! None of these studies implies that introverts don’t have what it takes to be an effective leader. In fact, a number of successful leaders are actually introverts, believe it or not. Introverts often have skills and talents that extroverts might miss out on, such as independence, introspection, creativity, and critical thinking. Being an introvert doesn’t mean you lack the potential or passion but since extroverts take the cake all too often, there is definitely something they are doing right. And while we as introverts may look down on most introverts for their desire for attention and social interaction, it is okay to learn from them. Let’s take a look at what they are doing right before we move on to what we can learn from them. Why Do Extroverts Rise Up the Corporate Ladder Faster (And More Easily) than Introverts Climbing the corporate ladder requires more than hard skills and hard work. It requires charisma and charm. While we know introverts can also be charismatic, extroverts tend to showcase their charms a little ore more often. They are generally known for being great with people, which is an essential prerequisite for a leader. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that extroverts have the propensity to get noticed, and hence promoted. They enjoy the limelight, and their personality traits in essence become the highlight. They take initiative and therefore appear more proactive. They seek praise and attention and will go the extra mile for it. On the flipside, introverts shy away from attention. Their personality traits are often overshadowed by their shyness. This lack of showmanship and warmth can lead to others thinking an introvert might not make a good people manager. Despite an amazing performance report, their potential remains more of a mystery. So, if you think extroverts are preferred for promotions because they are popular, you are probably correct. That doesn’t mean you need a total flip of personality to get that promotion you deserve. You just need to trade a few traits with extroverts. What Can Introverts Learn From Extroverts to Also Rise Up the Corporate Ladder Conscious efforts. You can’t just wake up one morning and decide to be an extrovert. It would be best if you had a game plan to beat your extrovert counterparts at their own game and become the corporate champ. Here is how you can do it. Step Out Of Your Comfort Zone Comfort zone is a great place â€" if you plan to rest. If you want to move ahead, you need to step out of it. You may not like the limelight, but you need to put yourself out there. If you think you can do something, raise your hand. If you think something needs to be done, initiate it. Don’t avoid a meeting with your supervisor, request one. Don’t dread the feedback; ask for it. Don’t just smile and nod, say hi and ask about their day. That brings us to the next point. Try to Make Friends You may not like to be a part of the copy room conversations or participating in the water cooler chitchat, but it is a great way to know people â€" or let them know you. Building relationships is seen as a crucial leadership quality as people are likely to follow leaders they personally connect with. Don’t excuse yourself out of social situations. Don’t avoid conversations, initiate them. At the end off the day, it’s all about business collaboration. If you aren’t comfortable talking to everyone, look for other introverts who might be struggling with the same problem. Building friendships within your work team is an important part of getting ahead, but just as important is befriending people in other departments. If you are trying to get ahead at work with an ambitious project, chances are you will need the support of other teams. Having friendly coworker can be the difference between your request for a favor getting ignored or completed right away. Ask for Help A study from the University of Missouri suggests that extroverts are successful because they have mentors. They have mentors because they seek help when needed. They tend to bond with their superiors by simply asking for help. It might seem intimidating, or inappropriate, to ask someone you don’t know well for advice, but it is very flattering to be asked for advice and many people will take it as a sign of respect. In most cases, those superiors are the people in charge of growth-related decisions. So, don’t be afraid to admit you can’t do something on your own, even if that’s to your boss. Ask for their guidance and help. Fake it Fake it till you make it. It is possible, and it is extremely helpful. Even extroverts do it all the time. Many aren’t as confident as they seem. While they manage to appear confident at all times, they are rarely arrogant. They are more approachable because they are easy to talk to. An introvert’s silence is often seen as arrogance. When you take yourself too seriously, people get too uncomfortable around you. Act more relaxed around people even if you don’t feel that way. Be a Team Player One of the biggest secrets behind extroverts’ success is their ability to think and act as a team. They are better at collaboration, and it can improve the overall productivity. It is why the corporate world favors this mentality. So, think of yourself as part of something bigger. Focus on your input and achievements as a team member and not just as an individual. Conclusion There is no one superior in the extrovert-introvert equation. Both have their fair share of positive traits and weaknesses. It is safe to say that introverts can learn a few things from extroverts, and vice versa. Rising up requires relationships and connections, as does finding better jobs. So, not only is it possible to adopt extrovert-based beliefs, it’s super crucial for your corporate success. Bio: Alex Sal is a business journalist and the founder of SideHustleBusinessHacks.com, a useful resource for entrepreneurs looking for insights on business hacks. Go to top Bottom-line â€" I want to help you accelerate your career â€" to achieve what you want by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my 4 Building Blocks to Relationships eBookâ€" the backbone to your Networking success and fantastic work relationships.   Grab yours by visiting here right now! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

Best Tutors Team Together to Help Others

Best Tutors Team Together to Help Others Last week,  Tutorfair’s  best tutors in London gathered together to participate in a workshop for year eleven pupils deciding on their future steps post-GCSE. As part of  Tutorfair’s  charity promise to provide tutoring to those who can’t afford it, we were helping out our friends at  The Access Project.    They are a fantastic charity aiming to open up access to top universities for students at state school. Fourteen keen tutor volunteers braved London’s ghastly weather and the tube strike to arrive at the Globe Academy ready to advise students on their future plans. Amongst this group of best tutors, lay a treasure trove of different skills and talents, ranging from professional actresses to university lecturers and from to businessmen to Russell Group university students and graduates. They were ready to share their knowledge and experiences at Globe Academy and felt privileged to be invited to this fantastic school. Based in one of the most deprived catchment areas in London, the tutors were inspired by the motivational teachers and impressive facilities the school had to offer, just as Obama and David Cameron were at their visit in 2011. The afternoon programme saw ninety pupils engaged in four different sessions which worked on a carousel. These were: Professionalism Led by one of  Tutorfair’s  best tutors,  Madeleine K,  (UCLA double major and Cambridge), this workshop emphasised the importance of professionalism in college and the workplace. Helping Madeleine was  Tutorfair’s  Andrew Ground who has recruited graduates from a range of universities. Routes and Pathways This session looked at the different paths that pupils could take to reach their desired career. It emphasised the value of higher education but highlighted the different routes to get there which tutors advised on.  With Laurence Olivier award winning actress,  Amanda H,  offering guidance on degree alternatives and graduates speaking about ways to get into university, the students were given a variety of different options to think about. Apprenticeships As well as outlining some of the apprenticeship options available, the lovely Flick from  Rate My Apprenticeship  provided more generalised advice on filling in a CV and performing at interviews. Flick’s workshop was very popular - surely not because of the chocolates she handed out? Advice from current students This session allowed year eleven pupils to chat to current students at college and university and ask any questions about A-Level and degree study.  One of our volunteer tutors,  Pablo D, a lecturer at King’s College London who also assesses UCAS applications, was therefore able to share his expertise from the teaching side of university and university admissions. Thanks to the tutors and teachers involved, the pupils were given the opportunity to start thinking about their future and the best ways to achieve their goals. The tutors loved giving their individual guidance but were certainly in need of a rest after this intense, tiring but extremely rewarding afternoon.

English Conversation Class The Ethics of Eating

English Conversation Class The Ethics of Eating This weeks English conversation class is about the ethics of eating. There are a lot of questions these days about right and wrong when it comes to how we feed ourselves. Some feel that factory farming is unhealthy and inhumane, while others think it is the only way to provide food to the billions of people in the world.Some people feel that organic food is the only thing to eat, both for health and environmental reasons, while others think it is a waste of money.Do you think about eating ethically? What does eating ethically mean to you? Is being vegetarian or even vegan a more humane, environmentally friendly way to eat? Do you buy organic foods? Is large scale industrial farming necessary, or is it an unsustainable practice that will eventually leave us all hungry? Is it possible to produce food in a human, environmentally friendly way, and still feed everyone?Well talk about these questions and much more for our next group English conversation class. All students who have take an group English conversation class will be sent an email with a link to the class on Wednesday morning. If you would like to join this live, audio/visual class, taught by a native English speaker, click here.Below youll find two videos to help you prepare for the class, a short one about modern pig farming and a longer one about sustainable farming practices in Spain. Viewing is not required, but they are interesting!

GCSE English and maths - more important than ever!

GCSE English and maths - more important than ever! It's not so much about how many GCSEs you obtain but what GCSEs you obtain. This may seem to be a surprising statement to make but recent research has found that there is a strong link between cities that have a high youth unemployment rate with the lack of GCSE English and Maths. Between 2007 and 2010 nearly 50% of pupils living in cities left education without GCSE grades A* to C in these subjects. In Hastings and Grimsby where youth unemployment stood at 8.4% and 8.8% respectively between 2007 and 2010, the percentage reaching the official government benchmark of five A* -C GCSEs, including English and maths was 35% and 45%. However, in Cambridge, where youth unemployment stood at 1.3% for the same period, young people obtaining five good GCSEs including maths and English reached 54%. The above findings appear to reflect that over the last few years, schools have been encouraging pupils to study for qualifications that are seen as easier to achieve to boost their position in league tables. Pupils living in cities that have less buoyant economies are not being equipped with the skills required in the changing labour market. The consequences could leave young people with less employment opportunities in cities where skills in English and maths are in high demand. The government is taking steps to rebalance these issues to ensure schools are equipping young people with the basic numeracy and literacy skills they will need to get a job. The Office for National Statistics in October showed the UK jobless total for 16 -to 25 year-olds, hit a record high of 991,000 between June and August 2011. If you want to boost your grades in English and Maths, consider one to one tuition, we have tutors that can help with a variety of learning styles.

?? Rules For Spanish Verbs You Need To Learn Today

?? Rules For Spanish Verbs You Need To Learn Today Rules For Spanish Verbs You Need To Learn Today Written by Jesse ReyesAsk any native English speaker new to the Spanish language what the most difficult part of learning Spanish is, and you’re likely to hear something about Spanish verbs. While in comparison to most foreign languages, Spanish is closely related to the English language (this is largely due to their shared roots in Latin), there are still many aspects of Spanish that may be difficult to grasp for new learners; and verbs are one of the most prominent examples. So what exactly makes Spanish verbs so difficult? It all boils down to how they are used. There are some grammar rules Spanish verbs follow, that we’re simply not used to as native English speakers. In this post we’ll look at 3 unique features of Spanish verbs and give you some practical tips on how to handle them.ConjugationThe biggest difference between English verbs and Spanish verbs is conjugation. Spanish verbs change form based on the person or number of the person or thing performing the action. Th is change is called conjugation. This means that a simple verb such as “to eat” (comer), will take on six different forms in the present tense:I eat: comoYou eat: comesHe/She eats: comeWe eat: comemosYou all eat (Spain only): coméisThey eat: comenSo you can see from the root form of the verb “comer”, we form these six different conjugations based on the person who is eating. Keep in mind that this set of conjugations is only for speaking in the present tense. There will be separate forms for past and future tense verbs. Technically speaking we also conjugate verbs in English, it just doesn’t result in the variety of words that we see in Spanish.Tips for learning verb conjugationsThankfully in Spanish, verb conjugations typically follow a predictable pattern based on the root of the verb (usually called a stem). The ending of the stem will often dictate which ending a verb receives in a given conjugation. As you learn Spanish focus more on learning the patterns behind the verb conjugations versus trying to memorise each individual word. You’ll learn much more efficiently this way!Past TenseThere are two past tenses in Spanish: the preterite and the imperfect. The difference between the two isn’t always easy for native English speakers to pick up on. In general the preterite tense is used to describe an event or action that took place and was completed at some specific time in the past. The imperfect tense will describe past actions that either weren’t completed, are continuous, or were habitual. Take for instance the English sentence: “I walked home yesterday”. In Spanish we would use the preterite tense of the verb “to walk” because when we say, “I walked home yesterday…” we are speaking about a completed action. If I were to say “I walked home every Tuesday”, then the imperfect would be used because the action was habitual.If you’re having trouble understanding the difference from these two brief examples, don’t worry. T he concept of preterite versus imperfect tense is one of the harder aspects of Spanish grammar for most students. Tips for learning the Spanish past tense The number one way to learn the Spanish past tense verbs is to practice them. There’s no getting around it, you’ll have to use these verbs again and again until you begin to internalise the differences between them. That being said, once you do learn them the difference will feel like second nature. A good Spanish tutor may also be able to tear down some of the mystery surrounding this difficult grammatical concept. If you find yourself struggling it might be a good idea to give yourself some extra help by booking a lesson. MoodsIf conjugations and present tenses weren’t enough, there are also different moods in Spanish. The grammatical mood a speaker uses will be based on his or her attitude toward what is being said. There are a total of three moods in the Spanish language: indicative, imperative, and subjunctive. Each moo d uses a different form of a verb. Overall the indicative and imperative moods are pretty straightforward. The indicative mood is the most common and is used when talking about things that are believed to be true (think facts). The imperative mood occurs anytime you give a command or tell someone to do something. It’s the subjunctive that usually gives learners trouble. The subjunctive is used anytime you talk about something that is subjective or possible, but still not certain. For most native English speakers this can be an especially difficult concept to grasp, or at least to remember. Take for example the two English sentences “You work”, and “I want you to work”. In Spanish “you work” would look like this: “Tu trabajas”. But the translation of “I want you to work”, would look like this: “Quiero que tu trabajes”. Notice that the verb in each sentence changes form. The first example is in the indicative mood (it’s a fact that you are working right now ). The second example is in the subjunctive (I want you to work but it’s not certain that you will).Tips for learning the subjunctive moodThe best way to become comfortable with the subjunctive mood is to pay attention to the way that native speakers use it. Make note of any example you find of the subjunctive mood, whether it's in a lesson with a teacher, in a phrase from a Spanish movie, or from some other Spanish resource. Final thoughtsSpanish is a beautiful and intriguing language, but it’s not always a walk in the park if you’re learning it. Use the tips we’ve shared to help you become more comfortable with some of the tougher features of the language. However, also remember that the greatest thing you can do to improve your Spanish is to engage with the language as much as possible!