How I Did One Day a Tutor Come to My Room

How I Did One Day a Tutor Come to My RoomA few months ago, I sat down and tried to think of the best one day a tutor came to my room. The problem was that it seemed like every other day.So I thought of something that I could do in the one day a tutor came to my room. I decided I would think about a great way to have him come to my room at all times and not be there on purpose. This is one of the best ways I've found to get one day a tutor.When he first showed up, I didn't realize what a big deal it was. As a child, I felt so threatened by him, I could barely move. If I wanted to leave the house, I could feel him looking over my shoulder.So we figured out a plan to make it easier for him to come to my room and it's starting the next day. It will take a little bit of patience but in the end, you'll be so happy you did it. I know it can be hard to do. But with this plan, he will be in your room at all times, while he studies for all your subjects.I really don't think any adult should no t be allowed to give one day a tutor. If you have been stuck on a topic for a long time, he can pick up where you left off. Of course, you'll want to sit down with him to go over your coursework. And you'll want to have some type of control over when he comes over.If your child has already started on an assignment, you can use one day a tutor to catch up. At this point, he may need extra help. You can set up a specific time that he can come over and spend the rest of the day with you. When you do this, you are not forcing him to do anything he doesn't want to do, but you're also making it easier for him to study and work.I've made the most out of one day a tutor by doing this. I know it is a great way to keep my child's mind occupied. I also know that it helps them get through their work faster. The fact that they can now come over on one day a tutor really works.Just make sure that you don't force your child to do anything or allow him to be pushed into getting a tutor. One day a t utor is great for all children, even those who aren't on top of their game. With this plan, you can get your child on the fast track to success.

Food Photography From Still Life to Instagram

Food Photography From Still Life to Instagram Food Picturesp: The History of an Evolving Artistic Practice ChaptersWhat is Food Photography?The History of Food PhotographyMaking Use of Food PhotographyFood Photography as a CareerInstagram: The New Hotspot for Food PhotographyThe Must-Follow Food Accounts of InstagramDoes the sight of photographs of avocado toast and Danish pastries make your stomach rumble?If so, it’s because they’re supposed to.Behind these photographs are teams of talented professional photographers who know how to use their skill and various digital photography techniques to capture  mouth-watering photographs.So, if you’re interested in making a career out of food photography, or you’d just like to make your mark on the Instagram food scene by taking your skills to the next level, signing up for photography courses London, or anywhere else in the UK, will help you master the fundamentals of photography and go on to perfect your own photographic style.During photography classes, your instructor will show you how to carefully choose your equipment and use your d igital camera to produce high-quality photos  as you learn how to use adobe photoshop lightroom for editing images as well as giving yourslef the best chance of success with effective studio lighting and camera modes.If you sign up for a beginner photography course or photography workshops, you'll start with the basics of photography. This means learning about the fundamental technical skills which will significantly improve your photo quality.Advanced photography lessons will focus more on the fine details such as exposure, white balance, lighting techniques, digital imaging, and shooting in various conditions. You'll also learn to use a photography studio to shoot and work on retouching your work.Of course, learning how to take professional-quality photographs takes time, but with a bit of patience and plenty of motivation, you too can start to rake in the Instagram likes or build your portfolio. AllanPhotography Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Nata shaPhotography Teacher 5.00 (7) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TimothyPhotography Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Anosh nadeemPhotography Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ZangmoPhotography Teacher 5.00 (6) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RosiePhotography Teacher £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MattPhotography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndyPhotography Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhat is Food Photography?Among all of the genres which make up the art of photography, food photography is certainly one of the most popular alongside travel photography and landscape photography.Food is an important part of our daily lives, so it’s only natural to take an interest in it.Food photography is a type of professional photography which focuses on creating attractive images of food to be used in advertising, on packaging and in recipe boo ks.Food photography is used in a wide variety of areas and for many different purposes, but it is first and foremost a form of still life photography.Still life is a visual representation of an inanimate object. In terms of photography, still life involves using the background, studio lighting and editing to enhance the main object.Food photography is, therefore, a type of still life as the photographer is tasked with making the object (the food) appealing to those looking at the photograph.Photographers must consider several things when photographing food. For instance, the composition of a piece is of utmost importance. Just as you may arrange flowers to produce a good bouquet, photographers must arrange plates in a way that makes them look as attractive as possible.Aside from the composition, capturing a good photograph of food involves thinking about lighting, depth of field, framing, exposure and lens aperture. The amount of detailed consideration that goes into producing such photographs is what makes food photography an art.The History of Food PhotographyFood photography is fundamentally still life photography where the object is food.However, still life existed well before the invention of the camera.Still life is a type of painting that has been recognised as a genre since the late 17th century.Over the centuries, the idea of what makes a still life piece has evolved in a number of ways.Food photography could be thought of as an evolution of still life painting ¦ source: Pixabay - jill111In its early stages, it was called cose naturali (natural things) by Vasari, then stilleven in Flanders (meaning pieces of fruit, flowers and fish) and stilleben by the Germans.Many painters caught onto this style and used it as an exercise to practice their perspective painting as well as working with light and shade.In photography, just like the painters before them, still life photographers (and food photographers in particular) are working with composition and st udio lighting to produce the best result.Photographers generally photographed food using a low-angle shot. This is where the camera is placed lower than the food and ensures that the image shows the food in its complete form.Of course, this evolved even further in the coming decades.Food photography became all about amplifying the appealing aspects of the food. Aspects changed, and the fashion became to photograph food as if it was in front of you.It was due to this movement that close-up shots became more common.And it didn't stop there.As food photography grew to share many characteristics with commercial photography, it became common practice to apply special paint and other substances to food in order to make it more appealing.Nowadays, food photography takes many forms and photographers use many styles and angles depending on the purpose of the photograph.Ever wondered about photos that changed to world? AllanPhotography Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaPhotography Teacher 5.00 (7) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TimothyPhotography Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Anosh nadeemPhotography Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ZangmoPhotography Teacher 5.00 (6) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RosiePhotography Teacher £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MattPhotography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndyPhotography Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsMaking Use of Food PhotographyStill life originally served a purpose as a way for painters to practice their technique as well as to produce art.Today, the purpose of pictures of food has changed significantly. The arrival of advertising has completely changed the main use of culinary photography.So, where does the work of food photographers end up? ·               AdvertisementsFood photography began to change with the emergence of adverti sing in the 1930’s.As buying power grew, people started to shop more and they had far more choice in doing so than before. This era was the dawn of enticing people to buy products by presenting them with an appealing picture.Large posters became commonplace and advertisements began to appear in the press as food retailers saw the benefits of attracting hungry customers from a distance. ·               Recipe BooksFood photography is a branch of contemporary photography and a major feature of most cookery books. The aim of these photographs is to give readers an idea of the final result of a recipe and convince them to make it.The demand for food photographers comes from a variety of sectors ¦ source: Pixabay - RitaEThe examples of the recipes shown in recipe books can also suggest particular decorations or accompaniments to enhance dishes. ·               Food blogsMore and more amateur photographers and cooks are bringing their two passions together by sharing their food creatio ns with those on social media.The popularity of food blogs has grown considerably in the past few years as it is becoming easier than ever before to write and share articles with the foodie community around the world.This is why so many people who cook and bake in their spare time, as well as those who prepare food for a living have taken to documenting their creations by taking pictures of them. ·               Social MediaAs an intrinsic part of blog culture, social networks are a favourite among amateur food photographers.Whether it’s Instagram, Facebook or Snapchat, every outlet has its own advantages for those who want to publish photographs of their recipes.Food Photography as a CareerFood photography requires a variety of skills which are rarely found in one person.Producing photographs of sufficient quality to be used by advertisers and publishing houses involves a team of professionals.Not only does there need to be a professional photographer, but also an artistic direct or, a food stylist and a props department.So, becoming a food photographer is definitely a viable career!Whether you freelance or work for a business or photography agency, it will be your responsibility to take the best possible photographs of the food you’re working with.Food photographers can also work independently as professional food bloggers who earn a living by being contacted by businesses who wish to be featured on a particular blog or account.There is also the option of improving your food photography skills, even if you’re not aiming for a career in photography.Signing up for photography courses  near me led by a professional instructor can help you learn some helpful photography tips and tricks that will give you the skills to produce high-quality photographs of your food.Instagram: The New Hotspot for Food PhotographyOften referred to as ‘food porn’, the sharing of images of food on social media is more noticeable on Instagram than any other social network.Ther e are thousands of accounts which are exclusively dedicated to food photography as they make a new post of their scrumptious grub each day.Some accounts and choose to stick with a specific genre of food, such as vegan dishes, while others focus on types of food like avocado or burgers.Instagram is a hotspot for foodies everywhere ¦ source: Pixabay - DigitalpfadeThe beauty of Instagram is that its content is rarely produced by high-spec digital cameras, as people opt for their smartphone cameras instead.This removes the need for high-definition photos as the skill is in the presentation, so food photography is accessible to all!Join one of the many photography courses online and learn everything about photography from the comfort of your living room.The Must-Follow Food Accounts of InstagramInstagram’s large number of food accounts are a fantastic source of inspiration when it comes to finding recipes and discovering new food trends.Here is a selection of some of the most popular pages. ·               @BuzzfeedFoodBuzzfeed’s food account features video content submitted by its foodie followers.From mesmerising decoration techniques to step-by-step video tutorials, Buzzfeed Food has plenty of inspiration for food lovers as well as those looking for cooking inspiration. ·               @GirlEatWorldIf you love food and travel photography, this account is for you!Girl Eat World is all about exploring the world through food, featuring photographs of the culinary specialities of a variety of countries. ·               @FoodDecoFood Deco is a must-see food account.If you’ve run out of ideas when it comes to serving avocado, this Instagram account will be your saviour â€" all of its content is based on recipes using avocado!This glimpse into the online world of culinary photography can help any amateur photographer progress in their skills.Click here to read about photojournalism and documentary photography.

10 Proven Steps For Writing Lyrics That Stick

10 Proven Steps For Writing Lyrics That Stick Suzy S. The late Amy Winehouse tribute album Lioness: Hidden Treasures has been making waves on the UK music charts, securing the #1 spot just days after its release.   Although the posthumous album has had its share of drama and questionable reviews, the collection with its mix of covers and raw, unfinished tunes polished up by the producers seems fitting in depicting Amy as the troubled, tattered star that she was. As she sings at the start of Best Friends, Right?: I cant wait to get away from you/ Unsurprisingly you hate me too/ We only communicate when we need to fight/ But we are best friendsright?   It seems so simple, yet paints the picture pretty clear. Even for artists like Amy, writing lyrics can be a daunting task.   Luckily, you dont need to defy rehab to end up with a Grammy-nominated tune.   Heres a taste of 10 songwriting how-tos, courtesy of musicradar.com, to get you started: 1. Practice. Like any other creative process, such as playing guitar or programming synth sounds, lyric-writing is a skill that can be learned and improved upon. 2. Try to have a clear idea of what the song is about. You should be able to sum up the essence of the song in one sentence. 3. Make sure the song has a clear structure and progression. This is particularly important in narrative songs (songs that tell a story). A quick test is to read the finished song through from start to finish, asking yourself does this make sense? 4. Use context. Adding a back-story to explain the situation can add interest, and can change the entire meaning of any lyrics following it. 5. Use perspective. For example, a classic songwriting trick is to describe an event in the first verse, and add perspective by describing how it affected you or made you feel in the second verse. Another viewpoint can put an interesting spin on an otherwise straightforward point. 6. Choruses require a different approach to verses, especially if youre writing pop. They often need to be more plain and easy to remember. A common trick is to write the setup during the verse, and the emotional payoff in the chorus. 7. Dont feel that using imagery will make your lyrics too artsy or flowery. Used well, it can evoke emotions or moods that cant be created by using blunt description alone. 8. Experiment with attitude. Songs can be humble, arrogant, hopeful, somber, aggressive and more. Creative droughts can often be tackled by radically changing the outlook of your lyrics. This isnt to say that you shouldnt be yourself, but a bit of experimentation wont hurt. 9. Be aware of the sounds of words. Words have an inherent sound to them which becomes even more pronounced when sung rather than spoken. Some words sound open, some blunt, and some roll off the tongue. Take the sound as well as the meaning of the word into account when writing. 10. Consider the rhyming scheme, if there is one. Its important to remember that how catchy your song ends up is not just a product of the music and melody; it also comes from the lyrics, especially the rhythm and rhyming scheme. Remember: there isnt a cut-and-dry formula to writing lyrics, so its important to figure out what works best for you.   And when the inspiration hits, dont waste any time getting your thoughts out on paper! Like these posts?   Sign up to receive daily updates right to your inbox!   Click here to subscribe. You might also like Is Your 9-to-5 Draining Your Creativity? Stuck in a Musical Rut? Heres How to Get Out Lyrically Stuck? Think Like Eddie Vedder Image courtesy of blog.vh1.com.

Sort Out The Problems With Various Middle School Writing Programs

Sort Out The Problems With Various Middle School Writing Programs School is one of the most important parts of our life. We spend most of our days in school of our life. School plays the most important and a crucial role in shaping us as a student. It teaches us lots of things that we carry with us throughout our entire lives. The importance of teachers is also very high in our lives. They are the shapers of our lives. Every good or bad, small or big thing which we know is mostly derived from them. Different stages of school life While in school we go through various stages of it. First is the nursery stage in which we are taught the initial starting of our education life with games, various activities and through rhymes and so on. The second stage is the primary school in which we become accustomed with the new subjects that are taught in the school. The primary schooling gets done over creating and making a base on the various subjects that are been taught. The third one is the middle school in which some new subjects are taught and all new advancement is made for better learning. The process of knowing, implementing them, getting to know the subject on a much better way and also improving yourself gets its level with the middle school studies. The last part is the high school in which only the things taught these years are improved and updated. The high school does not have any new implementation and the old ones are only polished for better tomorrow. It can be said that the middle school is very important for any student as the student goes through huge learning processes. Middle School teaches you the basics of the subjects and also helps you to get a firm idea about what subjects to choose and what not to go through. But today the school has become thorough professional and thus they cannot help a student with the kind of guidance he or she should get. The schools lack this and thus the students are left with a weaker base over the subjects that can never help them for further base. This is the time when the students need the support of some other help to strengthen their base. Online tutors come up for their help. About online teachers Online teaching is a new way of teaching. It is just like the other kind of private tuitions that they get, but a slight difference is there. The difference is that the whole process of this type of tuition classes is conducted over the online way. Do you know what online help is all about? Online way is that the entire class is concluded with various video conferencing, different types of tele-conferencing, online chatting and via emails. The teachers are present all round the clock and thus the students can take help anytime they want. The services provided by the online learning institutes are very unique and helps a student with as much support they want. They have stretched their wings in different types of subjects and different types of services related to teaching only. The Middle school writing programs is a part of the long list of services that they provide. The teachers that is present in this institute for better life. Benefits of online teaching The online teaching process is getting highly acclaimed by the ones who have used the services or know the entire fact of what is online teaching process all about. Let us list down some of the advantages so that being the first timer you can know about the features of it and get a rough idea about what is the process about. The efficient teachers are available who will help the student with best way to help them for better future. The teachers who are appointed in such institutes are very highly qualified and thus this helps the student to get better knowledge about the subject and also about the topic which is being taught. In some institutes it is seen that whether you have the efficiency and then only the teacher is hired. The teachers are available all round the year throughout the clock and thus every student can come up with the appropriate timing to attend the classes. The classes are conducted by the teacher anytime and it totally depends on the student as to how they will come up with the subject better through the help of the teacher. This help increases the self confidence of a student to a great extent. The charges are very low and thus the middle class students can easily come up with the enrollment of their names in these institutes. The charges are as per the affordability of the parents and thus the attraction towards these online tutoring increases. The travelling expenses are also lessened with the advent of such types of classes as these classes are conducted by sitting at home and as a student you do not have t move about from one place to another for getting the tuition classes. This helps the save of your time, energy of moving here and there and also your expenses to a large limit. The classes are all conducted with the help of some of the new technical way as online chats, online messaging, emails etc and thus you can save money from that way as well as you do not have to invest for the notes of your. TutorPace, a new learning institute When you are going on in a searching process then you can easily access the institute TutorPace and know what is and what kind of services does it provide. It also can provide you with a rough idea about the charges that are charged by the other institutes and there you can compare between any other institutes as well. The teachers are also well up to the mark and thus you can enroll yourself in such an institute as well.  

ESOL Online Understanding Verb Tenses

ESOL Online Understanding Verb Tenses Daily ESOL Courses for Learning English: Marking Time with Tenses ChaptersBefore Delving into the TopicDoing it Like Other TonguesWhy Time Descriptions Are Not Needed in EnglishGetting Back to That DebateSome languages around the globe do not require verb tenses to show when an action happens. Nor do they demand a different verb form for each specific pronoun.Afrikaans, Scandinavian languages and Mandarin Chinese are just a few languages whose verbs do not change form, either in conjugation or for any tenses.Is your native language among those whose verb forms don't change, no matter the subject or the time the action occurred? If so, the need to constantly alter the verb when speaking and writing English must be bewildering, especially because there are several ways to mark time in the English language.We'd like to explore them with you.Time descriptors are not necessarily needed in English Source: Pixabay Credit GeraltRegardless of any possible ulterior motive, the one teaching English to you is absolutely correct: language nuance exists within t he context of what is written or being said.The information you can find  through context includes when actions happen, and the general tone or mood of the piece.We will discuss mood in our next section. Verb tenses are the best indicators of time in the English language.Consider the three simple tenses: past, present and future. Using one or the other to describe when an action happens provides the reader/listener with enough information to determine the timing of the action or event.Perhaps that is why so many people who are learning English as a foreign language content themselves with using only the three simple tenses.However, verb tenses go further to give a broader picture - more context.The progressive tenses indicate something currently happening (until the action was interrupted).The continuous tenses signal something ongoingThe perfect-progressive tenses give emphasis on the result of an action.Verb tenses help the speaker/listener give actions definitive time frames. Set ting the MoodIn English, verb constructions can be used to set a mood â€" a tone that gives further meaning to a sentence or paragraph.There are a total of five moods, but here, we focus on only one: the subjunctive mood.This type of phrasing is usually found in more formal English constructions. You might have read a sentence like this:To gain fluency in the language, it is recommended that the English learner practise speaking skills daily. Subjunctive mood uses: a dependent clause + passive voice + conjunction + independent clause (with modified verb, to suit the mood)Typically used verbs for this construction include: suggest, demand, insist, recommend, and ask.Can you write a subjunctive mood sentence?Learn more about English Grammar Clauses in our dedicated blog.A Note on Passive VoiceSubjunctive mood sentences include the use of a passive voice clause, as shown above. What is meant by passive voice?This sentence construction puts the focus of the phrase on the object, rather than on the subject.Today's English lesson was taught by Mr. Smith â€" passive voice.Standard English sentences call for focus on the subject, like so:Mr. Smith taught today's English lesson.Active voice is a much more direct way â€" the recommended way to express oneself in English.We will discuss passive voice in depth in our next Daily Dose of English Learning article.Getting Back to That DebateEarlier in this article, we mentioned that grammaticians of British and American English are hotly debating whether verbs in English actually use any tenses  at all.The general consensus seems to be that English only uses two tenses: past and present.English linguists are hotly debating whether the English language has verb tenses Source: Pixabay Credit: GeraltIn fact, that agreement extends to the belief that fewer than half of the world's languages actually use clearly defined tenses, as opposed to aspects.What does that matter to you, who is taking English courses in London? Not much, o ther than you will most likely have to recognize and identify verb tenses on any English test you take.Developing your English skills should be less a matter of books and theory, and more a proposition of speaking the language as much and as often as possible. Although an understanding of English grammar is most certainly important, it is not necessary to know every single aspect and rule in order to speak everyday English.In fact, the more you speak, the more the language constructs will naturally come to you, with no special effort on your part.To truly improve your English, we suggest that you focus on your English pronunciation and vocabulary, learn to use English words in proper context, develop strong writing skills and overall literacy, in addition to your grammar lessons.What mood is that sentence written in?If you don't have time to take face to face lessons you can also learn English online with a tutor.

6 Things ALL Great Musicians Should Have

6 Things ALL Great Musicians Should Have Suzy S. As a budding musician, you already know that reaching your goals requires a quality instrument to practice on, a positive mindset, and a commitment to hard work. But beyond the obvious equipment, there are several things some of them intangible that can make a big impact on your progress. Heres our list for success: 1. A practice log or journal. A practice log is absolutely essential to your success!  Keeping track of what youve been working on, what your next goal is, and what you need to practice to get there will help you avoid idle, ineffective practice sessions.  For TakeLessons students, your teacher will complete a journal entry after each lesson, which can be viewed in your online account.  Some teachers may encourage you to keep a written journal, as well.  Either way, your journal is an invaluable tool for staying on track at all times. 2. A great teacher. No matter how much natural talent you think youre born with, every successful musician has a great teacher behind them at some point. With a trained ear and professional experience, a great teacher will be able to help you focus on your goals, recognize bad habits you might be overlooking and best of all, will keep you motivated and having fun! (Dont have a great teacher yet? Search for a teacher near you and book your timeslot with TakeLessons!) 3. Sheet music (and an understanding of how to read it). Sheet music or guitar tabs are a given, but its the latter part that is a controversial topic for some musicians.  Is learning how to read music really necessary? We say yes.  With an understanding of music theory and how chords are created, your skills as a musician will improve drastically.  Youll be able to improvise easier, improve your sight reading and ear training abilities, and ultimately increase your options as a professional musician (imagine composing your own tune and having a large orchestra perform it!). (Having trouble getting the sheet music you need?  Here are our favorite resources for finding sheet music online.) 4. A metronome. Practicing with a metronome albeit a bit  monotonous will help you a ton as you are learning difficult time signatures, mastering tough passages in your music, and learning to play faster and more efficiently.  Dedicate a portion of your practice time to the metronome, and you may find yourself hitting the notes with much better accuracy. Using a metronome is especially important for learning jazz styles and other syncopated rhythms. 5. Recording device. Recording and listening to yourself is helpful for all musicians, from brass players to singers.  Similar to the role of a teacher, listening from a third person point of view can help you determine areas that need more practice and other subtle nuances.  Note: This doesnt mean you need to run out and buy expensive recording equipment; many mobile phone apps and computer programs, such as Garage Band, have recording and playback abilities. 6. Inspiration. Alright, so this one may seem like a bit of a stretch, but it is something all great musicians needs to have.  Without inspiration, your practice sessions will become dull, and your motivation may decline. But the good news?  Inspiration can come from anywhere.  So listen to music whenever you can, and listen to every genre.  Keeping your creativity intact can be especially difficult if music is a side hobby, so make sure you continue stimulating that creative side at every opportunity. Suzy S., TakeLessons staff member and blogger Havent subscribed to our email list yet?  Get even more insider tips and music advice, straight to your email inbox!  Subscribe here! You might also like Stop Stressing: 3 Remedies for Musical Frustration How to Audition Like the Pros: 5 Secrets Excel at Music By Acting Like a Child Photo by Finding Josephine.

How Can I Best Help My Childs Private Tutor

How Can I Best Help My Childs Private Tutor Top Tips For Successful Private Home Tuition ChaptersKnow Your Child's NeedsCheck They Have The Tools For The JobSet A GoalTime It RightBe Supportive Work With The TutorAllowing FlexibilityBe HonestRespect Their ScheduleSupporting your child’s learning by hiring a tutor to is a great idea. A private tutor is committed to guiding your child onto the path to achieving their full potential. They support your child in the skills that they need to become a very best that they can be.Private tutors have a broad reach, they can teach from the national curriculum academic tutoring subjects such as math, science, humanities or geography. Or they can work with you on languages, as a Mandarin or French tutor would do.They can prepare you for your GCSE exams or the entrance exams of secondary school, college or university. And that is not all personal tutors near me can help with homework, support with study skills, help you with reasoning or even preparing personalized and intensive study strategies for children who are studying outside of the traditional school system, such as homeschoolers.Tutoring has become so popular over the years, tutoring centres, certified teachers who tutor part-time, and online tutoring delivered by experts worldwide. Are all great options to turn to when your child is struggling, needs guidance for exams or just wants to maintain their knowledge.One of the strengths of tutoring is that you can easily find a tutor for anything that you would like to learn or improve. With the primary focus being student enrichment, they can work with your child one to one socially, personally and academically to get back on track.While the tutor's experience and skill will lay the path for how successful a private tutor is and how hard they work with your child to achieve their goals. Parents can work with the tutor to lay the foundation for this success, by supporting the tutor with some critical information, behaviours and clarity before beginning the one to one tutoring journey.Beginning the one to o ne tutoring journey positively.How Can You Support Your Private Tutor?We will highlight some great tips for how you can play your part in selecting and supporting your child's tutor and thus help your child to achieve their maximum potential from the process. These tips look at the role that the parent plays in the child's tutoring journey and how doing just a few things can make a massive difference to the outcome that the tutoring provides.Let get started!Before you are ready to hire a private tutor, you should be very clear about what you need the tutor for. Is your child struggling in school or are they falling behind or perhaps they have an exam or just need some help to maintain and apply their current knowledge. This will be important to share with the tutor before hiring them so that they can be sure if they have the correct skills for the outcomes that you are looking for. It is essential to be transparent with the tutor about why you have hired them and why they are needed .Talking to your child’s school teacher can help you with this, ask to see their evaluations, understand their strengths and weaknesses and overall comprehension in the classroom.Check They Have The Tools For The JobTo support your personal tutor and your child, ensure that you select the most qualified candidate for the position. Once you are clear about why private home tuition is needed, you can then start to look for the person who has the set of skills you need to accomplish the task. You should try where possible to find a tutor who specialises in the topic that your child needs help with.Of course, general personal tutors who cover a wide range of subjects are useful if your child needs help with more than 1 topic. But in any case, having a consultation with the chosen tutor and ensuring that the tutor is experienced in the required topics will support all involved to create a strong and favourable outcome for students.If you are unclear about what skills the tutor needs to bring success to your child speak with their academic teacher who can help you further.Set A GoalKnowing what outcome you want for your child is a crucial consideration in assisting your private tutor to help your child. If the tutor knows why they have been hired and what they are expected to achieve they will be able to reach the goals set out for them in a much more productive way.It will also be peace of mind for you as you could ask the tutor to provide you with a study plan or syllabus. Showing how they hope to achieve these goals and what resources they will use to get there. Giving the tutor a clear purpose and setting out your expectations of outcomes is one of the top ways to support the tutor to help your child.Consulting the national curriculum, your child's school or online sources for more detailed information about learning stages and what should be studied may be helpful.Learn more ways you can make the most of your child's tutoring sessions!Help your child to achie ve their maximum potentialWhether you are hiring 1 on 1 local tutors from your neighbourhood or a tutor online, you will need to schedule classes for your child when they will be most receptive to this further learning. If your child has been at school all day they might need a break or would they function best straight after school? It is crucial not to arrange tutoring sessions when your child is tired and disengaged.Tiredness will prevent them from achieving their maximum potential and make it more difficult for them to retain the information required to improve noticeably. If your child is too tired after school, you can try to find a tutor who works at the weekends and schedule classes then.Be Supportive Work With The TutorWhen the private tutor is working with your child, you must understand and respect their expertise. Creating a healthy communication between yourself and the tutor will help you to support your child better and thus allow the tutor to do their job more effici ently.Understanding the study plan that the tutor has for the session and how they aim to teach your child can go a long way in helping you to work with and support the tutor. For example, you can review the lesson with your child, and help them complete any homework that is set.Allowing FlexibilityAllow the tutor to communicate how to best tutor your child, give them the freedom to instruct your child to academic success. While you should be kept informed of progress be aware that everything takes time. Try not to ask the tutor for progress reports at every class.Agree with the tutor when you will get to discuss the progress of your child and stick with that. Also, allow the tutor to use the engaging techniques and resources that they have determined best to engage your child, these techniques or resources may not always appear to be the most direct method to your goals, but the tutor is experienced and understands how to support a child achieve their potential.Be HonestBeing hones t with the tutor that you have hired is very important as it will help to save time in the long run. If you tell the tutor that your child is good at things they are not good at and ask them to tutor your child on specific outcomes.The tutor could be missing out on vital information, this may dictate the study plan the tutor creates and thus the speed that your child will improve. Either allow the tutor to determine for themselves your child’s strengths and weaknesses or be honest and clear about what level your child is at. Backing this up with school reports and certified teacher feedback will be beneficial to the tutor.Being honest with the tutor also means not doing the homework for your child, if you are committed to the progress of your child, you must understand that getting it right is not the right way to improve. It is the process that the child has to go through, the connections that are made and the achievement of doing it themselves that counts for a lot.Also take a l ook at the possible pitfalls and successes brought by private tutoring...Respect Their ScheduleAny tutor that you choose is likely to be working with some other families, adults or students. It is essential to respect the time of the tutor if you hope for them to work with you long term and if you want to see the maximum improvement with your child.This means being on time and prepared for the lesson at the time that the tutor has given you. If the tutor is coming to your home, then the child should be ready to start the lesson at least 5 minutes before the start time. If the lesson starts 5 minutes late because your child is eating dinner or getting changed this is 5 minutes that you will lose for potential tutoring.The end time of the session is not a suggested end time but the time that the session will end. This allows the tutor to get to other meetings on time. To give your investment in private tuition the maximum chance of success, you must pay attention to the schedule. If y ou would like to get an update about progress, then it is always best to agree on a report schedule before starting to work with the tutor. Decide with them how and when you will be updated. The end of the session with your child may not always be the best time to have the discussion it will depend on their scheduling and availability.Support your child in improving skills that they enjoyWhile it may seem that the tutor's job is to start working with your child to get results as fast as possible on their own. The tutoring partnership is actually a 3 way one; The private tutor as the guide, the parents as the support and the child as the learner, All of these parties have to communicate, work together and dedicate themselves to playing their part. Committing to this partnership will maximise the potential for the child to succeed and lead themselves to achieve their best with confidence.To outline the scope and concepts of personal tutoring, you should read this guide...Happy Learnin g!

Preparing for the 2013 PSAT

Preparing for the 2013 PSAT Every October, most high school juniors (and some sophomores) take the PSAT.   Short for Preliminary SAT, the PSAT is exactly that a shorter version of the SAT that most students take before they take the actual SAT.   Questions on the PSAT are similar to those on the SAT, covering critical reading, math, and writing.     The PSAT, however, is scored out of 240 points, only takes 2 hours and 10 minutes to complete, and does not have an essay.Also, a students PSAT score doesnt count for college admissions.   That last fact is why many of my students tell me that they blew off the test, or forgot their calculator, or gave up halfway through that really boring reading passage on the feeding habits of bats.   Yes, its true, their scores on the PSAT wont affect which colleges they get into.   However, I still encourage students to take the PSAT seriously for several reasons:1) Your performance on the PSAT is a good predictor of your performance on the SAT.When you take the PSAT, the Coll ege Board is giving you a sneak preview of your SAT score.   Because PSAT questions are so similar to SAT questions, you can expect to get about the same score on both tests (just add a zero to the end of your PSAT score).   If you blow off the PSAT, youre giving up the chance to see how youd score on the SAT and adjust your approach accordingly.   Did you get that low PSAT score because you genuinely struggled with the test material, or because you got bored?   Dont underestimate the importance of this feedback!2) Taking the PSAT in a real testing environment boosts your confidence.Even though colleges dont see your PSAT score, most students still feel some nerves and pressure on PSAT test day.   Its inevitable when youre surrounded by hundreds of other students hopped up on adrenaline!   Youll feel the same way when you take the SAT.   The more chances you have to get nervous in a testing environment and deal with your emotions effectively, the more your confidence will increase. (This is why AJ Tutoring encourages all of our students to take proctored SATs at our office on Saturdays!)   If you take the PSAT seriously, allow yourself to get nervous, and take the test anyways, youre that much closer to confidently scoring your best when it counts on the SAT.3) The PSAT gives you valuable experience with SAT questions.Because PSAT and SAT questions cover the same content at similar levels of difficulty, taking the PSAT lets you know what you can expect on the SAT.   Students usually have not encountered anything like SAT questions in their schoolwork, and they can be blindsided by tricky function questions on the math section or convoluted sentences in the writing section.   If youve taken the PSAT and seen those questions before, youll get a leg up on preparing for the SAT and youll know what to expect on test day.4) High scorers can earn National Merit recognition from their PSAT performance.If youre one of those 99th percentile test takers, the PSAT might b e your ticket to a National Merit scholarship and an advantage in college admissions.   The National Merit program recognizes high scores on the junior year PSAT with several designations Semifinalist, Finalist, and Scholarship winner.   Only the top 1% of students from each state are chosen to be National Merit semifinalists.   If you have the potential to score high enough to get National Merit recognition, dont pass up the chance to take the PSAT!Whether you anticipate a stellar performance on the PSAT or youre just hoping to not bomb the test, I encourage you to take it seriously.   Good luck!The PSAT will be administered on October 16 and 19, 2013.   Looking for last-minute PSAT prep?   AJ Tutoring offers a short 3-session PSAT tutoring program to familiarize you with the test.   Email info@ajtutoring.com or call (650) 331-3251 for more information!

New Common App essay prompts for 2013-14

New Common App essay prompts for 2013-14 Juniors are you ready to start thinking about college essays yet?   The deadline may seem far away, but the earlier you start the brainstorming and writing process, the easier the essays will be.   In case you want to get a head start, the Common App has released five new essay prompts for the 2013-14 admissions season.Not sure what the Common App is?   Its a universal application that allows students to apply to multiple colleges at once. 488 colleges accept the Common App (a complete list of those colleges can be found here).There are several big changes to the Common App this year:A minimum word count of 250 words for the essay will be enforced.The maximum word count has increased from 500 to 650 words.Students will no longer be able to upload a resume unless a college specifically requests one.The topic of your choice prompt has been eliminated.There are five new essay prompts.The five new essay prompts are:Some students have a background or story that is so central to their ide ntity that they believe their application would be incomplete without it.   If this sounds like you, then please share your story.Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure.   How did it affect you, and what lessons did you learn?Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea.   What prompted you to act?   Would you make the same decision again?Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content.   What do you do or experience there, and why is it meaningful to you?Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.What do you think of the Common Apps new essay prompts for 2013-14?   Do they stifle students creativity by eliminating the topic of your choice, or do they provide welcome direction and focus?   Id love to hear your thoughts!