Homeschooling - Getting Started By Mary Joyce

There are more and more parents every year who have reached the conclusion that educating their children at home has become a much better option than what the public schools today have to offer. The advantage is to homeschooling are many among the top that homeschooling has to offer is the flexibility of the scheduling and knowing that your child is be presented with and learning the values and morals that are important to your family.

When it comes to homeschooling there are many different types of homeschooling approaches that you will no doubt come across in your research. Probably the most common type of approach taken today would be best described as an eclectic approach. This is where the parents over time have come to use various components of several different approaches and combined them into an overall educational process that works best for their child and their family.

Many parents when they just start out seem overwhelmed by all of the information available. And believe me, there is a vast amount of information available. Don't panic, you'll sort through it in time and find what works best for you and your family. Don't grind to a halt and suffer from paralysis by analysis just because you try to gather more information than anyone could possibly process.

For this reason, many families choose to go with a packaged curriculum. Although initially you might feel as though a packaged curriculum is not within your budget, if you are just starting out this may be the best and most organized way for you to begin. You can always take what you learn from a packaged curriculum and develop your own model.

As you look through all the possibilities for homeschooling your child and all of the programs out there, keep in mind that any homeschooling program under its packaged for your own needs to follow the natural growth pattern of your child. In other words, you'll want to find or develop a package that contains not only a natural progression in the subject matter, but you'll also want to be mindful of any documentation that is required by your state and local regulations.

I would think that it would be safe to say that for the majority of homeschooling parents their curriculum has developed over time. Don't worry if you feel like you don't have everything perfectly aligned in the beginning. This is one of the great advantages to homeschooling... you don't have to be perfect and you don't have to follow a perfect schedule.

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Study From Home: The Courses We Offer By Kris

When you choose to do your high school diploma from home, you not only have the capability of working at your own pace, without the distractions and stresses that the high school social scene poses, but you also have the capability of choosing the classes that you want, from a far wider variety of option than what your local high school would be able to offer you through night school.

At Citizens School, we realize that while economics and the need to work full time is a primary motivator for people to leave school prior to achieving their diploma, we also realize that there are many other factors at play. Our marketing team research has clearly shown that not only do students leave school out of a need, they also leave school out of desire, the desire to be stimulated more than what their local high school could provide.

One interviewee, Jason, put it most bluntly, “I left school because I was bored. Plain and simple. The high school that I went to, did not offer the kinds of courses that I was interested in taking. They offered all the necessary stuff, for sure, like Math and Languages, things like that. My interests lie more on the artistic side and there was not anything there to stimulate me. I finally gave up, I felt like I was wasting my time.”

That’s when Jason realized that at Citizens School, the choices in course selection are endless. He came across our information while searching for other options and realized that he would be able to take artistic classes like painting and graphic design through our institution, while still achieving a federally recognized high school diploma. While adhering to official requirement for a high school diploma, we are able to offer a more outstanding selection that stimulate our students, while they also complete the required courses to achieve what they ultimately are looking for – a high school diploma with a breadth of selection that is unparalleled.

So, if you are thinking that you want to achieve a high school diploma, but the idea of it makes you cringe from the memories of high school boredom, remember that you have more opportunities than you think.

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A Computer Science Degree Is Not Just For Geeks Anymore By Andy West

Years ago, a computer science degree was seen as something that attracted mainly math and computer nerds. The stereotype may not have been fair, but it looks as though the computer science students have the last laugh in any event. Today, courses and programs of study in computers offer not only excellent job opportunities, but also some very creative courses as well. Thanks to the fact that computers have evolved so rapidly and are now being used in every field, graduates of these computer programs have a cachet and coolness factor that simply did not exist before.

A computer science degree, at its simplest, is any degree that studies computers and their systems in depth. Students in the computer sciences study subjects such as algorithms, programming languages, computer hardware, software, program design, and other subjects. Of course, degrees vary widely. Some students focus on theoretical or mathematical work, while others focus on studies that will allow them to build practical systems and software programs for businesses.

A student with a computer science degree has plenty of career options, many of them very creative and interesting. Advertising agencies, digital artists, and web design companies require graduates to help transform creative ideas into creative software, graphics, and multimedia. Rock stars and music industry executives rely on students with computer science skills to assemble high-tech music videos, special multimedia effects for concerts, and other computerized effects.

Today, as animated films and movies with special effects are more popular, computer science students are in demand by movie studios. Students not only help build and fix computer systems, they are also often involved in creating some of the most popular cultural products of today. From movies to music to television and Internet trends, students from the computer sciences are responsible for many of the entertainment options we enjoy.

Students with a computer science degree may also build systems or software that is used by companies, by NASA or by home computer users. The possibilities are virtually endless. Now that so many people use computers, the work of people with computer skills is vital.

The employment news for students with a computer science degree is also very good. The U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, in the Computer Programmers section of the 2002-03 Occupational Outlook Handbook, states that computers scientists are expected to be the among the best growing occupations through the year 2010. Companies at all levels require workers with excellent computer skills. Today, even small businesses hire experts to create personalized computer systems or custom-built software elements for a business.

Major corporations such as NASA, IBM, and major movie studios, hire students from the computer sciences. Often, students graduating with this sort of degree can expect great career options, a well-paying job, and good benefits. Students with these skills are in demand, and companies have responded with attractive employment offers.

Students who are familiar with computers and want to pursue one of the more creative computer career options have plenty of choices. They should look for degree programs that offer plenty of hands-on experience. A degree with a good reputation goes a long way towards helping a student land a good job. Beyond that, networking can help students in applying for careers that are of interest. Many companies, even in glamorous fields, are actively looking for computer professionals. Networking is often as simple as letting prospective employers know about your skills. Many schools that offer good computer programs have career centers. These are also excellent resources that should not be overlooked.

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Will An Online Education Help Change Your Life? By Ronnie Roberts

Few things in life are as important to society as education. For thousands of years the opportunity for students to learn was usually limited to local availability of teaching resources.

When correspondence courses started appearing over one hundred years ago, education became more available to a greater diversity of people, even so, it was hard for folk in far flung places, possibly poverty stricken, to enjoy the rich pickings of fine correspondence courses.

The internet has changed everything. Now more than ever, people right across the globe are getting connected and subsequently gaining access to an ever growing diversity of wonderful learning opportunities. Correspondence Education has evolved and can be enjoyed by more people than ever before. As a consequence, providers are able to make courses affordable effective and even more attractive.

With connectivity to the internet as commonplace as a typical modern day mobile phone, the opportunity to learn from institutions located thousands of miles away, has become a reality for millions of people in all walks of life, regardless of age, color or creed.

As the world becomes more complex and competitive, personal knowledge and certificated skills are increasingly essential for people wanting to command prosperous careers. With online education as prevalent as it is today, there are few reasons to deny the opportunity to study and gain the accolades and certification that can help make a real, lasting, difference to your life.

The first steps are easy, with literally thousands of websites dedicated to education, exploring opportunities that may suit you best is as simple as logging onto the internet and surfing the subjects that interest you. Whatever you want to learn about, you are likely to find training and degree courses that suit your level of experience quickly modern search engines and visible links.

Take your first step today, explore the subjects that you might want to learn and apply for information directly with colleges and universities supporting those subjects.

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Diverse Opportunities With A Computer Animation Degree By Andy West

If you’re considering a computer animation degree and have been discouraged by people telling you that there isn’t much opportunity in this field, don’t believe it. Computer animation is actually a field that covers an incredible amount of territory and is currently in need of qualified, talented people. What surprises many people is the diversity of opportunities for individuals with a computer animation degree.

The first and most obvious opportunity (and the one that usually generates someone’s initial interest) is computer animated films such a cartoons and feature length movies. A generation ago these weren’t even dreams, but today some of the greatest money making films of all time have been computer animated. Studios like Pixar and Industrial Light and Sound are staffed by computer animators who design their films from conception to final cut.

Not Just Movies Anymore

But you don’t have to move to Hollywood to put a computer animation degree to good use. In fact, large cities that have dynamic advertising industries are increasingly drawing computer animation specialists. Advertising firms recognize the value of unique, unusual and compelling commercials, and computer animation is a favorite method of catching viewers’ attention in today’s marketplace. Whether it is talking lizards or elaborate accidents, animation takes advertising to the next level.

Theme parks also rely heavily on those with computer animation degrees to make their rides and other features more appealing. How many times have you waited in a long line for an attraction and been entertained by a short animated feature that sets the tone for the coming attraction? Today’s haunted houses and many other entertainment venues feature some form of computer-generated animation as either the main component or to enhance the overall effect.

Almost everyone has played a video game these days; video game developers may hire more computer animation degree graduates than any other industry. No matter how interesting or complex the game concept is, if the graphics and animation aren’t top-notch, the game is doomed to failure.

Advancing Research through Computer Animation

Individuals graduating with a computer animation degree frequently overlook research and development. This is a shame, because researchers in the scientific and medical communities are in desperate need of qualified animators to bring their work to life. More and more, researchers are relying on animation to help them clearly present their research and findings at seminars, hospitals and to the boards that fund their work.

Hospitals and clinics also use computer animation to demonstrate surgical techniques and other procedures to patients.

There are so many different ways that computer animation is used today and the market is steadily growing. In the future, it will be used in more inventive and diverse ways as technology advances, increasing the demand for skilled experts with a computer animation degree.

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Sharpen Your Child's Number Skills This Summer By Gaurav Tekriwal

The summer can be a great time to be outside. It is a great time for some incredible learning for your child as it is the best time he can have during the vacations.

Numerous summer workshops and activities take place during this time and you can enroll your child for one such hobby classes. From Painting to Dancing to Bead Crafting to Elocution or even horse riding- One can choose according to his interest levels.

This is also a good time to work on your child's weak spots and develop his strengths for a better academic performance.

You can be in a surprise for what your child can be if you happen to enroll him in the World's Fastest Mental Math System, better known as High Speed Vedic Math Workshop which virtually makes your child into a human-bio calculator.

High Speed Vedic Math speeds up the dull and boring mathematics upto 1500 percent and you can do incredible calculations like never before.It is intuitive and uses the right brain for its calculation and is easy to master and apply. One simply needs to have the knowledge of multiplication tables to perform these amazing feats of wonder.

High Speed Vedic Math has its roots in Ancient India and was founded by ancient seers. It was rediscovered by the Sankaracharya (head pontiff of India) Bharti Krishna Tirthaji Maharaja in 1918 after years of vigorous study of the coded strings of knowledge.

Vedic Math is increasingly getting popular across the world. The prime reason being so is because of its speed and scope. Vedic Mental Math encompasses Arithmetic, Algebra, Trigonometry and even Geometry unlike other Mental Math Systems like Abacus which only focusses on the 4 basic operations of Arithmetic.

Let me give you a quick example:

62 x 68 = ?

It is quite simple since both digits start from 6, so you take 6 and multiply with the next number 7 which gives you= 42 and take 2 and multiply by 8 which gives you 16,so the final answer is 4216.

No wonder this is the World's Fastest Mental Math System!

Jane, who just attended a workshop at the Vedic Math Forum India wonders “Why isn’t this taught in our school because this makes me feel like I can get 100% in my Math Exam.'

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Online Math Programs By Morgan Hamilton

Nowadays you can find a great variety of online math programs. Honestly, as a teacher, I don't believe that any subject, especially Math, can be tutored online. What's most important in tutoring is to be able to act in person. The only way I know to teach mathematics is face-to-face. From my point of view, the online math programs available are not good, all they do is to confuse the child with complicated charts and answers which without a teacher's explanation, would be quite discouraging and may have only a negative impact on the child.

However, there are some online math programs that have proved to be quite helpful. For instance, there are some sites offering free online multiplication games. This is a great way for your kid to practice multiplication drills and have fun at the same time. I hate to see children bored with calculating with paper and pen. I believe it's good if they also play such math games that help them learn more. Since the online game doesn't differs from the normal math, than I can only encourage youngsters to play it. But many other online math programs are simply trash. If you cannot learn your algebra in school then how can you learn it from online math setup? Of course, that would be impossible, so don't waste your time trying it.

There is a much better way to learn mathematics than online programs - you can try the local tutorial centers. There you will find qualified mathematics teachers who will be able to teach your child any math that he doesn't get. Furthermore, many schools nowadays offer tutoring and homework help. I would definitely agree that hiring a tutor is much more expensive than finding online math programs but you should consider what's best for your child. Online math doesn't give you the personal connections or the custom tailored explanations. Your child needs face to face contact. If your child has difficulty in English, history, math or any other subject, then you better consider tutoring instead of online math programs.

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Indianapolis Schools By Patricia Hawke

Indianapolis Schools make up the state’s largest school district. Recently Indianapolis Schools have been the focus of a reform package designed to target struggling schools in the state. Due to its immense size, the superintendent has implemented strict reforms that can control and equalize the pacing of individual Indianapolis Schools. However, this most recent motion to tack on an extra 25 days at the end of the year has been met with opposition from all sides.

The Indianapolis Public Schools Teachers Union has expressed displeasure at this development. The extra school days would apply to only four Indianapolis Schools that are believed to be in jeopardy. The progress of each Indianapolis School has been tracked in accordance to the No Child Left Behind Act, which requires annual evidence of improvement. If no evidence is produced then, according to the act, the schools must be shut down. The progress of the four Indianapolis Schools did not reach necessary standards. In a last ditch attempt to save these schools the superintendent hastily produced an unpopular extension of the school year.

Teachers were informed that they would be required to work the extra days or transfer to different Indianapolis Schools. Because of the time constraints, many teachers feel that the situation was handled poorly and that the information dispensed too late. The extra days, scheduled to begin July 23, would sabotage many summer plans for the teachers in these Indianapolis Schools. Overall there is a general consensus that the situation had been poorly and thoughtlessly handled by the school boards.

This is not the first sweeping reform to target Indianapolis Schools. In the past, the superintendent has advocated standardized tests and restricted teaching methods. These programs were completed in keeping with the standards reform that continues to invade districts across the nation. Teachers in these Indianapolis Schools complied with both constraints and reforms in action if not enthusiasm.

But this most recent dictate has many teachers complaining loudly. The Indianapolis Public School Teachers Union has appealed their case to a state board. They hope that the ruling will favor elimination of the extra school days proposal. Indianapolis Schools may be struggling, but teachers feel that something should have been done sooner to reverse the pattern of failure. Teachers feel that time is running and have asked that their case be moved to top priority. A decision must be made before the start date of extra days begins on July 23.

Aside from the reaction of the teachers, Indianapolis Schools saw the effect this decision would have on students and parents. Since the extra days would benefit struggling students, parents were able to see the positive aspects of this initiative. Many parents viewed the extended school year as a small inconvenience in exchange for the survival of their Indianapolis Schools. Yet other working parents expressed relief at having somewhere structured for children to go over the summer. All sides agree that Indianapolis Schools need to address similar issues before they occur to prevent another similar fiasco.

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Building New Orleans Schools From The Ground Up By Patricia Hawke

Even before Hurricane Katrina New Orleans Schools suffered from a lack of teachers, run down facilities and failure to meet state and national guidelines. Since the devastating storm those problems are compounded. As students and families trickle back into New Orleans Schools, those in leadership roles must provide all the necessities to educate the current 27,000 children, along with 100 more who are enrolled each week.

New Orleans Schools have a new leadership team in place to guide the way. Paul Pastorek was recently named Louisiana Schools Chief, and Paul Vallas will head the Recovery School District (RSD), which includes most schools previously run by the state board. Vallas, who has served as superintendent for both Philadelphia and Chicago Schools, appears very realistic about the troubles plaguing the New Orleans Schools. But he also claims that, “This will be the greatest experiment in choice, in charter, and in creating not only a school system, but also a system of schools.”

Vallas has said that the lack of usual limitations will create opportunities, but that the limited finances will remain challenging. New Orleans Schools currently have a mix of 58 public schools, charter schools and RSD schools open. 20 more New Orleans Schools are expected to open in fall of 2007. What will they look like?

Many hope that charter schools will continue to have a strong presence in the district. New Orleans Schools have 17 RSD authorized charter schools. There are also charter schools run under the local school board and 5 magnet schools. The world is watching to see how these choices are monitored and to determine their effectiveness. Many school reformers hail charters as the future of New Orleans Schools due to their combination of independence and accountability. Failing schools are simply closed.

Vallas and Pastorek recently attended an education summit hosted by the New Schools Venture Fund and the New Leaders for New Schools. The “two Pauls” outlined their plan for addressing issues like educator shortages and poor classroom space. Some of the proposals include initiating a “welcome school” to screen incoming children of New Orleans Schools for both academic and emotional needs. Post-Katrina teachers have seen a major increase in anxious and fearful children unable to concentrate on academic tasks.

The continued disruption and lack of routine in the lives of these children adds an emotional burden to the already understaffed and overburdened New Orleans Schools’ teachers. This leads to the problem of attracting teachers to this devastated and struggling area. Vallas plans to draw on the student-teacher populations to help prepare for the need. New Orleans Schools will need to hire 800 more teachers for the ’07-’08 school year.

New Leaders for New Schools, a principal training organization, has signed up to train 40 principals for New Orleans Schools by 2010. In spite of this outside help, the task is daunting and enormous. Vallas puts a positive spin on the challenge, “If we can create a dynamic school system here, that means it can be done any where, and there will no longer be any excuses for why it can’t be done.”

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Speaking In Spain By Clinton Maxwell

Learning the Spanish language starts by learning the Spanish alphabet. You will need to fully understand how to say each word and letter of the alphabet with the correct pronunciation. Take some time to study the alphabet to be able to do this.

The Spanish alphabet is a combination of the Latin and Arabic languages. You will find that the rules and the punctuation in the alphabet are quite similar to each. For those with this type of language background, learning Spanish will be simplistic. In most aspects, the alphabet is that of the Latin alphabet but there are some important differences.

The differences include:

Accent so which is used over the vowels in some cases. Those with the accent are actually variations of those without.

Another differences is the letter n. The tilde can be used in some cases in the alphabet. Each is a different letter in the alphabet.

In addition, there are two letters that are considered diagraphs: ll and ch and therefore are considered to be separate letters all on their own.

Saying The Spanish Alphabet

For those that speak English, much of the pronunciation of the letters is quite similar to what you say now. An example is the letter C, which has two sounds including sounding like K and S. Some letters sound different though. The J sounds like the letter H. The V sounds like the letter B in English. The letter Z sounds like that of S. And, the letter R makes a rolling R sound.

You also need to learn a bit more about some differences in the alphabet. The vowels that have accents do two things. The first is to mark for a stress of that letter which helps you to know how to pronunciation it. In addition, it serves to show differences in two different words.

When you are writing Spanish, the stress is on the last syllable of the world. When a word ends with a constant letter, this provides stress on the last syllable of the word. There are always some instances when this is not true though. For example, if there is an accent on the stressed vowel, there is no stress on the last syllable. In addition to these aspects, there are also rules in the language which provide for syllable count to know when to assign the accents to the Spanish words.

Although these aspects of the Spanish alphabet may seem a bit troublesome and confusing here, the fact is that it takes some practice with saying and later writing the words to learn this. Learning the language is simplified when you give yourself time to do so. You will find many resources available to you on the web to help you to learn Spanish if you are ever in Spain.

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Orlando Schools Prepare To Shape Up By Patricia Hawke

When students in Orlando Schools return to school this fall they should prepare to shape up. Physically speaking anyway. Florida Governor Charlie Crist just signed into law a new requirement for daily physical education (PE) classes for all kindergarten through 5th grade students. Historically Orlando Schools, and all its Florida counterparts, have allowed local governing agencies to set PE requirements. But new governor Crist thinks it is time for a change.

Prompting his action are numerous reports pointing to the increase in obesity and obesity related diseases in children nationwide. A 2003 task force found that millions of American children are at risk for juvenile diabetes, which is often caused by obesity and a sedentary lifestyle. Add to that these shocking statistics: the percentage of overweight children has tripled since 1980, while the number of schools requiring daily PE classes has dropped from 42% to 28%.

Orlando Schools, which are part of the Orange County District, will need to make some significant changes to meet the new requirements. While Orlando Schools have shown some improvements on statewide test scores, much of that success is attributed to the additional time devoted to intensive math and reading instruction. A recent inquiry of 100 Orange County Schools found that 4 had replaced PE time with academic instruction in math and reading. This has some teachers in Orlando Schools scratching their heads as to where this “extra” PE time is going to come from.

The new mandate will require Orlando Schools to provide 2 ½ hours of PE weekly to K-5 students. It “encourages” 3 ¾ hours per week for both middle and high school students. If Governor Crist has his way daily gym classes will be required for all K-12 students by 2012. Some pretty specific things need to happen for Orlando Schools to comply with these requirements.

First of all, Orlando Schools will need to hire more teachers. Teacher requirements have been raised, making the pool smaller than ever. On the plus side, sunny Orlando Schools lure some well-educated transfers from colder climes, so it’s unlikely that finding teachers will be a major issue. The second issue of when Orlando Schools will teach PE is a stickier point. There are no more hours in the school day, so the time that Orlando Schools devote to PE will have to come from somewhere else. Many educators fear that the already dwindling time devoted to art and music will suffer. Others fear that academic advances in math and reading are bound to decline. Still others point to the non-tested areas of science and social studies as the most likely losers.

Even with all these concerns, no one really seems to oppose the idea of increasing physical fitness for the children in Orlando Schools. On the contrary, many teachers and principals applaud the ability to finally let children use their energy in productive and healthy ways. Childhood development research has long supported the fact that physical fitness and good health help students in all other academic and social areas. Orlando Schools just need to figure out the best ways to make that happen.

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Choosing A Singing Teacher By Chris Chew

Just like in everything else, choosing the right singing teacher can either make or break your singing career or aspirations. So it is of great importance that you hire good singing coach for your vocal lessons.

Beyond learning how to read music scores, what a singing teacher will do is to impart and train you the correct singing techniques. While a university professor teaches you about what you have studied and how to interpret it, singing teachers teach and train you on how to use what you have learned.

For this reason, the ability to interact comfortably with your singing teacher is very important. There must be good chemistry between the teacher and the student. It is therefore not unreasonable for the student to request for a 'consultation lesson,' when you are selecting your singing teacher. This is done so that your singing teacher and you may become acquainted with each and come to an understanding on the development of an agreeable teacher student relationship.

You want to establish some kind of rapport with your potential singing teacher. Ask yourself if you will be comfortable with this person because you will be developing a relationship with this person and training together few times a week. You want to enjoy learning singing and not have your singing lesson feeling like a chore. This is why you should never sign up with a singing teacher merely on the basis of a telephone conversation.

Always arrange for a meeting as you will need to explore your singing teacher's background although before your meeting, you will probably have researched much the teacher's background over the phone or through a biographical sheet that professional singing teachers should have. If possible, ask for testimonies from their ex-students. These testimonies will be an indication of how popular and credible your singing teacher is.

When you think that your potential singing teacher has sufficient and appropriate professional singing background that is comfortable to you, then you can proceed to ask questions about matters you find important such as the singing lesson's curriculum and your expectations. You may also like to sing songs of a particular genre, if so, find out if your singing teacher is able to coach you on the genre that you like, whether these are pop songs, classical or even jazz singing.

Unless you are absolutely certain that this is a musical match that will work, do not immediately commit to anything. Take time to see the other potential singing teachers on your list. Remember, choosing a good singing coach will definitely give your singing career a great head start, so choose wisely.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=153982&ca=Education

Choosing A Singing Teacher By Chris Chew

Just like in everything else, choosing the right singing teacher can either make or break your singing career or aspirations. So it is of great importance that you hire good singing coach for your vocal lessons.

Beyond learning how to read music scores, what a singing teacher will do is to impart and train you the correct singing techniques. While a university professor teaches you about what you have studied and how to interpret it, singing teachers teach and train you on how to use what you have learned.

For this reason, the ability to interact comfortably with your singing teacher is very important. There must be good chemistry between the teacher and the student. It is therefore not unreasonable for the student to request for a 'consultation lesson,' when you are selecting your singing teacher. This is done so that your singing teacher and you may become acquainted with each and come to an understanding on the development of an agreeable teacher student relationship.

You want to establish some kind of rapport with your potential singing teacher. Ask yourself if you will be comfortable with this person because you will be developing a relationship with this person and training together few times a week. You want to enjoy learning singing and not have your singing lesson feeling like a chore. This is why you should never sign up with a singing teacher merely on the basis of a telephone conversation.

Always arrange for a meeting as you will need to explore your singing teacher's background although before your meeting, you will probably have researched much the teacher's background over the phone or through a biographical sheet that professional singing teachers should have. If possible, ask for testimonies from their ex-students. These testimonies will be an indication of how popular and credible your singing teacher is.

When you think that your potential singing teacher has sufficient and appropriate professional singing background that is comfortable to you, then you can proceed to ask questions about matters you find important such as the singing lesson's curriculum and your expectations. You may also like to sing songs of a particular genre, if so, find out if your singing teacher is able to coach you on the genre that you like, whether these are pop songs, classical or even jazz singing.

Unless you are absolutely certain that this is a musical match that will work, do not immediately commit to anything. Take time to see the other potential singing teachers on your list. Remember, choosing a good singing coach will definitely give your singing career a great head start, so choose wisely.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=153982&ca=Education

Miami Schools By Patricia Hawke

Ah, beautiful Miami! Sun, sand, and palm trees. It’s also the town of opportunities for most students in Kindergarten all the way up to 12th grade who attend Miami Schools. Magnet programs are abundant, and surrounding communities like Coral Gables and Aventura teem with innovative and exciting schools. Of course, Miami Schools also have their fair share of problems, as well. Budget concerns and dropout rates continue to burden the district.

One of Miami Schools’ success stories is Coral Gables. The town has a highly respected magnet program, which resides at Coral Gables High School. It received a Magnet School of Distinction Award at the 24th Annual Magnet Schools of America Conference in Omaha, Nebraska.

Also on the horizon for Miami Schools is a new International Studies Magnet High School, which will open near Coral Gables High School. It will offer intensive study in foreign languages and culture. Seven hundred of Miami Schools’ students will spend half of each day learning the history and cultures of Europe entirely in a foreign language. It will be the first and only high school of its kind in the country! The curriculum will be based on the successful international education programs already in place at Miami Schools like Carver Elementary, Sunset Elementary, and Ponce de Leon Middle School, all of which teach French, German, and Spanish. Not only are students immersed in a foreign language, they are instructed in a foreign culture; just as other students in France, Germany, or Spain would be. English isn’t spoken at all during the foreign language part of the day. It’s as if schools from those countries have been scooped up and set back down into the Miami Schools’ district of Miami-Dade. The goal of the program is to produce students who are proficient in a foreign language.

Another success story for Miami Schools, at least so far, is the new ACES charter school, located in Aventura. The school’s student body population began at 425. The city also has constructed a 300-seat middle school expansion of ACES. The charter school is managed under contract by Charter Schools USA. ACES boasts gifted teachers at each grade level, personalized assessment and objectives, a character building curriculum, four computers installed in every classroom, a full-time ESOL teacher, a science lab, and specialty classes not only in music, art, P.E., and media, but in computers, Spanish, and science.

It’s not all roses for Miami Schools, however. 40 percent of students don’t graduate from high school. An influx of younger families over the past ten years requires more classrooms to serve the new large-scale residential projects that are popping up. Rising housing prices in the Miami Schools area force many young families to move into older condos. This triggers a demographic shift and effects what each school system receives from property taxes.
Also, the statewide classroom reduction amendment, passed by voters in 2002 has become a challenge for Miami Schools' administrators, as they must rely more and more on portable classrooms. Miami Schools face many challenges, yet are still able to create and maintain some exciting and innovation school choices.

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Learning The Alphabet And Language Of Spain By Peter Wilson

The Spanish alphabet only has three more letters than the English alphabet, ch (che), ll (elle) and n (ene). All three letters simply follow the letter from the English alphabet which starts with the same or similar letter. The Spanish alphabet is as follows: a,b,c,ch,d,e,f,g,h,I,j,k,l,ll,m,n,o,p,q,r,s,t,u,v,w,x,y,z.

However, there is some controversy over the letters “w” and “k” due to their similar language origin. No Spanish words contain the letters “w” and “k” unless added through translation. Also, the letter “rr” is used in some versions of the Spanish alphabet when the “r” is rolled.

A Spanish dictionary may add to the confusion regarding the inclusion or exclusion of certain letters. For example, older dictionaries may list all words containing “ch” after all words beginning with “c” while new versions list the “ch” words in alphabetical order as with the English language. On the contrary, this is opposite when referring to the letter “n.” This change occurred in 1994.

To add more confusion, some letters may not be part of the official alphabet but are created by adding accents to the letters. For example, adding accents to the vowels o, e or u alter their pronunciation and, consequently, their meaning. These accented vowels are not included in the alphabet separately. Though other languages may add these accented vowels separately, when learning the Spanish language you must simply remember the variants of these vowels when accented.

If you speak English, you already know some Spanish words since these languages are both based on the Romance language. Though the spelling may be different, the pronunciation is almost identical with only the accent differing the words. For example, the word “baby” in English is pronounced similar to the Spanish word “bebe.” As you see, though, the spellings are different.

Once you have a good grasp on the Spanish alphabet, you will be ready to begin learning the language for your next trip. The residents of Spain welcome travelers and will be flattered at your attempts to communicate with them in their language. Also take some time to learn about the Spanish culture. This will make your trip even more enjoyable. You will find, though, that in the larger more tourism-based areas, everyone also speaks English. But, do not let that discourage you from improving your Spanish speaking skills. Keep practicing and be prepare for your next trip to Spain!

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=154748&ca=Education

Learn Japanese Fast And Effortlessly By IPRWire Staff Writer

It is not an impossible task to learn Japanese fast. First, enthusiasm, commitment, and focus can go a long way. Second, it helps to know certain basics. Written Japanese uses three different scripts:

* Kanji
* Hiragana
* Katakana

Kanji is composed of Chinese characters. Hiragana and katakana are syllabic scripts based on Chinese characters. A combination of kanji and hiragana are used in modern Japanese. Katakana is usually used to depict loaned foreign words in addition to sounds.

The characters are written from top to bottom, or vertically, and from right to left. This method is standard, although scientific journals and computers use the horizontal method, read from left to right.

There is a variety of politeness levels, depending on the social standings of the speaker and listener. Also, the language includes speech that males or females tend to use that is specific to their gender, which can mean differences in the use of vocabulary, grammar, and even pitch.

Many teaching sources promise quick learning of a foreign language. Choose a course wisely, one that is most suitable for you. Bear in mind your budget, level of interest, and the amount of time you are willing to invest.

To learn Japanese fast, pay close attention to the manner of study offered by different courses. This depends primarily on your need. Do you want to improve on your reading and writing skills? Do you only need to be able to get around while you travel, speaking to native speakers? If you expect you only need to know how to speak proficiently enough, you do not need to concentrate on learning characters as much as mastering conversations on everyday topics.

If you want to learn Japanese fast when you are focusing on speaking the language, speaking is easier to pick up than the writing part. Listening to audio files, such as listening to the language being spoken by a native speaker, is the quickest method to pick up proper pronunciation and wording. (If you do plan on learning how to read and write, lots of books have CD-ROMs that include audio.)

Listen carefully to the tones and then imitate them as best as possible. The only other things needed are patience and perseverance. There are no textbooks, teachers, or drill exercises involved here. When you study by yourself, you benefit from the convenience of learning any time, anywhere, at your own pace.

Another thing to consider in order to learn Japanese fast is the amount of grammar and vocabulary you need to study. For sake of time, you can focus on words you know you would use the most often, which also helps in remembering them. For grammar, you can save time by becoming familiar with the basic forms of sentences and words, just enough to help with constructing sentences and talking.

For practical and simple courses that are based on a step-by-step method of learning Japanese, try http://Pimsleur-language.com. The lessons provided are audio based and focus on improving comprehension and communication skills. For more information, visit http://www.pimsleur-language.com.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=155270&ca=Education

Can Teacher Training Help Memphis Schools? By Patricia Hawke

In the state of Tennessee Memphis Schools are lagging behind. With 80-81% of Tennessee’s 4th grade students performing on grade level in both math and reading, the children in Memphis Schools are well behind in the 63-66% range. Dropout rates also plague Tennessee’s largest district. 32.5% of students will drop out of Memphis Schools before graduating.

When the “No Child Left Behind Act” (NCLBA) was signed into law in 2002, every school in the nation became accountable for reaching a minimal level of competency. In 2004 the Tennessee Department of Education labeled 148 of Memphis Schools failures by those standards.

To address these concerns Memphis Schools have focused on math and literacy initiatives, adoptions of new textbooks, and better teacher training. In Memphis Schools, where 71% of students qualify for free or reduced lunches, the impact of teacher development in raising test scores is critical. How much influence teachers have on student achievement, and the quality of those professionals working in struggling schools, has been a topic of debate in Memphis Schools for years.

A recent $10 million federal grant with the Peabody Center for Education Policy may help clarify some of these issues. Memphis Schools could eventually benefit, or change course, depending on the finding of trials to be funded by the grant. The five-year grant will investigate the correlation between significantly increased teacher pay and student achievement. That means a difference of several thousand versus several hundred dollars per year.

How well do Memphis Schools pay their teachers? Well, that depends. When adjusted for cost of living Memphis Schools look pretty good. Scholastic’s Instructor Magazine recently put Memphis Schools in their Top 5 list for cities where teacher pay goes the furthest. The thing is, no one is really sure how important that is. What will it mean for Memphis Schools if the grant finds little correlation between teacher pay and student achievement? It could mean teachers just aren’t motivated by money. It might mean that home environment trumps schools environment. Or it could mean something else all together.

Meanwhile, Memphis Schools are trying to improve their standing by creating better community involvement and reassessing educational goals and outcomes. Ultimately, educators and administrator make daily decisions without full knowledge of areas like teachers incentives. Maybe more studies like this one will start to bridge the gap between what we think and what we know about education in Memphis Schools and in general.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=155229&ca=Education

Las Vegas Schools Thirsting For More Funding By Patricia Hawke

Families who are considering a move to Las Vegas in order to be closer to all that fun may need to think twice before doing so. The entire state is suffering a drought on educational funding, and Las Vegas Schools are no exception.

Despite a recent Review-Journal poll that had 25 percent of respondents saying that education should be the top priority for the Nevada Legislature, Governor Jim Gibbons, is instead pushing for improved traffic congestion.

Among the many issues voters are concerned over, class-size, per-pupil spending, and all-day kindergarten are tops. Las Vegas Schools, along with the other districts statewide, have the nation’s lowest per-pupil expenditure, highest-class sizes, and a pressing shortage of teachers.

Speaker of the Assembly, Barbara Buckley refuses to blame the lower tax revenue the state is experiencing on a slower housing market. “Mediocrity in education funding guarantees mediocrity,” she says. Buckley says that educational issues were put last in the budget. Senator Dina Titus disagrees by stating that “When the state has to make up the hole for property taxes at the local level, that doesn’t leave a lot for education and that’s unfortunate.” This doesn’t seem to make sense, in light of the fact that Las Vegas schools are in the fastest-growing district in the nation, and they aren’t getting any financial help on the local level to improve conditions.

State law does require lawmakers to make up for lost money when the tax revenue goes down, but then the state finds itself burning the candle at both ends. So where is the revenue from this “fastest-growing district in the nation” going? It doesn’t seem to be going towards Las Vegas schools.

Improvements that education proponents are looking at for Las Vegas Schools, like all day kindergarten which is seen by most as highly beneficial to students, will likely die at the Legislative level, because of funding issues. Las Vegas schools are hard hit by all of this. Gov. Gibbons even said in his State of the State address that putting off all-day kindergarten was the “fiscally responsible thing to do.” Then he went on to add that money had been found in the budget to work on the state’s roadways.

One solution that Las Vegas Schools Superintendent Walt Ruffles has implemented is year-round schools. Nine elementary schools are scheduled to begin the year-round calendar this August. While there is no evidence that students perform better in a traditional 9-month schedule as opposed to the year-round calendar, parents aren’t convinced. District officials also say the Las Vegas Schools cannot afford any more portable classrooms, and the switch to the year-round calendar will allow Las Vegas schools to house more students.

The Nevada State Education Association is considering a plan to go to the voters to solve the funding crisis: it could lobby the Legislature to put the measure on a statewide ballot, or it could collect signatures to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. However, it’s a risky strategy that has failed in 2004. Overall, the communities around Las Vegas schools are supportive of teachers, but don’t think that the Las Vegas schools are very good. Getting the ballot passed could be difficult, unless a standard of excellence for the schools is attached to it.

Las Vegas Schools could be great, if only the politicos in Carson City would get their heads out of the asphalt and into the classrooms.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=155224&ca=Education

How To Learn French Language That Fits Your Schedule By IPRWire Staff Writer

For those who wish to learn French language but think they cannot because of their busy schedules, there are actually plenty of options.

In many countries, lots of institutions offer classes. However, not everyone has the opportunity to take these time-extensive courses that are spread over several years for in-depth learning. With the fast and busy pace of these modern times, lots of people need quicker and more convenient methods. Fortunately, there are learning techniques that can be squeezed into a tight schedule and yet still be effective.

To learn French language efficiently, consider your needs and your current schedule, so that you can set realistic goals. As a starter, you can turn to the Internet, which provides you with plenty of programs. Many sites offer free material that are basic and introductory. This is a great way to learn numbers, letters, grammar, verb conjugations, and basic sentences such as greetings. If you are at least at intermediate level, you often have to pay a certain rate to get access to lessons with more substance and features.

Considering your needs helps save you time and energy. For example, if you are more interested in becoming fluent with your speech than in improving your reading and writing skills, you do not need to include books or writing exercises in your studying.

Instead, go for audio-based lessons such as those that are offered through cassettes and CDs. These courses concentrate on proper pronunciation and make you apply your listening skills, which is similar to having an actual conversation with a native speaker.

When the aim is a quick learning of the language, choose methods that have a practical approach to teaching, such as words and phrases used in everyday conversations. That way, you focus on picking up essential words and phrases—only those that are pertinent to daily use, as opposed to memorizing dozens of vocabulary that you are unlikely to use often.

If you do want something in depth and have the time, learn French language from experts and not from amateurs. Do not risk picking up wrong sentence structures and inaccurate translations of words and phrases. It is important, therefore, to find and choose accredited programs and tutors who have the knowledge and the experience to show you the right way. Also, when you feel comfortable enough, you could try a language exchange with a native speaker to improve your pronunciation and vocabulary.

A source where you can learn French language is http://Pimsleur-language.com. The website provides 30-minute lessons on cassette or CD. The lessons last for one month, and include instruction from a teacher and pronunciation practice with a native speaker. Visit http://www.pimsleur-language.com to find out more about the courses they offer.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=155271&ca=Education

Increasing Potential With An Online Business Administration Degree By Andy West

For those looking to advance their careers, an online business administration degree can be the best option available. Online learning has paved the way to success for many working adults. The time and money saved in conjunction with practicality has made online learning a legitimate method for improving one's station in life.

In today's world, management positions often require training and a degree in business administration on some level. Many know that increasing earning power, prestige and work satisfaction means getting the necessary skills and education. Even with a balancing act of work and family, online learning can become an easy addition to the flow of life.

With an online business administration degree, one can learn all they need to know about the various aspects of business. Business organization, management, communications, accounting and finance are only some of the specialties of this business degree. These skills can be used for either private or public companies and for profit or nonprofit businesses.

Those who choose to earn an Associates degree in business administration will learn the general aspects of business. A Bachelors degree helps ready an individual to assist in running the general functions of a business or company. An MBA program prepares individuals to control various business functions from production to logistics to accounting.

Although this method of learning is a great way to break into a career, many choose to use it as a way to further their current occupation. The career based curriculum focuses on giving the necessary skills that are considered most valuable in the business world. This makes for a most efficient learning process.

Getting the necessary training in an efficient matter is not only an attractive option; it is often the best option for the already busy lifestyle. Because of this, any intimidation about the curriculum of an online business administration degree immediately falls by the wayside. Many students actually begin to look forward to the learning process.

Another attractive feature about online learning is that students can take their classes at any time of the day or night. Many programs run courses off of a syllabus that allows a student to progress at a level that is comfortable to them. This is one of many bonuses that allow getting a degree in this manner to be so easy.

Because online courses are accredited, financial aid is often available to those who qualify. This can make the choice to continue an education in business much easier. By working with a financial aid specialist, it may be possible to finance tuitions and certain fees with student loans or grants.

Many prefer getting their degree in this manner as opposed to an on site campus simply for the fact there are no hidden costs. With an online business degree, the cost of a course includes all books and any other required items. The lack of traditional college extras such as room and board, parking or meals keeps online tuition and fees at a wonderfully manageable price.

Upon completing a degree, a number of programs are commonly offered with career placement programs. This can be a blessing for those just starting out their career. Learning to create a perfect business resume is a great skill that never goes out of style.

Even a multimillion-dollar corporation can fall apart without the right leadership. For this reason, an online business administration degree makes perfect sense for those looking to be an asset to their company. Prospective employers not only prefer but also require individuals with the right skills that can help keep a company in the forefront of competitive markets.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=154654&ca=Education

Detroit Schools Fight To Stay Open By Patricia Hawke

Detroit Schools battle the classic struggles of a major city: high teacher turnover, high dropout rates, low test scores, and on-going violence. For some of Detroit Schools, however, all these problems may soon disappear. 34 Detroit Schools are slated to close by fall of 2007. Problems such as deteriorating buildings, failing test scores, and shifting populations compelled board members of Detroit Schools to recommend the closing of such facilities.

Apparently, some of the students like school a bit more than they had let on. Several hundred students from Northern High School and Murray Wright High School arranged protests and rallied the Detroit Schools at the District Office. Another organized protest at Northern ended in 2 arrests, and several students being pepper-sprayed or detained. But it worked. The Boards Human Resources Committee turned over a recommendation to take both schools off the list along with Mackensie High School and Higgins Elementary School.

Parents of Higgins Elementary students kept their children out of school last week to protest the closing. Now everyone waits. The Board of Education will vote whether to take those schools off the list permanently, or let the ax fall. School closings cause controversy because the schools effected tend to be in poorer areas. Detroit Schools face the decision of whether to pour more money into these old buildings and failing schools, or to force children into other schools that might be further from their homes.

Even if these Detroit Schools are allowed to keep their doors open, they face an uphill battle. Detroit Schools are trying to stomp out the culture of violence that has given them such a bad name. Unfortunately, that isn’t proving easy. Recently two 17-year-old boys were killed outside Henry Ford High School in an incident attributed to a gang clash.

The two boys are students in Detroit Schools. Both used to attend Ford, and one is currently at Mackensie High. One boy was shot in the face and the other received a superficial wound.

Where are the answers? Voters in Detroit Schools apparently believe that money is not the answer. Frustrated board member have seen bond after bond voted down for items like roof repairs, better technology and athletic fields. Many blame the overall economy for the refusal of voters to dish out more funding Detroit Schools.

Detroit Schools have turned to polling companies to help them assess how much in funding they can ask for, and what segment of the population to target for it. Yet critical items like boilers and crumbling buildings get left out in the cold if the equation is not exact. Detroit Schools are likely to see many more closings in the future is administrators and voters can’t come to some consensus.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=154599&ca=Education