Online Chemistry Revision Resources

Online Chemistry Revision Resources What Resources Exist Online for Chemistry Revision? ChaptersGCSE Chemistry Revision ResourcesA-Level Chemistry Revision ResourcesOther Resources for Chemistry ReviewAren’t we lucky we live in a time where any amount of information we could possibly want or need is virtually at our fingertips?Imagine students of chemistry a century ago, whose only fonts of information were their professors or their campus library â€" and, at that, such sources may have been so terribly out of date due to some fantastic discovery recently made elsewhere in the world.Personal letters, conferences and publications were the ways scientists stayed current on scientific knowledge but those events didn’t happen every day, let alone at any given moment.Contrast that with our modern practices: email and teleconferencing, collaborative work platforms; document sharing software and near-instantaneous publication online...And the mightiest librarian ever; the keeper and dispenser of information: the search engine.Just as you might query a human librarian for b ooks on a certain topic â€" whereupon s/he would send you chasing down your elusive tome, search engines respond to your queries by throwing up possible results that most closely address the keywords you typed in.Here at Superprof, we are much more focused on bringing you everything you could ask for with regard to education, from a wide selection of tutors to articles dealing with specific school subjects mandated by our national curriculum.This article follows that trend by delivering a list of resources to help you master what some think is a most challenging subject: chemistry.Apps and podcasts; videos and more: your Superprof taps into the vast resources available online to bring you the best chemistry review materials on the ‘Net.You have a wide selection of chemistry study apps to choose from! Source: Pixabay Credit: GeraltAs the science portion of your exam is actually a three-parter dealing with Biology and Physics as well as Chemistry, it would be understandable that you would dread that segment of your upcoming ordeal.Test anxiety is a very real phenomenon and one of the best ways to combat it is by being secure in the knowledge that you know your subject matter cold well before you enter the testing room.Which means that the time to start preparing is now!Naturally, we’d never recommend sitting for hours with your textbook open in front of you; diversifying your learning experience will cement your knowledge of chemistry so much more efficiently.To that end, you might like...Apps to Help you Retain Chemistry ParticularsAt the top of this list must surely be the Royal Society of Chemistry’s periodic table, an interactive utility that will tell you everything you ever wanted to know about every single element on the chart.Roll your mouse over any given block to discover its electron configuration, key isotopes, and density.Click on any element to learn who discovered it and when, its history, its pressure and temperature data and a host of othe r resources such as videos and podcasts directly related to that specific element.You may bookmark that page on your computer or download the app; engineered for both Apple and Android operating systems.Incidentally, the Royal Chemistry Society also hosts a wildly informative podcast!Complete Chemistry provides a strong foundation of the science through a systematic progression from one level of understanding to the next.This app provides you with quizzes, questions, and tutorials, from basic formulas to bonding, but is only available for Android operating systems.Beware that there have been some negative reviews, mainly because of grammatical errors and sentence structures. The chemistry, however, is sound and this app’s functions are decidedly helpful in mastering chemistry concepts.Are you a bit bewildered about how to calculate the enthalpy and theoretical yield of a chemical reaction?What about computing the properties of gases using various gas laws?Indeed, a good part of ch emistry is maths, but with Wolfram Alpha’s Chemistry Assistant, you might let down your guard enough to master these and other step-by-step calculations as the app performs them.Perhaps its best feature is the customised keyboard that permits you to enter an element’s symbol directly, rather than type it out from a standard QWERTY keyboard.Of course, if that’s the keyboard you’d rather use, you are welcome to do so â€" the app incorporates both.This Chemistry Assistant can save you time doing your chemistry homework, too! Just be aware that if your teacher expects you to explain your answer, you are able to do so.This app is formatted for both iPhone and iPad and can be used on an Android system as well.Are there any chemistry revision websites that could compare?Podcasts for GCSE Chemistry ReviewBesides the above-mentioned Royal Chemistry Society podcasts, we found GCSEPod to be particularly helpful in preparing for the exams.Whereas most other science podcasts tend to lump all physical sciences together, these two podcasts treat chemistry as a discipline unto itself.Even better: GCSEPod is specifically tailored to test prep, covering all five exam board specifications!A one-year subscription starts at £200; that fee increases depending on the number of subjects you sign up to receive podcasts for.You'll be happy to know there are several engaging chemistry podcasts for you to listen to on the go! Source: Pixabay Credit: Pix1861A-Level Chemistry Revision ResourcesIf you are an A-Levels candidate, you might find certain applications we’ve already mentioned helpful, such as the Royal Chemical Society’s table of periodic elements or the formula calculator.However, there are plenty of apps and other chemistry review resources available targeted to those studying at your level.Helpful Apps for A-Level StudentsAlthough school curriculum does a fair job of separating the various sciences, the fact is that physics and chemistry are intimately intertwined and nowhere is this more evident than with Atoms in Motion.This app, designed for the iPad, demonstrates how atoms work in the full of their trajectory.We are all well-versed in the two-dimensional representation of atoms: their structure and their bonds; what attracts or reacts with what and why such actions occur.What we are less familiar with is how one atom seeks out another to form a molecule, in the vast soup that is the environment, to become the elements that we study so ardently.Find the best  physics and chemistry tutor  on Superprof.Atoms in Motion gives us atomic theory at its visual best: an interactive simulation that performs computational chemistry even as you watch the atoms move.You can play around with them, too: increase the temperature or the pressure, choose the element you wish to examine and perform simulated experiments.It’s not all watching atoms swim around, either. There is text to go along with any calculations or experiments you launch yourself into. Surely, by this point in your studies. you have already been introduced to software that will help you draw molecules and design chemical formulas, right?Unless you’ve been working with Molprime+, you are in for a very pleasant surprise.Starting from scratch, you may design any molecule on your study list and, once complete, name it and save it to your data bank. You may also upload to email and share it!Once you have created your desired compound, simply click on its icon to read all of its molecular properties:hydrogen bond acceptorshydrogen bond donorsmolecular weightrotatable bondchemical formulaOf course, life is not all about atomic structure; if you need a break from your organic chemistry studies or nuclear chemistry, simply access their built-in game to let off a bit of steam.Podcasts for Chemistry A-Level ReviewNobody expects anyone to sit for hours, in the review of test material. Still, you can review fundamental chemistry while on the go by downloading podcasts target ed to your area of study â€" and it just so happens that there are some good ones out there.Naturally, you should check out the Royal Chemistry Society podcasts as there is abundant material to help you succeed on that site.Beyond that, you may steer yourself to Podbean, who has created a series of 20 podcasts meant especially for A-Level candidates that you can download from their app, available for Android and iOS.Are you confused over covalent bonding? What is so special about alkalane combustion?Pop your earbuds in and go for a run; soon these chemistry topics and others will become crystal clear and you’ll feel great!These chemistry review applications are sure to keep you glued to your phone! Source: PixabayCredit: Nature AddictOther Resources for Chemistry ReviewFor getting a visual on sticky chemistry topics, you may take a break to view a few videos on Crash Course Chemistry.There, you will find a video library stocked with everything from solids to buffers to carbons, wi th the history of atomic theory thrown in for good measure.Each video is around 10 minutes long and narrated in American English â€" be sure to tune your ears!And, as long as you have them tuned, why not make use of Khan Academy’s impressive collection of chemistry instructional videos?There, you will be treated to explanations of concepts such as stoichiometry and redox reactions. Each topic’s video comes complete with exercises and a quiz to help you determine your grasp of the material.Chemistry blogs might come in as a last resort â€" after all of the reading you do to understand your subject matter, why take on more?Because getting a different perspective of the discipline will permit you to embrace it more easily!And these blogs make embracing chemistry easy, indeed.Top-rated Chemistry BlogsNameSynopsisAddressScholarly Kitchengeneral discussions about social and technical impacts on the scientific realmhttps://scholarlykitchen.sspnet.orgCompound InterestExploring the chemi stry of everyday livinghttps://www.compoundchem.comJust Like CookingResearch tips and techniques, jobs, paper reviewshttp://justlikecooking.blogspot.comThe Chronicle FlaskDispelling junk science; chemistry around ushttps://chronicleflask.comScience communication mediahow to publish findings; how to ask for research grantshttp://sciencecommunicationmedia.comWe now round out our list of resources by including games with a chemistry theme.Top-rated Chemistry GamesNameDescriptionAndroid/iOS/PC/MACSpacechemProduce chemical molecules to create circuitsyes yes yes/yesChemCaperA role play adventureyes yes no/noProfessor Why ChemistryConduct experiments in a virtual laboratoryno no yes/yesBackside AttackOrganic chemistry game with a focus on SN2 reactionsno yes no/yesPoring over chemistry revision books and too much studying can be as harmful to your test result as too little review would be, so remember to mix things up a little â€" with all of these options, you’ll have no trouble doing just that!

6 Things to Remember for Singing the Blues

6 Things to Remember for Singing the Blues Suzy S. Love to sing the blues? There a few things to keep in mind as you sing in this genre find out in this guest post by St. Augustine, FL teacher  Heather L... The history of blues music is rich and bittersweet. The genre was originally born as an expression of those suffering as American slaves, mostly in whats called the deep South, That expression is heartbreaking by nature, but healing, too. The brilliance of the blues is that by singing about whats making you sad, you feel better. But singing the blues is not that simple. Its very easily overdone. Here are six things to remember when youre singing the blues. 1. Simple is better. Now, simple does not mean lazy, or not creative, or not energetic. Simple means acknowledging, and singing as such, the beauty of unornamented, unadorned notes. Sing simply, so that the beauty of the words comes through. Just because the blues is a 12-bar progression with no fancy form or room for virtuosity doesnt mean that the singer should think in terms of showing off the voice. Allow your art to come through organically. 2. Imitation is inferior to originality. Wed all love to sing like B.B. King or Etta James or Amy Winehouse. But those singers already exist. And while there are many successful tribute artists and cover bands, theres something so inspiring about a singer deciding to sing with his or her own voice and committing to that decision. Imitating another singer is impressive to a certain point, but its not sharing much about yourself. And thats what people really love to hear. 3. Only the basic phrasing is required. The only words that you should start with are those of the basic phrases. For instance, take the first part of The Thrill is Gone, most famously sung by B.B. King. The thrill is gone/the thrill is gone away/the thrill is gone/the thrill is gone away/You know  youve done me wrong/And youll be sorry someday Now, if you decide as the singer to insert baby after the word wrong or after someday, so  be it, but be sure to start simply in order to explore the song for yourself. 4. Repetition may be the key to improvisation. The blues is repetitive by nature. I often have my voice students repeat the basic phrasing with the chords playing underneath over and over until organic and spontaneous decisions are made: the word baby is sung, an important phrase is repeated at double tempo, or a run comes out of nowhere at the end of a phrase. Let it all come naturally. 5. Your raw, yet well-supported voice is perfect. Sing with all of the raw, unrefined vibrato and tone that you have. This is no time for pretty, polished sounds. But never forget to support your sound with a solid and conscious breath flow no matter what genre that youre singing. 6. Be authentic, but not sentimental. Everyone knows that the blues is about feelings. But the idea of singing with feeling has become so vague and overused that its essentially become meaningless. If a singer sings with the intention of feeling the music or something similar, then the whole thing will come off as trite and inauthentic. The key to showing genuine feeling as you sing is listening. Listen to the instrumental parts and the chords a hundred times. Ask yourself how it all makes YOU feel. Dont bother about how the song makes someone else feel. When all is said and done, the essence of the blues is the willingness to share. As long as you focus on revealing your true self and committing to singing with your unique voice, then youll find yourself a successful blues singer. Learn more in Heathers Ultimate Guide to Singing Styles and Genres! Heather L. teaches singing, piano, acting, and more in St. Augustine, FL, as well as through online lessons. She is  a graduate of the prestigious Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey, and has performed with the New York and Royal Philharmonics, the New Jersey and Virginia Symphonies, the American Boy Choir, and the internationally renowned opera star Andrea Bocelli. Learn more about Heather here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo by  Dutch Simba

The Biggest Private Tutoring Sites in the UK

The Biggest Private Tutoring Sites in the UK Who Are the Big Players in the Private Tutoring Market? ChaptersUK TutorsTutorfulTutorhuntTutorhouseMyTutorTutor HubGumtreeFirst TutorsCraigslistPrivate-Tutors.co.ukFleet TutorsSuperprofThe academic support market is a sector that has continued to grow in recent years.  Although there’s a large percentage of undeclared work and a shadow economy, which makes it difficult to effectively calculate the exact size of the market, there has been visible growth.In fact, the market is valued at around £6.5bn and over 40% of pupils in London are getting some kind of supplemental instruction. There are a lot of people who need private tutoring and a lot of people who are willing to help.We're definitely not saying that teachers working in state schools in the UK are bad. They work incredibly hard, often without the necessary resources to do their job. It's more so the system that fails our students than the talented teachers doing their utmost to help them. Unfortunately, with so many students, so much bureaucracy, and such a multitude of differe nt characters needing to be taught, sometimes students will need outside help.Whether you’re a tutor looking for a business where you can offer private tutorials or a student looking for lessons, by the time you’ve finished reading this article, you should have some ideas of where to start. In this article, we’re looking at the biggest tutoring companies offering both home tutoring and online tutoring, what they offer, and which ones you should visit. CalumDrama School Entrance Teacher 5.00 (15) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ToriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OliviaSchool support Teacher 5.00 (2) £21/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkESOL (English) Teacher 4.76 (17) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YuweiChinese Teacher 4.33 (6) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JenniferMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LouiseAutoCAD Teacher 5.00 (3) £6 0/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RickyPercussion Teacher 5.00 (7) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicolasGuitar Teacher 5.00 (2) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MyriamOrganic chemistry Teacher 5.00 (13) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JonathanEconomics Teacher 5.00 (9) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Oluwakemi imoleMaths Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlexPhysics Teacher 5.00 (1) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AdamSinging Teacher 5.00 (14) £48/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValentiniMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (2) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MilenaMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RashmiEconomics Teacher 5.00 (1) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsUK TutorsUK Tutors offering tutoring services for a multitude of subjects. If you're wanting to find a tutor to help you with homework, exams, or any other kind of one on one tutoring, this is a good site to check out.Kids that are engaged in their lessons will learn better. (Source: klimkin)They offer one on one tutoring in the following subjects:EnglishMaths (algebra, calculus, trigonometry, etc.)ArtScience (biology, physics, chemistry, etc.)MusicTest prepTutorfulTutorful is a platform where anyone looking for a private tutor or tutoring jobs should check out. In terms of private instruction, students can search by subject, level, and location. That said, you can also look for an online tutor if you can't find the right home tutor working near you.Whether you're looking for a chemistry tutor, English tutor, or an algebra tutor, you may want to check out Tutorful's website.TutorhuntWhether you're interested in academic tutoring or learning a new skill, Tutorhunt is another popular platform for finding tutors or getting tutor jobs. Much like our previous example, this means that students can be tutored in person or online.Tu torhouseIf you're looking for writing tutors, biology tutors, Spanish tutors, etc., have a look at Tutorhouse. In terms of the search functionality of this site, you don't have the level option that you get with a lot of other sites. This means you'll probably have to talk to your tutor about your level before you start getting tutorials from them.  That said, this is one of the few sites that includes a bigger focus homeschooling and exam and test preparation.If you have an internet connection, you can learn from anywhere in the world. (Source: Walkerssk)MyTutorMy tutor boasts that those being tutored by their tutors enjoy academic success. Of course, this isn't unique to just MyTutor, but there is something to be said for improving results by a whole grade.This platform focuses on online tutoring, much like our next example. CalumDrama School Entrance Teacher 5.00 (15) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ToriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all o ur tutors OliviaSchool support Teacher 5.00 (2) £21/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkESOL (English) Teacher 4.76 (17) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YuweiChinese Teacher 4.33 (6) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JenniferMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LouiseAutoCAD Teacher 5.00 (3) £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RickyPercussion Teacher 5.00 (7) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicolasGuitar Teacher 5.00 (2) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MyriamOrganic chemistry Teacher 5.00 (13) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JonathanEconomics Teacher 5.00 (9) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Oluwakemi imoleMaths Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlexPhysics Teacher 5.00 (1) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AdamSinging Teacher 5.00 (14) £48/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValentiniM usic reading Teacher 5.00 (2) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MilenaMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RashmiEconomics Teacher 5.00 (1) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsTutor HubTutorhub offers one on one online tutorials for every type of learner. If you're looking for a French tutor, reading tutor, or just some supplemental instruction, this site is worth checking out for 1 on 1 tuition online.GumtreeThis site isn't actually a tutoring website but rather a site for classified ads. This is a place you can buy all sorts of things from cars to jewellery as well as rehome pets.That said, if you want to become a tutor or just find one, you might consider posting an ad on this site or looking for tutors who are offering their services. Additionally, there are also ads for classes you can attend in groupsFirst TutorsFirst tutors has a nice search function that has the subjects divided into groups such as “academic”, “mu sic”, “IT”, “languages”, “businesses”, “dance”, and “arts”.  Like many of the other sites, you can get both one on one and online tutoring.Of course, you can just search directly for the subject you're interested in, too.Find out more about the advantages of private tutorials.CraigslistCraigslist is another site that operates like Gumtree. If you think the best tutors only advertise their tutoring business on specialist sites, you may be surprised at the offering available on these kinds of sites, especially if you're looking for something that isn't very academic like yoga, painting classes, learning a musical instrument, or life coaching, for example.In just a few minutes, you can find a plethora of tutors. (Source: StartupStockPhotos)Private-Tutors.co.ukThis platform works more like an agency for tutors. If you apply (and get your Enhanced DBS Check), this platform will get you leads and charge commission on each of your lessons at the end of the month.Stude nts will enjoy the fact that the tutors have been vetted and checked, something that's hugely important when tutors are working with children or vulnerable students.Fleet TutorsFleet Tutors offers a more exclusive service than some of the other companies on this list. This is more so a company you'll work for as a tutor rather than a platform for tutors to find a tutee and vice versa.This is a platform that focuses on the quality rather than the quantity of their tutors.SuperprofWe couldn’t talk about all the different platforms and not talk about ourselves.Superprof started in 2013 in Biarritz, France. The goal was simple, to help students and private tutors find one another.After just a year, the community had grown to over 200,000 tutors. This made it one of the biggest in France.After this success, the company expanded into neighbouring countries such as Spain, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and Belgium.In 2016, the community reached 1,000,000 tutors. This led to expansion into over 10 countries including Germany, the US, Italy, and Brazil.Learn more about how tutoring can help those who struggle at school.Private tutorials are a great way to motivate children to learn. (Source: Pezibear)Today, there are two types of people on Superprof:Private tutors looking for students to teach.Students of all ages wanting to get better at a certain subject or skill.The former can create a profile on the site with information about their tutorials, rates, skills, qualifications, methodology, etc.The latter can search for these tutors, many of whom offer the first hour of tutoring for free. Once they’ve found the right tutor, the student pays Superprof to get in touch with them. That’s it.  Then, both parties work together without having to go through Superprof. Furthermore, they can leave feedback and comments on the site about one another. This is how you can find the ideal tutor or potential students.Not all the tutors are academically orientated. In fact, rather than study skills and exam prep, you can also learn arts and crafts, how to dance, get career advice rather than learning more about academic skills.If you're interested in becoming a private tutor, there are a number of ways to do it. Firstly, you should think about the subject that you're going to teach. It's a good idea to stick to a single subject or idea so that potential students know exactly what they'll be getting tutored in.Secondly, you'll need to consider what type of tutorials you'll offer. While one on one private tutorials are the most lucrative, you do need to spend a lot more time planning them since students will expect a bespoke service.  The same is true for online tutorials but you can charge less for them as you'll have fewer overheads thanks to not having to travel to your student.  Group tutorials require less tailoring as there are more students. However, the students will also expect to pay less for them. That said, while students pay less per hour since there a re more students, you'll earn more per hour overall. You will need to fill the class with students, though.If you work for a tutoring company, then you probably won't get to make these decisions. However, if you're working for yourself, you'll enjoy a lot more freedom in how you plan your classes, how much you can charge for them, and the types of classes you offer. On the other hand, you'll need to manage your finances and taxes (as a sole trader) and your own business.Tutors that offer a good service will get good reviews and, in turn, lure in more potential students to their classes.

Where to Find GCSE Chemistry Revision Guides and Revision Tips

Where to Find GCSE Chemistry Revision Guides and Revision Tips GCSE Chemistry Revision Top Tips ChaptersBack To the BooksNote-MakingFlash CardsPower of the Past PaperBe Kind to YourselfOnline ResourcesStudying for your GCSEs can be scary. Chemistry covers so many different topics that is hard to know where to start. Organising your revision is key and we’ve got some tips on where to find good revision tools and our tips on how to prepare so you can get the most out of your revision.Revision isn’t so hard when you have so many resources to make it varied and most importantly useful! Combine different techniques to keep yourself on your toes and to keep it interesting. Remember, you should be revising all year long, not just in a panic before your exam.Try to remember all of the hard work you've put in and just do your best!Happy revising!

Standardized Test Practice Tips

Standardized Test Practice Tips Practice Makes Perfect When it Comes to Standardized Tests With the implementation of the Common Core Standards in nearly every state, standardized testing is becoming more prevalent throughout all grade levels. Students are expected to demonstrate mastery of the standards and perform accordingly based on grade level expectations. Standardized test practice is an essential component of preparing for these exams because it boosts confidence and helps students know exactly what to expect on test day.There are a variety of ways to implement standardized test practice. The professional tutors at Huntington Learning Centers implement a range of methods to prepare their students. Our favorite test prep tips include: Practice both content and format Simply understanding the assessed content isn't enough. If a student has never encountered authentic practice the format may present a significant roadblock. Students should understand and be familiar with how the test is administered, the best ways to answer different exam items, and the types of questions most likely to be on the exam. This knowledge allows your child to focus on the content being assessed instead of spending time trying to interpret confusing test directions and wrestling with the format. Require an explanation Asking your child to explain something is great practice for standardized tests and for learning in general. Knowing how to complete a question or arrive at an answer is just the first step. A student must also be able to explain the answer to display full mastery on many standardized tests. Part of the standardized test preparation we offer at Huntington Learning Centers teaches students how to explain their work. Upon completing a math problem or arriving at a conclusion on a reading comprehension item students are often asked to explain the answer. We work alongside students to help them construct an explanation that shows how they arrived at an answer. This support is personalized and the amount of assistance provided is based on individual student needs. Put old tests to good use Many organizations that administer standardized tests publish previous forms for student use and practice. The old forms of a standardized test can be used in a variety of ways. Our professional tutors at Huntington Learning Centers use previous forms for initial assessment, targeted practice, and ongoing progress monitoring. They are also used to reinforce the different types of exam questions and to present test taking tips. When students have the opportunity to participate in a practice test under actual testing conditions they will gain confidence and an understanding of how the exam is administered. Monitor ongoing student progress Careful standardized test preparation should carefully monitor your student's progress. An initial assessment that identifies a student's strengths and areas of need is an ideal way to begin practicing. These assessment results are invaluable in determining what areas to focus on and a child's individual needs. The progress monitoring should be ongoing to understand how the learning needs may have changed. Our tutors use assessment results to create customized tutoring plans that meet the individual needs of every student. No two children are alike, no two students learn in the exact same way, and each of our students receives instruction based on assessment data and individual strengths and weaknesses. You can trust that your child will receive personalized instruction that mirrors the data from ongoing progress monitoring assessments.Click on one of the social media links above to share this with other parents that may benefit from the information.

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Final 11+ Session at The Stretch Academy 2014/15 At Stretch, our volunteer tutors help top-achieving primary pupils with 11+ preparation and enable them to competitively apply for the top places at the highest achieving secondary schools in the area! The Stretch Academy Cohort 2015 had their final session last week, so we celebrated with cake, sweets and a happy photo of them all! Below is taken from the certificate they each received: Dear Stretch Academy class of 2015 Congratulations on all of your hard work this year, and on all you have achieved. Since our first  session back in the Autumn of 2014 you have taken on new and challenging tasks, you have shown  dedication and leadership, and most of all you have shown courage in expanding your horizons. Over  the past nine months, you have developed new skills, found new talents and made new friends. You  have shown real character and determination, and you have made your families and teachers proud. I wish you all the very best for next year, for your next steps to Year 6 and secondary school, and for  the steps after that. It has been a real pleasure to teach you this year, to see you progress and learn,  and to come to know each of you as the outstanding young people that you are. I cannot wait to see  the incredible things that you will do with your future. Work hard. Be confident. Good luck.

How to Build a Home Gym on a College Students Budget

How to Build a Home Gym on a College Student's Budget Image via pixabay.com The Proper Space The key to any home gym is setting aside the appropriate amount of space. Although apartments and dorms have limited floor space, you can keep the main area of your bedroom open for an exercise or yoga mat (to remind yourself to work out) and store larger weights and equipment on a shelf or in your closet. Storing equipment away will help declutter whichever space you dedicate as your gym. Equipment Your equipment can range from a medicine ball to an elliptical depending on how much space you have to store your equipment and what exercises you are capable and willing to do. While you can get some cardio in by running across campus when you miss the bus, it’s important to exercise for at least 150 minutes each week, which breaks down to about 30 minutes of exercise five days out of the week. Exercising in a gym setting, whether it be at an on-campus gym or your home gym can help stimulate brain cell activity, according to the New York Times. Your weekly exercise plan should consist of moderate aerobic exercise to maintain your weight and reduce stress. However, if you would like to lose weight, gain muscle mass or just exercise more and then you can combine your aerobic activity with strength training. Strength-based exercises can vary from weight training or resistance training, or even a combination of the two. It’s important that you check with your primary care physician before starting any strenuous exercise plan. A routine physical can help determine any medical issues that could limit or deter types of exercises. Even if you don’t suspect yourself of having any limiting medical conditions, it is still wise to schedule a physical every one to three years. While your primary care physician may or may not be able to recommend exercise equipment for your desired plan, here is some common exercise equipment and their uses. Elliptical Machine Elliptical machines are an exceptional way to get some cardio in without actually running, for those of us who hate running or can’t run for medical reasons. Plus, elliptical machines also help to target your arms and core because you are actively moving your arms and abdomen as you pseudo-jog. While traditional ellipticals can cost thousands of dollars and take up precious space in an apartment, The Foldaway Full Body Elliptical is a great portable alternative. This specific elliptical does have arm attachments; however, they move up and down versus back and forth like a standard elliptical. The difference in motion simply means that it exerts your arm muscles in a different way. If you want to save even more money and have no need for arm attachments on your elliptical, you can opt for a Stamina InMotion E-1000 Elliptical Trainer instead. This elliptical could be challenging for those of you who don’t have the gift of balance. However, you can use this device in a seated position and gradually build yourself up to a standing position. Regardless, this can be used sitting in an office chair while you study. Studies show that exercising while you study or shortly afterward can aid your memory in retaining learning material. Exercise Mat Gym mats can come in all shapes and size, but it’s important that you find one that fits your home gym’s area and your fondness. After all, you will spend a lot of time on your exercise mat stretching, kneeling, jumping and everything, so it’s important that you find a mat that is comfortable. Even though extra thick exercise mats are often more expensive, spending the extra cash on a cushiony mat will help protect your joints during a rigorous workout. Personally, my favorite workout mat is the HemingWeigh Extra Thick Foam Exercise Mat, because I focus my workouts primarily on my abdominal muscles. The aforementioned mat, as well as other extra thick foam exercise and yoga mats, help prevent damage to your joints, ligaments, and tendons. Medicine Balls A medicine ball is a rather versatile piece of equipment. You can use them to help build up resistance during lunges, squats, sit-ups, Russian twists, and much more. Medicine balls can be made from soft or hard material and they range in weight, which means there is a perfect one for nearly everyone’s preferences and needs. If you don’t know which size to purchase, you could always just ask your relatives to get you an entire set for your upcoming birthday. How could they say no when you’re trying to improve your health and strength? Miscellaneous Sometimes, you can use objects that aren’t intended for exercise. For example, you can use a stationary chair in your exercise routine to complete a few reps of abdominal lifts, chair squats, or curls. Jump rope is also an entertaining tool for some aerobic exercise, and it’s extremely inexpensive. You might annoy your downstairs neighbor, but I’m sure they’ll understand that you’re jumping rope for your own health. Other than the equipment that is mentioned above, there are hundreds of items that you can include in your home gym. Before you invest in copious exercise equipment, research what routines you are comfortable with and what equipment you are comfortable using on your own or with minimal supervision. Because you will be putting your home gym to good use, it’s crucial that you know how to use your equipment beforehand so that you don’t cause any harm to yourself. A lot of university gyms offer free or discounted training services to either learn how to do a workout routine and/or learn about difference exercise equipment. Otherwise, ask one of your friends majoring in kinesiology or exercise science to help you learn about new routines and equipment.

E-Teachers Conference on Virtual Classrooms

E-Teachers Conference on Virtual Classrooms This morning (China time), we had the opportunity to attend the E-Teachers Academy Conference on Virtual Classrooms, hosted by Kirsten Winkler.  It was one of the most interesting conferences weve seen on the future of the virtual classroom, and the panel was made up of some of the most forward-thinking companies and teachers in this evolving space (view list of panel speakers). We were definitely impressed with the potential in virtual classrooms, and were sure that as the technologies mature, well begin to see more of these classrooms gain wider acceptance.  There are many important features which are not presently integrated or handled well by standard communication tools like Skype,  such as whiteboards, direct document viewing, shared screenshot viewing, and group / class management.  One thing that is clear from the conference is that virtual classrooms are being designed with significant input from teachers. If youre interested in following this debate, you can follow Kirsten on twitter (@KirstenWinkler) as well as the ETCon twitter itself @ETConference.  Were definitely looking forward to the next conference. Kevin and the italki team E-Teachers Conference on Virtual Classrooms This morning (China time), we had the opportunity to attend the E-Teachers Academy Conference on Virtual Classrooms, hosted by Kirsten Winkler.  It was one of the most interesting conferences weve seen on the future of the virtual classroom, and the panel was made up of some of the most forward-thinking companies and teachers in this evolving space (view list of panel speakers). We were definitely impressed with the potential in virtual classrooms, and were sure that as the technologies mature, well begin to see more of these classrooms gain wider acceptance.  There are many important features which are not presently integrated or handled well by standard communication tools like Skype,  such as whiteboards, direct document viewing, shared screenshot viewing, and group / class management.  One thing that is clear from the conference is that virtual classrooms are being designed with significant input from teachers. If youre interested in following this debate, you can follow Kirsten on twitter (@KirstenWinkler) as well as the ETCon twitter itself @ETConference.  Were definitely looking forward to the next conference. Kevin and the italki team