Easy Essay Opus

Related Themes: Essay, Essay Writing, Writing Job, Writing Short Story, Freelance Writing, Freelance Writing Job, Internet Job, Writing Job Description, Work At Home, Extra Income, Technical Writing Job, Poetry Contest, Short Story Contest, Songwriting, Songwriting Contest, Writing Lesson, Writing Software, Writing Skill, Writing Fiction, Writing Contest, Effective Writing

Writing Better Essays - The Easy Way

What's happening with your college term papers and essays? Unfortunately, that's a question that a lot of student's cannot or do not want to answer. I see students on almost a daily basis who have the term paper blues. Their biggest problem? They just can't seem to get started. They procrastinate and rationalize. They put off doing their assignments until the eleventh hour. These students often succeed in convincing themselves that being able to write good term papers and essays is beyond them or just not necessary.

This purpose of this website is to get you started on the road to writing good college term papers and essays. My simple steps in producing better essay papers should make writing papers at least easier if not easy. If you really want to be educated then you will have to learn to express yourself on paper. There is no way around this so adjust your attitude and decide you will learn to write a quality term paper or essay that says something.

Writing good term papers will certainly help you remain in college. Failing English is a major cause for students to wash out of college. You do not have to do this. Use the resources of this term paper site and you can succeed. Take a few minutes and at least see if you can comprehend what I am telling you on how to write great college papers.

Book reports are basically essays on a book you have read. If you have a choice pick a book you might enjoy. If you need to view some quality book reports do a search from one of the search engines on this site. The free college term papers and essays also have books reports for your viewing.

What I want to tell you I learned by the school of hard knocks. The information I will provide you works well if you put forth a reasonable effort. The information you will receive by reading the Bullshipper's advice on writing college essays and term papers is concise, simple and straight forward. You will be able to remember what I have to say.

Really want to get off to a good start with your essay or term paper? You must or you would not be reading this. Determine the following before you attempt to write.

Getting Started

What is you essay writing assignment? Do you understand just what your professor or teacher is asking for? As a college professor I have seen many a essay and term paper writing assignments botched up because students failed to do as instructed. If you are having trouble determining just what the essay assignment is then ask your instructor until you are clear as to what is expected. Guessing can get you on a bind.

Get to know your essay and term paper subject and just what you want to do with it.

Determine just who you are writing for. Define a motive for this writing. Saying your teacher or professor is making you write an essay paper is not a motive. You want your essay to be interesting to a wide audience.

Do not produce an essay without a purpose. The first sentence you are going to write starts like this, The purpose of this paper is to...... You fill in the blanks.

References for a Term Paper or Essay

Finding good references for you work is now easier than every with the use of the internet. During my days as a high school student we spent a lot of time searching out essay references the hard way. We had to climb around library bookshelves. We had to tinker with microfiche. We had to take copious notes on 3 X 5 cards. Oh, yes, we used typewriters and/or ink on paper. No one was even thinking of word processing.

Here are a few simple steps to learn the subject you are going to write about.

Do your class assignments, read what your teacher tells you to. Do not bluff your professors or teachers. I tried this and it rarely worked.

Learn to use the academic search engines. I cannot believe just how many of my students do not know how to do this. When I say academic search engines I am not talking about the common internet search engines such as Google and Yahoo. If you do not know what I am talking about contact your school library and ask them how you can connect to the academic search engines such as the Ebsco Host or the Wilson Web. You will never regret learning how to use them. They are easy to use and contain millions of quality articles on just as many subjects.

Read other term papers. You do not care if the papers are good, bad, or in between, just read other essays that concern the same subject you are going to write about. If you follow my advice on this website you will learn to tell the quality essays and term papers from mediocre essays and term papers. Even poor essays can have good ideas that may help you in your writing. This site has links to thousands of term papers and essays at a very low cost. You even get excepts from each paper. These links point to a real term paper buffet; all you care to read.

A word to the wise. I had three students in one class turn in the same exact essay, errors and all. They copied this essay off a free term paper site. They did not intend to write a decent essay. They decided to take the easy way out. They did not collaborate. Needless to say they got a lot of trouble. Dumb. I hope you take the extra time to produce a quality essay or term paper. The only way to get good at writing is to write. I guarantee this. Remember, "if you take from one author it is plagiarism; take from many authors and its research."

Author, Doctor Mike Cooper, provides expert term paper and essay advice at http://www.bullshipper.com.

Pro-Writing Pro-Verse

Related Themes: Essay, Essay Writing, Writing Job, Writing Short Story, Freelance Writing, Freelance Writing Job, Internet Job, Writing Job Description, Work At Home, Extra Income, Technical Writing Job, Poetry Contest, Short Story Contest, Songwriting, Songwriting Contest, Writing Lesson, Writing Software, Writing Skill, Writing Fiction, Writing Contest, Effective Writing

Learn to Write Like a Pro

Many writers write for the experience. Others dream of having a number one best seller. Both are wonderful reasons for writing. What many fail to realize is that these two do not have to be mutually exclusive. With a little research, you can enjoy writing incredible stories and see to it that they generate a profit.

The first thing that is needed is a business like attitude toward the process. From day one you must:

1) Know your niche.

Research which books are popular in your genre. Go to bookstores and start reading popular authors in your field. Also pick up writing magazines and see what publishers are looking for today.

2) Know your audience. If you are writing for children, for example, know the developmental stage that a child reading your book needs to be and cater to them.

Ex. A five year old would not be a good candidate for a chapter book.

You can also talk to your future readers and find out what really sparks their interest.

Ex. If you are a sci-fi writer, you can go into sci-fi chat rooms and ask what books are the most popular and why. Also ask what they feel is missing in this field. Do they want a return to some of the earlier styles of sci-fi books are an even more futuristic approach?

3) Write from this knowledge.

Once you know what your audience wants, create your story and characters around that theme. Give them what they want, what they crave and you have a better chance of creating a book that they and publishers will love.

4) Pre - market. If you are self-publishing, you can give away a free chapter of your book on hundreds of sites to spark an interest and get feedback. You can also send out press releases right before your book is about to be releases. Prweb.com is a great place to send out free press releases.

Those are just a few examples of pre - marketing. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of other free ways to gather interest and get feed back.

The more information that you have before you write, before you market and before you go to press, will determine your chances of creating an enjoyable and profitable book. Remember you can be creative and profitable. Just start from a place of knowledge and the rest will follow.

Written by Caterina Christakos, author of How to Write a Children’s Book in 30 Days or Less. For more writing tips and articles go tohttp://www.howtowriteachildrensbook.com.

High School Gang Verse

Your Guide To High School Social Groups

Intro: This guide will attempt to classify and organize ALL High School social groups in an organized, encyclopedic manner. They are listed in order alphabetically, following with a summary and description of all physical, mental, monetary and other such traits. Also what will be found is references to groups that may fit under more than one group and/or mixes of groups. As is follows:

Average People

Average people are obviously average in most or all aspects of their overall appearance and manner. They are neither rich nor poor, cool nor uncool, etc. Average grades in school work are another obvious trait. So all in all, average people are average.

Gangsters

Gangsters are gangsters. They hang out all grouped together, wearing the same colors, blue or red most prominently. There are also wannabe gangsters and stoner gangsters.

Goths

"Goths", short for the people who dress and act gothic, are people who do just that, dress and act gothic. Obvious traits are spikes, chains, studs etc., all or mostly black clothing and other dark fashions, and pale skin in some cases. Wannabe and stoner goths also exist.

Hicks/Hillbillies

Hicks, also known as hillbillies, are mostly the people who openly like country music, live/work on a farm, wear hick type clothing like tight pants, truck driver hats, and shirts that say things like "Joe Bob's Towing Company" or "Jimmy's Welding". Other such traits may include the possesion of a big ol' truck or other beat up, dirty vehicle that could be used on a farm or out in the country. Stoner hicks are also present.

Jocks

Jocks are those that are into sports, obviously. They are on all of the teams every year and think they're all bad and stuff. Sports most associated with jocks in order from greatest to least are: Football, Basketball, Baseball, Soccer, Tennis, etc.

Losers

See "Not Smart Nerds"

Nerds

Nerds. Wow. Nerds are usually considered as socially inept. There are two main types of nerds: Smart ones and Not Smart ones.

Smart Nerds

Smart nerds are just that, socially inept losers who are accademically superior to most around them. Sometimes the social clumsiness is caused from the pressure of being smarter than others. Other times, they just don't know how to talk with a lot of people and would rather just hang out with their good friends.

Not Smart Nerds

Not smart nerds consist of just that, people who are considered low on the foodchain, unpopular, weak, and otherwise small and insignificant and are not accademically superior to many.

Preps

Preps are the elite of the elite. They are all rich and think their better than everybody. Most are found in groups and teams such as: Cheerleaders, and Football players(which can also be construde as jocks) and other such things as the student body organizations and other stuff like that.

Psychos

Psychos are those people that sit all by themselves at lunch and plot world domination and other freaky stuff. Some also literally have mental or social problems and could kill you for the smallest thing. So that's why they are psychos.

Punks

Punks are just those people who aren't stoners or gangsters, but they just aren't going anywhere in life and get in trouble for stuff like lifting cars and doing graffiti and other vandalsim and theft.

Rockers

Rockers evolved from wannabe goths. They're the people who if you call 'em goths they get all pissed off. They dress in black and spikes and stuff too, but they're just called "rockers" instead. No one knows why.

Skaters

Skaters are obviously skaters. Skateboarders that is. No one roller blades anymore it seems like so the Skaters category is made up of a majority of skateboarders. Most noticeable trait: T-shirt, hat, sweatshirts etc. covered with a skate brand logo.

"Special" People

Literally special people are the people who are in the Special Education program.

Stoners

Drug users.

Wannabes

Wannabes come in a variety of shapes and sizes but are just weenies who pretend to be what they're not. Another term that seemed to be started by skaters referring to wannabe skaters is "posers". There are wannabes for just about every group imaginable.

Author, Jacob Jacobsen, lives in a dark basement in New Hampshire.

College Loan Serenade

Student Loan: Do Not Postpone Your Education

It is not easy to become a professional in America. Unless you are independently wealthy or qualify for a scholarship, financing your higher education may seem almost impossible. That is the impression most people get when they find out how expensive tuition and boarding fees are. Still there exist a variety of low interest student loans that are offered for those interested in qualifying for them. They represent a practical way for students at college to postpone payment until they are graduated by borrowing money at a low interest rate.

The first thing you have to do when you are interested in applying for one of these loans is to fill out the Federal Application for Student Financial Aid, which is a financial support application form. If you are selected to a college or university after doing this, you will be given complete information of the type of financial support you are about to receive. The aid agency will be asking you about your own and your parents financial situation in order to evaluate your necessity and your capacity to pay the loan back. Besides these type of loans offered by private agencies, there are several government-based scholarships such as the Pell Grant. By obtaining one of these grants, low-income students will be given money with no necessity of paying it back in the future. Unfortunately these grants will not cover the totality of all your educational expenses, and you will probably require student loans to finance the rest.

So even if the financial aid you obtain does not provide for the total expenses, you will always have the chance of getting student loans that will allow you to graduate. The types of student loans vary and they are accessible to traditional and non-conventional students. The educational institution, the bank or the U.S Department of Education can finance Federal education loans such as Perkins and Stafford Loans. Since the Government does not support private education loans.

Author, Estito Eravol, is the proprietor of Loans Made Easy that is an expert resource for information about loans. For more information, go to http://www.fzloan.com.

Flexy Distance Learning Verse

How Distance Learning Offers Flexible Opportunities

The opportunities for continuing education are incredibly diverse, thanks to the technology of distance learning and elearning. Because of the sheer number of people who are looking to improve themselves, it was inevitable that a large number of colleges, universities and businesses set out to fill that need.

The result is that people are learning new skills, honing talents and reaching goals, all while going on with their lives. For many people, furthering education and attending classes are limited because they are already involved in their adult lives. Jobs, family obligations and other responsibilities limit the amount of time many people have available to devote to their own education.

Distance learning allows thousands of people to achieve degrees from programs hundreds of miles away. In this day of convenient travel options, it might be tempting to say that anyone can attend college or classes anywhere. Despite our mobile economy, many people simply don't want to move and don't have the time to travel great distances to attend classes. That means that their opportunities are limited to the programs that are offered nearby. Until distance learning and elearning became so widely available.

Briefly, the difference between distance learning and elearning is a matter of how the course is structured. Distance learning requires that the student attend classes at a prearranged time on a regular basis. An instructor who is actually teaching in another facility (across the state or across the nation) lectures makes assignments and teaches just as normal.

The students in the satellite facility have the opportunity to interact with the teacher through two-way communications. The major advantage is that students are attending class right in their own neighborhoods, at community colleges, universities, schools and even public facilities instead of traveling to the site where the teacher is actually conducting class.

Compared to distance learning, elearning is even less structured. Typically, students work at their own pace through online courses. There may be pre-recorded lectures, worksheets, assignments and tests, all viewed and completed online.

The major advantage here is that students have an even more flexible attendance policy and can choose to work through the material as quickly or as slowly as they want, though some courses do have time limits for completion.

When you add it all up, both distance learning and elearning offer opportunities that simply wouldn't be available any other way. People who would otherwise be "stuck" with no way to further their educations now have an option.

Author, John Tipton, dropped out of school early, and worked boring jobs for 20 years. Then he discovered 'distance learning' and finally got the education he missed. After lots of different courses at lots of different schools, he shares his experience in this series of useful articles. Find out why distance learning lets anyone go back to school. Discover what you need to look for in a distance learning program, and what you should avoid. Click http://www.distance-learning-exclusive.com.

Funny Distance Learning Opus

Do You Know These Reasons Why Distance Learning Is Fun ?

Distance learning and elearning are usually linked with furthering an education. The technology of distance learning, along with the opportunities provided by elearning and online courses, are making it easier for thousands of people to learn something new.

Busy adults can advance their careers by finishing a degree or gaining some special skills, and young students can earn college credit well before they graduate high school, often through distance learning or elearning opportunities.

But do you realize that distance learning and elearning can be just for fun? Maybe it's always been a dream - to learn to paint with watercolors. But there's no class offered nearby. Or maybe you've had a desire to learn to master a foreign language, not because of any requirements to do so, but simply because you want to know how.

Perhaps it's even more basic than that - your lawnmower continually breaks down and you just want to be able to impress your friends by fixing it yourself.

Technology often advances in response to specific needs. People needed a way to finish a degree online so businesses, universities and colleges stepped in to create that opportunity.

But as is often the case, the technology exists in a basic format and users have some control over what happens next. That's probably the reason that some very basic skills, trades and lessons can be learned online - "elearned."

The idea of lifelong learning is not new, though some of the terms generally associated with lifelong learning are constantly being updated. Distance learning, elearning and other such words signify the ability for a person to gain knowledge without sitting in a classroom.

Most adults continue to long for knowledge long after their days in a classroom are over. Different people set about gaining that knowledge in different ways. Some choose topics and just start reading, gathering whatever books and materials they can find.

Others seek out the professionals and sign up for lessons or classes. Many people are putting technology to work for them, seeking out online courses for elearning about a myriad of topics.

It's easy to find colleges, universities and businesses that offer degrees or specific classes as either distance learning or online courses. Finding those "fun" things might be a little more difficult, but you can start by talking to family and friends.

You might find that some of them have even taken some online courses. Check with local schools, colleges, universities, community centers and libraries. While these aren't clearing houses of information about online classes, there may be listings of specific classes available.

Author, John Tipton, dropped out of school early, and worked boring jobs for 20 years. Then he discovered 'distance learning' and finally got the education he missed. After lots of different courses at lots of different schools, he shares his experience in this series of useful articles. Find out why distance learning lets anyone go back to school. Discover what you need to look for in a distance learning program, and what you should avoid. Click http://www.distance-learning-exclusive.com.

Teacher Education Ode

When the Teacher Becomes the Student

A relationship expert once said that during an argument, there’s usually three sides to every story: his side, her side, and of course, the truth.

This is something we must definitely keep in mind as teachers. As educators (especially professors), we have been accused of having the biggest egos on this side of Mount Rushmore. One of the quickest ways to burn out in education is to refuse to embrace change. Whether we want to admit it or not, life moves and changes constantly.

Students are constantly exposed to material we once never dreamed existed. Ironically, although students are exposed to more, they typically know less and are less mature than the generations before. However, that does not discredit the fact that students still bring a unique perspective to our classroom; it’s through their eyes that we can become better teachers.

One of my best strategies for maintaining a high level of motivation in the classroom came as a result of a technique I learned as a stockbroker and sales trainer. Rule #1 in sales is that in order to bring the customer to where you are (your level of understanding), you must first go to where they are (they’re current level of understanding). In simple terms, you must know your customer (in this case, your student). This simple principle recharges and rejuvenates my batteries every semester; because the more I know, the more I grow.

Relating this concept to the education arena, you must simply and clearly define your objectives and what you would like to see happen over the course of a semester (or even a brief interaction) with a student, and then you help your students to do the same. In other words, know where YOU want to go, help them find out where THEY want to go, and then come up with a strategy for both of you to get there. In negotiating terms, they call this a win-win solution. Obviously, this strategy can only work if you value the student, and you believe he or she can make you a better teacher.

For instance, during my first three years in education, I quickly realized that what I wanted and what students believe they needed were diametrically opposed to each other. However, after many personal talks with former students, I soon discovered that students weren’t as concerned with the subject matter itself as they were with how the subject matter was being taught. They were more concerned with my attitude than the answers I would give them. This was a revelation.

I came to the conclusion that, like a parent, my experience and education dictated that I was qualified to teach them what they needed to know to succeed. However, when it came to how they received the information, I was totally at their mercy. Because, regardless of how good or important the subject matter is, if no one is listening, then no one is learning. It was at that point that I decided to “go to where they were” in order to bring them to where I was.

I met individually and collectively with students to get their perspectives on the class. I asked them about what worked in class and what didn’t? I asked them about what they would like to see more or less of? What would they like to see changed (about myself and/or the class)? I asked them if whether or not they would recommend this class to another student, why or why not? I asked them what would make the class more productive and more interesting? These questions can be asked in almost any work environment, for almost any department, not just in the classroom. I asked similar questions of my clients when I was in Corporate America.

All of the input I received, except for the individual meetings, were done anonymously. I can’t begin to tell you how important this information has been to my career. But in less than a year after implementing this idea, I was nominated twice for the distinguished teaching award at my school (the youngest ever nominated).

If you want to become a more productive educator in or outside of the classroom, the key is student input – you must seek it. They say that the definition of insanity is doing the same things over and over again, but expecting different results. If you listen to and solicit feedback from your students, you won’t have to repeat the mistakes of the past. So value your students and their input; trust me, they hold the keys to your success.

Author, Dr. Joe Martin, is an award-winning speaker, author, professor, and educational consultant and owner of New Teacher Success. Visit http://www.newteachersuccess.com today!

Dialogue Poem

Related Themes: Essay, Essay Writing, Writing Job, Writing Short Story, Freelance Writing, Freelance Writing Job, Internet Job, Writing Job Description, Work At Home, Extra Income, Technical Writing Job, Poetry Contest, Short Story Contest, Songwriting, Songwriting Contest, Writing Lesson, Writing Software, Writing Skill, Writing Fiction, Writing Contest, Effective Writing

Dialogue Tags - A Study in Common Errors

Verb and Subject

Incorrect:

"I bet you two had a fine time," said Ben.

When using tags, it’s unusual to have the verb before the subject. The general rule of thumb is to use this construction sparingly, as a rare change in pace or flow. In addition, many editors are asking this construction not appear at all in a manuscript.

Correct:

"I bet you two had a fine time," Ben said.

The Comma and As

Incorrect:

"Do you kiss toads often? Or are you just a little weird?" Betty asked, wrinkling her nose in distaste.

"I often find the little green guys cute. You should try it sometime," Bertha said as she giggled.

In both instances, the comma after asked, and the ‘as’ after said, indicate the dialogue tag isn’t necessary. Each is greatly improved by removing the tag and allowing the following sentence to stand on its own.

Correct:

"Do you kiss toads often? Or are you just a little weird?" Betty wrinkled her nose in distaste.

"I often find the little green guys cute. You should try it sometime." Bertha giggled.

Unnecessary Tags

Incorrect:

Mary scoffed at the idea. "I don’t think you want me at your party," she replied.

Since we are firmly in Mary’s head at the point of her dialogue, it can be assumed it is her reply. If you use a tag like this, ask yourself if it’s really necessary. Is it obvious this is her reply? Then you don’t need it. New writer’s struggle with the idea that every bit of dialogue needs to be accredited to a character, otherwise the reader will be confused. The idea is to write so well from one character’s perspective, that the reader will immediately tell who’s dialogue it is.

Correct:

Mary scoffed at the idea. "I don’t think you want me at your party."

Over Explaining the Tag

Incorrect:

"I don’t care if you kiss all the frogs in the world, you aren’t bringing that toad to my party," Shelly warned, her voice rising.

Ask yourself these questions when you find yourself hunting for words to explain the dialogue in the tag:

Is Shelly’s dialogue showing her warning?

Is it clear from what Shelly says that her voice is rising?

What am I trying to show Shelly feeling with this tag?

You won’t need to ask yourself these questions as you discover your own style more, but in the meantime, it’s a good idea to look through your tags to see if any of them could be replaced, or simply deleted. Her outrage could have been shown much better by this sentence:

Correct:

"I don’t care if you kiss all the frogs in the world, you aren’t bringing that toad to my party." Shelly glared, hands on hips.

Conjunction Tags

Incorrect:

"You look lovely in that dress," Biff said, "and I think you’re going to be the belle of the ball."

Although this break is all right occasionally, it should be used with extreme caution. A better approach is to lend depth to the moment at the break.

Correct:

"You look lovely in that dress." Biff leaned closer, his words a whisper against her flesh. "I think you’re going to be the belle of the ball."

Showing Impact

Incorrect:

She wanted to scream, to run for help, but she remained frozen, like a trapped animal. "You killed him for money?"

"Exactly," he said.

"How could you?" She asked as adrenalin rushed movement back into her limbs and she backed away.

Obviously this is an excerpt from a larger scene. By the time the reader finds this exchange, they’ll be familiar with all the players. To add impact to a statement, it’s sometimes best to leave a tag off entirely, especially with a two-character exchange.

Correct:

She wanted to scream, to run for help, but she remained frozen, like a trapped animal. "You killed him for money?"

"Exactly."

"How could you?" Adrenalin flooded her limbs and she backed away.

Multiple Tags

Incorrect:

"You have to understand," Sean said as he clenched her wrists tighter. His eyes darkened with a menacing plea as he stated, "He was evil, I had to do it."

In this paragraph, we are firmly in Sean’s head by the action described in the middle, there is no need to explain he is still speaking.

Correct:

"You have to understand." Sean clenched her wrists tighter. His eyes darkened with a menacing plea. "He was evil, I had to do it."

As with any rules in writing, there are always exceptions. However, once you’ve changed any of the problematic tags in your work to these more active and exciting tags, you’ll find the pace of your work becomes faster and the work overall is much cleaner.

Author of dozens of articles and award winning short stories, Jennifer Turner offers caring and concise critiques for aspiring authors without the high cost of big business editorial services at, ROTO-WRITER CRITIQUE SERVICE: http://jturner.00books.com/index.html.

College Payments Ode

Paying for College

College Payments

Paying for college is one of the largest expenses a parent will face in their lifetime, other than paying for a house. Because of this, care needs to be taken as well as special planning and allocations of finances in order to take the burden away from this expense. Starting early is the best option, even when your child is a toddler is not too soon. Consider the following timeline for saving for your childs college education.

When college is 15 years or more away, then you should open and education IRA that will allow you to save conservatively for your childs college. Also, since there is a lot of time before your child will need the money this is the time to invest in aggressive funds or stocks. As the time for college nears, you will want to save money in conservative ways, but now is ok to be aggressive if you wish.

When college is 10 15 years away for your child, then there are some additional things you can do. First, consider prepaid tuition plans that allow you to pay for college over a period of time before your child ever reaches the first day of school. The problem with this is you take the decision away from your child of which college they want to attend. Also, talk to your accountant about different savings plans your state offers for college savings. More than likely, there are some plans that will help you meet your savings needs or receive tax breaks. Also, make sure your portfolio is more secure and stabilized. Try to get your investments in order and start saving more conservatively.

When there are only five years until college, make sure your portfolio is stable and all investments are conservative. This is very important because the time til college is narrowing down and at this time you will want to have your savings stable and in tact.

When there are only five more years until your child enters college, make sure your investments are safe and secure and not in any aggressive funds. This is the time to guard the money rather than risk it on aggressive markets. If you realize that even though you have been saving for more than 15 years, you will not have enough money to pay for your childs tuition, you can consider different student loans that do not need to be paid back while the child is enrolled in school and that have low interest rates. There are loans available for the parent as well as the child, so whatever works for your family is the best option.

As you can see, when you start planning and saving early, the idea of paying for college is not nearly as frightening as waiting until the last minute.

Author, Joyce Dutton, is the CEO and Operative of Lacon College Inc which is an excellent place to find College links, resources and articles. For more information on this article, please visit http://www.laconcollege.com.

School Uniforms Plus Poem

Pros and Cons of School Uniforms

We have worked with schools across the United States, and believe us, you are not the only person asking this question! The answers that we have heard from our customers are as varied as our customers are. The debate over school uniforms is complicated, so we've included highlights from both sides for you to consider:

Professional:

Some say that a child in a school uniform is more likely to take school seriously. Putting on the school uniform signals he or she is going to school just like dad dresses up to go to work. Schools report that when students dress in "work clothes" rather than "play clothes" they take a more serious approach to their studies.

Promotes Good Discipline:

Many think that school uniforms help maintain school discipline, decreasing the amount of discipline problems. The argument is that children today are lacking in self-discipline because parents refuse to discipline them. This makes it more difficult on the teacher who has to deal with classes of 25-30 students at a time.

Reduces Fighting and Violence:

Schools report that school uniforms decrease fighting and violence that arrise out of arguments over fashionable clothes. Children invariably tease those who do not have trendy clothes. Those who can't afford name brand clothes are often sensitive about their clothing. Schools struggling with gang problems report that school uniforms help ease tensions.

Distractions:

Many parents believe that students wearing school uniforms look nicer and that a school uniform policy ensures that children will come to school in appropriate clothing, avoiding distractions such as fads considered to be outlandish or overly revealing. Some students have turned school into an unending fashion show. This disctracts from learning, as some kids spend more time focused on thier clothes than on homework.

Values:

School uniforms stress that individuality and self-expression are not determined by designer clothing or the latest fashion fad.

Low Cost:

School uniforms are a bargain. They are becoming far less expensive than many other clothes. Schools argue that school uniforms are economical, especially compared to designer clothing, and parents agree given school uniform durability. They say school uniforms last longer because they are made for repeated wash and wear. Many schools capitalize on this by starting used school uniform stores or swap meets. Parents can get used school uniforms at discount prices, or just use them as hand-me-downs between siblings.

School Spirit:

Some feel wearing a school uniform helps build school spirit. It instills a feeling of belonging. As the Beach Boys said, "Be true to your school." Schools report an increase in school pride.

Individuality:

Supressing individuality is the most commonly cited objection to school uniforms. Educators argue that an academic program encouraging students to pursue individual thought is much more important than what they wear. They inhibit creativity and self-expression, forcing students to conform.

Causes Discipline Problems:

Some students reject any rules. Forcing them to wear school uniforms only aggravates their rebelious spirit. They alter their school uniform by tightening, widening, shortening, or lengthening them, and teachers are given the impossible task of policing the students on a daily basis.

Little or No Relationship to Academics:

Opponents insist that their is no credible evidence that school uniforms improve school discipline or promote higher academic acheivement. The principal argument is that some great students are terrible dressers. Dress does not necessarily improve learning.

Author, Isaac Grauke, is manager of sales and marketing at Hall Closet Uniforms and Apparel, http://www.hallclosetuniforms.com. Hall Closet is a supplier of school uniforms to schools around the country.

Spice Your Lecture Better Serenade

How To Spice Up Your Lecture Notes For Better Grades

When taking notes on a lecture, there are two extremes that present themselves -- to take exceedingly full notes, or to take almost no notes. One can err in either direction. At first, a full blow-by-blow transcript of the lecture might seem best. However, you'll find that this isn't necessary. In fact, you might see that this style of note-taking might end up hampering your efforts. Many lecturers will highlight your assigned reading the night before. This isn't worth writing down twice, as you should have taken notes on your reading yourself. If you occupy your attention with the task of copying the lecture verbatim, you do not have time to think, but become merely an automatic recording machine.

This is good news for those of you that transcribe your class time! Experienced stenographers say that they form the habit of recording so automatically that they fail utterly to comprehend the meaning of what is said. You as a student cannot afford to have your attention so distracted from the meaning of the lecture. Therefore, you should REDUCE your classroom writing to a minimum.

Probably the chief reason why students are so eager to secure full lecture notes is that they fear to trust their memory. Such fears should be put at rest, for your mind will retain facts if you pay close attention and make logical associations during the time of impression. Keep your mind free, then, to work upon the subject-matter of the lecture. Debate mentally with the speaker. This is called Active Listening.

Question your professor's statements, comparing them with your own experience or with the results of your study. Ask yourself frequently, “Is that true?” The essential thing is to maintain an attitude of mental activity, and to avoid anything that will reduce this and make you passive. Do not think of yourself as a vat into which the instructor pumps knowledge. Regard yourself rather as an active force, quick to perceive and to comprehend meaning, deliberate in acceptance and firm in retention.

Active listening is the key to note-taking. This is ironic, considering that we associate note-taking with transcribing. Let your notes represent the logical progression of thought in the lecture. Strive above all else to secure the skeleton -— the framework upon which the lecture is hung. A lecture is a logical structure, and the form in which it is presented is the outline.

This outline, then, is your chief concern. In the case of some lectures it is an easy matter. The lecturer may place the outline in your hands beforehand, may present it on the black-board, or may give it orally. Some lecturers, too, present their material in such clear-cut divisions that the outline is easily followed. Others, however, are very difficult to follow in this regard.

In arranging an outline you will find it wise to adopt some device by which the parts will stand out prominently, and the progression of thought will be indicated with proper subordination of titles. Adopt some system at the beginning of your college course, and use it in all your notes. In other words, be consistent! You have enough to worry about in learning the material. You don't need to spend mental energy trying to decipher your own note-taking system.

The example here may serve as a model, using first the Roman numerals, then capitals, then Arabic numerals:

I.

II.

A.

B.

1.

2.

a.

b.

(1)

(2)

(a)

(b)

Being a transcription machine does not equate to being a good notetaker. Not only will you NOT be learning effectively, but you're pretty much wasting your time. When you use your class time more wisely, you'll find yourself able to easily recall material come exam time. Put those last-minute cram sessions to an end!

Written by Elise Royal. Better College Grades is a 100% free resource to help students achieve scholastic success in the smartest and most efficient manner: http://www.bettercollegegrades.com.

Moms Scholarship Opus

Scholarships For Single Mothers

Are you a single mother in debt trying to make your way through school hoping to attain a better education so you can support your family? If so you should consider applying for a scholarship.

What is a scholarship?

A scholarship is a grant of financial aid awarded to a student, as for the purpose of attending a college.

Scholarships are beneficial because it allows a student to cover all or a fraction of his/her college expenditures without having to pay the money back. The majority of scholarships come from federal funds, with the remaining balance coming from private organizations. As a student takes a step forward in his/her education and chooses a career path, more opportunities will become accessible. Scholarships can be based on: region, academic performance, religious affiliation, sports, ethnic background, military status, intended major.

Where to find out more information on scholarships

As a single mother it's always best to investigate on known avenues, such as State Department for Higher Education for residents, a high school guidance office, an academic department or college's financial aid office, free internet searches or libraries. One area that is not searched as often but should is a parent's company, or even student employers, so if you are a single mother working and going to school contact your employer to see if there are scholarships available.

Scholarship for Single Mother

With so many scholarships being available it can often be difficult to choose which one is best for you. Narrow your search by which you believe best meets eligibility factors, and then take the time to devote persuasive applications that include transcripts, proof of eligibility, personal essays, recommendation letters, etc. Make sure to follow directions carefully, as well as giving yourself enough time to put together a great application opposed to something being done at the last minute. Follow directions, proofread your work, double check that, apply early and keep copies for your records. Scholarship for Single Mother: Beware of Scholarship Scams

There are entities that state that there's millions of scholarship dollars that go unused every year. This is incorrect, as the greater part of the funds comes from the federal government and the private scholarships come from organizations that are willing to let students utilize them. The Federal Trade Commission alerts families to beware of scams that encourage students to make a payment to hold the scholarship, or if the student has been selected for an unknown scholarship. Schools have a given amount of funds to make use of for students, and no one can change the system to get more money for scholarships than they are granted through the standard financial aid process.

Why Should I Apply?

As a single mother, don't let high costs be a reason not to go to school. Bettering your education should be a top priority because it will pay off in the future and you will be able to support yourself and your family. Apply today for a scholarship and it will be one less financial cost you will have to worry about, every little bit helps, right?

Author, Kelly Kennedy, writes for http://www.singlemotherresources.com, a great online source for single mothers.

Homeschool Gifted Verse

Characteristic Of A Gifted Child

Since it is widely agreed upon in the educational and child development communities that early recognition of the characteristics of a gifted child, is a key factory in successfully developing the child, it is important for the parent to have at least a general understanding of these gifted characteristics.

First of all in order to be classified as a gifted child, the child must have the ability to perform at a level that is significantly beyond other children of like age. O.K. So, for a parent, what might this look like or what should I look for in my child?

The following are some guidelines to help your awareness when it comes to recognizing the characteristics of a gifted child. Keep in mind that there are varying levels of giftedness, as you view the guidelines.

Cognitive Skills (thinking or though processing)

Ability to master new skills with extraordinary speed.
A deeper knowledge than other children the same age.
Extraordinary memory and recall of events, facts, and/or figures.
Advanced creativity and ability to improvise.
Acute alertness to their surroundings.
Advanced or more complex sense of humor.

Learning Patterns

Great and constant curiosity along with high level of motivation to learn.
As a result of the previous, being bored easily if not challenged
Advanced ability to stay focused or lengthy attention span. Even with more difficult topics.
Advance organizational or planning skills.
Advance logic and problem solving skills.

Speech and Language

Well developed word vocabulary and language compared to children of the same age.
Creative uses of words and sentence structure and again, sense of humor.
Ability to adapt their use of the language to a given level to fit the situation.
Ability to understand and carry out complex instructions.
General advanced ability in reading, writing, and working with numbers.

Social

Sensitivity to other’s feelings
Use of their advance language skills to resolve conflict or debate.
Organize and direct behavior of other children (may seem bossy to other children).
Many times will feel more ‘at home’ with older children.
May have high expectations of themselves (and others) that can lead to frustration and even anger.

Other

A generally high aptitude for logical problems, games, puzzles, or any type of problem solving or activity that requires creative thinking and reaction.

Final Note: Although these characteristics of a gifted child may provide you with some initial insight and understanding, it is important to seek a formal assessment of your child in this area if you feel that your child exhibits several of these characteristics.

Author, Mary Joyce, is a former educator, successful homeschool parent, and the primary contributor to the Homeschool-Curriculum-4u website. Please visit http://www.homeschool-curriculum-4u.com for more of Mary's articles, resources on homeschool, ideas, and curriculum information. Also tips guides and how-to's to help you successfully teach your child at home.

School Grades Verse

Three Steps You Need To Know To Improve Your Learning And Have Better Grades

"I'm a failure" "I'll never make it." That's the kind of affirmation we hear people say. To overcome this feeling of worthlessness you need to make 3 little steps that will help you discover the genius within you.

1. You need to motivate yourself.

First of all, remember that great people learned a basic and essential quality you need to acquire: persistence. Very successful people failed many times, like most of us. But they get up right away and they begin again and again until they eventually succeed.

We can motivate ourselves by seeing the result in our mind as if it has already occurred. Feel what you would feel if you have better grades. Name this feeling. Amplify this feeling until it becomes very pleasant. Now, you are going to add some new feelings upon this first feeling. Do you remember a time when you were really excited about something? When you have this excitemant in you, add it to the first very pleasant feeling as if you put a coat of excitement over the coat of 'very pleasant state'. Let this feeling of excitement diffuse in you and notice how you feel.

Notice how feel very motivated, calm and confident. And for a moment, you know that you will succeed in school. But something holds you back. You need to make this second step...

2. You need to get rid of the beliefs that hold you back.

Consider the law of belief: whatever you believe becomes your reality. Once you understand and appropriate this belief in yourself, you discover that you can do many things and especially have better grades.

Throughout your life you learn. It's a never-ending process. School is just the beginning of this process with its special rules and rewards, which can sometimes seem unfair.

You begin to change by being aware that you are a potential genius and that you CAN do better and you WILL. What do you learn from having bad grades? Consider that it is an opportunity to learn. And most important, it's a chance to learn that you're not the problem; it's only your strategies. That's why you need to take the last lesson... You need to learn how to learn

3. You need new strategies.

If something doesn't work, do something else. First, be aware of your learning style. Are you visual, auditory, kinesthetic? Remember that you have multiple intelligences and when you use them as much as possible you increase your chances of having better results.

Have the end in mind. Act as if you already had the solution. Now you only need to fill in the blanks. If you already know where to go, your brain will help you find the solutions. Use mind maps, movement and imagination. Learning how to learn is a necessity for children and adults to perform better in life.

These three steps are important to succeed in school. One step takes care of your beliefs, another of your emotions and the other one of your strategies to have better grades and to perform better in life.

Written by Emmanuel SEGUI - Author of "Moving from Vision to Action". STOP having average grades and discover how you can empower your learning and your life through NLP. Click
http://www.nlp-and-learning-review.com.

Homeschool Serenade

Parenting A Gifted Child

When it comes parenting a gifted child, there are a number of considerations. Probably the most common, is the fact that, as a parent you just are uncertain as to how to respond to the gifted child’s unique development and personality traits. This also entails a difficulty in your expectations of the child. Also, one of the unique difficulties in parenting a gifted child stems from the fact that many times, although the child is gifted with advanced cognitive abilities, is still quite on level par with other children of their age in the areas of emotional and physical development. Greater challenges can even arise if you have a gifted child in a family with more than one child. But aside, from all the challenges, parenting a gifted child can be extremely rewarding and joyful because it is truly a very unique experience.

As any parent would ask… How can I best be helpful for my gifted child? Well, first and foremost, do what you do best as a parent and love and care for your child’s needs regardless of their specially abilities. Although many of your gifted child’s characteristics may be at an advance level when compared to their age group, the basis of parenting really isn’t that much different.

* Keep available to your gifted child many areas of opportunity to learn and be challenged.
* Encourage your child to remain engaged in a broad range of activities and skills beyond those which they are naturally gifted.
* Be supportive
* As your child gets older, speak with them about their talents and some of the challenges that they face and why they are special.
* Constantly teach and fine tune their social skills so they remain comfortable socially.
* As a proud parent... don’t push or show off your child.
* Don’t expect your child to be ‘gifted and talented’ in everything.
* Above all... don’t forget that your gifted child is still very much a child. Still needing all the love, caring, and support that any child needs and thrives on.

Mary Joyce is a former educator, successful homeschool parent, and the primary contributor to the Homeschool-Curriculum-4u website. Please visit http://www.homeschool-curriculum-4u.com for more of Mary's articles, resources on homeschool, ideas, and curriculum information. Also tips guides and how-to's to help you successfully teach your child at home.


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Educating Serenade

Nurtured by Love or Matured by Nature?

“There is nothing new under the sun,” states Ecclesiastes 1:9. This is certainly true of the nature-nurture debate, the modern name for the ageless argument about the importance of learning in the development of the child. While one side argues that the development of the child is mainly a process of maturation, with learning playing no more than a supportive role, the other side maintains that learning determines the entire course of a child’s future.

The wise king Solomon certainly supported the nurture assumption when he stated in Proverbs 22:6, “Train the child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” The famous French philosopher Jean Jacques Rousseau, on the other hand, posited a natural development of the child. In fact, he wanted the child to be protected from the influences of society so that he can grow up as Nature intended him to be.

A thorough study of feral children, and children who were raised or kept in extreme isolation, makes it difficult NOT to support the nurture assumption.

FERAL CHILDREN AND WHAT WE LEARN FROM THEM

Probably the best-known story of feral children is that of the two girls, Amala and Kamala, who were raised by a she-wolf. In 1920 the reverend J. A. L. Singh saw a mother wolf and cubs, two of which had long, matted hair and looked human. After considerable preparation and difficulties, the two human creatures were captured. They turned out to be two girls whose ages were assessed by Singh at about eight years and one and a half years respectively.

The creatures were taken to an orphanage in Mindapore, India, where the Reverend and his wife were stationed. Singh described them as “wolfish” in appearance and behavior. They walked on all fours and had calluses on their knees and palms from doing so. They were fond of raw meat and stole it when the occasion presented itself. They licked all liquids with their tongues and ate their food in a crouched position. Their tongues permanently hung out of their thick, red lips, and they panted just like wolves. They never slept after midnight and prowled and howled at night. They could move very fast, just like squirrels, and it was difficult to overtake them. They shunned human society altogether. If approached, they made faces and sometimes bared their teeth. Their hearing was very acute and they could smell meat at a great distance. Furthermore, while they could not see well during the day, they could orientate themselves very well at night. In September 1921 both girls became ill, and Amala, the younger, died.

There are many other stories of feral children in the literature, amongst others the story of a boy who lived in Syria, who ate grass and could leap like an antelope, as well as of a girl, who lived in the forests in Indonesia for six years after she had fallen into a river. She walked like an ape and her teeth were as sharp as a razor.

These stories do far more than just to confirm the important role of education. They actually show that a human being not only can but MUST be educated to become a human being at all. A bear does not have to learn to be a bear; he simply is one. A duck needs no lessons in duckmanship. And an ant leads a perfectly satisfactory life without any instruction from other ants. Even when isolated from birth, animals usually retain clearly recognizable instincts. A cat that is raised among dogs, will still behave like a cat. He won’t try to bite the postman. There are only a few exceptions, such as the lion cub, which would not be able to hunt the wildebeest when raised in isolation.

Man, however, enters this world very poorly equipped. The knowledge a child needs to become fully human is not dormant. Everything the child eventually knows, or can do, must be learned. This of course excludes natural body functions, such as breathing, as well as the reflexes, for example the involuntary closing of the eye when an object approaches it. Everything else, however, must be learned.

A child must LEARN to walk erect, to talk, to eat with a knife and fork, to catch a ball, to ride a bicycle, to swim, et cetera. The mastery of these skills does not fall from the sky. A child must also learn to sustain his attention, to listen when spoken to, to follow through on instructions, to control his behavior and to sit still and remain in his seat when the situation so requires. These abilities, which play a determining role in school success, also do not happen automatically. The same applies to qualities such as friendliness, thankfulness, honesty, truthfulness, unselfishness and respect for authority. All these skills and qualities – and many more – must be learned for the child to eventually lead a happy and successful adult life.

PARENTS ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT EDUCATORS

The road to adulthood can be compared to a traveler who wants to travel from one place to another, but does not know the way. He therefore needs directions. If he receives the wrong directions, he will never reach his destination. A child who enters this world is in exactly the same situation. He also has a destination – he must become a grown-up man or a grown-up woman – but he has no idea how to get there. Consequently, he needs to be directed by grown-up persons, who have already traveled along this route, and who therefore can lead him to adulthood.

The problem is that most people have come to identify the term “education” and “learning” only with schools and schooling. The school has grown from the modest institution it was in the nineteenth century to one that is blamed for all the ills of society and is seen as potentially capable of curing them. The school’s functions and influence have been extended – some would say over-extended – and therefore the school is exceedingly vulnerable to criticism. It is, however, very important to note that the whole of education does not take place in the school. The school is especially responsible for the FORMAL aspects of education, namely subject instruction, in order to provide society with an able workforce. The parents, on the other hand, are the PRIMARY educators of their child. And, as the primary educators of their child, THEY have the greatest responsibly to direct their child to adulthood.

Being a parent is a tremendous privilege. But it is also a tremendous responsibility. Therefore parents must make sure that they are properly equipped for the task at hand because, as the late violin teacher Shinichi Suzuki so rightly stated, “The destiny of children lies in the hands of their parents.”

Susan du Plessis is the co-author of "The Myth of ADHD and Other Learning Disabilities; Parenting without Ritalin,” and the author or co-author of four other books on learning and learning disabilities. She has been involved in helping children reach their full potential for 15 years. She holds BD and BA Hons (psychology). Visit her website at http://www.audiblox2000.com.


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