Why School Districts Are Abandoning Textbooks

Why School Districts Are Abandoning Textbooks Gone are the days of having to carry around eight textbooks in your backpack, or to rush to your locker to grab that American History textbook for your next class. One school district in Indiana has completely ditched textbooks in favor of online curricula that students access via laptops. According to an article in the New York Times, all math and science textbooks in the Munster, Indiana, school district have been replaced with digital editions. The change impacts all students in grades 5-12, and cost over $1 million to implement. Some of the biggest differences are obvious. With a laptop, the digital curricula is complemented with video clips, audio files, and interactive games. Some of the excuses are new, such as the server ate my homework! or the wifi network is down, I cant access todays assignment! Munster is hardly the first district to try such a technological leap. Many other districts across the country are changing some or all of their curricula to digital platforms. Some school districts have issued all of their students iPads instead of laptops. Regardless of the technology being used, it is a sure fact that heavy textbooks will gradually be phased out across the nation. What remains to be seen is whether technology and its use can truly enhance student learning, or if it is merely the same material in a different package.

5 Goals for the Ambitious Introvert for 2015 - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / 5 Goals for the Ambitious Introvert for 2015 - Introvert Whisperer 5 Goals for the Ambitious Introvert for 2015 If you pooh-pooh New Year’s resolutions, this article is for you. I’m not going to suggest resolutions, nor am I going to tell you should tax your wintering  brain to figure some out. I’ve done that for you. All you need to do it print these out, tape them on your desk wall and begin taking action. Any time. Including February. Seriously, could it get any easier? Goal #1: Make a Career Plan Be honest. You probably don’t have a career plan, do you? Where will you end up if you don’t? Too many people think that “something will happen” and are just holding out for that breakthrough moment. Here’s the thing: those moments don’t usually happen without your active involvement. Figure out where you’re going and how you’re going to get there. (Like this thought? Tweet it!) Goal #2: Have a Conversation With the Boss Do you know how the boss views your performance? It does matter. You have to take responsibility for your own career, and one of those responsibilities is engaging the boss in a meaningful conversation about how well you’re doing. Goal #3: Learn to Network Better You may already think you’re networking, but there’s almost certainly room to improve. Make this the year you take your game to the next level. You won’t get ahead without this all-important activity. To start off, try contacting people you used to work with. Just that alone is probably far more than you’ve been doing. See it’s not so painful, is it? Goal #4: Be Heard This can be a tough one for some with introverted tendencies, but there’s an easy solution. Make a goal to speak up 3 times in each meeting you attend. Don’t worry if what you say is a rehash of what someone else has said. There is a lot of repetition in conversations and meetings. If you intend to be a leader, people have to hear from you on all matters. Setting a goal to be heard makes it easier to engage. Goals #5: Make Alliances Make deliberate relationships at work. Pick out a mentor who will give you all kinds of great insight. Find a couple of people at your level who you know have skills that you don’t. You can learn from these people and in turn, share some of your expertise. Think of it like bartering. You’ll notice that 4 out of 5 of these goals involve other people. Our ability to interact with other successfully is known as Emotional Intelligence. You can’t have too much, and recent studies have said it is the number 1 factor for personal and professional success. Make 2015 your Emotional Intelligence development year. Your future depends on it. Go to top Where do you want to take your career this year? Share your Ambitious Introvert goals in the comments! Image: Flickr Personal Branding starts with how well you speak about YOU.   I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook â€" The Definitive Guide to Creating and Using an Elevator Speech.   In this guide, I give you simple to follow instructions for creating a “wardrobe” of ways to talk about you â€" to leave a lasting impression.   Get your copy now: CLICK HERE Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleash your professional potential.

Healthy Diets

Healthy Diets Diets for Losing Weight ChaptersLose Weight with the DASH DietLose Weight with the Mediterranean DietShed a Few Pounds with the Flexitarian DietLosing Weight with the Okinawa DietLosing Weight with Weight WatchersIntermittent Fasting for Weight LossKeeping the Weight Off with the Low-GI DietThe Light Dinner Diet“Healthy does NOT mean starving yourself EVER. Healthy means eating the right food in the right amount”. - Karen SalmansohnDon’t get caught up in fad diets that promise spectacular results. They can lead to deficiencies and cardiovascular problems and can be dangerous to your health. However, most of us will try a good number of them throughout our lives.If you want to lose weight, you just need to make a few changes and you’ll start to see a change. Drastic diets can be a source of frustration and can also lead you to give up on them altogether.The diets in this article are more likely to lead to sustained weight loss and fewer risks to your health. And a decreased chance of yoyoing. Rebecca Nutrition Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FernNutrition Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JehanNutrition Teacher £75/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FazNutrition Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AsherNutrition Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DelNutrition Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YusefNutrition Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoanneNutrition Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsLose Weight with the DASH DietHave you heard of the DASH diet?It was created by the National Institute of Health in the US. DASH stands for Dietary Approach to Stopping Hypertension. By losing weight and reducing blood pressure, you reduce the risks of cardiovascular disease.   The DASH diet has nothing to do with running but a healthy lifestyle will help you maintain a healthy weight. (Source: sasint)It’s an eating plan rather than a diet. Everyone in the family can do it, which can help whoever’s trying to lose weight.There are very few saturated fats and sugars, which are bad for your heart. It’s designed to decrease blood pressure and cholesterol. You can lose around 4 to 6 pounds a month if you also exercise.So what do you eat? Whole grains with every meal.Five servings of fruits and vegetables per day.Two or three servings of low-fat or fat-free dairy products per day.Six or fewer servings of meat, poultry, or fish per day.Two to three servings of fats and oils per day.Four or five servings of nuts, seeds, dry beans, and peas per week.A maximum of two servings of natural sugars per day.Find out more about eating healthily.Lose Weight with the Mediterranean DietThe Mediterranean diet is one of the best in the world. While quite high in fats, Medi terranean populations have some of the best cardiovascular health in the world.Why?Thanks to olive oil, vegetables, nuts, fish fats, seafood, and very few processed products. Olive oil is a core ingredient in the Mediterranean diet. (Source: stevepb)How can you adopt a Mediterranean diet?Here are the rules to follow:A lot of cooked or raw fruits and vegetables as the foundation for every meal.Olive oil, dried fruits, herbs, and spices.Whole grains and dried vegetables with every meal.Lots of water.Fish and seafood at least twice a week. Eggs are also regularly consumed.White meat a bit less. Red meat is quite uncommon in the Mediterranean diet.Small amounts of dairy products other than a few goat’s or sheep’s milk yoghurts.A moderate amount of red wine.Very few sweets and processed foods.Discover the best meals for losing weight.Shed a Few Pounds with the Flexitarian DietThe flexitarian diet was born in the 1990s in the US and is both good for you and the planet. The goal is to eat less meat and fish without becoming vegetarian or vegan.While no particular foods are forbidden, there are certain foods that you should eat less of. This isn’t a regime for losing weight but it can lead to it.So what do you eat?White meat once or twice a week.Fish once or twice a week.A lot of cooked or raw fruits and vegetables as the foundation for every meal.Vegetable proteins: soy, dried fruits, pulses, wholegrain cereals.Organic and natural products: buy local and avoid processed foods. RebeccaNutrition Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FernNutrition Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JehanNutrition Teacher £75/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FazNutrition Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AsherNutrition Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DelNutrition Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YusefNutrition Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoanneNutrition Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsLosing Weight with the Okinawa DietThe Okinawa Diet is from Japan, the country with the highest number of peop le reaching the age of 100. The lifestyle and diets of the inhabitants have led to them leading longer lives. To avoid weight gain or lose weight, the Okinawa Diet is rich in Omega 3 and micro-nutrients.The Okinawa Diet at a glance:A lot of fruits, vegetables, and fish.Don’t keep eating until you’re full and only eat small portions.Opt for a variety of colours on your plate.Eat slightly cooked foods and don’t use microwaves or barbecues.Cook and consume foods separately.Here’s an example of a semi-vegetarian daily diet:7 to 13 servings of vegetables.7 to 13 servings of whole grains.2 to 4 fruits.2 to 4 servings of soy or cabbage.2 to 4 servings of high-calcium foods (broccoli, fish, yoghurt, cheese).1 to 3 servings of foods rich in Omega-3 (fish, seafood, nuts, grains).1 to 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil and condiments (herbs, spices, soy sauce).Tea.8 glasses of water.Discover some great ingredients for weight loss.Losing Weight with Weight WatchersIf you’re looking for an effective diet and a community to support you while you lose weight, Weight Watchers is what you’re after. The programme is based on eating a healthy and varied diet with weekly meetings to keep you motivated. Weight Watchers is a diet that also comes with support from others. (Source: silviarita)It works on a system of points according to your age, gender, size, weight, and activity levels. You can lose around 15% of your weight after just two months by following these principles:Eat a varied diet.Drink 1.5 to 2 litres of water a day.Eat five servings of fruits and vegetables per day.Eat three dairy products per day.Reduce the amount of fat consumed.Exercise regularly.Intermittent Fasting for Weight LossIntermittent fasting is an excellent way to effectively lose weight in the long-term. This is done by only eating for a given 8 hours during the day and fasting for the remaining 16 hours.For example, you can only eat between 12:00 and 20:00 and you don’t eat the rest of the time. While we say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, in this case, you can’t have it.During the fasts, you can drink water, tea, or coffee, without sugar, of course. This will encourage your bod y to burn fat and you’ll lose weight. Similarly, intermittent fasting can reduce cholesterol.The advantage of this is that you’ll lose weight progressively, which will help you keep the weight off.Learn how to lose weight healthily.Keeping the Weight Off with the Low-GI DietMany studies have shown that sugar is as addictive as several banned substances. Much like these banned substances, sugar can be really bad for your health. The Low-GI Diet consists of consuming slow-sugars. You'll want to swap out certain sugars for other ingredients. (Source: fancycrave1)Quick sugars will raise your glycemic index and the secretion of insulin, leading to fat being stored.So what can’t you eat?White bread.Soft drinks and fruit juices.Sugary desserts.Potatoes.Pasta (except for whole-grain pasta).Rice cakes.Instead, you can have brown bread, pulses, brown rice, whole grain pasta, fruits, and vegetables. You’ll soon start feeling it and losing weight. You’ll also feel less bloated and have more energy.The Light Dinner DietLet’s finish with the easiest diet to follow. Most of us eat a balanced diet throughout the day and have dinner later on. Dinner is usually the meal where we gain the most weight. This is because we don’t do anything after dinner.  If you’re hungry before bed, eat an apple or drink herbal tea.For dinner:A vegetable-based starter.A light protein-based dish cooked on the grill or in the oven.An apple for dessert.So which healthy diet will you be trying?If you'd like to learn more about healthy eating, nutrition, and cooking, consider getting help from one of the many talented and experienced private tutors on Superprof. There are several different types of tutorials available but they all fall into one of three main categories: face-to-face tutorials, online tutorials, and group tutorials.Face-to-face tutorials take place between just the tutor and one student. This means that all the tutor's attention is on you. While this is great for ensuring that you learn quickly, it also comes at a cost. Outside of your tutorials, the tutor will be preparing and planning your lessons and will factor this extra time into their hourly rates. Face-to-face tutorials are usually the most costly type of tutorial but they're also usually the most effective.Online tutorials are similar to face-to-face tutorials as they have the same tutor-student ratio. However, your tutor won't be in the same place as you. Instead, they'll teach you remotel y using a computer, webcam, and video conferencing software like Skype. Since the tutor doesn't have to travel to their students and can schedule more tutorials each week, they tend to charge less than their face-to-face counterparts.Finally, group tutorials are between one tutor and several students. With each student paying for the tutor's time, these tend to work out as the cheapest per student per hour. Unfortunately, the tutor won't be able to tailor the tutorials or the course to each student.

What Is Fusion Drumming

What Is Fusion Drumming The Features Of A Fusion Drum Kit ChaptersWhy Choose A Fusion Drum Kit?What To Look Out ForWhich Fusion Drum Kit Is Right For Me?If you want to learn how to drum, it may feel slightly overwhelming at first deciding where to begin.For instance, do you think you’d like to learn how to drum with electronic drums or acoustic drums? Knowing the types of drum sets available is just one of the hurdles to overcome.There are other questions you might ask yourself too, such as whether you’re hoping to learn to play a particular style, or if you’re just looking to learn how to master the basics of drumming and progress from there?Although it can feel as though there are lots of decisions to be made before you even start learning to drum, remember that you can always change your mind down the line â€" you’re not stuck with electronic drums for instance if you decide that you’d rather play acoustic!However, if you think that you might like to learn how to play on fusion-sized drums, then this article outlines what you s hould know.Fusion drum kits can work well if you plan on playing lots of different gigs. (Image Source: CC0 1.0, Free-Photos, Pixabay)Jazz fusion;Funk; orA combination of musical styles,You can certainly do so on a fusion drum kit.What’s more, you don’t have to be a novice drummer to play music on this type of kit â€" in fact, any ability level should be able to play on a fusion drum kit successfully!Ultimately, if you like playing different styles of music and would like to have a versatile drum kit, then a fusion kit could be right for you.Fusion drum kits can be great for beginners. (Image Source: CC0 1.0, Heyme, Pixabay)What To Look Out ForA fusion set is somewhere in between a standard rock n roll set and a smaller jazz set, with one of the greatest variations being the size of the bass drum.Its smaller size compared to a standard drum kit can make it easier to travel with and can also make it easier to tune. This can be helpful, for instance, if you gig regularly or have t o attend a roadshow.Below we highlight some of the main features that you might find in a fusion drum kit, including:The bass drum;The tom-toms;The snare drum; andThe cymbals.Although we outline some of the standard features that you might expect to see in these elements below, that’s not to say that there isn’t some room for personalisation if you would like to customise your kit in any way.After all, music is a form of self-expression, so don’t feel as though you absolutely have to conform to each of the standards below. Rather, see them as a guide and make your own mind up as to whether that particular type or size drum would work for you and your drumming style.For instance, if you'd rather use an electronic drum set to play fusion, then,  of course, you are free to, even if it may be preferable in some instances to use a dedicated fusion drum set.Check out Superprof to find some drum lessons.The Bass DrumArguably, the bass drum is the most important part of a fusion drum kit. It is the drum that has the deepest tone. Generally speaking, a fusion bass drum should measure around 20 inches, falling halfway between a jazz bass drum (usually 18 inches) and a rock bass drum (usually 22 inches).As a fusion kit tends to be smaller than a rock kit, it’s also common to see a fusion kit produce a quieter sound than a rock kit, which is something to bear in mind.The Tom-TomsA fusion drum set usually features three toms, the same number that you tend to find in a standard drum kit. However, the difference with the toms in a fusion kit is that they are generally smaller. Usually, you’ll see  10-inch, 12-inch and 14-inch toms.The Snare DrumAnother important element when it comes to a fusion drum set is the snare drum.Generally, you can expect to see a snare drum in a fusion kit measuring in at 14 inches. However, selecting a snare drum is a very personal choice. As a result, don’t be afraid to try out different snare drum sizes and shell thicknesses to find the combinations that work best for you.The CymbalsThere are plenty of different cymbals that you can add to your drum set to create new tones and personalise your own sound.If you’re starting to put a fusion drum kit together, one of the safest options is to start with buying two essentials â€" the hi-hat and the ride cymbal.When it comes to the hi-hat, you can usually buy one with a size of anywhere between 8 and 16 inches. However, when it comes to a hi-hat used in a fusion drum kit, you’re more likely to see one that falls between 10 and 14 inches.Equally, the ride cymbal usually measures between 18 and 24 inches, and will likely be the largest cymbal in your fusion drum kit. Bear in mind that in some fusion kits the ride cymbal might not be particularly durable. In such cases, have a think about whether it would be better to invest in a thicker cymbal that isn’t at as much risk of breaking with the slightest tap of a drumstick!Aside from the hi-hat and the ride cymbal, th ere are other cymbals that you could add to a fusion drum kit to personalise your kit if you wanted to. For example, you could add a splash or crash cymbal. Generally speaking:A splash cymbal measures between 8 and 12 inches; whileA crash cymbal measures between 13 and 22 inches.Regardless of what cymbals you end up choosing, try not to buy any cymbals before you’ve at least had a chance to try them out. This way, you’ll know that what you’re buying is best suited and personalised to you and how you would like to play.There are lots of different factors to consider when choosing a fusion drum kit. (Image Source: CC0 1.0, flockine, Pixabay)Which Fusion Drum Kit Is Right For Me?There are so many different ways to build up a drum kit. Often, how a person chooses a drum kit or how they decide to buy one will be a very personal decision.For instance, you might really value the ability to personalise your fusion drum kit as much as possible. In such cases, you might be better off bu ying each element of a fusion drum kit separately, so you have a chance to build the right sound and set-up for you.Equally, if you’re happy to work with a more standard fusion drum kit, you might find it much easier to buy an off the shelf kit that’s complete with all the standard elements you’d likely see in a fusion drum kit.What’s more, there are other factors to take into consideration, such as:How much room you have for a drum kit at home or in a studio;Whether you're a beginner, intermediate, or advanced drummer;How far your budget will stretch when it comes to buying a drum kit; andWhether you’re set on buying a particular brand, such as Mapex, Zildjian, Rolanda, Yamaha, or Gretsch.All of these elements end up making a drum kit choice incredibly personal, so make sure that when the time does come to buy your next drum kit, you think about whether you’re happy with the price you’re paying, what elements you’re getting, whether you want to buy any other instrum ents, and how comfortable you are playing with the kit.Looking for drum lessons in the UK? Superprof's got you covered.It's also worthwhile trying out the various items of drum hardware if you can before you buy them. Regardless of whether you're looking at buying a complete drum set, snare drums, drum head, drumsticks, a new pedal, or even a metronome or microphone, testing everything out is a great way to know whether it's the right purchase for you.Although it can take time finding the perfect percussion instrument for you, spending some extra time researching and trying out different types of kit can pay off in the long run.If you found this useful, why not check out our blog on how to drum without a drum set!

Guitar for Kids 5 Best Childrens Guitar Books

Guitar for Kids 5 Best Childrens Guitar Books Suzy S. Guitar books can be a great help for kids who are interested in guitar lessons. Guitar teacher Matthew K. shares five of his favorite guitar books for younger students The guitar is an instrument that has to be learned by doing. During my experience as a guitar teacher, Ive found it essential to use a book for kids ages six to ten. Books can keep the student on track, but should not be the only teaching method used. Its important to keep lessons fun and interesting with songs and riffs that the child can connect with. A child wont learn everything about the guitar from a book, but books can provide a great visual aid during your child’s learning experience. Below, Ive compiled a list of five of my favorite childrens guitar books (in no particular order) for kids to use during lessons. 1) Guitar for Kids for Ages 5-9 by Bob Morris and Jeff Schroedl  Hal Leonard Guitar Method (Songbooks) Hal Leonard makes great books for learning the guitar. This particular book is one Ive used on many occasions when teaching younger kids. It introduces each string individually with fun songs and exercises. It includes popular songs such as Yellow Submarine, Hokey Pokey, Im a Believer, Surfin U.S.A., This Land is Your Land, and Hound Dog. Theres also a CD included to aid the learning process when your childs guitar teacher is not around. The only drawback to this book is the lack of stimulating illustrations that many other children’s books use. 2) Childrens Guitar Method by William Bay Mel Bay Publications Mel Bay is another popular name when it comes to instructional books for guitar. I like this one because it introduces guitar chords early, in an easy and fun way. It is also a great introduction to note reading, music theory, and introduces strumming patterns before getting into the individual notes. There are two drawbacks to this book. First, it has out-of-date visuals. The book was authored in 1982, and it shows. The other drawback is the lack of introduction to tablature. Tablature is the most popular form of notation on the guitar, and it is completely ignored in this book. 3) Kaseys Guitar Jams for Kids: A Play-Along Guitar Book for Young Beginners (Volume 1) by Kelly Gordon Weeks Kellys Music Books I really like this book! It was published in 2012, and its primarily for very young, beginning guitar players. The visuals are great, and the author immediately introduces pick-holding technique and chords with fun new songs. The songs are original, very funny, and will keep your child interested. The only drawback is that this book doesnt have any popular songs included. However, as a teacher, this doesn’t bother me, as I would introduce popular songs through my own method and would only use the book as an aid for chords and notation. 4) Alfreds Kids Guitar Course, Book 1 (Book and Enhanced CD) (Kids Courses!) by Ron Manus and L.C. Harnsberger Alfred Publishing Co. This is the best-of-both-worlds book. Its 48 pages full of colorful illustrations that draws children in immediately. It introduces partial chords and rhythm immediately, and contains a CD to show your child how the songs are supposed to be played. I prefer guitar books for kids to contain a CD, because it’s important for a child to hear how he or she is supposed to sound when playing the guitar. This book is great because it introduces blues, jazz, and classical through colorful cartoon characters. It gives kids a great introduction to the roots of music. 5) Beginning Rock Guitar for Kids: A Fun, Easy Approach to Playing Todays Rock Guitar Styles  by Jimmy Brown Hal Leonard Some kids just want to rock! This is the perfect book for those kids. It doesnt bog the student down with too much theory and history but instead jumps right into proper technique and fun, modern rock songs. I really enjoy the comic-book-style illustrations. This one also has a CD included and is probably the best of the bunch to really get the student excited about learning the guitar. If your child doesnt have a guitar teacher yet, what are you waiting for? Find a great guitar teacher and book lessons today! Matthew K. teaches guitar, piano, and music theory lessons in Brooklyn, NY. He studied music composition at Mercyhurst University, and he has been teaching lessons for four years. Matthew is available to teach in-person lessons as well as online via Skype. Learn more about Matthew 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  ferrie=differentieel Jöran Maaswinkel DailyM.net

Italian Pronunciation Tips on How to (Almost) Speak Like a Native

Italian Pronunciation Tips on How to (Almost) Speak Like a Native Brooke Neuman Mastering Italian pronunciation is often the hardest thing about learning Italian. Dont get discouraged if youre having a hard time pronouncing words and phrases as it takes time and a lot of practice to get it right. Below, Italian teacher Delilah B.  provides some tips on how to speak like a native Italian A lot of students ask me what is the best and easiest way to pronounce Italian words.  While Italian pronunciation can be difficult for beginners, its actually quite easy to pick up once the rules are understood. All it takes is some practice and perseverance! Italian is a phonetic language, which means  its spoken the way its written. Luckily, Italian and English share the Latin alphabet; however, the sounds represented by the letters often differ. To help you understand more, check out this video from Italian teacher Liz. T on  the basic rules of Italian pronunciation. Well dive deeper into these rules below the video. Consonants In Italian, the consonants B, F, M, N, L, T, and V are pronounced the same as there are in English. The following consonants, however, are pronounced slightly different. Read the examples below and practice saying the consonants out loud, making sure to concentrate on the pronunciation of each letter. C before  a, o, u and consonants is pronounced like the k in kite, whereas c  before e and i  is pronounced like the ch in chin. G before a, o, and u and consonants is pronounced like the  g in good, whereas g  before e and i is pronounced like the  g in generous. Gli  is pronounced like the y in yes, and Gn is pronounced like the  ny in word canyon. H is silent. P is pronounced almost the same as it is in English, but without the aspiration. Qu is always pronounced like the qu in question. R is  pronounced with a roll of the tongue similar to Spanish. Initial S before vowels and unvoiced consonants (c, f, p, q, s, t) is pronounced like the s in sunburn. S between vowels is pronounced like the s in rose. Z can be pronounced like the ds in pads, or like the ts in bets. Vowels Italian has seven vowel sounds (one each for  a,  i  and  u; two each for  e  and  o). When two or more vowels occur in a row, theyre always pronounced separately. Also, vowels (a,e,i,o,u) always retain their value in diphthongs. Below is how you would pronounce the Italian vowels. Review the list  and practice saying the vowels out loud, again making sure to concentrate on the pronunciation of each vowel. U:  sounds like the  u in rude or the oo in food. A: sounds like the long a in “father.” I: sounds like the ee in meet. E: has two sounds: e (open) sounds like the e in set, while e (closed) sounds like the a in say. O: has two sounds: o (open) sounds like the o in pot, while the o (closed) sounds like the o in post. Accents Acute (á, é, í, ó, ú) and grave (à, è, ì, ò, ù) accents are used in Italian to indicate where the voice should stress when pronouncing a word. The grave accent mark is used to mark stress on open vowels, while the acute accent mark is used to stress on closed vowels. Its important to note that there are many cases in which a grave accent is used on closed vowels. See examples below: Grave accents: città morì portò Acute accents: perché poté nonché Grave accents on closed vowels: diè là làncora Hopefully, these tips will help you to better understand how to properly pronounce Italian words. In addition to taking Italian lessons, one of the best ways to learn Italian pronunciation is to have a conversation with a native speaker and listen to his or her pronunciation. Watching movies in Italian is also a great way to learn. You can find a large selection of great Italian movies with English subtitles on YouTube or you can ask your Italian teacher to provide you with some suggestions. Delilah B. graduated from the University Federico II Napoli with an associate degree in Italian Literature. She  is an Italian and violin instructor living in Culver City, CA. Learn more about Delilah 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  Ed Yourdon

Hold On - Phrasal Verb of the Day

Hold On - Phrasal Verb of the Day Todays phrasal verb of the day is: Hold OnInfinitive form: Hold OnPresent Tense: Hold On/ Holds Oning form: Holding OnPast tense: Held OnParticiple: Held OnHold On is an inseparable English phrasal verb. The opposite of hang on is Let Go. It can be used in three different ways:When you wait for a short time. Hanging On can be used as an alternative.1. The operator on the other line told me to hold on, while he gets the supervisor for me.2. Holding on to someone who has apparently let you go is pretty stupid, dont you think? So, wise up and get on with your life!When you hold something tightly so you wont fall off or get hurt.  Hanging On can be used as an alternative.1. How long am I supposed to be holding on to this rail until help arrives? My arms are getting tired!2. Hold on to the rope, your life depends on it!When you hold someone or something tightly to either protect them or prevent them from leaving or being taken1. The kid holds on to his mother tightly as she was leaving th e house. Separation anxiety is pretty common in his age.2. I held on to the sword that the warrior gave me; he told me that one day, he will come back to get it.iframe width=560 height=315 src=//www.youtube.com/embed/kELmSLtEiiI?rel=0 frameborder=0 allowfullscreen/iframeExercises: Write your answers in comments and we will correct them.Fill in the gaps from the video above:You better ____ ___ tight, Spider Monkey.What was the short clip about?Complete the sentences below with the correct form of Hold On.1. Grandma had been _____ __ to my uncles return from the war; however, It has been weeks now since we last heard from him.2. One of the biggest challenges in life is not knowing when to ____ __ and when to let go.3. Did you see that who is _____ ___ to the ledge for his dear life? He needs help.4. Can you ____ __ to this bag for me?5. The suspect was trying to disarm the cop, but he ____ __ to it tightly, and ended up shooting the criminal.Change the example sentences above to negat ive sentences (or positive, if the sentence is already negative). Then change them to questions.

5 Online Flashcard Tools that Can Boost Learning and Motivation

5 Online Flashcard Tools that Can Boost Learning and Motivation Finding the motivation to study can be hard when you have ADHD and having ADHD can make it harder to memorize important information when its not related to something that you find particularly interesting. One of the keys to studying with ADHD is figuring out which strategies work for you and doing little things to make these strategies as engaging and fun as possible. Flashcards are one study tool that can be great for ADHD. They build confidence through repetition, so youll feel prepared going into your exam and you can build in visual cues that make the content easier to recall on test day. You can make them interactive and engaging when you use them with friends or parents, and when you build in memorization goals and rewards. While old school flashcards on paper or index cards can work well, online flashcards take things to the next level with features like definition libraries, pictures and images, flexible scoring, and premade card stacks for popular topics. As a bonus, all of the information is stored online, making it possible for you to study from anywhere as long as you have a phone or tablet with you. There are many online flashcard programs available, each with different features. Heres my take on some of the most popular feature-rich programs to choose from. Cram. Creating flashcards in Cram is straightforward: you have a front, a back and a hint section that you can choose fill in. You can add photos or create text-only cards. As a bonus, you can choose from two study modes: Memorization and Cram. In Memorization mode you go through each flashcard in your set at your own pace and get a performance report at the end. In Cram mode you go through the same set of cards, but you cant move on from a card until you get it correct. This can force you to look up information if youre not sure of the answer or stay focused on a card until youve really processed the concept. https://www.cram.com/ Quizlet. Quizlet is full of features for visual and auditory learners. With Quizlet you start by creating a study set of all the terms and definitions that you need to master. Your definitions can be text, images, or even audio recordings. Next you publish your study set to your account, where you can save multiple study sets saved for multiple classes. You can quiz yourself from either the website or the app, and tailor the scoring method to meet your preferences. For example, if you want to focus on progress rather than perfection, you can enable flexible scoring which gives you credit for multiple answers or partial answers. Similar to Cram, Quizlet offers multiple study modes, with Flashcard mode (one at a time), Learn mode where you need to provide a correct answer before youre able to move on to the next card, and Match mode where you can work on improving your response time. Quizlet also offers a library of flashcards that other users (some of whom are teachers) have published for sharing. http://www.quizlet.com StudyStack. StudyStack takes a more game-like approach to studying, which can help tremendously with motivation! You can create basic flashcards, or use your stack to create crossword puzzles, matching games, word searches and more. A quick note: StudyStacks free version does contain advertising, but an ad-free version is available for a small fee. http://www.studystack.com Adobe Spark. Adobe Spark is a tool thats great for visual learners. It was originally designed as storyboarding program, so they really do take the visual components to the next level. You start by picking the size and shape of the cards, then you select a theme, add images and text, and download your completed cards. While this tool might not be great for studying math concepts, it really stands out when it comes to more visual subjects like geography, art, and even history. https://spark.adobe.com/make/card-maker/flashcards/ Brainscape. Brainscape was developed by a team of cognitive researchers who wanted take findings from academic research and put them into practice where they could help people learn more effectively. An enormous library of premade flashcards is included in the app, which draws on sophisticated research to implement patterns of repetition, color, social interactions, breaks, sounds, humor, animations, achievements, and rewards! All in an effort to improve learning! The tool started out in the cognitive science lab at Columbia University before it was rolled out to the public, and it now includes components for high school students as well as college students (and adults studying for professional certification exams!). There are many features within Brainscape that are free, and a subscription model can be purchased to unlock even more features. http://www.brainscape.com With so many online flashcard programs to choose from, you are bound to find one that is the right fit for your learning style. If you start with one app and find your motivation lagging over time, mix it up by trying a new app with different features. Sometimes it just takes a small change to get your motivation and focus back on track. ABOUT DR. MARY ROONEY Mary Rooney, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco. Dr Rooney is a researcher and clinician specializing in the evaluation and treatment of ADHD and co-occurring behavioral, anxiety, and mood disorders. A strong advocate for those with attention and behavior problems, Dr. Rooney is committed to developing and providing comprehensive, cutting edge treatments tailored to meet the unique needs of each child and adolescent. Dr. Rooney's clinical interventions and research avenues emphasize working closely with parents and teachers to create supportive, structured home and school environments that enable children and adolescents to reach their full potential. In addition, Dr. Rooney serves as a consultant and ADHD expert to Huntington Learning Centers. ABOUT HUNTINGTON Huntington Learning Center is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students of all levels succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntington's mission is to give every student the best education possible. Call us today at 1.800.CAN LEARN to discuss how Huntington can help your child. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. This website does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The material on this site is provided for educational purposes only.