Saturday, March 21, 2020
What is it Like to Attend Texas A&M University
What is it Like to Attend Texas A&M University The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Victoria is an Austin tutor specializing in Psychology tutoringand all levels of Spanish tutoring. She graduated from Texas AM University in 2013 with a Bachelors degree in Psychology and Spanish. See what she had to say about her school: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options.How urban or safe is the campus?Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Victoria: Texas AMs campus is vast, energetic, and friendly. You wont make it from one class to another without a fellow Aggie giving you a welcoming, Howdy! Despite the large size of the campus, many options are available to students as they trek from one class to another. Students can walk, rollerblade, skateboard, bike, take the bus, or even unicycle! And you will see all of those at AM. The university conveniently offers buses that run off campus, bringing students from their homes to campus, but also offers buses that run within campus that take students from one end of campus to another. You can easily survive living in College Station without a car or bike! The buses on campus also go to local grocery stores and places like Walmart and Target. The Corps of Cadets offers a service to the students called Corps Escorts, which insures the safety of the students on campus. If you find yourself walking alone at night on campus, you can simply call the Corps of Cadets and they will s end a Corps member to escort you to your destination. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Victoria: The professors at Texas AM are always available to students, and most are more than happy to speak to you and get to know you! In a large classroom setting, it can seem hard to get to know your professors, but if you take that first step, you will find that they want to help you succeed. Each professor has their own office hours, a time when they are guaranteed to be found in the office and available to students. If you cannot meet the professor during that specific time, the professor will be more than happy to set up an appointment with you. Teaching assistants help in most classes and they prove extremely helpful in larger classes. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Victoria: Dorm life truly depends on which dorm you are in on campus. Some dorms, like The Commons, are very social. There are honors dorms, co-ed dorms, and gender specific dorms. You can choose which type you would like, but make sure to get your request in as soon as possible! The dorms fill up quickly and it is a first come, first serve basis. The campus is divided into two main sides, North and South campus. North campus is closer to local restaurants and music venues, while South campus is closer to the main library and computer center. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? Victoria: Engineering is by far the most represented and supported major at Texas AM. I studied Psychology and Spanish and I believe that the university did a good job supporting me in these areas. AM is a school that is driven by research, and therefore values those majors that promote research. VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Victoria: Greek life at AM does play a significant role in campus social life, but not as big of a role as other universities. AM has over 800 student organizations! If Greek life is not for you, you can surely find something else to be involved in. It wasnt hard to get involved and meet people at AM because there is something for everyone there! VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Victoria: The Career Center at AM is wonderful! They will help you edit your resume, practice interviewing, and anything else necessary for you to feel comfortable pursing jobs. AM hosts many career fairs throughout the semester with many reputable companies represented. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Victoria: The libraries at Texas AM are great! The newly renovated Evans Library is gorgeous and comfortable. AM has three main libraries, so there is plenty of room. These libraries are separated into talking and non-talking sections so you can find the right place to study. Also, the newly renovated Memorial Student Center is a great place to study! It is beautiful, comfortable and there are plenty of spaces for students to spread out and study. The only time the campus is over-crowded is during finals week. Go early and find your spot before everyone else and you will be fine. College Station also has many local places to study, like great coffee shops that cater to students and their need to study. VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between?To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Victoria: College Station, Texas is built around the campus. It is a city with country roots, so you can find a good country concert almost every weekend. Many students hang out at Northgate, a place where you can meet friends and enjoy live music. Northgate is literally across the street from campus, making it a hot spot for college students. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Victoria: Texas AM has over 50,000 students. A student body that large can be overwhelming at first, but you will soon find that you recognize more and more people. Class sizes can range from 15 students to over 300. Smaller majors have smaller class sizes, and class sizes tend to shrink as you become an upperclassman. Personally, I had classes as small as 15 and as large as 300 and I felt very comfortable in both. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Victoria: As a freshman, I took an Anthropology class and I remember being so distraught after bombing the first test. I went in to speak to my professor about my test and my concerns and she was so kind and encouraging. She encouraged me to stick with the class and she would work with me if I could show significant improvement on the next test. After my meeting with my professor, I started attending supplemental instruction with the teaching assistant and became more vocal about my questions as they came up in lecture. On my next test, I received an A! At the end of the semester, I spoke with my professor again. Even though it was a class of over 250 students, she remembered my name and my situation. She honored her promise to work with me because she saw that I worked very hard to improve my test score. This taught me that hard work pays off and it is so very important to make connections and build relationships with your professors. It also taught me that the professors at AM are more concerned about what you are actually learning, and not about the letter grade that you receive. Check out Victorias tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.
Friday, March 6, 2020
Where Can You Find An Arithmetic Tutor
Where Can You Find An Arithmetic Tutor How to Find the Best Maths Tutor in the UK ChaptersHow is Arithmetic Defined?Private Arithmetic TutorLearn Arithmetic Online with Online ResourcesFree Arithmetic HelpFor many people living in the United Kingdom, whether theyâre at the elementary or college level, school math can be a source of frustration and anxiety. Over the past decades, the UK has struggled to enforce a national curriculum that prepares its youth for both academic success and the tough job market. In fact, according to data gathered from nation-wide exams, one out of three English 11 year-olds failed to score satisfactorily in core subjects such as writing, reading and maths.According to other studies examining math skills in the country, some critics have pointed out that the inequalities in the populationâs socio-economic status serve to further intensify the struggles children of all ages are having with basic math. Others see the use of standardized tests as outdated and detrimental to student success. Regardless of where you stand on the debate, math and science are subjects people will continue to have to engage in at all stages of life.If you're interested in finding a maths tutor for improving you or your child's arithmetic skills, this guide will walk you through everything from the kinds of arithmetic tutors on the market to what prices you can expect to find for each tutoring option.Real numbers, linear algebra and A-Levels can be frustrating - finding a maths tutor can help! MyriamMaths Teacher 5.00 (13) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £200/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Dr parikhMaths Teacher 5.00 (8) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KamalMaths Teacher 5.00 (9) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PetarMaths Teacher 5.00 (8) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors GowsikaMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RubenMaths Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ConorMaths Teacher 4.75 (4) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsHow is Arithmetic Defined?Whether youâre studying calculus, trigonometry, pre-algebra or elementary grade math â" different levels of arithmetic are involved in varying degrees of complexity in the classroom at all ages. Outside of the classroom, however, arithmetic also has practical applications that have become essential parts of our daily lives.While we now have apps and software to make computation more approachable, it can be helpful to delve into some of the basics on what arithmetic is and how it has evolved over the centuries. If youâre struggling with arithmetic in math classes or in test prep courses, start by learning some of the history behind the theory.Arithmetic is a branch of mathematics that has been around for millennia and whose basic definition includes four main operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. While these elementary operations may seem to only be reserved for lower level math courses, they actually form the basis of the majority of maths disciplines. If you or your child are struggling in math lessons or need to find a supplemental math program, here are some of the most common forms of arithmetic youâll encounter at all levels.Primary School MathThe arithmetic at this level will include concepts and math problems such as long division, addition and subtraction. Learning arithmetic at this age can be difficult but forms an important foundation for more advanced math concepts.Middle School MathWhile the definition of which grades are included in middle school, this type of math generally refers to that which is taught at the 7th grade or 8th grade level. The subjects that you can encounter include pre-calculus, pre-algebra and more. The concepts are generally algebraic and can include ideas such as polynomial and linear equations, complex numbers, square roots, equations and inequalities.High School MathArithmetic at the high school level can be i nvolved in everything from trigonometric concepts, exponents, algebraic expressions, matrices, rational expressions, systems of equations and more.College MathAt Uni, you will most likely be confronted with the arithmetic used in math logarithms, algorithms, conic sections, quadratic equations and more. Mathematics courses at this level are typically college algebra, statistics, linear algebra and differential equations.Looking for help with elementary algebra or geometry - your local library may offer tutoring solutions!Private Arithmetic TutorRegardless of the level of maths or the math concepts you or your child is struggling with, getting a private tutor can help out with some of the major issues involving arithmetic math homework or research - including a detailed explanation on everything about arithmetic.If youâre living in the London area, Keystone tutors offer help in school entrance exams, placement test and general test preparation. This can be a great solution if youâ re looking to brush up any arithmetic skills youâll be needing for upcoming standardized exams. The price for this service varies between 25 to 40 pounds an hour.UK tutors is also a great resource to check out no matter where youâre living in the UK. Giving you the ability to search for a local tutor based on the subject and level, the price per hour will vary depending on what level of maths youâre looking to be tutored in. Generally, prices can range from 20 to 70 pounds per hour.If youâre interested in finding a maths centre, Mathnasium has several locations throughout the country. Located mostly in Southeast England in cities like Oxford and Maidstone, they also have a location in greater Manchester.In Scotland, the University of Strathclyde offers private support for students at their Maths Skills Support Centre. Gumtree also offers classified ads for people looking for a range of maths tutors.With almost 122,800 tutors teaching math in person and online, Superprof off ers a host of tutors at all skill levels throughout the UK. At an average cost of 12 pounds per hour, youâll be able to find supplemental instruction in math in no time.Learn Arithmetic Online with Online ResourcesStarting with those looking for an online tutor for math, Maths Doctor offers individual lessons that donât require any long-term subscription. From packs ranging from four to eight lessons a month, going from 37 to 24 pounds an hour, they also offer one-off lessons for at 40 pounds an hour.Interested in more virtual classrooms? Tutors Valley offers online maths tutoring starting at about 15 pounds an hour for primary and secondary school level subjects â" including arithmetic.If youâre looking to learn arithmetic online without a math tutor, or simply need some help with math word problems and homework, there are a range of math resources you can use to get that extra boost on your assignments and research projects.If youâre interested in arithmetic help related to elementary level math class, check out AAA Math. Covering a diverse range of topics from addition, decimals, and fractions, AAA Math is organized by subject as well as grade level.If youâre looking into Algebra and Geometry arithmetic resources, make sure to head over to Algebasics and Discovering Geometry for helpful maths practice, guides and tutorials. If youâre struggling with trigonometry instead, check out Daveâs Short Trig Course.Containing explanations and diagrams organized with a handy table of contents, Daveâs Short Trig Course provides one of the best insights into trigonometric concepts.Webinars and tutorials online can also be found through university websites as well as popular digital platforms. Whether youâre struggling through a tough concept or simply want to know more, the internet can be one of the most useful tools for your success. For more arithmetic resources you can access online, check out this guide on which arithmetic websites are best for l earning!Do you need supplemental instruction in simplifying algebraic equations? Try the example in the picture!Free Arithmetic HelpWhether you learn best by self-teaching methods or simply donât have the budget for a tutor, getting free math help should be an empowering experience. Here are some of the ways you can benefit from math learning or homework help at no cost.Learn Math OnlineOne of the greatest ways to learn in the 21st century is through online resources. While weâve already gone over many of the webâs most helpful websites, here are some that are geared as free tutoring platforms.Math Tutor UK is an online website that gives lessons on the topics, visuals and problems involved in several math subjects. Starting with arithmetic, you can also learn other subjects involving higher level arithmetic operations such as geometry, vectors, integration and algebra.Math Tutor displays each lesson in either video or text format and offers exercises along with each lesson to pic. If youâre interested in more websites like this one, check out Student Guide. Priding itself on assisting students achieve their academic goals, Student Guide has complied a complete list of online resources for maths as well as a range of other subjects such as philosophy and astronomy.Free In-Person TutoringIf youâd like to learn maths or need extra help but prefer the one-on-one tutoring method, there are plenty of free options at your disposal. Start by asking you or your childâs math teacher about their recommendations. While schools often offer a student and teacher led math lab that is aimed at math homework help, teachers can often also offer tips on the best that your local community has to offer.If this isnât an option for you, head over to your public library. Many public libraries throughout the UK have volunteer programs with local students that involve giving free tutoring lessons either individually or through a group.Basic Arithmetic Practice OnlineOne o f the best ways to learn is by practicing - while many of the resources mentioned include free lessons and practice, make sure to check out this guide for arithmetic questions worked step by step as well as examples you can try at home.
Thursday, March 5, 2020
YOU are Capable of Greatness - Introvert Whisperer
Introvert Whisperer / YOU are Capable of Greatness - Introvert Whisperer YOU are Capable of Greatness I used to manage a 1000 person organization. Since that time, Iâve coached hundreds of people and spoke to hundreds more â" not to mention x more people I encounter along my daily path. It doesnât matter who they are but one thing is true for the majority of people I meet. Here it is: YOU are capable of great things. But hereâs the rest: YOU probably donât realize it or donât believe it. As a person who has helped developed and trained probably thousands at this point, I see it every day. People are capable of so much more. I realize that life kind of âscuffsâ us up and those nicks and bruises we get can add up quickly. Early in life for many but certainly along lifeâs path, we limit our thinking about ourselves. We doubt our abilities; we question everything about us from how smart we are to our likeability. We get used to thinking small about us and Iâm here today in an attempt to get you to think differently about you. If I were with you right now, Iâd do everything I could to convince you that you can do great things. It doesnât matter what the âgreat thingâ is so long as itâs your definition of great. But, its true, you can and it doesnât matter what your age is, what your background is or even if you have a horn growing out of the side of your head. Itâs been true for the vast majority of people I have met and that means itâs true for you. I believe in you. Iâd like for you to believe in you, too. How about it? Whatâs the greatness lurking just beneath your surface? Just know, you can do whatever your greatness is. Sit with this over the weekend. You,are,capable,of,MORE. Go to top Do you know what your next career step is? Many people donât. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable. Get your copy now and start your action plan today! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer
What Will I Learn From Cooking Classes
What Will I Learn From Cooking Classes What To Expect From Cooking Lessons ChaptersCookery School HighlightsSome Key Skills You Can Expect To Learn GiovanniCooking Teacher 4.83 (12) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HalimaCooking Teacher £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HakimCooking Teacher 5.00 (5) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors VincenzoCooking Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors GinellaCooking Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ArronCooking Teacher 5.00 (2) £9/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoshuaCooking Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FlickCooking Teacher 5.00 (1) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsCookery School HighlightsIf you are set to begin a 12-week spell at cooking school, then you can almost certainly expect to learn a great deal of information about all things related to cooking. From vegetable prep to trimming meats, from gutting fish to making pastry art, youâll gain an incredible number of kitchen skills fr om your cooking tutor.Reading RecipesHowever, one very important thing that you will learn to do during an extensive course is how to read recipes. It may sound simple, but the art of dissecting recipes is actually a very skilful activity and requires a great understanding of gathering ingredients and taking instruction.Knife SkillsKnives don't come with instructions, but if you have ever seen a professional chef using them to perfection during a demonstration, it will make you think that perhaps they should come with instructions on how to cut things like they do! Your cooking tutor will guide you through the technique.Learning how to use knives of all sizes, from a paring knife to a ridged bread knife, is something that you can expect your tutor to teach you during any basic cooking class focused on the fundamental aspects of novice cooking techniques. In addition, your instructor might show you how to safely sharpen your equipment.Food HygieneAlong with learning about cooking met hods, recipes and food types, you will also learn how to treat food during the preparation process. Food hygiene is incredibly important in the kitchen, and the Food Standards Agency (FSA), a government organisation, ensures the safety of food preparation zones in all commercial kitchens by setting out strict hygiene rules.Some of the basics that you will cover are using different chopping boards and knives for cooking poultry, fish, red meats, other meats and of course vegetables. In fact, in some kitchens, you will find colour-coded cutting boards according to the type of food you are working with.With the FSA's fabulous visual ratings decorating the windows of many cafes and restaurants, you can check how clean an establishment's kitchen is by seeing what it has been rated by experts on a scale of 1 to 5.Find the available cooking classes near me here.The Food Standards Agency issues ratings to let customers know how hygienic kitchens are. Photo credit: jeffdjevdet on VisualHuntL imit Your ExpectationsDespite the fact that you are paying for lessons, you simply cannot expect to learn everything at once.With this in mind, don't prepare yourself to come out of a week-long course a fully-qualified, state of the art chef who can walk into any restaurant kitchen. Any successful chef will tell you that expertise develops over a very long period of tough experience under the supervision of a well-trained chef.You have to work from scratch to become a good cook so make sure that you set realistic expectations of the outcomes your cooking classes London.While you may not have the time or funds to invest in a full-blown culinary school term, you can still expect to learn many of the above skills in shorter courses, but in a slightly less intensive method. It may not be clear while you are learning, but you will still take away a great deal of knowledge on kitchen processes, how best to use tools in the kitchen and, more importantly, confidence to go about your cooking without barriers.Find out more about the cost of cooking lessons.Some Key Skills You Can Expect To LearnHow To Chop An OnionOnions are the fundamental ingredient in so many dishes: from fine Italian cuisine to a roast dinner gravy, almost every dish could easily incorporate an onion, or its smaller sibling, the shallot, to pack it full of flavour. But what is the correct way to cut an onion?When following a recipe from your cookbook, it is important to note whether your onion should be diced or sliced, as this will affect how much flavour is released during the cooking process and also the texture of the dish. And now for the cutting... have you ever seen chefs cutting onions at super-fast speed?When you slow it down, you will notice that, when dicing, the chef cuts the ends off of the onion, halves it and then cuts into each half with parallel slices, yet leaving about 5mm of the opposite edge in tact. Then, they rotate the half onion 90 degrees and cut in parallel slices the oppo site way to achieve small pieces, without the onion falling apart in their hands.There is a technique to chopping an onion like a professional. Photo credit: austinevan on Visualhunt.comIf you try this pro method while you home cook, be sure to use a cutting board and a suitable knife. If you are a bit of a calamity in the kitchen, then do ensure you wear closed toe shoes too!Everyone has their own method, but your instructor might also advise you on how to prevent your eyes from stinging when you cut into the onion. Whether it is cutting it whilst it is immersed in water or sucking on a teaspoon to keep your eyes tear-free, they will have a suggestion or two to try!How To Boil Or Poach An EggBoiling an egg - sounds simple, right? But there is an actual science to getting the consistency just right.If you want a nice runny yolk, this can be destroyed in the matter of seconds, turning the overcooked egg to a sticky mess. Obviously, your tutor will explain that the length of time you boil the egg for will directly impact how runny or hard your egg becomes. One of the main things to remember is that you should start with your eggs at room temperature.For soft-boiled eggs, you will need to lower the egg into a pan of boiling water and leave for three to five minutes. For hard-boiled eggs, place the egg in a pan of cold water and bring it up to boil with the egg immersed, cooking for a further seven to ten minutes after it has reached boiling point.A great tip is to put your egg in cold water when you remove it from the heat so it doesn't continue to cook.How To Make An OmeletteSticking with eggs, a great addition to your cooking repertoire is knowing how to make a basic omelette.Omelettes are great for a light lunch or dinner option, and are good for using up leftovers like peppers, ham, mushroom and more - you can create a real cocktail of flavours with just a few simple ingredients!An alpine speciality is omelette made with potatoes and Reblechon cheese, so if y ou are a ski fanatic, you might have tasted some seriously delicious omelettes whilst on the slopes.An omelette is a quick and easy way to provide a light lunch or dinner and use up leftovers. Photo on Visual huntIf you have watched chefs compete on Saturday Kitchen to make an omelette in record time, then please don't follow their lead! This is just a game designed to allow professionals a bit of friendly competition and is purely for entertainment value.The correct way to make an omelette is to beat your eggs (two eggs are sufficient for an omelette for one), and to pour the into a hot pan, greased with a knob of butter. Scatter over your fillings, like your cheese and your chosen vegetables, and then fold it over if you so wish.How To Make GravyIf you are used to stirring some Ahh Bisto granules in with boiling water to create a gravy, then you and your palate are in luck! Elementary cooking courses will often cover how to create tasty gravies and sauces to accompany your food. Real, homemade gravy tastes so much better than the powdered stuff.Your class leader will probably have their own secret trick to making a silky smooth gravy, but for a textured gravy you should aim to cook your meat, vegetables and an onion (for taste) all in one pan and add the liquid so it gets all of the combined flavours. You'll then have to sieve it into a smaller saucepan.If you can't or don't want to put everything in the one pan, then you can reserve the cooking juices and water and then add to the separate saucepan.How To Cook The Perfect SteakBrowning your meat to seal in the flavour is a technique that a professional will recommend. When it comes to making the perfect steak, though, you don't want to risk over-cooking it, even for a few seconds.For a really tasty steak, make sure that you pick a nice cut of meat. Fillet steak is often the least chewy, and is perfect for a date night menu paired with some wine. Tenderloin is also a good choice, meanwhile if you are buyin g beef for a stew or casserole, you can opt for a cheaper cut like braising beef.The best and easiest way to cook a steak is to pan fry it. Make sure you take your meat out of the fridge and let it come down to room temperature before placing it in a pan. Then, professionals usually add pepper and salt before placing it in a sizzling pan of oil or butter (apparently, you should never salt your beef too early as the salt gets into the flesh and dries it out).For a medium-rare steak, cook each side for two-three minutes and then leave it to rest for several minutes before serving. If you serve up your meat on the plate before it has had a chance to rest, you will wind up with an unappetising pool of blood on your dish.
TakeLessons Rock Star Teacher of the Week Joshua M.
TakeLessons Rock Star Teacher of the Week Joshua M. ksurmacewicz This weeks Rock Star Teacher of the Week is the multi-talented Joshua M., who teaches several subjects including singing, acting and music performance in the Washington, DC area. A graduate of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Joshua has a strong background and interest in musical theater and also studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. In addition to his role as a TakeLessons certified instructor, Joshua has worked as a Musical Director/Rehearsal Pianist for many shows within the NY/NJ/DC tri-state area and serves as the Co-Artistic Director of No Rules Theatre Company based out of Washington, DC and Winston-Salem, NC. He remains active in theater and has performed in, written and directed a number of musicals; some of his notable performance credits include roles in Godspell, Othello, Show Boat, Sweeney Todd, and Les Miserables. Joshua believes in creating a strong foundation for his students to learn, and focuses primarily on breath, placement and eliminating bad vocal habits early on so that students can grow and develop new skills. His students describe him as easy to work with and incredibly patient, and praise his ability to help them understand the core principles and underlying concepts of singing and acting. Congratulations on a job well done, Joshua!
How to Read Piano Notes Sheet Music 5 Easy Steps for Beginners
How to Read Piano Notes Sheet Music 5 Easy Steps for Beginners Sign up successful Step 2: Write the note letter names Now take a piece of music you want to learn, and underneath the music notes of the right hand in the treble clef, write the letter names. (Use a pencil, that way you can erase it later!) This isnât a great habit to get into in the long run, but itâs perfectly fine for just starting out. If there is one note youre having a hard time remembering specifically, feel free to just write that one note letter name. Keep in mind youre only focusing on the white notes on a piano for now. Donât worry about the black keys, (your sharps and flats), just yet. Step 3: Memorize letter names, and move onto bass clef After youve memorized all of the letter names on the lines and spaces for your right hand (the treble clef), you can move on to reading piano notes on the bass clef, where the notes on the lines and spaces will be played with your left hand. Step 4: Name your spaces ACEGB and GBDFA Practice drawing the bass clef, which will start on the F line. Then with the spaces at the bottom of the page, name your spaces ACEGB (remember âAll Cows Eat Grass,â and donât forget to add your B at the top!). Next, name your lines starting at the bottom of the page GBDFA (âGood Boys Deserve Fudge Alwaysâ). Memorize these notations as well. Now transfer these letter names of the lines and spaces to your piano song from step #2, and name all the notes with your left hand in the bass clef. Step 5: Find a hand diagram and label each finger 1-5 There is another method with numbers that may be easier for you to read. Find a diagram of your hands and looking at the right hand starting with your thumb, label each finger with 1-5. Do the same with your left hand. There are many easy piano songs to begin with, such as âThree Blind Miceâ, âHot Cross Bunsâ, âMary Had a Little Lambâ, and âJingle Bellsâ that only use notes C-G, or numbers 1-5. Starting on middle C of the piano, put both thumbs on the note, and align both your hands so that your right pinky ends on 5 (G) and your left pinky lands on 5 (F). You can write in the numbers next to letter names, if that helps you more. Remember to begin with only the white notes on a piano. Now, as you read through your song, play and sing the letter or numbers while playing, which will help you memorize the names of numbers of the notes on a piano. Once youve practiced this for a while, try erasing the letter names and testing yourself to see if you still remember the playing pattern and tune of the song. With these steps, reading piano notes and music will start to become natural to you. For each piece you learn, write in the letter names or fingers, and then erase them when you get comfortable enough. Pretty soon you wonât even need to write them in! A Different Way to Read Sheet Music: The Mental Flip Strategy One of the most difficult things about learning how to read sheet music for the piano, as opposed to most other instruments, is that there is not just a single melody to be played. Piano music requires you to play more than one part at a time. Usually these parts are interconnected they are part of a chord that you need to be able to accurately read. A Little History Behind Reading Music Notes Sheet music is read from left to right. The reasoning behind this is that music began as an exercise most focused on the progression of notes in a scale or mode in a horizontal fashion. When more than one voice was sounded together, they usually sang in unison and it was not till the 9th century that musicians became increasingly concerned with vertical harmony and polyphony. Keyboard instruments, such as the organ, the harpsichord, and ultimately the piano were instruments developed to satisfy this changing aesthetic and the increased importance of vertical harmonies. They were adapted into a notation that had been developed to address primarily horizontal concerns (i.e. what note comes next). This is not to say that sheet music cannot be read for the piano, but rather that the beginning student of piano must learn to think about the music on the page differently than they might read words on a page. The Mental Flip Strategy for Reading Music Notes You must flip the orientation of the sheet music in front of you mentally, so you can read the vertical orientation of the notes. In order to begin to think about and practice this mental flip, there is an extremely helpful strategy you can use. You can actually turn the sheet music so you are reading the notes down the page. Doing so allows you to more easily understand the spacing between the notes and more intuitively grasp where your fingers should be placed on the keys. This technique is also incredibly helpful for visualizing the grand staff as a whole and where the octaves on the keyboard are located. In order to properly perform this strategy and learn how to read sheet music for piano, follow these three simple steps: Take your original sheet music and flip it clockwise. The line of music youâre working on playing should be read down the page, from top to bottom, instead of across the page. Begin to identify chord units and think about each measure in terms of chordal units. Most bars or measures of beginning piano music contain one or two chords. Sometimes these chords are arpeggiated, other times there is an alternation pattern of notes in the treble and bass in quick succession. Your success with this technique depends on your ability to identify which chord is being outlined. To do this, simply name the notes. In beginning sheet music youâll most likely see either major or minor triads. Match the notes on the page to your fingers on the keyboard. Notice how, with the sheet music turned, the sheet music is actually a diagram of the intervals between each note and how this realization helps you visualize where to place your fingers. Heres how it looks on your sheet music: With music, there are many different strategies that can help you move quickly to a better understanding. Everyone approaches music differently. Some beginners intuitively grasp complex concepts, others need a little help along the way. Some may even find this strategy more confusing than the standard approach. Whether or not this technique is right for you depends largely on whether or not it yields a type of âahaâ moment, where you can better visualize the spacing of your fingers and their placement on the keys. If you need further instruction on learning how to read piano notes, consider taking piano lessons. A professional piano teacher can walk you through these steps and ensure that youre building your skills on a solid foundation of music theory. Post Author: Liz T. teaches online singing, acting, and music lessons. She is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music with a B.M in Vocal performance and currently performs/teaches all styles of music including Musical Theater, Classical, Jazz, Rock, Pop, RB, and Country. Learn more about Liz here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of prescreened teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for safe, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo by Basheer Tome .paszone-container-74612 { display: none !important; }.paszone-container-74612 ~ .paszone-container-74612 { display: block !important; }
Study Strategies for HSPT Success
Study Strategies for HSPT Success The High School Placement Test or the HSPT is an exam administered to 8th grade students who are applying to certain Catholic high schools. The HSPThelps to determine admissions decisions, class placement, and scholarship awards. If you are If you are unsure how the HSPT is scored,these points may help you. Here are seven study strategies for HSPT success: Break it down Because the HSPT consists of nearly 300 questions in five separate sections, one of the best study strategies is to break the test into its respective parts. For example, if you begin your prep with the Math section, finish reviewing these concepts before you move on to Verbal. Studying for each section individually can help you reinforce and build your HSPT content knowledge. At the beginning of each study session, review the areas you have previously addressed. Begin prepping early, rather than late. Practice, practice, practice While it may be tiresome to take practice test after practice test, doing so is a phenomenal way to prepare for the HSPT. Completing practice exams can help you in a number of ways. First, you are able to master your timing. Each section on the test must be completed within a certain time frame, so the more you practice finishing the HSPT within this window, the faster you will become. Practice exams can also help you identify your problem areas. You will quickly see where the gaps in your knowledge are perhaps you need additional help in Math, or perhaps a particular kind of Reading question gives you trouble. Write it down Once you have determined where you are struggling, start writing down what you learn. This might mean typing up an outline for later review, or creating flashcards that you can reference during your prep. When we write information down, our brains are more likely to remember it. Find a specific method that works for you, and use it across all sections of the HSPT. Avoid procrastination It can be tempting to wait until the week before the HSPT to begin studying. However, this rarely if ever pays off. Start reviewing as soon as you learn your test date. This way, you can spend adequate time on each section. To help prevent procrastination, create a prep plan early on, and then adhere to it. Be sure to include study goals, as well as to measure your progress toward them. If you are not meeting these goals, it may be time to reassess your prep plan. You may want to consider seeking an HSPT tutorto help you prepare. Designate a study space Try to create a space that fosters effective study habits. This may involve moving your desk to a quieter room, or locating a library with hours that suit your schedule. Your ultimate goal should be to find a space that will allow you to effectively learn and to maximize your prep time. Read a book Another great strategyis to read. The simple act of reading can familiarize you with vocabulary words, foster your comprehension skills, and enhance your understanding of grammar and syntax. Prepare for your test session On your test day, you may feel nervous. This is completely normal. To ensure you do your best on the HSPT, get plenty of sleep the evening before and eat a balanced breakfast. These points may help you succeed on the HSPT! Remember, too, that you have prepared for this day you are more ready than you may believe, so be confident and show the HSPT just how much you know. Success is only a few hours away!
Engaging Your Child in the Learning Process
Engaging Your Child in the Learning Process If youve ever tried to motivate your child to study or do homework, you probably know that its much easier to be successful when you get your childs input and buy-in. Research shows that students who are more engaged in the learning process, after all, are more attentive and focused, and generally more motivated to learn increasingly challenging topics. Although your childs teacher plays a big role, there are many ways you can encourage your child to become more connected and interested in what he or she learns. Here are several tips on how to do just that: Frequently start conversations about school topics. You can strengthen your childs critical thinking, communication, and other related skills by asking thoughtful questions about school, your childs opinion on an issue, the books your child reads and more. Skip the yes/no questions and instead focus on those that encourage inquisition and thinking from different perspectives. Asking about the why and not just the how will strengthen your childs ability to formulate ideas and foster the active learning process. It will also send the message that learning for the sake of learning is worthwhile. Talk about alternatives. Teachers usually encourage students to learn multiple methods to solving problems or answering questions and give them the freedom to choose the one they understand and like the best. You can reinforce your childs understanding of a subject by talking through alternate viewpoints or ways of solving a problem. If your child is working on a multiplication problem, for example, ask about other ways to get to the same answer and why your child chose a certain approach. Explaining different strategies to you will strengthen your childs understanding and build his or her confidenceactivities that lead to enhanced engagement. Take a supporting role. One of the simplest ways to increase your childs level of engagement is to put him or her in the drivers seatalways. Set ground rules at home that make it clear that you are available for guidance, not answers, and that school is your childs job. That means attempting things before asking for help and being resourceful about finding answers to questions. Your child is responsible for school work and all associated duties. Make sure you send that message with your actions as well as your words. Emphasize learning, not grades. Grades are important, but more important is the effort that your child puts into school. Take note of your childs persistence and hard work more than achievements such as gradesand remind your child that learning isnt always easy. Also, instill in your child the belief that the ultimate goal of school and homework is to acquire knowledge. Children sometimes find school to be difficult, frustrating or even boring, but there are many ways to encourage them to take ownership of school. Embrace these strategies for strengthening your childs academic engagement, and good things will happen. In the end, youll help your child take an active role as a learnera trait that will serve him or her well in college and long after.
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