Monday, March 23, 2020

Alternate Interior Angles

Alternate Interior Angles When a line is intersecting the two parallel lines then the angles which are on the opposite side of the transversal line are called alternate interior angles. The alternate interior angles are always equal. The line which intersects the other two parallel lines are called as the transversal line. When one of the alternate interior angles is given it is easy to find out the other angles also. Following are the examples which are based on the alternate interior angles concept. Example 1:Two lines are cut by a transversal line and one angle is given as 110 degrees. Then find out the alternate interior angle of this angle. Solution 1:Given that two lines are cut by a transverse line then 4 alternate interior angles are made. We know that alternate interior angles are always equal. One of the angle is given as 110 degrees then the other angle is also 110 degrees. Example 2:Given that two lines are intersected by a transversal line and one of the interior angles is given as 100 degrees. Then find out the other angles. Solution 2: - Given that one of the alternate interior angles is given as 100 degrees. We know that the adjacent angles will sum up to 180 degrees so the adjacent angle would be 80 degrees. Now the required two alternate interior angles are 100 degrees and 80 degrees. So now all the interior angles are 100 degrees, 80 degrees, 100 degrees and 80 degrees.

Friday, March 6, 2020

Jobs for Those Taking Computer Science Courses

Jobs for Those Taking Computer Science Courses Which IT Career Should You Choose Following your IT Course? ChaptersWeb DeveloperSmarphone/Tablet App DeveloperWebmasterWeb DesignerSearch Engine Optimisation (SEO) ExpertDigital Project ManagerThere’s a skills shortage in the IT sector and there are plenty of opportunities for those with the relevant qualifications or experience. In fact, plenty of industries are recruiting skilled IT specialists.If you’re interested in a job in IT or working with computers, know a thing or two about them, and are looking for a new job, this could be the right choice for your career. As technology advances, new jobs for those with IT skills keep popping up across a number of different industries.Before you choose which IT classes you’re going to take, you should have a look at the different jobs you can get and which computing skills you'll need in order to get someone to hire you.A web developer creates digital programmes for their customers. Their role is to manage the project from start to finish. They need to be familiar with a number of different programming languages like Java, C++, Python, etc.A customer might require maintenance of the programme after it’s been completed, too. It’s the job of an IT technician rather than a web developer to do this. However, the customer’s own IT department might not be suited to do this.Find the most reputable IT courses online.How do you become a developer? (Source: Lorenzo Cafaro)The number of web development roles have grown in recent years as well as the salaries they command and job perks. It’s one of the most searched jobs on LinkedIn.Qualities required:DisciplineAnalytical skillsDiligenceCreativityTo become a web developer, you’ll need more than just an A Level in IT. In a lot of cases, you’ll probably need a degree. However, you can teach yourself (or learn with the assistance of a tutor) and prove yourself as a worthy candidate. If you’ve taken the academic route, you can even consider specialisation and further study. There are master’s degrees available if you†™re really set on committing your future to the lucrative world of Information Technology.If you’re struggling with your classes, don’t forget that there are private tutors available to help you.  The more qualified you are, the higher the salary you can command and the sooner you’ll be a project leader.Average Salary: £23,000/year.Smarphone/Tablet App DeveloperDeveloping apps has a bright future ahead of it. With this in mind, becoming a smartphone/tablet app developer is probably a very good idea. There are thousands of iOS and Android apps being created every day.You'll probably need to study for a few years before you can create your own apps. (Source:  pixabay.com)An app developer is in charge of the technical execution of an app. They can create a standalone app, adapt a website, or even optimise an existing app.  In order to this, they’ll be expected to follow a design brief as well as having an understanding of data management.It’s important to regularly test the app once it’s finished in order to check everything works.Qualities required:DisciplineAnalytical skillsCuriosityTeaching skillsAutonomyAgain, you’ll probably need a degree to do this. You’ll have to also have an understanding of one or several programming languages. However, nothing’s set in stone and there are several alternatives to the typical academic routes.  You needn’t be satisfied with everything you learn at university (even if you go to one of the best ones in the country!).Average Salary: £30,000/year.Check IT courses near you.A webmaster’s role can vary massively depending on the company they work for. They can act as an IT technician, graphic designer, editor, or all of the above.A webmaster needs to know HTML (not pictured) in order to make changes to the site. (Source: Luis Gomes)Before a website is launched, a webmaster’s role is to help build the site. They should therefore have a good understanding of HTML. They’ll also need to know a thing or two about computers, obviously. The webmaster might have to find and fix bugs before the site goes live. They’ll need to be on the lookout! They might also be tasked with the website’s content, editing, videos, photos, etc.A good all-round knowledge can be useful. If they’re not in charge of editing, they might be expected to manage the editors and tell them  what updates are necessary. You’ve probably got the picture by now. The most important thing a webmaster needs to be is adaptable!Qualities required:AdaptabilityAnalytical skillsAvailabilityEffectivenessThere are several qualifications available for those wanting to become a webmaster. However, academic training may not be enough. You should consider about studying more once you’ve finished your degree or supplementing your studies with private tutorials. Studying more about the business you’ll be working for would be also very handy.Average salary: £30,000/year.Find out more about our cyber security tutorials.Web Des ignerAre you more creative than you are mathematical? Then you’re going to love the job of web designer!Web designers need to be artistic and technical. (Source: Daian Gan)A web designer’s job is to create the visual identity of the brand’s website. Their job is to follow the design brief of the website. They’ll need a practical and creative mind since once the design brief is ready, it’s the web designer’s job to create the visuals and images that are going to give the website its look and feel.The goal is to make the site visually attractive to potential visitors while ensuring that it remains functional. Web designers may even need to be familiar with the latest developments in e-marketing, e-commerce, smartphone compatibility, etc.A web designer probably needs to be a master of Photoshop, Illustrator, and Illustrator as well as Flash and After Effects. They’ll need a knowledge of HTML and CSS to help them more easily work alongside the site’s developers.Qualities required:OrganisationCreativityAutonomyDiplomacyTo become a web designer, you’ll probably need to study digital design with IT or an IT subject with supplementary courses in digital design. You can also take these extra classes outside of university or even enlist the assistance of a private tutor for this. If you’ve just started on an IT degree, you can always work towards your specialisation with a postgraduate degree.Average Salary: £23,000/year.Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) ExpertSEO Experts are becoming increasingly sought-after.  Their goal is to ensure that the customer’s website appears as one of the first results when searched for.If you become an SEO expert, you're going to get pretty familiar with Google. (Source: Photo Mix)To do this, they’ll need three main skills:Technical skills in order to make the website perform better on search engines.Editing skills in order to ensure that keywords appear in the articlesSocial skills in order to arrange partnerships with other sites.An SEO expert needs to be on top of things: they analyse statistics and then will be expected to suggest improvements to the site’s visibility.Qualities required:Teaching skillsResistant to stressCommunication and networking skillsTo become an SEO expert, you’ll probably need to combine studies in marketing and IT.  You’ll need both sets of these skills as you’ll need to be able to evaluate problems and know the technical steps required to fix them.While there aren't many options for directly studying SEO, you don't need to worry! You can learn so much about it on the job!  There are also a lot of resources available for those wanting to learn more about the field.Average salary: £23,000/year.If you’re already an expert, why not consider giving private tutorials online?Digital Project ManagerMore manager than IT technician, the digital project manager’s job is to manage a team of developers. They’ll therefore be expected to know how to manage people a nd prioritise tasks. It’s their job to ensure that the design brief is being met and that the people employed are being used effectively and are right for the job. Their job is to delegate tasks to the team.Digital project managers need to be used to working with teams. (Source: rawpixel.com)Their job may also include managing the budget for the project and avoiding any delays and meeting deadlines. They’ll ensure that their team remains motivated and that every member has the information they need to do their job. They might even be expected to manage several projects at once. They’ll need to be able to make important decisions.Qualities required:DiligenceCommunication skillsOrganisationPragmatismOpen-mindednessMany companies ask that their project managers have at least a master’s degree in an appropriate field and decent administrative skills. A project manager will also need a lot of experience in managing teams. There aren’t many options to study project management di rectly. You’ll need to work hard for these kinds of competitive positions.Average salary: £30,000/year.If you want to teach IT, you should keep in mind that there are plenty of degrees and qualifications you can do.In short:Not all IT jobs require that you know how to programme computers. You might need to lead a project, edit content, or even just manage a team. You need to be adaptable if you’re desperate to work in IT.You can always learn IT skills outside of schooling with a private tutor or even on the job. Businesses value experience just as much as they do qualifications.Whether you want to become a Java developer, systems administrator, IT consultant, or app developer, you’ll need to make sure you have the right training and skills.Jobs in IT aren’t going anywhere soon so choosing one of them is a safe bet.Find out more about IT vocabulary.

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Famous Black Musicians From Then Til Now [Interactive Timeline]

Famous Black Musicians From Then Til Now [Interactive Timeline] Jessica Dais Black History Month is an excellent time to highlight the many famous black musicians who made their mark in American history. The music of these talented composers and performers transcended cultural borders and inspired many to follow in their footsteps. Some of these musicians overcame obstacles throughout their careers to raise awareness of black music. Others used their skills to fight social injustice and make a positive impact on society. Although they came from different backgrounds and musical styles, each of the artists below contributed to the music we know and love today. *Click the “Play” button next to each artist to hear a sample of their music!* Inspiring, World Famous Black Musicians From Different Eras James Reese Europe (1910s) James Reese Europe is referred to as the “Martin Luther King of music” because of his contributions during the early days of ragtime. Europe, who was born in Alabama in 1880, became the first black bandleader to perform at Carnegie Hall. He later led his band to France, where they performed for Allied armies during World War I. Europe’s bands were full, symphonic ensembles a contrast from the smaller groups of New Orleans that became the face of early jazz. Instead, Europe brought ragtime together with the military band tradition of John Philip Sousa and other composers. This hybrid style led to Europe’s appeal with multiracial audiences in a segregated society. Historians now refer to Europe’s style as “proto-jazz” or “hot ragtime.” His work introducing white audiences to the skill and creativity of black composers and performers helped create an environment where jazz could thrive. William Grant Still (1930s) William Grant Still created the first symphonic work by a black composer that was performed by a major orchestra. Still was born in 1895 in Mississippi, and he grew up surrounded by music. His stepfather took him to symphony performances and Still learned to play both the cello and clarinet. After serving in World War I, Still became an arranger for some of the most famous jazz acts of the 1920s. But his true passion remained symphonic work. His first symphony was written in 1930 and premiered the following year by the Rochester Philharmonic. Although the piece is for a traditional orchestra, it includes blues idioms and music from Still’s childhood. There were many famous black musicians by the 1930s in jazz music, but Still inspired other black composers to focus on symphonic music. He demonstrated that traditional black music was as powerful with a symphony as with a jazz band. Berry Gordy Jr. (1950s) Berry Gordy Jr., the founder of Motown, was born in Detroit in 1929. Gordy’s leadership of Motown Records led to the success of many famous black musicians including Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder. Gordy got his start as a songwriter who specialized in crossover hits. In the 1950s, Gordy wrote songs for Jackie Wilson and Etta James that reached the top 10 on both the RB and pop charts. This convinced Gordy that black musicians needed their own national record label to produce and promote their work to a larger audience. Over the course of the 60s and 70s, Motown would become a major force in the recording industry, exposing the country to black musical groups and helping launch the careers of many famous artists. Gordy’s ability to find, develop, and promote musical talent led to Motown being among the most successful African-American owned businesses of the 20th century. Nina Simone (1960s) As a child, Nina Simone dreamed of being a classical concert pianist. She began playing piano at the age of three and with the help of her family, she enrolled at Juilliard for a summer to prepare for classical piano program auditions. Her family moved to Philadelphia to help support her, but she was not accepted to the prestigious piano program at the Curtis Institute. Instead, she began performing jazz at cocktail bars to make money and during this time she also began singing. Simone performed songs based on her African-American heritage as well as her classical background. During the 1960s, she became known for her protest music, releasing original songs that specifically addressed the civil rights movements. Simone began to speak and perform at civil rights rallies and events, including the Selma to Montgomery marches. Her music directly addressed social injustice while combining jazz, classical, and spiritual influences. In 2018, Simone will be inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Afrika Bambaataa (1980s) Afrika Bambaataa not only transformed hip hop culture, but he used music to turn a street gang into a positive community force. Born Lance Taylor in the Bronx in 1957, Bambaataa grew up in the projects and eventually became a warlord of the Black Spades gang. However, a trip to Africa led him to change his name, and his worldview. Upon his return he began transforming the Black Spades into a group focused on positive community impact. Bambaataa saw hip hop music as the vehicle that his new group could use to create socially aware communities like the ones he saw in Africa. In 1982, Bambaataa took his hip hop group on a national tour to begin spreading his approach outside of New York. Bambaataa’s music combines early forms of rap, sampling from disco and funk, and advanced turntable techniques. Bambaataa focused on social messages in his music, referencing American leaders from Thomas Paine to Malcolm X. Without Bambaataa’s work, hip hop would not have the international appeal it has today. Get Inspired Each of these famous black musicians overcame obstacles to create music with a lasting impact. Let us know which musicians you find the most inspiring in the comments section below. If these stories inspired you to grow your own musical skills and talents, check out the free music classes at TakeLessons Live today! Guest Post Author: Ryan Sargent is the Vice President of the Technology Institute for Music Educators.  He is also Social Media Manager at SmartMusic, where he shares music education tips with teachers across the country.

Connect With An Online Computer Science Tutor At Tutor Pace

Connect With An Online Computer Science Tutor At Tutor Pace Are you facing trouble in learning Computer Science in your classroom? Do Computer Science questions fright you? Do you feel difficulty in understanding various topics and chapters in class? Just kick out your all worries as you have Tutor Pace is out there â€" the complete and well-planned online tutoring website. You will learn Computer Science Online Tutoring here and with the help of most genius and mastermind instructor you learn good. The site provides quality Computer Science online tutoring and that too in a most advanced and hi-tech way. Whatever is your fear and for all your computer science problems â€" you have an Online Computer Science Tutor.    This helps you to achieve high score in this subject and you will become mater in this vast subject. What Is Computer Science? Computer science is a discipline and the systematic spans that based on practice and theory. The subject requires thinking in concrete terms and in abstract terms. The computing practical can be noticed everywhere and nowadays, practically everybody is a user of computer, and a large number of people are even computer programmers. This subject is wide and has strong relations to other disciplines and loads of problems in business, health care, engineering, science and other zones can be sort out successfully with computers. Various students are showing interest in picking computer science as a career option. This subject gives very good opportunities in the field of engineering, business, architecture and many more. That is why a majority of students want to take this subject for a career option and for the perfect knowledge and basics of computer, every student needs to get proper guidance. The good news for all keen pupils who just wish to learn this subject can take assistance from Charlotte Computer Science Tutors. What is The Role of Online Tutor in Teaching Computer Science? Computer science is an extremely broad subject which is possible with the use of computer to sort out problems. Experts say that the subject involves computer programs, designing software and addressing basics of scientific queries about the nature of computation. On the other hand, it also involves various aspects of architecture and hardware and architectures make the infrastructure of government and commercial enterprises with the help of computer science. Computer experts work in several unique methods: pen-and-paper theoretical work on the fundamentals and foundations and programming work at the computer can be useful to do research work and solving questions. Subject specialists reveal that computer science is not a complex subject when students learn it properly with an appropriate knowledge. Now learners do not have to wait overnight to attain perfect assistance to understand concepts and difficult problems. Proper and perfect assistance is just a click away and Computer science assignment help  covers all topics and chapters from basics to solving questions in a simple way. These tutors are experts and genius in their subjects and they have wide knowledge of the subject. The best thing is that they help in your homework and available 247 on live chat. Students and their parents can contact them easily through email, chat and telephonic conversation. What Are The Important Topics That Personal Online Computer Science Tutor Covers? All online tutoring courses with computer science instructors are personalized and systematic. You can contact your personal teacher with an interactive whiteboard through internet. These instructors can assist you understand the basics and fundamentals of computer programming. Moreover, they also teach advanced level college computer science chapters, including: Computer Networks C Sharp Programming Computer graphics C Programming C+++ Programming Ajax CSS Android Programming Applied Computer Science Data Structures Dynamic Graphics Design in Computing Final Words Computer Science is an interesting subject and equally popular among students these days and a large number of students are ready to take this subject as a career option. However, they need correct guidance to become genius in the subject and there is no need to worry when Tutor Pace online tutoring website is here with their various intelligent. Specialized and mastermind computer science tutors for your help and they assist you in a right direction and you can get really a high score in your final examination. Online Tutoring in Charlotte is great fun with instant solutions for homework assignments and test prep. We are mobile friendly with easy access to tabs, I pads, laptops and desktops. 24/7 availability with flexible timings at affordable rates is what we offer to every needy student. Grab the opportunity and get the most from us. So don’t be late, just come and take opportunity of scoring great in computer science.

Learn to Cook on a Budget

Learn to Cook on a Budget How to Make Budget Meals and Recipes ChaptersSave Money by Planning Healthy Meals in AdvanceMaking Inexpensive Meals by Yourself Cook in Batches and Save the Leftovers for LaterPicking the Right Ingredients When Grocery ShoppingIn the Palaeolithic period, around 1.8 million years ago Man had already learned to cook meat on open fire.The first humans in history did, in fact, do many of the same food preparations as we do today: cleaning food in water, taking out the core of fruit, opening of a shell or grinding food with a sharp tool.Culinary art has basically existed since the beginning of time and has progressed ever since thanks to advances in agriculture and industrialisation.In recent times, we have been increasingly moving away from mass-production to more organic food.So now more than ever you can eat well for less money. But to make this change to eating better, we must relearn our eating habits.Learning to cook isn’t difficult, and it’s also a way to relax, enjoy yourself, and to eat healthily on a budget.Tu rn your kitchen into your own cooking workshop!eat better for less.Eating good food is not just a joy reserved for the rich. If your budget is tight there are ways to eat well without breaking the bank.Here how to optimise your shopping list and keep to a budget:Don’t go food shopping when you’re hungry otherwise you’ll end up buying things you don’t need.Focus on fruits and vegetables (organic if you can), potatoes eggs and grains.Limit consumption of meat and fish: they’re more expensive and contain too many animal fats. You can get your protein from different sources like pulses and vegetables.Learn to cook with natural ingredients like beans, lentils and chickpeas. They’re cheap and are really good for your health!Avoid sweet treats, not only are they not great for your health, they’re expensive! You can make them yourself for much cheaper: combine flour, eggs, butter, baking powder and sugar and you’ve made a delicious cake.Make sandwiches at home: you can make several sandwiches from a single baguette or loaf of bread and a packet of ham for less than the price of one sandwich from the bakery.By rice, pasta, beans, lentils etc, fresh or dry. They’ll be cheaper and contain less fat and salt than ready-made dishes or canned goods.Learning to cook also means learning how to garden. If you have an outdoor area - even a very small terrace - make yourself a mini vegetable garden.Get into Permaculture, a farming method invented in Australia in the 1970s. Your own vegetables will grow while you learn how to cook them. This will also greatly reduce your food expenses.Last tip to save money: invest in good utensils (blender, cooker, grater, etc.) to make salads, soups, peel and cut vegetables. No more vacuum packed salads, grated carrots in plastic packets with chemical tasting mayonnaise or ravioli in cans!Cook in Batches and Save the Leftovers for LaterCooking in big batches will keep your budget down (Source: Pexels)When trying to cook good, n utritious food on a budget the freezer is your best friend.Remember that most traditional dishes we know today were invented by the poor and so by definition, they’re cheap and easy to prepare.One strategy to save money is to cook in large quantities and freeze whatever you don’t eat.It’s cheaper to spend £20 on ingredients to make a dish that will last you three or four days than to spend £10 just to make enough for one dayIf you’ve ever gone through the sale rail looking for a way to fill your wardrobe you’ve already got the skills for filling your freezer. Saving money by cooking also means knowing how to manage your food stocks!This is the bane of even the best restaurant chefs: a poorly managed reserve leads to wastage and lost money, but by cleverly combining products, it is possible to prepare healthy, tasty and balanced dishes without wastage.Check Superprof for the best cooking courses London.There are simple steps to avoid wasting ingredient and save money your self:Think of making a shopping list before going to the supermarket so you only get what you needUse up all your ingredients, makeup dishes with what’s left in the cupboardCook batches of sauces like bolognese, carbonara etc. Making it at home and having it on hand ready to go is cheaper than buying it ready made from the supermarket.Freeze what’s not usedLearning to cook is an act against wastage in itself.In 2016, France passed a law that meant supermarkets can no longer throw away leftover food, they must either give it to charity to distribute to people in need or find a way to transform it into animal feed.This represents a change in thinking; it is no longer acceptable to throw away food. And when you’re on a budget throwing food away is like throwing money away!Packaging is another big problem, everything we buy in the supermarket is wrapped in plastic, which serves no purpose and is then just thrown away.By cooking your own food at home and buying less, you’re fight ing against this waste, becoming more eco-responsible and economical!Picking the Right Ingredients When Grocery ShoppingShop local to keep costs down (Source: Pexels)Cooking to save wastage is also about choosing the right ingredients. The key is finding the right quality/price balance.The more choice of products we have the easier it is to spend a lot of money!Here are some tips on picking the best ingredients:Shop in season, strawberries in December will cost more because they’ve been imported. Wait until July when they’re in season and you can get them from your local market.Shop local: not only will you be supporting small businesses you cut out mass-produced ingredients.Find organic market stalls near youIf you do shop at the supermarket, go for own brand items, usually, these are made in the same factories as the more expensive brandsLearn how to cook with a Superprof tutor. You can learn how to make vegetarian food, French, Chinese, whatever you want!Impress your date wit h your cooking skills.Learn to cook so you can impress your dinner guests.

Our Social Mission

Our Social Mission For every student who pays, we provide free tutoring for a child who can't. To do this we work with outstanding social entrepreneurs to deliver tutoring in challenging inner city schools. Alex Kelly  is the founder of The Access Project. When he was 21 he became a teacher at Highbury Grove School that had sent on average 1 pupil to a Russell Group university every other year for the last ten years.   He was given a class of bright 12 year-olds and made it his mission to help them progress.   Four years later the school sent 10 students to Russell Group universities.   Determined to spread what he had learnt to more schools he has secured donations to set up projects in other schools and set the target of being in all of the 130 most deprived schools in the UK by 2016. www.theaccessproject.org.uk/  Susannah Clark  is the inspirational tutor behind Action Tutoring.   She, and an incredible network of city professionals, started volunteering in schools in 2010.   Word got round and by 2011 she had teams of volunteers in 15 London schools.   They work alongside teachers, supporting the pupils with Maths and English.   Action Tutoring are expanding into 40 schools in autumn 2012 and changing the lives of hundreds of children who didn’t previously have access to tutors. www.actiontutoring.org.uk/  Sharla Duncan  started YELP students (which became Team Up) at King’s College in 2007 where she set up a university club to volunteer in a local school.   When she went to do her masters at Oxford she set up another three teams and then had the idea to grow and help 50,000 students by 2016.   She now works out of Phoenix Secondary School in Shepherds Bush helping networks of bright students work with pupils in challenging schools. www.teamup.org.uk/  When you book you will see 5% of the cost being donated to our charity, the Tutorfair Foundation.   We add to this with our own fundraising and then use it to help Alex, Susannah and Sharla.   We involve our own tutors wherever possible in some big one-off events and some ongoing small group tuition. Please help us do more:

3 Surprising Benefits of Preparing for the PSAT (And 1 Unsurprising Benefit)

3 Surprising Benefits of Preparing for the PSAT (And 1 Unsurprising Benefit) At AJ Tutoring, it’s our mission to support students as they encounter and engage with academic challenges like complex coursework and formidable standardized tests for the first few times. As part of our commitment to simplify and demystify the process, we often speak with parents and students about the array of exams out there to help create the right plan for each individual student. We are experts in everything from the ISEE, SSAT, and HSPT to the SAT and ACT, all the way to the GRE and MCAT. A common topic of discussion is the PSAT, which all juniors, many sophomores, and even some freshmen take at school to gauge their progress towards SAT and ultimately college readiness. Parents and students often wonder what the value of PSAT prep is if colleges don’t end up seeing the PSAT score. It’s true that the SAT and ACT are much more primary for admissions purposes as colleges can’t see students’ PSAT scores, but there are still a number of benefits to preparing for the PSA T: it’s more than just a practice test!If you’d like to learn more and sign up for PSAT tutoring, please give us a call today! Read on for 3 surprising (and 1 unsurprising) benefits to preparing for the PSAT.#1: Staying Engaged Over the SummerBecause juniors take the PSAT in October, most students at AJ Tutoring do a significant chunk of their preps during the summer holidays. During the school year, our minds are kept sharp with daily math problem sets, constant essay writing sessions, and stimulating academic conversations. Over the summer, many of these activities can fall by the wayside, and our mental skills can slow down somewhat.Click here to read another blog post I published about the forgetting curve!Because the PSAT is a challenging test that seeks to measure representative reasoning skills from across the academic spectrum, training for it can help keep those skills sharp all summer long! Our PSAT students are reading tough passages for the reading comprehension sect ion, poring over essays with a critical eye for the English section, and practicing algebra and geometry concepts for the math section.To double down on this particular benefit, many of our students also take academic tutoring over the summer to get a leg up on fall semester.#2: Get Better at Test-TakingFor many juniors, it’s a year of exam after exam. After the PSAT, there’s the SAT and potentially the ACT, as well as SAT Subject Tests and AP Exams. These are in addition to the barrage of chemistry tests, reading comprehension quizzes, and physics finals that students encounter at school. An average high school junior in the Bay Area takes dozens and dozens of tests, so test-taking is itself one of the key skills to hone for success. In the interest of emphasizing metacognition (you can read an excellent blog post on the topic here), a sustained focus on the PSAT can bolster test-taking skills like reading the question carefully, annotating passages, and optimizing multiple cho ice selections. Sitting for a few of our 3-hour proctored practice exams will also help develop the focus and endurance required for testing success. Lastly, getting ahead of the year of tests by signing up for 1-on-1 tutoring will allow one of our professional tutors to assess your student’s unique strengths and weaknesses, which can then be acknowledged and better understood when preparing for future exams. #3: A College Application Boost or Even a ScholarshipAnother name for the PSAT is the NMSQT, or National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. A small percent of top performers on the PSAT will qualify as Commended Students, Semifinalists, or Finalists after excelling on the exam and completing an application process. About half of the Finalists will receive a Merit Scholarship with thousands of dollars in potential benefit towards college costs. Even if a qualifier doesn’t ultimately win the scholarship, he or she can include their qualifying status on college applications. T he PSAT does have the potential to directly impact college admissions after all!And a bonus, #4: You Are Also Preparing for the SAT and ACT!Although the PSAT isn’t just a practice SAT, it does fulfill that function wonderfully! The PSAT is very similar to the SAT, so in preparing for the PSAT, our students are also learning the crucial skills and content needed for success on the SAT and ACT (which is quite similar to the SAT and thus the PSAT).A popular path (which you can read up on here) is to complete 9-10 sessions of prep in the summer and early fall ahead of the PSAT. Those students then go on to do 3-5 sessions of prep ahead of a March SAT, followed by a few more sessions ahead of the April ACT. Students who choose this path get the benefit of completing most of their tutoring over the summer before the busyness of classes and extracurriculars kicks into full gear in August. Please reach out to us to discuss your student’s needs and learn how we can help!

AP US History Decoding the Textbook - TutorNerds

AP US History Decoding the Textbook - TutorNerds Tips From an Irvine AP Tutor: AP US History: Decoding the Textbook Students preparing for their AP US History class in the fall will find a very thick and in-depth textbook at their desk. Although US History only covers events from the period leading up to the Revolutionary War to current, the course is much more intricate than AP World History or AP European History courses. Students will learn about pivotal battles, important dates, and social change throughout the history of the United States. Reading through the text book can seem overwhelming at first, however, if students know how to utilize the study different elements within the book they will have an easier time during the summer and throughout the year. When broken into smaller parts, AP US History can be very manageable, and students will have a better chance at success if they can decode their textbook before the first day of class. 1. The glossary One of the first things students should look at is the glossary at the back of their text book. Students using an online version of their textbook will find it at the bottom of their chapter list. The glossary is a list of all important or unfamiliar terms used throughout the text. If students know how to use the glossary, they will save tons of time because they wont have to search through endless pages looking for a vocab word from the previous week. Additionally, students should be aware that each and every word found within a glossary has been highlighted as important for a reason. These words often appear on quizzes and exams and are used in class discussion (READ: Last Minute AP Study Guide). 2. Timelines throughout the book Most US History textbooks have timelines that appear throughout the book. This is an important element of learning and an opportunity for students to learn about cause and effect as well as historical consequences. For instance, perhaps a small conflict leads to a much larger battle or war; maybe changes in politics lead to economic change. Its essential for students to be able to learn what happened first, second, and third and understand the importance of linear elements in general. Whenever a student comes across a timeline in their book, they should make note of it and record the page so they can refer to it easily in the weeks to come. 3. Chapter introductions Nearly every student will pass over the chapter introduction; however they can be extremely useful. The chapter introduction will let students know what the chapter covers, as well as what it does not, and covers some learning objectives. If students take a couple of minutes to look at their chapter introduction before reading, they’ll know exactly what is going to be introduced, and this will give them a lot of clues about what will be covered in class as well as in at-home assignments. Upon completing the chapter, students are encouraged to look back at the learning objectives and see if they meet some or all of them. If they dont, they should consult their teacher or a tutor (READ: 5 Reasons to Get an In-Home Tutor this Summer). 4. Key players There are several key players who appeared throughout US history. Whether a President, General, or a social activist there are several figures students simply need to know about. It can be overwhelming to learn about these important historical figures while also trying to learn about dates, foreign affairs, and economic development. If students sit down over the summer and learn about these important people, they will have an easier time once school starts in the fall. 5. Cause and effect Learning how to decipher cause and effect is one of the most important skills AP US History students can develop. One thing happens because another thing happened first and people react to their environment. If students are not yet familiar with the complex issues found in cause and effect they should make this their primary focus for the remainder of their summer study. US History students should always be asking themselves “why” and “who.” Why did this person react in this way? Why didnt they do something else? Who influenced change and who advocated for things to stay the same? If students can understand cause and effect as a concept, they are much more likely to be successful in their course overall. Score high on your AP US History test with the help of an Irvine AP tutor from TutorNerds. Call us today for more information. All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us write.