Is Your Child Ready for Algebra

Is Your Child Ready for Algebra Is your child ready for Algebra? It will likely be your childs first real step into more advanced math. This can be a frustrating transition for students who do not adequately understand pre-algebra concepts. Luckily, there are several ways to determine whether your child is fully prepared for a venture into algebra. For students and parents alike, math in general can be overwhelming, much less algebra. Many parents struggled with math as students, and it may be difficult to continue helping your children as they progress through math classes.Your child will move from integers and one-step equations to linear inequalities and factoring polynomials. Consider a math placement test to determine algebra readiness If you believe your student may be ready to progress to Algebra, consider providing him or her with a placement test. You can find a multitude of testing options (many for free) online. Providing your child with an Algebra diagnostic exam or pre-test can offer a little insight into your childs current math abilities. You may also request formal placement testing through the schools guidance office. Your child may initially feel uncomfortable taking any kind of test, but assure him or her that it is necessary to advance to the next level of study. According to the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), some indicators of algebra readiness include: The ability to use properties such as commutativity, associativity, and distributivity. E.g., knowing that 5 + 9is equal to 9+ 5 (commutativity) Understanding the concept of using symbols (oftentimes letters) to represent unknown quantities E.g., letting x represent the number of apples in a basket. The ability to express mathematical relationships using equations. E.g,writing 2x = 8. Talk with your child about algebra Your child can offer the best perspective when it comes to his or her preparedness for a new challenge. Sit down with your child and have an honest conversation about whether or not he or she would like to precede to Algebra. If your student is unsure, you may again bring up the option of taking a placement test. You might also talk to your childs current math teacher or even a school academic counselor people trained to evaluate your students readiness for the next math class. Let your child know that there are options available if he or she decides to progress. You can arrange a peer study group, seek an algebra tutor, or simply practice newly learned math skills beyond the classroom. A mixture of supportive resources and consistent practice can help your student be successful in the classroom. Do some algebraic prep work If you feel that your child is ready for Algebra but needs a refresher, you can encourage him or her to practice algebra at home. Work through sample problems, watch step-by-step tutorials on YouTube, and review more fundamental concepts as you go. Ask your childs Algebra teacher for a syllabus If your child is feeling hesitant about an upcoming Algebra class, it may be a good idea to talk with his or her teacher. Often, teachers have their syllabi prepared well in advance of class. If you ask, your childs Algebra teacher may provide the syllabus to you earlier than the class start date. A syllabus can contain a lot of valuable information, including the course timeline, learning objectives, and testing policies. This can help you evaluate readiness and even prepare for at-home review that reinforces concepts learned in class. Below is an adapted sample standards syllabus for grades 6 - 8, as it pertains to algebraic knowledge: Algebraic Standards Grades 6 - 8 specific examples Understand patterns and relations E.g., Identify patterns when given a data in a table or graph Represent mathematical statements using algebraic symbols E.g., know what y = ax + b means in terms of graphing a line Use math models to represent and understand quantiative relationships E.g., given an equation of a line, plot some points on a graph Analyze change E.g., given plots on a graph, explain how changes in the independent variable affect the output (dependent variable) Is Algebra the next step? Finally, your child may not have much choice when it comes to taking an Algebra class. Ultimately, it may be up to the teacher or school to determine whether or not your child is ready to take a more advanced math class. In this case, it is important that you do everything you can to prepare your child. Empower him or her to succeed by providing encouragement and academic support. Alternatively, you and your child may wish to explore alternatives to Algebra. Depending on the particular school and your childs grade level, there may be classes offered that are more suitable to his or her skills. The best thing you can do as a parent is offer encouragement and support, no matter the class. Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us atblog@varsitytutors.com.

10 Tips for Personal Development

10 Tips for Personal Development 10 Ways to Implement Personal and Professional Development Into Your Life Chapters1. Understand the Origins of Personal Development2. Create an Individualized Personal Development Definition3. Identify What Area Needs Some Self-Help4. Starting to Develop Your Human Potential5. Set a Specific Goal6. Developing Self Management by Making a Timeline7. Acquire the Materials You Will Need to Learn New Skills8. Solving Problems Before Starting Your Journey9. Find the Right Resources for Your Personal Development10. How to Practice Development DailyWhile personal development opportunities sound complicated in theory, development opportunities are actually much simpler and easier to take advantage of. If you’re interested in learning how to optimize finishing your to do list or how you can learn new skills â€" these tips will give you some guidance. From understanding what personal development goals are to how to draft personal development plans â€" this will give you the insight you need to get started. TraceyPersonal development Teacher 4.93 (9) £25/h1st less on free!Discover all our tutors NatashaPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (7) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AntonellaPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors IsamPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (3) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors CarriePersonal development Teacher £24/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndriyPersonal development Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MichelePersonal development Teacher 4.73 (7) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FlloydPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (11) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors1. Understand the Origins of Personal DevelopmentIf you’re ever heard of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, you already know the basics of how the field of personal development was formed. If you haven’t, here’s a quick intro to give you the foundation you’ll need on your journey to improve your personal development skills.While you may wa nt to work on your emotional intelligence, soft skills or management skills right away, Maslow’s theory suggests you may want to restructure the way you think about self-improvement. Originally published in a 1943 paper entitled “A Theory of Human Motivation,” psychologist Abraham Maslow suggested that self-development happens in a series of stages.Shaped like a pyramid, these stages actually refer to a set of needs that need to be fulfilled in order to be able to complete the next set of needs, in order of most importance. While it is by no means a perfect theory, it has shaped the way we think about self-help.In other words, Maslow’s theory suggests that before you can start to think about improving job interview skills or communication skills, you need to have some basic needs met: safety, love, shelter, respect from others, and more.Personal development planning can be a fun enterprise2. Create an Individualized Personal Development DefinitionWhile looking at the origins of personal growth theories can help you get a better grasp of the kind of development skills you’ll need on your journey, it’s equally as important for you to draw up your own definitions for personal development.In other words, take a moment of self-awareness and self-confidence and reflect upon what you view personal development to be. This sort of self-knowledge will be an important tool in maintaining effective communication with yourself throughout the process.Find self-development courses near you with a private tutor.3. Identify What Area Needs Some Self-HelpAnother way to look at skills development is to understand that, while being an extremely broad field, it can generally be boiled down into three categories: individual, knowledge or career development.Individual development deals with the kinds of skills training involved in fitness and mental health. These personal skills are less about technical skills like PowerPoint presentation skills and more about exercising your mind and body.Knowledge development involves the sort of development skills that will increase our personal knowledge. Whether that be by taking development courses such as photography lessons or by participating in time management workshops.Career development involves improving the soft or hard skills that can be found on your CV or, in other words, increase your employability. This category can extend to cover skills like non-verbal communication, conflict resolution, or even the interpersonal skills that will lead to a better rapport amongst your colleagues.Defining your personal development through one of these three categories can help give your outlook on personal development an adaptability necessary for changing times and priorities.4. Starting to Develop Your Human PotentialBefore looking into any development programs or tackling your personal goals, the first task you will have to accomplish on your journey is create a personal development plan.While always welcome, you don’t need a life coach or a mentor to be able to decide what you’ll need to accomplish in order to attain your new skills. Whether you’re considering serious career exploration, want to improve your professional skills, or simply desire to boost your life skills â€" you won’t be able to refine your abilities without a plan.Drawing on all the leadership skills you’ve acquired thus far, clear out some time every week to, first, develop your plan and, second, to either execute your plan or to keep in touch with your progress. TraceyPersonal development Teacher 4.93 (9) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (7) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AntonellaPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors IsamPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (3) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors CarriePersonal development Teacher £24/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Andriy Personal development Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MichelePersonal development Teacher 4.73 (7) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FlloydPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (11) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors5. Set a Specific GoalGoal setting is step number one in your growth and development journey. When drafting your development plan, not only will having a specific goal make it a lot easier to give your plan some direction â€" it has actually been proven to be a vital step in anything related to self-improvement.Needless to say, before diving headfirst into working on your transferable job skills, make sure to define a hard and achievable set of goals for yourself. If you need any more persuasion that this will help you stick to your plan, check this guide out.Personality development can lead to different employment opportunities6. Developing Self Management by Making a TimelineAvoid procrastination and practice some assertiveness by establishing a timeline for your progression. In order to do this, you’ll need to identify all the steps you’ll need to take in order to achieve your goals.Whether your plan simply involves enrolling in courses or it will require that you learn a whole new skill set, make sure to work out how long each step in your plan is projected to take. This kind of organisation will both give you a better sense of how close you are to reaching your set goals and also provide you with the motivation you’ll need to get there.7. Acquire the Materials You Will Need to Learn New SkillsThis tip applies whether you’re working on employability skills, writing skills or your career planning. Sometimes, understanding the skills list you will need to follow in order to accomplish what you set out to do won’t be enough.In fact, self-improvement is surprisingly very rarely a solo enterprise. Understanding what you will need to execute your development plan, from buying new art materials to ge tting a library card, is extremely important.This tip can come in handy especially for people who are working with a budget. Having a clear sense of what materials you’ll need and how much it will cost you will allow you to adjust your plans as necessary. For example, if you know what a certain language course will cost you, you’ll be more inclined to either save up for it or modify your budget in order to participate in it.8. Solving Problems Before Starting Your JourneyWhether you’re working on conflict management, your people skills, or simply want to improve yourself by reading more â€" there are a few things to keep in mind before setting off to accomplish great things.The first is to know the importance of being able to identify your bad habits. While you may already know some of the practices that hold you back, such as procrastination or over-eating, being able to spot more implicit bad habits can help reduce the setbacks you’ll experience on your journey.The second involves understanding how a positive attitude can impact your success. By maintaining a positivity work ethic, you will be able to approach obstacles with a more calibrated and creative approach.The last involves a bit of introspection. Even if you’re just working on personal development for career purposes, taking stock of how you feel throughout the process of self-growth improve your experience. Whether you plan deals with work life or your nutrition, being able to take determine what actions trigger positive or negative feelings can aid in making your self-improvement a more meaningful experience.Whether this last bit is accomplished through journaling daily or by simply talking to a friend, having an outlet to express the accomplishments or frustrations of your progression will make a huge difference.Practice self-improvement a couple hours a week9. Find the Right Resources for Your Personal DevelopmentWith your development plans in hand, you are now ready to implement your personal or career goals and make some great things happen. While maintaining mental or verbal communication with yourself is one way you can continue to practice self-growth, another method can be by checking out the various guides, books and materials that deal with self improvement.While self-help materials tend to call up images of unscientific novels that harm more than they improve, these resources have actually been given a major boost by technology. While social media is a great way of connecting with or broadcasting your personal-development journey, you can also turn to other media such as online workshops and podcasts.10. How to Practice Development DailyWhile following your development plans is already a great new habit to practice, you can continue to change your life by practicing personal development in your daily life. While this might sound like an added burden to your already ambitious self-growth plans, it can actually help with stress management.Practicing mindfu lness is not only something you can apply to your development goals, but also to your general well-being. Mindfulness is a breathing and mental exercise that is similar to meditation. Clearing your mind a bit before the start of your day or after stressful situations can help you regain some emotional equilibrium.

10 Famous French People

10 Famous French People 10 of the Most Famous French Celebrities Chapters1. Brigitte Bardot2. Catherine Deneuve3. Gérard Depardieu4. Jean Reno5. Luc Besson6. Jacques-Yves Cousteau7. Serge Gainsbourg8. Edith Piaf9. Coco Chanel10. AstérixFrance is known for its croissants, the Eiffel Tower, the Marseillaise and the palace of Versailles. But who are the people who have formed our view of France, the celebrity ambassadors of the tricolore? Who are the actors, actresses, the singers and fashionistas who make everyone want to visit France? Here are ten of the most famous French men and women.The young girls of Rochefort in 1967 further cemented her careerTristana (1970)Donkey Skin in 1970The April Fools starring alongside Jack Lemmon in 1969, an American filmThe Slightly Pregnant Man, another American film with Marcello Mastroianni, the father of her second child, daughter Chiara MastroianniDeneuve won the César for Best Actress for her role in François Truffaut’s The Last Metro in 1980 and was nominated for an Oscar for her portrayal of plantatio n owner Éliane Devries in the 1992 film Indochine. More recently, she has starred in Dancer in the Dark, which was nominated in Cannes for a Palme d’Or in 2000, Potiche in 2010 and Bonne Pomme in 2017.She, too, was the face of the Marianne for a time.3. Gérard DepardieuAfter two female sex symbol actresses, a French actor who, though perhaps not a heartthrob, has made the headlines more than once, whether with his name on a marquee or, in defiance of French etiquette (or indeed etiquette anywhere) his bare buttocks on a plane.Gérard Xavier Marcel Depardieu was born in 1948 in Châteauroux. He left school at thirteen to work in a printworks, but after some run-ins with the law for petty crime went to Paris at sixteen, where he landed a job as an actor in the Café de la Gare, a comedy theatre.His first film was Betrand Blié’s les Valseuses in 1947 (Going Places). He became known on the French film circuit and won a César for Best Actor for his work in Truffaut’s The Last M etro in 1980 where he starred alongside Catherine Deneuve.He became known internationally for the title role in Jean de Fleurette in 1986, where he played a hunchback who found love. His portrayal of another physically deformed man in Cyrano de Bergerac, an adaptation of the play by famous French writer Edmond Rostand, won him international acclaim in 1990, earning him a second César, an award at the Cannes Film Festival and a nomination for the Oscars.Most recently, he is best known for his roles as Porthos in The Man in the Iron Mask and as Obelix in the live-action Asterix films.4. Jean RenoBorn in Morocco of Spanish parents while Morocco was still a French protectorate in 1948, Juan Moreno y Herrera-Jiménez grew up trilingual, speaking Arabic, Spanish and French.His family moved to France in 1970 and he acquired French citizenship. Upon deciding to become an actor, he adopted the French version of his name, shorter and easier to remember.His first film was in 1978, as a charac ter in a painting in The Hypothesis of the Stolen Painting. He first truly became noticed for his role as the Drummer in Subway (1985), directed by Luc Besson who first noticed him on the set of  Le Dernier Combat and who would give him his greatest successes. He cast Jean Reno again in Le Grand Bleu (The Big Blue), for which he was nominated for a César as best actor. He truly became famous in France for his role as the Count Godefroy in Jean-Marie Poiré’s time-travel comedy Les Visiteurs (1993) (earning him yet another César nomination), which was remade for Hollywood in 2001 under the title Just visiting, with Reno once more in the main role.However, it was Luc Besson’s 1994 classic Léon: the Professional starring alongside Nathalie Portman that cemented his international success (and a third César nomination), landing him roles in movies such as Godzilla (1998), Ronin (1998) and the DaVinci Code (2006).French actor Jean Reno was born in Morocco to Andalusian parents. Ph oto credit: david_shankbone on VisualHunt.comHe is the father of six children from three different marriages. He has never forgotten his Andalusian roots.District 13 (2004), and all the Taken (2008-2014) films with Liam Neeson.6. Jacques-Yves CousteauA whole generation grew up with Jacques-Yves Cousteau’s underwater documentaries.Born in 1910 in Saint-André de Cubzac. He studied at the École Navale to become a gunnery officer in the French navy. He broke both his arms in an automobile accident, cutting short his dreams of becoming a naval pilot but allowing him to indulge in his passion for underwater exploration.He had started some underwater experiments while still serving in the navy. In 1943, he won a prize for the first ever French underwater documentary, produced with alpinist Marcel Ichac: Par dix-huit mètres de fond, made entirely without breathing apparatus. In the same year, he and Ichac tested the first prototypes of the Aqua-Lung to make another documentary, Épaves (Shipwrecks). Cousteau had first used Fernez goggles (a breathing tube with a pump to equalise pressure), then the LePrieur apparatus with a portable air supply. Unhappy with the amount of time these systems let him stay underwater, he improved the LePrieur apparatus with the help of Émile Gagnan. With the aqua-lung, he was able to fulfill numerous scientific and military missions for the French navy.He left the navy in 1949, founding the French Oceanographic Campaigns a year later. He leased his famous research ship the Calypso from British philanthropist for a symbolic franc a year, refitting it into a mobile laboratory. One of his missions was accompanied in 1954 by filmmaker Louis Malle; The Silent World won at Cannes in 1956.Even models of Cousteau's ship the Calypso bring a nostalgic tear to many an eye. Photo credit: Tilemahos Efthimiadis on VisualHuntHe created and perfected various versions of deep-sea submarines, manned and automated, and in the 1960s and 1970s produced documentary series for American television.He was a vocal advocate for environmental issues, work continued by the Cousteau Foundation. All in all, he produced more than 120 television documentaries. In 1988 he was elected to the Académie Française, which he held until his death in 1997.Among other things, he was a Commander of the Legion of Honour, earned the Grand Cross of the National Order of Merit and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.7. Serge GainsbourgSerge Gainsbourg is a famous French musician. Born as Lucien Ginsburg in Paris in 1928, he changed his name to Serge in honour of his Ukrainian ancestry. He was a remarkably multitalented artist. Singer, pianist, composer, songwriter, painter, actor and director, he is best known for his music that runs the gamut of styles from chanson to disco to reggae to funk.He is known for his affair with Brigitte Bardot in 1967, to whom he dedicated an album with the titular song Initiales BB.He worked with such influential sing ers and artists as Michèle Arnaud, Jacques Brel, Minouche Barelli and longtime partner Jane Birkin. He also wrote several songs for the Eurovision Song Contest, for various countries including Luxembourg and Monaco.Gainsbourg was known for his often sexual and provocative lyrics and frequent drunkenness during public appearances.His daughter Charlotte Gainsbourg is a singer and actress.8. Edith PiafVocally the best known French singer, Edith Piaf was born Édith Giovanna Gassion in 1915 and specialised in chanson and love ballads.  When her mother walked out after she was born, she was raised in a brothel run by her paternal grandmother in Bernay.As a teenager, Edith worked as a street singer first with her father, then with her (possibly) half-sister Simone Berteaut. She had her first daughter at 17 by a man called Louis Dupont, who died from meningitis at the age of two.In 1935, she was discovered by Louis Leplée, owner of the club Le Gerny near the Champs Elysées. She performe d under the name “La Môme Piaf”, “the urchin sparrow” in historical French slang. She first donned her signature black dress in the Le Gerny. The nightclub attracted people and artists from every walk of life, and she produced her first two records in the same year.A year later Leplée was murdered by gangsters with ties to Piaf from her street-singing days. To rehabilitate her image, she teamed up with Raymond Asso, who gave her the stage name Édith Piaf and had Monnot write songs mentioning her life on the streets. During the German occupation she continued to flourish, writing the lyrics to many of her songs herself.After the war, she became known internationally. Her most famous song is La Vie en Rose, written in 1945 and covered numerous times.She struggled with alcohol addiction, exacerbated by an opiate addiction after several car accidents, and died of liver cancer in 1962.9. Coco ChanelGabrielle Bonheur Chanel was born in 1883. Her father was an itinerant peddler, and after her mother’s death when she was 12 he sent her and her sisters to the convent orphanage of Aubazine, where she learned to sew.When she left the orphanage at 18, she earned her living as a seamstress and cabaret singer in Moulins, where she earned the nickname Coco. There she met Étienne Balsan, heir to a firm that made military uniforms and became his mistress. In 1908 she became the mistress of his friend Arthur “Boy” Capel, who payed for an apartment in Paris and kept up their relationship even after his marriage and to his death in 1919. He would help her set up her first shops.Coco had started designing hats as a hobby but became a licensed milliner in 1910. Her hats became popular after a famous French actress Gabrielle Dorziat modeled them onstage and for the magazine Les Modes. In 1913 she opened her first clothing shop in Deauville with sports and leisure attire in cheap fabrics such as jersey and tricot. Another shop in Biarritz, a popular seaside resort c atering to the wealthy, became so popular that she was able to purchase an entire house in 1921 to offer the full range of Paris fashion: clothing, hats, accessories and later also jewellery and perfume, including the now-iconic Chanel N °5. Her designs freed women from the corseted silhouette, ushering the more airy, shorter styles popular after the Great War.Famous French fashion designer Coco Chanel with photographer Cecil Beaton. Photo credit: Dovima-2010 on VisualHuntFrom 1923-1937, she designed the costumes for the prestigious Ballet Russe; in the 1930s she dressed several Hollywood stars for their on-screen roles, then for French films such as Jean Renoir’s La règle du jeu. However, her design aesthetic was slowly going out of style. With the occupation of France, she closed her fashion houses, only  re-opening them in 1954. Her once avant-garde designs were now conservative, but she remained in business until her death in 1971.Coco Chanel was a known anti-semite and her r ole during the Second World War has been the subject of much controversy, but her legacy to the world of French fashion lives on.Next to Louis Vuitton’s iconic bags, Coco’s Chanel N °5 (ironically now in the hands of a Jewish firm) remains the epitome of Haute Couture.10. AstérixAnd finally, let’s not forget the French ambassador among children and the young-at-heart. The well-known Gaul, small and clever, and his large, strong friend Obélix were first created by the author-artist team René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo for the French-Belgium comic magazine Pilote in 1959. Since then, their adventures have taken them to Egypt, England, India and even the Americas. After Goscinny’s death in 1977, Uderzo continued to produce on his own before selling the rights to the publishing firm Hachette in 2009.Comic book celebrities from France, Asterix and Obelix are ambassadors of French culture to children all over the world. Photo credit: dolanh on VisualHunt.comThe series is known for its caricatures of famous politicians and personalities as the “guest villain”, its puns and hidden jokes and its sense of fun. A fine way to learn French! Search for French course London to find the most face to face tutors on Superprof, or why not search for french lessons online?

Learn to Sew With Embroidery Patterns

Learn to Sew With Embroidery Patterns Using Embroidery Patterns and Projects for to Improve Your Sewing Skills ChaptersWhy Learn With Embroidery Patterns and Projects?Find Free Embroidery Patterns OnlineFree Cross-Stitch Patterns OnlineSo you’ve learned all the basic of stitching, taken online  sewing classes and hand embroidery lessons and you now know how to embroider - but don’t know where to start?You want to make some hand made home decor to brighten the place up? Or maybe you want to revamp some of your old clothes but you just need a little help to get you on the right track. This is why embroidery projects can be a good guide to help you get started. Here are some good sources for embroidery projects and patterns.Do you have all of the supplies you need to embroider with in your sewing kit?Your projects might be easier if you know how to do basic embroidery stitches...Buying Cross-Stitch Kits and ChartsEmbrodiery kits have everything you need to complete a project - so you don't need to think about your embroidery supplies when starting out. Photo credit: merwing?little dear on Vi sual huntCross-stitch is by far the most common type of embroidery practised in Britain today. When learning to embroider, this is often the first stitch you learn; most children’s beginner embroidery kits are cross-stitch. Don’t hesitate to browse embroidery magazines for nice patterns, but of course you will be slave to what the editors want to print. But you can pick and choose the colour yarn you want to work with. Fortunately, you can also order embroidery kits and charts online and find just what you want to suit your style and your sewing skills:Cross-Stitch UK has a great selection in a variety of styles, from naive to painting, from charts to kits, from a large selection of designers. They even have some tapestry and needlepoint offers.Cross-stitch Cottage doesn’t have many project kits, but a mind-boggling selection of charts and design kits (you only have a design, and have to complete the project - cushion or napkin or footstool cover. They also have long stitch an d free embroidery patterns.MouseLoft has adorable little miniature cross-stitch kits. They also sell miniature embroidery hoops sized to fit their patterns. Perfect for ornaments and gifts.Bobo Stitch has contemporary cross-stitch designs and craft patterns, some of which you can download directly.For those who like the special elegance of French design, SoCreaStitch  offers French cross-stitch patterns in a wide range of styles with cheap delivery to the UK. If you love samplers, needle-books and huswifs (and are willing to wait for overseas shipping), With My Needle has a charming selection of kits and patterns, some based on vintage examples, some simply designed in a vintage style.General Embroidery Kits at Your Haberdasher'sNext to cross-stitch, the easiest patterns to find are tapestry and needlepoint - most online haberdasheries will stock some kits for making pillows or handbags. If you want to venture into the more eclectic embroidery styles but still want an embroidery kit to try them out, here are some shops where you can find kits and patterns for things other than cross-stitch:Marie’s Cross Stitch despite its name, Marie’s Cross Stitch also offers embroidery kits in a variety of embroidery styles including blackwork, satin stitch and even some Jacobean designs. They are mostly panels that you can sew into whatever project you want, whether it be as upholstery for a footstool or a greeting card.Past Impressions has a series of embroidery kits in freestyle and crewel embroidery, including cushions and clutch bags.Rowandean Embroidery has ribbon embroidery patterns and kits for those who love the feel of silk ribbons and the way ribbon embroidery just jumps out of the frame.And of course, the RSN also offers embroidery kits for blackwork, metalwork and crewel (and even one whitework kit). Lorna Bateman Embroidery has lovely surface work kits with three-dimensional stitches. Threads and Patches stocks hardanger embroidery kits for cushions and bis cornu pincushions; as well as blackwork kits and patterns. If you are up to doing whitework with nothing but charts, try out Col's Creations for hardanger projects.Some haberdasheries offer redwork kits if you want a change of pace. Photo credit: Idlepines on VisualhuntBerlin Embroidery designs is one of only a few places you can find shadow embroidery kits. They also have Jacobean crewel, mountmellick, whitework, needle painting… A go-to site for the less usual embroidery styles. With this site, your bags and totes will never look the same again.Shisha embroidery kits can be found at Kathleen Laurel Sage for that special Indian flair. Japan Crafts has Shashiko embroidery patterns to spruce up your patching. You will soon be buying pre-torn trousers just to patch them up with these decorative Japanese darning stitches. Crewelwork delivers what its name suggests: crewelwork kits for various levels, to make cushions and throw pillows and totes, screens and bedspreads. And yes, there are goldwork patterns and kits out there: Carolyn Gayton has a range for various skill levels, with raised work and gilded leather, too.Discover our tips for learning how to embroider...Find Free Embroidery Patterns OnlineOf course, you may not want to spend money on an embroidery kit. Either you feel confident enough in your sewing skills and creativity that you want to transfer a motif yourself and just go for it, combining designs with your own colour scheme, or you simply do not have the money. That’s all right! The Web is chock-full of resources ready to download, either as jpgs or pdfs. Some offer only the design, others a tutorial on a specific project with all the graphics available for free. This is only the tip of the iceberg in free embroidery patterns.Free Cross-Stitch Patterns OnlineWhen looking for free cross-stitch patterns, remember that DCM, the embroidery thread manufacturer, regularly offers free patterns on their website. Don’t forget to check with your favo urite online haberdasher’s either, as many of them offer free goodies on a regular basis. With embroidery these are usually cross-stitch charts, often seasonal. So if you are looking for a nice motif to sew your Christmas stocking or Easter tablecloth, don’t forget to check out The Village Haberdashery, Sewandso and their competitors.Cross-Stitching.com has a huge selection of cross-stitch charts for every imaginable occasion.Subversive Cross-Stitch has sampler charts with rather unusual texts. No “Home Sweet Home” here; instead, decorate your home with sayings such as “Beatings Will Continue Until Morale Improves” and “Hell is Other People.”If you’re willing to brave Google-translate, the French site Les Chroniques de Frimousse has a variety of absolutely adorable cross-stitch charts for little gnomes, animals and other single images to combine into your own inimitable designs. If you want to brave her blog, she also has tutorials on making biscornus, little pouch es and bags and cross-stitch ornaments.Learn all of our best tips for the beginner embroiderer...Other Free Embroidery PatternsThe Internet is teeming with cute embroidery patterns ready to download. Photo credit: Adair733 on VisualhuntThe Web is kinder than the shops for unusual embroidery styles. Bloggers and embroidery enthusiasts are eager to share designs and patterns they have come across or let you sew along with their current project, whether it be redwork, stumpwork or smocking. Here is a short list of some interesting websites offering free patterns and projects:The Spruce offers a wide selection of downloadable patterns for free embroidery and for certain specific styles such as Shashiko and Hungarian redwork.Needlework Tips and Techniques has a section with free patterns for stumpwork, blackwork, hardanger and needlepoint.Vintage Transfer Finds has a large collection of vintage transfer designs for free embroidery, organised by motif (dogs, mexicana…)Needle ‘n Thread , that inimitable embroidery blog, also has a series of downloadable patterns for different kinds of embroidery - blackwork, cross-stitch, Jacobean and Hungarian redwork, among others - and monograms for handkerchiefs, bedspreads, and napkins.Needlecrafter has a nice pattern library, mostly fairly traditional, but with some modern patterns as well.And then there is Embroidery Pattern Central, the Holy Grail of free patterns. It collects links to free embroidery patterns at various blogs and categorises them for you. There are a lot of mediocre patterns among them, but a lot of true gems as well to beautify your dress hems, trouser legs and shirt collars. If you like antique patterns, the Antique Pattern Library has pdf scans of old pattern books - mostly embroidery, but if you like crochet you will also find some old crochet patterns, as well as paper dolls to dress up little paper ladies in skirts and stockings.If you like antique embroidery, you can find a lot of scans of vintage patterns online. Photo credit: Littlelixie on VisualHuntDo you want actual Elizabethan blackwork patterns? Look to Sidney Eileen, all patterns transcribed from period paintings and surviving smocks, coifs and other apparel. Wild Olive not only has embroidery patterns free to download, but also various projects with their sewing patterns. If you like short, crafty projects that are fairly quick to sew and embroider, her blog and archive are perfect for you.Hopefully you will have found just the right project or design for your beginner sewing project or first embroidery sampler. Still unsure of how to get started? Why not try a private tutor from Superprof to help you out when your stitches get tangled?Discover also the history of embroidery... here or ask an expert. If searching for sewing classes come directly to Superprof and find your sewing classes Edinburgh, to sewing classes Glasgow, to  sewing classes London.

Ways a Tutor Can Help a Student De-Stress about Calculus

Ways a Tutor Can Help a Student De-Stress about Calculus Ways a Tutor Can Help a Student De-Stress about Calculus Just mention the word calculus and you might notice that your high school student will quickly want to change the subject. The truth is that pre-calculus and calculus can be quite intimidating for students. Some might find it too difficult, and as the concepts become more complicated, they'll begin to retreat before they even try to understand them. Others might just find math of any kind boring and prefer other subjects. If pre-calculus and calculus are overwhelming for your child, he or she might be a good candidate for calculus help from a tutor. Here are some ways a tutor can help your student see calculus in a new light: Adapt to a Particular Learning Style: Conceptualizing complex subjects can be difficult when they are being taught to a large group of students. Some students are auditory learners and can learn just by listening to a lecture; others are technical learners and need to practice in order to make sense of a concept. A teacher might not be able to reach each and every single student, and will only know if someone is having trouble after a couple of less-than-stellar quizzes or tests. Using one-on-one communication and lessons tailored to a students learning style, a tutor might be able to reach a student in a way that's just not possible in the classroom. Show Where Calculus Is Used in Everyday Life and Careers: If algebra deals with how numbers relate to each other, it could be said that calculus is defined by the relationships of equations. With that in mind, concepts of pre-calculus and calculus can be used in a variety of careers and everyday life, especially if a student aspires to an engineering or science career. When a tutor points out ways calculus concepts can be used outside of the classroom, it can help to improve a students motivation and understanding. Organization: One-on-one tutoring sessions help create regularity in a student's schedule, enabling them to devote more time to their calculus studies. Pre-calculus and calculus build on concepts and require a strong foundation. A student that falls behind early in their studies will not be able to move on to new concepts. With regular sessions, students can focus on their homework and prepare for tests, so they can stay on top of what is going on in the classroom. For more information about how a tutor can help your child fret less about calculus, please contact a Huntington representative today!

What Is the Difference Between ADD and ADHD

What Is the Difference Between ADD and ADHD As an ADHD expert one of the questions that Im asked most often is, What is the difference between ADD and ADHD? Sometimes people share with me that they were diagnosed with ADD is as a kid and wonder how the ADHD that they hear about today is different from the diagnosis they received in childhood. With both terms being so prevalent, people are often surprised to learn that ADD is actually an outdated term. Today healthcare providers only refer to ADHD and no longer use ADD as a diagnostic label. Labels like ADD and ADHD originate from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (the DSM), which is the healthcare manual for all recognized mental disorders. The DSM is used by healthcare professionals as a reference guide for the symptoms, impairments, and diagnostic criteria associated with ADHD as well as other disorders, like depression and anxiety. In 1980, the term Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) was included in the DSM for the first time. Two types of ADD were described: ADD with hyperactivity and ADD without hyperactivity. Overtime, healthcare professions became concerned that the term ADD didnt place enough emphasis on hyperactive and impulsive symptoms that so many people with the disorder experience. So, in 1987 the name was changed to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and has stayed the same ever since. Today ADHD is described in the DSM-5 as having 3 possible presentations (or subtypes): Predominantly Inattentive Presentation: This presentation is assigned to children and adults who experience challenges that are solely related to inattention symptoms. These symptoms reflect difficulty sustaining attention, persisting at tasks or play activities, following through on instructions, giving close attention to details, organizing tasks and activities, and keeping track of belongings. Predominantly Hyperactive Impulsive Presentation: This presentation is assigned to children, and occasionally to adults, who experience challenges solely related to the hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. These symptoms reflect excessive movement, including difficulty remaining seated, often fidgeting, and constantly being on-the-go as if driven by a motor, as well as excessive talkativeness, and impulsive behavior such as blurting out answers, difficulty waiting, and frequently interrupting others. Combined Presentation: This presentation is assigned to children and adults who experience symptoms in both the inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive clusters. Its the most common presentation diagnosed in children and adolescents. Often, when someone has received a diagnosis of the Predominantly Inattentive Presentation of ADHD, they will refer to themselves as having ADD rather than ADHD. Its an easy way to describe the fact that they struggle with focus and concentration, but arent necessarily hyperactive or impulsive. It is much easier to day ADD than it is to say ADHD-Predominantly Inattentive Presentation whenever youre talking about your diagnosis! And these patients arent alone. There is discussion among many clinicians and researchers about whether the term ADHD should be changed to better reflect the symptoms and challenges that come with the disorder. For example, the majority of children and adults with ADHD struggle with organization, time management and following multi-step instructions. None of these challenges are clearly captured by the ADHD label. In addition, for children and adults who have the inattentive presentation of ADHD, it doesnt necessarily make sense to have the term hyperactivity included the diagnosis. Some psychologists have suggested that Executive Function Deficit Disorder may be a better term for ADHD, especially for the inattentive presentation. Over the next decade, as scientists learn more about ADHD and the biological underpinnings of the disorder, we can expect to see changes in the way healthcare professionals think about and label the disorder. With so many possible presentations and combinations of ADHD symptoms, clear descriptions and labels will make it easier for people with ADHD to communicate about their experiences and will create pathways for the development of more targeted and personalized treatments. 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.

7 Steps to Help You Sleep Better Tonight

7 Steps to Help You Sleep Better Tonight Photo Credit : WebMD  Go to bed at the same time each night and wake up each morning at the same time as well. A regular routine of going to bed and waking up at the same time will reinforce your bodys sleep-wake cycle and help promote better sleep at night. 4. Be Comfortable in Your Bedroom We all know its hard to sleep when its hot in the bedroom or the light is shining through the windows.  Create a room that is fit for sleeping. Buy dark shades so no light will be able to shine through the windows. Keep the thermostat set between    65 ° and 75 °F. Being in the cool air helps trigger your body to drop its temperature and tells the body to produce melatonin which helps induce sleep. Buy a comfortable mattress and pillow. Nobody likes to sleep on a hard mattress. 5. EXERCISE Photo Credit: DailyHiit Regular Physical Activity helps promote better sleep but make sure to exercise at least  3 to 4 hours before heading to bed.  Exercising too close to bedtime, your body might be too energized for it to be put into sleep mode. 6. Manage Stress Our minds are always thinking 24/7 about everything and anything. You need to unwind and get your mind off of whatever is bothering you and relax. If your mind is constantly racing, keep a journal. Write any worries or concerns you have in a journal that way it is off your mind when you are trying to go to sleep. Breathe!  Take deep slow breaths. This will help reduce your blood pressure and heart rate which will allow your body to get in a relaxed state, priming you for sleep. 7. Eat Right Photo credit : WEBMD   Avoid heavy foods and big meals late in the day; these will make it harder for your digestive system to digest making it hard to sleep. Eat a light snack that contains complex carbs and dairy. Food Choices: Cheese and Crackers, whole grain cereal and skim milk, a banana with 1 tsp peanut butter Those are just a few great tips to help you fall asleep and stay asleep.  Just remember to follow these tips and you will sleep better at tonight.

2014 italki New Years Language Challenge Review

2014 italki New Years Language Challenge Review Congratulations to everyone who participated in our 2014 italki New Years Language Challenge!  This was our largest Language Challenge to date with  hundreds of Challengers learning more than 30+ languages on italki! We had representation from Challengers from over 50 countries all over the world! Language Challenge Results   Heres a quick summary of the Language Challenge results! The Language Challenge is Completely  Achievable! Out of the hundreds of Language Challenge participants, just under  50% (48%) completed the Challenge!  Is this Language Challenge too easy?!? Out of the Language Challenge Winners 40% actually completed more than 30 sessions or more! Instant Tutoring  significantly helped many of the Challengers finish the Challenge!   If you really want to improve your Language ability, the Language Challenge works!   In just 6-weeks many of our Language Challenge participants went from zero language ability to fluency!  Some of our Challengers were so happy with their results that they submitted videos of their speaking ability before and after!  We were very impressed. Watch these before and after videos! John was one of our Challenge participants who was learning Portuguese because he is going to the World Cup in Brazil!  He pretty much  started with ZERO Portuguese ability.  His improvement is absolutely amazing and inspiring!  Click here to view his before and after video. Challengers who made a Public Video Pledge are more likely to complete the Challenge! 85% of the Challenges who actually put up a Public Video Pledge actually completed the Challenge (compared to only 48% of those who did not). (Our Challenge  confirmed what  Life Hacks research  concluded that  if you put yourself up to something by doing it in public, you follow through!  Things that you put on the Web have a better chance of getting done!) Advice:  If you are planning on taking the Challenge in the future, make a Public Video Pledge, it will help you reach your goal! Challenge Demographic Breakdowns Challenger Distribution North America (U.S.A. Canada) 30% Western Europe 25% Eastern Europe 11% Asia 16% South America 4% Top 10 Languages Learned in the Challenge 1.  English 2.  Spanish 3.  French 4. Chinese 5.  German 6.  Japanese 7.  Russian 8.  Portuguese 9.  Korean 10.  Arabic Interesting Tidbits! We had a lot of italki teachers who took the Challenge as well!  Actually Teachers as a whole did much better than students!  More than 60% of the teachers who took the Challenge completed it! Chinese, Germans, Russian and Spaniards have the highest completion rate!  50% or more of Challengers from these countries complete the Challenge! Challenge participants from the United States are on par with a 48% completion rate! We had  one italki Language Challenger who completed over 100 sessions during the Challenge!  That’s more than 2 session a day!  You know who you are and you absolutely rock! We’ve gotten tons of positive responses from our 2014 italki New Years Challenge.  If you enjoyed this challenge or would like to participate in future italki Language Challenges, please click on the link below. I want to receive more information about  future italki Language Challenges! One Last Note As a surprise bonus, we actually decided to give away free italki t-shirts to all the winners! This was quite difficult to do as we needed to mail out the t-shirts by hand to winners in over  50+ countries! If you send us a post a photo of yourself online wearing your italki t-shirt and let us know the link, we know there is at least one guy who would be very, very happy that he took the trouble to navigate through the Chinese Postal System. Lamar pushing a box of t-shirts to the Post Office 2014 italki New Years Language Challenge Review Congratulations to everyone who participated in our 2014 italki New Years Language Challenge!  This was our largest Language Challenge to date with  hundreds of Challengers learning more than 30+ languages on italki! We had representation from Challengers from over 50 countries all over the world! Language Challenge Results   Heres a quick summary of the Language Challenge results! The Language Challenge is Completely  Achievable! Out of the hundreds of Language Challenge participants, just under  50% (48%) completed the Challenge!  Is this Language Challenge too easy?!? Out of the Language Challenge Winners 40% actually completed more than 30 sessions or more! Instant Tutoring  significantly helped many of the Challengers finish the Challenge!   If you really want to improve your Language ability, the Language Challenge works!   In just 6-weeks many of our Language Challenge participants went from zero language ability to fluency!  Some of our Challengers were so happy with their results that they submitted videos of their speaking ability before and after!  We were very impressed. Watch these before and after videos! John was one of our Challenge participants who was learning Portuguese because he is going to the World Cup in Brazil!  He pretty much  started with ZERO Portuguese ability.  His improvement is absolutely amazing and inspiring!  Click here to view his before and after video. Challengers who made a Public Video Pledge are more likely to complete the Challenge! 85% of the Challenges who actually put up a Public Video Pledge actually completed the Challenge (compared to only 48% of those who did not). (Our Challenge  confirmed what  Life Hacks research  concluded that  if you put yourself up to something by doing it in public, you follow through!  Things that you put on the Web have a better chance of getting done!) Advice:  If you are planning on taking the Challenge in the future, make a Public Video Pledge, it will help you reach your goal! Challenge Demographic Breakdowns Challenger Distribution North America (U.S.A. Canada) 30% Western Europe 25% Eastern Europe 11% Asia 16% South America 4% Top 10 Languages Learned in the Challenge 1.  English 2.  Spanish 3.  French 4. Chinese 5.  German 6.  Japanese 7.  Russian 8.  Portuguese 9.  Korean 10.  Arabic Interesting Tidbits! We had a lot of italki teachers who took the Challenge as well!  Actually Teachers as a whole did much better than students!  More than 60% of the teachers who took the Challenge completed it! Chinese, Germans, Russian and Spaniards have the highest completion rate!  50% or more of Challengers from these countries complete the Challenge! Challenge participants from the United States are on par with a 48% completion rate! We had  one italki Language Challenger who completed over 100 sessions during the Challenge!  That’s more than 2 session a day!  You know who you are and you absolutely rock! We’ve gotten tons of positive responses from our 2014 italki New Years Challenge.  If you enjoyed this challenge or would like to participate in future italki Language Challenges, please click on the link below. I want to receive more information about  future italki Language Challenges! One Last Note As a surprise bonus, we actually decided to give away free italki t-shirts to all the winners! This was quite difficult to do as we needed to mail out the t-shirts by hand to winners in over  50+ countries! If you send us a post a photo of yourself online wearing your italki t-shirt and let us know the link, we know there is at least one guy who would be very, very happy that he took the trouble to navigate through the Chinese Postal System. Lamar pushing a box of t-shirts to the Post Office 2014 italki New Years Language Challenge Review Congratulations to everyone who participated in our 2014 italki New Years Language Challenge!  This was our largest Language Challenge to date with  hundreds of Challengers learning more than 30+ languages on italki! We had representation from Challengers from over 50 countries all over the world! Language Challenge Results   Heres a quick summary of the Language Challenge results! The Language Challenge is Completely  Achievable! Out of the hundreds of Language Challenge participants, just under  50% (48%) completed the Challenge!  Is this Language Challenge too easy?!? Out of the Language Challenge Winners 40% actually completed more than 30 sessions or more! Instant Tutoring  significantly helped many of the Challengers finish the Challenge!   If you really want to improve your Language ability, the Language Challenge works!   In just 6-weeks many of our Language Challenge participants went from zero language ability to fluency!  Some of our Challengers were so happy with their results that they submitted videos of their speaking ability before and after!  We were very impressed. Watch these before and after videos! John was one of our Challenge participants who was learning Portuguese because he is going to the World Cup in Brazil!  He pretty much  started with ZERO Portuguese ability.  His improvement is absolutely amazing and inspiring!  Click here to view his before and after video. Challengers who made a Public Video Pledge are more likely to complete the Challenge! 85% of the Challenges who actually put up a Public Video Pledge actually completed the Challenge (compared to only 48% of those who did not). (Our Challenge  confirmed what  Life Hacks research  concluded that  if you put yourself up to something by doing it in public, you follow through!  Things that you put on the Web have a better chance of getting done!) Advice:  If you are planning on taking the Challenge in the future, make a Public Video Pledge, it will help you reach your goal! Challenge Demographic Breakdowns Challenger Distribution North America (U.S.A. Canada) 30% Western Europe 25% Eastern Europe 11% Asia 16% South America 4% Top 10 Languages Learned in the Challenge 1.  English 2.  Spanish 3.  French 4. Chinese 5.  German 6.  Japanese 7.  Russian 8.  Portuguese 9.  Korean 10.  Arabic Interesting Tidbits! We had a lot of italki teachers who took the Challenge as well!  Actually Teachers as a whole did much better than students!  More than 60% of the teachers who took the Challenge completed it! Chinese, Germans, Russian and Spaniards have the highest completion rate!  50% or more of Challengers from these countries complete the Challenge! Challenge participants from the United States are on par with a 48% completion rate! We had  one italki Language Challenger who completed over 100 sessions during the Challenge!  That’s more than 2 session a day!  You know who you are and you absolutely rock! We’ve gotten tons of positive responses from our 2014 italki New Years Challenge.  If you enjoyed this challenge or would like to participate in future italki Language Challenges, please click on the link below. I want to receive more information about  future italki Language Challenges! One Last Note As a surprise bonus, we actually decided to give away free italki t-shirts to all the winners! This was quite difficult to do as we needed to mail out the t-shirts by hand to winners in over  50+ countries! If you send us a post a photo of yourself online wearing your italki t-shirt and let us know the link, we know there is at least one guy who would be very, very happy that he took the trouble to navigate through the Chinese Postal System. Lamar pushing a box of t-shirts to the Post Office