How to Teach Students with Dyspraxia

How to Teach Students with Dyspraxia What Makes a Good Teacher for Dyspraxic Students? ChaptersRecognising Students with DyspraxiaHow to Behave with Dyspraxic StudentsHelping Dyspraxic Students as a TeacherPreparing Students with Dyspraxia for the FutureIn the grand scheme of things, neurological problems are actually quite common in both children and adults. In fact, many students have learning difficulties, cognitive problems, or even mental disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, which can make it harder for them to learn.Dyscalculia, dysphasia, dysorthographia, dyslexia, etc., are all learning difficulties that we don’t know instinctively how to deal with as teachers. The same is true for dyspraxia. Around 14.4% of children in England have special educational needs.So how can you help a student with dyspraxia?In this article, we're going to have a look at what dyspraxia (or developmental coordination disorder) is, how it affects students, and how you, as a teacher, can help them to succeed!find these tips useful in working with dyslexic studen ts...While the child will have special educational needs, they don't have any learning disabilities. This means that they can learn just as quickly as any other student, as long as the teaching strategies take into account that their intelligence is that of any other student, but they will probably struggle with certain physical tasks that involve perception, movement, motor planning, or sequencing sounds within a word, for example.When dyspraxia causes speech and language impairments, it is known as developmental verbal dyspraxia and is usually managed with speech-language pathologists.  This support should be provided by the teacher throughout their classes. In addition to the traditional teaching they’re providing, the teacher may also need to be a makeshift psy-motor therapist from time to time.How to Behave with Dyspraxic StudentsAs a teacher, you need to know how to adapt, especially when students have special educational needs. In fact, teaching a dyspraxic student isn’t like teaching your typical class. This is because the student struggles with certain motor skills such as writing, which can negatively affect their self-confidence.For a teacher, teaching students with dyspraxia is an opportunity to develop. (Source: rawpixel)That’s why their teacher needs to also act as their coach, show them that they can do it, and that despite their impaired motor skills, they’re just as smart, if not smarter, than any other student... much as students on the autism spectrum are. After all, that’s what dyspraxia or development coordination disorder is, a disorder that affects motor skills rather than their intellect. While they may need more time to complete certain tasks, they don’t necessarily need more time to assimilate new concepts.Academic difficulties don’t occur at random. A teacher needs to ensure that their students have all the tools they need to succeed, learn, and develop as students. If the teacher suspects a child of having dyspraxia, i t’s certainly worth bringing up as they may need to be tested, which will help parents, family, friends, and teachers to better help them in their daily lives.Helping Dyspraxic Students as a TeacherA teacher’s role is to both educate and support their students by doing anything they can to help the student to succeed. In spite of learning difficulties, hyperactivity, or neurological disorders, every student should find classes simple and accessible. It’s essential that teachers see all students as equals.A dyspraxic student is as willing to learn as any other student. (Source: Free-Photos)So how can you help students with dyspraxia?You need to help them in the same way you’d help any other student. You need to focus on giving them the tools to get the most out of their schooling and the most out of your lessons. You’ll need to regularly monitor their progress, provide their parents with updates, and regularly liaise with the appropriate members of staff at the school.Teach ing children with dyspraxia shouldn’t be seen as your cross to bear. You just need to measure their progress as you would with any other student, ensure that they’re improving, and support them when they struggle with certain topics and aspects of your subject. After all, being a teacher is all about focusing on your students’ success!Think about how you help your students to succeed by helping them gain confidence and improving their self-esteem. You need to adapt your behaviour so that the child doesn’t think that they’re any better or worse than anyone else in their class, that they have exactly the same opportunities and abilities as their classmates, even if they can’t necessarily write as well as them, for example.You might find that dyspraxic students need the same type of learning environment as other SEN students...Preparing Students with Dyspraxia for the FutureWhether or not a child has dyspraxia or not, they probably don’t often think about their own future s. Of course, as a teacher, your main goal is to provide every student with the knowledge and abilities to help them succeed in whatever they decide to do with their lives in the future, regardless of whether they struggle with writing, for example.Dyspraxia is one of many challenges that school children can face. (Source: Free-Photos)Success hinges greatly on our own self-image and how we see ourselves. The teacher needs to make a dyspraxic student aware that, while their dyspraxia will make certain tasks more difficult for them, it’s not the end of the world and there are so many things that they’ll be more than capable of doing.There’s nothing stopping a student with dyspraxia from improving and succeeded. The teacher needs to encourage them to play an active role in their lessons and their success. They can provide guidance and support, two of the best weapons in any teachers arsenal.The student needs to be made aware of all the potentials avenues they can pursue in terms of what they want to do and what they’re good at. Once they start to realise what they want out of their future, it’ll make getting it seem far easier, especially when they know what they have to do in order to achieve their ambitions. Of course, this is true for any student, not just those with dyspraxia.Projects can help students gain a better idea of the future as they’ll have to plan for future events and they’ll see their plans play out. Without treating them any differently to the other students in the class, they need to see that everyone can get ahead in life.So there you have it! By being a dedicated teacher, communicating with your students, and making them aware of their potential and their future, you can help dyspraxic students. In short, anyone can succeed regardless of any condition that may affect them when they’re given the right tools, resources, and support.It's also worthwhile noting that it's quite common for those with dyspraxia to also have other con ditions such as ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), autism spectrum disorder, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, dyslexia, hypotonia (low muscle tone), sensory processing disorder, specific language impairment, or visual perception deficits.Join the conversation: what are the best methods for working with learning-disabled students?

Private Tuition Is it Worth the Money

Private Tuition Is it Worth the Money Hiring Personal Tutors: Why Pay So Much For Home Tuition? ChaptersWhat Rates Do Tutors Charge?So Why is Private Tutoring so Expensive?One of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to private tutoring is that of costs. Why is it so expensive? Is it really worth it?These are the questions that people mull over for ages when they are considering private tuition â€" either as a student or a parent. Students worry about whether it’s worth trying, and why it costs so much.Private tutoring can be a tough market due to how competitive it is in terms of skills offered and rates of pay. There are more and more people becoming tutors, and because there are no necessary qualifications or certificates, there is no real filtration system either.This means that there is a lot of vetting involved by both the student and the tutor in order to make sure that you find someone suitable and worth the time and money.Finding the right tutor isn't always easy. Source: VisualhuntPrivate tutors set their own rates. Most tutors in the UK charge between £20 and £45 an hour, depending on experience and skill level. It’s completely up to the tutor what they charge, and this could be influenced by the local, national or international market.As a student, it can be hard to know where the mark is set with tutoring prices in your local area, and what you should pay for a good service. The top things to consider are:A tutor's skillset and qualificationsA tutor's professional experienceA tutor's teaching abilityA tutor's personality â€" do they seem creative? Enthusiastic? Constructive?Compatible  availability and flexibilityTo put it simply, the more the tutor has to offer, the more they will be able to charge. This is true of any freelance work - if someone have lots of great experience and the academic or creative skill level to match, then they can set their prices quite competitively.Students and parents are paying for quality. They want lessons delivered at a high standard, which will guarantee a boost in grades and a rise in conf idence in the subject.So tutoring can often be worth the money, and can be an incredible investment in your education and your future when you find a tutor that suits your way of learning and your schedule.When considering hiring a home tutor, you need to think about what your goals are.  You will be considering what grades you want to achieve, how much money you can afford to spend, and how it will fit around school or work.But it is usually the question of money which is most frequently worried about. As we’ve seen, private tutoring can get quite pricey, and you may feel pressure to pay more in order to receive a better service.So it’s up to you as a paying customer to do your research and compare the market. Have a look around online and in your local area to get an idea of rates and competition, maybe speak to friends, family or colleagues to see what people around you pay for tutors.Places like schools and libraries are a great place to find adverts, and sites such as Gumtr ee will give you a great idea of what’s out there. Tutors will usually advertise their business on social media as well, so keep an eye out online.Once you know what you want to achieve and how much you are prepared to pay for it, you can start making enquiries. If it is GCSE level tutoring you need, you will probably find that you can employ a tutor with a lower level of experience and still get great results.The average costs for secondary school private tutoring is about £30 an hour in the UK, and A Level tutors or IB it averages at around £36. Find London, Edinburgh tutors Bristol tutors on Superprof.Tutor rates can depend on the age and level of the student. Source: VisualhuntIf you are looking for A-Level, IB or even university level tuition, you will of course need to find a tutor with at least university level education, or a practicing professional. Again, it’s up to you who you feel comfortable employing.And don’t be afraid to trial people either - a student-tutor relationship is never set in stone, and you might just like to pay for one lesson and see how it works for you. You will soon see if you are getting your money’s worth and if this is a worthwhile investment for you.When it comes to learning languages, private tutoring really is worth considering. You can try out free apps or cheap online courses, and even some classes can be a decent option, but the best way to learn a language is one-on-one with a native speaker of your target language.Language tuition will give you the help and support you need in a relaxed setting. You can learn all the more challenging elements like grammar and spelling with worksheets and textbooks if necessary, but a tutor will give you something which isn’t always easy to find: authentic conversation practice.This is something that no amount of YouTube videos or language apps can provide â€" and it’s the best way to learn a language whilst staying in the country! There are some really amazing online se rvices available, but when it comes to language learning, tutoring is undeniably worth the money. CalumDrama School Entrance Teacher 5.00 (15) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ToriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OliviaSchool support Teacher 5.00 (2) £21/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkESOL (English) Teacher 4.76 (17) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YuweiChinese Teacher 4.33 (6) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JenniferMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LouiseAutoCAD Teacher 5.00 (3) £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RickyPercussion Teacher 5.00 (7) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicolasGuitar Teacher 5.00 (2) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MyriamOrganic chemistry Teacher 5.00 (13) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JonathanEconomics Teacher 5.00 (9) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Oluwakemi imoleMaths Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlexPhysics Teacher 5.00 (1) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AdamSinging Teacher 5.00 (14) £48/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValentiniMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (2) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MilenaMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RashmiEconomics Teacher 5.00 (1) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhat Rates Do Tutors Charge?If you’re choosing a tutor for yourself or your child, you’re bound to consider  the cost.  What  is a fair fee, and what factors will influence what a tutor charges?The Tutor Pages collects data on  how much independent private tutors charge, and so this is a good place to start. Our data shows that, in 2016,  tutors across the UK were charging, on average, between £29 and £41 per hour, depending on the level of study.In general, more advanced levels incur higher fees. Up to 14 years of age, you might expect to pay around £30 per hour, for GCSE around £32.50, or for A-level £36. At university level, the fee rises to, on average, £41 per hour.Fees can, however, vary significantly. Tutors with a proven track record will charge more, and indeed London is its own micro-economy.  Online tutors  may charge slightly less, and don’t forget travel costs  for in-person tuition. On the other hand, some tutors will  give a discount for a block booking, or for an introductory session.Foreign language tuition and music tuition are also different  ball games.  For  language tuition, the UK average is around £30 per hour. For  music tuition, the average cost is around £32 per hour.When employing a tutor, make sure you discuss the fees in advance. Our  advice page for parents and carers  will help you with that.So Why is Private Tutoring so Expensive?We know how competitive private tutoring is, which is why prices range so much and can seem really high. Bu t, as we’ve seen, home tuition can be a great investment worth paying for!Having private, personal tutoring sessions with an expert means that you will usually see a huge improvement in a subject. A private tutor could make the difference between passing an exam rather than failing, or it could boost a grade from a C to an A!Unlike a classroom education, home tutoring is a completely different experience to school. There are fewer distractions and less pressure.This is why people are prepared to pay so much for tutors nowadays â€" it’s the quality of education provided and the clear incline in academic performance and confidence which is guaranteeing student success.Many parents know the value of private tutoring for their child, and many students can see how much better they do at school or college when they receive personal lessons outside of school. It's vital you think about child safety for your tutorials as a number one priority.But for lots of people who are still sitting on the fence, it can be uncertain whether you will actually get what you pay quite a large sum of money for. This can be quite an off-putting thought, especially for those who feel financially stretched as it is, and taking the plunge can be daunting.You might decide that you could stretch to £30 an hour, once a week. This £30 a week could end up pushing you forward to receiving a place at university, or preparing you to work abroad. Tutoring is undeniably an expensive industry, but the success rates speak for themselves.Don’t hesitate to speak to your tutor to find out about their individual success rates with past students, so you can get a better idea of their standard, experience and skill as a teacher.Bear in mind, though, that you really shouldn’t be paying much less than £20 an hour. For high-quality tutoring with someone experienced enough, it’s worth paying around £30 an hour for decent tuition.It is up to you and your impression of the tutor, of course, when you consider hiring them. But remember that paying too little will most likely guarantee you a low-quality or inexperienced tutor.You can make sure you’re getting the most out of your tutor and your money by checking they tick the right boxes for you. You might feel more at ease if they are a qualified teacher, or have teaching experience. It is usually best to find a tutor with a degree in their subject to make sure they know what their stuff too.By paying a little bit more, you can probably guarantee better quality and therefore better results too.If finance is a problem, and you feel like you couldn't afford a tutor, let alone a decent one, then there are still options available for you. There are tutoring charities across the UK which offer free academic tutoring outside of the classroom, to help boost grades and fulfil potential.Organisations such as Action Tutoring    work to support young people from  disadvantaged backgrounds through volunteer tutors. Charities like these are available all over the country, across various secondary schools.Have a look online to see what's out there, or check with your local school to see what they can offer. You might be surprised by what’s out there, and what you could be eligible for.Find the tutoring solution that works for you! Source: VisualhuntRemember that there is a solution to your academic queries, and finding a great tutor isn't impossible if you feel as though it's something you need but can't really afford.No matter your reasons for wanting a tutor â€" whether it’s moving up a grade or two, passing an exam, learning a new skill or simply getting your head around a subject you find tough - only you can decide if your success and happiness is worth paying the money for!

New Boss New Career Opportunities - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / New Boss New Career Opportunities - Introvert Whisperer New Boss? New Career Opportunities The one thing you can count on in business is nothing ever stays the same. That goes for the boss, too. Bosses come and they go even when your job remains in place. In some businesses, they come and go so fast they feel like a hit and run. While it would be nice to have some stability, it’s not something you can count on. Moreover, you can actually use it for boosting your career. You can look at the boss turn-over as a career growth opportunity. A new boss is a time when the board is wiped clean and a new working relationship has yet to be developed. If your previous relationship was rocky or you performed some career-limiting moves, this gives you an opportunity to recreate who you are to that new person. Even if the new boss is someone you already know, you are both new in this relationship and you have a chance to rethink how things will go. The key is to “think” about your next actions. Here are some smart career moves when you get a new boss: Educate them on what you do. This is like the reverse of learning a new job. You can’t assume the new boss knows the details of who does what. They have a learning curve, so make sure you help them understand your job. Among the things you can share are your primary deliverables, results, current performance, what you are working on and are slated to work on soon. Don’t compare them to the previous boss. They will resent the comparison. They will also more than likely want to do things differently than how it was done. Even if the previous boss was a felon, don’t pass on bad gossip to the new one. The assumption is that if you freely share your opinion of that person, you will do it to the new one as well. It doesn’t win points. Time your requests and decision making. If you hit up a new boss for things like time off, vacations, raises or even process decisions you will come off as unsavvy. Obviously, if there is a big decision that affects the business, you shouldn’t hold off. Be prepared with a recommendation for a decision, your rationale, and any critical timing. Aside from that, allow the learning curve to take place and bring these topics to them in small doses. Time to shine. If you were doing less than stellar under the previous boss, now is the time to hit the “reset” button on your performance. If you can make strides in the areas of improvement now that you are with a new boss, the new boss will trust their own observations of you more than anything passed on to them. If you need to get a mentor to help you understand what you should be doing, now is the time to get that person lined up. It doesn’t have to be public knowledge that you have a mentor. A mentor can help your career whether it is how to navigate the political landscape or how to improve your performance. Learn your new boss. Some people think that the new boss will yearn to hear all of their pent-up improvement suggestions. Like all people, they will only want advice if they ask for it. Learn how your new boss likes to learn and take in new information. How do they want to run the department?  Loads of details or only the top level information? Again, you can’t make assumptions about the new boss based on any of your history. Ask them questions about what they will want to know from you and then deliver. Be ready for change. Even when a peer ascends to the throne, things will change. Every boss will tweak things, sometimes making huge changes and other times only minor. Your willingness to actively embrace those changes can mean the difference between a successful working relationship and career or being advised that perhaps you’d fit better in another group. Just like starting fresh with a new job, a new boss can be a time to start over again and create real career momentum for you. You don’t have to hang on to your old stories. You can rewrite your career each and every time a new boss comes along. Go to top Do you know what your next career step is?  Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable. Get your copy now and start your action plan today! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

All You Need To Know About Rate Of Change Calculations

All You Need To Know About Rate Of Change Calculations 0SHARESShare The rate of change formula or calculator is used to calculate the slope between two points plotted on a line. It thus denotes the slope of the line and is basically the ratio between the difference in the x and y co-ordinates. For example, if point A is denoted by (x 1 , y1) and point B is denoted by (x 2 , y2) where the two points are present on a line L, the rate of change or the slope of the line L = (y2 â€" y1)/ (x 2 â€" x1) Thus, for two points say (5, 3) and (19, 15), the rate of change calculator is the ratio of (19-5)/(15-3)= 12/12 = 1. This is quite an important concept in a variety of sciences. The rate of change finds application in the following areas: Distance and Speed Problems Statistics and Population Calculating Growth Calculus Slope and rate of change: Video reference Khan Academy There are many more applications of the rate of change concept; for the purpose of illustration, let us consider the distance and speed related problems. Velocity is described as the rate at which a particular distance is covered in a specific time frame. Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity with respect to time. Similarly, there are a plethora of applications for this concept. Let us understand a simple application of rate of change with an example. Example Problem Statement: If Timmy has 10 gallons of gas in his bike and has 6 left after driving 200 miles, what does the rate of slope indicate and what is the bike’s mileage? Solution: Difference in Gas Quantity = Consumption of gas for the trip = Initial Quantity â€" Final Quantity = 10-6 = 4 gallons Distance Traveled = 200 miles When we plot the distance on the X axis and the quantity of gas on the Y axis, the initial point at the starting would be at 0 miles and 10 gallons i.e. (0,10) in the co-ordinates while the final c0-ordinates when he reaches his destination would be 200 miles and 6 gallons = (200,6). Rate of Change = (6-10)/ (200-0) = -4/200 = -1/50 = -.02 Coming to the implication of this slope, it simply means that Timmy’s bike is using up .02 gallons of gas for every mile it is being used. The â€"ve sign indicates a decrease. The above inference is simple â€" the rate of change here = Difference in fuel / Distance (Gallons/mil e) = Fuel used per mile. However, the number of miles per gallon is a more useful measure in this case and this can be written down by seeing the slope as 50 miles (from the denominator) per gallon (from the numerator). [starbox id=admin]

Questions with Do and Did Beginners English

Questions with Do and Did Beginners English This is probably one of the cutest videos I’ve seen in a long time. It also shows a very important grammar point, the auxiliary Do/Did for questions. We use ‘do’ as an auxiliary to form questions in the present simple and past. The following video features common questions asked with do, with a childs very funny answers.Auxiliary Verbs are used in forming the tenses, moods, and voices of other verbs. You can think of ‘do’ as the upside down question mark in Spanish ¿.Watch the video again and see if you can understand the questions.Did you have a good Christmas?Do you love your mommy?Do you love your daddy?Do you love your uncle Galin?Do you love your grandparents?Do you want a million dollars?Do you love your doggy?Do you want to go night night?Do you love bath-time?Is there anything you like?NO, NO, NO!Too cute!

Why Volunteer Tas Tells Her Story

Why Volunteer Tas Tells Her Story Ever wonder what value a school volunteer with no classroom experience could have? Masters student and business owner Tas tells just how useful Tutorfair Foundation volunteers are  whatever their background. Since November Tas has been a volunteer at Central Foundation Girls School. She tells us how much she values tutoring though juggling many things. Tas’ responsibilities include, “studying at Birkbeck, doing a Masters in Business Innovation and running Abacus - a business teaching mental mathematics. I have also tutored maths, business and accounting since last April and I am a Programme Manager.” This busy bee had masses of life experience in her subject areas  of maths and  business studies, but no experience teaching in schools. Starting Volunteer Work Tas was, “very excited about my first experience in a classroom as it’s very different from one-to-one tutoring. I will be starting a Business Studies PGCE soon so I wanted a classroom experience to see what the challenges for the teacher are like and to learn about managing students expectations. I have the practical experience from my business but I wanted to see the academic side.” Going into the classroom can initially be intimidating. For Tas, “it was fun and it was daunting, very different to running business workshops for adults. My first session was meant to be an observation but I ended up getting involved myself! I was lucky to work with a great teacher, Mr Whitfield, who is very cool and very supportive. We chat about both the academic and practical side of teaching business.” So what does it feel like to go into a classroom with no previous experience? Tas tell us, “it was fabulous, it was wonderful… I was nervous. When you’re teaching you have to mask your emotions and show that you are confident and ensure you are getting their attention so it’s really challenging but very enjoyable. Now working in a school is a doddle for Tas, “put me in a class of 40 students and it wouldn’t make a difference! I have the confidence now. I had the experience before from business and now I can apply it in a classroom.” The Value of a  Volunteer Tas found that once she was in the school, her value became clear, “I started with business studies then thought, okay I can do more. I wanted to contribute more so I did maths too and worked with those who are doing their GCSE resists. My objective is to get them out of the group as soon as possible, to help them gain a grade C. It's about stretching them and building their confidence. I had a student who thought she couldn’t do a piece of work. Then I asked her if she had read the question and she said no. So I got her to read it out. When she did she could do it! To many of these students maths seems daunting because they’ve had difficulties before, it’s a question of tearing down the barriers.” Tas found a role in supporting the work that class teachers do when she noticed they, “really try but can’t give the one to one attention to every students, so as volunteers we play a crucial role. It’s not just subject knowledge but understanding the individual and giving them the confidence they need to apply what they know.” It's all about confidence Building confidence in teenagers sounds like expert work! Tas tells us it is all about connection and understanding, “the first few sessions are very nerve wrecking for them too. Once you get the relationship going then everything falls into place. I found they love to ask me questions. They ask, ‘Miss what’s your background? Why are you here? What's your religion?’ So I get them to finish an exercise then I answer one of the questions and that seems to motivate them!” Now that she feels at home in the classroom, Tas loves volunteering. So much so that she couldn't pick a favourite single moment, saying “it sounds cheesy but everyday has its best moments!” We wanted an example and she shared, “recently I asked them to do an exercise, they said ‘you don't know us, we can't do it’ I simply said, ‘I have faith in you.’ They did the task, turned around and said thank you miss. That was a great moment. It’s good when you see them putting in that effort.” Innovating as a Volunteer Tas has grown close to her students and enjoys finding novel ways to challenge them, “the fact that you can get them to think is excellent! We recently had a session on marketing and when you encourage them to think from a different perspective, and you see the ideas they have, it is fascinating! They marketed an artisan ice cream for a dairy farm and had to think about whether it would just be local advertising or whether they would go national through Tesco. They thought about the branding and made the USP that it was quality ice cream, not the cheap stuff. During the lesson I divided them into three groups to do a mini dragons den and pitch for money - we had a marketing team, a sales team, Human Resources and even a board of directors to decide if they were approved for finance! They loved it.” A lack of classroom experience didn't hold Tas back. She applied her unique skills and knowledge to her placement and focused on what she could give to the students - the gift of confidence. As she helped the students believe in themselves, her confidence in the classroom grew too. If you're thinking of joining the Tutorfair Foundation  volunteer team,  take Tas’ advice: “Absolutely go for it! Don’t even think twice. The rewards that you get when you see the students really putting in the effort, and succeeding, nothing can beat that!” You can book Tas as a private tutor on Tutorfair.com.

10 Educational and fun rainy day activities for children

10 Educational and fun rainy day activities for children We are never really short of rain here in the UK and with rain comes some tough boredom from our children. There's nothing to do today, mum!! or I'm soooo bored! in the whiniest voices, are words that we all frequently hear when children are stuck indoors. Then there is the constant sibling bickering because they can't think of anything better to do; MUM!! She won't give me my phone back!, MUM!! He broke my favourite bracelet that Lilly got me!, DAD!! Where's MUM?!. So, we have come up with some great educational things to do on those frequent rainy days that are fun and packed full of learning opportunities. 1. Teach a new skill This could be anything from sewing on their scout badges themselves or learning to knit to learning sign language together. Learning a new skill will spark their imaginations and inspire them to want to learn, whilst keeping their boredom at bay. 2. Cinema Afternoon Films and documentaries can teach us a host of things from learning about different character traits, how to deal with problems and different views and opinions, so what better way to spend the perfect rainy afternoon than snuggled under blankets together. Take the time to discuss with your child what they thought of the film and what they particularly liked; this will help them retain information. 3. Play Geography games As ridiculous as it sounds learning geography really can be fun. A globe can be turned into a fun game of find the capital/country and point it out (you can later add a timer to make it more challenging). Drawing flags together and learning about capital cities whilst exploring an atlas can be both fun and extremely educational. 4. Practice science experiments There is nothing like a good science experiment to make staying indoors fun and with the internet you can find hundreds of fun experiments to try at home with your child. Talk about what your child would like to learn about and make sure they are involved all the way through, from finding the experiment and getting the equipment ready to talking about what happened and recording the results in a scrapbook. 5. Make and bake in the kitchen Children love cooking and getting their hands dirty so preparing some cookies or cupcakes together makes for another great rainy day activity. And baking is not just about fun your child, it will build their practical skills by allowing them to measure the ingredients, follow recipes, and create their own unique decorating styles. Then you can have a taster tea party and enjoy the fruits of your labour. 6. Read together Whether it be choosing books to read together or making up fairy-tales, reading can be a great way of spending some quality time together. Take turns in reading pages, read using different voices or change the character traits to make them funny or different; time will fly. 7. Arts and crafts There are so many arts and crafts for children to do using household recyclable items. You can teach your child about the environment and the different ways we can help to preserve it. Draw or paint pictures, sand art, make a calendar or star chart, build a rocket, play with play doh, the list is endless. 8. Educational board games There are hundreds of great board games that are fun to play and with a little imagination most can be turned into something educational too. Anything from word games to help boost their vocabulary or building games to build up their coordination skills. 9. Go over any school-work your child may be struggling with Now this may not sound as fun as playing games or baking cookies but if your child is struggling with a particular subject at school or having trouble keeping up in class then a rainy day at home poses the prefect opportunity for a little extra help. Take the time to go over any issues slowly and patiently and try incorporating a game to make it a little more fun. If your child is struggling at school then a private home tutor would hugely benefit them. 10. Build an indoor den Children love nothing more than having their own personal space and a den is a fantastic way for them to build up their imagination and sharpen their thinking skills. Let them decide what they could use to build an indoor den whether it be blankets, sheets, chairs or mattresses!

Learn to Code

Learn to Code Source: http://en.paperblog.com/ Now the only real way to learn to code is by coding, I mean turn on that computer of yours, open up a terminal or an IDE (Integrated Development Environment) if you would prefer and get your hands dirty. Like most things. the more you practice the better you get. Here are few websites to help you get started - Codeacademy you can learn to code JavaScript, HTML and CSS, PHP, jQuery, Python and Ruby interactively for free. Udacity learn to code by working on real projects. You can find courses that span from Intro to CS to CUDA Parallel Programming and AI. Coursera offers variety of programming and other courses from the top universities and organization worldwide. Scratch 2.0 uses a visual programming method helps young people to learn to think creatively, reason systematically, and work collaboratively. Code.org is a great place to introduce coding to kids. It provides a drag and drop program that uses Angry Birds, Plants vs Zombies to teach some of the basic steps in coding. There are also dozens of other such websites like Code School, Udemy, w3schools, KhanAcademy, Bento, Code Avengers that can help you get started. Feel free to experiment before finding your ideal choice.  Once you have got some of the fundamentals down, you can also join Topcoder, Codechef, Google Code Jam, HackerRank, Kaggle and other such websites that will not only help you polish your skills but also pit you against others in the world. As computers become more ubiquitous, you will find more platforms to experiment with your coding and build novel applications. You never know how your code can change the world! So get coding! Source: techcrunch.com