Middle School Algebra Help

Middle School Algebra HelpMiddle school algebra help is not that difficult, if you know how to go about it. When I started middle school in 1998, I was anxious to learn everything there was to know about algebra and I quickly found myself frustrated by the lack of middle school algebra help. Most middle schools offer a few math courses but they are not taught in a systematic manner so students tend to forget most of the concepts.When I did finally begin taking algebra classes at home, I had trouble remembering which concepts I was supposed to remember, and how to think about algebra problems. Now, I am the proud owner of three C's.We all have trouble with the concept of a derivative, and students, especially in middle school, tend to struggle with the algebraic use of this concept. This is the process where the rate of change is determined, and how it is used to analyze the shape of a curve. The easiest way to introduce this concept is to make a graph.First, use a graphing calculator to draw a line from point A to point B. At the same time, use a ruler to determine the slope of the line from point A to point B. You can now compare these two points and decide if they are similar.The slope of the line is the rate of change of B at A. The angle in this equation is known as the rate of change of the slope (R c), which is important because it is what determines the rate of change of the whole curve.To be more specific, you must use the trigonometric ratio (R) for the rate of change of the slope (R c). Since you are using a calculator to do this, you must plug in the corresponding coefficients. Also, if you need to multiply the rate of change of the slope (R c) with the length of the curve, you must do so with the use of your calculator.Using the equation above, you will find that it can also be written as: R/10 (%). The equation would be: rate/10 (%) = rate/10 (%) = rate/10 (%). For more information on trigonometry, you can consult the Prentice Hall text Elementary Algebra.

Making Practice FUN - 2 Ways to Spice Things Up

Making Practice FUN - 2 Ways to Spice Things Up Suzy S. Is practicing your instrument becoming more of a chore than an enjoyable pastime? Check out these tips from Hayward, CA and online teacher Molly R. for making practice fun and getting out of the rut: Sometimes as students and teachers, we lose sight of some pretty important things in music making: personality… and plain FUN! Sure, there may be a handful of musicians out there that wow with their impeccable technique. But is that really enough? Think of yourself as an audience member for a moment and ask yourself which performances are the ones you really remember: the ones that appeared flawless, or those that touched you in some way? We should ask ourselves the same thing as a musician in our day-to-day lives. Do you want to be perfect, or do you want to be interesting? It all starts in the studio or practice room. Here are some ways to get out of your head and to start bringing the fun back into making music: Are you a singer? Well, if you’re learning a “serious” aria, why not sing it in the style of Katy Perry or Beyonce? Why not rap it? Instrumentalists the same applies to you! Say you’re doing a jazz or classical piece that’s pretty difficult . Stand up and rock it Jerry Lee Lewis style and really use your body and attitude (no one’s looking! Go, Killer, go!). How about our basic warm ups? Those don’t have to be boring, either. Sing your scales using nonsense words. Swing the rhythms! Dance or sway or stomp and clap. Make funny faces. Use your imagination the options are limitless! Now after you have done some of these “crazy” (but hopefully fun!) things, sing or play as “you.” Record yourself. Are you amazed at the difference? You should be. Something magical just happened. By allowing yourself to cut loose , you will do wonders for your singing and playing. When the mind relaxes, so does the body! As I tell my students, practicing should NEVER be a chore. There are plenty of ways for making practice fun by mixing it up and simply playing. My rule is “first, make it fun.”  After all, isn’t that why you got into music in the first place? Molly R. teaches online and in-person singing lessons in Hayward, CA. Her specialties include teaching beginner vocalists, shy singers, children, teens, lapsed singers, and older beginners. She joined TakeLessons in November 2013. Learn more about Molly  here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher  Photo by Hsing Wei

My Experience at Tufts University

My Experience at Tufts University Rachel earned her bachelors degree in psychology and communications from Tufts University. She specializes in SAT Writing and Language tutoring, English tutoring, and a number of other subjects. Below, she shares her experience at Tufts University: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. Rachel: The Tufts campus is a cross between suburban and urban; however, its easily walkable. There are shuttles that are about a 15-minute walk from campus that will take you into the local towns. There are public buses that pick up near the campus as well. I always felt very safe on campus. How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Rachel:Professors are generally available during scheduled office hours and by appointment. Teaching assistants are readily available as well, as they are often upperclassmen. Academic advisers are easily accessible and helpful to meet with as needed. How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Rachel:I only lived in a dorm my freshman year. It was a great learning experience for me. After freshman year, I lived in my sorority house and then off campus. The dorms are nice, and upperclassmen have apartment-style options to choose from on campus. There are two dining halls on campus for students. There are plenty of opportunities to be social at Tuftswhether its joining a club, joining a sports team, or participating in Greek life. I constantly had the opportunity to be social while on campus. Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? Rachel:International relations is a very popular major, as is pre-med. I was a psychology major and a communications and media studies minor. I found the psychology classes very interesting, so majoring in psychology seemed like a good fit. How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Rachel:It was very easy to make friends as a freshman. Remember, everyone is new and wants to make friends, so dont be shy approaching other students! Greek life has a minor role on campus. That being said, I joined and it was a great way to make new friends. Some of my closest friends today are from my sorority. How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services? Rachel:The Career Center was not the strongest service at Tufts. I did not interview with companies who recruited on campus, but many companies did come to the school to seek out students. How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Rachel:The library, Tisch, is fairly large and always had available study spots. There is also a campus center with a lot of seating. I frequently spent time there, particularly after my freshman year. Describe the surrounding town. Rachel:Medford and Somerville are quaint and suburban areas. Davis Square is very cute and is walkable from campus. It has a lot of restaurants that students frequent. After freshman year, I spent more time in downtown Boston. During my senior year, I interned in Boston the entire year. Its a great city for college students. How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Rachel:The student body is approximately 5,000 undergrad students. Classes are mostly small, except for some introductory-level classes that may be 100 or so students. Those classes are often broken down into smaller units outside of the main lecture. Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Rachel:My first semester freshman year I took a class called Reality TV that was taught by two seniors. It was an awesome small-class experience and a great way to get to know my peers and some upperclassmen, while learning engaging content. I was also able to ask the upperclassmen numerous questions as I was navigating freshman year. Check out Rachels tutoring profile.The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Why Your Kids Will Benefit from Learning the Guitar.

Why Your Kids Will Benefit from Learning the Guitar. Learning the Guitar Helps Children Develop and Reach Milestones. ChaptersGuitar Classes - an Extracurricular ActivityThe Intellectual and Moral Benefits of Learning GuitarThe Physical Benefits of Playing GuitarAs a general rule, children should be at least 7 or 8 years old before they begin playing guitar - any younger and they lack the physical maturity to play. Their hands are too small and their fingers too chubby to place them properly on the strings and frets! They can't really get their hands around the fretboard at all, in fact.So before you enroll them at a music conservatoire, a slow introduction to the world of music might be more appropriate. They can approach different styles and instruments with all of their curiosity at a young age, and choose the instrument that suits them best once they’re older.This is a great way to get them in the musical mindset of a guitar player before they got onto learning guitar chords, the major scale, and guitar solos. Musical knowledge will be a great advantage before they start their guitar lesson; i t will set a solid foundation for when they sit down to actually learn how to play guitarLearning to play guitar can be a great advantage for children, but before you sign them up for classes with a music teacher, there are a few things you should know. Starting with beginner guitar is a really good thing for a child to do   - so get them on that guitar course!We imagine Ryan looks better than he plays.Once they’re 8 years old, children have the physical and mental maturity to be able to concentrate for at least 15-20 minutes, and they can then take suitable first guitar classes.Physically, their fingers will be long enough and strong enough to be able to play the strings, so they can sit down with a new guitar and try to learn and play songs.There are also guitars specially made for different age ranges - there are half guitars for 7-8 year olds, 3/4 guitars for 10 and 11 year olds, and full-size guitars for adolescents and adults. PeterGuitar Teacher £12/h1st lesson free!Discov er all our tutors EdgarGuitar Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PaulGuitar Teacher 5.00 (12) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DanielGuitar Teacher 5.00 (3) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ToddGuitar Teacher 4.75 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamueleGuitar Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KurtGuitar Teacher 5.00 (3) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RyanGuitar Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsGuitar Classes - an Extracurricular ActivityGuitar lessons for beginners are often considered the perfect extracurricular activity for children, because of the benefits they offer. Beginner guitar lessons are a wonderfully social experience - and the educational method of the best guitar teachers will help your children develop way beyond just guitar practice.Let the Guitar Open their MindFirst of all, children can quickly learn how to play small pieces of music. This helps them explore new horizons and discover new cultures through styles of music like rock, blues, reggae, country, funk, and jazz.Each musical style has its own unique history which can greatly enrich your child’s appreciation for the music, and a good teacher should be able to explain them to your child during lessons.So, a good mix of jazz guitar, blues guitar, classical guitar, and rock guitar can help your kid develop in a much broader way - as such a mix can be intellectually stimulating as much as fun.Meet New FriendsAnother advantage of guitar as an extracurricular activity is that it allows children who wouldn’t normally meet at school or in the course of their daily routines to form new friendships. In addition to learning how to play the pentatonic scale and power chords, perhaps your child will encounter children from different social classes and backgrounds to their own at guitar class.This is one of the best parts of the guitar. It is a social instr ument. Only classical guitarists really play solo - so, your children will certainly be making friends whilst practicing their barre chords, guitar tricks, and favorite songs.The Intellectual and Moral Benefits of Learning GuitarWhether you’re a child, adolescent, or an adult, music can give you many benefits. You may not always realise the side-benefits of becoming a guitarist, but we promise you, they’re there.Learning to Play the Guitar takes ConcentrationConcentration is often one of the first skills that children must master when they’re learning how to play the guitar.Learning this instrument takes all of our mental and intellectual capacity to execute precise actions - getting our fingers on the right fret, nailing an accurate fingerstyle, and getting to grips with chord shapes.Even learning the basic chords might be a challenge when your child first starts guitar classes. One they've learned the fundamentals,  they will progress to putting together a series of chords, learning a specific technique like picking, or developing increased flexibility in their  right hand.By learning to concentrate, children have to develop their determination and their will power - they learn to focus their thoughts, and stay focused.Some guitar lessons will help your child increase their concentration. This skill will help them in other areas of their life, for example, in solving math problems at school, playing chess, or even studying for a test.Support your child through their musicIn a world where we are constantly buffeted by sounds (telephone rings, TV, video games, and other background noise), as well as vibrations and electronic notifications, playing music can be a refuge into your own peaceful world.In your personal sanctuary, with an acoustic or electric guitar in your hands, all of your senses are engaged - while your eyes read notes and guitar tabs, your ears are listening for any wrong notes, the muscles in your hands and arms are working hard to strum the strings, and your brain is monitoring all of these different actions.Guitar Classes Help to Improve MemoryChildren, by definition, are quite young, and at a  young age they function like sponges and absorb a large quantity of information.As kids grow older their tastes begin to develop and form little by little.Learning guitar isn’t so complicated on its own - once they  learn the major and minor chords, and maybe even arpeggios and blues scales, learn how to place their hands on the neck of the guitar and strum the  strings with either their fingers or a pick, they can already hear and play a number of songs in whatever style they choose.Children have the ability to literally drink in information, and learning guitar will help them to structure their memory and improve this skill.Guitar Lessons Help to Teach DisciplineGuitar lessons will also help improve children’s self discipline. In order to play their instrument well, they will have to spend many hours practicing their chords, riffs, and solos.Playing guitar won’t just happen with a wave of a magic wand.Just like any profession or sport, musicians and apprentice guitarists will need to repeatedly practice the same chord progressions and piece of music over and over again if they want to get it right. They will need to study their tablature, learn to tune their guitar, and work on their licks and frets.By persevering in their practice sessions and keeping on with music theory  when they're frustrated, children will then be able to apply that same dedication to school and to life in general.The frequency of their guitar classes will also help to reinforce to children the importance  of discipline.Listen to Others Playing the GuitarWhether you’re learning guitar and taking classes with a private music teacher  or in a group with other students, you will learn to refine your sense of hearing.Children will learn to recognise the different sounds of their guitar, as well appreciate the pauses, and understand the styles of different pieces of music.Children will also learn how to listen to other guitar players, especially if they're learning in a group. They will learn to hear the emotion represented in the melodies of the music, and by hearing the errors made by others when they accidentally place their fingers incorrectly for a chord, they will learn to recognise their own.Music is something to share, and by listening to others, children will also learn about themselves.Socialization and Patience - Responsible Guitar PlayingTo sum up all the points we’ve made earlier, we know without a doubt that practicing guitar, especially in a group, will allow children to improve their socialisation and develop their patience.Taking guitar classes teaches responsibility - each student must start and stop at a specific moment, and not do more or less than they’re meant to. They must practice constantly and regularly in order to achieve results, and learn to be on time for class.All o f these rules will help them to develop their character, patience, self motivation, and respect for others.One of the benefits of playing guitar is the ability to play by yourself, while also being able to easily accompany other guitarists and instruments.Children will learn to correct themselves and to accept their differences and mistakes.Learning an instrument is truly a class in sharing and patience.Learning Guitar Increases Creativity and Critical ThinkingBy learning guitar from a young age, children will learn to develop their critical thinking. They will not only correct their own errors, but will respond to the inevitable wrong notes of others as well.By building up a relationship with their guitar teacher, children can increase their knowledge of music and the guitar and learn new styles and techniques.When they read sheet music or guitar tabs, they will learn to analyse and deconstruct a piece of music by examining its structure, and this analytical ability will benefit th em in other parts of their life.Finally, by learning different pieces of music in different styles, children will engage their artistic sensibilities and creativity. They will grow to appreciate the general culture of music and begin to identify their own preferences.Maybe this one's too young to play the guitar!The ability to learn, practice, create, discuss with their teacher and exchange ideas with their fellow students will help your child express themselves and indulge their imagination.Of course, there may not be a guitar teacher near you - but your child can still take online  guitar lessons - through Skype, for example.Expressing Emotions by Playing GuitarMusic is a universal language - you often hear that it’s a channel to express the soul of the musician, and it’s definitely a way to explore your emotions.Playing the guitar is a different language that doesn't need words to be understood.By playing the guitar, children will explore new dimensions of their personality, give voice to what is in their hearts, and make artistic choices. Jamming with their friends and playing solos can be as therapeutic as it is noisy!The Physical Benefits of Playing GuitarOf course, taking guitar lessons will also help children develop physically, and also strengthen the links between physical and mental action. As they learn to place their fingers on the neck of the guitar, coordinate their hands, play a simple rhythm, and pick out strings with a pick in their right hand, children will improve their coordination and learn to use their hands independent of one another.Learn how to play the guitar correctly - and feel the benefits!To play an entire piece and concentrate on the music, you also need to be in excellent physical condition. Learning guitar will help improve your child’s general control of their body, and they will learn how to master their breathing and vocals while also holding their body properly.If they’ve done all that, they’ll be able to play th e guitar and sing at the same time, and will be rivaling Hendrix, Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan in no time at all.

Great side-hustles for introverts to try - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Great side-hustles for introverts to try - Introvert Whisperer Great side-hustles for introverts to try It’s a great time to make an extra buck or two on the side of your regular job, but for many introverts, the idea of constantly meeting new people as an Uber driver or using ToursByLocals to find visiting tourists to show around is not the ideal way to spend your time off. Fortunately, behind the safety of your laptop screen and/or painter’s canvas (or however else you express your excess energy) it’s still possible to supplement your normal wage by earning something on the side for doing what you love. Of course, most people have heard of Etsy, though it may be somewhere you wonder when you’re trying to buy something for around the home rather than hoping to sell. But if you have a crafty hobby that churns out reasonable results at the end, you never know who might spot it on your new online shop and make an order. It’s a big market out there on the internet! Less well-known is Shutterstock where â€" if you’re capable of taking professional-looking photos or videos, and especially if you live in or like to visit iconic locations â€" it’s possible to license your work in the form of stock images. But you don’t have to be creative to hide away at home and generate some extra income. If you have knowledge or experience to burn, it’s possible to write and sell stuff on demand via Fiverr or even compose your own ebook to distribute via Amazon Direct Publishing. Or perhaps you want to get out of the house but keep to the kind of company that respects the needs of your blood pressure â€" in which case, trying getting yourself on Rover and out-and-about as a dog-walker. There are plenty of great ideas for a side-hustle in this new infographic, and while they won’t all be suitable for every disposition, you’re sure to find some introvert-friendly options on how to make a few extra dollars.

ordering fractions

ordering fractions Learning about fractions is one of the basic and important topics in math. A fraction is number written in p/q form. Where p is the numerator and q is the denominator of the fraction. The denominator of a fraction cannot be equal to zero i.e. q not equal to zero. Fractions can be compared by checking if the fractions are lesser than, greater than or equivalent to each other. Fractions can be ordered after comparing them to each another. Ascending order or descending order can be used to order any group of fractions. Example 1: Order the following fractions from smaller to larger fraction: 3/11, 8/11, 4/11, 1/11, 10/11. Solution: Given are five fraction 3/11, 8/11, 4/11, 1/11, 10/11 in random order. Arranging from smaller to larger is called as ascending order. Since the denominator is the same compare the numerators of the two fractions. The fraction with the smaller numerator is the smaller fraction. This gives 1/11 3/11 4/11 8/11 10/11. Hence, ascending order of the fractions is: 1/11, 3/11, 4/11, 8/11, 10/11. Question: Multiple choice question (Pick the correct option.) Order the fractions 4/5, 1/5 and 2/5 from greater to smaller? a) 1/5, 2/5, 4/5 b) 4/5, 1/5, 2/5 c) 4/5, 2/5, 1/5 d) None of these. Correct answer: option c. Explanation: In the given question the denominators are the same compare the numerators of the three fractions. The fraction with the greater numerator is the greater fraction. This gives 4/5 2/5 1/5.

Equity in Education

'Equity' in Education Improving Academic Performance The word ‘equity’ often carries a loaded meaning, and in no realm is the debate more polarizing than in the field of education. When it comes to education, equity appears to be a noble goal â€" an end in and of itself to which society should aspire. . A recent article in The Atlantic highlights some of the most relevant issues in the debate by contrasting the American system to the Finnish system. Click here to read the Atlantic ArticleIndeed, the lessons gleaned from the comparison are quite striking â€"Finland’s move to a national system focused on school equality hasbeen linked to a massive increase in student performance while theincreasing inequities apparent in the American system have paralleleda considerable decline. However, with regards to equity of educationin the United States, the debate often reduces itself to a small setof practical realities, some of which go far beyond schools, teachers,and students. If equity is indeed the ideal goal, what hurdles mustbe overcome for us to get there? More importantly, what practicalsolutions are there for students caught in a system where the gapbetween the “haves” and “have nots” continues to grow?The American school system is in urgent need of reform â€" it’ssomething that every politician and American can (should) get behind.However, one philosophical and one practical question divide mix anddivide the public:1 ) How should we define “equality” with regards to education?2) What is the most equitable way to fund schools?With regards to the first question, many will argue that equality ofeducation means identical educational programs and facilities acrossall grade levels (this is essentially the Finnish model). Othersopine that equality means equal access to a public school which meetscertain minimum standards set by the Federal/State/Local government(this is the American model today). Still others will argue thatequality of education is purely about equal outcomes for studentpopulations.1) Equality of programs (current Finland)2) Equality of access (current US system)3) Equality of outcomes (objective of NCLB?)No matter which goal one believes our society should strive for, it isclear that the underlying practicality of how whether/how to equitablyfund schools stands in the way. This issue is deeply rooted in thefabric of America. The American Federal system checks the power ofthe federal government by empowering state and local governments tocontrol many government functions (e.g., police, fire). The eleganceof the system, in theory, is that people will vote with their feet ifthey disagree with state policies, and thus the best policies will winout in the long run. The control of education funding is left tostate and local school boards and comes primarily from local propertytaxes. Only national/interstate matters fall under the control of theFederal government. It is this system which is responsible for themassive disparity in funding between the best and worst schools inthis country â€" and this level of funding can be directly linked tooutcomes (I cite no literature here, but challenge the reader toreader to find either empirical and experiential evidence to thecontrary).In fact, the question about equity in education really comes down toeconomics â€" who will control funding, and how will those decisions bemade. The reality of this debate in the United States is that localfunding will continue to hold sway unless the greater good ANDindividual good is demonstrated to be better with State control.Thus, for all the rhetoric that national politicians put on the stateabout national education reform, the real power rests with the stateand county tax authorities. It is the beauty of the American Federalsystem which perhaps brings change closer than one might imagine.Populists rejoice!