How Teaching In Corpus Christi Works

How Teaching In Corpus Christi WorksTutoring in Corpus Christi is not all the work is in the world of education. This is a unique place to serve your children and see them flourish in life, as well as studying and earning. Make sure that you do not think of it as merely serving. It is a passion and the true purpose of education.The teaching in Corpus Christi consists of three distinct parts. One is the weekly staff meeting where staff are held accountable for the students' performance.Another meeting is held monthly or weekly and is called the Daily Schedule and Staff Meeting. This is a short report on what has been done at the end of the week.A staff meeting is held once a month and is called the Daily Schedule and Staff Meeting and it is where staff give their opinion on what has happened during the week. At the end of this meeting, the school is given a grade from the staff. This is also the time when the teachers get together to discuss what has happened.After a few weeks, the st aff meet again and this is called the Daily Schedule and Staff Meeting. This is when the teacher and assistant teachers give their comments on what has happened during the week. This is also the time for the principal to be aware of what the student is doing. Students tend to have better grades during the academic year when they can relate their problems to the teacher.The third part of tutoring is the two months of after school tutoring that takes place in science education classes. This is another meeting where staff give a report on the students. The staff are expected to give a good report on the student's knowledge and skills. This is also a chance for the staff to check their own learning abilities.Tutoring in Corpus Christi is an important aspect of the teaching process. Make sure that you get to know how the process works, especially if you are one of the tutors. In addition, the better you can help your students the more you will see how much you love the profession.

How to Teach English to Kids

How to Teach English to Kids Teaching English to Children: A Guide Chapters1. Daily English Lessons2. English Songs for Kids3. English Games for Kids4. English Stories for Kids5. Watch Cartoons in English6. Hire an English-Speaking Babysitter7. Travel to an English-Speaking country.8. Sign Up to a Bilingual School9. English lessons for Kids with a Tutor10. Learn to Be PatientWe start worrying about our child’s future before they’ve even entered the world...These worries are often caused by parental instinct.  However, recessions and employment crises probably don’t help matters.How are they going to succeed in the world with all this going on?How can you teach children English as a second language?Do you find yourself asking these questions?  As parents, we want to do what’s best for our children.Globalisation has made learning English as a second language essential when it comes to getting ahead in the world of business.It seems that students from Northern European are almost fluent when it comes to learning English. Whereas some countries in Europe seem to be lagging behind. France, for example.The French education system seems to be failing when it comes to teaching foreign languages.  However, you can’t go around blaming education systems for your child’s ability in a language. Part of it’s down to you!Would you like them to learn from a very young age?Children are sponges when it comes to learning. You can start teaching English to them from 3 or 4 years old.There are plenty of ways for children to learn English.  How they learn vocabulary will really surprise you! JulianESOL (English) Teacher 4.00 (1) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EugeneESOL (English) Teacher 4.90 (58) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HelenESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (20) £32/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SuzanneESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (2) £45/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (8) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamuelESOL (English) Te acher 4.83 (41) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoanneESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (43) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkESOL (English) Teacher 4.76 (17) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors1. Daily English LessonsAs a parent you have to set the example your child will follow.This is easier when they’re younger. Once they become teenagers they’re unlikely to say “I want to by like mum/dad!”.Use English for everyday situations. Regular practice can also help you improve your English.Introduce English lessons around the house. Cook with them in English or speak to them when it’s bath time, for example.Start off easily.Paediatricians agree that teaching children at a very young age can set them on the path to speaking English fluently.Speak English to your children every day.Learning English as a foreign language will give them a great advantage nowadays.  Are they really advantages?Regular language learning can bring the following be nefits:They’ll be intellectually stimulated: It’s scientifically proven that bilingual children are better when it comes to conceptualisation, symbolism, and analysis.They’ll learn quicker: Children in multilingual environments are equipped to learn other foreign languages at school quicker. They’ll also quickly gain communication skills.They’ll quickly open themselves up to the world: When they learn to speak English, it will spark their curiosity when it comes to learning about the world around them.Speaking a second (or foreign) language throughout school can help your child not just academically but also professionally further down the road.It’s important to alternate between English and their mother tongue at different points of the time. Set the example.In the beginning, they’ll start by mixing up expressions before quickly using them appropriately.2. English Songs for KidsThere are plenty of songs you’ll know by heart.Can you remember the nursery rhymes you sa ng as a child?Your child could be the same!Teach them English nursery rhymes from a young age.How can you help your child with nursery rhymes? (Source: Web-Plectres)You can also teach them what it means.  They’ll quickly overtake you!You could even listen to songs in English online!They’ll improve their English listening skills.Introduce Them to English with Nursery RhymesMusic is a great way to teach non native children how to speak English.  They can learn to speak as early as 3 years old.There are plenty of nursery rhymes that can help them to learn English through repetition and singing.  They’ll end up working on their English pronunciation without even realising it.The rhythms are catchy, the words are simple, the pronunciation is clear. They’ll be so enthusiastic about learning them.  They’ll learn vocabulary, pronunciation, intonation, and the basics of syntax while enjoying themselves.Here are a few English-language songs we recommend.For the alphabet: The Alphabe t SongFor numbers: The Ants Go MarchingFor colours and clothes:  The Colours of Our Clothes3. English Games for KidsLearning English while playing is a great way to teach your child.  There are plenty of educational English games on-line.The British Council,ESL Games Plus,Game Zone.There are also free apps you can download to practice English.Does your child often take your smartphone off you to play on?  Download a few games from the App Store or Google Play and they can learn English online at the same time.Help your child improve their English with games. (Source: Pogu)There are also fun games you can play without going on-line.  Why not play a role-playing game?  You could even have a game of English hide and seek!Make them count in English!  English learning needs to be enjoyable. Most sites focus on children learning English.However, you can learn English while having fun regardless of your age. It’s a great way to learn!  It does work better for children, though.Pique their curiosity with a game and teach them a foreign language without them realising!  In the digital age, it’s useful to focus them on the educational resources on-line.It’s very easy to find educational games for your children.There are tonnes of games to learn about English culture, nouns, and writing. Here are a few that we really like:The British Council: For learning to read and write in English.TheLiteracyCenter.net: A lively on-line resource to get children used to English numbers, colours, times, and the alphabet.Startfall.com: Perfect for working on their pronunciation.Learn English by Playing on Your TabletJust like a the apps for older people to learn English, there are also tonnes of apps for children to learn English and start ESOL courses.There’s a lot of learning going on behind these games and riddles.You should check out:PiliPop,Papumba,FunEnglish.From a young age, kids can learn English with Pili Pop! (Source: Pili Pop)4. English Stories for KidsYour child probab ly loves their bedtime stories.  Alternate which language they’re in!Once you’ve finished one book, consider an English book for children.They’ll also get used to the spoken language as well as learning English vocabulary and expressions as they see them alongside the pictures.Learning English while bonding with your children is a great idea, isn’t it?Your child will also be learning how to read in English so make sure to teach them the alphabet!Teaching Kids to ReadBedtime stories are the perfect time to start teaching them English words and phrases.Children learn their first words between the ages of 1 and 3.To make sure they stay interested, alternate between languages.  If you want to make sure learning English remains interesting and enriching, you should:Choose short stories: smaller children have smaller attention spans. Focus on stories that last less than 10 minutes.Choose a particular theme: to ensure that the language and vocabulary is useful, make sure to pick a story on a particular subject or theme. A story about farm animals, for example.Be expressive when you read: Bring the story alive with a stellar performance. Impersonate animal noises, etc.Make sure that learning English is both educational and fun. JulianESOL (English) Teacher 4.00 (1) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EugeneESOL (English) Teacher 4.90 (58) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HelenESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (20) £32/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SuzanneESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (2) £45/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (8) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamuelESOL (English) Teacher 4.83 (41) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoanneESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (43) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkESOL (English) Teacher 4.76 (17) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors5. Watch Cartoons in EnglishSome parents think that television is harmful to their children.  However, children can spend hours in front of the TV without bothering anyone.Make the most of the time they spend glued to the TV by making them watch English cartoons.  Educational shows like Dora the Explorer can be used to teach them vocabulary in two languages.You can also put the shows on in English.  Your child may struggle to understand everything in the beginning but they’ll quickly get the hang of it and improve.Master the English language with the help of cartoons.We’ve already mentioned the benefits of watching films in English in our other articles on learning English as an adult. It’s a great way to work on your listening and comprehension.How does this work with children?  By replacing films with cartoons!Perhaps you’re worried that they won’t understand the story. Children will be just as glued to an English cartoon as they would be any other.It's a great idea to find English cartoons they already know. (Source: SB Mania)These cartoons are the first steps your child will take towards taking an interest in subjects like history, science, and the environment.6. Hire an English-Speaking BabysitterWho better than an English speaker to teach your children English?If you’re looking for someone to look after your children, you should consider looking towards bilingual English speakers.  There are plenty of English speakers looking for work while they study.It's important to find fun ways for your children to learn. (Source: Ashi Tano)Find somebody and ensure that they speak English to your children.  You could also look for an English-speaking au-pair.If you can afford it, an English speaker living with you and looking after your children could quickly teach them English.  However, this can be a quickly option.Your children can start learning English with native English speakers.Is it easy to find an English-speaking babysitter to teach your children English? Nowadays, there are plenty of services that can pu t you in contact with babysitters.For example, in France there’s Baby Speaking.  This is a foreign language babysitting service.  It’s available in a number of France’s largest cities and is a great way to children to learn a new language.English-speaking babysitters are trained by the agency to teach English to young children!7. Travel to an English-Speaking country.Are you currently planning your family holidays but not sure where to go?  Travel to an English-speaking country.Immersion is the perfect way to learn a foreign language.  Get them to order their food in English or speak to the locals.Go to parks where they can play with English-speaking children their own age.  This is a great opportunity for them to practice their English.They’ll also begin to understand the importance of using a language to integrate into a country.If you can’t go with them, why not consider an exchange programme?There are plenty of organisations that offer language trips for children.  Gen erally, children will study English in the morning (grammar, syntax, vocabulary, etc.) and in the afternoon they’ll focus on activities and games.Language stays in England for children.Learn English as young as you can!There’s nothing better than immersion in an English-speaking country when it comes to learning the language.Instead of sending your child to a summer camp, why not send them on a language trip to London?  There are plenty of organisations offering language trips all over the globe for children as young as 6.These are a perfect way to get to know English-speaking culture and start learning English pronunciation and vocabulary.Whether it’s in a school, with a host family, or even with an private tutor, your children will have a great time.Have a look for:Language stays,English language summer camps,Host families, etc.8. Sign Up to a Bilingual SchoolThere are plenty of schools all over the world offering bilingual education.Given the cost, there aren’t many famil ies that can afford to do this.  However, if you can afford to, you can’t afford not to!Certain methods at specialised schools can be very effective. (Source: La Region)There are other options, too. There are bilingual schools and academies for school holidays and weekends, etc.These adopt a more entertaining approach. Having fun is a great way to learn English.In some countries, there are also bilingual classes in state schools.  Nevertheless, the quality of these can vary massively depending on where you are.Bilingual Education from 3 YearsWhat is a bilingual school?  A bilingual school is an educational establishment where the curriculum is taught using two working languages.You can find them almost all over the world.  They often teach children as young as 3.According to linguists, children are most receptive to languages when they’re aged between 3 and 4 years old.Young children learn very quickly by listening and drilling.By having classes in these types of establishments, they won’t have to wait very long before they pick up enough vocabulary and grammar to start forming their own sentences.By the time students attending these school reach the end of their academic career, they’ll already have all the necessary language skills they need to pursue a number of international career options.9. English lessons for Kids with a TutorOnce a child finishes nursery, you should consider getting a private tutor to help them with their English.A tutor can tailor their teaching to your child.  Their classes can be a lot more fun than they would be for an adult receiving academic support.Furthermore, the tutor can regularly evaluate your child’s progress.  They’ll also be able to give you specific advice geared towards helping them practice English.Group English Tutorials for ChildrenAnother option would be to have group tutorials for a number of children.Group tutorials are different to normal private tutorials but they are still a great way for children to learn English.What are the advantages?The children aren’t alone with their private tutor. This means they can speak English with other children their own age, too.They are a great way for your child to develop social skills.10. Learn to Be PatientHelping your child to learn English or another foreign language is important because it’ll give them more options in the future.They’ll have everything they need when it comes to choosing what they want to do.However, don’t make them hate English class!  Learning a language needs to be an enjoyable experience.You won’t see short-term results. It’s a long-term process.  Every child goes at their own speed, too. You should keep this in mind.Even though children learn languages quickly, they need to learn regularly over a long period of time in order to reap the benefits.Learning English requires patience and many years of study. (Source: Pxhere)The methods and approaches will need to change as they do.One last tip:Don’t forge t to lead by example. While they’re learning English, make sure that you also speak to them in English on a regular basis.  Patience is the key to happiness.Don’t put unnecessary pressure on your child.   Let them learn at their own pace while having fun.If you’d like to learn about teaching dyslexic children English, read our article on the subject!

Reading Milestones for Early Readers

Reading Milestones for Early Readers As children become better and more independent readers, parents can help guide them along in their reading and literacy development. Parents need to understand the progressive reading building blocks and guide your child toward mastery of each of them. Here are some of the key reading milestones as your young reader advances through elementary school: Decoding Once students learn phonicsthe sounds of letters and letter combinationsthey move on to decoding, in which they use small words or word units to figure out larger words. Learning to decode helps students recognize root words, prefixes and suffixes. For example, a child who can read up can more easily read cup and upon. Word recognition In kindergarten, children spend a great deal of time learning high-frequency words (often called sight words). These are vocabulary words that appear often in books and other literature. Memorizing them and being able to recognize them instantly is one of the keys to achieving reading fluency. Examples include the, that, an, him, her, into, like and come. Spelling In the early grades especially, your child will learn how different letters are associated with different sounds and how words are composed of letters. Part of spelling involves learning about the sounds that vowels and consonants make as well as other letter combinations, including: Blends (such as fr, sp and bl, for example) Digraph sounds, or pairs of letters that make a single sound (th, sh and ng, for example) Diphthongs, or two adjacent vowels (au and oi, for example) Young readers also begin to identify letter patterns and recognize them in unfamiliar words (such as the short a sound in cat and hat and the long i sound in bite and kite). Punctuation and mechanics In order to read (and write) well, children must understand the parts of a sentence, how sentences are formed and what punctuation means. Comprehension As your child begins to read to him or herself and to you, the ability to comprehend what he or she reads is critical. Your child should be able to read a passage or chapter, recall details about what happened, and make predictions about what might happen next. Fluency Reading fluency is the ability to read quickly, smoothly and correctly. As your child progresses through elementary school, he or she must improve his or her reading fluency and be able to recognize words on sight without having to sound out every letter or chunk. Here are a few simple ways you can help your child improve his or her reading skills: Point out patterns. As your child learns to decode words, point out words that rhyme, words that contain the same prefixes and suffixes, words that build on other words, and similar patterns. Read aloud. Continue to read aloud to your child even when he or she can read independently. Mix it up. Have your child read aloud to you and silently to him or herself. Read to your child. Have him or her read to a sibling or family member. And read a variety of material types. Encourage questions. As you read together, ask your child periodically to summarize what a story or passage means. Ask about the theme of the story, what he or she thinks about the characters and what they might do next, and what he or she does or doesnt like about the story. Teach your child to relate to stories. Comprehension involves self-reflection. Encourage your child to compare situations in stories to those in his or her own life. Ask whether your child knows any classmates or friends who are similar to characters in the stories he or she reads. As your child advances through school, he or she will continue to strengthen the reading basics. Aid your child in learning the fundamentals now so that he or she will soon have the skills to succeed in school and enjoy this wonderful pastime for the rest of his or her life.

Why is GPA Important

Why is GPA Important Ask any teacher how much grades really matter in high school and youre certain to get the same answer: a lot. When teens get to junior year and start getting their college applications together, it becomes especially clear that grades are at the top of the list of factors that just about every college and university considers when evaluating applicants. Colleges want to know that the students they accept into their school are well-prepared to succeed. Yes, those SAT and ACT scores are important to colleges, but when evaluated alongside the GPA. Still, on its own, the GPA speaks loud and clear about your teen as a student. Here are six things your teens high school GPA says to the colleges and universities to which he applies: How much your teen cares about school Whether completely true or not, your teens grades make an impression that lasts. Low grades across the board could send the message that your teen was apathetic in high school, whereas high grades imply that school is something that your teen gave a lot of attention. Grasp on the subject matter Obviously, grades are an indicator of how well students understand each subject. To the college admissions officer, high grades show that your teen met teachers expectations throughout the duration of those classes and acquired the knowledge needed to master the material. Your teens effort While there will be times that your teen tries hard in a class and the grade doesnt reflect that, generally, good grades dont come without sincere effort. If your teen has a strong GPA, that tells colleges he tried and persevered even through challenging classes. Long-term potential Visit any colleges admissions website and youre sure to find some statement about its goal of admitting highly qualified students with the ability to succeed in their academic environment. Your teens grades are a big consideration for colleges for the simple reason that they want to admit students with high potential. Preparation for school and life success The next time your teen claims that grades are just a letter/number, remind him of this fact: to colleges, grades are an indicator of future success. That certainly doesnt mean your teen will fail in college if his grades arent the greatest today, but an admissions officer could be concerned that he isnt prepared for the rigors of college academics. Commitment to putting in the work Getting good grades is the result of several things: effort, knowledge of the subject matter and dedication to demonstrating that knowledge to a teacher. When your teen earns a high GPA, that tells colleges that he was committed to going to school, studying and doing homework. Urge your teen not to make the mistake of assuming that colleges value SAT and ACT scores more than gradesit simply isnt true. Both are important, of course, but high scores on the SAT or ACT will not compensate for a low GPA. Encourage your teen to work hard in school by taking AP or honors classes (that is appropriate for your teens skill, of course). If your teen recently received a less-than-stellar report card, dont wait to correct the problem, as every report card counts toward the GPA. Huntington can help. Contact us to learn more about how we can develop a customized program of instruction to help your teen address any academic challenges and raise those grades before the next report card.

The Gaza Conflict An FSU Perspective

The Gaza Conflict An FSU Perspective Tatiana-Rose BeckerFlorida State UniversityYear: SeniorMajor: Political Science/ International Affairs I have spent the last two months in Israel, here for the entirety of the Defensive Edge action in Gaza, the murder of the three yeshiva boys, and the murder of the Palestinian boy. I came here for an internship in the beginning of June and I have been reinvigorated in my love of Israel. The people in this nation have truly come together to support the government in a fight for their survival. I support this country first and foremost as a Jew. I believe every people with a shared culture, history, and language deserve their own state. I support Israel because it is a free democracy with freedom of the press, minorities have equal rights, and it is a beacon of hope for modernity in the Middle East. This current conflict in Gaza was and is inevitable. Unfortunately the situation left Israel with no option. The world criticizes Israel for striking Gaza and blowing up the tunnels, yet they never consider what would happen if this were any other country in the world. Would the US ever tolerate this? Would France? No. Historically that has never happened. People ask me why I support the state of Israel, or do I stand with her in the defense of the right to exist? Yes. I stand with Israel because I will not allow innocent civilians to be terrorized by radical Islamic militants and if those same terrorists are going to use civilians to hide their rockets then Israel has her hands tied and must go to whatever lengths necessary to protect her civilians. Any country on earth has a right to do so. Israel is no different. Ethan CohenFlorida State UniversityYear: SeniorMajor: Commercial Music I was in Israel from May 12-22. Israel is important to me because it is the Jewish State as well as the founding place for Judaism. Israel is like another home for me. I felt welcomed and became part of a bigger family I had never known. My view on this is that Hamas needs to be taken out of power if there is ever going to be peace in Israel/Gaza/West Bank. I believe that a terrorist group should not have any power in the negotiating process towards peace (especially if they use their own people as a shield). I absolutely stand with the Israel 100%. Haven MillerFlorida State UniversityYear: SophomoreMajor: Political Science/ International Affairs I spent six weeks in Israel with FSU’s International Programs from May 5th to June 13th, traveling all over the country but mostly staying in Jerusalem. Israel is important to me because it is the only place in the world where the Jews are always welcome. As someone who was bullied in high school for my religion, it’s refreshing to finally be the religious majority in a country It’s my belief that what is going on is truly devastating to both sides- Israelis and Palestinians. I think that there is one common enemy of both of these groups and it’s Hamas. Hamas is a recognized terrorist organization in control of the Gaza strip that is causing trouble for Israelis and its own people. Since the current conflict started, Hamas has launched thousands of rockets into Israel for one purpose- to kill Israeli civilians. Israel retaliates by sending rockets to known terrorist sites where Hamas stores weapons, terrorist bases, or terror tunnels leading into Israel. Unfortunately, Hamas has no regard for the lives of the Palestinian people, and builds many of their terrorist networks and launches rockets from civilian areas like schools, mosques, and even hospitals. All of these are facts, there is video proving it. There’s even a video of Hamas militants driving around in ambulances to disguise themselves from Israelis. The problem is, these facts are not always shown by the media. It’s been revealed that Hamas is issuing death threats to international reporters to not report the truth that Hamas is using innocent Palestinian civilians as human shields by urging them to stay in their homes and on the roofs even after the Israeli Defense Forces warns the civilians to leave. There are no videos or photos of Hamas on the news for the reason- they won’t allow it. So rather than seeing the aggressor in the conflict, when people turn on the TV they see terrible pictures of a bloody conflict and instantly think that Israel is the bad guy. BBC did a study and found that even some of the photos shown of the “tragedy in Gaza” are actually pictures from Syria’s war. Stephanie JablonFlorida State UniversityYear: SophomoreMajor: Education The last time I was in Israel was this past May on Birthright. That was my third time there. Israel means the world to me. It probably means the world to most Jews, too. That is the center of our world. Israel is the only place on earth where we are not only free to be Jewish, but encouraged to be as well. My views on the conflict with Gaza are as follows: Israel is doing what it needs to do to protect and defend itself against the terrorist government of Hamas that runs Gaza. I do understand the sympathy for those innocent civilians in Gaza who are forced to put their lives on the line and protect their terrorist, dictating, oppressive government. I have sympathy for them too. However, I cannot fathom ANYONE who has the slightest strip of sympathy for Hamas, who oppresses its people and threatens the only democracy in the Middle East. I 110 percent stand with Israel. It is my right as a Jew to have a place to call home, just like every other religion. Leon SultanFlorida State UniversityYear: SophomoreMajor: Psychology As a Jew the state of Israel means a lot to me. The Land of Israel, is land to us that was promised to us by G-d. Following the destruction of the second temple, Jews have been in diaspora for over a millennia. 1948 was truly a miraculous year, as the State of Israel was created as a safe haven and home for Jews in the Land of Israel itself! Following its creation Israel has constantly been in conflict with neighboring countries who refuse to live side by side with it peacefully. The conflict with Hamas is no different. Hamas, a designated terrorist organization by the E.U., U.S, U.K, and Australia, is sworn to the destruction of the state of Israel and Jews all over the world. It is Israel that is the victim in the round of violence it faces with Hamas. Israel has constantly been under the threat of destruction and has constantly fought many wars for the survival of its existence. The last thing Israel wishes to be is an instigator of conflict. When Israel goes to war, it does so because it is provoked. It does so to protect its people and its sovereignty. It never goes to war willingly and when it does, it does so in the most professional and collateral damage-free way as possible. Israel has no interest in committing genocide and killing innocent Palestinians as many in the media portray it to be. When Israel goes to war it targets those who harm the country and no one else. Hamas on the other hand shoots random indiscriminate rockets to kill as many civilians as possible. Its Hamas who wants war and destruction. It is Hamas who has instigated the latest round of violence. It is for these reasons that I stand for the State of Israel. It is simply acting in self defense. No other country would tolerate terrorists firing missiles at its civilians. Israel has the right to do it all in its capacity to keep the country and its civilians safe. Maci MorseFlorida State UniversityYear: JuniorMajor: Social Work Sadly, I haven’t been to Israel since my first visit during the summer of 2010, but I will never forget it. Israel has always been an important place to me because it is where my people are from. Growing up in a practicing Jewish family and going through nine years at a Jewish Day School made everything I had ever learned about Israel and my heritage real. To me, Israel means culture and, surprising to most, safety. While in Israel, I felt safer than I ever have in my entire life because of the minimal amount of crime and nearly a total absence of anti-Semitism. The current conflict with the Hamas organization compromises that safety and its upsetting. While I know that this conflict was inevitable and is distressing, I stand with Israel and always will. Emily SwerdloffFlorida State UniversityYear: JuniorMajor: Interior Design My name is Emily Swerdloff and I proudly stand with Israel. I grew up in a Jewish home, going to synagogue, and attending a Jewish sleep away camp. My mother was born in Israel and we have close family who still live there. Before I even visited the holy land, I felt a connection to Israel. Israel is the homeland to every Jew in this world. After the Holocaust, where six million Jews were senselessly murdered, Israel was founded for refuge. In the summer of 2011, I was lucky enough to visit Israel for the first time. Once I stepped out of the Ben Gurion Airport in 2011, I felt at home. I spent six weeks touring the country, making my way from the North to the South and visiting everywhere in between. Instantly, I fell in love. My connection to the State of Israel grew stronger as I embraced everything it had to offerculture, food, community. I believe everyone should experience the beauty of Israel. Hamas, a terrorist group controlling Gaza, rejects the existence of Israel. Hamas is responsible for precipitating this latest conflict by targeting civilians in Israel and launching rockets from civilian centers in Gaza. Israel has developed the Iron Dome to protect its citizens, while Hamas has put citizens in harms way, using them as human shields. Hamas used international money and supplies given for rebuilding Gaza to create underground tunnels into Israel for the sole purpose of executing terrorist attacks on the citizens of Israel. No other country would tolerate the continued attacks on its citizens. Israel has every right to defend herself. David WalkerFlorida State UniversityYear: JuniorMajor: Editing Writing and Media The last time I was in Israel was a couple months ago for Birthright. Before the trip Israel was remained just a vague notion of a homeland for a people I never really connected with. While I cant say I formed a bond akin to some of the others on my trip, I can say I found a sense of beauty in the countrys landscape and a level of patriotism and passion in its people that will stick with me forever. As for the conflict with Gaza, I can only say that I understand why Israel is doing what theyre doing without necessarily agreeing with it. Ive seen the bomb shelters, Ive seen the fear in peoples eyes when they talk about the potential of bombings, I (unlike many who seem to be new to this conflict) know what a toll terrorist groups like Hamas have taken on Israel. That said, the assault on Gaza is taking innocent lives and sowing more fear and hate among the native Palestinians. This is a no win situation for Israel but the ferocity of their approach to eradicate Hamas at any and all cost is not something I can not stand with. Brittany SinitchFlorida State UniversityYear: SophomoreMajor: English This [summer] was actually the first time that I have ever gone to Israel. It was the most incredible experience of my entire life. I went along with my best friend, Julie, and we walked away with memories, new friendships, and a whole new meaning of Israel. Israel is important to me for many reasons, but I think one of the biggest reasons why it is so important to me is because it is a place I know I could always go back to. Its a home away from home. Jewish people will always have a special place in Israel and I think thats beautiful that we can go back to such a remarkable place today. We have fought and fought over the years for our lives and today we have a home. Israel means everything to me. I think my connection with Israel grew stronger after visiting. It means safety, protection, love, hope, support, strength and just so much more. There is so much beauty within Israel, within the people there, and it just brings out all of the beauty inside of you. I think Israel changes people for the better and it leaves you with hope. I will always stand with Israel. Justin BoyarskyFlorida State UniversityYear: JuniorMajor: Social Science (Secondary) Education Israel feels like a second homeland to me. I have never in my life felt like I belonged anywhere more than I did in Israel. Israel is the one place in the world that all Jews (religious or not) are completely surrounded by their own people (no matter where the diaspora took them in the past). Its a special feeling thats honestly hard to explain. Israel is the one place on earth that Jews (shouldnt have to) be afraid/intimidated to be Jewish (secularly/culturally or religiously). Israel is the homeland. I also believe Israel has every right to defend herself. Its horrible to hear of civilian casualties, but its the ultimate consequence of this sort of unrest. I just would love to see peace in my lifetime, but I dont honestly know if I ever will. I do stand with Israel. I just believe settlement construction in the West Bank needs to halt. Its not productive in bringing peace to the region

How To Treat Your Waitress

How To Treat Your Waitress Photo by Pennuja via Flickr I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again: everyone should be required by law to take a course in going out to eat. After six years in the service industry, you’d be shocked and amazed by the entitled nature that people assume upon walking into a restaurant, as if servant and server are synonymous terms. From sliding cups across the table onto the floor to scanning fake coupons, I’ve seen it all. As a guide for anyone who missed the memo on how to appropriately conduct oneself in a restaurant environment, this list of do’s and don’ts should suffice as a reference guide. Note: if it is not mentioned in this list, and you question whether it is an asshole move; it’s probably an asshole move. Don’t stay past closing time. Just don’t. The last thing any waitress or waiter wants to do after working eight hours is to sit and watch the only remaining guests slowly enjoy the last remnants of their Combination Dish Number Four. It’s called closing time for a reason, people. In fact, you shouldnt even come fifteen minutes before closing; its just as bad. Do learn how to tip. There are exceptions to this rule only in dramatic circumstances. If your service has been horrible, i.e. food has been dropped on your lap, you haven’t been greeted for an excessive amount of time, or they have forgotten about you altogether, then ten percent may be a suitable tip. However, if nothing has been wrong whatsoever and you realize you ended up spending more than you would have liked, that is not the fault of the employees. With servers earning an average of $4.50 an hour, your tips make up our salary. Don’t make aggressive gestures to gain the servers attention. “AY Miss!” *snaps fingers* “AY Miss!” This, for example, is not okay. It may be easy to forget that servers are not trained animals, but actual people, and you have to remind yourself of that from time to time. Inappropriate gestures may also include: slamming your cup on the table, tugging on a waiter’s apron, clapping your hands in their face, or yelling in general. This seems like it would go without saying, but when it occurs several times in the span of a night, a refresher seems necessary. Do realize that servers aren’t the ones cooking your food. Communication problems happen in real life, and a restaurant is no different. Whether the food is taking too long or your dish didn’t come out just right, it is important to remember that your server is not the one flipping the burgers over the skillet. The kitchen is a another enchilada (pun intended), so before you go off on the middle-man, it would be more appropriate to kindly inquire the reason for your issues with your meal. Everyone could brush up on their restaurant  etiquette. Except you, 20% tip guy. You keep on keeping on.

Happy National Handwriting Day!

Happy National Handwriting Day! Today is National Handwriting Day and it is a great opportunity to put aside keyboards and to reintroduce you to the lost art of handwriting. The Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association initiated National Handwriting Day in 1977 in order to promote the consumption of stationery, writing paper, pens and pencils. January 23rd was chosen because it is John Hancocks birthday. John Hancock was President of the Second Continental Congress, first Governor of Massachusetts, and the first person to sign the United States Declaration of Independence. John Hancock is remembered for his prominent signature on the Declaration of Independence, which is so imposing and easily recognizable, that his name became a synonym for “signature” in the United States. The purpose of National Handwriting Day is to emphasize the importance of handwriting. Writing by hand (unlike typing) engages more parts of the brain because it requires you to shape each letter instead of creating a letter by touching a key. Writing by hand entails practicing the swirls and connections by use of the brain and motor functions which activates even more cognitive abilities. Furthermore, writing by hand stimulates attention focusing and creativity which is essential for active and productive learning and work. Every person has a unique handwriting. There are differences even in handwriting of identical twins. The peculiarities of handwriting, such as size of letters, spacing between letters and pressure to the paper, reveal details about the writer’s character, his or her emotional state and other important information. So, handwriting, by nature, is one of the ways for creativity and personal expression. A handwritten text contains not just abstract information but also a reflection of the writer’s personality. Nothing can replace the sincerity of the handwritten word. So take a day off from the cyber community and computers. Take a pen or a pencil and experience the joy and intimacy of handwritten letters, notes and cards. We wish you a Happy National Handwriting Day! The TutorZ.com Team Email: contact@tutorz.com Phone: (805) 288-7338