Behaviour Management Key Theories, Techniques, and Tips

Behaviour Management Key Theories, Techniques, and Tips A Guide to Behaviour Management ChaptersWhy Effective Behaviour Management is ImportantBehaviour Management TheoriesSome Essential Classroom Management TechniquesThere’s a lot to know in effective teaching. Sure, you’ve got to pin down your subject and study the curriculum â€" that’s a given. But there’s also all that admin to do, there’s the emotional support that you’re often required to give, and then there’s that thing called behaviour management.Behaviour management is perhaps the hardest part of being a teacher. It’s for sure the bit that people applying to be teachers dread the most. It requires an awful lot of guts, a cool-headedness, and a conviction in your own ability to handle the situation. These things aren’t nothing, really. However, luckily, they can be learned.Getting to grips with behaviour management strategies and theories is one of the most important things you can do as a teacher. It isn’t just abstract teaching philosophy; it has real practical implications for your abilit y to manage a classroom.Knowing the principles behind behaviour management will help you to reduce disruptive behaviour in the classroom environment â€" and it will get you back in control of your lessons and teaching.It’s really important â€" for both new teachers and tutors and more experienced one â€" to pay attention to it. So, let’s run through some of the basics. Here is all you might need to know about effective behaviour management. What is good behaviour? TraceyPersonal development Teacher 4.92 (9) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (7) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AntonellaPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors IsamPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (3) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndriyPersonal development Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MichelePersonal development Teacher 4.73 (7) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FlloydPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (11) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OliverPersonal development Teacher 4.33 (4) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhy Effective Behaviour Management is ImportantNow, we’ve said that behaviour management is important. But it is important to look at why this is the case.Strong classroom management skills are the fundamental element for teaching that works. Above an d beyond everything else â€" knowledge of your subject or your general niceness and care â€" behaviour management is the thing that turns a bad teacher into a good one.The thing is that it is impossible to get onto positive learning if the class is out of control. It is impossible to get onto the content in your lesson plans if you have to deal with constant interruptions or inattention.So, effective behaviour management wins every single time. And this is not about your ability to praise or reward or discipline or give out punishments. No. Rather, it is about the ways that you can bring the best out of your students and prepare them for success in the future.Here are some reasons why behaviour management is so important.Effective Classroom Management Helps Student Engagement â€" and Student AchievementYou’re not there to be punishing and praising, no. You’re really there to create a learning environment that works for every single person in the class.This is what effective clas s management does: it allows the whole group to engage with the subject and give the best possible conditions for student learning.The endgame here is not a group of kids that sit quietly and do as they are told. But a class where lively and respectful conversations are possible â€" and where everyone can be stretched to fulfil their full academic potential.Classroom Management Strategies Create Consistency and RoutineIt is difficult to dedicate your attention to learning when, with every new day, there are different expectations on you.Managing behaviour well means managing it consistently, in a way in which actions have predictable consequences. If you are following a set of classroom procedures, do actually follow them â€" or the alternative is that your students do not know where they are at.If they are paying more attention navigating constantly changing rules, they are paying less attention to their work. And it is consistency and routine that makes this happen. Classes need to be well-behaved to learnBehaviour Management Skills Save You Time â€" and EnergyAccording to one study by Ofsted, nearly forty days are lost a year on classroom disruptions. That’s forty days of learning wasted, forty days of potential progress.Whilst it is difficult to imagine how precisely this is measured, the point remains: if you are continuously trying to manage classroom behaviour and explaining to your students what is expected, you are allowing less learning time.So, develop your behaviour management skills â€" because you’ll save yourself a lot of energy too.Behaviour Management TheoriesAs we said, behaviour management is much more nuanced and interesting than a phrase like ‘classroom discipline’ would have you believe. Classroom discipline would rightly be the very last moment in the whole progression of behaviour management â€" yet the theories span infinitely further back.Behaviour management theories are, rather, full accounts of the reasons and motivators behind people’s behaviour. And it is for this reason that you should pay attention to what they have to say.B.F. SkinnerB.F. Skinner is known for two different terms in behaviour management theory. The first, operant conditioning, was the name that he gave to the process he identified. ‘Positive reinforcement’, however, was the name of the technique he argued for within the process of managing behaviour.This, roughly, followed the theories of classical conditioning in science, which observed that animals develop automatic responses to neutral stimuli when those stimuli are associated with positive or negative results.For Skinner, if people associate a behaviour with a positive consequence, they are more likely to repeat it; if with a negative consequence, they are less likely. This became the basis for his management practice.William GlasserThe ideas of William Glasser were a bit more unusual â€" and his theories were not free from criticism.In what came to be known as Glasser’s ‘choice theory’, the assumption was that all of someone’s behaviour is a choice. If, as a teacher, you tell a child to do something or not to do it, all you are doing is transferring information to that child; in the end, it is their choice whether or not to do it.Alfie KohnAlfie Kohn is a behaviour theorist who is known for ideas that are student-directed. For Kohn, the students’ ideas and contributions drive the programme of study â€" rather than a curriculum that is dished out from on high.Kohn believes that school should be more about making meaning than receiving information â€" whilst the motivators for study and good behaviour need to be intrinsic. They need to be found within the process of learning itself.Why You Should Learn Behaviour Management TheoryDoes this stuff sound of any relevance to you at all? Is there a way that you could integrate some of these ideas into your classroom management style?Behaviour management theory is important because i t informs the strategy that you use as a teacher every day. From understanding what makes your kids tick to considering the appropriate consequence for a particular behaviour â€" behaviour management theory really helps.Find out more about some essential behaviour management theories in our dedicated article.Some Essential Classroom Management TechniquesDeveloping a classroom management strategy that does prevent children from misbehaving â€" calling out or whatever it might be â€" does require some thought. However, there are ways that have been very successful for many teachers in getting their kids to behave well and in developing an environment for the classroom in which they develop their social skills and be learn simultaneously.Here are some classroom management tips for you to get the most out of your students’ behaviour.Allow Students to Contribute to Creating Classroom Rules and ProceduresOne of the most effective ways to get your students onside is to invite them to con tribute to the rules and procedures that control the classroom.Have a discussion about what they think are appropriate expectations on everyone and ask them what they think would be an effective consequence if anyone broke the rules.It will be fun â€" and it will give the students a stake in the rules themselves.Be Consistent in Your Classroom ManagementOnce you have decided your rules, stick to them. It is important for children to be able to associate a given behaviour with a given consequence â€" otherwise, they don’t know what to expect at all.Allow the class to navigate the rules correctly, by being consistent in the way that you apply them. They won’t be happy if they see what they think is unfairness. Behaviour management is so important.Encourage Curiosity in Your StudentsCuriosity should be one of the central qualities that you develop in your students: an interest in the world around them and a desire to keep on learning.Finding ways to develop this hunger for learning is key to behaviour management. Set them tasks that are open-ended and self-directed. Let them discuss things that interest them. Allow them to share their ideas with other people.Stay ProfessionalFinally, one of the under-recognised elements of behaviour management is the need for you to stay personally detached. You need to stay cool and calm regardless of what happens.

Russian Lessons Birmingham

Russian Lessons Birmingham Why Look For Russian Classes In Birmingham? ChaptersWhat Could I Learn During Russian Language Lessons?Take Russian Classes At The LibraryFinding Other Russian ClassesRussian is not often seen as a particularly popular language to learn in the UK. There are a few reasons why that might be the case, such as the fact that Russian doesn't tend to be taught much in primary or secondary schools throughout the UK, as other languages, such as French and German, tend to be more popular foreign languages to learn in schools.Despite this, there are plenty of reasons why you might like to study the Russian language or want to take a course to maintain and develop any fluency you may already have.For instance, you might be planning an extended trip to several countries across Eastern Europe. As Russian is a widely spoken second language in such countries, learning Russian can really help you on your travels, especially if your trip involves actually visiting and staying in Russia for a period of time.Although some people speak English in Russia, it's not a guarantee that everyone you meet will be able to speak English, so learning as much Russian as you can in advance of any period travelling in Russia may prove invaluable when you are in the country.Alternatively, you might want to learn Russian to give yourself a bit of a challenge. While some languages, rightly or wrongly, are labelled as being relatively straightforward for English native speakers to learn, this reputation certainly doesn't extend to Russian.In fact, there are some nuances to the Russian language that can be considered challenging for native English speakers to master. For example, one of the common stumbling blocks when learning Russian is actually the Russian alphabet, which is written in a different script to that which is used in English.As a result, it can take new learners some time just to become accustomed to the Russian alphabet, before even learning any more advanced aspects of the Russian language!Regardless of your reason for learnin g Russian, this article highlights some ways that you can learn and improve your knowledge of Russian as a foreign language in Birmingham.Naturally, it’s also worth remembering that Birmingham isn’t the only place that you can learn Russian in the UK. There are other major cities where you can just as easily find a Russian language course, whether you’d like to learn Russian in Manchester or improve your Russian in Glasgow.Russian language lessons can be of huge benefit if you decide to travel around Russia or Eastern Europe. (Image Source: CC0 1.0, Free-Photos, Pixabay)Different cases;Pronouns; andCommon prefixes and suffixes.If you’re looking to learn Russian and particularly enjoy learning about grammar, you might also prefer to attend a course that looks at technical aspects of the Russian language, including an in-depth look at the Russian alphabet (known as the Cyrillic alphabet) as well as the particularities of the perfective and imperfective aspects of verbs.On the other hand, some people might prefer to keep their initial focus on learning common words and phrases in a language or improving their overall vocabulary, rather than focus on grammar.Ultimately, if your aim is to become fluent in a foreign language, then you should have an exceptionally strong understanding of both grammar and vocabulary.However, at the beginning of your language learning journey, it’s important to learn the language in a way that keeps you engaged and entertained, while also improving your speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills. As long as you keep regularly practising your Russian, your overall language level should improve over time.As a result, you might want to try and find a language course that helps you to learn a language in a way that appeals to you. So, if you prefer to learn common words and phrases, then a more conversational class might be more appealing to you as opposed to a language course that follows a rigorous syllabus that covers mu ltiple grammatical points in depth.Universities aren't the only place where you can take Russian classes - you can also study Russian at libraries and language centres as well! (Image Source: CC0 1.0, Free-Photos, Pixabay)Take Russian Classes At The LibraryIf you are looking to learn Russian alongside others, whether friends or just as part of a group, you might consider learning Russian through Brasshouse Languages at the Library of Birmingham.Brasshouse Languages has a very wide selection of language courses, with over 30 languages to choose from, including languages such as:Arabic;French;Japanese;Mandarin; andRussianOne of the main benefits of learning Russian through a programme offered by Brasshouse Languages is that there is a range of language courses to choose from based on your current proficiency levels in your desired language.For example, when it comes to taking Russian classes, there are currently classes that cater to the following ability levels:Beginners;Beginners pl us;Improvers; andLower Intermediate 2.A fuller description of what each proficiency level looks like is available on Brasshouse Languages’ website.If you are a complete beginner when it comes to learning Russian, or you only have a handle on the basics, it’s great to know that there are lots of different classes available for you to take that can help you grow and improve your understanding of the Russian language.Of course, if you’re actually an advanced Russian learner, then you might find that there aren’t any courses offered by this particular language school at present that cater to your ability and proficiency level.While it’s always worth keeping an eye out for new courses, it may be worthwhile also seeing if there are other language courses or centres that offer advanced Russian courses that are available in the meantime.There are Russian language lessons available that specialise in teaching you Russian within a business setting. (Image Source: CC0 1.0, kaboompics , Pixabay)Finding Other Russian ClassesLibraries aren’t the only place where you can learn Russian in Birmingham. There are lots of other avenues to learn the language, including:Attending a class at a language school or centre;Teaching yourself through an app or online course; orHiring a tutor to provide you with personalised Russian lessons.Ultimately, how you decide to learn Russian will likely come down to a number of different factors, including your budget, your willingness to travel to Russian classes, what you want to get out of Russian lessons, and your current proficiency level.If you’re a complete beginner, for example, you might find that teaching yourself Russian is a good way to start learning the language. There are plenty of courses, both free and paid for, that you can take online that help you to learn Russian at your own pace.Choosing to learn Russian initially with the help of an app such as Duolingo or Babbel can help give you an idea of whether Russian is a language you would enjoy learning, and should also give you exercises to help develop your proficiency as a beginner or novice Russian learner.As apps aren’t particularly time intensive, they are also useful for those who have limited time or aren’t sure whether they’d like to commit to a longer-term course.While learning Russian through an app or online course might work well for some people, others will prefer to learn Russian by connecting with another person and may consider either attending a Russian language course in person or by speaking to a Russian teacher online through tools such as Skype.For example, there are a number of online tutoring websites out there, such as Superprof, which provide both in-person and online-only tutoring services for a wide range of subjects and languages, including Russian.The benefits of using a tutor to help you learn a language are numerous. For instance, a tutor can:Help you practice your speaking and listening skills in Russian;Prov ide lessons that focus on a particular aspect of Russian you’d like to focus on, whether that’s idioms, expressions, or Russian phrases that are useful in a business meeting; andTeach you Russian on your own terms and adapt lessons based on your existing proficiency.What’s more, tutoring sites such as Superprof also often have tutors that are native Russian speakers, which can be particularly helpful when it comes to learning how to pronounce words and phrases correctly, as well as when developing your listening skills in Russian.So if you’re interested in improving your Russian in London or taking Russian classes in Leeds, why not think about hiring a Russian tutor to help you improve your Russian language skills?

6 Unique Jobs for Singers You May Not Have Considered

6 Unique Jobs for Singers You May Not Have Considered Suzy S. Want to make singing your career? Here are some ideas from Brooklyn, NY voice teacher  Liz T.  to make a living using your voice! Having the gift of a great singing voice is not something you should let go to waste! While you are out there auditioning and recording, waiting for your big break, there are many performing opportunities that will help you get to the next level of your singing career! Check out these fun, unique jobs for singers that I have personally enjoyed doing. 1. Theme Parks Theme parks are a great way for young singers to get performance experience. The entertainment is always top quality at parks such as Six Flags, Busch Gardens, Hershey Park, Cedar Point, Dollywood, and of course all of the Disney parks. Theme park shows include many different styles, including country, rock, RB, and even opera! If you get a summer gig working at a theme park, be prepared for hard work. Most singers schedules are six days a week, with possible shows from 10 am to 10 pm. You have to keep your body healthy during this intense schedule, especially if you are performing outdoors in the hot summer heat. Theme parks can pay anywhere from $400-$1,000 a week, depending if you are equity or not (some theme parks will hire both equity and non-equity actor/singers).  Make sure to check if the theme park gig comes with housing, a meal plan, gym access, etc. some parks will have these benefits for singers, while some will not. Also, theme parks are a great way to take advantage of the holidays! Many of them have special Christmas or Halloween shows. They may need carolers for their Christmas season, or actors for their Halloween haunted house. Work as much as you can during these holidays, and your bank account will be happy! 2. Cruise Ships Cruise ships are a great opportunity to perform the music you love, and to travel the world. You might be singing with a jazz big band, a Latin trio, or in a musical theater show. You can find opportunities directly with cruise lines, such as Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Princess, Holland America, and Disney; there are also many agencies that you can audition for privately that can place you on these cruise ships. The perks of working on a cruise ship are that you get free room, board, and meal plan. On board as a performer, you will work pretty much every single day, including holidays, but only for a few hours, usually in the evenings. You will have your days free to spend in port, sightseeing. Performers are treated very nicely on the ships, with many cruise lines giving you special guest privileges to the spa and gym. It’s also a great way to interact and meet other crew members and guests from all around the world. Most cruise contracts range from 3-10 months straight at sea, with no time off, and the salary ranges from $400-$1,200 a week. 3. Churches/Synagogues Being a musical soloist at your local church or synagogue is a great way to share your musical passion with your community! Often, cantors are needed for masses, weddings, and funerals. Cantors will need to be familiar with classical, gospel, and American music. Compensation may be different for each service. Singing religious music is also a great way to stay in vocal shape and to work on your sight reading! These gigs are also great because they are mostly on weekends, so you can still take other work. Also if you have piano or musical directing skills, you can become a musical director in your place of worship. This includes putting together the musical liturgy every week and perhaps directing the choir or ensemble. 4. Voice-overs/Radio These are usually quick, easy jobs for singers to supplement their income. Big organizations or freelancers often need singers to sing or speak for their original recording, which could be a radio ad, jingle, web series, or podcast. I would first approach this as a freelancer, looking in your local entertainment job listings. Make sure you have a demo of your vocal recordings you can also pitch these to agents and casting directors. You’ll find many jobs if you have a versatile voice, such as being able to record in different accents, languages, and age ranges. Rates for voice-over projects vary depending on your union status, and don’t be afraid to negotiate! 5. Teaching Voice There’s no better way to share your love for singing than by teaching others! If you have received your training and hold at least a Bachelors degree in Music, then you are qualified to teach in most institutions (each state varies). There are many schools looking for choral and general music teachers, as well as artists-in-residence for after-school programs. Also, you can start off being a private lesson teacher to students in your community. This is a great option because you can set up a studio in your own home, as well as set your own rates and times. You can even become a voice teacher with TakeLessons! 6. GB Bands Creating your own GB (general business) band or cover band is a great way to get out there performing! Your band might perform at weddings, restaurants, or corporate events. It’s a great way to make some nice money and also get comfortable performing on stage with a live band (and audience). These gigs pay pretty well sometimes you can make up to $1,000 on a weekend! All you need is your own microphone, and the patience to have a few hundred cover songs under your belt! It’s also a good way to develop your own material, and put your own songs to practice. (Make sure you have a nice video reel to send to companies or promoters booking your act.) As you can see, there are tons of good jobs for singers to look into! You can absolutely make money and do what you love at the same time. Get on out there and sing! Liz T. teaches singing, acting, and music lessons in Brooklyn, NY, as well as online.  She is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music with a B.M in Vocal performance and currently performs/teaches all styles of music including Musical Theater, Classical, Jazz, Rock, Pop, RB, and Country.  Learn more about Liz 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 Jeff

Photosynthesis Pigments Online Biology Tutors Tutorpace

Photosynthesis Pigments Online Biology Tutors Tutorpace The chlorophylls the green pigment of plants are the most important pigments active in the presence of photosynthesis .There are eight types of chlorophyll pigments- chlorophyll a, b, c, d and e, bacteriochlorophyll-a, bacteriochlorophyll b and bacteriovirdin. Of these chlorophyll a is most nearly or universal occurrence being present, in all photosynthetic organisms except the green and purple bacteria. Chlorophyll b is found in all higher plants and in the green algae, but is not found in algae of most other classes .The other chlorophylls c, d and e are found only in algae and in combination with chlorophyll a, bacteriochlorophyll and are present in the purple bacteria whereas the green bacteria contain the pigment called bacteriovirdin.All of the chlorophylls are very similar in chemical composition and all of them are compounds which contain magnesium. Carotenoids: They are red, orange, yellow, and brownish pigments. They are present in variable concentrations in nearly all higher plants and many microorganisms such as red and green algae, photosynthetic bacteria and fungi. Beta carotene, the major carotenoid is orange- yellow pigment and found in plant tissues. The carotenoid which consists of carbon and hydrogen are known as carotene, while the carotenoids containing oxygen are called xanthophyll which is found more frequently in nature than the carotenes. The major xanthophyll is generally found in green leaves. The carotenoids are located in the chloroplasts and chromatophores.They occurs there as water insoluble protein complexes. Phycobillins: The phycobillins are found only in algae, the red and blue phycobillins are called phycoerythrins and phcocyanins, respectively. They are active in the transfer of light energy to chlorophylls for utilization in the process of photosynthesis.

What is it Like to Attend Trinity College

What is it Like to Attend Trinity College The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Jesse is a New York City tutor and 2012 graduate of Trinity College. He holds a Bachelors degree in Sociology and tutors several subjects, including englishtutoring, public speakingtutoring, and writingtutoring. Check out what Jesse had to say about his time at Trinity College: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or rural is the campus? Did you feel safe on campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Jesse: The Trinity College campus is beautiful, with historic buildings and a landscaped central campus. The campus itself is situated in the middle of urban Hartford. Its a safe campus as long as you use your head. There are buses; however, Hartfords public transportation is not as reliable as other cities. I would recommend a bike. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Jesse: In my experience, the professors, advisers, and teaching assistants are very available. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Jesse: My undergraduate experience was a bit different in that I went back to school as a working adult, so I did not participate in dorm life as many undergraduates do. But there is plenty of opportunity to socialize through clubs, extracurricular activities, and sports. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? Jesse: Trinity College has a reputation for being a policy-based institution. Political Science, Sociology, and History are its strong areas of study. VT: 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? Jesse: I transferred to Trinity College in my junior year, so I do not have experience as a freshman. However, I made plenty of friends in and out of the classroom. Greek life plays a role in campus social life, but there have been recent efforts by the faculty to cut down on its impact because of the activities of a few fraternities. That doesnt mean that all fraternities or sororities are bad, however. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Jesse: The Career Center is very helpful for underclassmen. Many reputable companies recruit at Trinity College. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Jesse: The study areas are well-lit, quiet, spacious, and in modern facilities. VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between?To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Jesse: Hartford, CT is a post-industrialized city with a vibrant West Indian, Latino, and African American community. Students from Trinity College who are not afraid to leave their collegiate bubble can experience a different community than the one they are learning in, or they can take a bus to West Hartford and have a suburban experience similar to their collegiate bubble. Students sometimes venture downtown, but they mostly stay on campus. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Jesse: The student body is relatively small, as are the class sizes. The largest class may have 25 to 30 students the smallest, under 10. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Jesse: One memorable experience I had was being able to study abroad in South Africa. When I returned, I took an African History class with a professor who was really engaging, and who opened me up to connecting with other students on campus as well as within the Hartford community. Check out Jesses tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

10 Benefits of Taking Maths Lessons

10 Benefits of Taking Maths Lessons The Top 10  Reasons for Learning Maths with a Maths Tutor ChaptersWhy Study Maths?Why Study Mathematics? Here Are 10 Good Reasons!1. Private Maths Tuition2. Take Maths Lessons to Better Understand Your Surroundings3. Maths Tuition for Better Career Prospects4. No More Falling Behind in Maths Lessons5. Studying Maths with a Learning Method to Suit You6. Improve Your Self-Esteem with Maths Tuition7. Can Maths Tuition offer Value for Money?8. Get a Lot Out of Your Maths Classes9. Choose From a Huge Range of Maths Tutors10. Different Maths Learning SituationsSome say maths is like marmite: you either love it or you hate it.Some quite like algebra and calculus, others prefer geometry and trigonometry or mental maths.Most can agree that studying maths has an important place both in our education system and in our society. But why do we need Maths?We need it for maths  problem-solving  and making sense of our surroundings.Getting help from a one to one maths tutor  for exam preparation can set you up for a successful career in fields such as accou nting, catering, chemistry, physics, and social sciences.Maths instruction can cover a range of levels and even make tuition exam board specific. So whether your child needs maths help with year 1 maths or you're a sixth former looking for help to prepare  OCR A level maths revision to get you through the semester, there's a math teacher out there for everyone!Common Difficulties with MathsDepending on your level, obstacles to really understanding certain areas of maths concepts can come from all quarters and many people struggle to solve different mathematical equations.Does maths leave you scratching your head? ¦ source: VisualhuntSuch possibilities include:A lack of knowledge: Maybe difficulty understanding something in class has left you without a firm foundation to build your knowledge of the subjectMemory:  Maths often requires you to learn formulae and equations by heartVocabulary troubles:  Not properly understanding the specialist language can mean you miss out on vital in formation...Algebra, geometry, precalculus...it can all get too much!Confusing concepts:  You may not be able to remember which formula applies to which type of maths problemsReasoning skills:  Maybe you just can't get to grips with the logic behind what you're being taughtVisualisation:  Perhaps you struggle to visualise how the shapes come together or how the graph transformation will look in the endSome people are even scared of doing maths and need some guidance!With the help of a mentor, you will no longer face your difficulties alone.The teacher will reassure you throughout your progress, explain the points you are having trouble with and find different methods of teaching  difficult concepts to make you the best mathematician you can be!Why Study Mathematics? Here Are 10 Good Reasons!This is our  list of the top 10 reasons to try maths tuition.1. Private Maths TuitionBy choosing a private maths tutor, everything you used to struggle with will soon become a lot clearer as they deliver a personalised programme based on your learning style.Before scheduling your first 'real' lesson together, the maths tutor may ask to meet you to discuss where your problems lie. They will use this to decide your starting level and how to approach the course content.They might choose to use active maths games to teach core math or show you fun maths tricks.Tutoring services provide tailored help to make sure that the teaching fits the student, so the student doesn't have to change to fit the subject.2. Take Maths Lessons to Better Understand Your SurroundingsOne on one maths lessons will help you develop reasoning skills that will help you make sense of the environment  as well as improve your decision-making and problem solving skills that may come in handy in later life.Maths skills such as counting, adding and subtracting, multiplying and dividing, fractions, decimals, rounding, graphing, reasoning and arithmetic are all part of our everyday problem-solving skills. Witho ut them, we wouldn't be able to evaluate proportions or estimate to make informed decisions.Our society is built on maths and understanding its importance can help you to find your place and interact with others.3. Maths Tuition for Better Career ProspectsHaving maths skills on your CV will make you attractive to employers in many professional fields. Jobs that involve math include accounting, medicine, catering, banking, and practical work.Maths is becoming more and more sought-after.Private maths lessons mean you get the full, undivided attention of the tutor who will work  on your maths revision with you.And if you have questions to ask, even if they're not maths questions, you can talk to your tutor without the pressure of asking in front of other pupils.5. Studying Maths with a Learning Method to Suit YouQuite often, schools move too fast when teaching maths, which means some students inevitably get left behind. The other issue is that not everyone's learning style is on the sc hool math curriculum - which takes a one-size-fits-all approach.By delivering lessons on a one to one basis or in a small group, maths tutors are free to adapt the pace to the learner, addressing any difficulties along the way. This means it will appear that the tutor is teaching maths made easy when in actual fact, the method has just been adapted - you'll feel like a math genius!By following a tailored learning programme which aims to help students overcome specific difficulties,  students see tangible results.6. Improve Your Self-Esteem with Maths TuitionBecause of the student-focussed nature of private tuition, you will quickly find that your confidence in yourself and your abilities starts to grow. This means you'll feel more at ease when it comes to maths in the classroom or taking a big maths test.You'll find that you're not so bad at maths after all, and you may even start to like it!7. Can Maths Tuition offer Value for Money?With private maths lessons in high demand and pl enty of people willing to supply them, one on one tutoring is no longer reserved for those with a lot of money to spare.By signing up to tutoring websites or doing some research on home tutoring, you'll soon find out that having regular maths lessons won't break the bank.Rates for private maths lessons are generally quite low in comparison to other subjects with the UK average at £19.26 per one hour of tuition. This price does, however, vary depending on the level at which you want to study maths.8. Get a Lot Out of Your Maths ClassesThe level of effectiveness of your academic tutoring will lie with the skills of your maths tutor, who must have relevant qualifications and enough experience of teaching maths to lead you to the level of success you desire.If the home tutor is lacking any of these essential qualities, the tutee is wasting their time and money for counter-productive sessions.If you find a tutor through a platform or go through tutoring companies such as Superprof or Ku mon maths, there's no need to worry since they check this information for you!9. Choose From a Huge Range of Maths TutorsIf students see no progress after 1 to 2 months of private tuition, we recommend finding a different tutor or changing the type of lesson.Most types of maths lesson can be delivered on a private basis, however, it's also worth considering intensive maths refresher courses which are delivered on a short-term scale.Group lessons tend to suit students who work better with peers and only need focused maths help in the run up to exams, but for those who tend to lag behind and need support throughout the school year, one on one tuition is ideal.10. Different Maths Learning SituationsExtra-curricular maths lessons come in 3 categories: private sessions, intensive courses and workshops.Private home tuition offers regularity and promotes the comfort of the learner since the tutor generally comes to them.Intensive courses  such as a maths boot camp tend to be aimed at those who are motivated enough to give up their holidays, for example.Taking lessons in a small group can promote peer mentoring ¦ source: VisualhuntMy Maths homework and working through Edexcel GCSE maths past papers can get pretty lonely, so working together on maths SATs papers or GCSE maths revision can be a breath of fresh air.Students go to a tutoring agency where they are taught in a small group for around 2 to 4 hours per day.These courses are particularly popular before the start of the new school term as pupils and parents want to get off on the right foot.Organisational workshops are gaining popularity.During the school year, students are brought together in small groups to learn how to best approach their work and efficiently complete exercises.There are many other ways to take maths lessons including:Maths online tutoringWeekly support sessionsIndividualised academic supportCourses during the holidaysAs you can see, having a good knowledge of maths and being able to apply i t is essential to everyone regardless of their level. Primary school maths is one of the pillars of the school syllabus and can pave the way for further study of the subject. Achieving a grade C in GCSE maths is a minimum requirement for many higher education establishments and employers.Although private tutors don't need any specific teaching  qualifications, they put be equipped with an appropriate level of knowledge to aid their students.To make sure that a student succeeds in maths, confidence is key. Reassuring the student will give them the motivation to overcome their difficulties and be curious about what they can learn.Turning to a private maths tutor for help is not as all shameful or embarrassing, in fact, it shows honesty and a will to succeed with the help of a professional.

10 Fantastic Teaching and Education Blogs To Follow

10 Fantastic Teaching and Education Blogs To Follow It can be tough to stay abreast of the latest and greatest teaching techniques, edtech tools and resources to use in the classroom. Yet, with more teaching blogs on offer than ever before it’s even more difficult to know where to begin browsing. Here, we’ve created a list of some of our top picks for teaching and education blogs, full to the brim with implementable tips and tools that will help you hone your teaching skills. When it comes to education blogging, it’s safe to say that these guys have got the knowledge. So, here’s our roundup of some of the best teaching and education blogs to follow. The Confident Teacher Resourceaholic Mrs P Teach The Innovative Educator Royal Blind Learning Hub Free Technology For Teachers The EdTech Roundup Thomas C. Murray Ask a Tech Teacher Steve Hargadon The Confident Teacher Written by English teacher Alex Quigley, The Confident Teacher is an education blog exploring a number of topics around pedagogy and much more. With practical advice examining how to promote confidence in the classroom both mentally and physically, this blog is a truly essential resource for teachers looking to develop the habits, techniques and characteristics that will allow them to reach their full teaching potential. In addition to the ‘Confident’ section of the blog which examines a confident mind, body and leadership skills, The Confident Teacher has a dedicated section for vocabulary, as well as a number of blogs looking into concepts like memorisation techniques for learning, metacognition, how to implement feedback and questioning in the classroom as well as countless other topics. Though Quigley is an English teacher, this blog is a valuable resource for teachers of any subject, featuring actionable and relevant advice to hone teaching skills. Resourceaholic A blog focused on providing ideas and inspiration around teaching mathematics at secondary school level, Resourceaholic is host to a huge variety of maths resources covering the curriculum and beyond. Providing regular blog posts illuminating everything from algebra and shape to statistics and mechanics,  Resourceaholic is a truly helpful and useful resource hub for educators, tutors and even parents hoping to help their child understand maths a bit better. Resourceaholic breaks down topics to make them more manageable, offering a new perspective on important core maths topics. Mrs P Teach Discussing a broad selection of teaching methods and techniques, Mrs P Teach provides first-hand accounts of different ways to approach educating. Delving into innovative ways to handle marking and feedback as well as things like growth mindset, this blog is dedicated to introducing educators to new learning concepts and structures. Featuring tried and tested techniques, Mrs P Teach looks into a range of tools to help tackle teaching, lesson planning and helping students realise their potential through new education methods. All in all, Mrs P Teach is a fantastic resource for educators looking to broaden their approach to teaching, providing some important discussion points on new techniques. The Innovative Educator The Innovative Educator is a fantastic educational blog covering a range of developments in edtech and how these can be applied to better prepare students. Authored by Lisa Nielson, the blog introduces readers to new, actionable teaching concepts, sharing ways to build on and improve methods of teaching. Covering everything from measuring the impact of tech in schools to how to deal with a snow day, The Innovative Educator delves into a wide selection of topics to help provide applicable teaching techniques as well as keeping teachers informed on the latest happenings in the world of edtech. Royal Blind Learning Hub A resource centre of articles, tools and advice for those teaching children with visual impairments, the Royal Blind Learning Hub provides valuable educational tools to better equip teachers and tutors. Covering a range of important topics, resources on the blog include seminars, lesson plans, experience pieces and even an on-body sign of the week video which guides viewers through how to communicate important phrases using the on-body signing technique. The Royal Blind Learning Hub blog is an important tool in helping educators of the visually impaired get to grips with different teaching techniques and lesson structures. Free Technology for Teachers Sharing a host of educational apps, tools, and guides, Free Technology for Teachers is a valuable resource for tutors looking to discover new learning tools. With regular posts introducing readers to new resources and ways to update their teaching techniques, Free Technology for Teachers does exactly what it says it does - collects some of the best tech to help educators diversify their teaching. Uncovering the opportunities that technology presents for both students and teachers, the blog looks at broader topics like tools to make quizzes, whilst equally highlighting things like the best resources to learn about Mt Everest, or alternatives to sites like YouTube that prevent users getting distracted when researching. Have a read and discover a new resource to build into your teaching today. The EdTech Roundup As the name suggests, this educational blog collects the latest news and emerging technologies from the edtech world, rounding up and reviewing these tools and their value for teachers. In addition to offering regular, in-depth reviews on new tools, The EdTech Roundup also hosts a number of other valuable resources for educators, with links to useful tools for lesson planning as well as other helpful edtech blogs. The blog offers insight into a range of educational apps and learning tools, whilst also providing suggestions on integration and how to get the most out of tech in teaching. Thomas C. Murray If you’ve ever heard of #edtechchat, you might well know Thomas C. Murray. A cofounder of the weekly educational forum on Twitter and strong believer in student-centred and personalised learning techniques, Thomas C. Murray’s blog is packed full of tech tools and tips to boost engagement in the classroom. However, this education blog covers much more beyond this, also looking into topics like building a strong school community and learning culture. With years of experience to speak from, Murray’s blog provides valuable first-hand insight into edtech news, how to integrate digital tools into learning structures and more techniques to promote student success. Ask a Tech Teacher Host to a collection of resources created and curated by technology teachers, Ask a Tech Teacher is an education blog helping teachers draw together technology and traditional teaching. Offering free lesson plans, resources on everything from 3D printing to critical thinking, as well as round ups of useful sites, apps and further blogs, Ask a Tech Teacher is an extensive and varied resource for those exploring new ways to incorporate tech in education. With all materials and advice being entirely free, this education blog truly is your one stop for discussions around teaching techniques, tech and how to harness it to promote learning. Including over 100 free lesson plans, regular lists of valuable apps and resources and much more, you’re sure to discover something new on this blog. Steve Hargadon Founder of the Learning Revolution Project, Steve Hargadon hosts a range of online learning events for educators to help teachers connect and share ideas for innovation in education. With a huge selection of topics covered, these events offer tutors an opportunity to explore entirely new concepts from the convenience of your laptop. Whilst some of these are in-person events, a majority are hosted online and are entirely free to access. In need of some inspiration? You have nothing to lose by tuning into one of Steve Hargadon’s educational “unconferences”.

Summer at AJ Academic Tutoring

Summer at AJ Academic Tutoring The summer is the perfect time to get a jump start on the school year or engage with interesting academic material. At AJ Tutoring, we are delighted to offer a variety of summer tutoring options to meet the unique needs and goals of each student.Did you struggle in a course this year? Preparing for your first AP or Honors course? Struggling with test-taking skills? Needing an extra challenge? Let our team of academic experts craft a tailored 1-on-1 plan or simply choose a course from the list we’ve created here.To help imagine the possibilities, read on to find a few examples of what can be done over the summer.Budding Biologist Preparing for the Next Next LevelLana really enjoyed biology as a freshman. So much in fact, that she studied some of the units more in depth on her own, watched documentaries about biology online, and is even considering majoring in the subject in college! Though she felt confident with her understanding of the regular curriculum, her sophomore friends alw ays talked about how tough the AP curriculum was. As a sophomore, she’ll be taking the AP Biology course and, in May, the AP Biology exam. At AJ Tutoring, our biology experts are highly knowledgeable about the challenging but standardized and predictable AP curriculum. Many students look to bridge their understanding of key biology concepts ahead of the AP course. We would suggest that Lana meet with a biology tutor on a weekly basis to gain a foreknowledge of the curriculum and start to introduce crucial ideas that she will learn in class. Click here to learn more about our AP Biology Summer Bridge!Rising Junior Juggling Challenging Subjects and Test PrepJay loved sophomore year, but felt overwhelmed at times. With water polo practice, chess club meetings, and AP English Language assignments, Jay rarely had a spare moment. Next year, he’ll have to take the PSAT, SAT, and ACT. He should also probably start thinking about which colleges he’ll apply toThe extracurricular engagem ents won’t let up: in fact, he’ll be on varsity next year and probably even more involved than this year! What’s more, he’s planning on taking three AP courses: AP Chemistry, AP English Literature, and AP Environmental Science. Sounds like it’s going to be a busy year!To relieve some stress for his future self, we’d suggest that Jay select a couple of upcoming classes or tests and start to explore them this summer. For example, Jay might meet with a tutor regularly as part of an AP Chemistry Summer Bridge so that he feels really prepared for fall semester. In addition, Jay might sign up for a PSAT preparation to build a foundation of key test-taking skills so that SAT and ACT prep in the spring will be less of a time commitment. Middle School Athlete Building Math ConfidenceJessie is a talented soccer player who practices the sport just about every day of the year. Over the summer, it’s all about workouts, training, and tournaments. Because of this, there’s not much time left for tutoring, and what time there is depends on a constantly-changing sports schedule!In 7th grade, math was a serious challenge. Though she worked hard and spent extra time reviewing her introductory algebra lessons, some of the concepts just couldn’t stick. Jessie did well enough in 7th grade, but she wants to do even better next year and feel more confident.Because AJ Tutoring specializes in 1-on-1 tutoring, we can create a customized plan and schedule to help Jessie build confidence and competence with math this summer. We’d recommend that she meet with a math expert each week for an hour and that she also fit in a bit of extra work before the next session. That said, the session times could be scheduled flexibly, and the homework assignments can be planned with empathy and to match Jessie’s calendar.If Jessie is travelling for most of the summer, it might make sense to hone in on math for a couple weeks as part of an intensive middle school math boot camp.No mat ter your starting point, AJ Tutoring is here to help! To learn more about how we can help or to sign up for summer tutoring, reach out to us today!