Beginning and Intermediate Algebra Help

Beginning and Intermediate Algebra HelpIt's easy to understand that students who are going through algebra for the first time in school would need some assistance with advanced algebra, but what about those students who are new to algebra for the first time? If you have just finished your algebra and need help with advanced algebra, you will find that finding help is relatively easy. And since this is your first algebra class, you probably are a little nervous.First of all, it's important to realize that the sooner you begin finding the proper algebra help, the better off you'll be. Before you know it, your entire classroom will be focused on what you need to do and you won't have the time to enjoy the lecture or even listen to the teacher.First of all, let's look at some resources that can be used to help. There are many great websites that offer help to students. Of course, you can also hire a private tutor, but you may find that this can be expensive and time consuming. Also, ther e's always the possibility that you'll forget something that you should have known.Since algebra is such a big subject, you can always look online to find algebra help. For example, you can look at sites that offer online calculators, guidebooks, e-books, and much more.You can find all kinds of help from these sites, but there are some things that are important to remember when searching for algebra help. The most important thing is that you find someone who understands the subject matter and isn't just trying to sell you something.Also, if you're looking for help, you should be able to find that help in the same format as you would in a traditional classroom setting. You should be able to get help with your work at the right times, and you should be able to ask for help in person or online.If you don't know where to look for help or if you are only looking for advice, try starting with a right online school. This way, you will know you're getting your money's worth, and you'll get the best resources available to help you.

4 Things to Know About the Common App

4 Things to Know About the Common App The Common App is an extremely convenient way to apply to multiple colleges without having to re-enter the same info multiple times through different portals. Hundreds of American universities require prospective students to submit an application through the Common App website, or at least have it available as an option. Before you eagerly get started, however, keep in mind these four important things to know about the Common App: 1. You may be eligible for a fee waiver Aspiring college students should know that the Common App website itself is free to use; what students end up paying is the application fee(s) for the individual college(s) to which they apply. Keep in mind that the application fees are likely to vary from school to school. [RELATED: What to Know About Choosing a College Application Platform] However, you may be eligible for a fee waiver, which would allow you to apply to colleges at no cost. Generally, fee waivers are reserved for lower-income students who meet eligibility requirements established by the College Board or NACAC. Be sure to select the fee waiver option if you plan on choosing this method. If you are unsure whether this option applies to you, speak with your high school admissions counselor. Also, be aware that checking the fee waiver option alone does not guarantee that your application will be viewed by a school; you must prove you are eligible to receive it. 2. Word counts should be abided by Since submitting essays on the Common App is a matter of merely uploading a document, some students may think that the word count is irrelevant. Students may think it will go unnoticed if they write an essay that exceeds the word count; but in fact, disobeying the word count is always ill-advised. College admissions officers will likely take notice, and it would probably not be beneficial to your applications status. Failure to follow directions can suggest that a student is careless or defiant. Be aware that word counts are established for a reason. One of the reasons is to reduce the volume of paperwork that admissions counselors must review for each application. When you are a college official who has to sort through thousands of applications, an extra paragraph makes a difference. In the end, this saves valuable time for admissions staff to be able to devote fairattention to all applications they receive. Students should be mindful and respectful of this, as well as of other applicants who are indeed abiding by these rules, and stay within the allotted word count. [RELATED: Common App vs. Universal College App: Which Should You Use?] 3. The preview feature is a helpful tool The preview feature allows you to look over your completed application before you submit it once and for all. This is a wonderful way to catch any silly mistakes or typos, and it will show you the near-to-exact way your application will appear to colleges. It is often best, though, to rest your eyes for awhile before giving your application that final glance; the eyes tend to get tired and skip over details that may better grab your attention at a later time. Come back to your application anywhere from a few hours to a day later, and then hit the submit button only once you are completely satisfied. 4. Dont wait until the last minute Between homework, studying, touring campuses, and everything else you have on your agenda, you may find yourself procrastinating with your college applications. It will be tempting to wait until the last few days, or even the last few hours, before a deadline to submit your application. If possible, make an effort to have your application completely filled out, along with all supplements and essays, at least five days prior to the deadline. This will give you time to compensate for any potential curveballs that are thrown your way. These are just a handful of tips you should know about the Common App. Feel free to consult the Common Apps Frequently Asked Questions page to learn more about it, or do a little more of your own research on the side. Best of luck with your admissions endeavors! Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

Embrace Mental Math Throughout Everyday Life

Embrace Mental Math Throughout Everyday Life Improving Academic Performance “I would like to make a case for raising the importance of mental math as a major component in students’ tool kits of mathematical knowledge. Mental math is often associated with the ability to do computations quickly, but in its broadest sense, mental math also involves conceptual understanding and problem solving.” -Cathy Seeley, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics President 2004-2006 Every standardized test you’ll have to take has a mathematics component: the ACT, SAT, GRE, GMAT, etc. Of course, in high school and college, there are almost always core math classes everyone must take. And even if you’re the quintessential “English” person, and as a result desire to become to an English teacher and forget about math forever, most states require that you pass a basic skills test, and that has a mathematics section. MyGuru has seen its fair share of highly stressed out prospective teachers who are having trouble passing the mathematics portion of Illinois Test of Basic Skills for prospective teachers. So, in the broadest sense, if you desire to improve your academic performance, achieve higher grades and test scores, and get admitted into better high school, colleges, universities, and graduate schools, the more advanced your math skills, the better. That’s probably obvious. Beyond school, as you’re making small purchases and considering the attractiveness of two different coupons, considering a large financial decision, or any number of other daily tasks, it’s impossible to get away from mathematics. I have always considered myself “OK” at mathematics, in the sense that I’ve done every well in math courses and “OK” on standardized tests, but have never felt comfortable in real-life, working with numbers to calculate a tip or the price per square foot of a condo (for example). That’s just me. But, I’ve worked to get more comfortable. It turns out that one easy way to build your overall math skill set is simply to embrace mental math skills in everyday life. I find the above statement intuitive based purely on my own experiences, but scientific research has been done which shows that, in fact, employing mental math skills when completing simple arithmetic engages the brain in such a way that it is more likely and/or easier to build more advanced mathematics skills over time. Put more simply, every time you decide to add 12+66 or calculate 20% of 35 in your head instead of plopping the data into a calculator, you are increasing your chances of understanding more complex mathematics and ultimately scoring higher on standardized math tests in the future. “These data reveal that the relative engagement of brain mechanisms associated with procedural versus memory-based calculation of single-digit arithmetic problems is related to high school level mathematical competence, highlighting the fundamental role that mental arithmetic fluency plays in the acquisition of higher-level mathematical competence.” Why Mental Arithmetic Counts: Brain Activation during Single Digit Arithmetic Predicts High School Math Scores Gavin R. Price,1 Michèle M. M. Mazzocco,2,3 and Daniel Ansari, The Journal of Neuroscience, January 2nd, 2013 What could this mean? Instead of shying away from calculating the tip at a restaurant, or figuring out exactly how much you’ll save by using that 15% coupon, choose to consistently engage and do this type of math in your head. If you’re looking at a clock, pick two numbers, and then add, subtract, multiply, and divide them. Do this type of thing once a day for 30 days, and you’ll be surprised how much more comfortable with numbers you become. You are slowly building your math skills, paving the way for more advanced skills and general comfort and confidence with math. hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(215486, 'f08a3c58-464f-4164-a82e-313b7951bbb2', {});

Learning These Words Can Help YOU! - Private Tutoring

Learning These Words Can Help YOU! BobbiM May 6, 2014 Have you ever read a book in which the vocabulary was so elevated you could barely understand what was going on?  I have and I wanted to quit on the second page.  Learn these words and that is less likely to happen. Dearth; n. A scarcity or lack of supply. During the war, there was a dearth of food storage. Diminutive; adj. Very small; tiny. (Diminutive is occasionally used as a noun. It refers to anything that is small or the name given to suffixes on words that indicate smallness. For example, the suffix let is a diminutive. When it is added to a noun, it indicates a smaller version of that noun, such as a booklet or starlet.) She is a diminutive baby, weighing only 4 pounds. Infinitesimal; adj. Immeasurably or incalculably small. I never thought wed be able to study the infinitesimal nucleus of an atom, but with new technology, we can. Insignificant; adj. Of little importance or power. My problems seem insignificant when compared to others. Small and not important. The scratch on the paint was insignificant and the owner of the house didnt make us repaint it. Lilliputian; n, adj. Noun: A very tiny person or thing. Compared to the tall basketball player, the children were Lilliputians. Adjective: Small or trivial in size. The Lilliputian house was perfect for the small family. Not important; petty. The discussion was Lilliputian in the midst of the emergency. Meager; adj. Scarce in quantity or extent; in short supply. After camping for two weeks, we had a meager supply of food. Deficient in richness or fertility. The soil was meager and so the crops barely grew. Minuscule; adj, n. Adjective: Extremely tiny; very small. She used a minuscule amount of frosting on the cake so as to not overpower the people who ate it. Noun: Small, ancient, cursive script. The minuscule writing was hard for me to read. Lowercase letters. A term for lowercase letters is minuscule. Minute; adj. Exceptionally small or insignificant. The way he looked at me seemed minute but my friends told me it was significant. Characterized by precise and close scrutiny. I did a minute inspection to make sure they had cleaned properly. Mite; n. A very small sum of money. To a widow, a mite may seem like unto a large sum of money to others who have more. A very small creature or object. The small child was a mite compared to the big football players. Negligible; adj. Not considered important enough to be worth bothering about; insignificant. The problem was negligible to me, but to the woman next to me it seemed to be important enough for her to cry about. Scintilla; n. A minute amount; barely a suggestion; just an inkling or a spark. For a moment I had a scintilla of hope that he loved me, but then I came back to reality. Trifling; adj. Of trivial or nonsensical importance; not important and easily dismissed. His trifling plan was impossible to make a reality. Trivial; adj. Of little significance or importance; concerned with trivia or inconsequential information; commonplace. I know many trivial facts but I blank on the important ones. Ample; adj. Of a large or great size; fully significant, even more than enough. There is an ample amount of love for you here. Behemoth; n. Something that is enormous in size and/or power. The giant was a behemoth that terrorized all the towns nearby. Colossal; adj. So enormous or gigantic that it seems to defy belief. The colossal monument blew me away. Copious; adj. Containing or yielding plenty; bountiful in amount or manner. I have a copious amount of corn from the harvest. Gargantuan; adj. Of enormous size, quantity, or volume or capacity. I thought Id never climb the gargantuan cliff leading to the path. Humongous; adj. Gigantic or extremely oversized. I was so hungry I ate the humongous pizza. Immeasurable; adj. So vast or limitless in size that measurement is not possible. My love for him is immeasurable. Incalculable; adj. Impossible or too great to be calculated or resolved. Incalculable damage came after the hurricane. Infinite; adj. immeasurably great or large; having no limits or boundaries. The teacher displayed infinite patience even though the students were rude and restless.

Maths tuition and reasoning exam papers

Maths tuition and reasoning exam papers Our tutors for GCSE Maths and A-level Maths are gearing up for a busy academic year ahead, with lots of new students lining up for extra help in one of the curriculum's key subjects. As we mentioned in Monday's blog post, it is vital for pupils to get to grip with Maths, especially if they are sitting entrance examinations for state or independent schools, because Maths is a core subject when it comes to testing aptitude. But did you know that a good grasp of Maths can also help with other entrance examination subjects? Many schools these days have entrance papers in reasoning, which is split into two sections: verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning. You may think that something with 'verbal' in the title may be a world away from maths. This is not the case! Verbal reasoning typically consists of tests on alphabet reasoning, word patterns and codes as well in straightforward tests on spelling and word meanings. Regular Maths tuition will certainly help when trying to spot word patterns and crack codes. This is not just because of the Maths itself but also because of the logical, sequential ways in which a mathematically trained brain can think. Similarly, non-verbal reasoning may consist of tests on patterns, layering and other tests of logic. Again, a brain trained by Maths tuition will be able to tackle these well. Why not find out how a Maths tutor can help your child?

8 Must-Read Collections of Poetry on Kumons Recommended Reading List

8 Must-Read Collections of Poetry on Kumon’s Recommended Reading List 8 Must-Read Collections of Poetry on Kumon’s Recommended Reading List April is a big month for literature lovers! Not only is it National Poetry Month, but National Library Week is celebrated April 8 â€" 14. Help your child enjoy this special week with a trip to your local library for classic books of poetry. Here’s a selection of books from Kumon’s Recommended Reading List to spark your child’s imagination and enjoyment of poems. Read Aloud Rhymes for the Very Young Collected by Jack Prelutsky Great for infants through pre-k America’s favorite children’s poet, Jack Prelutsky, has selected more than 200 poems for every occasion, every talent, and every experience that a young child encounters. From waking up in the morning to going to bed at night, all the poems are written by popular and well-known 20th century poets. Each poem is artfully brought to life in bright, playful illustrations. My Very First Mother Goose By Iona Opie Readers between pre-k and 2nd grade From “Hey Diddle, Diddle” and “Pat-a-Cake” to “Little Jack Horner,” these are all familiar verses that have been passed from parent to child for generations. My Very First Mother Goose captures the simple joy and sly humor that are the essence of Mother Goose. Parents and children will find themselves exploring this volume together, savoring delightful details and funny surprises on every page. Here’s a Little Poem Compiled by Jane Yolen and Andrew Fusek Peters Readers between kindergarten and 2nd grade This exuberant celebration of poetry is an essential book for every young one’s library. Here’s a Little Poem offers a comprehensive introduction to some remarkable poets, even as it captures a very young child’s intense delight in the experiences and rituals of every new day. A Giraffe and a Half By Shel Silverstein Readers between 2nd and 4th grades Featuring rhythmic verse and iconic illustrations, A Giraffe and a Half will leave every reader, young and old, laughing until the very end. Beloved for over 50 years, this classic captures Silverstein’s signature humor and style. This book is also great to read aloud to preschoolers and young students. Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices By Paul Fleischman Readers between 3rd and 5th grades From the Newbery Medal-winning author, Joyful Noise is a collection of irresistible poems that celebrates the insect world. Funny, sad, loud, and quiet, each of these poems resounds with a booming, boisterous, joyful noise. Archy and Mehitabel By Don Marquis Readers between 7th and 9th grades Taking place in New York City, this classic book of poetry presents the tale of Archy the cockroach and Mehitabel the alley cat. Both have led previous lives, and the poems capture their stories, past and present. It is Archy who records their experiences on the boss’s typewriter late at night, but he is unable to hold down the shift key to type capital letters. Best read aloud, the content is light, but also thoughtful. Great Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe By Edgar Allan Poe Readers in high school The melancholy, brilliance, passionate lyricism, and torment of Edgar Allen Poe are all well represented in this collection. Here, in one volume, are his masterpieces of mystery, terror, humor, and adventure, including stories such as?The Tell-Tale Heart,?The Cask of Amontillado,?The Black Cat,?The Masque of the Red Death,?The Murders in the Rue Morgue, and?The Pit and the Pendulum, and his finest lyric and narrative poetryâ€"The Raven?and?Annabel Lee, to name?just a few. 101 Great American Poems By Various Authors Readers in high school In 101 Great American Poems readers will find a selection of verse representing a wide range of poetic styles and voices, mostly from the 19th and 20th centuries. The authors include famous poets such as Edgar Allan Poe, Walt Whitman, Robert Frost, Langston Hughes, Emily Dickinson, and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Thirteen poems are given as text exemplars for teachers to use along with the Common Core State Standards. Discover even more parenting tips and student success stories! You might also be interested in: Spark a Love for Literature with These  Read-Aloud  Tips Fewer Americans are Reading Literatureâ€"Does it Matter? Happy Read Across America Day! Kick-off National Reading Month by Celebrating Dr. Seuss’ Birthday With These Fun Activities Why is Dual Enrollment in Kumon Math and Reading Important? 8 Must-Read Collections of Poetry on Kumon’s Recommended Reading List 8 Must-Read Collections of Poetry on Kumon’s Recommended Reading List April is a big month for literature lovers! Not only is it National Poetry Month, but National Library Week is celebrated April 8 â€" 14. Help your child enjoy this special week with a trip to your local library for classic books of poetry. Here’s a selection of books from Kumon’s Recommended Reading List to spark your child’s imagination and enjoyment of poems. Read Aloud Rhymes for the Very Young Collected by Jack Prelutsky Great for infants through pre-k America’s favorite children’s poet, Jack Prelutsky, has selected more than 200 poems for every occasion, every talent, and every experience that a young child encounters. From waking up in the morning to going to bed at night, all the poems are written by popular and well-known 20th century poets. Each poem is artfully brought to life in bright, playful illustrations. My Very First Mother Goose By Iona Opie Readers between pre-k and 2nd grade From “Hey Diddle, Diddle” and “Pat-a-Cake” to “Little Jack Horner,” these are all familiar verses that have been passed from parent to child for generations. My Very First Mother Goose captures the simple joy and sly humor that are the essence of Mother Goose. Parents and children will find themselves exploring this volume together, savoring delightful details and funny surprises on every page. Here’s a Little Poem Compiled by Jane Yolen and Andrew Fusek Peters Readers between kindergarten and 2nd grade This exuberant celebration of poetry is an essential book for every young one’s library. Here’s a Little Poem offers a comprehensive introduction to some remarkable poets, even as it captures a very young child’s intense delight in the experiences and rituals of every new day. A Giraffe and a Half By Shel Silverstein Readers between 2nd and 4th grades Featuring rhythmic verse and iconic illustrations, A Giraffe and a Half will leave every reader, young and old, laughing until the very end. Beloved for over 50 years, this classic captures Silverstein’s signature humor and style. This book is also great to read aloud to preschoolers and young students. Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices By Paul Fleischman Readers between 3rd and 5th grades From the Newbery Medal-winning author, Joyful Noise is a collection of irresistible poems that celebrates the insect world. Funny, sad, loud, and quiet, each of these poems resounds with a booming, boisterous, joyful noise. Archy and Mehitabel By Don Marquis Readers between 7th and 9th grades Taking place in New York City, this classic book of poetry presents the tale of Archy the cockroach and Mehitabel the alley cat. Both have led previous lives, and the poems capture their stories, past and present. It is Archy who records their experiences on the boss’s typewriter late at night, but he is unable to hold down the shift key to type capital letters. Best read aloud, the content is light, but also thoughtful. Great Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe By Edgar Allan Poe Readers in high school The melancholy, brilliance, passionate lyricism, and torment of Edgar Allen Poe are all well represented in this collection. Here, in one volume, are his masterpieces of mystery, terror, humor, and adventure, including stories such as?The Tell-Tale Heart,?The Cask of Amontillado,?The Black Cat,?The Masque of the Red Death,?The Murders in the Rue Morgue, and?The Pit and the Pendulum, and his finest lyric and narrative poetryâ€"The Raven?and?Annabel Lee, to name?just a few. 101 Great American Poems By Various Authors Readers in high school In 101 Great American Poems readers will find a selection of verse representing a wide range of poetic styles and voices, mostly from the 19th and 20th centuries. The authors include famous poets such as Edgar Allan Poe, Walt Whitman, Robert Frost, Langston Hughes, Emily Dickinson, and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Thirteen poems are given as text exemplars for teachers to use along with the Common Core State Standards. Discover even more parenting tips and student success stories! You might also be interested in: Spark a Love for Literature with These  Read-Aloud  Tips Fewer Americans are Reading Literatureâ€"Does it Matter? Happy Read Across America Day! Kick-off National Reading Month by Celebrating Dr. Seuss’ Birthday With These Fun Activities Why is Dual Enrollment in Kumon Math and Reading Important?

Why You Should Get A Part-Time Job In The Service Industry

Why You Should Get A Part-Time Job In The Service Industry Image via Pexels However, as an undergrad student, I did work at a daycare center. Yep, that’s part of the service industry. Working with infants and little children was a rewarding experience which taught me more than anything patience and how to manage extra stress, and gave me a renewed appreciation for life. The ‘service industry’ by definition means “the provision of services and products to consumers.” In this definition, one can learn a few things right off the bat. The main thing is that the service industry is truly about ‘service’ and ‘serving.’ These are two ideas that seem to be increasingly missing from the larger part of society. You’ll rarely find a person who doesn’t find a special personal association with food, coffee, travel or sources of entertainment. And wherever you go in the world, you will need someone to provide these things for you. Sometimes, we don’t know what it is like to be on the other end of receiving until we actually are. So here are some reasons why you should consider getting a part-time job in the service industry while in college and some important skills you’ll learn if you do: 1. You will learn how to handle people with grace. This is probably going to be the biggest benefit to you as a person. Wherever you go in life, you will have to deal with people. Some will be nice while others will be unpleasant. And this holds true for your co-workers and the customers you serve. Learning how to handle difficult customers with kindness and grace is a skill that will bode well for you in life. 2. You will learn not to take things personally. Every rude comment that comes your way (hopefully, it will be few and far between) is not always aimed at you. A mother may have been dealing with a sick infant all day and may just be physically tired. A father may have recently lost his corporate level job and doesn’t know what he is going to do next. A teenager may have had a tough day at school or is anxious about an upcoming exam. You will learn to treat everyone with kindness and that a smile can go a long way. 3. You will learn respect. Naturally, work gives people respect for themselves. But in a service job, this type of work helps you to gain respect for other people too â€" coworkers and customers. When you go out to eat or go on a coffee run right before class, you’ll learn what it means to be a bartender or a waiter because you’ve been in their shoes. 4. You will understand what it’s like to be on time. You know how difficult it can be when a coworker is late for work and you have to cover for her or when they’re too hungover from a late night party that they don’t even show up, much less call in. When someone else doesn’t do their job, you feel it. So you make sure you’re on time as often as possible and work as hard as you can so no one will have to cover for you. 5. You learn about teamwork, delegation and improvisation. In service jobs, issues usually come up that need immediate and quick solutions. You don’t get to hold an impromptu board meeting or vote on passing a resolution like you would in a corporate position. One way or another, you learn to make things work, improvise when things aren’t working, and do well alongside others to get things done for the sake of the customers … and really because you have no other choice. 6. You learn true humility. When you work a service job even as a college student, you realize that so many people have had a hand in your success. There’s that one teacher who inspired you to be your best. Or that janitor at your middle school who patted you on the back and told you that you were going to be something big one day. A part of humility is learning that no one really cares about all this stuff about you. Customers only want to know that you can work hard to provide them a great cup of coffee with a side of enthusiasm. 7. You will better understand the value of a dollar. Service people usually work minimum wage jobs. That means they have to stretch every dollar they make until the next pay period. Thats also why so many people are fighting for higher wages. If you are able to go to college, be grateful because some people who would like to go simply cant afford it. When its all added up, their yearly income is not enough to sustain them and their families, much less pay for college. So this is a problem that many people have to deal with and working alongside them will give us a better understanding of their struggle. (Perhaps by seeing a problem first-hand, we could begin to do something about it.) Working in the service industry in some capacity during your college years will help you gain a new appreciation for your life. You’ll begin to see all people as equal and deserving of respect and kindness. And when you go to apply for your corporate job after graduation, your employer and co-workers will know that you have coveted skills that will help to carry you and their company a long way.