Dont Quit Now! How to Keep Kids Interested in Music Lessons

Dont Quit Now! How to Keep Kids Interested in Music Lessons Megan L. Few things are more frustrating than investing your time and money in an instrument and lessons for your child only to hear weeks later that theyve changed their mind and dont want to continue. Although youre frustrated and you want your kid to get the many advantages that music lessons have to offer, you also dont want to turn your home into a battleground. Whats a parent to do? If your child tells you that they dont want to continue with music lessons or if you sense that their motivation is slipping, you can take action. Read on to find out what you can do to keep your kid committed to learning music! Ask Why, and Really Listen The most important thing you can do is really listen to whats happening in your childs life that is making them want to quit. Do they feel shy or insecure about learning something new? Are they frustrated because learning music is more work than they thought?  Let your child know that its totally normal to feel nervous about trying a new activity and learning takes time. Share with them a time when you felt nervous or frustrated with something but you persevered and eventually succeeded. Put it on the Calendar Sit down with a calendar and write down all of your childs activities. If the calendar starts to look more like it belongs to a busy executive than a third grader, your kid is probably feeling overwhelmed and over-scheduled! If music is important to your child but stress is making them want to quit to get some free time, look at other activities and see if there is anything else that can be cut out. Talk to their Teacher   Everybody has different inherent strengths that come into play when learning music. Maybe your child is frustrated with the piano because theyre a natural drummer or a shy singer who would love to pick up a guitar. Talk with your childs teacher to see what their honest feedback is about your childs musical strengths and weaknesses. Switching instruments or going from an instrument to vocal lessons (or vice versa!) can help keep your kid involved in music in a way that is better suited to their learning style and personality. Try a Different Method   If your child is having a hard time with the pacing of group music lessons, get him or her involved in private, one-on-one music lessons. Ask your child how they feel about their teacher. If their teachers approach or personality isnt the best fit for helping your child succeed, dont feel bad about trying out lessons with a different instructor! Set a Goal Whether its learning a favorite song or preparing for a performance, help your child pick a goal and show them how continuing lessons will help them reach it. When kids see that their hard work and practice is going toward a tangible achievement, they usually feel more excited and determined to continue. Parents, how do you keep your kids interested in music lessons? Share your stories and advice in the comments! 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 CProppe

Vegan Health Benefits Things You Should Know

Vegan Health Benefits Things You Should Know Vegan Health Benefits: Why So Many Are Being Drawn To The Philosophy ChaptersDo You Give Vegans A Bad Name?A True Wellness Experiment: Turning Scepticism Into ConvictionIs A Vegan Diet Plan Right For Me?When Veganism Takes The LimelightRecommendations For A Healthy Vegan Lifestylebase your meals on starchy carbohydrates like potatoes, pasta, bread and rice, choosing wholegrain wherever possible; that you do ingest some dairy substitutes  like yoghurts or vegan cheeses and milks (ideally opting for low fat and sugar-free options); that you eat beans and pulses to keep your protein levels up; that you eat oils and spreads (however in small amounts); and, finally, that you keep drinking 6-8 cups of water a day.The key to getting the right nutrients from vegan foods is to understand what makes up a healthy and balanced diet and planning your meals around this knowledge. The biggest risk for vegans is that they might experience a drop in essential nutrients like calcium, iron and vitamin B12.You can take some cooking classes and learn yummy vegan recipes f or a balanced diet!The key to a healthy vegan lifestyle is to understand what makes up a balanced diet, and to ensure you supplement anything missing. Photo credit: derrickbrutel on VisualhuntIf you are vegan and pregnant, it is all the more important that you eat well and ensure that you and your baby are getting the right amount of energy, nutrients and vitamins to keep you and the baby healthy, whilst facilitating the growth of your unborn child.Since a vegan diet consists of mainly plants, or foods made from plants, you will more than likely need to source some vegan alternatives to fulfil your body's needs.For a list of places you can buy vegan food  to everyday essential food items, You'll find details on vegan alternatives, like vegan cheese, non-dairy milk, vegan chocolate and nut-based ice cream.For ideas on which foods to play around with when going vegan, consider recipes containing fruits and veggies, soybeans, quinoa, tofu, spinach, broccoli, flaxseed, soy milk, almonds , walnuts, cereal, ovo, canola, beans, peas and salad, for example.To reassure you that implementing a vegan diet plan for the first time isn't as daunting as you might think, here are a few dos and don'ts for you to abide by:DoDon'tEat whole, quality plant-based foodsOverload on vegan junk food - just because it is vegan doesn't mean it is healthy in quantityDrink plenty of fluid - 6-8 glasses is the recommended amountForget about protein - there's a number of products you can incorporate into your diet to keep your protein levels upStick to your favourite recipes - just try to find vegan-friendly alternatives so as not to overwhelm youForget to treat yourself and dine out - with Veganism on the rise, there are many eateries that will now cater for vegan dietsIf you are feeling overwhelmed by the idea of changing your entire way of life as a result of following the vegan approach, then remember that it doesn't have to be a difficult process. You'll soon learn to adjust, and will mo st likely never look back once you've had a taste of vegan life.

What is a Scatter Plot

What is a Scatter Plot A scatter plot is a graphical representation of the relationship between two variables and this relationship is usually plotted on an X-Y coordinate axis. A scatter plot is generally marked with dots and it clearly shows how the variables vary with respect to each other, and based on this representation many conclusions and estimations regarding the variables are calculated. When we join the major portion of dots, we get a straight line known as the line of best fit and this is the line that best fits the data. Example 1: Analyze whether the scatter plot given below has positive trend, negative trend or no trend? A scatter plot shows positive trend if y value tends to increase as x value increases. A scatter plot shows negative trend if y value tends to decrease as x value increases. A scatter plot is said to have no trend if no general pattern is observed. The above given scatter plot shows positive trend because clearly as x is increasing, y values are also increasing moving upward! Example 2: Analyze whether the scatter plot given below has positive trend, negative trend or no trend? The above given scatter plot showsnegative trend because clearly as x is increasing, y values are decreasing thus moving downward!

How To Add And Subtract Integers

How To Add And Subtract Integers Integers are all positive and negative numbers occur on a number line. A number line represents all the integers. So they are the negative and positive whole numbers. We do not include any fractions in the integers. So numbers like -3, -8, 0, 99, 345 are all integers and , 7,33 and 45/87 are not considered as integers. The following examples will show how to add and subtract integers. Example 1:-Sam had $15 and he went to the store and purchased a candy for $6. He met his friend there which gave him $5 which he borrowed from him. What is the total amount of money Sam now have? Solution 1:-Sam had $15 in the beginning, he purchased $6 for a candy. Total amount left with him is 15 6 = $9 He met his friend who gave him $5 back Total amount he has now = 9 + 5 = $14 Hence total amount left with Sam is $14. Example 2:-Jacky has $65 in his bank account, he purchased a cd player for $21 which he sold to his friend for $25. How much money does Jacky has now? Solution 1:-The amount of money Jacky has in its account is $65 So the cost of cd player is $21 Amount left with him is 65 21 = $44 He sold it to his friend for $25 Total amount he has now = 44 + 25 = $69

What To Do If Youre Wait-Listed

What To Do If You're Wait-Listed The following piece was written by Paul Bodine. Paul has been featured in ourAdmissions Expert seriesand is the author of the best-selling admissions guide, Great Applications for Business School. He currently runs his own firm, Paul Bodine Admissions Consulting. It's that time of year: daydreaming as notification day loomed of joining your dream school you've instead learned you were wait-listed. Congratulations. You werent rejected; you qualified for admission. The admissions committee found your qualifications impressive and believes you can handle their program, but they had some 'issues' with aspects of your application or just found other applicants to be a better fit for next year's class. The truth is, how long you stay in wait-list purgatory? And what steps, if any, can you take to get out? This will depend on not only the school that wait-listed you, but on the unpredictable characteristics of the applicant pool youre competing against. A great deal will simply be beyond your control. But that doesnt you mean you must simply, passively wait and hope (or despair). That said, unless the school completely discourages further contact, take a proactive approach and launch a sustained and positive wait-list campaign. If the school is open to contact or updates, plan a strategy of regular, but not annoying, contacts designed to demonstrate your enthusiasm and fit for the schools program and culture. An effective wait-list campaign typically has three key components (again, depending on what the school permits): updating the school on new developments since you submitted your application, addressing weaknesses in your application, and reaffirming fit with the school. Recent Developments Inform the school of new achievements, initiatives, and developments. Show them that youre an even stronger applicant than you were when you applied. These developments can take the form of promotions or raises, new leadership roles at or outside work, or technical skills acquired on the job. Have you raised your GMAT score? Have you led a project or organization? Started volunteering? Taken your department, business, or club in a new direction? Have you earned a patent? Launched a business? All of these are worth informing the admissions committee about. Be sure to briefly state why you think this new development has strengthened your candidacy. Addressing Concerns If you review your application objectively (perhaps with the help of a consultant), its usually possible to arrive at some idea of what's holding your candidacy back. Applications are often wait-listed because of poor numbers (GMAT and/or GPA), vague career goals or weak work experience, insufficient community or extracurricular involvement, poorly demonstrated interest in the school, or inadequate emphasis on what makes the applicants profile or potential contribution unique. Some of these factors can be addressed, such as by taking courses in areas of weakness, retaking the GMAT, joining Toastmasters or some other professional organization, passing a CFA exam, or proactively taking on more leadership at work. Affirming Fit Reinforce your commitment to and interest in this school's program, but without repeating any of the school-specific material you mentioned in your application. Cite new examples of the ways you have reached out to learn about the wait-listing school. For example, demonstrate how your recent visit deepened your interest in the program. Perhaps you sat in on a class (Which one? What impressed you?) or chatted up students (What were their names? What did they say?). Or perhaps your work or research interests have recently led you to explore a faculty members work or touch on the mission of one of the schools institutes. If so, deliberately and specifically flesh out the bridge between your work or research interest and that faculty member or institute. Update emails are only one way to demonstrate sustained enthusiasm for the school. Some schools are open to receiving an additional letter of recommendation as long as it adds new insights into your professional, community, or even personal life. An additional letter of recommendation offers you a perfect opportunity to have a third-party do damage control on any weaknesses that may be holding your application back, by emphasizing offsetting facts or skills. It needs to be said that if you are wait-listed by schools that explicitly instruct you not to send in new information once youve been wait-listed, you must comply with their instructions. Don't give them a reason to regret keeping your candidacy alive. Keep in mind that being wait-listed does not necessarily mean your application has an 'issue' or one you can do anything about. You may well have been wait-listed only because you don't enhance or round out the entering class's diversity as well as someone else. So do what you can within the limits that the school's wait-list guidelines place on you, but don't take this personally. As a wait-listed applicant, you are likely to be viewed with greater favor if you decide to reapply the following year and have taken any steps you can in the intervening months to improve your profile. For wait-listing schools that permit applicant contact, the wait-list can be the ultimate test of your passion for attending the school. In my experience, when spots open up later in the wait-list process, schools will respond to applicants who have continued to show sustained interest and commitment to improvement. The majority of schools do not rank their wait-listees, so who gets pulled off may well come down to subjective factors such as demonstrated enthusiasm. So demonstrate it. Visit Paul Bodine Admissions Consulting for more information. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

How to Get a GMAT Waiver From an MBA Program

How to Get a GMAT Waiver From an MBA Program GMAT MBA Admissions Blog Earning an MBA could mean substantially boosting your earning power and lowering your risk of unemployment. MBA graduates typically see pay rises of 50 percent over their pre-business-school salaries, and five years after graduation, they’re typically earning about 80 percent more than those already-higher post-graduation salaries. In 2016, 88 percent of students graduating from a ranked business school found a job within three months of graduation. While those statistics might sound tempting, you’re probably intimidated by the prospect of taking the GMAT - most MBA applicants are. At this point, we must pause and note that the GMAT likely seems far more daunting than it needs to. The GMAT really and truly is a test that you can prepare for. It’s not some sort of IQ test that measures innate talent. With a customized study plan, deliberate practice, and fair amount of hard work, and perhaps some private GMAT tutoring, many students can see their scores rise from the low 400s in initial practice tests to 650 or even 700+ when they take the official GMAT. But without a doubt, achieving a 700+ GMAT score requires commitment, hard work, and time. But what if you could get into a good MBA program without taking this daunting standardized test? Let’s pause one more time here. You can’t get into a top 50 MBA program without taking the GMAT. And, if one of the main reasons you want to attend business school is to associate yourself with a prestigious business school education brand, you probably need to take the GMAT. But if you want to earn an MBA to acquire new skills and learn about new business functions or industries, there are many good programs out there which will, in the right situations, waive the GMAT. While many MBA programs still require most applicants to take the GMAT, some programs don’t - and others will waive testing requirements for students with previous work experience, another advanced degree, and/or an exceptional undergraduate GPA. Here’s what you need to know about getting your GMAT requirement waived: Look for GMAT-Optional or No-GMAT Programs The first step to getting a GMAT waiver for your MBA application is to look at the right programs. Some programs will never waive the GMAT requirement, no matter how much experience you have, how educated you already are, or how great your undergraduate GPA was. A few schools, like Rutgers and Texas AM, don’t require GMAT scores from any student. Many other schools are willing to waive the GMAT requirement for students who can demonstrate through other means that they’re capable of doing the work required of an MBA program. Smaller schools are more likely to waive GMAT requirements. Online programs, too, may be more willing to waive GMAT requirements, because these programs typically attract non-traditional students who may already be in full-time roles. Study the Waiver Requirements Carefully Each MBA program will have a different policy regarding the issuing of a GMAT waiver. Find a written copy of that policy for each program that interests you, and study it carefully. Chances are you’ll need to demonstrate several years of professional experience in business, previous leadership experience, a strong undergraduate GPA, and previous experience with post-graduated education. If you already have a post-graduate degree, that will work in your favor when seeking a GMAT waiver, especially if your degree is in a STEM field that emphasizes math, statistics, or other quantitative skills. You’re not completely out of luck if you don’t have a master’s degree already; professional certifications like a CFA or CPA can also help you get out of having the take the GMAT. Write a GMAT Waiver Letter If you want to get a GMAT waiver from the program of your choice, you’ll need to write a GMAT waiver letter that explains to the admissions committee why your application should be considered without GMAT scores. Your GMAT waiver letter should: Describe your current role and your level of professional experience in business; Show your level of experience with team-based roles and leadership; Demonstrate how you’ve developed analytical skills through your professional experience; and Provide concise examples to back up your assertions. Your waiver letter should also discuss other aspects of your background that you feel should qualify you for a waiver, such as your undergraduate GPA, and any existing post-graduate degrees, graduate certificates, or certifications you have. Are You Sure You Want a GMAT Waiver? Even if the school to which you’re applying doesn’t require GMAT scores or is willing to issue a waiver, taking the GMAT could strengthen your application or help you earn financial aid. A strong GMAT score could help admissions committee members overlook poor undergraduate grades, for example. Many schools, even those that don’t require them, use GMAT scores to award scholarships or to decide whether accepted students should be required to take prerequisite courses. Ask whether taking the GMAT could benefit you before applying for a waiver. Conclusion A GMAT waiver could allow you to get into a top-quality MBA program without the need to take an expensive and grueling standardized test. There are schools that are happy to grant a GMAT waiver to an applicant with lots of professional experience, another advanced degree, and a good undergraduate GPA. With a GMAT waiver, you could save time, money, and trouble, while still becoming another MBA success story.

Its in Your Blood Understanding Hematology on the MCAT

It's in Your Blood Understanding Hematology on the MCAT MCAT Medical School Admissions In our last post on the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), we discussed the integration of endocrinology and physics in the cardiovascular system. This month we will dive in further and discuss the hematologic system that drives the cardiovascular system and how to apply concepts from genetics and chemistry. In order to answer hematology questions on the MCAT, we first need to tackle the concept of what blood actually is and how we discern the different components. When blood is drawn at your annual checkup, the phlebotomist or technician will place the blood into the centrifuge. The centrifuge will separate the blood into three layers based on density: plasma, white blood cells, and red blood cells. It is crucial to understand what is contained in each section of the blood in order to understand lab values and to answer some of those integrative chemistry concepts. The plasma is the top layer, meaning it is the least dense. The majority of plasma is composed of water. The remainder of plasma is composed of proteins such as albumin, antibodies, fibrinogen, and hormones. Albumin plays an important oncotic role in the vascular system by creating oncotic pressure that drives the movement of water into the vascular system. An important distinction is between that of serum and plasma; serum is plasma without fibrinogen and clotting factors. Below the plasma layer is the white blood cell layer or the ‘buffy coat’. This is where platelets and white blood cells are found. The bottom layer of the blood is the erythrocyte layer or red blood cells. The erythrocyte layer will contain hemoglobin, the transport binding protein for oxygen on red blood cells. From the erythrocyte layer we can determine the hematocrit percentage, which is a clinically important measure for determining the patient’s red blood cell production. Hematocrit is simply the volume taken up by red blood cells divided by the total blood volume. For example, a patient with polycythemia vera would have an abnormally high hematocrit because they overproduce red blood cells, while an anemic patient might have a relatively low or normal hematocrit due to low production of red blood cells. What hormone is responsible for this? Erythropoietin. What organ(s) if damaged could cause anemia due to lack of available erythropoietin? The kidneys. These are the types of integrative questions you can expect on your MCAT and testing yourself in a continual question basis is a good way to learn and build your understanding. Now that we understand the components of hemoglobin, let’s talk about the primary function of red blood cells â€" gas exchange. Red blood cells are often referred to as a ‘bag of hemoglobin’. This is because red blood cells lack organelles and a nucleus, and contain millions of hemoglobin proteins. Hemoglobin (Hb) is a unique protein. It has four subunits that each bind to oxygen. Hemoglobin is the quintessential example of cooperative binding, meaning that each subunit’s affinity for binding increases as other subunits become bound to oxygen. This gives the binding curve a sigmoidal shape (Check out MD Herofor more on this topic). While the majority of oxygen moves through the blood bound to hemoglobin, it is noteworthy that a small percentage is simply dissolved in the blood. Gas exchange is blood is a highly integrative topic since it connects many organ systems including the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems. As we discussed in last month’s blog, your cardiovascular system has a systemic and pulmonary circulation. The pulmonary circulation allows the hemoglobin to pass through the lungs and bind oxygen (inhaled) and released carbon dioxide (exhaled). The pulmonary circulation then returns to the left side of the heart and is pumped to the systemic circulation. The body’s tissues need oxygen to drive their cellular respiration. For example, when you are at the gym doing squats you are utilizing a large amount of energy in the form of ATP. Replenishing your oxygen stores through circulation is essential for your body to continue to drive aerobic and anaerobic cellular respiration. In this area of the circulation, oxygen is released into the tissues and carbon dioxide is removed by hemoglobin on the red blood cells. This exchange is dependent on the partial pressures of each gas in the tissue. In systemic circulation, the oxygen partial pressure is low and carbon dioxide partial pressure is high in the tissues. This drives the high concentration of oxygen in the blood to equilibrate and release oxygen and bind to carbon dioxide. The opposite occurs in gas exchange in the pulmonary circulation. As you develop your understanding of this concept, try to link it back to the oxygen-hemoglobin dissociation curve. Particularly high yield are understandings of acid-base, 2,3-bisphophoglyceric acid, and temperature. We will cover these and the bicarbonate buffer system in our next blog post. As you delve into learning your organ systems and applying your basic science concepts to the MCAT, realize that these are the foundations of your clinical reasoning. While these concepts are challenging now, the depth of this material will be significantly greater in medical school. It will serve you well on both your MCAT and in your future as a student and physician to hone these concepts and integrate your learning. About the Author Jordan S. is a current medical student, and one of our most experienced MCAT tutors. Click here for more information.

Teaching abroad with your pet What you need to know

Teaching abroad with your pet What you need to know So, you want to teach English abroad? Even if the idea has only just now crossed your mind (or you’ve been dreaming of this plan for years), in all seriousness, living and teaching abroad is a wonderful, eye-opening and mind-broadening experience. If you have pets, though, that adds a whole new level of complexity to your planning. How do you bring them? And should you bring them? After all, taking your pet abroad is a big decision and one that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Figure out whether moving abroad with your pet is a viable option. When making plans to teach abroad, even before you research pet entry requirements in your new country, it’s imperative that you consider every available option for your pet and carefully weigh up the pros and cons of each. Have a long and hard think about what’s really best for them. If the move is relatively short term (a year or two at, the most), you may want to consider leaving your pet at home, in trusted hands, if possible. Your pet’s health and well being should be considered above all else. The stress of flying can make pets ill. Conditions in the cargo hold of commercial jets are not always pet-friendly. Temperatures can fluctuate wildly, the noise can be terrifying to pets and the air pressure can drop at any time. There are also the practicalities to consider when you do make the move. In Asia, for example, pet-friendly accommodation can be difficult to find. In the UAE, dogs are banned from public areas and confined to designated dog parks. Some countries frown (or have an outright ban) on taking animals on public transportation. And depending on where you’re moving to (and from) an extreme climate can have a negative impact on your pet’s quality of life. Factors to consider when moving abroad with your pet. Most countries require some sort of entry permit for pets. The application process varies substantially from country to country. You’ll want to allow plenty of lead time in advance of the big move so you can be sure you’ve covered all your bases. If in doubt, then check whether your new country’s government website has a page detailing what you need to know about moving with your pet. Teaching in Europe with either a dog, cat or ferret, for example, is relatively straightforward. The days of drawn-out quarantines and indecipherable paperwork are long gone, thanks to something that sounds almost impossibly adorable - a pet passport! If your pet is another species, then national laws apply so you’ll need to do some more in-depth research into the pet regulations set by the country in Europe you’ll be teaching in. In Asia, it’s pretty much guaranteed that you’re going to need your pet to be quarantined. You’ll also need to microchip and vaccinate your pet against rabies in Korea and Japan. While some countries ban snakes and birds altogether, others go one step further and impose bans of certain breeds of dogs. Check with the country’s consulate on whether they have laws in places restricting your dog’s breed. If you’ve decided to take your best friend with you, it’s also a good idea to research accessibility to pet services locally, like vets, animal hospitals, groomers and pet sitters. Is your pet’s food brand is readily available? Will your accommodation will come with a yard for your dog to roam in? Sign up to Teach Away today for access to the latest teaching jobs around the world. Teaching overseas with your pet: A checklist of what to do. Because there are so many details to sort out and many different things to consider as you plan your move, you will want to be fully prepared every step of the way. Check out our tips below: Find a vet who specializes in pet relocation. Your current vet or state/government site might be able to point you in the right direction. If you’re based in the US, you’ll need an accredited vet to fill out an international health certificate for your pet. Get your documents in order. Pet Relocation has advice on transporting pets to different destinations overseas. If you’re coming from the US, you’ll need to get a health certificate from the US Department of Agriculture (USA). You’ll also want to bring a hard copy of your pet’s health records, to be on the safe side. Get your pet vaccinated and microchipped. Microchipping your pet is always recommended anyway, but many countries also require it. In Europe, for instance, you’ll need to get your pet decked out with an ISO microchip. You’ll need to redo your pet’s rabies vaccine at a specific time before you depart. Other immunizations you’ll need to for dogs include: Distemper Parvovirus Canine hepatitis Leptospirosis While cats will need the following vaccines ahead of time: Panleukopenia Rhinotracheitis Calicivirus Get a travel crate. Now’s the time to get your pet used to their travel crate. And check with the airline you’re flying with about whether to get a hard or soft-sided crate. Confirm any airline requirements. Every airline has their own set of policies in place when flying with pets. For instance, depending on the size of your dog and your destination, you might not be able to travel with your pet in the cabin. And as much as we hate to break it to you, some airlines don’t have the best track record when it comes to keeping pets safe. Oh, and no matter how tempted you are to sedate your dog for the flight, it’s really not advisable. Sedation can cause breathing difficulties. Set money aside for your pet ticket. Yes, air travel is now available to the furry masses. And some airlines even allow dogs to travel in the cabin, rather than the cargo hold. Either way, you will have to pay, although airlines do vary in their pricing structure for pets so you’ll need to check with them directly. If possible, try getting a direct, non-stop flight. And avoid holiday and weekend travel times like the plague. Also, have a think about the time of year you’re flying in. Is it extremely cold or hot? This can make conditions in the cargo hold harder on your pet. All set for you and your furry friend’s adventure teaching and traveling abroad? Be sure to check out these additional resources for new expat teachers: 5 teacher blogs to get you excited about teaching abroad How to avoid cold feet: The teach abroad edition Tax timeout: tax responsibilities for teachers heading overseas to teach