Online Rational Expression Solver Tutors

Online Rational Expression Solver Tutors Rational expression is an algebraic expression written in p(x) / q(x) form. The condition for the rational expression is the denominator cannot be equal to zero i.e. q(x) 0. There are many question related to simplifying given rational expressions. The rational equation can be solved and simplified using different mathematical properties such as multiplicative property, associative property, additive inverse multiplicative inverse and many more. Example 1: Find the answer for the expression x /5 + 2 x/5 + 3 x/5? The given question is on adding rational expressions. This question contains the adding the expressions with same denominator 5 Adding the numerators of the expressions gives (x+ 2 x+ 3 x)/5 = 6 x/5 This makes the solution equal to x/5 + 2x/5 + 3 x/5 = 6 x/5 Example 2: Find the answer for the expression (3 x/ 5) + (x /3) (4 x/15)? The given question is on adding and subtracting rational expression. This question contains the adding and subtracting with different denominator. The common denominator need to be found for 3, 5 and 15. The least Common denominator LCM = 15. Adding the first two terms (3 x/ 5) + (x /3) = (9 x/ 15) + (5x /15) =14 x/15 Now subtract 3 x/15 from the previous answer 14 x/5 (14 x/ 15) - (4 x /15) = (10 x/ 15) Further simplifying the fraction gives 2 x/3. This makes the solution equal to (3 x/ 5) + (x /3) (4 x/15) = 2 x/3.

Find Sewing Classes In Birmingham

Find Sewing Classes In Birmingham Where Can I Find Sewing Courses In Birmingham ChaptersLearning How To Sew With Sewing LessonsLearn To Sew...Or Choose a General Sewing WorkshopMore Sewing Classes Near MeSewing is not only a craft or hobby, it is a skill.Not only that, it has so  many layers to it and  just keeps on giving  as each  decade or generation passes: from  upcycling a garment to fit in with new  fashions as a teenager to  sewing  toys or  patchwork  quilts for your grandchildren, it is worth learning sewing techniques for all the  rewards they bring over the course of a lifetime.Whether you decide to learn how to thread by hand or you opt for machine sewing, there's a heap of information to learn! is a workshop that was held in March this year at the NEC. The sewing tutorial was designed by experts to allow participants to unleash the creativity within them and to inspire and fill them with ideas to take forward. Dubbed a stitcher's paradise, this course (which covered sewing, knitting, and patchwork as well as embroidery styles) offered hands-on demo nstrations and the possibility to learn from experts within the field.Attendees were wowed by an array of fabrics, yarns patterns, and threads and were taught how to refine their embroidery skills, a very valuable capability in this day and age with embroidered fashion heightened to the max!Embroidered clothes and home decor items are all the rage right now. Photo on VisualHunt.comKids' ToysOn a course like Introduction To Sewing Juniors,  which is designed for children of 6-11 years of age with little or no experience in sewing, you can take steps towards creating an item that appeals to you, such as a soft toy.For children and adults alike, there is nothing better than taking pride in the fact that you made something by yourself, and what's more is that you can take this truly personal item home with you to treasure forever (depending on how well you made it!).Moreover, the skill that you acquired during the process will inspire and enable you to design and make more unique pieces during your lifetime. You never know, a junior course could spark a passion and lead you onto a specific career path that involves sewing!Quilted Or Patchwork ProductsBeginning quilting is not easy, so enrolling on a course is advised if you want to be happy with your homemade quilt. Adult classes held at the Cadet Training Centre in Birmingham focus on traditional patchwork and quilting methods and are led by Joy Edgington of Pastures New Quilting.In a supportive environment, participants learn at their own pace using a step by step approach to ensure that everyone builds on their skills and can demonstrate each new technique learnt. The workshops are adapted for all abilities and you can choose from a range of day classes, short courses or monthly programmes. You can tell that this class is a winner just by the number of return students she has going!Or Choose a General Sewing WorkshopFor absolute beginners who simply want an introduction to sewing so that they can move forward i n any which direction they choose, this entry-level course is great for teaching the basics like how to use a sewing machine.Absolute Beginners : Learn how to use a sewing machineTaking place on Thursday 5th July 2018, this course is limited to six places and is an introductory workshop into using a sewing machine (or a refresh for those who haven't used their sewing machines in a while).During the daytime lesson, you will learn how to set up and thread a sewing machine, recognise the different parts of the machine, change a sewing machine needle, wind the bobbin and set it in the machine, how to change the stitch length, how o guide the fabric when sewing, and much more. During this time, you'll be taught how to make a basic tote bag, which you can take home with you at the end of the day.Since there are only half a dozen spaces available, it is wise to call the organiser and see if any places remain or if you can be placed on their waiting list. Alternatively, enquire as to whethe r they have a newsletter sent out at any time of the month so that you can be kept informed of any future courses that might suit your needs.You can attend courses which show you how to use a sewing machine. Photo on VisualhuntMore Sewing Classes Near MeRemember, however, that I don't necessarily have to find a sewing studio  on my doorstep in order to find sewing classes near me - I can even take one to one lessons with experienced tutors from the comfort of my own home!For example, Superprof counts three suitable tutors on its platform, with prices ranging from £8 and hour to £17 an hour.The least expensive tutor on the records, Sobia, does not hold a qualification in sewing however she is passionate about the craft and is keen to pass on this love for sewing and to help you to improve your abilities. Beverley, who comes in at £15 per hour, is a textiles fashion teacher with almost two decades of experience in this field. Finally, Katherine is an experienced seamstress and cost umer who provides beginner sewing lessons to adults and kids, giving you the expertise and inspiration you need to make your own clothes, costumes, pillowcases and tote bags.Nevertheless, you don't have to restrict yourself to the instructors based in your city.While we are sure you will agree that the three tutors listed display a very good range of experiences and skills and all at reasonable prices, you can open yourself up to hundreds more tutors if you are willing to learn your new skill online via a series of emails, illustrations, live video calls and pre-recorded tutorials.While you can find many of these learning tools online using your own searches, the benefit of having a tutor dedicated to helping you to develop your skills is that they can take control of the learning journey and guide you along the way.Their experience and knowledge in the field will be passed on in a way that is tailored to your own needs and desires and the best thing is that you can ask all the ques tions you want! Unlike watching a YouTube video, you can pause the demonstration and ask for something to be repeated or shown again before you proceed to the next step.So, if you're still wondering whether to sew, or not sew, then remember this: sewing has been proven to be a great way of stitching your worries away!Check out these sewing courses across the UK:Classes in LondonClasses in ManchesterClasses in LeedsClasses in Glasgow

Making a better you How to change your bad habits - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Making a better you How to change your bad habits - Introvert Whisperer Making a better you: How to change your bad habits Every person is like a fingerprint; one entirely different from the other, and so are our habits. Each one of us has at least one bad habit we become so committed to, that we hardly bother to try to get rid of the same. It might be eating unhealthy food, laughing at the wrong moment, biting nails, chewing the gum too loudly, or not to practice your last New Year’s resolution. There is just no limit to acquire these habits. If you will ever speak to a smoker, about 70% of them will say they would like to give up on smoking. Drug and alcohol abusers struggle to give up on addictions once they are into it. Many of us have an unhealthy excess weight that we could lose if only we would eat right and exercise more often. So why don’t we do it? “Habits play an important role in our health,” says Dr. Nora Volkow, director of NIH’s National Institute on Drug Abuse. “Understanding the biology of how we develop routines that may be harmful to us, and how to break those routines and embrace new ones, could help us change our lifestyles and adopt healthier behaviors.” Habits are a result of repetition. Ohh, wait! I am not saying that repetition is bad, repetition is completely normal, in fact, it is often helpful. We wake up in the morning, brush our teeth, shower, comb, and all this without really being mindful of it. We can even drive on familiar routes without really thinking of the directions and all this only because we have been repeatedly doing the same over the years. So if repetition is completely normal then what is the real problem? Habits are hard to break once they get deeply wired by constant repetition in our brains. For example, feelings you experience after consuming drugs or watching porn. You will hardly think of bathing, but your mind will constantly keep triggering the enjoyable moments, which are different from your day-to-day routine. What can you do to change your bad habits? Just like you need to lift heavy weights to build strong muscles, but you need strong muscles to lift heavy weight. Similarly, you need to practice good habits to get rid of bad ones. Try Replacing rather than Eliminating Habits that you have right now are in your life are for a reason and in some way or the other, they provide a benefit for you. For example, many of us are habitual to biting our nails or tapping our feet when we are stressed. Similarly, many find drinking as a solution to come over an emotional trauma. Because every bad habit provides some kind of benefit in your life, it is very difficult to eliminate them. Thus, we should rather try replacing a bad habit with a good one that provides a similar benefit. For example, if you are habitual to smoking when you are stressed, then it is a bad idea to plan to stop smoking. Instead, you should come up with a different plan to deal with stress and try to insert that into your routine. Bad habits address certain needs in our life, and when fulfilling a need cost just a few bucks (buying a cigarette) then people hardly think of the bad side. Thus, it is very hard to cut out a bad habit without replacing them.   Focus on one habit at a time Just like, you cannot work the whole day or even continuously for 8 hours, similarly, you cannot focus on more than one habit at a time. Our willpower has a limited amount of energy every day, and when it is pushed beyond its limit, it becomes hard to control. If you will try to focus on getting rid of more than one habit at a time, you will more likely get stressed as you will try to control your emotions, practices, and thinking in multiple ways. How does this affect habit development? It is simple.   You will not succeed if you try to change multiple habits at the same time. Each one requires a significant amount of willpower to resist, which leaves you in a glucose-depleted state. Most people do not have the willpower energy to focus on multiple habits.   So when they are in a depleted state, it becomes too easy to give up on all that you started, instead of just one. Thus, try baby steps, which is focusing on one habit at a time. Go into it with a plan To start developing good habits, you have to stick to a plan. The habits you develop while you are young will impact not only your productivity but also health, financial security, happiness, and comfort. How much money you make, how well your body functions years from now, how much time you spend with your friends and family â€" all of these is directly linked with healthy habits you practice today. Thus planning will help you make your today better. Here is what you can do: As simple as that â€" a plan that is neither too easy nor too complicated works the best. Write down your plan â€" writing your plan is a simple way to remind yourself what needs to be done at that moment. What is the Substitute?   invest some time in finding a substitute for your bad habits Give yourself a month or two â€" Changing a habit is not simple. The conventional wisdom is that it takes 28 days to get free of a bad habit thus make sure your plan gives you enough time to change your bad habits for good. Tracking your achievement motivates you The habit of tracking your achievements or downfalls is very helpful in long-term as it encourages you in many ways. For example, if you decide to restrict yourself by a few cigarettes, you need to track their number, like how many, right? It is a great idea to keep track of what is working and what is not. Tracking comes down to checking if you did not engage in your bad habit that day and even if you did they how much more or how much less. Just as if most of us has a habit of counting the number of pushups, we did in the gym each day, similarly, counting days without your addiction helps you build a streak that motivates you to grind further without bowing down. When you are clean for one day, and you have not been in years, that is a bliss. The second day added to a chain feels like an event worth celebrating. Then comes the first week, first month, 100 days in a row, the first year and still counting. Achieving this feat of not embracing a bad habit for over a year is enough to give you a sense of accomplishment. In addition, it also provides priceless data, helping you to identify your pitfalls or how often you avoid triggers of your negative behaviors. Get rid of tempting situations When you are home alone with no friends or family members around, do not take it as an opportunity to have your favorite cookies or donuts left in the jar. Habits are often performed with barely any conscious thought that could be ignored but not stopped. Thus, try to divert your mind by keeping it busy with something else like watching TV or listening to music. If you always stop for a donut on your way to work, try a different route.   If you are trying to avoid checking your cell phone all the time, shut down your cell phone or put it in airplane mode. Try to get rid of tempting situations as much as possible. Outsiders can help Do not feel shy of announcing it to your friends that you are trying to make a change by giving up on this or that habit. Just tell everyone about your new mission. Put it up on your wall or computer desktop with #anewme. Just like I did when I used to work with Thanksforthehelp. How is this beneficial? There are two advantages: In my experience, once we let our friends know that we are trying to give up on a bad habit they work as a reminder. If we try to practice the habit we declared to quit, they will surely poke us, reminding us of our promise to yourself. Thus, you will think twice before practicing the same habit as you may wonder what your friends or family will think of you. Moreover, try finding someone you can call, or an online forum you can tap into when any of your cravings start to kick in, and you are struggling. Let your allies hold you accountable, and that will help you give up on a habit. Love your life No matter what happens, let your life know that you love it. Learn to embrace every situation life throws at you with a positive attitude. Remind yourself that you were born with the ability to make a change in your life. Every moment is an experience and those moments have to have quality. The habits, which you decide to follow need not always, be the one which contributes to your career or health. It can be as simple as start worrying less, drinking more water, etc. When you know that you love something your life in this case it becomes very easy to make efforts for it and efforts will surely bring a change.     Author bio Himanshi Goel has been associated as a Social Media Expert with CDR-Report.comsince its start. She really loves to pen down her thoughts on mental constructs, habits, personal development and anything that pleases her eyes. Go to top Do you know what your next career step is?  Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable. Get your copy now and start your action plan today! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

Regulating Unpaid Internships

Regulating Unpaid Internships Federal and state regulators are becoming increasingly concerned with employers exploiting college students through unpaid internships, as a means for free labor, according to a New York Times article. There has been a sharp increase in unpaid internships because of the recent economic recession. Many employers have been forced to make cuts. They have been picking up the slack and cutting costs by hiring unpaid interns. Also, there is a strong desire for many college students to pursue unpaid internships to enhance their rsums and gain valuable experience in their field. In 2008, 83% of college graduates held an internship, an increase from 9% in 1992. The federal Labor Department and other regulators are increasing their enforcement by investigating many businesses to determine if their unpaid internships violate a states minimum wage laws or other workforce laws. Some employers have already been fined for having unpaid interns in Oregon and California. Many regulators believe that firms and other companies commit violations across the nation. However, these firms continue to get away with exploiting interns because many college students are very reluctant to report wrongdoings. Students are afraid they will quickly be labeled as a problematic, unprofessional employee, which could deter their chances of landing a job after graduation. If youre a for-profit employer or you want to pursue an internship with a for-profit employer, there arent going to be many circumstances where you can have an internship and not be paid and still be in compliance with the law, Nancy J. Leppink, the acting director of the Labor Departments wage and hour division told The New York Times. Leppink also said that there are several criteria that internships must meet if they are going to be unpaid. Some of these regulations are that an unpaid internships training should be similar to what a student would receive at a college or vocational school, the interns job cannot take the place of another paid position and that the employer derives no immediate advantage from the intern. Also, an unpaid internship is likely to be illegal if it involves only mindless, unskilled, menial work like making copies or stuffing envelopes. Essentially, if an internship is going to be unpaid, the intern must benefit from the experience more than the employer. This will not immediately affect high school students. Nevertheless, it is a positive trend that is likely to benefit them once their college careers begin. Regulators are likely to continue cracking down on employers, forcing them to pay their interns, or change the interns tasks and responsibilities. This will work to many college students advantage. However, there could be a decrease in available internships. Some companies and firms are likely to cut their internship programs entirely, rather than making them paid.

Dublado versus legendado

Dublado versus legendado Quando comecei a me aprofundar no estudo do Inglês, percebi que a minha maior dificuldade não estava na compreensão escrita da língua, mas sim na minha capacidade de falar e compreender o Inglês oral. Eu era perfeitamente capaz de entender um texto escrito, porém, não tinha capacidade (ou treino) para ver um filme em Inglês sem que ele estivesse dublado ou legendado em Português. Image courtesy of Ambro / FreeDigitalPhotos.netNo Brasil, infelizmente, somos habituados a ver filmes dublados. Quando somos crianças, e ainda não temos a nossa capacidade de leitura desenvolvida, fica claro que a dublagem é necessária. Contudo, conforme crescemos, o paradigma não muda. Os filmes continuam a ser dublados, muito embora haja um movimento que luta pelo fim dessa imposição da dublagem.Claro que, se pensarmos nos níveis de analfabetismo, a dublagem continua sendo uma forma barata de trazer o que é internacional para o Brasil, sem fazer com que uma parcela da população se sinta excluída. De acordo com dados divulgados em 2012, referentes à pesquisa efetuada pelo IBGE em 2011,  8,6% da população brasileira, com 15 anos ou mais, é analfabeta. Verifica-se uma queda de 1,1% em relação a 2009, quando a taxa era de 9,7%. Contudo, ainda existem 12,9 milhões de brasileiros que não sabem ler e escrever. Por isso, faz sentido colocar a hipótese de que um dos motivos pelo qual o império da dublagem se perpetua é o número de analfabetos, ainda que países com índices de alfabetização superiores aos do Brasil também apostem na dublagem.É engraçado pensar nisso hoje em dia, mas apenas quando já era adolescente é que tomei consciência do quão prejudicial é essa cultura da dublagem. Estava tão habituada a ver os filmes assim que, quando comecei a ver filmes legendados, senti dificuldades em acompanhar a história e ler ao mesmo tempo. Até parece ridículo dizer isto, mas vivemos em um país onde as pessoas se tornam fãs de determinados atores e atrizes, muitas vezes, sem sequer ter ouvido a voz dessas pessoas! Como é óbvio, isso não acontece apenas no Brasil. Espanha e França são ótimos exemplos de países onde a dublagem de filmes e séries também é comum, mas não é porque eles fazem que a gente tem que continuar fazendo, né?Embora isso seja pouco divulgado, vários estudos (como este) apontam para os benefícios da exposição de pessoas que estão aprendendo Inglês à filmes e séries legendados, preferencialmente em Inglês, para que o aluno tenha acesso aos diálogos tanto por áudio como por texto, facilitando o desenvolvimento do seu nível de compreensão oral e escrita daquela língua estrangeira. Daí que seja fundamental, quando o objetivo é realmente aprender Inglês, que o indivíduo experimente começar a ver filmes com legendas, sejam elas em Português ou Inglês.No começo, ver filmes com legendas em Português ajuda a que você relacione o que está sendo dito com a tradução que foi feita, mesmo que, em alguns casos, as traduções possam ser enganadoras. Mais para frente, quando você já se sente à vontade com o Inglês escrito, ter acesso a filmes com legendas em Inglês permite que você associe o que está escrito com a pronúncia e treine o ouvido para construções que podem induzir a erros de compreensão, como acontece frequentemente com músicas.Tendo isso em mente, se você ainda está preso aos filmes e séries dublados, mas quer mesmo aprender Inglês, comece o seu ritual de libertação e abrace o mundo das legendas, porque, se você se aplicar no aprendizado da língua, até elas serão desnecessárias.

GCSE Poem analysis - My Last Duchess by Robert Browning

GCSE Poem analysis - My Last Duchess by Robert Browning My Last Duchess - By Robert Browning That’s my last Duchess painted on the wall, Looking as if she were alive. I call That piece a wonder, now; Fra Pandolf’s hands Worked busily a day, and there she stands. Will’t please you sit and look at her? I said “Fra Pandolf” by design, for never read Strangers like you that pictured countenance, The depth and passion of its earnest glance, But to myself they turned (since none puts by The curtain I have drawn for you, but I) And seemed as they would ask me, if they durst, How such a glance came there; so, not the first Are you to turn and ask thus. Sir, ’twas not Her husband’s presence only, called that spot Of joy into the Duchess’ cheek; perhaps Fra Pandolf chanced to say, “Her mantle laps Over my lady’s wrist too much,” or “Paint Must never hope to reproduce the faint Half-flush that dies along her throat.” Such stuff Was courtesy, she thought, and cause enough For calling up that spot of joy. She had A heartâ€"how shall I say?â€" too soon made glad, Too easily impressed; she liked whate’er She looked on, and her looks went everywhere. Sir, ’twas all one! My favour at her breast, The dropping of the daylight in the West, The bough of cherries some officious fool Broke in the orchard for her, the white mule She rode with round the terraceâ€"all and each Would draw from her alike the approving speech, Or blush, at least. She thanked menâ€"good! but thanked Somehowâ€"I know not howâ€"as if she ranked My gift of a nine-hundred-years-old name With anybody’s gift. Who’d stoop to blame This sort of trifling? Even had you skill In speechâ€"which I have notâ€"to make your will Quite clear to such an one, and say, “Just this Or that in you disgusts me; here you miss, Or there exceed the mark”â€"and if she let Herself be lessoned so, nor plainly set Her wits to yours, forsooth, and made excuseâ€" E’en then would be some stooping; and I choose Never to stoop. Oh, sir, she smiled, no doubt, Whene’er I passed her; but who passed without Much the same smile? This grew; I gave commands; Then all smiles stopped together. There she stands As if alive. Will’t please you rise? We’ll meet The company below, then. I repeat, The Count your master’s known munificence Is ample warrant that no just pretense Of mine for dowry will be disallowed; Though his fair daughter’s self, as I avowed At starting, is my object. Nay, we’ll go Together down, sir. Notice Neptune, though, Taming a sea-horse, thought a rarity, Which Claus of Innsbruck cast in bronze for me! This poem is set in 1564 and is based on the real-life Duke Alfonso II who ruled Ferrara, Italy in the latter half of the 16th century. In the poem, he’s talking about his first wife Lucrezia de’ Medici, 3 years after she died under suspicious circumstances shortly after marrying the Duke. Summary This poem is set in 1564 and is based on the real-life Duke Alfonso II who ruled Ferrara, Italy in the latter half of the 16th century. In the poem, he’s talking about his first wife Lucrezia de’ Medici, who died under suspicious circumstances shortly after marrying the Duke. In the poem the Duke is speaking to an emissary who is negotiating the Duke’s next marriage to the daughter of another powerful family. He is showing his visitor around his palace and stops in front of a painting of his late wife. The Duke then begins to reminisce about his late wife’s portrait sessions with the painter, and then about the Duchess herself. His reminiscing soon turns into a verbal onslaught of his late wife’s behaviour, where he abjectly accuses her of being overly flirtatious with everyone, and not appreciating his “gift of a nine-hundred-years-old name”. As his speech continues, the reader realises with ever more terrifying certainty that the Duke was responsible for the Duchess’s early demise, due to her worsening behaviour: “I gave commands; Then all smiles stopped together”. After making this declaration, the Duke returns back to the discussion of arranging his next marriage. As the Duke and emissary leave to return to the other guests, the Duke calls attention to his bronze statue of Neptune taming a seahorse. Structure and Language This poem is a dramatic monologue which means it’s one person speaking through the whole poem. It’s written in iambic pentameter (same rhythm as much of Shakespeare’s work) and rhyming couplets. This means each pair of lines ends with rhyming words, for example: “ That’s my last Duchess painted on the wall,/Looking as if she were alive. I call” Because it’s a dramatic monologue, this poem is structured as a long speech, which is evident in its use of varied punctuation. All of the colons  (:), dashes (-), commas (,) and full stops (.) are used to create the feeling of regular speech. This poem is loaded with rhyme because of the rhyming couplets. However, it is also loaded with enjambment which can often mask the rhymes. Enjambment is when a line of poetry ends in the middle of a thought without any punctuation. When you read the poem, you generally read straight through to the next line and so you would not pause to emphasise the rhyming words at the ends of the lines. For example, “My gift of a nine-hundred-years-old name/With anybody’s gift. Who’d stoop to blame” you would read straight through name to finish the thought which ends at the full stop in the next line: “nine-hundred-years-old name with anybody’s gift.” Thus the rhyme of “name” and “blame” is masked. The imagery in this poem is rather limited, reflecting the Duke’s admission that he is not “skilled in speech”. There is a lot of imagery about possessing objects, as well as an abundance of personal pronouns. This suggests the Duke’s selfish and self-important character. Themes of this poem reflect on wealth, status, and pride. The Duke, though a wealthy and proud character, is not seen in a good light. Despite thinking very highly of himself, the Duke comes across to the readers as arrogant and unlikable. The reader also sees that money cannot buy happiness; although the Duke is wealthy, he is insecure and paranoid about his late wife’s behavior. Overall, the author wittily shows that sometimes a person’s commentary on a subject tells you more about the person than the subject. In this case, the Duke’s repugnant personality is revealed through his commentary on his wife. For More GCSE poem analyses: Praise Song for My Mother, Nettles, The Yellow Palm, and Medusa Or for other  great GCSE resources New Maths 9-1 GCSE Five Strategies to improve Academic Performance Need anymore help with English? Find professional GCSE English tutors near you by following the link. Written by Madeleine K

Writing How I Learned Its Okay to Ask For Help

Writing How I Learned It's Okay to Ask For Help As I embarked on my journey to become an English teacher, I would find myself worrying about my abilities as a writer. After taking a class my first semester that showcased my weaknesses as a writer, I began to question myself and wondered if maybe I had mistaken the calling I was so sure I had heard. Along the path on the rest of my three-year journey, however, I have found inspiration and have also come to realize that to love the English subject, I do not have to have the words or vision of Jane Austen or Emily Dickinson. In other words, I do not have to be a naturally great writer. I discovered that when I started seeking help and additional resources, I was not only able to achieve better grades, but I was also able to grow as a writer. We all have those moments in life that make us question everything. While attending Wake Tech Community College, I took an Argument-Based Research class. That class was that moment for me. Here I was, making the biggest decision of my life to l eave a job I’d been at for ten years to be an English teacher, and I am struggling with an English class. To be clear, I was by no means failing, but I was not getting all A’s and B’s either. I never understood what my instructor wanted from me and would spend hours on papers that received nothing but criticism and low grades. I was frustrated and I was too prideful to admit I was struggling or to seek help, but when my teacher decided to offer, I hesitantly accepted. The first time I sought out extra help was on my second paper for Argument-Based Research. My instructor assigned three major essays and three mini-essays. She realized that a lot of us were not understanding what she expected us to do after the first major essay, so she held an online webinar to walk us through the first mini-essay. I went to the gym and then, instead of meeting my friends for post-workout libations, I went home to participate in this webinar. I did not expect it to help, but I figured it coul dn't hurt either. My instructor took us step-by-step through her rubric and I outlined my paper as she continued. Once I had the organization of my paper down, it was easy to write the rest. I got an A! Then came the second mini essay. Feeling more confident this time, I wrote the paper without additional help and got a B, and more criticism. Feeling defeated once again, I asked my instructor for advice. Her advice has helped me write every paper I’ve written since then during my college career. Tutoring was not something I ever felt I needed. I was the one that made good grades naturally without studying. When my instructor suggested I send my papers to the tutoring center for revision, I was taken aback at first. I told my dad about the conversation, and he assured me that there was no shame in seeking extra help. So I did it, and my paper came back with positive comments as well as a ton of feedback. I was overwhelmed at first, and a little discouraged, but I read through the c omments and realized that I had been understanding some concepts wrong the whole time. One example that I remember is that I would refer to society as plural rather than singular. I also would slip out of third person without realizing it, which in the future, taught me to read my papers back to myself out loud. I made the necessary changes and got an A on my next paper, as well as the ones after that. While the tutoring center at Wake Tech was my greatest resource, I had to leave it behind when I began attending NC State in the Fall of 2015. Through my journey as a writer, I have learned lessons that will help me in the future as an educator. For example, if I am stuck or feel like I am not being effective in my lessons, I know it’s okay to seek help and additional resources. I realize that I do not have to be “great” at everything the subject of English requires of me. Proficient, yes, but not great. I also learned that there are people that want to help others succeed, and I hope to be one of those people to my future students.

COMMON CORE MATH - ALOHA Mind Math

COMMON CORE MATH The common core is the set of high quality academic standards in Mathematics and English Language Arts/Literacy (ELA).  The learning objective of a student outlines what a student should know and do at the end of each grade from K-12.  The standards were to ensure that the students as they come out of schools have all the necessary skills to succeed in their college, career and entire life. Math and English were chosen as the subjects for Common Core standards as they are the building blocks of skill sets for various other subjects. Accepted by 42 states in the United States, the common core was the result of the stagnation in the academic progress of US students.  The US students were found lagging in international competitions and one of the primary reasons for stagnation was the uneven standards across US.  With inputs from teachers, school chiefs, administrators, educationists and experts, the Common Core initiative was a conscious effort to develop a common standard across the states. A lot of time, thinking and effort have gone into the development of Common Core Math standards.  The benefits are abundant that almost all states have agreed to the standard.  Many low income schools and schools with a large percent of colored students did not have equitable opportunities to learn.  With common standards, mathematics is a tool of liberation and equality. In the United States, students frequently move between districts and states; even during the middle of the year.  Lack of consistency in standards had earlier put them in hardship that is mitigated now.  The common core system also eliminates education being at the mercy of legislators and publishers. Common core enables teachers connecting through a conference, training session or online, to interact, share problems and solutions etc. The federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 is a law that mandates year-on-year testing for graders 3-8.  Before common core, states developed their own tests, which can now be replaced with better testing. As the nation moves towards a new approach towards math teaching, programs oriented towards parents are conducted by many schools, to engage them in the concept and help their children succeed.  Common Core Math is conceptual and emphasizes deeper understanding rather than the mechanical and repetitive problem solving methods followed earlier.  This new approach to math and problem solving will give students deeper math skills and prepare them to compete at international levels.