The Primary Elements of Chemistry

The Primary Elements of ChemistryChemistry is a science that deals with the nature of matter. There are two primary elements: matter and energy. Matter is composed of atoms that are held together by the electromagnetic force. Energy is the concept that what holds the atoms together in molecules is that they are together.In its simplest sense, the concept of energy does not hold much importance in the matter. The atoms only really move because they have an electrical charge, and this charge is what makes them move. While this might be the most basic definition of how atoms are put together, there are a number of further distinctions that might be of interest. Here is a brief description of the main ones.Electrons are elements with the letter 'e' attached to them. In chemistry nomenclature, an atom is said to be 'a H, O, N, or S' for an element. Atoms, though, are not really atoms, so what constitutes an atom is important. In the case of an atom of hydrogen, it is the electrons that oc cupy all of the space within the atom. The other atoms of hydrogen are called ions.Carbon is one of the elements that is used in chemistry. Carbon atoms have a hole in the middle, which allows them to flow like water. Other forms of carbon, such as iron, are used in the same way.Nitrogen is one of the elements that is used in chemistry. It is used in the nitrogen cycle as the cycle starts by using the element nitrogen and leaves the cycle with the element nitrogen again. Nitrogen is used as a fertiliser in food crops, as an inorganic filler in many building materials, and is an element that is sometimes used in the glass industry as a fume stabiliser. It is used in the flame of a turbine in large factories.There are several other simple atoms that are used in the chemical and metallurgical sciences. Boron is a carbon that is heavier than the average carbon in the periodic table. It is used as a filler in plastics, as a cleaning agent, and as a hydrogen source. Other compounds contai ning boron, such as the high-pressure gas, helium, are useful as gases. Boron is used in computers and air conditioners as a stabiliser in electrical connections.Sodium is a heavy sodium atom, with high energy levels that make it useful as a coolant. The very light element of sodium, used in many energy sources, is potassium. The lightest of all the elements, it is used in potassium phosphate for high-pressure applications in chemical plants. Other elements that are used as an energy source, potassium and sodium, are used in energy cells.

Listening and Writing Exercise Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Listening and Writing Exercise Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In the U.S. today we are celebrating one of the greatest American citizens of all time, the honorable Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In celebration and remembrance  of this great man we have a listening exercise based on an interview he gave.This interview highlights  what an amazing and intelligent individual he was. Dr. King continues to be a hero in the U.S. Not only does he hold an important place in American history, but he is also an example of the best  of what Americans can accomplish.Watch the interview with Dr. King below, then try to answer the questions.  Answer the questions in comments below, and well respond.Where is Dr. King located and where is the panel located?What was the purpose of the March? What happened that was tragic?What did Governor LeRoy Collins hope for after the demonstrations?How long will the demonstrations continue?Dr. King thinks there are a lot of good white people in Alabama. T/FWhat is the most essential thing for King to end the demonstrations?What is the 3rd problem that Dr. King wants to address?The questions from the panel reflect their personal views. T/FWas the marching demonstration illegal?What two types of laws does Dr. King observe?Kings Letter From The Birmingham Jail is one of the best examples of essay writing in English. Weve created an exercise using the text below. In the first part, choose the word that  best completes the sentence. In the second, choose the correct definition of the words in purple. Finally, answer the three questions at the end.My Dear Fellow Clergymen: While _________ (a. visiting, b. staying,  c. confined) here in the Birmingham city jail, I came across your recent statement calling my present activities unwise and untimely. Seldom do I pause to answer criticism of my work and ideas. If I sought to answer all the criticisms that cross my desk, my secretaries would have little time for anything other than such correspondence in the course of the day, and I would have no time for constructiv e work. But since I feel that you are men of ________ (a. genuine, b. mostly, c. some)  good will and that your criticisms are sincerely set forth, I want to try to answer your statement in what I hope will be patient and reasonable terms.I think I should indicate why I am here in Birmingham, since you have been influenced by the view which argues against outsiders coming in. I have the honor of serving as president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, an organization ________(a. controlling, b. protesting, c.operating) in every southern state, with headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. We have some eighty five affiliated organizations across the South, and one of them is the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights. Frequently we share staff, educational and financial resources with our _________(a. enemies, b. affiliates, c. friends). Several months ago the affiliate here in Birmingham asked us to be on call to engage in a nonviolent direct action program if such were deemed necessary. We readily consented, and when the hour came we ________ (a. lived up, b. lived in, c. lived for) to our promise. So I, along with several members of my staff, am here because I was invited here. I am here because I have organizational ties here.But more basically, I am in Birmingham because injustice is here. Just as the prophets of the eighth century B.C. left their villages and carried their thus saith the Lord far beyond the boundaries of their home towns, and just as the Apostle Paul left his village of Tarsus and carried the gospel of Jesus Christ to the far corners of the Greco Roman world, so am I compelled to carry the gospel of freedom beyond my own home town. Like Paul, I must constantly respond to the Macedonian call for aid.Home Towns   a. Place where you were born and raised. b. Where your parents live. c. Town your ancestors are from.Compelled a. Someone asks you to do something. b. A sense of duty. c. To be forced to do something.Aid a. Justice. B . Compliance. c. Help.Moreover, I am cognizant of the interrelatedness of all communities and states. I cannot sit idly by in Atlanta and not be concerned about what happens in Birmingham. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. Never again can we afford to live with the narrow, provincial outside agitator idea. Anyone who lives inside the United States can never be considered an outsider anywhere within its bounds.Dr. King feels that they should wait for justice patiently to come to all states and countries. (T/F)You deplore the demonstrations taking place in Birmingham. But your statement, I am sorry to say, fails to express a similar concern for the conditions that brought about the demonstrations. I am sure that none of you would want to rest content with the superficial kind of social analysis that deals merely with effe cts and does not grapple with underlying causes. It is unfortunate that demonstrations are taking place in Birmingham, but it is even more unfortunate that the citys white power structure left the Negro community with no alternative.What reasons does Dr. King give for the demonstration?In any nonviolent campaign there are four basic steps: collection of the facts to determine whether injustices exist; negotiation; self purification; and direct action. We have gone through all these steps in Birmingham. There can be no gainsaying the fact that racial injustice engulfs this community. Birmingham is probably the most thoroughly segregated city in the United States. Its ugly record of brutality is widely known. Negroes have experienced grossly unjust treatment in the courts. There have been more unsolved bombings of Negro homes and churches in Birmingham than in any other city in the nation. These are the hard, brutal facts of the case. On the basis of these conditions, Negro leaders so ught to negotiate with the city fathers. But the latter consistently refused to engage in good faith negotiation.Is Birmingham during Dr. Kings time a peaceful city?You can read the full letter here.

Making Learning a Foreign Language Fun!

Making Learning a Foreign Language Fun! Learning a foreign language can be a huge challenge for students. There’s vocabulary to learn, a plethora of tenses to absorb, and a whole new accent to perfect. Often, students can get lost in the minutia and details, losing engagement to the broader picture of cross-cultural connection and the enjoyable challenge of language learning. At AJ Tutoring, our tutors can help students cultivate an interest and appreciation for the languages they are learning while also showing great progress with class assignments and tests.Click here to learn more about our foreign language programs! Quite often, a student comes to AJ disliking the language she’s learning because she feels overwhelmed by all of the new vocabulary, verbs conjugations, and syntaxes to memorize or the stress of preparing for a high stakes exam like the AP Exam or SAT Subject Test. Parents want to help their student be successful, but they don’t know how because most adults haven’t studied a new language since high school.When learning a foreign language, it is important to constantly remember the bigger picture. Each lesson and each year a student is expected to learn new grammar concepts and new vocabulary. Think of those as lego pieces. As time passes, a lego masterpiece starts to form. The learning curve can be frustrating, but it helps to know that, as the years pass, the journey gets more rewarding because the fruits of labor can be harvested. Envisioning a trip to a foreign country or even a fluent conversation with a foreign language-speaking friend can make the rewards of language learning feel more concrete.  In the meantime, practicing the language with classmates, parents, and friends or watching movies in the target language can remind students of the benefits to their study. Always knowing that there is a bigger picture and there are reasons we are learning each concept helps with wanting to master the language.Here you can find some helpful online resources to aid with practice for languages commonly taught to students at Bay Area schools: http://www.wordreference.com/ https://studyspanish.com/ http://www.bonjourdefrance.co.uk/ https://newsela.com/articles/#/rule/spanishWith language learning, targeted practice and 1-on-1 coaching are highly effective. Private tutoring is commonly thought to be the most impactful way to improve reading, writing, and speaking skills. At AJ, our tutors come to us with a breadth of experience and background in helping students progress with their studies of foreign languages like Spanish, French, Latin, and Mandarin. Our educators are able to bring perspective to everyday lessons and turn the most difficult parts of learning the language into more enjoyable and engaging activities.Reach out to us to learn more about how we can help your student with foreign language study!

Parkway Schools

Parkway Schools Parkway Schools Welcome to Parkway - a district that has educated and shaped the lives of students and their families for more than 50 years! We are extremely proud of our schools, our students and staff along with our strong community. Parkway is a prestigious district in St. Louis County that is regularly at the forefront in education across the state of Missouri. Many see Parkway as not only the place to be but the school to emulate and we often serve as a benchmark for others in the state. Parkways 28 schools and Early Childhood Center are renowned for their achievements, with 17 Blue Ribbon Awards from the U.S. Department of Education and 19 Gold Star Awards from the State of Missouri. Parkway consistently ranks among the top 10 districts in Missouri on the state report card for large districts. All four traditional Parkway high schools were among countrys Best High Schools byU.S. News World Reportin 2015. Additionally, five Parkway schools are National Schools of Character - Ross Elementary, Oak Brook Elementary, McKelvey Elementary, Craig Elementary and Barretts Elementary. Parkway has consistently earned a Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting. Our residential tax rate is among one of the lowest in 23 St. Louis County districts. Parkway is one of only four school districts in Missouri to earn the Standard and Poors AAA bond rating. For the past three years, Parkway was selected as a Top 10 workplace in St. Louis by theSt. Louis Post-Dispatchbased on surveys of employees. We believe that setting higher expectations creates brighter futures. Parkway is well known for preparing students for college. Just under 90 percent of graduates go on to attend colleges and universities. Parkway is committed to promoting high achievement for each student. A comprehensive curriculum personalizes learning by offering 14 subject areas, online courses, real-world, experiential learning, English for Speakers of Other Languages, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), gifted and special education. At the high school level, there is a strong emphasis on advanced placement and honors courses. We fully expect this trend to continue and believe Parkway could be a place for you to call home. Thank you for your interest in the Parkway School District. We invite you to join us in the journey of our mission to ensure all students are capable, curious, caring and confident learners who understand and respond to the challenges of an ever-changing world. View our Brochure

Preparing for a Skype Interview

Preparing for a Skype Interview By Kathryn StewartIf you are interested in teaching overseas, you will eventually need to interview with administrators or a principal from your potential school. With many of Teach Away’s partner schools, this interview will be over Skype. For those who have never had an interview over Skype, here are some tips to ensure you have the best interview possible.Online Information: Your Skype profile photo, Skype name, and status will be the first things the interview team sees prior to speaking with you. Make sure that these are professional â€" having a separate Skype   account for professional contacts is a great idea.Background: As you aren’t able to meet your potential colleague or supervisor in person, keep in mind that your first impression will extend beyond what you are wearing or how your hair looks.   Your webcam will also show your living or working space. Make sure your area is tidy! A plain background is ideal, as that will allow the interviewer to focus on you instead of trying to decipher your choice of artwork in the background.Technical Preparedness: If you are new to Skype, try a practice run with a friend or your Teach Away placement coordinator before your interview. Use your webcam and microphone to make sure that everything is in good working order. On the day of your interview, we recommend that you are online and ready to go at least 15 minutes prior to your interview time.Acting Naturally: It can be difficult to “be yourself” while on camera. Try to stay as natural as possible, and remember all the points of an in-person interview: for example, making eye contact with the person you are speaking to. You don’t need to act differently in a Skype interview, just make sure that you are being seen and heard on the webcam.On the subject of eye contact, however, making eye contact through a webcam is a little more difficult than in person. Remember that your interviewer’s “eyes” are actually the camera! Try to look into the camera as much as possible, instead of staring directly at your screen.Patience: Sometimes Skype will cut in and out, or it can be difficult to see or hear the person on the other side.   From time to time you may even need to stop the call and try again. Try to be patient!Flexibility:   It is unlikely that your potential employer will be in the same time zone - your interview may be scheduled at a time early in the morning, or late in the evening. Your placement coordinator will do their best to schedule an interview time that works best for both sides, but keep in mind that flexibility is an asset when teaching abroad, starting from the very first interview!Kathryn Stewart is a Placement Coordinator at Teach Away Inc.

Expanding Vocabulary for High School Readiness

Expanding Vocabulary for High School Readiness Prepare for High School With an Expanded Vocabulary 8th graders are fast approaching the end of their middle school or junior high careers. The transition from 8th   grade to high school is one of the most difficult educational challenges and many students find that the first semester of high school is overwhelming, mainly due to social changes but also because of a large step up in educational responsibility (READ: How to Get an A Before the End of the Term). One thing that seems to be continuously lacking for students entering the 9th grade is vocabulary expansion. With increasing importance placed on test prep as well as yearly assessments and a heavier emphasis on non-fiction reading and reading comprehension general, 9th graders need to have an excellent handle on vocabulary. Consider the 8th Grade Vocabulary List Parents should consider looking at the 8th grade vocabulary list, easily available online,   and test their kids out with a few of the words. As soon as an 8th grader hears the word ‘test’, they are unlikely to be interested in further discussion. However, parents can easily throw in a word here or there in general conversation and see if their child knows what it means. Parents can also try a more direct approach and simply ask their children to provide a synonym for a list of words. If 8th graders do not have a minimum of a 90% success rate on the appropriate reading list at this point in the year, they are not on track for the 9th grade. Parents are also advised to share the 6th and 7th grade word lists with their children, also available online.   Many students are surprised to find that they dont know as many of the words on these lists as they thought. This is generally because these vocabulary words are not found in everyday language or students simply dont remember them. Exposure to New Words The more a child is exposed to new words the more likely theyll be to remember them and use them in their own speech. Students who are behind should attempt to learn 10 words a week (READ: Five Tips for Success in English Class). This should not detract from their current academic commitments and will not likely be overwhelming, but will start them on their way to age-appropriate vocabulary. Students who know at least 90% of the words on the 8th grade vocabulary list should move up to the 9th grade list. Entering the 9th grade is a huge social adjustment and students are less likely to be able to advance their vocabulary during the first six months of their high school career. Students who are proficient in the 9th grade list prior to starting high school will have a much easier time in their English classes as well as any class that requires reading comprehension or research. Vocab for Testing and College Prep Early vocabulary expansion is also important for both college and college entrance exams, such as the SAT or ACT. College prep students attempt to learn as many as 3,500 words through simple memorization within the three months leading up to the SAT. Students will not be able to learn or memorize that many words in a short time. Because the vocabulary section is one that high school students consistently score low on, early vocabulary expansion, starting at an early age, can potentially earn test-takers up to an additional 100 points when they take their SAT. In addition to test prep, students with advanced vocabulary also have an easier time understanding both fiction and non-fiction literature and are able to participate in class discussions more accurately and more confidently. Later in life, post-secondary students as well as professionals will find that they are often able to communicate better and more effectively with a broad vocabulary, especially adjective usage. Regardless of the reason for vocabulary expansion, its important for all upcoming 9th graders to make sure that they are at least at grade level if not higher. All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by TutorNerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us post about.

5 Ways to Build Your Online Presence

5 Ways to Build Your Online Presence Image via Pexels 1. Be Consistent in Your Theme/Photos: This may seem like a minor detail, but it actually is important when it comes to building an online presence. Throughout your various social media platforms, have your ‘theme’ and photos be consistent. By ‘theme’ I mean a specific color palette, font, letter sizing, etc. These small details will show others that you dedicate time into making your pages look cohesive and polished, thus making your personal brand appear more reputable. Alison Doyle of the Balance notes, “  For example, you can use the same photo on all your profiles. You can also  create a branding statement  and use some or all of it, so youre sending the same pitch or message, on your social pages.” 2. Utilize LinkedIn: LinkedIn is an excellent place to establish and build an online presence. For one, it’s a popular place where business professionals, both online and offline, connect, look for jobs, and network with like-minded people! If you don’t already have a profile, create one to leap into the virtual job world and start making your brand noticeable! 3. Try a Professional Facebook Page: LinkedIn is a useful tool to connect with professionals and perhaps to your surprise, so is Facebook! With the shift of where people are looking for and finding professional connections, Facebook has emerged as a key platform to build an online presence. If you are looking to do this, just be sure to differentiate your personal page from your professional one, so you can separate the two. Being on Facebook as a professional can give you the chance to share your skills and current events that are going on in your life! Image via Pexels 4. Find Common Interests:  What better way to build your online presence than to find common interests with others? Josh Steimle of Entrepreneur.com  states, “when reaching out to someone, always do your research to learn a few things about them, find an interest you have in common, and ask them about it to break the ice. If you struggle to find a common interest, become interested in something they have experience with by researching it and coming up with some questions on the topic.” You can find people with common interests through various social media platforms, especially ones like Facebook or Twitter. Doing so will not only help you to meet new people, but it will also expose you to new areas of your industry that you might not have been aware of! 5. Personal Website:  Having a personal website can draw attention to you and you exclusively without the other potential distractions that can come with being on a social media site like Facebook or Twitter. Rather, a personal blog or website shows potential employers that you are serious about building your online presence and looking to spread your brand across multiple platforms. Regarding the benefits of a personal website, Alison Doyle  writes, “A blog or personal website that is related to your career interests is a good place to highlight your expertise and an ideal way to feature your credentials.” Who doesn’t want to have the free time to do what they want and work remotely at the same time? Choosing to work remotely is not always an easy decision, and it can sometimes come with a few difficulties. While building an online presence and creating a brand for yourself takes some patience and determination, if you follow the right steps, you can network effectively and be successful working at home. As always, good luck!