French Music Countdown 4 Biggest French Hits of Summer 2015

French Music Countdown 4 Biggest French Hits of Summer 2015 Sign up successful 1) Feder ft. Lyse “Goodbye” Despite being a far cry from the standard  summer jam, the seductive deep house grooves of Nice-born Feder’s “Goodbye” nonetheless cast a major spell over French listeners during  the latter half of summer. It held  the number one spot on the French charts for a longer period of time (five weeks) than any other track across the May through August window. This song’s heady combination of underground rhythms, Balkan-tinged strings, and luscious pop vocals allowed it to claim its crown as France’s unquestioned tube de l’été (French for hit of the summer). Listening to this type of music is a good way to practice your French listening skills. 2) David Guetta ft. Nicki Minaj, Bebe Rehxa and Afrojack “Hey Mama” For American audiences, this is a song that obviously needs no introduction. Still, it would be remiss of me to compile a list of this summers biggest French songs without including a track that not only tore up the legendary DJs home market of France, but also found  international success with which Mr. Guetta has become familiar with over the last few years. 3) Fréro Delavega and Skydancer “Le Chant des Sirènes Remix” (The Sirens’ Song Remix) Fréro Delavega is a French duo made up of 25-year-old Jeremy Fréro and 28-year-old Flo Delavega. They first rose to prominence via their participation in the French reality show The Voice: La Plus Belle Voix. “Le Chant des Sirènes” was the biggest hit to come from the pair’s self-titled 2014 debut album, and following the 2015 release of this remix from producer Sky Dancer, the new version of the track began its own climb up the charts. Sky Dancer’s take on “Le Chant des Sirènes” combines the downbeat beauty of the original with a tastefully handled house beat and atmospheric synths that amplify the charms  of the original song without transforming it. One of the benefits of this approach is that the eloquent poetry of the original’s lyrics is left intact and accessible to the listener, allowing lines like, Les années passent, l’écho s’évade sur la Dune du Pilat/ Au gré des saisons, des photomatons, je m’abandonne à ces lueurs d’autrefois   or The years pass, the echo escapes across the Dune of Pilat/At the mercy of the seasons, of photo booths, I give myself over to gleams of former times â€" to add a tangible sense of place and longing to the track’s melancholic rhythms and melodies. Be sure to take note of  how the lyrics in this song are sung. Trying to get French pronunciation down can be difficult, but as always with anything new, keep practicing! 4) Maître Gims “Est-ce que tu m’aimes?” (Do You Love Me?) After first making a name for himself as a member of hip-hop group Sexion d’Assaut, Maître Gims embarked on a solo career in 2013 with the release of his hugely successful debut album Subliminal. “Est-ce que tu m’aimes?”, the first single to be released from forthcoming follow-up M.C.A.R., finds Maître Gims sliding right back into his hit-making ways without missing a beat. The French MC’s West African heritage (Maître was born in Zaire but immigrated to France when he was only two years old) heavily influences  the track. It has bustling tribal drums underpinning a group  of half-sung/half-rapped hooks that are almost guaranteed to have wormed their way into the most distant reaches of your eardrums, even if some of the lines themselves seem designed specifically to cause a bit of cringing. For example,  J’étais prêt à graver ton image a l’encre noire sous mes paupières/ Afin de te voir même dans un sommeil éternel â€" or I was ready to engrave your image in black ink under my eyelids/ So that I would be able to see you even in the midst of an eternal slumber. Most importantly, this song functions as a thrilling pouring-out-my-heart-and-soul  power ballad. At the same time, it provides a small window into the great diversity of cultural experiences and aesthetic tendencies that are currently shaping the style and substance of 21st century French pop. End of the Tour That concludes our French summer music tour I hope you had fun! Its fun listening to songs when you dont know the language. Although, learning French could make your listening experience all the better! Try listening to some contemporary French singers if youd like more. Ill see you at the next tour! Post Author:  Seth N. Seth N.  is fluent in French and teaches  in Maylene, AL. He recently graduated from Yale University with a bachelors degree in  East Asian Languages and Literature. Seth plans on returning to school this Fall to earn a law degree.  Learn more about Seth here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

How Walk Off The Earth Got A Record Deal On YouTube

How Walk Off The Earth Got A Record Deal On YouTube Megan L. From going viral on YouTube to touring the world, Walk Off The Earth has made an impressive mark on the music scene, and from the looks of it they are just getting started. Their album  Sing It All Away will be released this month, and the band has been touring heavily in anticipation of this release. Singer and guitarist Ryan Marshall gave us a call this week to talk about his inspirations, life on the road, and his complicated relationship with country music.   How did you get started playing music? Was there anyone like a parent or teacher who really helped you along the way? I come from a family where everyone has always played some sort of instrument. But for me in grade six, I started playing baritone, which is like a small tuba; some people call it a euphonium. I had an amazing music teacher. I lived in a small town near Toronto and I had this teacher Sue Smith, who had been the trumpet in Canadian Brass. She actually came to my school and I started with her in grade six and then she came to my high school and continued teaching our class all the way through high school. When you get a teacher like her it really changes the way you look at things and it makes you want to continue playing. I was the captain of the football team and the basketball team, and sometimes, when I was going to school anyway, the sports guys arent too keen on people playing in the jazz band or the concert band. But when you get the right teacher who explains things and helps you deal with peer pressure and all that junk, you can learn a lot. Coming from that education, how did you form Walk Off The Earth? I didnt even start playing guitar until I was 20. Im a really big Bob Dylan fan, so right away I did a lot of harmonica and guitar playing, and singing at the same time. I hooked up with a couple of guys and we started a little reggae band that lasted a few years. When that band ended, I continued playing with my drummer, and we wanted to start recording a little two piece project. He knew this guy Gianni who had his own studio, so we went there to record. Gianni started adding some bass and things into the stuff we were recording. We hadnt even played a show yet and we didnt have a bass player, so it just kind of turned into a three piece. We needed a name and Walk Off The Earth just kind of happened, and that was the beginning. One thing that really stands out about Walk Off The Earth is your instrumentation and the really cool, kind of unusual choices that you make. Where do you get those ideas and what inspires you? I think a lot of the inspiration comes from the different characters and influences that we have in the band. Having five people adding ideas and influences really allows us to use a lot of different instruments. For Sarah and Gianni and I, its kinda like this: none of us are amazing guitar players and none of us are amazing ukulele players, or whatever it might be, but once you kind of understand the idea of the instrument, if you can shape a chord or something, as long as you have good rhythm you can get away with playing a couple songs on it here and there. All of us are really interested in learning different instruments and finding things to add to the set. Sometimes it ends up being little kids instruments, and its fun to take something like that and say how can we sample it, or how can we record it. Then once you put it into a recording, youre kinda stuck, and you have to figure out a way to do it live, so you end up bringing all these weird instruments live on stage. Another thing that Walk Off The Earth is really famous for is that you got a record deal on YouTube. Was that something that you set out to do? What would your advice be to other artists who want to follow that same path? We did the indie band thing, trying to get signed by a label in conventional ways, and its really tough. It finally got to a point where we all realized, were not going to get signed to a label, were going to have to do this on our own. We had to find a way to reach a lot of people, and YouTube had just started up. Gianni said hey, why dont we give this a shot? We put up some videos and all of a sudden we had 15,000 views on a video (editors note: that video now has over 160 million views). Wed never played to 15,000 people in our lives! You also have to be lucky in the viral world. If people could figure out how to make a viral video, then everyone would. I dont know what happens, something happens, and we got lucky with that one video. We also had another 30 or 40 videos already on that channel, so when people saw the viral video, it wasnt like a dog that was talking and all of a sudden theres nothing else to watch. There was a whole catalog of songs, originals and covers, that people could watch next, and we noticed those all started blowing up at the same time. That also was the thing that attracted the label. Labels want to see a body of work and a fanbase before they put money into a band these days. You have to develop your career yourself. Youre currently on the road, and youve been out on tour for some weeks now. What are the best and worst things about being on the road? I love playing for crowds. Honestly, the best feeling in the world for me is getting on stage and having people sing back songs to you that you wrote. To me, its the most rewarding feeling in the world. So thats definitely the best. I have a family at home, and I have a little five-year-old, and I miss home when Im away. A couple of you in the band have families, and its got to be work sometimes to balance that with your careers as musicians. Recently, your bandmate Sarah even had an experience where she was asked to leave a flight because her toddler was fussy. How does that situation fit in with your overall experiences of balancing parenthood with being rockstars? The Sarah situation was just insanity. I have no idea what the airline was thinking. I think thats gonna get taken care of, and that aside, as far as balancing fatherhood and family when were on the road, its got its pros and cons. For example, when we recorded our album it took us about three months, and we were at home in Burlington that whole time. So I was home for three months straight, every day. I could see my family every day. A lot of busy fathers are home every day but they work from 6 AM to 8 PM and their kids are in school and then theyre asleep. For me, I get to spend three months straight with my family and they see me whenever I want to see them, which is amazing. But when youre gone, youre gone. When youre on the road, youre gone for months. Things like Facetime and Skype have really changed how were able to communicate with home. And you know, Sarah and Gianni, theyre both in the band, and they can travel with their son, and the second one coming along soon. Ive brought my five-year-old Kingsley with me on a couple tours, not a bus tour, but a couple fly-ins, and it was really fun. When you do get the chance to play music purely for fun, what do you like to practice and what do you like listening to? Im a big folk guy, I love listening to Tallest Man on Earth, a lot of Bon Iver. I listen to every type of music but I havent really gotten into any country yet. Everything else pretty much ends up on my phone. I have a pretty wide variety. When Im playing, I usually just pick up my acoustic and I write a lot. I enjoy writing all different types of music. I will write a lot of country songs but I dont really listen to country [laughs]. But I just love picking up my acoustic guitar and singing and doing singer-songwriter type stuff. Is there anything musically that you hope to explore more in the future? As a band, we really like trying to touch all aspects of the music world. On this album, we have a collaboration with Steve Aoki, which allowed us to kind of get into the EDM part of the music scene. We got to go and play with him at Ultra Music Fest in Miami. It was close to 200,000 people, and its a different scene for us, so it was great. Our fans are such a large, eclectic group. We have three-year-olds at our shows, and last night we had an 89-year-old lady at our show. It really ranges and its really cool, and were able to collaborate with other artists that allow us to explore other types of music. Dont miss your chance to see Walk Off The Earth when they come to your town! Keep up with tour dates on their website, Facebook, or Twitter. 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 Erin Blackwood

How to Teach English to Kids

How to Teach English to Kids Teaching English to Children: A Guide Chapters1. Daily English Lessons2. English Songs for Kids3. English Games for Kids4. English Stories for Kids5. Watch Cartoons in English6. Hire an English-Speaking Babysitter7. Travel to an English-Speaking country.8. Sign Up to a Bilingual School9. English lessons for Kids with a Tutor10. Learn to Be PatientWe start worrying about our child’s future before they’ve even entered the world...These worries are often caused by parental instinct.  However, recessions and employment crises probably don’t help matters.How are they going to succeed in the world with all this going on?How can you teach children English as a second language?Do you find yourself asking these questions?  As parents, we want to do what’s best for our children.Globalisation has made learning English as a second language essential when it comes to getting ahead in the world of business.It seems that students from Northern European are almost fluent when it comes to learning English. Whereas some countries in Europe seem to be lagging behind. France, for example.The French education system seems to be failing when it comes to teaching foreign languages.  However, you can’t go around blaming education systems for your child’s ability in a language. Part of it’s down to you!Would you like them to learn from a very young age?Children are sponges when it comes to learning. You can start teaching English to them from 3 or 4 years old.There are plenty of ways for children to learn English.  How they learn vocabulary will really surprise you! JulianESOL (English) Teacher 4.00 (1) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EugeneESOL (English) Teacher 4.90 (58) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HelenESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (20) £32/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SuzanneESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (2) £45/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (8) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamuelESOL (English) Te acher 4.83 (41) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoanneESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (43) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkESOL (English) Teacher 4.76 (17) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors1. Daily English LessonsAs a parent you have to set the example your child will follow.This is easier when they’re younger. Once they become teenagers they’re unlikely to say “I want to by like mum/dad!”.Use English for everyday situations. Regular practice can also help you improve your English.Introduce English lessons around the house. Cook with them in English or speak to them when it’s bath time, for example.Start off easily.Paediatricians agree that teaching children at a very young age can set them on the path to speaking English fluently.Speak English to your children every day.Learning English as a foreign language will give them a great advantage nowadays.  Are they really advantages?Regular language learning can bring the following be nefits:They’ll be intellectually stimulated: It’s scientifically proven that bilingual children are better when it comes to conceptualisation, symbolism, and analysis.They’ll learn quicker: Children in multilingual environments are equipped to learn other foreign languages at school quicker. They’ll also quickly gain communication skills.They’ll quickly open themselves up to the world: When they learn to speak English, it will spark their curiosity when it comes to learning about the world around them.Speaking a second (or foreign) language throughout school can help your child not just academically but also professionally further down the road.It’s important to alternate between English and their mother tongue at different points of the time. Set the example.In the beginning, they’ll start by mixing up expressions before quickly using them appropriately.2. English Songs for KidsThere are plenty of songs you’ll know by heart.Can you remember the nursery rhymes you sa ng as a child?Your child could be the same!Teach them English nursery rhymes from a young age.How can you help your child with nursery rhymes? (Source: Web-Plectres)You can also teach them what it means.  They’ll quickly overtake you!You could even listen to songs in English online!They’ll improve their English listening skills.Introduce Them to English with Nursery RhymesMusic is a great way to teach non native children how to speak English.  They can learn to speak as early as 3 years old.There are plenty of nursery rhymes that can help them to learn English through repetition and singing.  They’ll end up working on their English pronunciation without even realising it.The rhythms are catchy, the words are simple, the pronunciation is clear. They’ll be so enthusiastic about learning them.  They’ll learn vocabulary, pronunciation, intonation, and the basics of syntax while enjoying themselves.Here are a few English-language songs we recommend.For the alphabet: The Alphabe t SongFor numbers: The Ants Go MarchingFor colours and clothes:  The Colours of Our Clothes3. English Games for KidsLearning English while playing is a great way to teach your child.  There are plenty of educational English games on-line.The British Council,ESL Games Plus,Game Zone.There are also free apps you can download to practice English.Does your child often take your smartphone off you to play on?  Download a few games from the App Store or Google Play and they can learn English online at the same time.Help your child improve their English with games. (Source: Pogu)There are also fun games you can play without going on-line.  Why not play a role-playing game?  You could even have a game of English hide and seek!Make them count in English!  English learning needs to be enjoyable. Most sites focus on children learning English.However, you can learn English while having fun regardless of your age. It’s a great way to learn!  It does work better for children, though.Pique their curiosity with a game and teach them a foreign language without them realising!  In the digital age, it’s useful to focus them on the educational resources on-line.It’s very easy to find educational games for your children.There are tonnes of games to learn about English culture, nouns, and writing. Here are a few that we really like:The British Council: For learning to read and write in English.TheLiteracyCenter.net: A lively on-line resource to get children used to English numbers, colours, times, and the alphabet.Startfall.com: Perfect for working on their pronunciation.Learn English by Playing on Your TabletJust like a the apps for older people to learn English, there are also tonnes of apps for children to learn English and start ESOL courses.There’s a lot of learning going on behind these games and riddles.You should check out:PiliPop,Papumba,FunEnglish.From a young age, kids can learn English with Pili Pop! (Source: Pili Pop)4. English Stories for KidsYour child probab ly loves their bedtime stories.  Alternate which language they’re in!Once you’ve finished one book, consider an English book for children.They’ll also get used to the spoken language as well as learning English vocabulary and expressions as they see them alongside the pictures.Learning English while bonding with your children is a great idea, isn’t it?Your child will also be learning how to read in English so make sure to teach them the alphabet!Teaching Kids to ReadBedtime stories are the perfect time to start teaching them English words and phrases.Children learn their first words between the ages of 1 and 3.To make sure they stay interested, alternate between languages.  If you want to make sure learning English remains interesting and enriching, you should:Choose short stories: smaller children have smaller attention spans. Focus on stories that last less than 10 minutes.Choose a particular theme: to ensure that the language and vocabulary is useful, make sure to pick a story on a particular subject or theme. A story about farm animals, for example.Be expressive when you read: Bring the story alive with a stellar performance. Impersonate animal noises, etc.Make sure that learning English is both educational and fun. JulianESOL (English) Teacher 4.00 (1) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EugeneESOL (English) Teacher 4.90 (58) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HelenESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (20) £32/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SuzanneESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (2) £45/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (8) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamuelESOL (English) Teacher 4.83 (41) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoanneESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (43) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkESOL (English) Teacher 4.76 (17) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors5. Watch Cartoons in EnglishSome parents think that television is harmful to their children.  However, children can spend hours in front of the TV without bothering anyone.Make the most of the time they spend glued to the TV by making them watch English cartoons.  Educational shows like Dora the Explorer can be used to teach them vocabulary in two languages.You can also put the shows on in English.  Your child may struggle to understand everything in the beginning but they’ll quickly get the hang of it and improve.Master the English language with the help of cartoons.We’ve already mentioned the benefits of watching films in English in our other articles on learning English as an adult. It’s a great way to work on your listening and comprehension.How does this work with children?  By replacing films with cartoons!Perhaps you’re worried that they won’t understand the story. Children will be just as glued to an English cartoon as they would be any other.It's a great idea to find English cartoons they already know. (Source: SB Mania)These cartoons are the first steps your child will take towards taking an interest in subjects like history, science, and the environment.6. Hire an English-Speaking BabysitterWho better than an English speaker to teach your children English?If you’re looking for someone to look after your children, you should consider looking towards bilingual English speakers.  There are plenty of English speakers looking for work while they study.It's important to find fun ways for your children to learn. (Source: Ashi Tano)Find somebody and ensure that they speak English to your children.  You could also look for an English-speaking au-pair.If you can afford it, an English speaker living with you and looking after your children could quickly teach them English.  However, this can be a quickly option.Your children can start learning English with native English speakers.Is it easy to find an English-speaking babysitter to teach your children English? Nowadays, there are plenty of services that can pu t you in contact with babysitters.For example, in France there’s Baby Speaking.  This is a foreign language babysitting service.  It’s available in a number of France’s largest cities and is a great way to children to learn a new language.English-speaking babysitters are trained by the agency to teach English to young children!7. Travel to an English-Speaking country.Are you currently planning your family holidays but not sure where to go?  Travel to an English-speaking country.Immersion is the perfect way to learn a foreign language.  Get them to order their food in English or speak to the locals.Go to parks where they can play with English-speaking children their own age.  This is a great opportunity for them to practice their English.They’ll also begin to understand the importance of using a language to integrate into a country.If you can’t go with them, why not consider an exchange programme?There are plenty of organisations that offer language trips for children.  Gen erally, children will study English in the morning (grammar, syntax, vocabulary, etc.) and in the afternoon they’ll focus on activities and games.Language stays in England for children.Learn English as young as you can!There’s nothing better than immersion in an English-speaking country when it comes to learning the language.Instead of sending your child to a summer camp, why not send them on a language trip to London?  There are plenty of organisations offering language trips all over the globe for children as young as 6.These are a perfect way to get to know English-speaking culture and start learning English pronunciation and vocabulary.Whether it’s in a school, with a host family, or even with an private tutor, your children will have a great time.Have a look for:Language stays,English language summer camps,Host families, etc.8. Sign Up to a Bilingual SchoolThere are plenty of schools all over the world offering bilingual education.Given the cost, there aren’t many famil ies that can afford to do this.  However, if you can afford to, you can’t afford not to!Certain methods at specialised schools can be very effective. (Source: La Region)There are other options, too. There are bilingual schools and academies for school holidays and weekends, etc.These adopt a more entertaining approach. Having fun is a great way to learn English.In some countries, there are also bilingual classes in state schools.  Nevertheless, the quality of these can vary massively depending on where you are.Bilingual Education from 3 YearsWhat is a bilingual school?  A bilingual school is an educational establishment where the curriculum is taught using two working languages.You can find them almost all over the world.  They often teach children as young as 3.According to linguists, children are most receptive to languages when they’re aged between 3 and 4 years old.Young children learn very quickly by listening and drilling.By having classes in these types of establishments, they won’t have to wait very long before they pick up enough vocabulary and grammar to start forming their own sentences.By the time students attending these school reach the end of their academic career, they’ll already have all the necessary language skills they need to pursue a number of international career options.9. English lessons for Kids with a TutorOnce a child finishes nursery, you should consider getting a private tutor to help them with their English.A tutor can tailor their teaching to your child.  Their classes can be a lot more fun than they would be for an adult receiving academic support.Furthermore, the tutor can regularly evaluate your child’s progress.  They’ll also be able to give you specific advice geared towards helping them practice English.Group English Tutorials for ChildrenAnother option would be to have group tutorials for a number of children.Group tutorials are different to normal private tutorials but they are still a great way for children to learn English.What are the advantages?The children aren’t alone with their private tutor. This means they can speak English with other children their own age, too.They are a great way for your child to develop social skills.10. Learn to Be PatientHelping your child to learn English or another foreign language is important because it’ll give them more options in the future.They’ll have everything they need when it comes to choosing what they want to do.However, don’t make them hate English class!  Learning a language needs to be an enjoyable experience.You won’t see short-term results. It’s a long-term process.  Every child goes at their own speed, too. You should keep this in mind.Even though children learn languages quickly, they need to learn regularly over a long period of time in order to reap the benefits.Learning English requires patience and many years of study. (Source: Pxhere)The methods and approaches will need to change as they do.One last tip:Don’t forge t to lead by example. While they’re learning English, make sure that you also speak to them in English on a regular basis.  Patience is the key to happiness.Don’t put unnecessary pressure on your child.   Let them learn at their own pace while having fun.If you’d like to learn about teaching dyslexic children English, read our article on the subject!

Reading Milestones for Early Readers

Reading Milestones for Early Readers As children become better and more independent readers, parents can help guide them along in their reading and literacy development. Parents need to understand the progressive reading building blocks and guide your child toward mastery of each of them. Here are some of the key reading milestones as your young reader advances through elementary school: Decoding Once students learn phonicsthe sounds of letters and letter combinationsthey move on to decoding, in which they use small words or word units to figure out larger words. Learning to decode helps students recognize root words, prefixes and suffixes. For example, a child who can read up can more easily read cup and upon. Word recognition In kindergarten, children spend a great deal of time learning high-frequency words (often called sight words). These are vocabulary words that appear often in books and other literature. Memorizing them and being able to recognize them instantly is one of the keys to achieving reading fluency. Examples include the, that, an, him, her, into, like and come. Spelling In the early grades especially, your child will learn how different letters are associated with different sounds and how words are composed of letters. Part of spelling involves learning about the sounds that vowels and consonants make as well as other letter combinations, including: Blends (such as fr, sp and bl, for example) Digraph sounds, or pairs of letters that make a single sound (th, sh and ng, for example) Diphthongs, or two adjacent vowels (au and oi, for example) Young readers also begin to identify letter patterns and recognize them in unfamiliar words (such as the short a sound in cat and hat and the long i sound in bite and kite). Punctuation and mechanics In order to read (and write) well, children must understand the parts of a sentence, how sentences are formed and what punctuation means. Comprehension As your child begins to read to him or herself and to you, the ability to comprehend what he or she reads is critical. Your child should be able to read a passage or chapter, recall details about what happened, and make predictions about what might happen next. Fluency Reading fluency is the ability to read quickly, smoothly and correctly. As your child progresses through elementary school, he or she must improve his or her reading fluency and be able to recognize words on sight without having to sound out every letter or chunk. Here are a few simple ways you can help your child improve his or her reading skills: Point out patterns. As your child learns to decode words, point out words that rhyme, words that contain the same prefixes and suffixes, words that build on other words, and similar patterns. Read aloud. Continue to read aloud to your child even when he or she can read independently. Mix it up. Have your child read aloud to you and silently to him or herself. Read to your child. Have him or her read to a sibling or family member. And read a variety of material types. Encourage questions. As you read together, ask your child periodically to summarize what a story or passage means. Ask about the theme of the story, what he or she thinks about the characters and what they might do next, and what he or she does or doesnt like about the story. Teach your child to relate to stories. Comprehension involves self-reflection. Encourage your child to compare situations in stories to those in his or her own life. Ask whether your child knows any classmates or friends who are similar to characters in the stories he or she reads. As your child advances through school, he or she will continue to strengthen the reading basics. Aid your child in learning the fundamentals now so that he or she will soon have the skills to succeed in school and enjoy this wonderful pastime for the rest of his or her life.

Why is GPA Important

Why is GPA Important Ask any teacher how much grades really matter in high school and youre certain to get the same answer: a lot. When teens get to junior year and start getting their college applications together, it becomes especially clear that grades are at the top of the list of factors that just about every college and university considers when evaluating applicants. Colleges want to know that the students they accept into their school are well-prepared to succeed. Yes, those SAT and ACT scores are important to colleges, but when evaluated alongside the GPA. Still, on its own, the GPA speaks loud and clear about your teen as a student. Here are six things your teens high school GPA says to the colleges and universities to which he applies: How much your teen cares about school Whether completely true or not, your teens grades make an impression that lasts. Low grades across the board could send the message that your teen was apathetic in high school, whereas high grades imply that school is something that your teen gave a lot of attention. Grasp on the subject matter Obviously, grades are an indicator of how well students understand each subject. To the college admissions officer, high grades show that your teen met teachers expectations throughout the duration of those classes and acquired the knowledge needed to master the material. Your teens effort While there will be times that your teen tries hard in a class and the grade doesnt reflect that, generally, good grades dont come without sincere effort. If your teen has a strong GPA, that tells colleges he tried and persevered even through challenging classes. Long-term potential Visit any colleges admissions website and youre sure to find some statement about its goal of admitting highly qualified students with the ability to succeed in their academic environment. Your teens grades are a big consideration for colleges for the simple reason that they want to admit students with high potential. Preparation for school and life success The next time your teen claims that grades are just a letter/number, remind him of this fact: to colleges, grades are an indicator of future success. That certainly doesnt mean your teen will fail in college if his grades arent the greatest today, but an admissions officer could be concerned that he isnt prepared for the rigors of college academics. Commitment to putting in the work Getting good grades is the result of several things: effort, knowledge of the subject matter and dedication to demonstrating that knowledge to a teacher. When your teen earns a high GPA, that tells colleges that he was committed to going to school, studying and doing homework. Urge your teen not to make the mistake of assuming that colleges value SAT and ACT scores more than gradesit simply isnt true. Both are important, of course, but high scores on the SAT or ACT will not compensate for a low GPA. Encourage your teen to work hard in school by taking AP or honors classes (that is appropriate for your teens skill, of course). If your teen recently received a less-than-stellar report card, dont wait to correct the problem, as every report card counts toward the GPA. Huntington can help. Contact us to learn more about how we can develop a customized program of instruction to help your teen address any academic challenges and raise those grades before the next report card.

The Gaza Conflict An FSU Perspective

The Gaza Conflict An FSU Perspective Tatiana-Rose BeckerFlorida State UniversityYear: SeniorMajor: Political Science/ International Affairs I have spent the last two months in Israel, here for the entirety of the Defensive Edge action in Gaza, the murder of the three yeshiva boys, and the murder of the Palestinian boy. I came here for an internship in the beginning of June and I have been reinvigorated in my love of Israel. The people in this nation have truly come together to support the government in a fight for their survival. I support this country first and foremost as a Jew. I believe every people with a shared culture, history, and language deserve their own state. I support Israel because it is a free democracy with freedom of the press, minorities have equal rights, and it is a beacon of hope for modernity in the Middle East. This current conflict in Gaza was and is inevitable. Unfortunately the situation left Israel with no option. The world criticizes Israel for striking Gaza and blowing up the tunnels, yet they never consider what would happen if this were any other country in the world. Would the US ever tolerate this? Would France? No. Historically that has never happened. People ask me why I support the state of Israel, or do I stand with her in the defense of the right to exist? Yes. I stand with Israel because I will not allow innocent civilians to be terrorized by radical Islamic militants and if those same terrorists are going to use civilians to hide their rockets then Israel has her hands tied and must go to whatever lengths necessary to protect her civilians. Any country on earth has a right to do so. Israel is no different. Ethan CohenFlorida State UniversityYear: SeniorMajor: Commercial Music I was in Israel from May 12-22. Israel is important to me because it is the Jewish State as well as the founding place for Judaism. Israel is like another home for me. I felt welcomed and became part of a bigger family I had never known. My view on this is that Hamas needs to be taken out of power if there is ever going to be peace in Israel/Gaza/West Bank. I believe that a terrorist group should not have any power in the negotiating process towards peace (especially if they use their own people as a shield). I absolutely stand with the Israel 100%. Haven MillerFlorida State UniversityYear: SophomoreMajor: Political Science/ International Affairs I spent six weeks in Israel with FSU’s International Programs from May 5th to June 13th, traveling all over the country but mostly staying in Jerusalem. Israel is important to me because it is the only place in the world where the Jews are always welcome. As someone who was bullied in high school for my religion, it’s refreshing to finally be the religious majority in a country It’s my belief that what is going on is truly devastating to both sides- Israelis and Palestinians. I think that there is one common enemy of both of these groups and it’s Hamas. Hamas is a recognized terrorist organization in control of the Gaza strip that is causing trouble for Israelis and its own people. Since the current conflict started, Hamas has launched thousands of rockets into Israel for one purpose- to kill Israeli civilians. Israel retaliates by sending rockets to known terrorist sites where Hamas stores weapons, terrorist bases, or terror tunnels leading into Israel. Unfortunately, Hamas has no regard for the lives of the Palestinian people, and builds many of their terrorist networks and launches rockets from civilian areas like schools, mosques, and even hospitals. All of these are facts, there is video proving it. There’s even a video of Hamas militants driving around in ambulances to disguise themselves from Israelis. The problem is, these facts are not always shown by the media. It’s been revealed that Hamas is issuing death threats to international reporters to not report the truth that Hamas is using innocent Palestinian civilians as human shields by urging them to stay in their homes and on the roofs even after the Israeli Defense Forces warns the civilians to leave. There are no videos or photos of Hamas on the news for the reason- they won’t allow it. So rather than seeing the aggressor in the conflict, when people turn on the TV they see terrible pictures of a bloody conflict and instantly think that Israel is the bad guy. BBC did a study and found that even some of the photos shown of the “tragedy in Gaza” are actually pictures from Syria’s war. Stephanie JablonFlorida State UniversityYear: SophomoreMajor: Education The last time I was in Israel was this past May on Birthright. That was my third time there. Israel means the world to me. It probably means the world to most Jews, too. That is the center of our world. Israel is the only place on earth where we are not only free to be Jewish, but encouraged to be as well. My views on the conflict with Gaza are as follows: Israel is doing what it needs to do to protect and defend itself against the terrorist government of Hamas that runs Gaza. I do understand the sympathy for those innocent civilians in Gaza who are forced to put their lives on the line and protect their terrorist, dictating, oppressive government. I have sympathy for them too. However, I cannot fathom ANYONE who has the slightest strip of sympathy for Hamas, who oppresses its people and threatens the only democracy in the Middle East. I 110 percent stand with Israel. It is my right as a Jew to have a place to call home, just like every other religion. Leon SultanFlorida State UniversityYear: SophomoreMajor: Psychology As a Jew the state of Israel means a lot to me. The Land of Israel, is land to us that was promised to us by G-d. Following the destruction of the second temple, Jews have been in diaspora for over a millennia. 1948 was truly a miraculous year, as the State of Israel was created as a safe haven and home for Jews in the Land of Israel itself! Following its creation Israel has constantly been in conflict with neighboring countries who refuse to live side by side with it peacefully. The conflict with Hamas is no different. Hamas, a designated terrorist organization by the E.U., U.S, U.K, and Australia, is sworn to the destruction of the state of Israel and Jews all over the world. It is Israel that is the victim in the round of violence it faces with Hamas. Israel has constantly been under the threat of destruction and has constantly fought many wars for the survival of its existence. The last thing Israel wishes to be is an instigator of conflict. When Israel goes to war, it does so because it is provoked. It does so to protect its people and its sovereignty. It never goes to war willingly and when it does, it does so in the most professional and collateral damage-free way as possible. Israel has no interest in committing genocide and killing innocent Palestinians as many in the media portray it to be. When Israel goes to war it targets those who harm the country and no one else. Hamas on the other hand shoots random indiscriminate rockets to kill as many civilians as possible. Its Hamas who wants war and destruction. It is Hamas who has instigated the latest round of violence. It is for these reasons that I stand for the State of Israel. It is simply acting in self defense. No other country would tolerate terrorists firing missiles at its civilians. Israel has the right to do it all in its capacity to keep the country and its civilians safe. Maci MorseFlorida State UniversityYear: JuniorMajor: Social Work Sadly, I haven’t been to Israel since my first visit during the summer of 2010, but I will never forget it. Israel has always been an important place to me because it is where my people are from. Growing up in a practicing Jewish family and going through nine years at a Jewish Day School made everything I had ever learned about Israel and my heritage real. To me, Israel means culture and, surprising to most, safety. While in Israel, I felt safer than I ever have in my entire life because of the minimal amount of crime and nearly a total absence of anti-Semitism. The current conflict with the Hamas organization compromises that safety and its upsetting. While I know that this conflict was inevitable and is distressing, I stand with Israel and always will. Emily SwerdloffFlorida State UniversityYear: JuniorMajor: Interior Design My name is Emily Swerdloff and I proudly stand with Israel. I grew up in a Jewish home, going to synagogue, and attending a Jewish sleep away camp. My mother was born in Israel and we have close family who still live there. Before I even visited the holy land, I felt a connection to Israel. Israel is the homeland to every Jew in this world. After the Holocaust, where six million Jews were senselessly murdered, Israel was founded for refuge. In the summer of 2011, I was lucky enough to visit Israel for the first time. Once I stepped out of the Ben Gurion Airport in 2011, I felt at home. I spent six weeks touring the country, making my way from the North to the South and visiting everywhere in between. Instantly, I fell in love. My connection to the State of Israel grew stronger as I embraced everything it had to offerculture, food, community. I believe everyone should experience the beauty of Israel. Hamas, a terrorist group controlling Gaza, rejects the existence of Israel. Hamas is responsible for precipitating this latest conflict by targeting civilians in Israel and launching rockets from civilian centers in Gaza. Israel has developed the Iron Dome to protect its citizens, while Hamas has put citizens in harms way, using them as human shields. Hamas used international money and supplies given for rebuilding Gaza to create underground tunnels into Israel for the sole purpose of executing terrorist attacks on the citizens of Israel. No other country would tolerate the continued attacks on its citizens. Israel has every right to defend herself. David WalkerFlorida State UniversityYear: JuniorMajor: Editing Writing and Media The last time I was in Israel was a couple months ago for Birthright. Before the trip Israel was remained just a vague notion of a homeland for a people I never really connected with. While I cant say I formed a bond akin to some of the others on my trip, I can say I found a sense of beauty in the countrys landscape and a level of patriotism and passion in its people that will stick with me forever. As for the conflict with Gaza, I can only say that I understand why Israel is doing what theyre doing without necessarily agreeing with it. Ive seen the bomb shelters, Ive seen the fear in peoples eyes when they talk about the potential of bombings, I (unlike many who seem to be new to this conflict) know what a toll terrorist groups like Hamas have taken on Israel. That said, the assault on Gaza is taking innocent lives and sowing more fear and hate among the native Palestinians. This is a no win situation for Israel but the ferocity of their approach to eradicate Hamas at any and all cost is not something I can not stand with. Brittany SinitchFlorida State UniversityYear: SophomoreMajor: English This [summer] was actually the first time that I have ever gone to Israel. It was the most incredible experience of my entire life. I went along with my best friend, Julie, and we walked away with memories, new friendships, and a whole new meaning of Israel. Israel is important to me for many reasons, but I think one of the biggest reasons why it is so important to me is because it is a place I know I could always go back to. Its a home away from home. Jewish people will always have a special place in Israel and I think thats beautiful that we can go back to such a remarkable place today. We have fought and fought over the years for our lives and today we have a home. Israel means everything to me. I think my connection with Israel grew stronger after visiting. It means safety, protection, love, hope, support, strength and just so much more. There is so much beauty within Israel, within the people there, and it just brings out all of the beauty inside of you. I think Israel changes people for the better and it leaves you with hope. I will always stand with Israel. Justin BoyarskyFlorida State UniversityYear: JuniorMajor: Social Science (Secondary) Education Israel feels like a second homeland to me. I have never in my life felt like I belonged anywhere more than I did in Israel. Israel is the one place in the world that all Jews (religious or not) are completely surrounded by their own people (no matter where the diaspora took them in the past). Its a special feeling thats honestly hard to explain. Israel is the one place on earth that Jews (shouldnt have to) be afraid/intimidated to be Jewish (secularly/culturally or religiously). Israel is the homeland. I also believe Israel has every right to defend herself. Its horrible to hear of civilian casualties, but its the ultimate consequence of this sort of unrest. I just would love to see peace in my lifetime, but I dont honestly know if I ever will. I do stand with Israel. I just believe settlement construction in the West Bank needs to halt. Its not productive in bringing peace to the region

Its Not Too Late 6 Tips for Finding a Fall Internship

It's Not Too Late 6 Tips for Finding a Fall Internship via Pixabay 1. Update your resume It may have been a little while since you looked over your resume. It’s not high on the priority list of most people once they start a new position or accomplish something. Pull out your old resume and add to it. If you worked any part-time job during the summer or even had a summer internship, make sure to add it. Also, remember to tweak your resume so it matches each internship position you apply for. Some positions may not require you to have customer service skills, so you can remove your retail position from high school. via Pixabay 2. Stay dedicated Make sure to cut about an hour out of your day to research and apply for internships. There are many positions out there and companies that need some help. You have to stay dedicated to finding an internship for the fall, especially because it is so quickly approaching. One way to do this is to search online and research companies you are interested in working for. Make a list of interesting companies and find contact information for the hiring managers. Make calls and send emails to anyone who may be able to help you. 3. Visit your school’s career center Many colleges and universities have a career center that is dedicated to helping students, like yourself, find an internship and prepare them for starting a career. Bring your resume and cover letter so someone can look it over and suggest changes. They may also offer mock interviews, so you can be prepared and feel comfortable when going in for an internship interview. They can also help you find an internship through the many contacts they have in the area. Sit down with a counselor and let them know exactly what you are looking for. They will most likely give you a list tailored to your interests along with the phone number, email address, or website to apply. via Pixabay 4. Ask your professors If you have made a strong connection with a professor or two from previous semesters, don’t be afraid to send them an email asking for help. The difference between a high school teacher and a college professor is that professors have made names for themselves in their industry by publishing papers and making an impact. They are bound to know someone who is looking for a fall intern or can at least lead you in the right direction. via Pixabay 5. Attend a career or internship fair You are more likely to receive a job or internship interview when you meet with someone in person. This humanizes you and reminds the hiring managers that you are more than just a piece of paper with your job history and accomplishments printed on it. Attend a career or internship fair in your area. Your school may even host it. Talk to representatives of companies you have researched and are interested in working for. Ask if there are any internship positions available for the fall. Be sure to bring copies of your resume and business cards if you have them and hand them out to every representative you speak with. via Pixabay 6. Apply online The easiest thing about finding an internship is applying. Search online for open positions and apply directly online. It’s as simple as uploading your resume and cover letter and sending an email. There are plenty of websites with internship position openings that allow for easy application. LinkedIn is one of the best places to look for an internship. You can search through connections you have made and see who is connected to someone at the company you apply to. It even allows you to apply to jobs directly from LinkedIn so the hiring managers can see your profile directly.

All About Private Loans

All About Private Loans pexels.com Money is a tough issue for any college student. Whether you are a senior in high school, a senior in undergraduate school, or someone who is about to enter graduate school, you will probably need financial assistance. Loans are a great way of paying for college now and catching a break to get a job and pay them off later. It is like someone telling you, “I am lending you this money because I know you can pay me back later.” Isn’t it a nice feeling when someone believes in you? However, be sure to look over the “Terms and Conditions” for every option. Different lenders will have different interest rates, payback timelines, and requirements to be eligible for a private loan. It is like the same someone telling you, “I’m not putting all of my eggs in one basket, so here is how it’s going down …” The Differences The main difference between federal loans and private loans is: •Federal student loans are funded by the federal government. •Private student loans are made by a lender such as a bank, credit union, state agency, or a school. Now that you know where each loan comes from, here are some other ways these two types of loans differ: Federal Loans •Can help you lower your payments if you are having trouble paying back •Offer loan forgiveness programs •Do not require your credit history •Do not require you to start paying back until after you graduate Private Loans •May not have deferment options to help you pay back •Do not offer loan forgiveness programs •Are more expensive •Have higher interest rates Click here for more information on both types of loans. Continue reading for more information about private loans. Check Your Options Before you start applying for a private loan, revisit your options with federal loans, savings, and scholarships. Financial advisors will always encourage you to max out your federal financial assistance before pursuing a private loan. This kind of loan should really be your last option when borrowing money. This is not to discourage you from searching for further financial assistance from the private sector. Just be aware that private loans are not the usual first safety line. They’re More Expensive The main reason you should consider private loans after all other options are exhausted is because of higher interest rates. pexels.com Interest rates on private loans tend to be higher due to the high risk of repayment and higher amounts of money offered among other factors. You Need Credit History Do you have a good credit score?  Do you even have credit history? Federal loans do not run credit checks so you can go ahead and apply for one now. Depending on who you go to, some private lenders will require you to provide your credit history. This is to determine how much the bank is willing to lend you. If you have good credit standing, you have a better chance of being offered a larger loan because of your record ability to pay on time. If you aren’t sure about your credit score or it isn’t in good standing, you will be asked to have a cosigner. Cosigners pledge to take on the loan payments should you default on a payment or need help. A college student’s cosigner is usually a parent or guardian, but anyone with good credit can cosign a loan with you. Do Not Over-Borrow Many students have the misconception that they should borrow all the money that is available to them. In order to avoid unnecessary debt and financial stress, learn what your budget is before speaking with a private lender. 1. Consider the total cost (tuition, room and board, and additional fees) of a semester of your preferred college. 2. Deduct how much federal aid will cover of the total amount. 3. Allocate any other money you have (scholarships and grants) that can help you bring the leftover amount down. 4. If you have a job, it would be wise to incorporate how much you will earn into your budget. Be smart and only borrow whatever amount is left. If you choose to increase your loan amount, you should save it for emergency purposes. Plan Ahead Sallie Mae’s College Planning Calculator can help you figure out how much you should save and borrow. Here are some perks of using this tool, according to the web page: •You can see the full cost of college, not just tuition. •Factor savings, scholarships, grants, and loans into your plan. •If college is just around the corner, they can help you figure out how to pay for it. •If college is far away, they can help you save for it. •See guidelines for a loan payment compared to the salary needed to support it. •Save your plan and you can review, revise, and update it at any time while you put that plan into action. If you need further assistance on calculating and planning ahead, visit the financial aid office at your school or talk to your parents about your options. Paying for college does not have to be expensive if you do a bit of research and consider different choices.