How to Set the Right Goals for Learning Guitar

How to Set the Right Goals for Learning Guitar Suzy S. Learning the guitar is a great goal in itself but youll need to get more specific if you want to truly make some progress! Read on as Hillsboro, OR guitar teacher Geoff A. walks you through the goal-setting process For Beginners The first goal is getting the fingers of the fretting hand to cooperate in forming chords. I begin with E, A, G, C, B7, and D chords. Practice ten to fifteen minutes twice a day and understand: your fingers will hurt a few weeks until calluses form, depending on how much you practice. The second goal is learning to string chords together with smooth transitions, in time to a beat. This takes practice and time. Practicing with a metronome is essential for beginner. Set the metronome to around 54 beats per minute and strum once per beat, four beats per chord, then switch to the next chord. At first there will be beat clicks between chord changes â€" but always play in time with the metronome. The “game” is to remove clicks between chords one by one, until there are no clicks between changes. You should also give yourself permission to not do well at first. Allow yourself the time necessary to understanding what you are learning. Your progress may be slower than others, but try not to compare yourself too much. I have worked with students who learned quickly, then struggled with improving. Others have struggled at first, then made amazing progress afterward. For Intermediate Players It is important to discover what you lack. You might know you struggle with things, like good time-keeping and chord knowledge. And you know nothing about other things. You need improved chord knowledge â€" not just learning new chords, but learning how chords are put together, which requires knowing your scales. Limitations in chord knowledge undermines long-term enjoyment, so brush up on your theory. For Advanced Players At this stage, musicians often need a reality check. Many believe they are more “advanced” than they are. Once you accept this truth, then you are ready to do the necessary work to improve. This generally includes similar things to intermediate players’ needs, which is to find where the holes in your knowledge lie. Once determined, a plan must be created to overcome obstacles and meet challenges to make the strides toward advanced abilities. Bottom Line This article covers a very limited view of goal-setting for each level, based on my 25 years of teaching experience. At the end of the day, it is about embracing life-long learning and growing in your pursuit of musical excellence, whether for fun or for career aspirations. You have to be open to the unknown, the “undiscovered country,” with a good teacher giving you the guidance you need. The right teacher will help you down that road, as long as you understand the journey may be longer, and more difficult, than you imagined. As they say, the journey isn’t exciting if it doesn’t scare you a little. The reward is that playing music will deliver dividends far beyond the technical knowledge you learn. And that is a journey worth taking! Geoff A. teaches songwriting, music theory, bass guitar, and guitar lessons in Hillsboro, OR. His specialties include rock, blues, Americana, pop, alternative, folk, finger style, bluegrass, worship CCM, gospel, and jazz styles. Geoff joined the TakeLessons team in February 2013. Learn more about Geoff  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 Photo by Eryne Donahue

The Limitations of Core Standards on Higher Order Thinking Skills

The Limitations of Core Standards on Higher Order Thinking Skills How Basic Education Limits Students’ Ability for Higher Order Thinking ChaptersThe Ongoing AssessmentsOn Building Cognitive SkillsCommon Core Versus Blooms TaxonomyHow to Bring Higher Order Thinking Into the ClassroomIt’s really not hard to see why so many students are able to obtain their school leaving certificate yet have no idea how to think or reason through a problem: all you have to do is ask a school teacher.Assessment, marking work and reporting students’ progress make administrators out of teachers.These tasks take up too much of the teachers’ lesson planning time and too much classroom time, with the net effect being more teachers abandoning the profession before replacement teachers can be fully qualified.That phenomenon has a spiral effect. Because there are fewer teachers, the student-teacher ratio increases: more kids in class mean more papers to mark and more reporting to do.Where, in all of this, do teachers get to use all of the classroom strategies they learned in their teacher training?If students cultivating higher order think ing skills were simply a matter of teacher availability, solving the problems that beset teachers would mean that they would be available to encourage students to think critically and solve problems, right?To be sure, the pressure teachers labour under is untenable and something must be done. Hopefully soon!However, if the Department for Education intends to arm British students with 21st-century skills and help them learn how to think, they will have to make some major changes to our education system.Let’s take a look at where such changes could be made and how much better general education could be â€" for teachers and for our students.Multiple choice questions do not require critical thinking or problem-solving Image by tjevans from Pixabayteaching to the test: for all of the summative assessments being conducted, our national curriculum leaves little room for teachers to make use of any classroom strategies they might have picked up during their professional development.Or, if you prefer analogies, you might say that teachers are harnessed to a careening carriage and expected to keep upright and in control.Teaching to the test is only half of the trouble.The other half â€" and perhaps the bigger issue at hand is that a lot of the learning in today’s classrooms is more a matter of memorization than a cognitive process.That claim is substantiated by the fact that exams seem to consist of more multiple choice questions than essay questions.There is value in multiple choice, but the downsides far outweigh them: one can score well on such an exam by guessing or merely memorising the correct answers.There is nothing wrong with building a fantastic memory but, no matter how many questions a student answers correctly on a bubble sheet, it still gives no indication on how well s/he understands the concepts s/he is being tested on.You can encourage your students to build cognitive skills by asking open-ended questions Image by Tumisu from PixabayOn Building Cogn itive SkillsCognition: the mental act or process by which knowledge is acquired.For children in the Early Years Foundation Stage, the education program is all about building cognitive skills.Teachers in these classes employ a variety of teaching strategies designed to maximise student learning, such as brightly coloured visual material, music and movement.Students are mainly taught through games and play but are expected to sit still for maths and literacy lessons.In fact, EYFS is a fantastic example of educational psychology at work: it emphasises teaching and learning methods and is focused on cognitive development.And then, as though a water tap had been suddenly shut off, all of the pedagogy that addressed every learning style and all of the active learning is replaced by teacher-centred instruction.Starting at Year 1, students are treated to teacher-led lessons. Reading skills are cultivated, math and science are taught... but little critical thinking is encouraged.In fact, rel atively little room is given for students to exercise any kind of thinking skills. That pattern follows students throughout their academic career and it is not the fault of any teacher.Learn more about higher order thinking here.Common Core Versus Blooms TaxonomyThe term ‘common core’, imported from across the pond, represents the most important subjects of a curriculum.Maths, English and science are considered common core. Other subjects, like arts and humanities, are not considered core subjects.You can find a good reflection of UK schools’ core subjects in the compulsory GCSEs: the subjects that everyone must sit are considered ‘core’.Of our core subjects, only English and Literature truly lend an opportunity for group work; for students to cultivate critical thinking skills.For example, a teacher may group students and assign them various aspects of the text to dissect and render conclusions about. Or s/he might task student groups to engage in character analysis, to d iscuss the setting and the period of the piece...Opportunities for creative thinking are much more difficult to spot in other classes.The critical question here is: while students’ formal learning goals are generally met â€" often with the help of a private tutor, are their learning needs being met?An Overview of Benjamin BloomMr Bloom was an American educational psychologist who pioneered the classification of educational objectives.  Specifically, his work resulted in the understanding of three realms of knowledge acquisition:the cognitive domain, which encompasses the analysis, comprehension and application of knowledgethe affective domain is the emotional dimension of learning which includes how students characterise, organise, value and respond to information, andthe psychomotor domain: this aspect touches on the perception and adaptation of knowledge and the mechanism through which it is applied.Teaching a student how to use a computer would involve all three domains.The fir st domain would involve the understanding of how a computer works, the second would attach a value to this skills set as a tool for both entertainment and a way to earn a living and the third would entail addressing the machine through typing and activating the mouse.Our public education system does a great job of addressing the cognitive domain but does little to evoke any affective response to the material being learned and permits virtually no physical activation while class is in session.Between crowded classrooms, overwhelmed teachers and only one aspect of student learning being addressed, something needs to be done to change the status quo!You may group your students so that they may debate an issue before presenting conclusions Image by StockSnap from PixabayHow to Bring Higher Order Thinking Into the ClassroomNobody is disputing teachers’ role as an educator; we only point out that their work might be more stimulating and rewarding if they thought of themselves as facilit ators of knowledge.What’s the difference?A teacher teaches, meaning, s/he imparts knowledge. Whether said information is understood, assimilated and useful remains to be seen â€" and is not necessarily demonstrated through assessment techniques.By contrast, a facilitator is someone who helps bring about a certain outcome. In educational circles, those would be learning outcomes.Here is one example of how facilitating could work.First, you would organise your classroom to permit group study. You would then seat students of similar cognitive abilities together â€" your more advanced learners, your SEN students and students anywhere along that spectrum.You may even consider putting some of your more advanced students with groups who are not quite at that level to make use of peer teaching strategies.Next, you would assign them to work according to their abilities and interests.Your high achievers may enjoy higher level thinking projects â€" those that call on both problem-solving ski lls and critical thinking.The bulk of your students may focus on either critical thinking or problem-solving and your SENs might be comfortable summarizing the lesson or other learning activities that target their interest but are related to the material currently being learned.Far from being a classroom out of control, you will find your student engagement at an all-time high!Meanwhile, you can circulate around your groups asking open-ended questions designed to assess their understanding of the material and the work at hand.You may even find time to mark papers while your students are engaged.Another way you could help your students develop thinking skills would be through debate.Choose an issue that is related to your day’s study topic. It can be a current event or something that affects student life (that helps students find value in the exercise). Write the issue on the board.Label each the four corners of your room: Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree and Strongly Disagree.As yo ur students start their learning session, point to what you wrote on the board and then indicate the four positions they may take. Invite them to take a few minutes to think about the issue and then head to the corner which represents their position.You will be pleasantly surprised to find that debate over the issue will start spontaneously, in each corner, as students reinforce each other’s views.You would then ask them to explain their views, either in writing, orally or a combination of both.  You might even permit them to create a visual of their position.There are so many ways teachers can encourage higher order thinking skills; doing so might lighten their load and may even help rediscover their passion for educating!Now discover the difference between critical thinking and higher order thinking?

School Resources of Which You Should Take Advantage

School Resources of Which You Should Take Advantage You probably know the importance of building a bridge with your childs school and maintaining communicative, positive relationships with his or her teacher, but are you taking advantage of the breadth of other school resources available to you? Eileen Huntington, co-founder of Huntington Learning Center suggests that parents seek assistance and guidance from various individuals throughout their childs school years. Every school employs support staff members who are there to help students flourish, says Huntington. Here are a few people whom parents should get to know: The school psychologist The school psychologist can support your students educational success by collaborating with the teacher and other support staff, such as the interventionist team or special education teachers. The psychologist can assist if your child frequently shows signs of anxiety or struggles with social skills or confidence, among other scenarios. According to the National Association of School Psychologists, these professionals are trained to link mental health to learning and behavior and use their expertise to promote academic achievement, supportive learning environments and more. Technology teacher In todays digital age, children quickly become adept at using computers, tablets and smartphonesas well as the internet, social media and more. As your child continues to acquire technology skills, talk with the technology teacher on how best to be supportive. This teacher can help you explore tools available to help build your childs technological proficiency. School librarian According to the School Library Journal, reading and writing test scores are better for students who have access to a school librarian. Not only is the librarian a great resource for students on choosing appropriate and interesting reading material, the library offers students access to technology, research databases (in high school) and of course, an ever-evolving collection of reading material. Gifted/talented specialist- If your student has been identified as gifted and talented, you may be referred to this school specialist. This person will work in concert with your child's teacher to create an advanced learning plan to ensure he or she is challenged and engaged in the classroom. The specialist can also give you suggestions on how to nurture your unique learner at home. Parent resource center staff Some public schools and districts have parent resource centers, which offer expert-led workshops and support groups for parents.Call your school district to see if they offer such a center dedicated to getting families involved in their childrens academic success. Give your child the best education possible by advocating for him or her. Keeping in touch with his or her teacher is always important, but there are a number of other individuals who are there to help, too. Reach out to them when needed, and your child will be the better for it.

Ready, set, action Talking about movies in English

Ready, set, action Talking about movies in English by Muireann PrendergastTalking about movies is a great way to practice informal English. It is also a good way to learn to speak about your interests and pastimes. Let’s look at some of the vocabulary involved as well as some possible question and answer-style scenarios.What’s your favorite genre?Romantic comedy (also called rom-com)ComedyScience Fiction (also called sci-fi)HorrorForeign languageChick Flick (movies of interest to women)Animated moviesDocumentariesActionWesternPoliticalIndependent (also called indie)Why do you like this genre?If it is because these movies are exciting you can say:They keep me at the edge of my seat.They are fast-paced and I am never bored.If it is because you like the music you can say:I generally like the soundtrack to these movies.If it is because you like to see the technology used to make them you can say:I think the special effects used to make these movies are very impressive.If you like the issues they raise you can say:I can relate to the subject-matter of these movies.OrI think the issues they raise are realistic.OrI like them because they are frequently controversial.If you like the movies that you can watch with your whole family, you can say:I like them because they are family-orientated.How did your favorite movie do at the box office?Very well. It was a/an:             Major Blockbuster             An academy-award (Oscar) winnerIt was:             Critically-praisedNot so well. It was a:             Flop             Straight to-DVD movieIt was:             Critically-pannedWho is your favorite actor?Vocabulary to describe your favorite actors and actresses includes the following:             Handsome (or pretty is you are talking about a woman)             Cute             Attractive             Good-looking             Beautiful             Glamorous             Funny             Humorous             Quirky             VersatileVocabulary to describe your least favorite actors and actresses includes the follo wing:             Plain             Unattractive             Silly             Too extrovert             Overrated             Dull             A one trick pony (the opposite of versatile)If you want to talk about the important actors in the film you can use the terms:             Protagonist             Lead actor/actress             Villain             Bad-guyIf you want to talk about the actors/actresses with smaller roles in the film you can use the terms:             Supporting actor/actressAnd, if the part is particularly small:             ExtrasSome useful vocabulary to describe character traits of protagonists and supporting actors/actresses is:             Ambitious             Amoral             Arrogant             Childish             Cruel             Difficult             Dizzy             Domineering             Feminine             Foolish             Hostile             Indifferent             Irresponsible             Intense             Loyal             Manipula tive             Mean-spirited             Needy             Open-minded             Over-bearing             Pathetic             Shy             Social             Sympathetic             Trusting             Unconventional             VulnerableNow, let’s see what you’ve learned. Watch this movie clip of Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind with Kate Winslet and Jim Carrey. Answer the following questions:What words from the list of possible character traits above would you use to describe:1. The female protagonist?2. The chief male character?What do you think is the genre of this movie?What do you like/dislike about this movie?How do you think it performed at the box office?

?? Why Your Kids Need To Read More (And How To Encourage Them To Do It)

?? Why Your Kids Need To Read More (And How To Encourage Them To Do It) Why Your Kids Need To Read More (And How To Encourage Them To Do It) Recent research found that a third of U.S. teenagers aren’t reading for pleasure. It’s an awful statistic, but not a particularly surprising one.Kids today have unparalleled access to the internet, with social media feeds, Youtube videos, and games all vying for their attention. It’s no wonder they don’t find the time to pick up a good book.The reason we’re thinking about this is because July 31st marks Harry Potter’s birthday. The beloved boy who lived will turn 39 this year.And so we thought we’d explain some reasons why your kids should be reading more, and how to encourage them to pick up a book.The Benefits Of Reading Increased VocabularyCommunication is a crucial skill for your kids to develop. In a world dominated by text and instant messaging, finding the right words to say is more important than ever.Reading from a young age helps to expand your child’s vocabulary. This means they’ll be better able to communicate their thoughts, a skill which is invaluable in the workplace.A larger vocabulary also works wonders for your child’s self-confidence, as they learn to explore and understand the world around them.Improved CreativityAs robots continue to take more of our jobs, creativity is going to become one of the most useful traits for a person to have.Creativity helps you to innovate and dream up new ideas, and is a crucial component of problem-solving.Contrary to popular belief, everyone can learn to think creatively. A good way of developing creative thinking is through using your imagination.A good book prompts your child to use their imagination, as they visualise the fictional worlds an d characters in their heads.Harry Potter Fact #1: It’s estimated that somebody in the world starts reading the Harry Potter series every 30 seconds.Good For Mental Health75% of mental health conditions are established by the time a person first reaches adulthood. In other words, they develop when we’re kids.Two of the key factors that cause mental health issues in children are stress and anxiety. Childhood is a cocktail of peer pressure, self-esteem issues, and stressful exams.It’s no wonder that children are becoming increasingly ill.Tucking into a great book can work wonders for your child’s mental health. It allows them to escape from the real-world for a while, and can be incredibly calming.It’s EntertainingPutting aside all the health and life benefits for a second, perhaps the best thing about reading is that it’s fun.Once your kids get started with a book, they’ll immerse themselves in a new world. They’ll imagine everything playing out in front of them.It’s like a movie where your kids are the director. It can be exhilarating, funny, sad. It takes them on a rollercoaster ride.Reading is fun, and that should be reason enough to start.Harry Potter Fact #2: If it weren’t for 8-year-old Alice Newton, the daughter of the chair of Bloomsbury Publishing, loving the first book, Harry Potter would never have become such a phenomenon.How To Encourage Your Child To Read If your child doesn’t read much, those reasons above are unlikely to actually inspire them to pick up a book. They’re going to need a nudge in the right direction.Go To The LibraryA common barrier that prevents kids from reading is simply a lack of access to books. Luckily, there’s a tragically underrated source of books near you: The library.Libraries are great. They have all sorts of books, for all tastes and ages. The best part? Your child can access all of these books for free!Why not pop into your local library with your child? They could talk to the librarian about the kind of things they’re interested in. The librarian will be more than happy to provide some suggestions.A library has a magical feel to it, and if there’s a place where your child will fall in love with reading it’s going to be there.Read To Your ChildIf your child is reluctant to get started with a book, you should consider reading the first few pages or chapters to them.Reading aloud is more accessi ble for kids who are unsure about reading. It’s a great way to dip their feet into the water.You could stop at a crucial point in the story, where they’ll be dying to know what comes next. If they want to know, then they’ll have to read on themselves.Reading to your child is a good way of introducing them to reading on their own, and it’s a great way of spending quality time together.Harry Potter Fact #3: J.K. Rowling once explained that if she needed to tell her readers something, she would often have Hermione say it, because chances are she would’ve read it somewhere.Make Time For ReadingWhen there’s so much going on in your kids’ lives, it can be hard to find time for reading. That’s why you need to make time.It doesn’t need to be a long time; 15-20 minutes is enough. But it needs to be regular, and set in stone. You might even find that 20 minutes turns into 2 hours!To really hammer home the idea that this is a time for reading, you should read as well. Sit in a room together, put your gadgets away, and just read. That way you’ll get all the benefits too!In the grand scheme of things, half an hour of reading a day isn’t much. But the benefits it provides will last a lifetime.Create A Reading SpaceA great way of avoiding all of the distractions in the house â€" the TV, the Playstation, the iPad â€" is to have a dedicated reading space.A cosy, little reading nook transforms reading from another normal task into something a lot more special.Spend some time with your child designing the perfect space for them. Make it private, comfortable, and somewhere your child will want to spend time.A reading spot to call their own might just be the nudge your child needs to start reading.The First Chapter Establishing a love of reading in your kids could be the first chapter of an incredible story. It can make them more confident, less stressed, and help them develop the skills needed to thrive in the modern world.Why not start them off with Harry Potter?

Attacks on Teachers has reached shocking levels - Tutor Hunt Blog

Attacks on Teachers has reached shocking levels Attacks on Teachers has reached shocking levels Attacks on Teachers has reached shocking levelsSchoolsIt seems barely a week can pass without another school shooting in America - and while we may think ourselves lucky that our children are not under such risk of violence in their places of study, we should be aware that UK classrooms can still be a dangerous place, for both pupils and teachers. The Labor force survey, conducted by the office for national statistics, investigates the employment circumstances of the UK population. In a recently published major study it questioned 40,000 UK residents, asking them about any work related injuries - specifically those injuries relating to an assault. The study lasted six years, covering the period between 2009 and 2015 - and its results were shocking. It found that there were on average 8000 attacks per year in primary and secondary schools - actual attacks that were severe enough that the teacher was required to report them. The GMB (General and Municipal Workers) trade union instigated its own survey in 2016, specifically focussing on support staff - ; and the results depicted a dismal account of violence against teachers in schools. An astonishing 54% of teaching assistants said they have been physically assaulted or abused, with one in ten saying they are on average assaulted once a month. 9% list a single assault per term, and 17% said they have been assaulted in the past year. Almost 25% of support teachers also said that they are verbally abused by pupils at least once a week. Some of the specific cases make for disturbing reading, with staff saying they have been punched and kicked, and even strangled in class; other teachers said they have had all kinds of projectiles, including tables and chairs, thrown at them. 29% of support staff say they have been injured by pupils, and 21% said it has had a detrimental effect on their working life. One teacher, who wished to remain anonymous, told of the ongoing fear they live with after being assaulted by a child in school: `I was extremely shocked and frightened and feel emotionally exhausted - I am very worried this child will attempt to attack me again. I have said I don`t want the child anywhere near me.` Imagine an administrative job, or a position in any well known bank or other private sector position, where more than one in five of the staff said workplace violence was having a determent ail effect on their ability to perform their tasks. Such a shocking statistic would be rightfully decried as unacceptable - it would be classed as a scandal, and the company in which such atrocities took place would be excoriated in the press. Because these widespread misdemeanours are occurring in schools though, little notice seems to be given to them. There are also unsettling signs that this problem is only getting worse, with figures revealed under the Freedom of Information Act showing that across the whole of the UK there has been a 50% increase reported to the police between 2014 and 2016. Karen Leonard, a national officer for the GMB said `No one should have to put up with being attacked while at work and our members are no different. The results of this survey make truly disturbing reading, with teaching assistants, caretakers, lunchtime supervisors and more experiencing shocking levels of violence. Many are left with terrible mental and physical scars. GMB demands a zero-tolerance approach to violence in schools with proper, reliable support systems in place for those who do experience it.` I have heard stories from friends of mine, teachers working in London and other cities in the UK, who tell me they are often afraid to even restrain a pupil who is attacking them, so severe could be the repercussions. In the litigious society we live in caution and restraint must be the mantras for teachers in the classroom, whatever the violence of the situation. The Department of Education attempted to address this issue, recently saying a `tough but proportionate` response by teachers when faced with violence were acceptable. `This government has taken decisive action to put teachers back in charge of the classroom by giving them the powers they need to tackle poor behaviour and discipline, and has scrapped `no touch` rules that stopped teachers removing disruptive pupils from classrooms. Teachers and school staff have a right to feel safe while doing their jobs, and violence towards them is completely unacceptable.` 24 months ago0Add a Comment

Guangzhou Worlda Cultural Educational Consulting Service Co.Ltd

Guangzhou Worlda Cultural Educational Consulting Service Co.Ltd Guangzhou Worlda Cultural amp; Educational Consulting Service Co.Ltd Guangzhou Worlda Cultural Educational Consulting Services CO.LTD., is one of the largest legal employer in China. We are licensed by the Chinese National Bureau of Foreign Experts (License Number:44330003) which is the teaching management authority of the Canadian Worlda International Development Center in China. Worlda mainly engages in: 1. A complete foreign teacher cultural immersion to China and teaching assistance. 2. Chinese public and private school foreign language and culture class curriculum creation. 3. Developed English teacher training for new or experienced teachers. 4. Chinese foreign language schools creation assistance. 5. Chinese foreign service team to assist in current schools. 6. International cultural educational exchanges and training for students worldwide. Worlda has over 10 years of business experience in contracting teachers from America, Canada, England, Australia, Ireland, Japan, etc. to be trained and qualified English, math, science, music, drama, a nd foreign language teachers for schools (including kindergartens, primary, middle, high schools and language training centers).