Category: Article

6 Effective Strategies for Teaching Elementary Math

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When it comes to math lessons, students may naturally have varying levels of interest and aptitude. Thus, an educator must be adaptable and comprehend how different kids learn best to cater to their individual needs.

Use the following strategies to assist young learners in understanding abstract math for 4 graders concepts, improve their problem-solving abilities, and promote math conversations in the classroom.

 

1. Make it interactive

Because of learning new, abstract concepts that can be tough for kids to visualize, elementary math can be challenging.

Consider the experience of a five-year-old seeing a subtraction problem for the first time. They may find it difficult to picture a situation where one quantity is subtracted from another because the idea is entirely foreign to them.

Utilizing manipulatives and practical instruments helps young children comprehend math much better. 

2. Reward progress

For kids, mastering topics like multiplication is a crucial milestone, so why not take the opportunity to indulge in a little celebration? Take time to recognize students’ accomplishments after a significant project, test, or unit. Give them a chance to present their finished works to the class.

To add more learning to the enjoyment, let students choose the theme, necessary spending limits, decorations, and volunteers.

3. Employ graphics and visuals

Numerous graphs and illustrations can be found in math textbooks, but this isn’t the only place where they should be used.

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The most effective use of visuals in elementary math is combining them with particular practice or direction; suitable materials can be created by a teacher or taken from the best math learning websites.

Visuals typically demonstrate primary math concepts in an entertaining way by using vibrant pictures, graphics, and catchy songs. Students can review lessons until they comprehend each idea completely. 

4. Apply math concepts to real-world situations

Introduce arithmetic to kids in all its practical applications through:

  • Word puzzles that are personalized according to your pupils’ interests and lives
  • Projects which combine community service with academic learning

Project-based learning allows students to follow a specific approach to find a solution. Students have more opportunities to watch math in action and conduct their experiments.

5. Request that pupils share their findings

Have you ever noticed how much more assured you become when expressing a concept to someone else? The process of considering alternatives, decisions, and outcomes is known as meta-cognition. It significantly affects how kids learn.

Ask learners to devise possible solutions to math problems before giving them one. Encourage them also to collaborate and respectfully propose different solutions.

This method can be used when teaching elementary math at every stage of the problem-solving process. Ask pupils to explain in detail how they arrived at their response once they have answered.

6. Foster teamwork

Students benefit from one another’s knowledge when they collaborate. There are many math learning approaches that teachers can use to make teamwork in the classroom simple, such as through:

  • Cooperative learning: Each student takes on a distinct role in a collaborative assignment.
  • Discussion-based instruction: Students debate a situation or a solution.

Take away

Collaboration among students and a good relationship with a teacher improve kids’ performance as they work together to enhance comprehension of mathematics. Make sure you practice respectful and open-minded listening when dealing with your students.

Simple Ways to Boost Your Well-being

If you lack a good sense of well-being, this will affect your whole life. You are likely to have a negative mindset and may not be in the best health. Your contentment with your life will also be way off the mark too. The thing is, in most cases, life can be so much better. All it takes is a valiant effort to increase your sense of well-being. Once you decide to do this, there are many ways to achieve your goal. Let’s take a look at a few now:

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Your Image

The way we feel and our image is closely linked. There aren’t many people out there who really do not care about the way they look. Unfortunately, the world we live in is pretty image obsessed. So, to boost your well-being, you should look to improve your image. To do this, you can start an exercise regime. Exercise is not only great for the way you look, but it also improves your mental health. You should try reducing your consumption of fatty and sugary foods. This will help you lose weight as well as improve your health. You should also get things that bother you about your image sorted. Something like dental implants will give you the confidence to smile again. And smiling makes you look and feel better too. Spending a little money on yourself in the form of new clothes is another must-do when it comes to your image. Do not underestimate how much the way you look affects the way you feel. So, focus some attention on your image and see how this changes your mental state.

 

Start a Hobby

A hobby is a great way to boost your well-being. Is there anything you wished you had learned when you were younger? Or is there something you are good at but never do? By focusing on a hobby, you can improve your life in so many ways. First, you will be learning something. This is great if you have a habit of focusing on the negative. It simply gives your brain something positive to focus on. In fact, when you are in the act of creating or doing something, whether it be a painting, a poem, making a sculpture, controlling a remote control plane, etc., nothing else exists in those moments. You are actually rewriting the brain to think about something positive. Hobbies can also make you more spiel. No matter what it is, there will be a community of people out there who you can connect with and discuss your hobby with. 

 

Be More Present

Being more present means you need to learn how to forget the past and stop worrying about the future. It is about really experiencing the now, the moment you live in. It is a way of appreciating the beauty of the world and feeling more alive. One way to do this is to practice meditation. Meditation is quite simple in theory. All you need is ten minutes of alone time a day and to close your eyes and concentrate on your breathing. 

 

 

 

5 Tips For Prepping Your Home For The Winter

 

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Winter is upon us and the nights are drawing in earlier and earlier. This time of year can be difficult, with fewer daylight hours, less sunlight, more rain and or even snow, and much colder temperatures. And with the ongoing energy crisis, you’d be forgiven for feeling a bit down. But it’s not all bad news! The festive season is coming, winter nights are getting cozy and there are delicious mugs of coffee to enjoy by the fire. 

 

As you’ll be spending more time at home than in the warmer summer months, now’s the time to get your home ready for the winter months. For 5 top tips on what to do… read on! 

 

  1. Get the heating in check 

Now’s the time to make sure that your boiler is working well and your water tank is insulated properly, so for some, this may mean a boiler service. This is also the time to make sure that your radiators are bled to make sure they’re in great working order while the heating is on this winter. 

 

  1. Sort out your lighting 

With winter comes the lack of sunlight, which can make some rooms feel gloomy and dark. But that needn’t be the case! This winter, try placing lamps, floor lights and string lighting strategically around the room to ensure that rooms are lit with a warm glow, rather than hash and unflattering overhead lighting. 

 

  1. Make your living areas comfy 

This is an exciting tip. As you’ll be spending more time in the areas in your home, now’s the time to make them as comfy and cozy as you can. You can do this by adding beautiful throw rugs to your sofas (which can double up as a means of staying warm while you watch a movie), adding rugs to the floor (which can be comfier on your feet, shielding them from the cold floor) and 

 

  1. Get outstanding jobs done 

That may be that you need to clear leaves out of the guttering, or you need the latch repaired on a door, or you’ve got to get on top of a mouse infestation. Whatever the matter is, make it a priority to fix it as you’ll be using your home more than usual (as long as it’s financially viable). So, start googling pest control near me (if your issue is pests, let’s say) and get cracking! 

 

  1. Add insulation 

Stop precious heat from escaping from your home by adding layers of insulation. Houses lose so much energy through their rooves, so this is a great place to start when adding insulation to your home. There are two bonuses to adding roof insulation – it will make your house feel warmer and bring down your energy bill. Win-win! 

 

Hopefully, this article has provided you with a bit of hope for the coming months. If you do some prep in advance and get your house ready for the colder months then you’ll have a much more enjoyable winter. Enjoy!

 

How To Enhance Your Health As You Age

During life, it is very common to become more aware of our health issues as we age. Although some of us might be health anxious when we are young, older age often comes with more fear and vulnerability. 

 

Should you feel uneasy with your health, be experiencing symptoms, or want to seek regular assessments for potential underlying health conditions, you should speak to a healthcare professional. Doing so will ensure you catch any issue early and can attain and maintain the best health possible. 

 

As well as seeking checkups and advice from your doctor, there are more ways to enhance your health as you age. Here’s more. 

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Seek patient-focused care

Although your doctor will perform regular health assessments and help you with any health condition, sometimes you might feel better looked after if you seek patient-focused care. Some doctors are so overwhelmed that they simply do not have the time to offer you patient-focused support. Some might like to, but their time constraint doesn’t allow it. 

 

Therefore, by seeking care from a place like Inspire Health, you can attain patient-focused care. Instead of feeling like you are quickly being ticked off a list, you can attain support and feel cared for in the best way. The experts will take their time to assess you and provide you with the best advice to enhance your health. Instead of your appointments feeling half-hearted and rushed, you can feel at ease and know you are in the most caring hands.

 

Watch what you feed your body

Eating and drinking the right things will aid the good aging process of your body. No matter your age, your diet contributes to good health. 

 

Therefore, ensure to eat lots of fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, and protein. It is essential to eat good carbohydrates for a slow release of energy, which can hinder fatigue. 

 

Ensure to keep up with your water intake, as a lack of water can cause various health issues. 

 

Maintain an exercise routine

Alongside a healthy diet, you should also consider continuing your exercise routine. It can be challenging to exercise as you ache more or suffer from health conditions. However, finding an exercise that works for you will ensure you maintain good physical health. Even walking or gentle yoga is enough (and certainly better than nothing).

It is advised to get around 30 minutes of exercise every day. If you feel overtired or have other commitments, taking the stairs or walking to work/your appointments can help you get in the exercise you need to enhance your health.

This dentist who does quality Invisalign in Williamsburg also highly recommends that you don’t skip your medical checkups. As you age, you’re immune system naturally weakens and you become more prone to get sick. Therefore, regular health checkups are needed to make sure that you’re one step ahead of any issues that may arise.

These simple tips might sound obvious, but as we age, it is common to let our health slip and not pay much attention to obvious symptoms of a health condition. More commitments or more aches can contribute to laziness with diet and exercise. Likewise, we might not consider seeking support from patient-focused care, which is useful when we have particular concerns. Hence, following these tips, you can enhance your health as you age.

 

When People Suggest ‘Working On Yourself,’ What Do They Mean?

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A common idea in self-care and self-development is the willingness to work on your issues, to try and become better, and to blame no one else for your situation in life. Of course, working on your issues sounds nice, but how? Becoming better sounds like a worthwhile path to follow, but it’s rather vague, because what does better mean? It’s all up to you. Blaming no one else for your issues is of course the healthiest attitude to take, even if where you are is definitely someone elses’ fault, because it gives you autonomy and allows you to move forward instead of feeling bitter. That said, it’s only the start.

 

So, this advice can sometimes feel a little replete with platitudes. This can be tiresome if you’re not careful, and perhaps inspire you to swear off the entire endeavor to begin with. But there is benefit in self-care and personal development. We just have to properly outline what that actually means if we wish to make any headway. After all, how can we untangle our complex web of bad habits and personality flaws if we’re even more confused about how to format that process?

 

So – when people suggest working on yourself, what do they mean? Well, instead of puzzling that out, you could decide what it means for you, in the healthiest possible direction. Let’s discuss that together:

 

Focus On Your Flaws

 

Focusing on your flaws, to the extent that you can, is what is often meant by ‘working on yourself.’ But of course, this works on a spectrum. It might be that you’re trying to limit your intake of dessert foods, or it may be that you wish to use services like EMDRHealing.com to address traumas and focus on the emotional realities that have come from that. The best thing to do is isolate one thing you wish to improve, and focus on that. Climb one mountain at a time. It will give you energy to move into the next one.

 

Set Your Priorities & Streamline

 

Working on yourself doesn’t mean rounding who you are into the perfect person, because ironically, anyone’s idea of a perfect person is actually quite flawed. So, set a priority you can focus on – be that trying to reconnect with your family, working harder on your studies, or to focus on you again after trying to maintain a difficult relationship for too long. It will make a profound difference to your overall sense of wellbeing:

 

Cut Out Your Bad Habits

 

Cutting out your bad habits is an important use of your time. It’s easier said than done, but replace a habit with a good one, and it will sustain you rather than drawing your energy. So, instead of heading to the bar continually, you might join a local sports team for an amateur league, or join a society at your university. Often, good habits are about what you fill your time with, not all of the hard-won avoidances you fight during the day.

 

With this advice, you’re sure to work on yourself in a clear, consistent way, and do so with care.

The 2 Most Obvious Signs Of Discrimination At Work

Although most people are able to enjoy a harmonious environment at work where they are respected and can work in peace, there are a number of people who aren’t able to. These people face hostility and even discrimination on a regular basis. It may seem obvious when discrimination takes place, yet the signs are not always clear. Some people chalk it up to a difficult workplace and feel they just need to power through the pain,whether it be from discrimination or harassment, consider making sure you have sexual abuse and molestation insurance

 

If you feel like work is more difficult than it needs to be you may be facing discrimination. There are signs to look for to know for sure so that you can then go to an employment lawyer to help you right the situation. Once you see the signs then it becomes obvious and you are able to take action. In this article, we will go over several of the signs so you can do something about how you are treated. 

 

1 – You’re singled out

 

Bullies are not just found in the schoolyard. Even at work, there are people who single out others for abuse and make their life difficult. They do this for a number of reasons. One can be to make sure that they have a competitive advantage over you. Others do it to feel good about themselves by making others feel bad. 

 

Whatever the reason for their abuse, you shouldn’t be singled out and be made to feel that you are not good enough to work there. For instance, a bully will often berate you in front of your peers in an effort to tear you down. A professional would pull you aside and let you know what problems there were with your performance. 

 

If you do feel like you are being bullied at work then you will need to document the behavior so you can take it to a lawyer if it comes down to that. First, try to resolve the problem by talking to the bully and then escalating things to the HR department if things aren’t resolved. 

 

2 – You’re underpaid

 

With a certain amount of experience and results at work, you should have an expectation to be paid the same as your peers that have the same factors. For instance, if you were hired with a group around the same time and you have had nothing but positive performance reviews then you would expect to be paid roughly the same as them. If you were to find out that your pay is substantially lower than theirs then there is not likely a good reason for it.

 

If you have found that you are not being paid as much as your peers then think about any incidents that might point to a reason for it. If you had an argument with a boss at some time that resulted in your pay not increasing since that point then this is a good indication that you are being discriminated against and underpaid as a result. 

 

How to Keep Your Kids Safe Online

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Any parent worries a lot about keeping their children safe. But, although you might worry about things like stranger danger or accidents, you might not give much thought to what your kids are doing online. Keeping your kids safe online is one of the most important things that you need to do if you want them to be happy and healthy. There are so many things that can go wrong, from fraud to grooming. However, the internet is also very useful for both fun and education. So how do you keep your kids safe without banning them from using the internet altogether?

 

Supervise Their Device Use

 

Banning your children from going online isn’t the answer if you want them to be safe. However, what you can do is make sure that you supervise them when they are online. When they are using any device that connects to the internet, whether it’s a computer, phone, or something else, make sure you’re in the same room. You can also set parental controls on different devices and on the apps or websites that they use. This ensures you know what they’re doing and prevents them from doing anything that you don’t approve of.

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Talk to Your Children

 

Open communication with your children is essential if you want them to be safe online. You need to talk to them about how to be safe online, and they also need to feel able to come to you if they have any concerns. You don’t want them to do anything in secret or be afraid to tell you about any issues. You can look for age-appropriate resources that will help you to start the conversation and continue talking about online safety as they get older. There are various issues you might want to discuss, from how to stay safe to being online in a healthy way.

 

Educate Yourself

 

If you grew up with the internet, you might feel like you know everything there is to know about using it safely. However, things can change quickly, and you can discover that it’s a different landscape compared to when the world wide web was still in its infancy. You might need to learn things like what an SMP Minecraft server is or how to use Discord, not just to help keep your kids safe but also to help them when they’re trying to do something. Be sure to keep educating yourself and learning what it looks like to be online as a child today.

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Spot the Signs of Problems

 

Being able to spot the signs of potential issues is important if you want to keep your children safe online. You might look for changes in your child’s behavior, both when they are online and at other times. Perhaps they are more anxious, sad, or angry than usual. You might feel like they are trying to hide something or you might notice inappropriate behavior. These could all be signs that you need to talk to them about what they are doing online.

 

Keeping your kids safe online can be challenging, but it’s important to teach them how to stay safe so they can learn healthy behaviors.

Is It Time You Started Selling Your Crafts?

 

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If you enjoy making crafts, why not consider selling a few of your creations? Selling crafts could be a fun way to make some extra money on the side. It could even be a full time business venture. Below is a guide on how to sell crafts successfully. 

Types of crafts you can sell

There are so many different types of crafts you can sell. Some of the most common examples include:

  • Jewelry
  • Ceramics
  • Artwork
  • Blankets
  • Rugs
  • Clothing
  • Furniture
  • Ornaments
  • Clocks
  • Bath bombs
  • Pet products

Signs you should sell your crafts

There are a few signs that it could be time to sell your crafts. You should consider selling your crafts if any of the following are true:

  • Multiple people have told you that you should sell your crafts
  • You’ve looked at crafts online, in stores or at markets and thought to yourself ‘I can do better than that!’
  • You feel fairly proficient when it comes to your craft. You’ve mastered the basics and are often looking for new challenges.
  • You’ve started to develop a distinct style that other people have complimented you on. Your creations have their own personality and they stand out from the crowd.

Know where to sell them

There are so many different places to sell crafts. It’s worth trying a few different avenues to see what works best for you. A few different ways to sell your crafts are included below:

  • You could consider the old-school method of attending a craft fair. These are fairs where you rent a stall and get to sell your crafts in person. They’re great opportunities not just to sell your crafts, but to meet other crafts sellers and gain exposure locally.
  • You could try setting up your own market stall at a general local market. This is generally the next step beyond a craft fair and will require you to constantly keep making creations to sell on your stall.
  • You could set up an Etsy account and start selling your crafts online. This is probably the most popular option nowadays. Etsy is just one site for doing this – Amazon Homemade, Zibbet, iCraft and Folksy are other sites worth trying.
  • You could try setting up your own social media pages and website to sell through. This is ideal if you want to set up a business and build an official brand.

Know how to price them

Your crafts need to be priced accurately – particularly if you’re thinking of turning your hobby into a full time business. This involves factoring the cost of supplies into the price, as well as the amount of hours poured into your crafts. This guide explains more on how to price your crafts.

Don’t be intimidated by the business admin

Some people are put off selling their crafts because they don’t understand the business admin that comes with it. However, there are so many online guides and advisors that can help with these admin tasks including application for a federal tax ID number and obtaining necessary licenses. Setting up a business bank account and downloading accounting software can meanwhile make bookkeeping easy. 

Maintain your passion

It’s so important to maintain your passion for craft if you decide to turn it into an income. Craft hobbies may be better suited as a side hustle rather than a main source of income for many people – having a main job to support you could allow you to sell crafts in your own time so that you don’t feel that you’re having to meet targets. If you do decide to turn your craft business into a full time business, make sure that you don’t lose your passion by creating things you don’t want to create – it’s important to vary up your crafts and still challenge yourself to make new things.

Ways To Change Up Your Cooking And Keep Things Interesting

Are you tired of the same old food week in and week out? If so, it might be time to change things up in the kitchen. Cooking can be a lot of fun, but it can also get a bit boring if you don’t switch things up occasionally. Here are a few ways that you can change up your cooking and keep things interesting:

 

Try New Ingredients

 

One of the best ways to keep things interesting in the kitchen is to try new ingredients. This can be as simple as buying a new type of cheese or trying a new spice. Or, you can go all out and buy an entirely new ingredient that you’ve never used before. Either way, adding something new to your recipes is a great way to keep things interesting.

 

There are a variety of ingredients that you can choose from. For example, you may want to buy a new type of meat, such as chicken or fish. Or, you could try a new vegetable, fruit, or grain. Whatever you choose, be sure to look up some recipes that use the ingredient so that you know how to properly incorporate them into your cooking.

Photo by Yente Van Eynde

 

Try New Recipes

 

Another great way to keep things interesting in the kitchen is to try new recipes. This is similar to trying new ingredients, but it takes things a step further. Instead of just adding something new to an existing recipe, you’re starting from scratch with an entirely new dish.

 

You can find new recipes in a few ways. You can look online, in cookbooks, or even ask friends and family for their favorite recipes. Once you have a few recipes in mind, be sure to give them a try. You may find that you love them or hate them. But either way, you’ll be glad that you tried something new.

 

When you are trying a new recipe, be sure to take your time. Read through the entire recipe before you start cooking. This will help you understand all the steps involved and give you a chance to gather all the necessary ingredients. For example, if you want to try a new crockpot garlic potatoes recipe, have everything you need on hand before you start cooking. This will make the process a lot smoother and prevent any setbacks.

 

Try New Techniques

 

In addition to trying new recipes, you may also want to try new cooking techniques. This could involve anything from using a different cooking method to trying a new ingredient preparation technique. For example, you could try baking your chicken instead of frying it. Or, you could try grilling your vegetables instead of steaming them.

 

If you’re interested in trying something new in the kitchen, there are numerous cooking techniques to explore. And the best way to find new techniques is to simply experiment in the kitchen. Don’t be afraid to try something new. You never know what you might like or how easy it is to do.

 

If you’re tired of the same old food week in and week out, it might be time to change things up in the kitchen. You can keep things interesting in several ways, such as by trying new ingredients, recipes, or techniques. So, get out there and start exploring the wonderful world of cooking!

How To Move House At Short Notice

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There is so much to do when moving houses, which explains the need for ample time to accommodate the processes involved. Unfortunately, it is not always the case, especially when circumstances beyond your control demand a short-notice move. It might be a new job out of state, a new city, or a sudden offer for your house that you couldn’t ignore. Moving on short notice is double the stress. The average person has moved 11.7 times in their lifetime, and if you find yourself in this situation suddenly, these suggestions can help.

  • Focus more on speed than the organization of belongings.

Being organized will be your priority when you have enough time to move. On the other hand, being fast is usually more important when you have short notice. This allows you to meet tight deadlines and schedules. After all, when you finally move into the new house, there will be enough time to focus on organizing your items. This is not to say that your packing should be lackadaisical. You can prioritize the most important things, pack them carefully, and do the others later. 

  • Avoid packing immaterial things or junk

Not having enough time means being fast over being organized. However, you would have to avoid moving with junk. Immaterial belongings can increase the cost of transportation. It also causes a delay in the packing process. These are your belongings, and you instinctively will know what’s good and what’s not. The best way to clear out junk is to make on-the-spot decisions concerning what goes to the removal services. Statistics show that many things considered junk in homes are belongings people attach emotions to. However, all they do is create clutter. Moving with the same items equals transferring clutter from one point to the next. You can reach companies like Evergreen Junk Removal services on short notice to remove your junk.

  • Enlist help from your support network

There is strength in numbers. Getting friends and family involved in the moving process can help reduce the number of tasks you would have performed alone. Packing up an entire house or apartment can be overwhelming. Moreover, the short notice does not help in the stress department. Therefore, enlisting help from your network can ensure that the move happens in a limited timeframe.

A trusted support network can greatly help, especially when you have pets or young kids. When you must move at short notice, having an extra set of eyes on your young kids and pets would be helpful. The last thing you want is to deal with an overactive child or a pet rummaging through your packed boxes.

  • Find an expert removal company

This is the most important part of the moving process. It can be tedious to convey your boxes in your car without them. Even when friends help, they may not have the appropriate vehicle designed for the desired purpose. An expert removal company will therefore come in handy for your move. The tip here is to contact companies who offer short-notice services.

That may help reduce costs compared to regular moving companies requiring booking in advance. Another thing to keep in mind is availability. Even with short-notice movers, it is important to know their availability on the same day you need them. When you assume they would be available on any day, you risk getting disappointed. This should be the first thing you do when you know there is limited time to move.