How to Simplify Piano Music

How to Simplify Piano Music How can you make a piano piece easier and why should you? Chapters Why simplify a piano piece? How do you simplify a piano piece? Is it risky to always simplify music?When you first learn how to play piano, you can't do very much. However, after practicing a whole bunch, you can play piano at a certain technical level and with enough experience, you can start to:Play the piano or learn piano pieces in a more original way, write your own music, or even play one handed!Simplify a piece while still making it as enjoyable to listen to but easier to play and more accessible to pianists with less experience. This is really useful for those having piano lessons near me, either with a piano teacher or online piano lessons Derby, or those who are learning how to play the piano on their own.Join the discussion: when should you practice playing the piano? LouisPiano Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlisonPiano Teacher £32/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErenPiano Teacher 5.00 (6) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our t utors BarbaraPiano Teacher £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Chi yuenPiano Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TomPiano Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValtiePiano Teacher £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DanielPiano Teacher 5.00 (5) £37/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Why simplify a piano piece?There are a few reasons to simplify a piano piece. They’re not related but the end all goal is always the same.  Sometimes you have to make a piece more accessible or practical because the music is too difficult and you can use this simplified piece to improve your piano playing.Some pieces are just too long or the sheet music seems indecipherable and you can't make heads or tails of reading music notation.Composers put their heart and soul into composing music. They put in complicated chord progressions with an intensive rhythm, multiple arpeggios, varied sequences, overlapping hands... Sometimes it’s a nightmare to play them.This is when “keeping it simple” can be really helpful. Even if someone knows the melody, when you give them the music, it doesn’t seem to work. No matter how determined they are to play their favorite tunes!You run the risk of constantly failing if you set your goals too high. Whether you love playing the piano, are learning to read music, or are just trying to work on your dexterity, you don't want to get demotivated!In these cases, simplifying the music might be the answer.Especially if you’d love to play said piece but aren’t quite at that level yet like all musicians, everyone has their own personal tastes and favorite pieces that they dream of playing.  Sometimes the songs or the melody are too difficult for anyone who's just started to learn to play piano.We’ve all been there and it’s really frustrating. You're learning to play piano and you're going nowhere. Simplifying the piece is therefore an ideal solution if you want to learn the p iano or better understand music theory.If the pianist is lucky enough to be taking a piano course, their music teacher can help them to simplify the piece. If not, there are also free piano tutorials and free piano lessons on-line that can help make this task easier for any musician. However, relying solely on YouTube tutorials can be rather risky.I recommend learning to play the piano basics down before moving on to this approach.Discover how you too can improve your dexterity when playing the piano!Wanting to play a piece is usually motivation enough. (Source: Zastavki)At the end of the day, an accessible piece brings its own benefits. It can give a struggling pianist some much-needed confidence. They’ll be delighted to be playing piece they’ve always dreamed of playing, especially if it's piece that made them want to sit down at the ivories in the first place.This is also a great way to otherwise learn a famous piece. We don’t often think about just learning the melody when we pick up piano pieces. It’s a different way to approach learning when we don’t have the level.In this case we can transform the piece by changing the key and the rhythm, before adding piano elements like arpeggios and piano chords. If you want to sing while playing the piano, you can also change the piece’s key to match your voice.  At this stage we’re very close to being able to write piano songs.Wanting to learn a song is a great reason for simplifying it but it also allows you to add a personal touch. That’s basically what a cover is. In fact, artists all over the world have taken to the stage doing this.  Taking up music might be a step towards fame.You can always dream! It’ll always be in the back of your mind no matter what type of music you play.Join the discussion: how best to write music for the piano? How do you simplify a piano piece?Making a melody easier isn’t necessarily an easy task. You need to be a fairly advanced piano player to do so.  If it was, composers would be worthless.It may sound like a paradox, but the higher your ability, the better your ability to simplify music will be. You'll need to know how to read music, for one.Get your hands on the sheet music for the piece and start by learning the melody and the individual parts on the right hand and on the left hand like you would do in a typical piano lesson when you were first learning to play the piano.Once again, this may seem obvious but before you simplify a piece, you have to be familiar with its finer details. How's your fingering? What key is the song in? C Major?Familiarize yourself with structure, the melody, the sequences, the variations, and the technical effects employed by the musicians playing it. That's how you learn! This knowledge is tantamount to being able to start simplifying a piece. There’s only one way to do this: Listen!Listen to the music whenever your can. The morning before work, on the journey to work, and even once you sit down at your de sk. That's what the best piano players do.  Top tip: Listening while playing also works really well.Let me explain. While listening to the music you’ll familiarize yourself with the chords and save yourself time later on.The piano can be confusing at first. (Source: Karl Mullen)This method is great when you’re learning the piano.Have you heard of the funnel principle?This idea doesn’t usually apply to learning piano but when you think about the imagery of the funnel, you start to understand the how to simplify music better. This idea is very easy to understand, too.First we need to outline the main chords. These form the basis of the piece. Most music today can be broken down into 4 or 5 main chords. Once you’ve found these chords, work out their progression. It’s all well and good knowing the individual chords, putting them together at the right tempo is often a completely different story.Once you’ve mastered this sequence, the funnel broadens and you’re ready to get to work on the rest of the piece. That’s what we’ll talk about now.Is it important to learn about the piece’s secondary chords and stylistic elements?The answer should be obvious. And yet...  We could work out the main chords and stop there but the rest is just as important, though not for the same reasons.Let’s think about this logically. If I told you to consider the stylistic elements and the additional chords, it’s not really simplification any more, is it? It’s copying and pasting. So why even consider them?Simply put, they can also be simplified. Turning chords with 4 notes into 3, by transforming an arpeggio, removing superfluous chords, etc. you've done 80% of the work.Discover our top tips for budding pianists...It's often a good idea to ask others for help. (Source: Hire Rush)What role can a teacher play in all of this?If you’re learning the piano with a private tutor, they can help you with this simplifying process.  They’ll steer you in the right directio n, advise you, and even stop you messing up when you're playing piano.Whether you're using a piano or keyboard, your tutor can help with sight reading (being able to read sheet music as you look at it), sourcing easy piano sheet music, and learning the music you're trying to simplify.They can help you to choose a song and decide on how you’ll simplify it and to what extent. You’ll even benefit from the personalized support of a private tutor working with their tutee’s strengths and weaknesses.A piano tutor will help you simplify a difficult piece. (Source: Children's Ballet Theatre)Make sure you get the most out of your private tutor. They’ll give you some great advice and will, if they're anything like my piano tutor, make sure you've been practicing your piano scales and working on the proper posture! There’s always time to strengthen a personal and musical bond with them. It’s beneficial for both parties.Discover how you too can sing while playing piano! Is it risky t o always simplify music?There’s always the risk of oversimplifying by wanting to simplify everything. Here’s one last piece of advice: Only simplify songs that you love or that you have to learn to play quickly.  Don’t diminish the work of the world’s greatest piano composers, either! Their works are part of music history, now. Simplify, but don’t think you’ll always progress if you take every ounce of complexity out of the piece.And one last thing: Of course you can simplify from time to time! However, when you do, make sure you keep the goal in mind. Build the piece back up as if you were its composer.  This is what practice boils down to. This is what will make you a great pianist as you learn to play the piano in new and interesting ways.Don’t forget that it’s always good to have a few tricks up your sleeve.Find piano lessons London.

What Is a Personal Trainer

What Is a Personal Trainer A Beginners Guide on How to Be a Personal Trainer ChaptersA Personal Trainer is Not a PE TeacherA Personal Trainer is Not a Sports CoachA Personal Trainer is Not a Gym InstructorA Personal Trainer is Not a Sports Professor“Those who can, do; those who can’t, teach.”This quote from French writer Muriel Barbery does not apply to personal training. Rather, it’s important that a fitness trainer can actually do what he teaches. You will need a personal trainer certification and practise at least one type of athletic discipline - whether it be kickboxing, tennis or weightlifting.In-home personal training involves setting up a customized, individual fitness program designed to improve your clients’ performance. Personal trainers come to their clients' home or else have their own personal training studio (often shared with one to three colleagues). They are self-employed.Unlike a gym instructor, a sports coach or a PE teacher, a home personal trainer is a versatile professional well-versed in several different areas so as to best help their clients tone up, stay motivated and keep on track toward their fitness goals.Born in the US, personal fitness training crossed the Pond in the 1980s and is becoming more and more popular.Are you stressed out in the face of an exam or lacking in self-confidence?Are you having trouble with your weight loss goals and want to shed body fat?You want to change your lifestyle, improve your health and fitness or get back in shape?You have heard of the benefits of stretching or circuit training?You want to know more about home personal training?Superprof is here to help you out and explain what exactly a personal trainer is - and what he is not. CalumDrama School Entrance Teacher 5.00 (15) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ToriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OliviaSchool support Teacher 5.00 (2) £21/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkESOL (English) Teacher 4.76 (17) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Yuwe iChinese Teacher 4.33 (6) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JenniferMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LouiseAutoCAD Teacher 5.00 (3) £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RickyPercussion Teacher 5.00 (7) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicolasGuitar Teacher 5.00 (2) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MyriamOrganic chemistry Teacher 5.00 (13) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JonathanEconomics Teacher 5.00 (9) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Oluwakemi imoleMaths Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlexPhysics Teacher 5.00 (1) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AdamSinging Teacher 5.00 (14) £48/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValentiniMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (2) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MilenaMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RashmiEconomics Teacher 5.00 (1) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsA Personal Trainer is Not a PE TeacherThough personal trainers and PE teachers are both considered a fitness professional, they are radically different in the way they work.A PE teachers’ function is to educate about sportsWhile a PE teacher is there to introduce children to the world of sports, a certified personal trainer will meet with you at home or in a fitness studio to help you get fit and achieve your goals, whether losing weight or winning prizes in bodybuilding competitions.What does a personal fitness instructor have to offer that a PE teacher doesn’t?One on one coaching tailored specifically to you, to help you:Become more muscularGet in shapeLose weightStay motivatedEstablish a fitness routine that works for youTake care of your body by improving your nutrition habitsA PE teacher, on the other hand, is an educator working in a school. He or she operates in an entirely different way.Find information about online tutori ng jobs for personal trainers.A PE teacher's job is to introduce children to fitness and sports while a personal trainer focuses on the exercise needs of adult clients. Photo credit: USAG-Humphreys on Visual huntA PE teacher will need to create a curriculum of group training exercises to introduce students to sports theory (postures, rules of various sports disciplines such as rugby, football or boxing) as well as practice in each of the types of sports.A good PE teacher develops their students’ motor skills as well as their sense of initiative, respect toward other players and instils in them respect for the rules, team spirit and fair play.His or her role is that of instruction rather than the elaboration of individualized exercise programs.What essential qualities must a personal trainer embody?Certification and responsibilities of a PE teacherLike any English or maths teacher, PE teacher must go through Initial Teacher Education or Training (ITET), either through a university degree or work-based training.To become a personal trainer, you will need personal training certification. Ideally, this means a Level 3 Personal Training certificate. There are specialist schools with training programs for fitness instructors, or you can do on-the-job training at fitness clubs and gain your trainer certification through them.It is also imperative that you get a first-aid certification in CPR and learn how to deal with injuries. You might also want to get AED certification (Automated External Defribillator), especially if you plan on working in senior fitness.Other credentials you might consider adding to your portfolio are:A Kinesiology certification program on exercise physiologyA diploma in rehab training techniquesStudies in anatomyDietitian or nutritional specialist certification programsSports medicine (at a college or through a continuing education program)Additional skills will help you sell yourself as a personal trainer!A personal fitness instructor is muc h more than just a trainer. He is a fitness expert and a wellness coach, helping people by establishing a fitness plan exactly suited to their needs.Also check out this complete guide to personal trainer qualifications...A Personal Trainer is Not a Sports CoachThough certainly coaching is part of a personal trainer’s job, they do not prepare athletes for competitions or bring a sports team up to par.Though the prerequisites and goals are similar - a sports coach needs a good knowledge of anatomy and exercise science and will have to motivate their athletes to give their best - sports coaches will have set up a training program to meet their own goals or that of the sports club (as opposed to the athletes’) and will generally train in group fitness sessions.A sports coach will help the sports club and trainer find the right exercises to reach their goals and motivate the athletes, but will not offer tailor-made solutions to each individual athlete of a team.While personal trainer s might train professional athletes, they do it on a more personal level than sports coaches. A personal trainer won't train a whole team. Photo credit: Chris Hunkeler on Visual HuntA personal fitness trainer or fitness instructor, on the other hand, can offer his services “à la carte”.Indeed, after a first consultation with the client, he or she will find out what their fitness goals might be:They are interested in cardio exercisesThey want to learn PilatesThey want postnatal exercises to lose pregnancy weightThey want the burn of aerobic exercises without the pressure of group exercise classes at fitness clubs.They are struggling against depression and want to take up climbing or weight lifting to boost their morale.A sports coach might be working for a club or be self-employed, training a local children’s team or a national team, but either way, his functions and responsibilities differ from those of a personal trainer.In terms of qualifications, a sports coach will need n ational governing body-approved certification specific to the sport he or she is coaching, either through a university program or directly through his sports’ NGB.Some venues expect you to have a degree in sports medicine or in sports coaching and development.Join the discussion: how should you train to become a personal trainer?A Personal Trainer is Not a Gym InstructorThe role of a personal trainer is also different from that of a gym instructor, though both work in the fitness industry.So what is the difference between a gym instructor and a personal trainer?A gym instructor will work in gyms or other fitness centres as a group fitness instructor. He or she is charged with introducing people to various sports disciplines.In a gymnasium, a sports instructor might give youth fitness lessons and try and encourage a love of sports through fun, physically energetic games.For adolescents and adults, the goal is to improve muscular strength and flexibility. It favours more gentle, rhy thmic exercises to keep people fit and healthy.Here, the spotlight is not on achieving certain fitness goals but simply on having a healthy body and feeling more dynamic. It’s more recreational than competitive, and the workout is not as high intensity.You will notice a big difference between learning boxing in a gym class of twenty people and with a one-on-one personal trainer. Photo credit: steele_chas on Visual huntSome are geared toward a specific demographic: youth programs, handicapped, senior citizens etc.A home personal trainer, though, will help people build core strength and gain muscle mass, with a personal training program geared toward their strengths and endurance all the while scheduling around the client’s busy life. They will craft challenging personal training sessions that will keep them motivated.Note that some gyms offer personal trainer services who will work with clients much as a home trainer will - only at the gym itself. Some gyms even specialise in off ering one on one training.A Personal Trainer is Not a Sports ProfessorA personal trainer won’t give a lecture on the benefits of Crossfit for scoliosis. He is not a teacher, but a coach.A professor for sports medicine or exercise science will most likely be attached to a university or other institute of higher learning. He or she will likely have a diploma or  PhD in a sports subject.A sports professor’s role is to impart theoretical knowledge and recruit the next generation of fitness professionals. They will encourage and motivate the students, including on a physical level in group sports lessons, but not in the sense of setting up daily exercise routines and accompanying a weight loss or muscle-building journey.While a certain knowledge of anatomy is useful for a personal trainer, they won't be teaching it at Uni. Photo credit: Rob Swatski on Visualhunt.comThey will also be active in promoting sports and fitness - a more political than a physical role.Basically, what separat es personal trainers from other fitness and sports specialists is the emphasis on a personalized, 1 on 1 guidance throughout the workout, but also in other areas of the client’s life, such as giving nutritional advice.The workout is also adapted to the client’s level and fitness goals. A constant fitness assessment will aid him in improving the client’s performance, general fitness and health.Now discover how best to market your skills as a personal trainer...

1 Sqare Meter - Maths Online Tutoring

1 Sqare Meter - Maths Online Tutoring Definition: - The area of a surface, whose each equal side is equal to one meter is called square meter and it is also known as meter square (m^2). This figure shows a square where all the four sides are equal to 1 meter. Hence the area of surface enclosed by four sides is 1 square meter or 1 meter square. 1 square meter is the standard international (SI) unit of measuring area of a surface. Sub- multiples of standard unit area: - 1 square centimeter (cm ^2) Hectare One square kilometer (km ^2) Relation between 1 square meter, centimeter square and hectare: - 1 m^2 = 1 m * 1 m = 100 cm * 100 cm = 10000 cm^2 = 10 ^4 cm^2 Therefore, 1 m^2 = 10^4 cm^2 1 hectare = 100 m * 100 m 1 hectare = 10000 m^2 1 hectare = 10^4 m^2 Therefore 1 m^2 = 10 ^ (-4) hectare 1 km^2 = 1000 m * 1000 m =1000000 m^2 = 10^6 m^2 1 m^2 = 10 ^ (-6) km^2 Question 1: - A school hall measure 20 m in length and 12 meters in breadth. Find its area in square meter. Solution: - Area of school hall = length * breadth = 20 m * 12 m = 240 m^2 Question 2: - The length of a school compound is 450 m and breadth is 145 m. find the area of the compound in square meter. Solution: - Area = length * breadth = 450*145 m^2 = 65250 m^2

10 Common Italian Stereotypes That Are Actually True

10 Common Italian Stereotypes That Are Actually True Brooke Neuman Italy, the land of contemporary fashion, historical art and men who adore their mothers, hand-gesturing enthusiasts, and gatherings about Dante? Actually, yes! While most Italian stereotypes are inaccuratefor example, all Italians are not mobsters and the men dont look like Super Mariothere are  a handful of stereotypes that hold some small kernel of truth. Below are the  10 most common Italian stereotypes that are actually true. 10 Common Italian Stereotypes 1. Italians Cant Live Without Pasta Italians live for foodin particular pasta. In fact, Italians consume the most pasta in the world, averaging 60 pounds a year for every man, woman, and child in the country. While most Americans cook dry pasta out of a box, Italians make pasta with precision from scratch. This dedication to quality plus the fact that Italians are the top consumers of pasta, makes Italy the champion of pasta. 2. Italians  Talk With Their Hands What if you could  communicate with someone only through hand gestures? Well, in Italy, you can! Italians use hand gestures to  enliven conversations, strengthen their point, and communicate on a non-verbal level. Theres a running joke in Italy that you can understand a conversation thats out of hearing range just from watching  someones  hand gestures. This endearing habit makes Italians some of the most expressive and passionate  speakers in the world. 3. Italians are All About La  Famiglia Family is so important in Italy that youll find that many Italians either live close to their parents or in the same house. In fact, its common for adults in their  20s and 30s to live with their parents. The  ties that bind families together are undeniably strong. Families often gather weekly for a meal or  stay in close contact. And yes, mamma rules the roost. 4. Italians are Habitually Late Everything in Italy happens on its own timeline, including work and appointments. If you comment on someones tardiness, most Italians will tell you that they just wanted to stop for  a coffee or smoke a cigarette before arriving, and that they were in fact on timeItalian time! This relaxed mindset can also be seen on the streets, as most people walk at a relatively leisurely pace. While habitual lateness is viewed as a negative thing in the United States, in Italy it is a reflection of taking life slowly and appreciating the moment. 5. Italians are Die-hard Football  Fans Juventus, Milan, Interâ€"these are just a few of the most famous names youll hear being thrown around when Italians are discussing football. Italians take soccer very seriously, and when theres a game on, all attention is directed toward it. Italians cant get enough of football because its a  chance for them to unite with their local team and express their regional pride. Since Italy was first composed of individual regions, Italians mostly identify with their regional culture rather than with Italy as a whole. 6. Italians Love a Good Cappuccino Breakfast in Italy is sacred. Unlike a  typical American breakfast, which includes eggs, bacon, and toast, an authentic Italian breakfast usually includes a cornetto (similar to a croissant) and a cappuccino. The quality of cappuccino in Italy, and coffee in general, is taken very seriously as well. Italians love the mix of coffee, milk and foam, and its an art in itself. Italians will travel blocks to find the best cappuccino. 7. Italians are Obsessed with Fashion Like coffee, fashion is wildly popular in Italy. Just look at all of the famous designers that hail from Italy, including Prada, Armani, Versacethe list goes on. Italians feel an obligation to fare la bella figura, or appear nicely in all respects, and fashion is a big component of that. While everything doesnt have to be designer, Italians like to wear high-quality fabrics.  Individualism is also valued in Italy, and men arent afraid to wear bright colors. In fact, dont be surprised if you  see men wearing orange, blue, or pink pants. 8. Italians Arent Scared of Public Affection Italians are no strangers to affection. In fact, its very common to see lovers embracing and kissing one another in public. Whats more, dont be  surprised to see two male friends expressing affection by walking closely together, perhaps with one arm across the others back for a few moments as they talk  and stroll. The warmth and outgoing nature of Italian culture encourages the expression of emotions, whether its crying, screaming, or showing affection. This is one of the reasons why Italians greet one another with the  classic kissing of the cheeks. 9. Italians Love  the  Opera A nation riveted by Puccini, Rossini and Bellini, Italians love the opera. Hordes of people  attend outdoor performances in amphitheaters, and its not surprising to find people discussing their favorite opera composer or the last performance they saw. Italians are very well-versed in opera and have strong opinions about the art form. Opera is similar to soccer in terms of  its widespread appreciation, attendance, and passion. It also showcases the beauty of the Italian language, which is another reason why it is beloved throughout Italy. 10. Italians Cant Get Enough of Dantes Divine Comedy Ask any Italian to recite the Divine Comedy and chances are they will be able to recite at least  some, if not a substantial amount. Italians are required to dedicate a significant amount of time studying each part of the Divine Comedyâ€"Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise. Dante is idolized in Italy for writing in the most purest form of Italian, the Tuscan dialect.  The famed poet  is so popular youll  find societies devoted to studying the  medieval text. Well, there you have it. Can you think of any more Italian stereotypes we should add to the list? Do you agree or disagree with some of them? Let us know in the comments below! Post Author:  Nadia B. Nadia B. teaches Italian in New York, NY. She graduated summa cum laude from New York University, with a double degree in Italian Language and Literature and Classical Music Performance.  Learn more about Nadia 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 to Use Conditional Reasoning to Crush LSAT Logic Games

How to Use Conditional Reasoning to Crush LSAT Logic Games LSAT Law School Blog The LSAT Logic Games section is the shortest section of the LSAT. Yet it often provokes the strongest feelings among LSAT test-takers. People either love this section, or they hate it. Both sides have a point. LSAT Logic Games either confuse or stimulate curiosity. The key to doing well on, and mastering, these Games is paying careful attention to detail. Pay very careful attention to the information these Games present, and extract as much additional data from that information as possible. One area where this skill can be applied is in conditional reasoning. The LSAT Logic Games section often uses conditional reasoning (e.g., If A, then B) to express one or more rules, ask questions, and, in the process, confuse students. The key to overcoming the LSAT’s use of conditional reasoning is to understand critical differences between conditional statements and then to use these statements to draw helpful inferences. What is Conditional Reasoning? Conditional reasoning is an area of logic that is prevalent mostly on the Logical Reasoning and Logic Games sections of the LSAT. It involves the use of “sufficient” and “necessary” conditions. Students should have a firm grasp of these concepts in general to perform well on the LSAT. A “sufficient” condition literally refers to something that is “enough.” It implies the existence of something else. On the LSAT, it will usually take the form of the statement “If A is in Group 1, then B is in Group 1.” That means that the condition “A is in Group 1” is sufficient for B to be in Group 1. In contrast, a “necessary” condition literally refers to something that is “required.” Unlike a sufficient condition, it does not yield an inference. Thus, the condition above that “B is in Group 1” does not mean that A is also in Group 1. It simply means that it is possible A could be in Group 1. How the LSAT Uses Conditional Reasoning to Confuse Students The LSAT will attempt to make students confuse something that is required for an event to occur for something that is sufficient for an event to occur, and vice versa. Let’s consider the following hypothetical example on an LSAT Logic Game: If Braden is placed in English 102, then Celeste is not placed in English 102. This is a common rule that appears on a Logic Game that involves pure grouping where certain variables are either “in or out” of a certain arrangement. This particular Game will usually entail some grouping of students in a class, and the rules that are provided will require you to plug in certain students in that class and exclude others. The rule above tells us that, if Braden is placed in English 102, that event implies that Celeste will not be placed in English 102. We would diagram this rule as follows: B -- C The contrapositive of this rule would be, “If Celeste is placed in English 102, then Braden is not placed in English 102.” We would diagram the contrapositive as follows: C -- B Now consider if one of the rules or questions in this Logic Game presented you with the following slightly different statement: If Braden is not placed in English 102, then Celeste must be placed in English 102. This is a slightly different statement, but it has major implications when it is applied. In contrast to the first rule above, this second rule tells us that, if Braden is not placed in English 102, then that event implies that Celeste will have to be placed in English 102. We would diagram this rule as follows: B -- C The contrapositive of this rule would be, “If Celeste is not placed in English 102, then Braden must be placed in English 102.” We would diagram it as follows: C -- B These two rules appear similar, but they apply themselves differently. The test writers will often try to confuse you with similarities like these. You will have to recognize the differences and diagram/document them correctly. How to Use Conditional Statements to Identify Scenarios Recognizing the differences between conditional statements is one thing. Using them to draw proper inferences is another animal altogether. This is where you earn your money on the LSAT. To perform well (or exceptionally well) on LSAT Logic Games, you need to infer additional rules from the rules that are provided. Developing and applying this skill will help you answer questions more quickly. If you are aiming for a very high score, it will, in part, mean the difference between missing a few questions on this section, and answering every question correctly. To draw proper inferences, it helps first to identify scenarios yielded by a given rule. Let’s do this with our first rule above: If Braden is placed in English 102, then Celeste is not placed in English 102. You will recall that we diagrammed this rule as follows: B -- C This rule yields FOUR potential scenarios. Your ability to recognize and document these four scenarios will determine how well you will perform on this particular Logic Game, and how quickly you can answer the questions. The four scenarios are the following: 1) B is placed in English 102; C is out This scenario is a straight application of the rule above. If B is placed in English 102, then C cannot be placed in the same class. Otherwise, it would be a violation of the rule. 2) C is placed in English 102; B is out This scenario is a straight application of the contrapositive of the rule above. If C (instead of B) is placed in English 102, then B cannot be placed in the same class. Otherwise, it would be a violation of the rule. 3) Both B and C are placed in English 102 = Not Possible This scenario is not possible and can never happen. Neither the rule (Scenario 1 above) nor its contrapositive (Scenario 2 above) permit this scenario from occurring. 4) Neither B nor C is placed in English 102 = Possible Although both B and C cannot be placed in English 102 (Scenario 3 above), it is possible for neither C nor C to be placed in English 102. The rule and its contrapositive do not prohibit this scenario. The rule applies only if either B or C is placed in English 102. If neither is placed in English 102, then the rule does not apply. If B was not placed in English 102, that does not mean C must automatically be placed in the class. Instead, C also could be excluded from English 102. Notice that these scenarios would not play out in the same way if, instead, we were dealing with a Logic Game that involved two separate groups (i.e., Team 1 or Team 2; or Group 1 or Group 2), where certain variables were either in one group or the other, as opposed to our Game above, where they are either “in or out.” In that case, the scenario where neither B nor C is selected would not be possible. However, here, it is possible because there is no other class (that we know of) where B or C could be placed. Our rule deals only with the people who are placed in English 102; it does not deal with the people who are not placed in English 102. Let’s now identify the scenarios yielded by our second rule: If Braden is not placed in English 102, then Celeste must be placed in English 102. You will recall that we diagrammed this rule as follows: B -- C Like our first rule, this rule yields FOUR potential scenarios: 1) B is not placed in English 102; C is placed in English 102 This scenario is a straight application of the rule above. If B is not placed in English 102, then C must be placed in the class. Otherwise, it would be a violation of the rule. 2) C is not placed in English 102; B is placed in English 102 This scenario is a straight application of the contrapositive of the rule above. If C (instead of B) is not placed in English 102, then B must be placed in the class. Otherwise, it would be a violation of the rule. 3) Neither B nor C is placed in English 102 = Not Possible This scenario is the opposite of our other Scenario 3. Whereas the former stated that placing both B and C in English 102 was not possible, this rule dictates that placing neither in English 102 is not possible. In other words, you can never have an English 102 class where both B and C are not placed in it. 4) Both B and C are placed in English 102 = Possible Although both B and C cannot be excluded from English 102 (Scenario 3 above), it is possible for both C and C to be placed in English 102. The rule and its contrapositive do not prohibit this scenario. The rule applies only if either B or C is not placed in English 102. If both are placed in English 102, then the rule does not apply. If B was placed in English 102, that does not mean C must automatically be excluded from the class. Instead, C also could be placed in English 102. Some students will get confused with this scenario and will not anticipate it. They will conclude that either B or C must be placed in English 102, but they will not conclude that both could be placed in the class. How to Use Conditional Statements to Draw Inferences As noted above, to perform well on LSAT Logic Games, you must draw as many inferences as possible from the rules provided. With respect to our first rule above (If Braden is placed in English 102, then Celeste is not placed in English 102; or B -- C), the first set of scenarios we predicted above help us draw two inferences: First, we can draw the inference that, at all times, at least either B or C will not be placed in English 102. This is reflected in Scenarios 1 and 2. When you diagram this Logic Game, you would make a note of this inference on your diagram. Second, we can draw the inference that there will never be a situation where both B and C are placed in English 102 (Scenario 3). Again, you would make a note of this inference on your diagram. Note that we cannot draw the inference that, at all times, at least either B or C will be placed in English 102. Rather, both could be excluded, as reflected by Scenario 4 above. With respect to our second rule above (If Braden is not placed in English 102, then Celeste must be placed in English 102; or B -- C), the second set of scenarios we predicted above also help us draw two inferences: First, we can draw the inference that, at all times, at least either B or C will be placed in English 102. This is reflected in Scenarios 1 and 2. You would make a note of this inference on your diagram. Second, we can draw the inference that there will never be a situation where neither B nor C is placed in English 102 (Scenario 3). You would note that as well on your diagram. Note that we cannot draw the inference that, at all times, at least either B or C will not be placed in English 102. Rather, both could be included, as reflected by Scenario 4. These are quick inferences you can make with this type of Logic Game. They don’t help you know everything about the Game, but they help you learn enough to help you answer certain questions rapidly. Conditional reasoning can often pose difficult problems for students. The key to overcoming these difficulties is to understand critical differences between conditional statements and then to use these statements to draw specific inferences that help you map out the possibilities in a Logic Game and then answer questions about those possibilities. About the Author: This article was written by Robert M. Fojo from LSAT Freedom. Robert graduated from Harvard Law School and is a co-founder of LSAT Freedom, an online LSAT prep course that emphasizes learning the logic on the exam and then applying that knowledge through practice with real LSAT questions. Robert frequently writes about tips and strategies for doing well on the LSAT. To get other helpful ideas for performing well on the LSAT and improving your score, join LSAT Freedom’s free newsletter hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(215486, '6baac2ae-05a3-4610-9d1f-265c8cbd809f', {});

Classroom Transitions

Classroom Transitions One challenge all teachers face is managing transitions from one activity to the next. That downtime can turn into class chatter and throw you completely off course. What can you do? Here are a few ideas for making those transitions smoother: Establish a stop talking cue. This might be ringing a bell or calling out a chant. Teach your students what this means early in the year so that they understand that your expectation when it happens is for everyone to be quiet and listen. Give time reminders. Abrupt changes are difficult for many students. Give five- and ten-minute warnings before you ask students to clean up or switch to something new. Have a plan for the early finishers. Students work at different paces. Let students know what they should do if they finish a task before others. This will help avoid such students getting fidgety and disturbing their peers. Develop routines. If youve been teaching for a while, you probably have routines well established. Take a good look at your day, though. Are there times where students are more disruptive or talkative than others? Consider giving a refresher on your expectations or trying a new routine. Use transitions as quick brain breaks. Sometimes, no matter how well you plan a transition, your students might need a breather. Use it as a chance to move around, do some jumping jacks, or take a quick walk up and down the hall. Hitting pause for a moment will do your students good. Managing transitions well is an important classroom management technique. Its all about setting expectations and holding students to them. Do that, and youll notice that your classroom runs more effectively and your students remain engaged.

One Stupidly Easy E-book Hack Thatll Supercharge Your Language Learning

One Stupidly Easy E-book Hack Thatll Supercharge Your Language Learning One Stupidly Easy E-book Hack Thatll Supercharge Your Language Learning Reading a full-length book in a foreign language without much prior reading practice?Thats like trying to run a marathon without any training.Sure, it’s a great idea in theory, but youre unlikely to reach your end goal without petering out from pure exhaustion.We know academic research backs up the undeniable benefits of immersing yourself in a foreign text. For example, one study conducted at the Monterey Institute of International Studies showed that students acquire and retain verb conjugation skills through repeated exposure in written texts.And yet, so many of us find cracking open a massive volume of text nearly impossible. What if one simple tool could completely rewrite how you think about reading foreign materials?Instead of spending long hours trying to deduct meaning from confusing words youve yet to master, you could speed through pages and pages of text in about the same time it takes you to read in English. Think this sounds like nothing more than a pipe dream?Prepare yourself for a revolutionary technique thatll change your whole approach to learning through books. One Stupidly Easy E-book Hack Thatll Supercharge Your Language LearningAfter that massive buildup, brace yourself for this one word solution: e-books.Yeah, I know, it sounds super anticlimactic. After all, an e-book is just a physical book in digital form, so what’s the big deal? You see, e-books have one incredible advantage over physical textsâ€"most e-readers support in-line dictionaries.Do you see where this is headed?I stumbled upon this incredible language learning hack a few years ago, and I can honestly say it has changed my whole approach to reading in a foreign language. Simply install a foreign dictionary on your e-reader, download a book in your target language and start reading.As you encounter words youre unfamiliar with, click the text and an English definition (or, if desired, a definition in your target language) will be displayed immediately. Best of all, many e -readers will automatically save searched  words for later reference, making it super simple to engrave those new terms in your brain.Ready to get the ball rolling? Follow the 3 simple steps below to optimize your e-reader for your language learning needs and goals. I personally use this technique on a Kindle device and it works like a charm, but the approach is similar for all e-readers. Stop dreaming about the benefits of mastering a new language and start actually doing it.1. Procure the Right DictionaryIf youre anything like me, youll probably find modern literature a tad bit more stimulating than stuffy prose scribbled down two centuries ago.Yes, theres a time and place for Victor Hugo’s long-winded descriptions and colorful speech, but youll likely enjoy a recent novel more than Notre-Dame de Paris. Not only do contemporary writers tend to keep their stories moving more quickly, but they frequently use slang and everyday language you wont find in the tomes of the celebrated authors of the 1800s.While there are plenty of great dictionaries available to today’s language learners, you need to find an option that includes the commonplace words used by modern speakers. In an ideal world, youd be able to look up WordReference translations  and forum comments in a split second, but e-books havent quite made it to that point yet.Fortunately, you can locate a recent edition of a popular dictionary in most e-reader stores. Be sure to read over reviews from other buyers in order to find the right book for you. Also, keep in mind that you may want a dictionary that provides definitions in English! This could be key to helping you speed through your reading. If youre more advanced or if you feel like challenging yourself, try using a monolingual dictionary (all in the target language).As an aside, its worth mentioning that you can get in-line definitions for text on the web using WordReference’s engine! Plugins are available for both Chrome and Firefox. Feel ov erwhelmed by news stories or foreign blogs? This free tool is an absolute lifesaver.2. Choose a Well-liked BookLet me tell you a little secret: bad literature isnt any better in a foreign language.Don’t go through all the motions to optimize your e-reader only to discover youve picked up something truly atrocious.Instead, take your time reading the reviews for available novels and be sure to pick something from your preferred genre. For example, I eagerly devour mysteries and thrillers, which is why you’ll find my Kindle full of foreign titles in this niche. It’s much easier to push ahead if you enjoy the source material.By the way, if youre still unconvinced about choosing an e-book over a hard copy, I understand your pain. I still love and cherish my physical copies of my favorite books, and I completely sympathize with readers who feel hesitant to go digital.It’s worth noting, however, that unless you plan to make a quick jaunt overseas in the near future, youll likely ha ve some difficulty obtaining copies of recent books in your language of choice. Not only do you have to contend with limited distribution and international copyright issues, but many booksellers can’t justify importing large numbers of a book in a foreign language. Even if you can find a copy of what youre looking for, youll likely spend a small fortune to purchase it.E-books, on the other hand, are much more affordable and easily accessible to everyone. You may still encounter limited availability from time to time, but the problem is much less severe in the digital space. If youre a Kindle reader like I am, you might also want to give one of Amazon’s many independent publishers a shot.Im an avowed fan of many authors, both foreign and domestic, whove chosen to self-publish riveting stories you wont find on the shelves of traditional retailers. For example, if you were looking for a great French read, Id recommend that you check out Jacques Vandrouxs Les Pierres Couchéesâ€"thi s supernatural thriller was a favorite of mine last year.3. Practice Your New VocabularyLanguage learning is immensely enjoyable, but it does represent a certain time commitment.After becoming immersed in a fantastic foreign novel, I have often found myself guilty of speeding through the text rather than pausing to work on the new words Ive discovered. Dont fall prey to this trap, tempting as it may be to read your way to the final page in one sitting.Instead, try to work through your vocabulary in bite-sized chunks. Ive personally found it most useful to refer to my new vocab words after completing each new chapter. Many Kindle devices conveniently file every word you define into an app called Vocabulary Builder. You can refer to these words at any time and the devices even support flashcards for your vocab words.Your mileage may vary with other e-readers, so be sure to read up on the features of a potential device if youre considering a new purchase.As much as I appreciate the inn ovation of digital e-readers, I do have to admit that I still find it easier to retain words with physical flashcards.I simply copy my vocab words from my e-reader onto traditional index cards. And, of course, dont forget to feed your reading with other language development methods throughout your day. The ongoing exposure will help take your language skills into the stratosphere!Acquiring proficiency in a foreign language demands a hefty commitment of time and energy, but the satisfaction of speaking another language makes the sacrifice well worth it.As you use this simple reading tool to supercharge your retention skills, youre bound to notice a difference within a few months.The day you find yourself reading page after page without once referring to the dictionary translation, youll no doubt find yourself ecstatic with the progress youve made.Adam Zetterlund is a language enthusiast living in New York City. He spent five years honing his foreign language skills in Paris and Londo n, and he currently partners with a number of international clients in a marketing capacity. Learn more by reading his blog.And One More ThingIf youre digging these strategies, youll love using FluentU. FluentU makes it possible to learn languages  from music videos, commercials, news and inspiring talks.With FluentU, you learn real languagesâ€"the same way that natives  speak them. FluentU has a wide variety of videos like movie trailers, funny commercials and web series, as you can see here:FluentU App Browse Screen.FluentU has interactive captions that let you tap on any word to see an image, definition, audio and useful examples. Now native language content is within reach with interactive transcripts.Didnt catch something? Go back and listen again. Missed a word? Hover your mouse over the subtitles to instantly view definitions.Interactive transcript for Carlos Baute song.You can learn all the vocabulary in any video with FluentUs learn mode. Swipe left or right to see  more ex amples for the word you’re learning.FluentU Has Quizzes for Every VideoAnd FluentU always keeps track of vocabulary that you’re learning. It uses that vocab to give you a 100% personalized experience by recommending videos and examples.Start using FluentU on the website  with your computer or tablet  or, better yet,  download the FluentU app from  the  iTunes  or  Google Play  store.

Winter is Coming (and so is Fall)

Winter is Coming (and so is Fall) Well summer is in full swing now and everyone is hopefully enjoying a nice break from school work.  However fall is on the horizon and that means new subjects and new challenges as well. A new school year approaches. One of the things that really helped my kids was getting a tutor part way through the summer break to brush up on some of their problem areas, especially mathematics and science.   These topics always seemed to be troubled spots for my children. I guess that means they actually do take after me. My younger daughter had ADHD and some Visual Perceptual challenges, so a summer tutor really made a big difference in her education- especially a special education tutor.  The young lady we hired was very familiar with my daughters problems, including dealing with seeing some words differently than they actually appeared.  There was much coaching done over that summer. I had tried to work with my daughter myself, but I had not the training or understanding of what we were dealing with at the time.  Eventually, what happened with us is what happens to a lot of parent child instruction.  It becomes extremely frustrating and stressful. Both parties are not completely sure whats going on and study time becomes and argument. While watching the special education tutor, I learned there are many ways to teach and not all children benefit from the same   methods.  In fact this tutor had some very exciting methods and plans that my child actually began to enjoy working on and feel positive about.  As a parent, I claim amateur status.  But I learned so much from observing the   tutor working with my Daughter.  I would highly recommend summer tutoring to any one. However if your child has a few extra challenges I implore you to , first give them a nice summer break and them get a head start on the school year. Not only will your child be better prepared, they will be emotionally more comfortable in that   agonizing start of a new school year with new subjects, new teachers, and new class mates.  Every child can use a little more confidence, but to my child this was invaluable.