Teaching Kids to Write a Narrative Piece

Narratives are savvy at testing the skills of students in multiple grades. This is because the term "narrative" can apply to a simple story about a toy, or to a story about how space shuttles are able to fly to the moon. Either way, the narrative must be written as a story. English can be the most challenging topic to master because of the many different elements of language that need to be taught, whether it is spelling, fragments, subordinate clauses, supporting details or predicates.

 

Young Students

Students who are in the lower grades often have a favorite toy that they know intricately. This makes a prime subject for the student's first narrative piece that could be titled "My Favorite Toy." The goal of the piece is to write a story that contains some detail and that flows logically. For example, the words should be arranged so that the reader understands what is happening, rather than random words compiled to create for a narrative that doesn't make sense. The students should write a draft and then check their spelling and grammar before completing a final copy.

 

Middle Grades

Students who are about halfway through their 12 years of grade school can write an advertisement for a new food product. Students should direct their narrative to a specific audience. For example, if they are writing an advertisement for paper towel, they might describe a situation when a father comes home to see that his 12-year-old son just spilled an entire glass of soda on the carpet. The father then proceeds to soak up the mess with paper towels.

 

Higher Grades

Students in the higher grades are more able to write longer piece about a topic that doesn't necessarily involve themselves. For example, the students can write about a process, such as how a paper towel is made. These kids can incorporate more abstract ideas in their writing and they can use literary techniques such as similes and metaphors. At this stage, the students should be using strong adjectives and descriptions.

 

All Grades

No matter what grade your student is in, he needs direction and practice at everything he does. This means assigning the next exercise immediately after he finishes the first assignment. Each student will need to know the intended outcome of the assignment. For example, if you are teaching a Grade 4 class how to spell, ensure the students pay special attention to spelling and put special weight on this aspect when marking.

 

References

• Ministry of Education and Training: Writings [http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum/elementary/writing18ex.pdf]
• Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute: Effective Methods for Teaching Paragraph Development [http://yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1978/1/78.01.08.x.html]
• University of Illinois: Expository Writing [http://wik.ed.uiuc.edu/index.php/Expository_writing]

How to Make a Beaded Bracelet With Fishing Line

Fishing line can provide a jewelry maker with a flexible and durable string that will hold a beaded bracelet together with strength. The line is also easy to tie off and is very unlikely to come undone. Making a beaded bracelet takes some time to get used to for the novice jewelry maker. Learning a new pattern is even difficult for some experienced jewelry makers. But once you get the hang of the process, the bracelet is a breeze to make.

Step 1

Cut 1 foot of fishing line. Place the end of the fishing line through three crystal beads. Center the beads.

Step 2

String another bead and position it about 2 inches from the top of the line. Place the other end of the line through the top of the bead from the side that is closest to the other beads. Allow the bead to drop and join the other beads.

Step 3

Place an additional bead on each end of the line. Place a bead on one end about 2 inches down and then run the other end of the line through the top of the bead. Center all the beads.

Step 4

Repeat step 3.

Step 5

Place a bead on each side. Cross each end of the fishing line to the second bead that you placed in step 1. Weave each end of the line through four random beads. Make sure you put both ends of the fishing the the same final bead so that you can then tie the ends together in a knot.

Step 6

Cut an additional foot of fishing line. Thread it through an outer bead on the collection of beads you just created. Push the approximately 20 other beads beads through the line until you reach the bracelet size that you want.

Step 7

Thread a toggle on each end and then tie a knot around each to secure. Trim the excess line.

References

• The Creative Jeweler: How to Make Jewelry [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCOnAu_msBk]
• BeadJewelryMaking.com: Beaded Ring and Bracelet Project [http://www.beadjewelrymaking.com/Arts_and_Craft_Idea/ring_project.html]

Preschool Lesson on Hanukkah

Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple of Jerusalem after its defilement by Antiochus of Syria. The occasion is an ideal time to teach preschool students about the teachings of Judaism and, more specifically, about Hanukkah. Children at this age learn best through interaction and visual stimulation. To get a lesson across to preschool students, engage them in the material by having them take part in the learning process.

 

Books

Books are efficient at engaging preschool students and teaching them about values through narratives. With Hanukkah, books can highlight to students the main points about the religious holiday. In preschool, students will be more captivated by books with a few simple words, but with engaging pictures that also help convey the story and message. Reading to the children vividly with various tones of voice and asking them questions throughout the story will help them be better engaged.

 

Miracles

Hanukkah teaches about noticing the miracles in everyday life. This offers an opportunity for teachers to involve students in the lesson. When reading a story, take note whenever a miracle occurs in the book. Miracles can be minor, such as family sitting down to eat dinner on Hanukkah. The fact that the family is together and are able to eat delicious food with each other is a miracle that Hanukkah recognizes.

 

Relating Literature to Life

"The Story of Chanukah," by Sarah Leon, is an example of one such book that can help children appreciate all that they have to be grateful in life. The lead character Chanukah appreciated winning the war and then finding oil. The teacher should then begin to relate the events in the book to events in their life that they can appreciate. Taking the experiences of characters in books can help children appreciate reading and what it can offer to their lives.

 

Participation

After reading the story, children can explain some of the miracles in their life. This will help them learn the message of Hanukkah, which enforces recognizing life's miracles. Teachers can ask each member of the class about a miracle they experienced that day. A student might say that waking up to see the sun rise was a miracle, or the food that they ate for breakfast was a miracle.

 

References

• Holidays.net: The Story of Chanukah [http://www.holidays.net/chanukah/story.html]
• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: Early Childhood Research and Practice [http://ecrp.uiuc.edu/v8n2/birbili.html]

Curfew Laws in Minnesota

Youth from several counties throughout Minnesota are subject to curfew laws when they are not accompanied by an adult. Exceptions are made for young people working at a job or who are part of a group, and for those who are running an errand for an adult. The time a young person has to be home depends on her age.

 

City of New Hope

Curfew laws are applied to youth under 18 years old in the City of New Hope. Kids who are under 12 years old must be home before 9 p.m. on school nights and before 10 p.m. on weekends. Children between 12 and 14 years old have their curfew pushed back one hour to fall at 10 p.m. and 12 p.m., respectively. Those between 15 and 17 are allotted an additional hour, for curfews at 11 p.m. and 12:01 p.m. respectively.

 

Dakota County

The Dakota County curfews are set for people younger than 18. All youths must be home before 5 p.m. Children under 12 need to be home before 9 p.m. on school nights and 10 p.m. on weekends. Kids 12 to 14 years old must be home before 10 p.m. on school nights and 11 p.m. on weekends. Those between 15 and 17 can't be in public after 11 p.m. on school nights and midnight on weekends.

 

Hennepin County

In Hennepin County, it is unlawful for kids under 18 to be in public before 5 a.m. on any day of the week. For children 12 and under, they can't be in public past 9 p.m. on school nights and 10 p.m. on weekends. For those between 12 and 14, they can't be out past 10 p.m. on school nights and 11 p.m. on weekends. Teenagers between 15 and 17 years old can't be in public past 11 p.m. on school nights and midnight on weekends.

 

Penalties

Generally, if a child is found to be out in public during curfew, he is given a ticket for $25. If the same child is caught out past curfew a second time, he is issued a ticket for $50. A third ticket results in the child appearing in court. Youth previously been convicted of a crime are taken to court after their first ticket. Parents can also be ticketed for allowing their child to be out past curfew.

 

Key Concepts

• Minnesota curfew laws
• juvenile state laws
• teenager rules

 

References

• City of Hope: Curfew Regulations [http://www.ci.new-hope.mn.us/departments/police/community/curfew.shtml]
• Dakota County: Dakota County Curfew [http://www.co.dakota.mn.us/Departments/Attorney/FAQ/CurfewRequirements.htm]
• Hennepin County: Ordinance #16, Juvenile Curfew [http://www.co.hennepin.mn.us/portal/site/HennepinUS/menuitem.b1ab75471750e40fa01dfb47ccf06498/?vgnextoid=d025d80e04425210VgnVCM20000048114689RCRD]

Gagging Fur Balls in Felines

Most of the hair collected on your feline's rough tongue passes through the digestive system without an issue. But the fur is sometimes collected in the cat's throat, which causes the animal to gag. Long-haired breeds such as Persians and Maine Coons are more susceptible to fur balls than other, shorter-haired cats.

 

Cause

Cats are victims of fur balls because they clean their coats with their tongue. Unlike a dog, which usually only cleans its bum with its tongue, a cat cleans its entire body of fur, which often causes it to gag. Cats are particularly susceptible to gagging when they shed during the summer months, and the hair is collected on their tongue before finding its way to the throat and stomach.

 

Deposit

Fur balls are often deposited around the house, and this can be unsightly. After the cat gags for a while, perhaps for days, the fur ball usually surfaces and falls out from the mouth. If the fur ball doesn't come out of the animal's mouth, it can cause intestinal blockages. The feline eventually vomits the hair ball and stops gagging. Other times, the fur can find its way to the stomach and cause complications.

 

Age

Chances are, the older your cat is, the more it gags. This is because the feline becomes more adept at grooming as it ages. When the animal is a kitten, it doesn't likely gag because the hair on the feline's body is more secure to the skin. Cats also tend to develop compulsive grooming habits as they age, which increases the amount of fur the animal consumes.

 

Events

Shortly after your cat gags, it likely vomits a fur ball. But sometimes it can take days before the animal stops gagging, and is finally relieved by placing a healthy amount of slimy hair on your floor or furniture. Other symptoms that indicate your cat has a fur ball include vomiting, retching and hacking. The animal may lose its appetite, be constipated, have diarrhea or lethargy.

 

Stomach Fur Balls

Cats spend approximately 10 percent of their waking hours cleaning themselves with their tongues. This lengthy period causes your cat to collect a lot of hair, some of which makes its way to the stomach. When the cat vomits the hair, you can see the fur in various areas of the vomit. Sometimes the hair only irritates the stomach and only food and liquid comes out of the animal's mouth.

How to Hook Up Your Computer to the TV to Do Karaoke

Computer and television integration has taken home entertainment to another level. One such advancement has been the ability to play a computer program or game on your TV. For example, once you have a karaoke game set up on your computer, you can run the image from your computer to your TV with just one cable. However, you have an another option when syncing your television and computer.

Step 1

Plug an "HDMI" cable into your computer. The name of the output will be written near the location where you plug the cable into your computer.

Step 2

Plug a computer sound cable into the computer, which is the same locations as for the headphones if you do not have an HDMI cable. Plug the cable into the "PC Audio" input on your TV. Plug a "PC IN" cable into your computer and into the TV.

Step 3

Plug the other end of the "HDMI" cable into your TV if you are using the cable. The "HDMI" title will be marked next to the input on your TV.

Step 4

Press the "Source" button on your remote control. Continue to press or push the down button on the remote to select the "PC," or "Computer," option.

Reference

• PennState: Connecting Your Computer to Your TV [http://computerstore.psu.edu/consulting/connecting-your-computer-your-tv]

Introduction

This blog is a diary of sorts. But it is written with the aim of educating people about my experiences, including failures, triumphs and all-around weird situations. I have come to the conclusion that I need $100,000 to be able to live my life the way in which I want it lived. That is, I want to find freedom. Freedom in the physical sense, yes, but also freedom spiritually. I am a firm believer that one can't find happiness or spiritual freedom when he, or she, is doing the mundane. For me, the mundane is working a 9 - 5 job. I did find happiness once in my life. It wasn't too long ago when I discovered that I need complete and utter freedom to be happy. I worked a freelance writing job for Demand Media, producing how-to articles, and this was great. Each article paid me $15 and I wrote around 10 articles per day -- $150 per day is not bad, even while living in Vancouver, the most expensive city in North America, I've heard. The job allowed me to do what I wanted, when I wanted... and since it took me about 30 minutes to write each $15 article, I had a lot of free time.

I used this time wisely. I followed my dreams, acquiring a principal acting agent and I even landed a commercial gig and several student and independent film roles in under a year. Everything was working out and I was on my way to finding more professional work. I also became accredited as a real estate agent in six months. As it turned out, I blew about $20,000 in savings because, after becoming a real estate agent, I lost all my investment by not having a wage for three months and by paying for marketing and licensing expenses, not to mention education fees. At the same time, I lost my online writing job due to a full-scale layoff. Fortunately, I had my four years of journalism experience to back me up and I re-entered the newspaper business. Sad thing, though, I had to leave my beloved Vancouver and move to small town Merritt. Abstinence ensued, due to a population that mainly consists of people much older than my 27 years, and my acting potential is now wasted, for now.

This is why I need to find a way to save $100,000.

This blog isn't only for those who are looking to save with a relatively low-paying job, it's for everyone who has dreams. For the employed who feel they have to work until they're 65, or is it 67 now? It's for the person who recently failed a profession after dedicating their life savings and tons of time to becoming educated. It's for actors, journalists, entrepreneurs, small town people, big city people, investors, sons, daughters, parents, Buddhists... everyone -- and I'm not just saying that to drive traffic to my site. Everyone has something to offer and what I offer is a voice against the mundane, against what we are "supposed to do" as human beings. I intend to beat mundane to a pulp and find a way to live my life how I want it to be lived. And I want to take you with me. Stay tuned!