Pop Musicals

Rock/Pop Musicals The Best-Loved Rock/Pop Musicals ChaptersThe Genesis of the Rock/Pop MusicalsThe Difference Between Rock Musicals and Rock OperaRenown Rock/Pop MusicalsAny Broadway producer could tell you that musical theater is not everyone’s cup of tea. So could any West End theatre show director.Too bad he likes musical theatre â€" Tallulah, from Dr Who, episode The Daleks in ManhattanBy that statement, ‘the showgirl’ presumes that one must be of a certain type to enjoy musicals; an idea that may have been quite prevalent in the 1930s, when that episode was set.Today, we know all types of people enjoy show tunes and entire shows… probably because of the sheer variety of theatre fare to be enjoyed.By the way, did you know that the Dr Who writers drew on Phantom of the Opera for inspiration while writing that episode? Did you also know that Phantom is one of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s best-known and best-loved musicals?Back to the subject at hand, now…Let’s say you don’t like soaring vocals and sobbing violins and you a re really not down with anything that smacks of West Side Story or Lion King.We’ll take that postulate even further by saying that, as far as you’re concerned, there is no difference between an opera, an operetta, and a musical â€" in short, the entire spectrum of musical theatre is bunk to you.I get off on ‘57 Chevys / I get off on a screamin’ guitar â€" Eric Clapton, Rock’n’roll HeartIf yours is a heart like Slowhand’s, it’s no wonder you don’t queue to buy tickets for Cats or Fiddler on the Roof, but you should experience musical theatre â€" yes, it is an experience.The ambiance, the atmosphere, the intricate weaving of song, sight and deed, and how it speaks to its audience on a visceral level…You know how, just a few sentences ago, mentioned the extraordinary diversity of musical theatre?Your Superprof assures you there are playwrights, producers, directors and even the occasional choreographer putting shows together expressly for those with rock’n’roll hearts.Let’s go find them, shall we? CarlActing Teacher 5.00 (5) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaActing Teacher 5.00 (8) £45/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ElifActing Teacher 5.00 (10) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors CalumActing Teacher 5.00 (15) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChristopherActing Teacher 5.00 (9) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LowriActing Teacher 5.00 (8) £85/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DanielActing Teacher 5.00 (6) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors CiaranActing Teacher 5.00 (5) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe Genesis of the Rock/Pop Musicals By the mid-20th century, audiences wanted something more than standard Broadway shows Image by WikimediaImages from PixabayYou might intuit that music has been a part of theatre production since such productions entertained society, thousands of years ago.Likewise, you must certainly know that, over the last 200 years or so, such entertainment has changed dramatically.Musical theatre splintered into many different types of musicals, with the rock/pop musical gaining a foothold in the late 60s, in the US.Much like the incorrect assumption Tallulah (of Dr Who) made, writing teams like Rodgers and Hammerstein (one of Broadway’s premier composer duos, best known for The Sound of Music â€" among others) believed that theatre-goers were the type that wanted happy endings and uplifting melodies.In the UK, Noël Coward and Ivor Novello filled that role.No matter which side of the ocean, audiences appeared fed up with such fare; ticket sales on both sides of the ocean went on a gradual decl ine… until Hair.Hair was outrageous! Hair was new! Hair was a musical the likes of which had never been seen before. It came complete with drug usage, promiscuity, profanity and a racially integrated cast.It hit Broadway like an unstoppable force, running for a record 1,750 performances and then, it crossed the pond to shock and awe audiences in London during its nearly 2,000 shows.Hair was My Fair Lady on steroids; far from pining for something that might be ‘loverly’, Hair characters told ‘Enry ‘Iggins exactly where the bus stops and how to get on it.And then, they broke that hateful phonograph and used the pieces to light a fire.In short, Hair broke the mold of traditional musical theatre, flinging open the floodgates of style with such abandon and glee that show writers were tripping over themselves to come up with the next bawdy, raucous hit.Andrew Lloyd Webber soon followed up with Jesus Christ Superstar â€" although, because it incorporates no dialogue, it is more o f a rock opera than a musical.Still, Superstar’s success conclusively proved that rock music belongs on the London stage (and the Broadway stage, too!)Throughout the 70s, rock musicals continued to thrill audiences:The Wiz: Wizard of Oz revisited, this time with a lively dance scoreDreamgirls tells the story of the early days or Motown; this musical was later made into a film of the same name.Grease: the rollicking saga of life in a 1950s American high schoolPippin takes a stab at weaving history with fictionLittle Shop of Horrors â€" who wouldn’t thrill at a carnivorous plant?Little Shop sang us into the 80s, a time when rock and pop music was undergoing significant changes â€" the death of disco and the birth of synthesizers; at times it seemed that music itself didn’t know which way to turn.In all of that turmoil, rock musicals’ popularity waned. The jukebox musical rose up to take its place on centre stage. Pink Floyd's The Wall is music theatre, but it is a rock opera, not a rock musical Image by K-H. Leuders from PixabayThe Difference Between Rock Musicals and Rock OperaEvery opera is musical theatre but not every musical is opera â€" is that a case of splitting hairs?While the rollicking shows listed above wowed audiences and won Tony Awards, The Who were crafting Tommy, the fatalistic story about a boy who was born supposedly deaf, dumb and blind.Once every note was in place and every piece rehearsed, the band recorded it and took the show on tour. Neither critics nor bewildered audiences knew quite what to make of it, with some raving it was a masterpiece and others getting downright hostile about it.Nevertheless, the story took on a life of its own. In spite of the band proclaiming it would never be played again, it caught the attention of several show developers, who went on to adapt it to the musical stage.What makes Tommy an opera is the lack of dialogue.In a similar vein comes The Wall, another exploration of isolation and emotional trauma. Here again, the music tells the story; very little is said. By the end of the show, the audience has experienced everything from the trauma of war to the crushing guilt of failed relationships.Both Tommy and The Wall started out as concept albums, meaning that every song relates to an overarching theme â€" or, if you like, is another brick in the...Now find out how the concept musical differs from concept albums.Renown Rock/Pop MusicalsBesides the shows mentioned so far, the list of rock and pop musicals is fairly long and certainly well-populated.The Rocky Horror Show is a rock/pop sensation written by Richard O’Brien. Meant to be a tribute to the B-grade horror movies of the 30s with a bit of sci-fi thrown in, it has since developed a cult following.Chess, written by Lloyd Webber collaborator Tim Rice with ABBA’s Bjorn and Benny describes a chess face-off during the Cold War. It enjoyed a three-year run in Londo n but fizzled on Broadway.Admittedly, it had been largely altered to appeal to American musical audiences. Surely it didn’t lose much of its magic in the rewrite… maybe US audiences just didn’t like the concept?Starlight Express more than made up for the lukewarm reception Chess received. Andrew Lloyd Webber, creator of Starlight Express, is one of musical theatre's most prolific composers! Image by Erich Westendarp from PixabayThis Lloyd Webber/Stilgoe collaboration currently holds eighth place on the list of longest running musicals both in West End and on Broadway. Even more impressive: it is the most successful musical in Germany, having run continuously since 1986 in its own, purpose-built theatre.The story has been told a million times: a steam engine races against newer, sleeker models in the hopes of impressing Pearl, a first class carriage… no double entendre there!This show’s novelty is that, not only do the performers sing and act, but they do everything on roller skates!Imagine A Chorus Line or Mean Girls on roller skates… that might make for a pretty terrific musical comedy!Rent: if you haven’t at least heard about this theatrical sensation, we would sadly have to conclude that your name must be Tommy, or maybe Pink (from Tommy and The Wall, respe ctively).Inspiration came from La Bohème but show writer Jonathan Larson gave the story a modern day twist. The end result is a cast of struggling artists trying to make it in New York’s East Village, under the spectre of AIDS.It started on a small stage in Broadway’s theatre district, eventually moving to a larger stage and playing for 12 years. It took the Tony Award for best musical in 1996, and the Drama Desk Award for best director.It is unfortunate that Mr Larson died before he could collect his award; he was only 35 years old. Who knows what new musical he could have treated us to had he not been so tragically stricken?If you missed your chance to see a live performance of Rent, you may consider renting/streaming it. Far from being a film musical, it is a recording of the last time it played on Broadway.Are you still not convinced you too could become a fan of musicals? Do you need to have ‘rock’ in the title to believe the music and lyric will be rock-flavoured (or pop flavoured, as you wish)?Try these on, then:Rock of Ages: often considered more of a jukebox musical because none of its music was written expressly for the show, it features songs from the likes of Twisted Sister, Pat Benatar and Styx, among others.There is a story connecting all of the songs; in fact, it may also be considered a book musical because the songs are so well integrated into the story.We Will Rock You â€" need we even mention Queen?Bat Out of Hell: as an updated turn to the classic Peter Pan set in a post-apocalyptic New York, Jim Steinman definitely hit his mark. Although this show enjoyed a relatively short run, it nevertheless won several awards.School of Rock: following the famed film’s storyline, Andrew Lloyd Webber wrote the music for the stage show; JoAnn Hunter choreographed it. Guess what? It’s still playing in the West End, at the Gillian Lynne Theatre!We don’t want to give too much of the story line away; maybe by now you’ve had a change of heart, decided musical theatre could indeed be your thing and you want to buy ticket for this show!Now that you’re keen to know more about the type of music and lyrics that go into making a smash Broadway musical, you should check our list of revue musicals…

How to Learn Italian at Home Between Classes

How to Learn Italian at Home Between Classes Best Way to Learn Italian at Home Inbetween Lessons ChaptersWatch Italian Films with Original Soundtrack OnReading in ItalianImmerse Yourself in the Culture!Work Your Language Skills RegularlyWhat Else Are You Learning it For?According to Omniglot, we Britons have been enjoying a centuries-long love affair with the land shaped like a boot.And for good reason, too!Every music lover â€" and that includes us, is familiar with terms such as: andante, allegro, libretto and soprano.Food, fashion, arts and culture: all reasons why we love Italy.The next logical step would then be to learn the language of Dante, wouldn't it?Learning Italian would not only benefit you personally â€" you could finally talk with people while on holiday in Tuscany, but professionally as well.Studies show that job seekers who can speak more than one language are more likely to be hired, and bilingual employees receive, on average, a salary 5% higher than their counterparts who only speak English.Learning Italian with an in-home personal tutor is arguably the best way to progress rapidly in your language studies, but then again: wouldn't your drive to study Italian lead you to engage in self-study?To delve into materials your teacher has not yet covered? Find new and diverse ways to exercise your passion for the romantic?We mean the language, not burning physical ardour, of course.In this article, Superprof has arranged all manner of fun and engaging ways for you to develop your Italian language skills on your own, between visits from your Maestro.Read on to find out how you can become bilingual, faster.  Dai! Andiamo!Watching movies with the original Italian soundtrack will expose you to native speakers' dialogue Source: Pixabay Credit: Avi_acltime when books were hard to come by and the majority of the population could not read.Today, thanks to technology and modern education, reading is actually a pleasurable pastime and materials are abundant.Even better: you can read beloved classics such as The Little Prince in a multitude of languages, including Sardinian and Vogherese!It being important to enjoy what you're reading, you might consider picking up a copy of this most translated book, either wholly in Italian or as a bilingual edition.Reading translations of your favourite books is your gateway to Italian culture Source: Pixabay Credit: NinocareItalian association, not too far from where you live!Or, you could meet up with a group of new friends from class, to form an alliance all your own.Other ways to immerse yourself into the fabled Italian lifestyle while still at home in the UK would be:Enjoy a foreign film festival â€" you may discover a screen gem!For a more upscale experience, how about Italian opera?Take a cooking class: plenty of schools and restaurants around the UK sponsor courses that teach anything from pasta-making to the legendary Tuscan cuisineMake use of the Internet to listen to Italian radio broadcastsyou can listen to anything from talk radio or that particularly soulful music Italian balladeer s are so famous forIn short: you have endless possibilities to brush up against spoken Italian and Italian culture. All you have to do is reach out!And then, you can impress your teacher with your new words and phrases, at your next lesson!There are many ways for you to exercise your new language skills Source: Pixabay Credit: GeraltWork Your Language Skills RegularlyA 2016 article in The Guardian revealed that the average brain can only absorb five to seven pieces of information at once.Repetition, spaced out over regular intervals, trains our brain to learn better.Austrian psychologist Sebastian Leitner  advocated more frequent revision of less familiar material throughout the entire lesson.You too can adopt this method for greater retention of Italian vocabulary.All you need is a set of blank cards to write new words on. You can then categorise them by:dipthongsvowel elisionpronounsprepositionsverb tensesphrase constructionsFollowing the Leitner learning method, you would file yo ur cards in order of: unknown, somewhat familiar with, known, and well-known.Your review of the 'unknown' pile would be three times greater than the known pile.You would review the known cards just to keep them current in your knowledge base.Follow an Italian course online.This spaced repetition methodology permits quicker absorption and better retention of material because you are using the familiar to learn the unfamiliar.This learning style also promotes a regular rhythm of work that helps condition your brain to assimilate language knowledge faster.What Else Are You Learning it For?Your Italian teacher will be the first to tell you: between classes, use your language skills every chance you get.We second that motion!There are several ways to go about doing that without talking to yourself.Make use of your Smartphone recorder app to speak Italian or read passages out loud.You can then play the recordings back to verify tone and quality of speech.While you have your phone in hand, find native Italian speakers to chat withSeveral apps exist for the sole purpose of connecting language learners with native speakersArrange outings with other students in your language classespreferably, to activities relevant to your studiesPlan a trip to ItalyYou may have to wait until your next holiday off work, but in reality, with airfares currently so low, traveling to Italy for a weekend getaway might not be too much of a stretch.Once there, feel free to demonstrate your proficiency in conversational Italian.Of course, you are likely to run into friendly souls who would do their best to accommodate you by speaking English, but please: insist that they speak their native language.Not only will it boost your confidence to to be able to converse with a native speaker, but it will help sharpen your listening skills.In short: take any chance, no matter where or how, to practise speaking Italian.Of course, you'll make mistakes; we all do.How can you learn without making mistakes? I never lose. I either win or I learn. - Nelson MandelaAll seriousness of learning aside: with a bit of passion and a dash of imagination; with your bounce of élan â€" as you learn to speak Italian, you too will surely find that this is indeed a fun language. From fiery expressions to sexy-sounding adjectives, the language spoken by more than seventy million people worldwide is in fact relatively easy to learn.Even though our Inglese is in fact Germanic, a substantial portion of our vocabulary does come from Latin, and romance languages have influenced our speech.So, as you go about your Italian lessons,  as you spout Italian conversation and eat pasta, you may say grazie mille to the art of language blending, which has given us so many wonderful words. Learn how to prepare for your Italian lessons.Molto bene!

Trapezoid Area Formula Tutors

Trapezoid Area Formula Tutors A trapezoid is a geometric figure which has 4 sides and their 4 respective angles. In a trapezoid, there is one pair of parallel sides and one pair of non-parallel sides. A trapezoid is also known as trapezium in certain countries. The area of a trapezoid can be calculated by first finding the sum of the lengths of the parallel sides and then multiplying this by half the height of the trapezoid. Using this formula, the area of any trapezoid can be easily calculated. Example 1: Find the area of the trapezoid which has parallel sides of length 3m, 5m, and height 7m Given: length of the parallel sides = a and b Height of trapezoid = h The Area of the trapezoid is = 1/2 *(a + b)* h. The value of a = 3m, b = 5m, h = 7m This makes the solution = 1/2 * (8m) * 7m = 28m2 Therefore, area of the given trapezoid is 28m2 Example 2: Find the area of the trapezoid which has parallel sides of length 6m, 9m, and height 12m. Given: length of the parallel sides = a and b Height of trapezoid = h The Area of the trapezoid is = 1/2 *(a + b)* h. The value of a = 6m, b = 9m, h = 12m This makes the solution = 1/2 * (15m) * 12m = 90m2 Therefore, area of the given trapezoid is 90m2

Not Sure How to Craft Your Personal Brand Take a Look at These 3 Examples - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Not Sure How to Craft Your Personal Brand Take a Look at These 3 Examples - Introvert Whisperer Not Sure How to Craft Your Personal Brand? Take a Look at These 3 Examples Personal branding can be a real stumper for many people. It’s hard to look at yourself objectively, especially when it’s to think about your assets. With personal branding, you’re not only thinking about your assets; you’re thinking about what you want to be known for. I believe a great way to help understand something is to define it by giving good, supportive examples. But before we launch into the examples, let’s recap the definition of personal branding. Personal branding is essentially what you are known for and what people seek you out for. If you’re the “go-to” person for graphic design, your personal brand is all about graphic design, even if that’s not your job. I once knew a finance analyst who, in his own words, was an “Excel God,” He knew Excel (software) at a depth no one else did. He knew it so well, it was almost his position in his organization,. He not only was the “go-to” person; he was a critical asset to that group because of it. You can add to that definition what you want to be known for, because your personal brand is also about aligning the image people have of you to where you are headed. You don’t become president without helping people see you (and your personal brand) in that role. (Click here to tweet this thought.) Now, let’s look at some professionals, their personal brand and what makes them stand out. Profile #1: Marketing Person With 30+ Years in a Variety of Industries and Company Sizes Personal brand concepts: “No-limits marketing”; leverages an innovative nature; traditional marketing and online social marketing; no limits to creative marketing solutions. “Practiced hand” that creates solutions by adjusting the solutions to each company’s mission, product, strategy and industry. Why this person stands out: Many people get nervous about crossing over to other industries, but this person puts it out there as an asset. They’re clear about the range of marketing they can deliver and why they can effectively adjust to each company. Profile #2: Career Coach, Author and Speaker Personal brand concepts: Internationally renowned; recognized for advancing the needs of job seekers and enhancing training strategies for career coaches; recognized as the first “motivational” career coach in the US. Works with job seekers, career coaches and job coaches worldwide. Why this person stands out: The concepts almost jump off of the page with energy. No wonder this person is a top-rated motivational career coach, because they help you understand what they are known for: to get you excited! Profile #3: Event Planner, Program Coordinator, Project Manager Personal brand concepts: Master organizer with an eye for detail; meticulously creates and executes special events. “You name it, and I will plan it with confidence and enthusiasm.” Why this person stands out: This works because you truly understand this person is organized, detailed-oriented and bubbly, all at the same time. You really get the idea that you would enjoy working with this person while they’re pulling together your event. If you’re unclear about your personal brand, just pay attention to what your coworkers seek you out for. That’s a good place to start. To further develop your understanding, study these examples, even if none of them are exactly what you do. Hopefully, they will help prompt you to “get it” about your brand so you can communicate it clearly to others. Go to top Personal Branding starts with how well you speak about YOU.   I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook â€" The Definitive Guide to Creating and Using an Elevator Speech.   In this guide, I give you simple to follow instructions for creating a “wardrobe” of ways to talk about you â€" to leave a lasting impression.   Get your copy now: CLICK HERE Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleash your professional potential. What would you like to know about determining your personal brand? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Setting Your Child Up for Success When they need an Assessment

Setting Your Child Up for Success When they need an Assessment In my last post I discussed talking to your child about ADHD in a way that is supportive and helpful. But what happens when your child needs an assessment for academic challenges or ADHD symptoms? Many parents worry that their child will find the evaluation process intimidating, or wonder if their child will think they are being tested because there is something wrong with them. Other parents have concerns about how their overly active, distractible, or anxious child will tolerate the testing especially if their child struggles to stay on task under normal circumstances. The good news is that the psychologists and educators who conduct these assessments have a great deal of experience working with kids who have academic and attention problems. They typically love working with kids like yours! The positive one-on-one attention that your child receives during the evaluation process will help make it go smoothly and maybe even be fun for your child! And as a parent there are some thin gs that you can do to set your child up for assessment success: Work with a professional who you like and respect. If you respect and enjoy the psychologist or educator who is conducting the evaluation, then theres a good chance that you child will too! Kids and adolescents pick up on social cues from their parents, and if you seem to be at ease with the process your child will feel much more relaxed themselves. Discuss your concerns with the professional. Share your concerns with the professional who is conducting the evaluation. Ask them what types of strategies they use to help kids like yours have a positive evaluation experience. If you have suggestions for what might help your child, let the professional know. They might be able to use some of these same strategies during their testing sessions. Create positive expectations for your child. Have your child start off on the right foot by letting them know that youve met with the doctor (or educator), and you really enjoyed meeting with them. Tell your child that you think theyll like the doctor/educator too, and that you think theyll have fun during the appointments. Focus on learning styles. When talking to your child about the evaluation it can be very helpful to describe it as a process that will help you and your child figure out how they learn best. Let them know that everyone learns differently. For example, some kids learn best by watching a demonstration of how something is done, other kids learn best by reading about things, while others learn best in a hands-on way by doing things. In addition, let your child know that it will help everyone understand which subjects are harder and easier for your child, and how they can help your child be successful in the areas that are more challenging. Even resistant kids can enjoy the process. If you have a child who is resistant to going to an evaluation appointment, try not to worry too much. Just because your child might not want to go doesnt mean that theyll have a bad experience once theyre there. Ive had plenty of kids and teens come into my office feeling reluctant or even upset about having to attend the appointment (especially when its on a Saturday). But once things get started and we get to know each other, the kids settle in and forget that they didnt want to come in the first place. Usually they are even happy to come back for a follow-up appointment. After all, its not often that kids get so much uninterrupted time from an adult who is so interested in what they have to say! Assessments can be powerful tools for learning about your childs strengths and weaknesses, and the things you can do to help them succeed academically. Proactive and positive communication before and after the assessment are key to helping your child feel comfortable so you can both get the most out of the evaluation process. ABOUT DR. MARY ROONEY Mary Rooney, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco. Dr Rooney is a researcher and clinician specializing in the evaluation and treatment of ADHD and co-occurring behavioral, anxiety, and mood disorders. A strong advocate for those with attention and behavior problems, Dr. Rooney is committed to developing and providing comprehensive, cutting edge treatments tailored to meet the unique needs of each child and adolescent. Dr. Rooney's clinical interventions and research avenues emphasize working closely with parents and teachers to create supportive, structured home and school environments that enable children and adolescents to reach their full potential. In addition, Dr. Rooney serves as a consultant and ADHD expert to Huntington Learning Centers. ABOUT HUNTINGTON Huntington Learning Center is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students of all levels succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntington's mission is to give every student the best education possible. Call us today at 1.800.CAN LEARN to discuss how Huntington can help your child. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. This website does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The material on this site is provided for educational purposes only.

School Volunteering - Sashas Story

School Volunteering - Sasha's Story The Tutorfair Foundation helps children who can't afford private tuition by organising school volunteering placements for top tutors. Not all placements take place during the school day. Medical student and maths tutor Sasha tells us about volunteering at an after school club. For the past few months Sasha, has been volunteering with Stretch Academy after school club, at Woodberry Down Primary School. At Stretch, Sasha  supports children with learning 11+ style content. He helps with all the material, “particularly aiming to help out with the tricky maths and non-verbal sections.” As a big believer in social mobility, he was drawn to the Foundation. Sasha says,  â€œit's massively important that access to one-on-one (or similar out-of-school) teaching is available to all children, not just those who can afford to pay privately.” How does a working medic find the time to volunteer? Sasha tells us he wanted to do some volunteering last year, “but unfortunately my medical school timetable was unrelenting. None of the sessions were at times I could do. This year I'm free on Thursday afternoons, so I signed-up straightaway! Woodberry Down is also very close to my home, so it was ideal!” School Volunteering Stretch Despite having years of tutoring experience Sasha, like many of our volunteers, was nervous to begin with. He tells us, “I was a little daunted, to be honest! It'd been a while since I'd last done any classroom-based work, let alone in a primary school.  So I guess I was also unsure of exactly what to expect. Thankfully Alex is an exceptional teacher and all of the students in the group were so engaged and hard-working. It all fell into place and I was really enjoying helping out by the end.” Fast forward to several months in and the nerves are all gone. Sasha says it's relaxed as, “the students all know me, by now, and are much more confident in asking questions, and making the most of the time. This is great, as it means Alex has more time to focus on other students and make sure everyone can contribute and learn to the best of their ability! The class are really fun and welcoming, too, so I always feel at ease and really enjoy helping with the work.” School Volunteering  positives Each day has different positives, Sasha’s favourite session so far was, “when the topic was codes, using algebra. Maths has always been my favourite subject to teach (despite its general reputation!) and it was so rewarding to see the kids racing through the worksheet with bright smiles. Some actually volunteered to take unfinished work home to do as homework! That's not something you see everyday.” As well as the joy of seeing children develop a love of maths, volunteering has had personal benefits for Sasha. He has found it “a real pleasure teaching the children at Woodberry Down, particularly given our similarities in background. It so inspiring and motivating to see these children staying in school, and working until 5pm on a Thursday, just to stretch themselves that bit further and expand their education. I'm glad they've been offered this opportunity. I'm all the more glad that they seem to be grasping it with both hands!” School Volunteering Stretch Though it is fun and inspiring now it was challenging to begin with. Sasha remembers finding it tricky, “adapting to the new students, particularly to teaching in a large-group environment. Everyone has their own style and way of understanding things, so you just have to be really patient and make sure that you're using the best explanation for that particular student.” One thing that helped in getting ready for the placement was the training day. Sasha tells us, “Alex actually led the Primary session, on the training day, and it was largely based around the way he delivers the Stretch Academy sessions. It was an excellent insight into the way he teaches and the way he covers certain topics, so I at least felt prepared for that, on my first day!” Are you low on time but thinking of volunteering? Let Sasha encourage you to get involved: “I'd highly recommend it! There's such a great range of volunteering opportunities, across various subjects and age groups, and it really is such a satisfying and rewarding way to spend an hour (or more!) of your week. It's also an excellent chance to work with brilliant students who otherwise may never have the opportunity to ask those extra questions, or seek that bit more help.” You can book  Sasha on Tutorfair

Lessons in Grammar - Tutor Hunt Blog

Lessons in Grammar Lessons in grammar `hindering` pupil`s writing development Lessons in grammar `hindering` pupil`s writing developmentSchoolsThe University of Exeter has published a report stating that both primary and secondary schools are placing more emphasis on `grammatical acrobatics` as opposed to well composed sentences. The university has been investigating how schools teach grammar for a number of years, and has come up with some unsettling results. Most schools teach grammar in a tried and tested manner, explaining how an adjective is a describing word, and a verb is a doing word: a didactic method familiar to everyone. What the University of Exeter`s study has revealed is that this way of teaching can actually confuse pupils, and is not conducive to a fluent and natural writing style. Helen Lines is one of the authors of the study, and expressed her concerns with this formulaic way of teaching: `Quite often those definitions rely on a surface part of the structure, rather than addressing the grammatical idea behind the terminology.` One example of this would be something called the `comma sandwich`, which is a simple rule that says a clause should be flanked by commas on either side. What this rule fails to take into consideration is the actual function relative clauses serve in sentences, while also permitting mechanical sentences to be constructed, without any consideration of creating an intelligible, flowing style. Teaching grammatical rules in an abstract manner, away from meaningful sentences, can hinder a child`s understanding; and the report was critical of traditional teaching methods: `The necessity to use technical terms with pupils, such as `subordinate clause` or `subjunctive` remains a question open to research, but it is doubtful that attention to such terms is beneficial.` Debra Myhill, who lead the study, said that `the key stage 2 teacher assessment creates a sense that good writing is about demonstrating grammatical acrobatics and getting things in.` The study concluded with the advice that pupils should certainly be taught grammatical rules, but this should be in conjunction with the context and style of the writing. `Based on our research findings, we believe that an effective pedagogy for writing should include explicit grammar teaching which draws attention to the linguistic choices and possibilities available to children and which has at its heart the creative shaping of text.` The report went on to list four key principles which could be efficacious in teaching grammatical rules - one of these was showing how grammatical terms are actually used in contexts the children can relate to. This could be done by using the past tense to talk about a holiday a child has been on - while contrasting another sentence describing a holiday they plan to go on in the future. Another technique could be showing how a single-clause sentence can begin a paragraph by boldly expressing its main idea. Further points of the report suggested to refraining from teaching grammatical artefacts in a dry, academic way. Teachers should strive at all times to use them in sentences the children will be interested in. The modal verbs - can; could; may; might; must; shall; should; will; would; ought to - are notorious examples of linguistic features that are taught in a sterile manner, almost as if the children were learning them in isolation, as they might learn irregular verbs in another language. I am adamant the best way for a child to become proficient in writing English (or indeed any language) is engender within them a love for reading it. Surely the best way for a child to learn the finer nuances of grammar is for them to be immersed in a story - to be carried away with enthusiasm page by page, so that the process of reading almost becomes transparent - invisible behind the tale. It would be a sad thing indeed if the rise of the smartphone put people off reading. Children take to them so naturally, and websites usually favour concision when it comes to actual text. For many they will always be more enticing than books - they are certainly easier on the eyes in the dark; but they may etiolate the imagination, and lead to many missing out on the joys of literature. 2 years ago0Add a Comment

International School Saigon Pearl

International School Saigon Pearl International School Saigon Pearl The International School Saigon Pearl (ISSP) is a world-class Elementary School for children aged 2 to 11 years old offering a full American curriculum. Our ethos is centered on building caring relationships with each child and family. Our approach enables us to understand the abilities of each child and recognize their parents ambitions. Our academically rigorous American curriculum is seamlessly continued to High School education at ISHCMC American Academy where they continue to become adaptive, thoughtful and active global citizens. International School Saigon Pearl International School Saigon Pearl The International School Saigon Pearl (ISSP) is a world-class Elementary School for children aged 2 to 11 years old offering a full American curriculum. Our ethos is centered on building caring relationships with each child and family. Our approach enables us to understand the abilities of each child and recognize their parents ambitions. Our academically rigorous American curriculum is seamlessly continued to High School education at ISHCMC American Academy where they continue to become adaptive, thoughtful and active global citizens.