Whats the Price of Drawing Lessons

Whats the Price of Drawing Lessons How Much is a Drawing Teacher? ChaptersLearning To Draw: How Much Do Art Lessons Cost in the UK?Learning to Draw in Art StudiosArt Lessons Are Among the Cheapest Hobbies on SuperprofLearning to Draw Has Its Price - How Can You Lower It?How Much Do Art Supplies Cost?Are your artistic talents are limited to drawing cats’ heads while you’re on the phone? Maybe it’s time to take some drawing lessons. Why not:Take a drawing class?Take drawing lessons online?Or try out a free beginner art lesson?Whether you learn to draw with a private tutor, at an art studio or learn drawing online, there are many ways of developing your artistic talents.You will discover lots of different techniques such as chalk, graphite, gouache, sanguine, charcoal, oil painting and many more.If your drawings look like this, you might want to invest in drawing lessons. Photo by Christopher.D on Visual HuntBut how much does it all cost?Generally speaking, drawing is one of the least expensive hobbies you can have.Anyone can start drawing with nothing more than a pencil and a piece of paper. Bexod that, however, the price of drawing lessons can vary depending on where you live,  what art supplies you need to buy or whether you're taking drawing lessons for kids.art schools and universities offer week-long classes throughout the year, usually during school holidays. They often focus on a specific theme or technique, such as sketchbooking, oil painting, live model, still life…Fees for the week are generally between £300 and £500.You can pay up to £70 for a graphite set with the full H to B range and additonal supplies or almost £400 for a set of 120 coloured pencils.In general, however, pencils are among the cheapest art supplies.PaperDrawing on printing paper is all well and good, but proper drawing paper is a true revelation. Whether online or in shops, you will find a wide range of drawing paper in various weights and grains. Pastel paper, Bristol paper, watercolour paper, canvas for oil or acrylic painting…Acces soriesThough a pencil sharpener and a ruler are enough for most mediums, you might want to invest in one or two accessories, such as an easel - ranging from £12 for a table easel to electric restoration easels costing over £5,000.But don’t worry - this kind of art material can usually be bought bit by bit. If you are just taking drawing lessons for beginners, no need to storm the shops - an eraser and a pencil sharpener are quite enough.To your pencils!

How is the SSAT Scored

How is the SSAT Scored The SSAT, or Secondary School Admission Test, is offered at three levels for students in grades 3-11. All three exams Elementary (3-4), Middle (5-7), and Upper (8-11) are held on eight standard Saturdays per year, as well as a number of flex dates. The test measures quantitative, reading, and verbal skills. It also emphasizes critical thinking and problem-solving above memorization. Score reports are distributed with an overall and per section scaled mark, norm groups (or percentiles), and a copy of your essay. What is a norm group? The SSAT is highly competitive, with norm groups composed of all individuals (divided by gender and grade) who are completing this exam for the first time in the past three years. This percentile ranking is thus a sign of how well you performed in comparison to others, rather than which percentage of your answers were correct. How is the SSAT a standardized test? Although each edition released on a specific date will be different, results are utilized interchangeably across North America and the world when considering student scores. Therefore, a scaled mark earned by a student in Alaska in January is comparable to a student of the same age receiving the same score in Florida in May. Results are interpreted in a standard method based on the same exam underpinnings. About scores and timing Scores are available roughly two weeks after the testing date, and they can also be accessed on the SSAT website under My Scores. Keep in mind that your raw results are simply those questions you answered correctly, minus a quarter of a point for each wrong response. Thus, if you do not know the answer and cannot make an educated guess, skip it! At nearly three hours in length, the SSAT is substantial. Practice each section in a timed environment to determine your strengths and weaknesses. Here are some great SSAT practice teststhat can help you prepare. You may also want to check out these SSAT flash cardsas well. The exam is partially about knowing yourself as a student and as a test-taker. Keep your timing in mind throughout your study process! A note about preparation for the SSAT The SSAT company does not release retired or previous tests to the public, so while they offer practice problems, and while we may possess a general idea of what material is on the test, no aid can perfectly predict what your score will be. It is also impossible to determine percentile rankings based on your raw results alone as they change according to the cohort with which you test. Aim to do your best, rather than focusing on the perfect score. This is a highly competitive test that is only one part of the application process. Here are some great tips on how to improve SSAT scores that may help you succeed.

The Best History Revision Resources Online Apps and Podcasts

The Best History Revision Resources Online Apps and Podcasts Find a Different Way to Study with the Best History Revision Apps and Podcasts. ChaptersGet Revising for History with the Gojimo App.Study History Better with Quizlet’s Revision App.Learn Everything You Need to Know with the GCSE History App.Improve Your Study Strategies with Get Revising.Listen and Learn with the GCSE History Revision Podcast.Perfect Your Knowledge with Mr Allsop’s History Podcast.Nail that History Exam with BBC Bitesize Online.Learn to Love History with the History Resource Cupboard.Make Use of Youtube to Ace Your History Exams.Gain the Grades you Want with Tes’s History Podcasts.Conclusion.Whilst history can be an endless source of wonder and inspiration, studying for any examination isn’t exactly fun. It can feel like those weeks before your exams just move from classroom to textbook to essay to lecture to homework. And this can be too much for even the most confident and conscientious candidate.So, regardless of whether you are studying history for A Levels or GCSEs, iGCSEs or the Baccalaureate, we’re here to help with preparing f or your exams and with achieving the grades you need. However, we’re also here to show you how to do that in the most engaging way, without you having to sit down and learn by heart your timelines, texts, or handout. There are better ways to study.In this article, then we’ll guide you through the best apps and podcasts designed to teach you history so that you can revise just by listening, or by creating your own digital flashcards. So, if you need to nail modern history or the early modern world, the Second World War, empire, or revolution, these online history resources will give you everything you need.  Make history come alive with the best revision apps! MarkHistory Teacher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JohnHistory Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarjotteHistory Teacher 5.00 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErinHistory Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChantelleHistory Teacher 5 .00 (2) £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndriyHistory Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeterHistory Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SerenaHistory Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsGet Revising for History with the Gojimo App.The Gojimo app is run by The Telegraph and it now claims that a third of all GCSE and A Level students use it â€" which, honestly, is quite an impressive number. It now covers twenty-eight GCSE subjects and twenty A Level â€" from psychology to sociology, politics, English Literature and maths â€" and its content is catered to the specifications of each exam board. So, whether you are being taught OCR, Edexcel, or AQA, Gojimo will help.The app works with you choosing your course and downloading the relevant quizzes. These quizzes test you on your knowledge of the syllabus and give you an explanation following every answer. It allows you to track your strengths and weaknesses and let’s you check off each topic once you have gained the right knowledge.Once you are in the exam period, it provides info on revision strategies and managing stress â€" and even provides you with tips on how to apply to universities and higher education, and how to impress a potential employer.Study History Better with Quizlet’s Revision App.Quizlet is a popular revision app for students of all subjects, whether geography, chemistry, or mathematics. It’s so popular, in fact, that thirty million students across the world use the app monthly as part of the exam preparation.The app gives you access to millions of flashcards created by other students â€" and you can make them yourself. These give you the opportunity to test yourself whilst on the move and to consolidate your history knowledge from wherever you have your phone. Teachers are increasingly using Quizlet in the classroom too.For history students, you will find flashcards with key terms, personalities, and concepts â€" from the growth of nationalism, the Holocaust, and the role of medicine throughout history.The right revision tools can be as engaging as history museum.Learn Everything You Need to Know with the GCSE History App.Specifically designed for those studying GCSE History, the company Revision Buddies has built an app called â€" you guessed it! â€" GCSE History. Again guided by exam board specification, it covers popular GCSE topics from the contexts and consequences of World War II to the Cold War.Whilst the app itself is free, you will need to pay for the course content, which is set out in order of micro-modules, upon which you will be tested. The app includes past papers, mark schemes, and detailed explanations of each important event.For its user-friendly navigation and its engaging, interactive content, the GCSE History App is worth your time.Improve Your Study Strategies with Get Revising.The Student Room, the famous forum for students worrying about applying to university or learning the best exam technique, has launched an app â€" and it’s called Get Revising.This app is less about teaching you things and more about giving you the structure, organisation, and timetable to get what you need out of your revision. It gives you reminders of when â€" and which subjects â€" you should be studying, and allows you to set notifications of homework and coursework deadlines to manage your time effectively.If you are the sort of student who needs a bit of discipline and structure to your study life, then Get Revising may well be the perfect app for you.Listen and Learn with the GCSE History Revision Podcast.Whilst apps are a little more interactive, podcasts are a wonderful way to learn at your leisure, to free up your hands to take notes, and to add a bit of diversity into the way you revise.The GCSE History Revision Podcast is a particularly good way to build on your GCSE learning â€" as it compiles information essential to your course into entertaining, engaging, and huge ly interesting little audio files. If you are looking into the revolutionary movements of sixteenth-century Britain or the imperialism of the United States in the twentieth century, this podcast will make learning actually enjoyable â€" and you can revise while sitting on the bus, walking down the street, or even with your eyes closed.Note, however, that this is only for GCSE students! MarkHistory Teacher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JohnHistory Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarjotteHistory Teacher 5.00 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErinHistory Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChantelleHistory Teacher 5.00 (2) £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndriyHistory Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeterHistory Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SerenaHistory Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsPerfect Your Knowledge with Mr Allsop’s History Podcast.An incredibly famous history revision podcast is that run by Scott Allsop â€" a Cambridge graduate and history teacher. Its fame comes from the fact that it is hugely comprehensive, with episodes covering everything in the history curriculum â€" at GCSE and sixth form.Mr Allsop’s podcasts are available on iTunes and on his own website and they range from modern global history to the ancient world. They are all organised by syllabus and are catered to the content of the exams. As any experienced history student will tell you, you won’t go wrong with Mr Allsop’s podcasts!Nail that History Exam with BBC Bitesize Online.The wildly popular revision site, Bitesize, is run by the BBC and is something of an authority on revision of all secondary school topics. Whilst it’s known primarily for its articles, quizzes, and easily digestible information, Bitesize now has plenty more to offer â€" with their considerable selection of downloadable audio revisio n guides. Available for both A Level and GCSE, Bitesize’s free revision resources are a gift for any student who is struggling or who may just want a recap. It’s a fantastic site, and its content covers everything in the humanities, sciences, and literally every other subject you could think of.Learn to Love History with the History Resource Cupboard.The History Resource Cupboard is something of a gem for history learning. Set up by teachers for teachers, tutors, and students, it offers one of the most humongous arrays of secondary education resources in the history world.The website offers paid membership alongside free resources with a focus on GCSEs, giving teachers homework resources, teaching materials, and lesson plans. However, as you know, we are talking here about podcasts. The History Resource Cupboard has only a handful of podcasts available for download â€" on Versailles, the League of Nations, America in the Roaring Twenties, and on the causes of World War II. Altho ugh they are few in number, they are rich in quality â€" and they come with a variety a suggested ways that they may best be used.Make Use of Youtube to Ace Your History Exams.Youtube isn’t all videos of cats being scared by cucumbers or clips of the worst X Factor performances. These days, it’s rather loaded with great educational content by helpful members of the public who want to make your studies as smooth as they possibly can be.Just a quick search of ‘history revision’ brings up an overwhelming variety of options on every GCSE, A Level, or Key Stage 3 topic under the sun. Some great channels to follow are Revise GCSE History or the by now familiar Mr Allsop History. But really, just enter the name of your course and the exam board and you’ll find hundreds of videos designed to make it all easy.Your computer can unlock a world of possibilities for your history revision.Gain the Grades you Want with Tes’s History Podcasts.The last on our list is Tes’s history podc asts. You might remember Tes if you have seen our article on the internet’s best websites for history revision. But, for those who don’t know, it’s a site for teachers to post resources, discuss teaching practices, and share ideas.Whilst that may not sound exactly like something a student might want, this sort of behind the scenes peek at teaching is actually very helpful. There is a series of podcasts on every module in the GCSE syllabus, and you’ll find exactly the same for A Levels too.Conclusion.So, without overwhelming you too much with options, there you are! Check out our pieces on the best history books for revision and the most helpful history revision websites  in our series on history revision resources whilst you are here!

Learning To Write a Cover Letter In English

Learning To Write a Cover Letter In English How To Write A Cover Letter In English? ChaptersWhy Write A Covering Letter?Make A Definite Plan For Your Cover LetterTips For Writing Your Covering LetterYour English Level And Writing Your Cover LetterFormatting For Your Covering LetterWhen you are applying for a new opportunity, your CV will be the most requested thing that they will use to determine if you are suitable for the job. While you can just send your CV off to the employer without any other communication, it is advisable in all cases except where explicitly asked not to. To submit your CV and write a motivation letter in English which helps you to present your CV in the right light to any employer.When you have gained your experience in a foreign country, it may not seem obvious, but when you apply for jobs or opportunities in English speaking countries, you will have to translate your application into English for it to be considered at all.Internships abroad, secondments abroad, seasonal jobs, student employment, job applications and other kinds of applicati ons. Knowing how to write a compelling cover letter that is fitting and representative of your experience. Is the key to opening yourself up to new and desirable opportunities that can build your knowledge and give you the chance to speak English.a great covering letter is not easy but it is essential. Photo Source: UnsplashBut replying to an advert and highlighting your strengths and experience isn't always easy, even for English native speakers let alone ESOL Students. Writing a response to encourage someone to give you a chance in an application involves planning the letter, organising your experience, making it interesting to read and showing yourself in your best light.Whether you are writing your resume or your cover letter. You will be required to write these things using excellent English incorporating great spelling and grammar. Here are some tips to help you to get that job interview that you are dreaming of. JulianESOL (English) Teacher 4.00 (1) £20/h1st lesson free!Dis cover all our tutors EugeneESOL (English) Teacher 4.90 (58) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HelenESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (20) £32/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SuzanneESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (2) £45/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (8) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamuelESOL (English) Teacher 4.83 (41) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoanneESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (43) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkESOL (English) Teacher 4.76 (17) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhy Write A Covering Letter?The greeting, the layout, the first sentence, showing your experience and demonstrating your personality are all essential parts of the covering letter. If you want the best chance at being noticed amongst lots of other hopeful applicants, then you cover letter must be convincing.Many international industries such as tourism and commerce will expec t their staff to speak English, especially in tourist zones. Not to mention companies who are actually based in English speaking countries. Speaking English is a strong skill to have on your CV and can bring you to the front of the list for employment if you know how to communicate in English.Speaking in English can be for many experienced professionals the skill that sets them apart from the other applicants especially in companies which require English speakers but are no based in an English speaking country.The only way to highlight your fluency in English is to write a convincing covering letter. Your cover letter then is the opportunity for you to show all of your linguistic talents and your other skills. It is a potent part of your application.The letter must be written in a clear and precise way which highlights your skills and know how. It should also make it clear why any employer should give you a position. You English lever should be clearly reflected in your writing so t hat the employer can determine your level.Make A Definite Plan For Your Cover LetterIt is possible to write your cover letter without a plan, but this style is best for people who are strong writers already. Also, people who have experience successfully writing letters to employers and have no issue presenting themselves positively and concisely in writing.For the rest of us, however, we should put a plan into place which helps to put order into your ideas and ensures that you do not repeat or forget any important details. Thus to start your covering letter, it is essential to establish a writing plan. Cover letters are typically divided into three or four paragraphs or take up one A4 page.The opportunity for you to show all of your linguistic talents. Photo Source: Unsplash1. Paragraph one â€" Here you will introduce your interest in the company and a brief introduction of who you are and your education. 2. Paragraph two â€" Explain what attracts you to the position for which you a re applying and which skills you have which makes you a viable candidate. 3. Paragraph three â€" Describe your experience in detail and how you as a candidate could make a success of the role. Tip: Using the job description as a guide can help you highlight the most relevant skills and experience. 4. Paragraph four â€" This is the closing paragraph where you can secure your final thoughts, thank the recruiter for their time and invite them to ask you further questions to clarify any questions that they may have. JulianESOL (English) Teacher 4.00 (1) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EugeneESOL (English) Teacher 4.90 (58) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HelenESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (20) £32/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SuzanneESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (2) £45/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (8) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamuelESOL (English) Teacher 4.83 (41) £15/h1st l esson free!Discover all our tutors JoanneESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (43) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkESOL (English) Teacher 4.76 (17) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsTips For Writing Your Covering LetterIt is imperative to know what it is that you want to say in the covering letter and even more so is vital to make sure that you make it easy for the recruiter to understand what it is that you want to say. Once you have the plan ready and have an idea of what your targets are you can start to write and fill in the blanks. Creating more opportunities for yourself in line with the positions that you are applying for.An excellent tip for the writing part of the process is to write down key terms from the job description that match your experience and insert them into your text while you are creating your cover letter. Once you have written the letter, it is essential to make sure that you edit the content to be as precise and powerful as possible.Al so, you should match the tone when you write your cover letter to the style of the company that you will be working for. If the company is formal like a bank, then your covering letter should be formal, but if you are applying for a casual company like a cool tech startup where people dress casually and are more relaxed, then your cover letter should match that tone.There is no correct style of writing, but your covering letter should represent you and your experience entirely.Your English Level And Writing Your Cover LetterAlthough it is important to make sure that you have no mistakes and are well understood in your cover letter it is also important to make sure that the cover letter is representative of you and who you are. Essentially if you don't have the best English, your letter shouldn't indicate that your English is perfect because when you are interviewed, they will find out any issues that you are trying to hide.So finding the balance of who you are and what passes for a great covering letter is not easy but it is essential for you to do to ensure that you are authentic in your application. Remember that in most cases the covering letter is the first part of the application and that you will have a face to face interview with the recruiter. In the interview, you will be expected to be the same person that was presented in the covering letter and CV.But if you find that in English while speaking you make lots of mistakes. It doesn't mean that you should translate those mistakes into your covering letter, but you should not use words that you would not usually use, and you should, of course, try to correct any spelling mistake and grammar while being authentic to your actual level of English.A tip for doing this is especially if your English is not the best is to highlight your English level on your CV and mention that you are in the progress of learning and improving. Employers often like when people are engaged in personal development, and this can really help you if you don't have the best English but plan to study to improve over time.While writing a cover letter can be daunting it’s not the same as writing an essay. Letters are short and you have to remember that the reason for writing it does not end with the writing, but you have to send it off in the hope that it can persuade an employer to interview you and hire you.Formatting For Your Covering LetterThe format for your covering letter is necessary because it is the formatting and visual presentation of the letter that will get the attention of the employer/recruiter.LetterheadAdd some basic personal information here such as your address and contact information.DateDate the letter with the long form date as date formats are not the same worldwide. i.e. use 7th September 2019 not 07/09/19FontsUse a basic clear font when editing your letter, fonts like ‘Arial' are professional and easy to read.Write your cover letter without a plan. Photo Source: UnsplashOther TipsAdd ress the recruiter by name if you know it or by a formal title such as To whom it may concern if you have no direct point of contact.The job Reference should be quoted if they are shown on the job description to help the recruiter know which job you are applying for.Show your interest in the position at the start of the letter with sentences such as I am writing to apply for the position of.Explain why you want to join the company and why you would be good for the company. Sentences such as I know your products very well and I would love to talk to you about how I can help you increase your international presence can be powerful.Explain your ‘relevant' experience and skills, for example, a sentence like my skills are an ideal match for this position.End with letting the recruiter know that you are motivated and available for an interview. With sentences like I would appreciate the opportunity to meet you to talk to you in person. A formal closing such as Sincerely or best regards. Editing your covering letter for grammar and spelling is very important at this point. You should also proofread the letter for mistakes, sentences that are too long or anything that is hard to understand.Remove industry terminology from the covering letter, This is ok in the CV, but the cover letter may be read by an assistant or recruiter that isn't specialised in your industry. If they don't understand what you are saying, then they may not pass your application forward.I hope that this will help you in your approach to writing a professional letter in English and I wish you luck with your application.Learn how to write a dissertation in English.

Getting Started Playing the Guitar if Youre Left-Handed

Getting Started Playing the Guitar if Youre Left-Handed How to Learn to Play the Guitar Left-Handed ChaptersHave a Good Look at Your Guitar!Being Left-Handed Isn't a Handicap on the GuitarThe Left-Handed GuitarAre There Guitars for Lefties?Is There Another Solution for Playing the Guitar as a Lefty?As you've likely noticed, we live in a world dominated by right-handed people and music is no exceptionâ€"most musicians are righties as well.So, how do you get along if you're left-handed? Can you learn how to play the guitar?What are the methods, the techniques, things to know?Are there left-handed artists and musicians who've succeeded in learning how to play the guitar?It's not fair but that's how it is, and you should be aware.But don't worry... Kurt Cobain, Paul McCartney, and Jimi Hendrix were all lefties. Despite that fact, they didn't have any problems during their first guitar lessons.There are lots of left-handed guitar virtuosos!Bear in mind that the principal methods are for righties, which includes tablatures, songbooks, and chord grids.Being a lefty is not a handicap for l earning to play the guitar, rather it's an opportunity to play differently and will never prevent you from advancing: it's all a question of motivation and choice. It won't stop you from learning how to play the guitar more quickly or from taking guitar lessons online.While righties don't have to ask themselves this question, a lefty must consider which type of guitar to play.Should this be a guitar designed for lefties, a guitar for righties, or even a reverse guitar?The decision will influence all of your training to come.

ACT English Online ACT Prep Online Tutoring Tutorpace

ACT English Online ACT Prep Online Tutoring Tutorpace Online Tutoring for ACT English Available Now! Because the ACT is such an important part of a colleges consideration of an application, achieving a high score on the test is crucial for getting into the school you desire. Succeeding on a standardized test not only shows a mastery of advanced high school subject matter, it also demonstrates preparedness for the rigors of college-level courses. This makes preparing for the English section of the ACT a daunting task. When it comes to punctuation, grammar, sentence structure and rhetorical skills, Tutor Paces online tutors can give you the edge you need to score higher on your test. Most of our packages offer unlimited access to certify English tutors who have helped thousands of students prepare for the ACT. This unique service gives you the opportunity to be fully prepared for the exam. How Tutor Pace Helps you Excel? Our online ACT English tutoring service is specially designed to cover every type of question you will encounter on the test. After working with Tutor Pace, there will be no surprises on test day. We cover: Punctuation rules Proper grammar and usage Correct sentence structure Rhetorical strategy, organization, and style Each of our tutoring sessions is a personalized, one-on-one interaction between a tutor and a student. This allows students to get help that is tailored to their individualized needs. Unlike other services that lump students together into a group tutoring session or use generic materials not designed for online tutoring, Tutor Paces tutors draw from their personal expertise to prepare students for success. No matter how much assistance you need to be ready for the test, our online ACT English tutors are available 24/7 to help you earn the score you deserve.

Creating Home Behavior Charts that Actually Work!

Creating Home Behavior Charts that Actually Work! If you have a child with ADHD, then chances are youve tried using a behavior chart with him or her at home. They are one of the first tools parents turn to when their child has difficulty following through on everyday tasks or needs extra support to manage behavior. Behavior charts are a key tool in evidence-based interventions for ADHD at home and at school. Yet despite the evidence, many parents say that when theyve tried behavior charts in the past they havent worked for their child. If research shows that behavior charts are effective, then why does it seem like so many kids with ADHD dont respond to them? Usually its because the charts werent designed with ADHD in mind. Kids with ADHD need systems in place that specifically help them overcome their difficulties with motivation, organization, and completing complex tasks. As a result, special attention needs to be given to the types of behavior goals that are included in behavior charts and the way that rewards are selected and provided when a child achieves his or her goals. The good news is that by following a few key guidelines, you can create behavior charts that will work for your child! Behavior Chart Guidelines Write clear and positive behavior goals. Your chart should communicate to your child exactly what it is that he or she needs to do to achieve his or her goals. Always write the goals in a way that tells your child what to do rather than what not to do. For example, Sit down at the table and start your homework at 4:15, is a much more effective goal than, Dont put off doing your homework when you come home from school. The first goal sets your child up for success by telling him or her what to do and when to do it. Focus on behaviors that happen consistently and routinely. The most successful behavior charts are those that focus on routine behaviors things that occur at roughly the same time and in the same order every day. Why? Because these behaviors can be easily tracked, expectations around how and when they should be completed are clear, and they can eventually turn into habits that dont require a behavior chart at all. Morning routines, evening routines, homework routines, and even mealtime routines are great targets for behavior charts. Behaviors that occur randomly outside of these routine times, like whining or arguing with siblings, are less appropriate targets and are less likely to improve with a behavior chart. Choose other strategies for these non-routine behaviors. Break complex tasks down into smaller goals. Very often I see behavior charts that include goals like Finish Homework or Get Ready for School on Time. As an adult we may look at these goals and think they are perfectly reasonable. After all, they describe exactly what you want your child to do! The problem is that for kids with ADHD, each of these goals actually represents a complex series of smaller tasks. So, if you list Get Ready for School on Time on your childs behavior chart, there is a good chance that you will find your child forgetting to do at least two or three important things in the morning, and if he or she is ready for school on time it will only be because you provided multiple reminders or completed some of the tasks for him or her. To set your child up for success, break complex tasks down into the smaller steps that need to be completed each day and post the list in a place where it is visible to your child. A typical Get Ready for School on Time goal for a child w ith ADHD should be listed as 4 or 5 separate behavior goals representing each of the activities included in his or her typical morning routine. Choose goals that are within your childs reach. Create behavior goals that you think your child could achieve at least 80% of the time. Goals should aim to stretch your child from the point he or she is at right now, while still being within your childs reach. This might mean that you focus on intermediate behavior goals that are a step in the right direction, rather than the ultimate end goals that you want your child to achieve. For example, if you want your child to wake up on his or her own with an alarm clock, but he or she has never (or rarely) done this successfully in the past, then this behavior may be out of reach right now. A more appropriate goal would be to have your child get out of bed after you wake them up and provide just one reminder. When your child has mastered this goal, you can drop the reminder. Once your child is out of bed consistently right after you wake him or her up, then you can adjust the goal further and expect him or her to wake up independently when the alarm clock goes off in the morning. Include no more than 5 behavior goals on the chart. Most kids can handle only 5 behavior goals on a single chart. This can be challenging for parents, especially when there are so many areas where youd like to see your child improve. Start by focusing on the highest priority behaviors first. You can add new goals once your child has mastered the initial list. While its best to start out with a single behavior chart, you can eventually create different charts for different times of the day. For example, your child can have a morning routine chart and a homework chart. This helps keep any single list from becoming too overwhelming. Provide consistent and frequent rewards that your child finds motivating. In behavior charts, rewards are just as important as behavior goals especially for kids with ADHD who often struggle with motivation. It is important to provide rewards daily, since kids with ADHD struggle to maintain motivation when rewards are delayed (although some kids ages 10 and up can handle larger delayed rewards). In general, the more immediate the reward the better. Rewards also need to be provided consistently when your child meets his or her goal, and rewards should never be given when they have not been earned. Always involve your child in creating a list of possible rewards ahead of time. This will ensure that the reward options include things that your child truly finds motivating. Since kids interests change so often, you should check in with your child frequently to make sure he or she is still interested in the rewards they are working to earn. There are many reasons why a behavior chart may not have worked in the past, but that doesnt mean that a behavior chart will never be a success with your child. In fact, I have yet to work with a child who has ADHD and did not respond to a well-designed behavior chart! Its all about following a few key principles of behavior chart design and adjusting the chart over time to match your childs unique needs. 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.

Its not too late to take the SAT and ACT this year!

Its not too late to take the SAT and ACT this year! Just as a reminder, the  SAT  and  SAT subject tests  will be offered two more times this year:  November 3  and  December 1.  For those of you with seniors applying to college, the November and December tests  are  accepted for the regular college admission deadline!    You can register for the SAT and the SAT subject tests at  the College Boards website.The  ACT  will be offered two more times in 2012:  October 27  and  December 8.  These scores will also be accepted for regular college admissions.  You can register for the ACT at  the ACTs website.AJ Tutoring is happy to help with test preparation for the SAT, SAT subject tests, and the ACT.  We offer comprehensive 8 or 9-session programs, as well as review programs customized for a shorter timeframe.  For more information about AJ Tutorings SAT and ACT programs, please visit  our website.If your student would like help preparing for his or her tests this fall, please give us a call at (650) 331-3251, or email info@ajtutoring .com.  Our tutors are filling up for the next few months, so sign up early!