Aboriginal Australia

Aboriginal Australia Who were the First People in Australia? ChaptersA Brief History of MigrationThe People of AustraliaLife in Indigenous AustraliaLeisure ActivitiesTechnology of the Australian aboriginal PeopleLegacy of Australia's Native PeopleOver the last few years, the term ‘aboriginal’ used to refer to indigenous populations in Australia has been called to question for its racist connotations.However, this word is perfectly fit for use without capitalising the first letter; it is Latin for ‘original inhabitant’.Another good reason to not use that word when speaking of Australia’s native people is the diversity of cultures, languages and histories of the various tribes.Whether considered singly or overall, encapsulating all that they represent in a single â€" some say hurtful adjective does them a great disservice.That puts us in a rather difficult position, seeing as we aim to uncover as much of their history, culture and achievements as possible in a reasonably lengthy article rather than a ponderous tome.Still, your Superpro f is up to the challenge; in fact, the thrill of discovery is upon us!Let us not tarry, then... 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 tutorsA Brief History of Migration Bush tucker is typical fare eaten by original Australians Image by pen_ash from PixabayThe challenge of establishing the history of indigenous Australians lies in the fact that, until European ships arrived, there were no records save for oral histories.To establish a tentative record of past events, archaeologists rely on the tools of their trade: radiocarbon and luminescence dating and, more recently, DNA testing.Such a test, conducted on a human skeleton found in Lake Mungo’s dry bed puts humans on the Australian continent around 65,000 years ago.Other remains, found in Victoria, indicated by their skeletons â€" thick brow ridges and very large teeth, that they were from a different branch of the hominid tree.Taken together, the difference in species seems to suggest that there was more than one migration event into Australia. This is a topic that is hotly debated still today.In spite of those (and other) indications, the prevalent theory is that a single migration populated the continent between 64,000 to 75,000 years ago.Even within that single postulate is room for discussion: whether they island-hopped, built boats or walked over the land bridge across the Arafura Sea to arrive in Australia.As sea levels were around 100 meters lower at that time, it may have been possible to walk but the more likely happening was that they were the first mariners ever.Once there, they became one of the most remarkable cultures â€" not for their evolution but for their seeming lack thereof.Discover one of the most evolved societies in Antiquity: Ancient EgyptThe People of AustraliaToday, we recognise two distinct groups of people indigenous to Australia: Australians natives and Torres Strait Islanders.Within those major categorisations, there exist several tribes unique onto themselves even though they share certain cultural elements.The largest tribes or groups were identified by the language they spoke which, in turn, was recognised at a part of the territory they occ upied.Quite possibly, there are more than 500 such groups; some of the most prominent aboriginal tribes include:The Murrawarri people: New South Wales/Queensland regionThe Koori in New South Wales and VictoriaThe Ngunnawal of the Australian Capital TerritoryThe Goori in Southeast QueenslandThe Nyungar in southern Western AustraliaThe Anangu in northern South AustraliaThe Arrernte in Central AustraliaThe Palawah in TasmaniaThe Tiwi on the Tiwi IslandsWhile some groups who lived fairly close spoke a dialect of that territory and shared cultural features, by no means could these alliances be considered political or economic in nature.As the tribes were all nomadic, they laid no claim to any territory. As they were hunter-gatherers, they had no crops to defend.They had no political agenda and no economy to cultivate or support... but that doesn’t mean that there were no conflicts!Encroaching on another tribe’s hunting ground could spark tribal warfare, often resulting in revenge kil lings. Also, women and children often fell victim to violence from other tribes and even within their own tribe.Find out how gender roles played out in other ancient civilisations.Other than that, how was life before European colonization? 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 tutorsLife in Indigenous Australia Australian cave paintings depict scenes from everyday life or spiritual beliefs Image by ejakob from PixabayUntil 1788, when European explorers first arrived, the tribes of Australia were still using stone tools.In fact, the entire period prior to the arrival of colonists is considered a continuation of the Stone Age because there was no metal in use.As mentioned before, the tribes were semi-nomadic hunter-gatherers; they did not plant crops or harvest until after European settlers had commanded vast portions of the most habitable land.For millennia, they lived in harmony with their land, their beliefs and their gods.GovernmentIndigenous Australian spiritual beliefs had no hierarchy â€" each deity and spirit was equally powerful and important.Thus, the people native to Australia endeavoured to mirror their beliefs by not establishing any social hierarchy.Healers and elders, with their long life experience and deep spirituality, were revered for those qualities, not for having been se lected to lead.Even so, their status as leader was/is only conditional; another member may emerge as a leader if s/he offers a more effective solution to a situation.In some groups, women played a powerful leadership role, but only insofar as women’s issues were concerned.The issue of government did not bear any significance until the British started colonising the land; they felt that some delegate from the groups in question should be available to talk with them.Thus, unwittingly, the British established hierarchies within the native tribes.How did the Mayans differ from other South American civilisations?Spiritual BeliefsThough each tribe had their own oral traditions, belief systems and spiritual values, the overarching theme was respect for the land and the significance of The Dreamtime.The Dreamtime refers both to the creation of the land and to the state of dreaming that humans enjoy.According to this creation myth, ‘First Peoples’ rose from the land and walked across i t, naming plants and animals as they went.Contrary to many other belief systems, theirs does not indicate that humans are above or apart from other animals or even the land; a remarkable equality among living things and the land permeates these beliefs.The Rainbow Serpent is considered the ultimate Creator; it resides under the land, in a permanent water hole. As the legend goes, it moved beneath the land, creating mountains and gorges.Where it emerged would be a body of water â€" the Serpent controls all of the water.In some groups, the serpent is male and in others, female. Yet others assign it both genders while still others maintain its gender is ambiguous.For many groups, Baiame is the Sky Father; creator of the land and hills, the trees and beasts. He gave people their laws of life, their traditions and their songs.He also created the first bora, a place where boys are initiated into manhood.Women are forbidden from seeing any depictions of Baiame, nor may they approach any su ch sacred sites.It would be difficult to give a rundown of every deity and belief the many tribes of Australia hold sacred but, looking at their most powerful symbols of creation gives us a good idea of their venerations.How did the Inca honour their gods?Significant CeremoniesAs you might imagine, indigenous people observed many rites, holding ceremonies when required.For instance, fire-stick farming was seen as good land husbandry; people felt it was their duty to take care of their natural environment. We talk more about the use of fire a little further on.Other rituals include:Male Initiation CeremonyFor a male to reach adulthood is a lengthy process; first, he must engage in what used to be called a walkabout: a period of several months in which he would leave his group and fend for himself.Once he returned, the bora would ensue.  Physical ordeals they might have endured included scarification, circumcision and tooth loss.Also during this time, they would be told of the tribe†™s legends and religious visions. They would be taught all of the sacred songs and dances. For some groups, the solemnity of the occasion would be broken by feasting.Females were barred from this rite. Initiation ceremonies tend to be very elaborate Image by falco from PixabayThe Smoking CeremonyAfter a bora or after a new child was born, members of the groups would set various plants to smoulder, producing a smoke believed to have cleansing properties.It was also believed to ward off bad spirits.CorroboreeThis event gave people the means of interacting with The Dreamtime.Wearing costumes, paint and adornments not commonly worn, people would dance, sing and act out parts of The Dreaming.This word is actually an anglicisation of ‘caribberie’, a word which, in turn, means different things to different groups of native Australians.Conversely, the concept of celebrating The Dreamtime is represented differently across all of Australia.Between territory squabbles and internal conflict, constant migration and rituals, was there any time for fun?What did the Ancient Greeks do for fun?Leisure ActivitiesSadly, much of what entertained the aboriginal people of Australia has been lost to h istory. However, there is some retelling of games involving a ball made of possum hide.Marn Grook, a word from the Weiwurung language that means ‘ball’ or ‘game’ is taken to represent all manner of pastimes involving kicking and catching a ball.Although this activity’s rules varied from group to group across the regions, it bore a strong similarity to football... although more than 100 people may have played in any match-up.Art features prominently in these cultures; examples of such date back thousands of years.the didgeridoo, considered one of the oldest musical instruments to date, is a long tube of eucalyptus with no finger holes that the player blows into to create sound.  Typically, playing that instrument was a 'males only' proposition.Other musical instruments include: clapsticks, bull roarers and gum leaf - a free reed instrument.Three major regional styles of aboriginal art include a simple figurative style found in Queensland; a complex figurative style Arnhem L and and a geometric style that radiates out from Central Australia.In terms of age and abundance, aboriginal art is said to be on par with the caves in Lascaux; in fact, experts agree that this is the world’s oldest continuing art tradition.The paint used to render these works is the same ochre that they adorn themselves with for ritual celebrations. A musician playing a didgeridoo and clapsticks Image by John R Perry from PixabayTechnology of the Australian aboriginal PeopleAs a hunter-gatherer society of the Stone Age, nothing went to waste; not even women’s hair.A woman’s long hair would provide ample material to make a string that could fasten arrowheads to spear poles.  They would braid strands of hair together to make general-purpose belts that held tools or from which a loincloth could hang.Hair was also used to make baskets and fishing nets, headbands or supports for a coolamon â€" a carrying vessel generally borne on the head.Tree bark also had many uses, from building shelters to building canoes.More advanced devices included the boomerang and the message stick â€" symbols engraved on a piece of wood approximately 30cm long, which would be delivered to other groups.Sometimes, the purpose of these message sticks was to invite a nearby tribe to a corobboree.The Use of FireIn Australia, evidence of fire was found that dates back 100,000 years.What’s remarkable is that people had discovered a way to harness fire’s power to clear otherwise impenetrable brush, to drive game animals and to produce new growth of food plants.In that sense, you might say that the original Australians were fire farmers.Fire was also used to communicate with distant tribes, drive dangerous inhabitants out of underbrush â€" snakes and poisonous insects, and to increase diversity in food plants.However, care was taken to not burn the jungles that were home to their guiding spirits.How did the Aztecs manage their jungle growth?Legacy of Australia's Native PeopleIf it hadn’t been for European explorers, native Australians might have continued to live the way they had for centuries.What truly impacted the native people of Australia was British Colonisation.To be sure, we weren’t the first ones to land but we were the ones to stay... and we brought our social ills and diseases with us.Influenza, measles and smallpox esp ecially proved devastating; within a year, approximately half of the native population in the Sidney area had succumbed to them.It is true that Governor Phillip, the first ‘leader’ of the colonies, did his best to adhere to his orders: find a way to live with the natives, but he couldn’t be everywhere at once. Several of his underlings got away with massacring entire tribes.Although he did eventually find a cooperative liaison, it took a few more centuries to finally accord indigenous Australians the right to live according to their culture and beliefs.It is difficult to assess the legacy of the oldest continuous civilisation because they still live and we hope they will continue to do so â€" under their own rites and laws.Now discover what happened with the Mesopotamian civilisation.

Math Failures Are Not Regrettable - Why

Math Failures Are Not Regrettable - Why Math is a subject which is much dreaded. Once students falter in the subject, they feel frustrated and do not want to continue with their Math studies. Truly speaking, Math failures are the ones that step up subject success. How do Math failures turn out negative? It is very common to err and very, very common to err in Math. So, Math failures occur at any point of time. Kids who are very good at computational skills may go wrong in their conceptual approach to Math topics at advanced level. Or it can be that they misconstrue Math symbols and fail miserably as in fixing the unknown values in Algebra. It is only the attitude that turns Math failures negative and makes students develop phobia and anxiety about the subject. Who make a mess of Math failures? Primarily it is parents and teachers who make a mess of Math failures. Most of the parents have Math anxiety on their part and they enforce the same on their kids. When kids face a miserable situation like poor grades in a Math test, they jump to the conclusion that their kids are like them and they will not be able to accomplish Math successfully. Read Also:  A Survey of Mathematical Education. The Causes of Student Dropout Most of the teachers have a tendency to discourage kids once they fail in a Math test. Students naturally shrink within themselves and do not have the confidence to attend Math classes. Peers also cause disturbance in Math learning with their power struggles and comparative talks. So, Math failures cause lots of mental tremors in students and push them to hate the subject. How do Math failures become stepping stones to success? When students detect Math disabilities in them, they should not be afraid of the onslaught of failures upon them. They can work on them with an able Online Math Tutor and come out of their cringing situations. In fact, these failures sow the seed of good fundamentals and strong skills in them. Once they understand where they err, they will not go back on them and would venture to learn with more seriousness, attitude and focus. #Failure Is Just A Stepping Stone To #Success If You See It That Way https://t.co/4YX9jxA1qS pic.twitter.com/x7Y7KzmBJf â€" Tutor Pace (@TutorPace) April 19, 2016 The need of online tutors in Math learning The thing you need is somebody to encourage you when you go wrong in Math. Tutors online have the patience to do it and help you with proper solutions to catch hold of the areas where you prove weak. The tutors write the sums on white board with you and correct your errors on the spot and provide strategies that do not allow you to err again. Math homework help online is the right destination for students to come out of their erring spots and learn the subject with a positive attitude.

Changing The Way We Think About IQ and ADHD

Changing The Way We Think About IQ and ADHD During discussions about ADHD and IQ, two common myths often enter the conversation: (1) Kids with ADHD are smarter or more creative than kids without ADHD, but they simply dont apply themselves, or (2) the opposite view, that kids with ADHD arent as smart as kids without ADHD. In reality, there is no direct connection between ADHD and intelligence. Just as there is a full range of intelligence among kids without ADHD, there is a full range of intelligence among kids with ADHD some are highly intelligent, most are of average intelligence, and some fall into the below-average range of intelligence. While ADHD does not have a significant impact on intelligence, it does make it harder for a child to learn in a traditional classroom environment, and it interferes with his or her ability to effectively demonstrate his or her knowledge on assignments and tests. Since kids are often described as being smart or not smart based on the grades that they receive, having ADHD-related academic ch allenges can lead to the perception a child is less intelligent or less motivated than his or her classmates. Intelligence, as it has been traditionally defined, is a reflection of skills measured on standardized IQ tests, including verbal and spatial reasoning, information processing, and memory skills. These are essentially the skills that are most highly correlated with academic success. Traditional IQ tests however, are limited in their ability to capture an individuals full range of abilities and potential. Fortunately, multifaceted models of intelligence have been proposed to address this problem. Dr. Howard Gardners Theory of Multiple Intelligences is one IQ model that encompasses nine different types of intelligence: Spatial: visualizing objects in 3D, mentally and physically manipulating objects with a specific goal in mind Naturalist: Understanding living things, reading nature, connecting with nature Musical: discerning the pitch, tone, rhythm, and timbre of sounds Logical/Mathematical: quantifying things, engaging in scientific thinking and reasoning Intrapersonal: understanding your own feelings and needs Linguistic: verbal and written expression Interpersonal: sensing other peoples feelings and motives Bodily-kinesthetic: coordinating your mind with your body Existential: grappling with the questions of why we live and why we die For kids and teens with ADHD who do not fit into the traditional model of intelligence, a Multiple Intelligences framework provides an opportunity for tailoring and personalizing the way that they are taught in the classroom. For example, for children who learn best in a more physical way or a more musical way, teaching math through physical activity or music could have a significant impact on a childs ability to learn. In addition, allowing kids to demonstrate their knowledge in ways that capitalize on their strengths (e.g., through project-based learning) could greatly enhance their academic performance and motivation. Parents and teachers have the opportunity to reflect on a childs abilities and consider which of the 9 intelligences represent areas of strength. Providing opportunities for a child to develop these strengths through extracurricular activities will build self-confidence, and help buffer against the feelings of self-doubt that come with having ADHD. With a Multiple Intelligences framework, parents and teachers can start to change the dialog around what it means to be smart, and empower kids with ADHD to see their true potential - well beyond the grades that they receive at school. 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.

10 Tips for Presenting Your Best Self To Colleges Part 2

10 Tips for Presenting Your Best Self To Colleges â€" Part 2 ACT SAT Prep and College Admissions Blog In part one of this two-part post, I referenced five ways to differentiate yourself in preparation for applying to college. The first five tips were: Do what you love Distinguish yourself at school Distinguish yourself in your community Get a job or an internship Do some independent research In each case, the idea was to do something that makes you unique, and would suggest you’d be an intelligent, interesting, thoughtful addition to even the most selective college or university student body. Now, let’s cover tips 6 â€" 10. 6. Read This one seems simple, but wow, does no one do it and wow, is it powerful. Get a library card and READ. Keep a list of what you read. Teenagers don't read enough for pleasure (I know you have a lot of homework and sports, but even at 2 pages a day you can finish a book or two a year...) Reading opens your mind to new subjects, teaches you vocabulary, increases your imagination and attention span, and strengthens your writing. Colleges love to see kids who read because you are more well informed in choosing your major and you will have to read a lot in college, so everybody wins! 7. Go crazy taking in cultural activities in your city This activity is often overlooked, but you can go to plays, concerts, dance performances, art shows, lectures, poetry readings and all sorts of similar events in your city. Even if you live in a very small town, during the fair there are always events like this that you can attend. Learning about cultures shows your intellectual curiosity, and colleges are educational institutions first and foremost, so they really love kids who think and appreciate diverse experiences. Whether it's a ballet, a wood carving lecture at the library, or a tractor pull at the fairground, get out there and experience life! 8. Pursue a really weird, obscure hobby If you have any desire to learn to blow glass, country two-step, make duck calls, or recite poetry at slamfests, do it. Colleges (and employers) love people with hobbies because it makes you interesting and well rounded. When you pursue your hobby in Renaissance dance or civil war reenactment, a college will be able to see what kinds of things you can bring to campus to share with other students. And remember, you can learn any of these things from YouTube; you don't always need expensive lessons. 9. Investigate and really consider obscure majors While browsing through a college's course catalog and online statistics, look at the number of students enrolled in each major. Learn about the smallest and most obscure majors on campus because most kids are probably applying for the same things and one of these lesser-known majors might actually really catch your eye! 10. Publish anything No joke. If you can publish an article, a blog, a BOOK, a chapbook of poetry--do it. One year I even had a student who wanted to publish his own manifesto, and I did have a girl who wrote her own Latin textbook because she couldn't find one she liked... The point is, if you can actually manage to write or direct and publish something, then by all means do so. Colleges love movers and shakers, in good ways, so if you are one such kid, then let it be known by your output. Publishing is basically awesome. There are many ways that you canstand out from the pack, and all of them involve you following your own heart and pursuing your passions. Best of luck to you as you do. Yay, college! SusannaCerasuolo, M.Ed is a college counselor based in Seattle, WA. She has been working with high school students for 20 years, first as an English teacher and then as a guidance counselor. As a first generation college graduate, Susanna believes that education is the best way to break the poverty cycle and she is passionate about increasing access to Higher Ed. Susanna foundedwww.CollegeMapper.com, a free website that gives each high school student a step-by-step plan to find and apply to college. hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(215486, 'a519c073-790d-4c67-b0fd-7095f1869478', {});

5 Math Skills to Review the First Month Back at School

5 Math Skills to Review the First Month Back at School Irvine Math Tutor Tips: 5 Math Skills to Review the First Month Back at School Kids are back to school and learning all sorts of new topics. Some teachers will do tons of review while others will get straight into new information. When it comes to math, students needs to feel confident about the information they learned in years past so they can build upon those concepts throughout the academic year. Although each grade level is different, there are a few things every student in elementary school can work on to make sure theyre ready for whatever information the teacher presents. 1. Using a four function calculator A four-function calculator is essential when it comes to math at this level. Although most teachers want students to be able to do things by hand when theyre learning them, being able to do a calculation is advantageous in many instances. Once a kid knows how to use a calculator, its incredibly simple. However, if theyve forgotten how to use it from last year, it can become a little bit challenging. Younger students might confuse the multiplication sign with the plus sign and come up with an entirely different answer than they meant to. If students haven’t used a calculator for a while, its a good idea to sit down with them and make sure they know how to use it consistently. 2. Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division The four most important elements of elementary math are addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Many students struggle with their times tables and long division. If the concepts and steps aren’t making sense, its a good idea for students to review these topics before their teacher presents new information. If multiplication and division have not yet been presented in the classroom, kids can work on addition and subtraction. One of the most common mistakes students make is to subtract when they were meant to add or vice versa. Its a good idea to do a few practice problems at home to make sure they are on track. 3. Word problems Word problems can be really tricky and can make it more difficult to find the correct answer to a problem. The first step is to turn the word problem into a calculation. Many word problems also contain unnecessary information that students need to ignore to get the right answer. One way to start is for students to cross out irrelevant information with a pencil so they can visually focus on whats important. Word problems contain extra steps and are more difficult in general so it’s a good idea for kids to review before too much time goes by in school year (READ: The Importance of Repetition in Elementary School). 4. Money Dealing with money can be a challenge for many younger students. Most math workbooks contain several pages of basic financial calculations so students can practice. However, kids will often confuse what is left of the decimal point with what is right of the decimal point. This is a skill best learned through repetition, and its a great thing for kids to review at the beginning of the school year. Additionally, students should work with actual money to understand where it comes from. They can practice making change or counting out different numbers to understand the difference between a nickel, a dime, a dollar, and so on. 5. Checking your work Its important for math students of all ages to check their work. Many students are tempted to rush through their assignments so they can move on to something else. However, this is where students make mistakes and end up having to do the entire assignment over again. Before getting too far on their practice sheets, students should make sure they have used the right sign and did their computations correctly. This can be checked by a parent or tutor for a while, but kids should be learning to check their work on their own before too long. Get an A in your math classes this year with the help of a private Irvine math tutor from TutorNerds. Call us today for more information on our Irvine math tutoring services. All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us write.

Culturally Responsive Teaching Course Review

Culturally Responsive Teaching Course Review Teachers today hear a lot of talk about overcoming gaps in education - especially the cultural gap between students and teachers. As the students we teach grow more and more diverse, we know how critical it is to engage all of our students in ways that are culturally appropriate. While my teaching preparation program had dipped into some of the theories around culturally responsive teaching, it was pretty light on the practical side. Fresh out of teachers college, I was looking for a flexible professional development offering that would give me the opportunity to uncover best practices, learn new strategies and become better equipped to work with diverse students and parents. Despite the current emphasis placed on the importance of culturally responsive teaching, there was surprisingly very little in the way of professional learning opportunities out there on this very topic. Happily, an online search led me to discover Teach Away Professional Development and their new online course offering,Culturally Responsive Teaching: Connecting with students and parents of different cultures, centered on establishing cultural inclusivity in the classroom and school community. Culturally Responsive Teaching course overview Course name: Culturally responsive teaching: Connecting with students and parents of different cultures Time: 1.5 hours Course fee: $99 Delivery format: 100% online Assessment: Multiple choice exam and written assignment My verdict: Yes, this course is worth your time! Read on to learn more about my experience taking the course. What I learned from the Culturally Responsive Teaching course Professional development courses, in my opinion, need to offer concrete takeaways that teachers can implement in their classrooms right away. This online course offered me all this in the form of lesson plan structures, downloadable activities to help me reflect on my own practice, as well as simple tasks to help me build inclusivity through co-teaching and pedagogical documentation exercises. The course also taught me about the unseen aspects of culture which may play a role in establishing an inclusive classroom. These unseen aspects of culture, like variations in language patterns, tone of voice, facial and hand gestures, and beliefs about gender and sexual orientation impact the dynamics of the classroom. Culturally Responsive Teaching taught me how to carefully address these cultural differences with students and parents, instead of assuming that ignoring the differences makes the classroom a culturally neutral space. It also helped me to understand how to bring students’ families into the school community. In spaces where learners are not all included, we cannot say there is equal access to knowledge and education. Culturally responsive teaching: Bridging theory and practice This course is based upon ample research completed by renowned educational theorists. Notable theories and content highlighted came from Geneva Gay and Fred Korthagen, as well as other prominent researchers in the field of culturally responsive teaching. The best part about Culturally Responsive Teaching, though? It actually moved beyond theory and offered practical strategies for the classroom. For example, two popular concepts in education are pedagogical documentation and establishing critical thinking skills in students through inquiry-based activities. This course offered me easy takeaways to actually tackle these complex activities in the classroom, which hasn’t often been the case in other professional development courses for teachers I’ve taken before. The final assignment gives an outline to create a resource portfolio that would welcome parents and students to your classroom by focusing on cultural inclusion. Instructions are given to develop a lesson plan, resource list, framework and rationale for an area of focus. A comment I hear time and again from other teachers is that the last thing they need is another task piled on them at work. I get it, time is precious! Through this course, I learned that being a culturally inclusive educator does not mean you’re adding another task on top of what you already need to do. One thing to remember is to take the process of becoming culturally competent one step at a time. On the road to becoming a culturally competent teacher Culturally Responsive Teaching helped me realize my own biases and personal assumptions and where I had opportunities to grow professionally in terms of cultural inclusivity. Learning how to include all cultures and understanding differences even in our own countries means identifying what you know and do not know, and this course helps you to do this in a non-judgemental way. Geneva Gay, whose work is often cited throughout Culturally Responsive Teaching, states that schools’ values and actions are not culturally neutral, as one may believe. Everything from classroom discipline, to teaching, to the levels of student and teacher responsibilities reflect the dominant cultural ideology and can cause a disconnect between students’ school and personal lives. The course taught me that culture will be shaped around us and the interactions we have every day with students and their parents or guardians. Just as we teach numeracy and literacy, we must also teach students how to develop ethnic and cultural literacy. By providing information about history and contributions of ethnic groups in class, students will be included and committed to learning and participating in globalized settings. Overall, I would recommend Culturally Responsive Teaching to any teacher, regardless of the subject or grade you teach. It was reasonably priced, useful, easy to follow and - most importantly - relevant to my teaching practice.

?? Top Tips to Steer Clear from Drum Related Hand Pain

?? Top Tips to Steer Clear from Drum Related Hand Pain Top Tips to Steer Clear from Drum Related Hand Pain Most drummers, who are true to the art of playing, know that drum related hand pain is imminent thelonger you play a set. It is quite frustrating, whether you play a lot or you are getting olderwhen the dreaded drum pains start to course through your hands.Your hands are essential when holding drumsticks andkeeping the rhythm going strong.Fortunately, there are ways to help with this pain, so you can rock out exactly how you like!There's no need to reach for the Ibuprofen.Consider these top tips to help you eliminate pain moving forward...#1â€" Limit Your Phone UseAs phones take over our lives more and more every day, our bodies are starting to break down quicker than everbefore.Texting and swiping left and right is causing tendonitis and carpal tunnel in people that are waytoo young to exhibit these problems.Try spending less time on social media and more time honing your skillson the trap. Your hands will thank you in the long run.#2 â€" Pick Some New SticksSome people stick with t he same sticks over time. However, as you get older, it helps to add new sticks to your repertoire.Thin sticks are big culprits for making human hands hurt. Sure, theymight be comfortable to use, but new, heavier sticks can help lessen the blow. Furthermore, limit youruse of slick lacquer drumsticks and use more matte finishes. Drumsticks with a matte finish allow forbetter grip instead of the traditional slick lacquer which can get slippery when the hands start to sweat.#3 â€" Play With Gloves and TapeIf you’d rather stay with the same classic lacquer sticks, then consider using gloves to help with grip.Many of these gloves are breathable with great grip to help you hold sticks properly. Also, drum tape is areal thing, believe it or not. Drum tape works similarly to a hockey player who uses tape on his or herstick. Same can be said about using tape on drum sticks to help limit shock that reaches the hands.#4 â€" Grip ChangesIf all has failed to this point, you may need to change your grip. Over time, bad habits can be createdand it can wreck your hands when drumming. Make sure to grab the drumsticks lightly and releasetension from any tight grips. Because hand muscles cramp over time, relaxing the hand is key to allowthe hand to work properly when drumming.#5 â€" Consistent StretchingJust like before and after exercise, it is important to stretch, so the hands can be warmed up beforedrumming.Try as many stretches that involve the fingers to prime your drumming hands. Cross yourfingers together like you are praying, and stretch the arms out in front of you to limber up your handsfor drumming. Essential oils, like Cyprus, can help with circulation as you do your stretches. Just rub afew drops on your hands, and you will start to reap the benefits.#6 â€" Hydration is KeyJust like with any sport, it is imperative to stay hydrated. The same can be said with drumming. Now,hydrating properly really only involves water. Stay away from beer and other alcoholic bever ages.Imagine lights on a stage to have the same potency as the sun shining on athletes. Staying hydrated willhelp you stay focused and energized throughout your drumming set.#7 â€" Remember R.I.C.EThis is a common sports treatment, but it can also be used for a drummer with hand related pain.Next, you should ICE the hand that is throbbing in pain. Do not put ice directly on the hand,but wrap an ice pack in a towel and place it on the hand. Also, you can fill a bag with ice and wrap with apaper towel.Then, you should COMPRESS the ice to the hand. Leave the ice on the hand for a minimumof 5 minutes up to 10 minutes. That should be enough time to help your hand while limiting theswelling.Lastly, you should keep your hand that is hurting ELEVATED. This allows for blood flow to get tothe hand quicker, and your hand will feel better in no time.With just a few tips, there should be plenty of ways to try and solve your drum related pain. Rememberthat it is very important that you think abou t your health when drumming because your body needs to beat prime health, so you stay on beat and stay accurate during awesome fills. Good luck and to give yourhands some rest.Author bioMy name is Austin and I'm the founder of Consordini, a comprehensive music advice guide. I have a true passion for music, and have been playing the drums for the last 8 years (I now the dreaded drummers hand pain all too well!)