Help For Your Science Classroom

Help For Your Science ClassroomIf you want to teach students in a science classroom and have no experience in the subject, you can attend Upenn tutoring science across the country. It is the perfect way to ensure that your students have the best possible education in science. If you wish to teach students from all walks of life, you can find the right tutors in Upenn and give them the education they deserve.There are many different aspects to a science class. The first step you should take is to gather all the information you can about every topic your students will be learning. If you are new to tutoring classes, you may need to consult a tutor before starting your course. It is important that you also keep track of the class schedule so that you know when your students need tutoring.When you are seeking out tutors, make sure that you choose someone who is committed to helping your students learn. You do not want to choose an Upenn tutor who only likes to provide the correct answer to their questions, and who does not care about the life of the student.One way to find out if you are choosing the right Upenn tutoring science across the country is to look at their portfolios. This means that you should look at their past courses, whether they are still in school or finished, and how many students they have served. If they are looking for help in the US, then this is a great sign as you will be able to meet them easily.Tutoring in the US is often different than tutoring in a UK school. Some people assume that US students simply do not have as much time as UK students to complete courses, but actually they are more willing to work hard to do well.Some schools in the US also tend to have specific curriculums that are unique from what most other schools in the country have, so if you want to give your students the best education in science, you should find a way to fit them into these specific systems. If you find that there are no schools that suit your requirement s, then ask your teacher about the kind of tutoring you can offer.If you have not considered the American science students before, now is the perfect time to begin. Most schools are desperate to give their students the best education possible, and many of them are happy to spend some time to help you find the right student for your class.

5 Books to Read for Black History Month

5 Books to Read for Black History Month 5 Books to Read for Black History Month February is Black History Month, an opportunity to teach your children about the historical accomplishments and struggles of African Americans. By connecting children with history, they’ll gain a better understanding of the world they live in and develop compassion for other people. Taken from the Kumon Recommended Reading List, below is a collection of inspirational books honoring African heritage. Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears  by Verna Aardema This Caldecott Medal-winning folktale from Africa demonstrates the consequences of lying to others through a story of a mosquito causing a jungle disaster. This well-illustrated, moral lesson is funny and a great conversation starter about telling the truth. The Day  GoGo Went to Vote  by Elinor Batezat Sisulu This beautifully illustrated book marks a pivotal event in history. In 1994, South Africa held their first general election where all races could vote. As a result, Nelson Mandela was elected the first black head of state in that country. The story is told through the eyes of a young, excited girl who accompanies her frail and respected grandmother to the voting booth for this milestone occasion. Amos Fortune: Free Man  by Elizabeth Yates This biographical novel won the Newbery Medal for excellence in American children’s literature. Amos Fortune was a young, African prince captured by slave traders, sent overseas, and sold at an auction in New England. This inspiring true story is of a courageous man who goes on to master a trade and gain his freedom at 60 years old. The Other Side of Truth  by Beverley Naidoo Taking place in 1995, this Carnegie Medal winning novel tells a story of two siblings who are exiled out of Nigeria by their father after the children are left motherless by the actions of the corrupt government soldiers. The children flee to England and become Nigerian political refugees in a deeply engaging tale including the highly suspenseful reunification with their father. This book offers a world-view of the complexities in life including human rights and clashes of cultures. Cry, the Beloved Country  by Alan Paton Taking place in South Africa, this important book tells a compassionate story leading up to apartheid from 1948-1994. It weaves together the lives of a black minister, a white farmer, and the son of each. The reader is immediately caught up in the gravity of each character’s situation and irrevocably drawn into the plot that ensures. By the end, the profound power of the human spirit prevails. You might also be interested in: Booklist to Celebrate Chinese Culture Happy Read Across America Day! Kick-off National Reading Month by Celebrating Dr. Seuss’ Birthday With These Fun Activities 8 Must-Read Collections of Poetry on Kumon’s Recommended Reading List 5 Tips to Celebrate National Family Literacy Month 5 Books to Read for Black History Month 5 Books to Read for Black History Month February is Black History Month, an opportunity to teach your children about the historical accomplishments and struggles of African Americans. By connecting children with history, they’ll gain a better understanding of the world they live in and develop compassion for other people. Taken from the Kumon Recommended Reading List, below is a collection of inspirational books honoring African heritage. Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears  by Verna Aardema This Caldecott Medal-winning folktale from Africa demonstrates the consequences of lying to others through a story of a mosquito causing a jungle disaster. This well-illustrated, moral lesson is funny and a great conversation starter about telling the truth. The Day  GoGo Went to Vote  by Elinor Batezat Sisulu This beautifully illustrated book marks a pivotal event in history. In 1994, South Africa held their first general election where all races could vote. As a result, Nelson Mandela was elected the first black head of state in that country. The story is told through the eyes of a young, excited girl who accompanies her frail and respected grandmother to the voting booth for this milestone occasion. Amos Fortune: Free Man  by Elizabeth Yates This biographical novel won the Newbery Medal for excellence in American children’s literature. Amos Fortune was a young, African prince captured by slave traders, sent overseas, and sold at an auction in New England. This inspiring true story is of a courageous man who goes on to master a trade and gain his freedom at 60 years old. The Other Side of Truth  by Beverley Naidoo Taking place in 1995, this Carnegie Medal winning novel tells a story of two siblings who are exiled out of Nigeria by their father after the children are left motherless by the actions of the corrupt government soldiers. The children flee to England and become Nigerian political refugees in a deeply engaging tale including the highly suspenseful reunification with their father. This book offers a world-view of the complexities in life including human rights and clashes of cultures. Cry, the Beloved Country  by Alan Paton Taking place in South Africa, this important book tells a compassionate story leading up to apartheid from 1948-1994. It weaves together the lives of a black minister, a white farmer, and the son of each. The reader is immediately caught up in the gravity of each character’s situation and irrevocably drawn into the plot that ensures. By the end, the profound power of the human spirit prevails. You might also be interested in: Booklist to Celebrate Chinese Culture Happy Read Across America Day! Kick-off National Reading Month by Celebrating Dr. Seuss’ Birthday With These Fun Activities 8 Must-Read Collections of Poetry on Kumon’s Recommended Reading List 5 Tips to Celebrate National Family Literacy Month

Logic Behind the italki Language Challenge (and how to ensure your success!).

Logic Behind the italki Language Challenge (and how to ensure your success!). The October Language Challenge is just about to start. This time, we are asking our learners to take 6 hours of language classes in the space of two weeks. As opposed to the longer, higher-commitment challenges we have conducted before. We are terming this a sprint to help you jump start your language learning habits. In the same way that its difficult to stay with a gym membership, stick to a diet, or live up to ones New Years commitments, it can be difficult to study a language after that initial excitement of learning wears off, and consistent work needs to be done. What is the logic behind the challenge?   The model behind the language challenges for  italki is to encourage planning behavior that gives our learners a sense of traction. As an example, we looked at some innovative gyms and work-out oriented apps which charge a  user  more for skipping  a workout  (unlike traditional gyms with long-term commitments who are interested in user failure). We adopted a similar model, where the up-front cost of the challenge encourages a student to stick to their commitment. The purchases from the users who do not complete the challenge subsidize the rewards for those that do. (Of course, we would love for everyone to complete the challenge, and in the past few years the completion percentage has been climbing higher with each language challenge event). Whats m0re, the idea of getting a prize and the sunk cost back for completing the challenge is another good motivator to put in the extra effort.  Ultimately, having a reward at the end of the challenge works better to create a perspective shift in a learner: once the going gets tough, the competitive spirit and desire for the reward is a much better motivator than the feeling of Oh well, I guess Ive lost my ITC. Why is this challenge so short?   We are always experimenting with a better motivate to improve the language-learning process. In the same way that long-term gym commitments actually work to discourage the user, a longer challenge may seem difficult and daunting. This sprint format is designed to encourage forward planning in the short-term, and get our learners to try the optimal model for using italki (users who schedule on average 3 hours with a teacher per week tend to stick to the learning process longer, and get better faster). 2 hours per week is not quite enough, and 4 can be overwhelming and discouraging in and of itself. By making this a simple 6 hours/2 weeks challenge, we are hoping to let our challengers see the benefit of the optimal model, and give them the opportunity to feel how quickly they can improve using this format. Whats the secret to successfully finishing the challenge? The most important piece of finishing the challenge is  following a plan. That means the best way to schedule your sessions is all at once, in one go, to create a roadmap of your classes for yourself. In this sprint format challenge, it is a lot easier to plan out all the classes and make teaching requests ahead of time. If you want to avoid the crunch-time rush or stress of finding teachers, plan all 6 of your lessons distributed evenly over the duration of the challenge. First of all, you will have a lot more control over when and with whom you will be having your sessions. Secondly, making a commitment to a teacher will help you prioritize language learning, and give you the best possible chance to derive the greatest learning benefit from the sessions. There are still a few days left to register, and enrollment into the language challenge is open after the start date. Dont wait, get your language learning momentum rolling here: References: http://mashable.com/2014/01/23/fitmob-startup-gym/ http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2011/01/24/gym_pact_bases_fees_on_members_ability_to_stick_to_their_workout_schedule/ Logic Behind the italki Language Challenge (and how to ensure your success!). The October Language Challenge is just about to start. This time, we are asking our learners to take 6 hours of language classes in the space of two weeks. As opposed to the longer, higher-commitment challenges we have conducted before. We are terming this a sprint to help you jump start your language learning habits. In the same way that its difficult to stay with a gym membership, stick to a diet, or live up to ones New Years commitments, it can be difficult to study a language after that initial excitement of learning wears off, and consistent work needs to be done. What is the logic behind the challenge?   The model behind the language challenges for  italki is to encourage planning behavior that gives our learners a sense of traction. As an example, we looked at some innovative gyms and work-out oriented apps which charge a  user  more for skipping  a workout  (unlike traditional gyms with long-term commitments who are interested in user failure). We adopted a similar model, where the up-front cost of the challenge encourages a student to stick to their commitment. The purchases from the users who do not complete the challenge subsidize the rewards for those that do. (Of course, we would love for everyone to complete the challenge, and in the past few years the completion percentage has been climbing higher with each language challenge event). Whats m0re, the idea of getting a prize and the sunk cost back for completing the challenge is another good motivator to put in the extra effort.  Ultimately, having a reward at the end of the challenge works better to create a perspective shift in a learner: once the going gets tough, the competitive spirit and desire for the reward is a much better motivator than the feeling of Oh well, I guess Ive lost my ITC. Why is this challenge so short?   We are always experimenting with a better motivate to improve the language-learning process. In the same way that long-term gym commitments actually work to discourage the user, a longer challenge may seem difficult and daunting. This sprint format is designed to encourage forward planning in the short-term, and get our learners to try the optimal model for using italki (users who schedule on average 3 hours with a teacher per week tend to stick to the learning process longer, and get better faster). 2 hours per week is not quite enough, and 4 can be overwhelming and discouraging in and of itself. By making this a simple 6 hours/2 weeks challenge, we are hoping to let our challengers see the benefit of the optimal model, and give them the opportunity to feel how quickly they can improve using this format. Whats the secret to successfully finishing the challenge? The most important piece of finishing the challenge is  following a plan. That means the best way to schedule your sessions is all at once, in one go, to create a roadmap of your classes for yourself. In this sprint format challenge, it is a lot easier to plan out all the classes and make teaching requests ahead of time. If you want to avoid the crunch-time rush or stress of finding teachers, plan all 6 of your lessons distributed evenly over the duration of the challenge. First of all, you will have a lot more control over when and with whom you will be having your sessions. Secondly, making a commitment to a teacher will help you prioritize language learning, and give you the best possible chance to derive the greatest learning benefit from the sessions. There are still a few days left to register, and enrollment into the language challenge is open after the start date. Dont wait, get your language learning momentum rolling here: References: http://mashable.com/2014/01/23/fitmob-startup-gym/ http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2011/01/24/gym_pact_bases_fees_on_members_ability_to_stick_to_their_workout_schedule/

Irvine Tutoring Tips 5 Tips For Coping With Summer Stress

Irvine Tutoring Tips 5 Tips For Coping With Summer Stress Coping with summer stress: 5 tips to success School is out, and summer is here; students are thrilled to have a break from school. Oddly enough, summer can be a little bit stressful despite the fact that students dont have to deal with homework assignments or tests and quizzes. This long stretch of time can be spent many ways, some of which are more enjoyable and productive than others. When students start to stress out about going back to school in the fall or dealing with summer activities they miss out on all of the benefits of rest, which can help them thrive through the next school year make summer studying less stressful with the help or private Irvine summer tutoring. 1.   Summer camp Summer camp is a great opportunity for kids to get out of the house and enjoy one of their favorite activities. Perhaps they are enjoying soccer or baseball outside in the sunshine, or maybe they are interested in engineering and technology. Summer camp also allows kids to socialize with others outside of their normal circle and allows parents to do what they need to during the day. Some summer camps even offer a split between academics and extracurricular activities that will help kids get up to grade level while still having fun (READ: Irvine Tutor Tips: Ways to Work on Writing This Summer). 2.   Supplemental education Although kids might not immediately think of supplemental education when they think of summer, its a great time to get caught up or get ahead. During the school year, students have to deal with four different subjects all at once and so that one challenging topic tends to keep them struggling. On the other hand, summer offers an opportunity for students to sit down with a one-on-one tutor in the relaxed environment of their home and conquer their most challenging subject. 3.   College prep Summer is also a great time for college prep students to organize their applications, study for college entrance exams, and work with a counselor. Its almost impossible for students to do all of these tasks during the academic year and still have a moment to themselves. Working on this during the summer can eliminate a lot of stress and uncertainty about what the college prep process will entail and which colleges a student has a good shot of being accepted to. 4.   Community service Another great thing for students to participate in during the summer is community service. If students are too old to attend summer camp but still need a little bit of structure, there are tons of opportunities for them to add to their community and gain some volunteer experience. Kids should research and choose a volunteer activity that interests them personally so they can have a little bit of fun while helping out. Students might volunteer at an animal shelter, a local fundraising event, a beach cleanup and so on. 5.   Go beyond the core subjects Another way to beat stress this summer is to allow students to explore subjects they dont get a chance to participate in during the school year. It seems like late August through June is focused on math and English to an intense degree. During the summer students can focus on art, music, sports, social science, history, engineering and so forth. When students get to explore topics, they are interested in they develop and maintain a love of learning that will help them stay curious and ask questions about the world around them. It will also give them a break from the core subjects that, although incredibly important, they will mainly focus on during the year. Have you booked your private Los Angeles summer tutor? Call TutorNerds today and we will match you with an experienced LA summer tutor. 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.

The Lowdown on Standardized Testing - by TutorNerds

The Lowdown on Standardized Testing - by TutorNerds Tips from a San Diego Test Prep Tutor: The Lowdown on Standardized Testing Tips from a San Diego Test Prep Tutor: The Lowdown on Standardized Testing Standardized testing has been part of our educational system for generations. Nearly every parent took a stab at the SAT years ago and remembers the stress that it produced. However, todays educational system offers a lot more standardized tests and it’s not limited to college prep students. Students will start with tests in elementary school and continue on each spring until they reach the 10th grade. At this point they start the college prep years, which will include an amalgam of tests for AP exams, the ACT, and SAT (including subject tests). Parents want to know why there are so many tests and how this will affect their children. Having a better understanding of current testing can help both parents and students determine how to proceed. 1- Elementary school testing Students generally don’t have test anxiety right away but may develop it over time. If they become overly worried about their current tests, it may affect their ability to successfully take more important tests later on. In a sense, testing at this level is meant to judge the school as a whole and the effectiveness of educational methods. At this point, the results of the tests will help parents know if their child is in line with national standards (that is if they are allowed to see their child’s scores). 2 Middle school testing At this point in the testing game parents are encouraged to talk to their children about the importance of certain exams. For instance, middle school students may be able to qualify for honors programs, scholarship money, or other useful things that can make their K-12 experience easier. However, colleges will never see grades or test scores from Grades 6-8. On the other hand, a middle school student’s current performance may be a potential indicator of their performance on more important tests in high school. 3 High school/college prep testing This is where standardized exams become very important. Although most colleges only look at tests and grades from the 10th -12th grades, some schools will look at the 9th grade as well. Some scholarships are available to help students through high school or offer money for college later on. Once students start taking AP courses, they will definitely want to hone in on current test prep techniques to ensure an entire year of a challenging course is put to good use. Once they add in the ACT, the SAT, and SAT Subject tests, students may spend one Saturday a month on average taking a very important exam. 4 Helping students with test prep One way students can conquer test prep is to think of it as a separate subject. English test prep is different from English literature and math test prep is different from algebra. Although students will need to fully understand the concepts in their classes, the ability to ace a multiple choice test is an entirely different subject. This is a situation where practice makes perfect. Students can either work with a test prep tutor, take practice tests out of a study booklet, or work with their classroom teacher to learn techniques (READ: ACT Tips From a Private Irvine ACT Tutor). 5 Preventing test prep anxiety Although some of these exams can be a make it or break it situation, its important that students don’t develop undue stress issues that might last long past the end of high school. One way to prevent test prep anxiety is to start practicing early. Students who have an entire year to take (and possibly retake) the SAT are less likely to become overwhelmed. Alternately, if they didnt start studying for their SAT, or any standardized exam, until six weeks prior to their test date, they are more likely to become overly stressed and are less likely to master all of the techniques (READ: Super Foods and Testing). Testing is a major part of a students academic career. Make sure your child gets the scores he/she deserve with the help of a private San Diego test prep tutor. Call us today for more information. 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.

Choosing the Right Chemistry Kit For Your Child

Choosing the Right Chemistry Kit For Your ChildWhen you go to buy a chemistry kit, there are so many different types available. It can be difficult to find the right one for your needs. There are some very important factors that you should keep in mind when you are looking for the perfect kit for your child's needs.When you go shopping for your kit, you want to take into consideration the child's interests. Some kits have only a few parts that the child will need. Other kits may have more components that will be used. If you know your child's needs, you will be able to find the best kit possible.Another thing to consider is the type of chemicals that are contained in the kit. Most kits have the same chemicals and ingredients. This makes it easier for your child to learn. You don't have to buy a kit that has a wide variety of chemicals.After you find the right kit for your child, you will want to remember what you would do with it. Your kit should be flexible enough for your child to do as he or she grows. The kit should also be easy to store and transport.Different kits come with different projects that your child can do while they are learning about chemistry. Some kits come with coloring pages. Others come with handbooks that can be handed down to your children.All kits are great for introducing the science to your child. You can keep track of the progress of your child as he or she uses the kit. This can help you keep an eye on how well your child is learning.If you are like most parents, you probably want to be able to play around with your own chemistry kit. These kits come in many different shapes and sizes, so you should be able to find the best one for your needs.

Organic Chemistry Tutor

Organic Chemistry TutorWhen looking for an organic chemistry tutor, some of the top choices could be a CELTA program or a private tutor. In this article I will discuss the private tutor option. When choosing to hire a private tutor, it's important to remember that many private tutors operate the traditional way and can charge more than the traditional program would charge. Here are a few things to consider when deciding between the two options.- Are they a Certified Organic Chemistry Teacher? To become certified you must complete a two-year program with both laboratory science and hands-on learning. Once you've passed your test you will receive your certification, and this is a good indicator of someone who has completed a solid program. If you find a tutor that is certified but not a solid program, they may not be able to properly teach organic chemistry. At the same time they might not want to give you the time of day.- Is there a private tutor? There are many private tutors who of fer tuition based on a fee-based model. When you enroll in one of these private tutors you will have to pay every month but are paid by the number of hours you do each week.- Are they a solid program? The next thing to look at is the quality of the program they offer. Make sure the tutor you hire has a solid program so you know you're getting value for your money.- Are they a member of an association? If they don't have a membership you may want to investigate other options. While being a member of an association doesn't guarantee their experience, it does increase their credibility, which will raise their value to you.- Make sure you ask a lot of questions before signing on with them. This will let you determine if you're truly getting what you want out of the program and what exactly the tutor is teaching.When looking for an organic chemistry tutor to make sure you research the organization they are affiliated with as well as the school. They should have a solid program that meets your needs, so you can learn with a high level of satisfaction.

If You Arent Managing Your Career, Who Is - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / If You Aren’t Managing Your Career, Who Is - Introvert Whisperer If You Aren’t Managing Your Career, Who Is? OK, I get it. Managing your career isn’t the sexiest thing to talk about, but someone has to. You spend more time working than anything else other than sleeping. Isn’t it worth it to spend that time feeling good about what you’re doing? And where you’re headed? (Click here to tweet this thought.) You can go back to thinking about your kids, your friends or the new game on your computer in just a second. Your career will “happen” with or without your attention. It won’t stand still, nor will you. Due to a variety of circumstances, such as change in business, change in boss and how well you perform your job, your career will never move in a straight line. Despite the weaving it will do, you can largely control its trajectory but it does require your attention. It’s unfortunate that too many people simply assume if they perform well, their career will take care of itself. That is a huge assumption.So is thinking management has your back. That’s relinquishing a lot of control and decision-making to either others or fate. Would you turn over your bank account to someone else’s management? Or to no one? Would you turn over your car, your child, and your future to… no one? Whatever your reasons for the lack of attention to your career, there are some pain-free things you can do to steer it in the right direction. Don’t worry, this won’t take long and it won’t suck up a bunch of your time. Pain-Free Career Management: 1. Figure out where you want to be in 6 months or the next 2 years. Sounds simple, but most people don’t even do that. a. It’s pain-free because all you have to do is think. Sure, you might want to think by asking people questions and having discussions. You do that every day. 2. Pay attention to office politics, as that will have a bearing on your career. a. Again, pain-free since all you have to do is pay attention to who’s influencing whom, who’s getting ahead or behind, and why. 3. Pay attention to what’s going on with the business conditions. a. What can I say? Paying attention is a very underrated activity, but when you do, you’ll know when big decisions are taking place that might impact you. 4. Talk to influencers and decision-makers about what you need and want. a. These people will have a huge impact on your career, but if you don’t let them know what you want for your career, they’ll assume everything must be okay. b. Simply developing relationships with these people will create supporters when your career needs them the most. 5. Take actions that matter; don’t just take action that won’t do you any good. a. Okay, this requires that you drop your game station, but action is control and isn’t that really what you want? b. This doesn’t require you to do something every day or all the time it’s taking the right actions when it will make the biggest difference. Before I let you return to the comfort of your computer surfing, let me end by saying you have more control over your career than you may realize. It’s yours to shape, and you will like the result when you start managing your career. Go to top Do you know what your next career step is?   Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable.   Get your copy now and start your action plan today: CLICK HERE Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleash your professional potential. How can you better manage your career? Share your thoughts in the comments! Image: Photobucket

4 Educational Family Field Trips

4 Educational Family Field Trips Educational family field trips are an excellent option for students to interact with the world and their surroundings in a new way. Family field trips also provide a change of scenery and bonding time that are great for all parties involved. Educational family field trips may include trips to historic parks, local farms, or a number of other local events that cater to this purpose for kids. The following are four educational family field trips that can get you and your family out of the house, and your bodies and minds working! Field Trip Idea #1: Museums You might start out with childrens museums that provide kid-centered activities and exhibits, but dont limit yourself to just those. Regular museums will often have some programming geared toward kids or have rooms that are especially kid-friendly; ask someone who works at the museum to point you to them, or do some research online before you go. Regular exhibits that dont necessarily target children can also provide a great learning experience with your guidance. [RELATED: Educational Road Trip Games for the Whole Family] Discuss any ground rules and limit yourself to a few exhibits. At art museums, for example, which may seem daunting with their quietness, encourage your child to ask questions about artwork and discuss reactions to what he or she sees. You might set up a scavenger hunt or bring a sketchbook to engage your child. Dont forget about smaller museums that are specific to your town, as well as zoos, aquariums, and planetariums. The may offer summer learning programs your child can explore as well, if you wish to keep those in mind. Field Trip Idea #2: Local farms Check out working farms in your area for a new experience for your child. This can include any place that grows food, such as: dairy farms apple orchards pumpkin patches maple syrup farms grain mills Consider what time of year is best for the particular farm you choose; depending on when, you might be able to see seasonal-specific operations like cider-making or harvesting. Besides learning more about how food is made, your children may be able to engage in hands-on activities, like milking cows or goats, collecting eggs, or interacting with animals at a petting zoo. If you live in a city, you might be able to check out an urban garden or an indoor hydroponic garden. Field Trip Idea #3: Parks and botanical gardens Look into local, state, or national parks near you for a nature hike, or an afternoon on the beach or by the water. For a fee, you might be able to canoe or kayak if theres a body of water. Inquire ahead of time or stop by the visitors center to see if they offer any programming geared toward indigenous plants and animals. A park ranger or someone who works at the visitors center will often be able to suggest what to do and see around the park, depending on your childrens interests. Botanical gardens, sometimes attached to a park and sometimes standalone, can offer a different range of flowers and plants that your child may have never seen. You might be able to find a butterfly garden where you and your family can match pictures of butterflies to those flying around above you. Dont forget about greenhouses and underground caverns as well. Field Trip Idea #4: Local cultural arts events See what live performances are happening in your town, like theater, dance, ballet, a concert or recital, or opera. Check out films shown by your local library (often, theyll have kids days or nights) or by a local college. In addition to being a fun way to go out together as a family, your child can learn more about different kinds of arts and expression. Your town or city is likely to have festivals and outdoor art shows as wellsometimes based around holidays or specific cultureswhich often have activities and arts-and-crafts stations for kids. Plus, they are excellent places to stroll around and get to know local artists and community members. When learning starts to feel stuffy inside your house or in the classroom, it can be time to get out as a family and engage with places and spaces in your greater community. Dont forget to research fun and engaging activities to keep students learning over the summer, too! There are endless opportunities if you do a little digging and get creative. Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.