literature Articles

Very often, in vocabulary, and the study of definitions, I have found among my students that the history of a word is seldom used as a means to understanding the word and how it's used, or changed in use.

Word history, or etymology, as the study is called, can be very valuable to a student in several ways.

First, it helps the student understand that English, as we know it, is international and multicultural. The root of a lot of words in English are derived from Greek, Latin, French, and German, and that language is not only living, but evolving. Words with prefixes and suffixes that change context can also be isolated and discussed.

Secondly, the history of a word, studied in context of its original language and spelling can make the meaning of a word come alive for a student and give them one of those much-prized "light bulb" moments that teachers live for; the student has a point of reference to make a connection, and will be more likely to remember the word the next time they encounter it.

Finally, the study of how a word might have changed in meaning or spelling can prove interesting; a research assignment on a word's etymology could be a small study project that will enhance learning new words in a way that will engage the student and make them take ownership of increasing their own vocabulary.

I am ready to help someone with problems in English. I am finishing my Bachelor's degree and will be obtaining my teaching certification directly after graduation. I have loved Literature and all aspects of the English language since I was in school and had a wonderful teacher. Hope to hear from some of you.

I have begun reading Nathaniel Philbrick's book "In the Heart of the Sea." It is the type of history that I enjoy most -- social history of people and how they survive.

The book deals with the Nantucket, Mass., whaling ship the Essex, which left Nantucket in August 1819 for a voyage to the the South Pacific to bring back whale oil. The port of Nantucket had been the chief shipping point for whale oil, and the receiving point for whales for more than 150 years.

By the time the Essex sailed, the whales had left the immediate area around Nantucket, and were on their way to being an endangered species around the island. They had been hunted and killed for their oil, which was used as fuel for lighting lamps in the 1700s and 1800s.

The Essex encountered a sperm whale in the South Pacific that literally attacked the ship, destroying it and putting the crew out to sea for nearly two years. The story eventually made its way back to Nantucket, and became the basis for Herman Melville's novel "Moby Dick."

Philbrick's book has amazing details about the men on board the ship, the social conditions that surrounded Nantucket, and the reasons that men would sail half way around the world to obtain a commodity of their times.

This book is interesting in light of the oil spill near Louisiana, because that spill deals with the social implications of how we go after a commodity today. How many men lost their lives over our pursuit of today's fuel. If supplies of oil continue to dwindle, what are the future prices we will pay to obtain it?

Philbrick's book is a way to evaluate how far people will go to maintain and sustain their lives and livelihoods, even risking death, and the elimination of a species to do it.

They say that millions of American children will lose about 25% of their reading skills and approximately 2.6 months of math computation skills this summer (according to the U.S. Department of Education and the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management). If that wasn’t bad enough, teachers typically spend 4 to 6 weeks re-teaching or re-reviewing material that kids forgot over the summer break (Johns Hopkins Center for Summer Learning).

To prevent these typical summer-time losses, known as “The Summer Brain Drain” or (which occur when kids do not engage in educational activities), I am offering offering tips and lists of games and activities for parents. I am also offering my own 3-month, hour a day, summer program for kids of all ages. The brain works like the body. The good news is that mental exercises can not only prevent the losses but raise cognitive function and IQ, in a short amount of time. Reinforcing cognitive skills (tools that enable kids to successfully focus, think, prioritize, plan, remember, visualize and solve problems) is the answer. My tips for summertime include:

* BOARD GAMES such as Simon (for auditory processing, memory), Uno (for logic and reasoning), Speed Cards (for visual processing and attention), 20 Questions (for memory, logic and reasoning);
* ONLINE GAMES and websites such as www.primarygames.com, www.funbrain.com, www.thekidzpage.com/freekidsgames;
* PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES that energize mind and body (e.g., counting while dribbling a basketball or jumping rope, or working math and geography facts while on a Trampoline).

I also offers tips to choose a fun and educational family trip this summer to incorporate learning opportunities (including hands-on activities, brain-boosting car games, reading, research and more).

Recent studies also show that the brain is capable of remarkable change and growth. Until the 1990s, scientists believed the brain was stagnant. We now know that the brain is capable of growth at any age, and that intensive one-on-one cognitive skills training can treat the root cause of learning struggles like ADHD, dyslexia or memory issues. These do not have to be lifelong labels. It's also good news for anyone who wants to strengthen their cognitive skills, increase their IQ, reduce medications, and become a better learner – whether six or 106 years old. Cognitive skills training does for the brain what physical exercise does for the body.

Be sure to try me for my 3-month summer program, where kids can drop in for about an hour a day each day, at an local library and still get to enjoy their summer fun. For more information about it, cognitive skills testing, Summer No- Brain Drain, ADHD, dyslexia, autism or age-related cognitive decline, contact me via this site.

I am a new tutor with WyzAnt.com and I look forward to tutoring students in my area of Southern California. I am certified in eleven subjects, including the ones I have noted and am encouraged by the blogs I have read. I am looking forward to posting success stories about my students!