All of
Sophia’s current tutoring subjects are listed at the left. You
can read more about
Sophia’s qualifications in specific subjects below.
ACT Math
The ACT Math contains six sections. They are as follows.
Types of problems:
- word problems
- arithmetic
- algebra and functions
- geometry (plane euclidean, coordinate, three dimensional)
- statistics, probability, and data analysis
- trigonometry
Most of the math is based on 7th grade algebra. With some refreshing of the materials, revisiting of formulas in geometry, studying equations, square roots, and slope in algebra, the student taking this examination should have no problem passing the test with a high score.
Algebra 1
"Algebra" is Arabic in derivation and means the science of reunion and opposition. How remarkable that we find this in any equation that we may wish to solve.
There are seven components of Algebra I. They are as follows:
1. The Language of Algebra
2. The Rules of Algebra
3. Equations and Formulas
4. Integers
5. Graphing
6. Exponents
7. Inequalities
Once one has mastered the seven components of Algebra I, the acquisition of that knowledge makes it possible for the student to move onward to Geometry and Algebra II.
American History
The subject of American History is both intricate and expansive. Following are all of the areas taught in American History.
1. The world before 1500.
2. European exploration of the Americas.
3. The English establish 13 colonies.
4. The colonies develop.
5. Beginnings of the American identity.
6. The road to revolution.
7. The American Revolution.
8. Confederation to the U.S. Constitution.
9. Launching a new republic.
10. The Jefferson Era.
11. National and regional growth.
12. The Age of Jackson.
13. Manifest Destiny.
14. A new spirit of change.
15. The nation breaking apart.
16. The Civil War begins.
17. The tide of the war turns.
18. Reconstruction.
19. Growth in the west.
20. Industrialization and imperialism.
21. The Progressive Era.
22. Becoming a world power.
23. World War I
24. The Roaring Twenties.
25. The Great Depression.
26. The rise of dictators.
27. World War II
28. The Cold War.
29. The Civil Rights era.
30. The Vietnam War years.
31. America in a changing world.
I am a California certificated teacher in social sciences and have taught U.S. History in both middle school and high school. I realize the most necessary concepts as defined by the state standards issued by the California Department of Education.
In studying history, one must use the acronym G.R.A.P.E.S.
G = Geography
R = Religion
A = Achievements
P = Politics
E = Economics
S = Social Structures
By using this acronym, the realization of any history, albeit U.S. or any other civilization, necessarily is accomplished.
ASVAB
The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery is a test that measures potential for success both in and out of the military.
A multiple-choice test, it can be taken by high school students or by anyone interested in a military career.
There are 11 key ASVAB test areas:
• Word Knowledge (WK)
• Arithmetic Reasoning (AR)
• Mechanical Comprehension (MC)
• Shop Information (SI)
• Automotive Information (AI)
• Electronics Information (EI)
• Mathematics Knowledge (MK)
• General Science (GS)
• Paragraph Comprehension (PC)
• Assembling Objects (AO)
• Verbal Expression (VE)
Seven out of the 11 parts of the ASVAB test are academic in nature. Of course, the most important part of the ASVAB test is the one that is not listed....test taking strategies.
CBEST
The California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) is a standardized test administered throughout the state of California and Oregon for individuals who want to teach at public schools and gain a credential. The test is designed to provide information about basic proficiency in reading, mathematics, and writing.
After viewing a practice test online, and having been a teacher for over 15 years holding credentials in mathematics, the English Language Arts, and the social sciences, I am of the opinion that all three sections are based on a 7th grade level. This grade level for testing is also true of the California High School Exit Examination (CAHSEE). The CAHSEE is necessary, regardless of the GPA, for all students to take and pass in order to graduate from high school.
The CBEST is divided into three sections; the reading and math sections each contain 50 multiple-choice questions, while the writing section consists of two essay questions.
The area of greatest difficulty is the writing section of the examination. Writing skills can be quickly developed with a unique system that I have developed over the years as a teacher. This method lends itself to automatic organization so that the paper practically writes itself. I have learned that the greatest difficulty in writing is not that the person did not know something about the subject for which they were to write about but that they were overwhelmed about how to organize the paper before writing the final essay.
The first time that I took the CBEST examination, I passed it with little difficulty. Because I hold credentials in the areas being tested, mathematics and the English Lanaguage Arts, and having taught and administered the CAHSEE examination, I am in a very unique position to be a tutor. Expertise is not enough. Experience in test taking, teaching, and knowing what will be on the examination, defines me as an excellent tutor.
I graduated cum laude from the University of Maryland and attended Golden Gate University Law School. Therefore, writing is an absolute in my profession and in my ability.
Desktop Publishing
Desktop publishing software is the creation of printed materials using page layout on a personal computer. When used skillfully, desktop publishing software can produce printed literature with attractive layouts and typographic quality comparable to traditional typography and printing.
This technology allows individuals, businesses, and other organizations to self-publish a wide range of printed matter—from menus and local newsletters to books, magazines, and newspapers—without the sometimes-prohibitive expense of commercial printing.
One of the most common of programs in desktop publishing is Adobe Acrobat. Using a high quality printer, one can publish a book, something that at one time only a publisher or printer could do.
I have been a teacher for over 15 years certificated in mathematics, social sciences, and the English Language Arts, and have used desktop publishing quite extensively so that students would understand what they were to do on a project I had assigned. Conversely, I had to teach these very same students desktop publishing.
Once students became proficient at desktop publishing, a whole new world opened up for them and the visual creativity flowed like a great river. This made learning possible for the visual learner and made lessons much more interesting and enjoyable.
I have practiced desktop publishing since 1987 when I first owned a PC. I used it in business before I became a teacher. Publishing using desktop publishing became a necessity, not a luxury. This gives me over 25 years of experience with desktop publishing.
Elementary (K-6th)
A teacher/tutor for elementary students must:
1. Teach through grade six all core subjects at a rate and level commensurate with established expected student progress expectations, using adopted textbooks and other instructional materials authorized for such courses.
2. Use information about individual students' academic strengths, needs, and progress in planning.
3. Design curriculums and activities to engage students in cognitively challenging work aligned to state standards.
4. Use resources that will promote high levels of learning and student engagement.
5. Closely monitor learning in order to understand how the student is progressing towards learning objectives and provides the students with instructive and timely feedback that will move their learning forward.
6. Communicate with families to create a partnerhsip around student learning by providing information about the instructional program and progress of their child(ren).
Most teachers/tutors of elementary school children have only multi-subject credentials but is this enough? I think not. Teachers/tutors of elementary school children must hold clear credentials in English, social studies, math, and science. As a teacher/tutor. I hold all four credentials and have taught middle school, high school, adult school, and continuation education high school.
Also, one must have studied the methodologies of teaching these core subjects. I have also taken 20 classes in the methodologies of teaching these core subjects.
It is best that the elementary student has a teacher/tutor that has experience in teaching in secondary education because the primary education leads to secondary education so that I know what will be expected of the student as they progress into secondary education.
As a credentialed certificated teacher, I have had vast experience with elementary school students. In every lesson that I prepared, I always designed the lessons to take into account all three learning modalities, i.e., auditory, visual, and tactile learners.
Elementary Math
Elementary Math has become Pre-Algebra. It is never too soon to begin the base of mathematics with Algebra. There are nine components to Pre-Algebra.
1. Introduction to Algebra
2. Solving Equations with Whole Numbers
3. Positive and Negative Numbers
4. Factors and Fractions
5. Solving Equations with Fractions
6. Solving Equations with Decimals
7. Proportions and Percent
8. Graphing Equations
9. Probability and Statistics
With mastery of these nine components, Algebra becomes quite easy to traverse and thus opens the gateway to Geometry.
English
The study of English Language Arts has eight components. These eight components are essential in this study and are listed in the state standards traversing all grades from kindergarten though 12th grade. Only the specifics of each component changes from grade to grade. They are:
1. Word analysis, fluency, and systematic vocabulary
development.
2. Reading comprehension.
3. Literary response and analysis.
4. Writing strategies.
5. Written and oral English language conventions.
6. Listening and speaking strategies.
7. Speaking applications (genres and their characteristics).
Once these components are studied, success in English Language Arts becomes a positive, attainable experience.
ESL/ESOL
The study of English Language Arts and, therefore, English as a Second Language, has eight components. These eight components are essential in this study and are listed in the state standards traversing all grades from kindergarten though 12th grade. Only the specifics of each component changes from grade to grade. They are:
1. Word analysis, fluency, and systematic vocabulary
development.
2. Reading comprehension.
3. Literary response and analysis.
4. Writing strategies.
5. Written and oral English language conventions.
6. Listening and speaking strategies.
7. Speaking applications (genres and their characteristics).
Once these components are studied, success in English Language Arts becomes a positive, attainable experience.
GED
The acronym "GED" stands for General Educational Diploma. It is composed of five parts. They are as follows.
1. Language Arts: Writing
Writing covers sentence structure, organization, usage, and mechanics. You must be able read text from business, informational, and instructional publications and then correct, revise, or improve the text. You must be able to write an essay on an assigned topic. It must be well-focused and organized. There must be control of sentence structure in terms of grammar, spelling, and word choice.
3. Social Studies
This test covers American history, world history, civics and government, economics, and geography. You will read short passages and answer multiple-choice questions. Some passages come from such documents as the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Supreme Court decisions.
Many questions use graphs, charts, and other images, such as editorial cartoons, along with or instead of written passages.
Questions involving economics as well as civics and government rely heavily on practical documents, such as tax forms, voter-registration forms, and workplace and personal budgets. Topics such as global warming and environmental law also are covered.
4. Science
Science covers life science, earth science, space science, and physical science. It measures the candidate's skill in understanding, interpreting, and applying science concepts to visual and written text from academic and workplace contexts.
It focuses on environmental and health topics (recycling, heredity, and pollution, for example) and science's relevance to everyday life. Students should expect to see tables, graphs, charts, and diagrams, as well as complete sentences.
5. Mathematics
You must be able to focus on four main mathematical disciplines:
Number operations and number sense
Measurement and geometry
Data analysis, probability, and statistics
Algebra, functions, and patterns.
I have taught mathematics, physical science, biology, chemistry, world history, U.S. history, English, ESL, economics, and computer skills for over 15 years in the public education school system including continuation education high school and Adult School.
Having worked in the business arena, and having owned my own business, I understand the importance of this test not only to move on to further one's education but to be proficient in these studies to be able to obtain employment.
I hold clear credentials, issued by the California Department of Education in mathematics, English Language Arts, and the social sciences and have been given a deferment to teach all of the sciences.
I have also taught students in Adult Education in the class to pass the GED so I have the experience to teach the examination. I also incorporate the necessary study skills to pass the GED which is the most important component...how to study for the GED. This is why I have previously written what the parts of the GED are and what is incorporated within each part. I have had over five years experience teaching students to pass the GED and the CAHSEE (California High School Exit Examination) which is comparative to the GED but is inclusive only of the English Language Arts and mathematics.
General Computer
The study of general computer skills has 8 components. They are:
1. Computer and internet safe and security
2. Introduction to computers and Windows
XP,Windows Vista, Windows 7
3. Google and the Google toolbar
4. Internet search
5. Anti-Spyware
6. MS (Microsoft) Word
7. Multimedia Presentation (MS PowerPoint)
8. Spreadsheet (MS Excel)
With mastery of these eight components, mastery of the general knowledge of computers will be achieved.
I taught general computer skills in continuation education high school. It was extremely important that my students achieve success in this area as the ability to obtain employment positions, and even promotions, were contingent upon successful passage of the course I developed. I incorporated extremely successful methodologies in the course that I developed. That course is still used today.
Tutoring involves "hands-on" training on the computer as well as tutoring with me.
Join the "Education Express Success" in the study of general computer knowledge. Ensure your schooling, your employment, or to become more proficient on computers for yourself.
Government & Politics
Political science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government, and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior. Political scientists see themselves engaged in revealing the relationships underlying political events and conditions, and from these revelations they attempt to construct general principles about the way the world of politics works.
Political science intersects with other fields, including economics, law, sociology, history, anthropology, public administration, public policy, national politics, international relations, comparative politics, psychology, political organization, and political theory. Although it was codified in the 19th century, when all the social sciences were established, political science has ancient roots; indeed, it originated almost 2,500 years ago with the works of Plato and Aristotle.
Political science is commonly divided into three distinct sub-disciplines which together constitute the field:
political philosophy,
comparative politics and
international relations.
I have taught government and politics in high school and in middle school in the study of world history and U.S. History. Furthermore, I hold a B.A. degree in government and politics from the University of Maryland, such university being five miles from Washington, D. C., our nation's capitol and center of world politics. I graduated cum laude and am a member of Phi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honor Society.
Grammar
In understanding phonemic awareness and Greek and Latin Roots, the study of grammar becomes very easy. Exactly what it grammar? Grammar is the system of a language. People sometimes describe grammar as the "rules" of a language; but in fact no language has rules. If we use the word "rules," we suggest that somebody created the rules first and then spoke the language, like a new game. But languages did not start like that. Languages started by people making sounds which evolved into words, phrases and sentences. No commonly-spoken language is fixed. All languages change over time. What we call "grammar" is simply a reflection of a language at a particular time.
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Excel is a commercial spreadsheet application written and distributed by Microsoft for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X. It features calculation, graphing tools, pivot tables and a macro programming language called Visual Basic for Applications. With its powerful functions, Excel has been a very widely applied spreadsheet in many fields.
1. Manage data records like name lists
The common usage of Excel is to manage data records and name lists. You don't have to plan in advance on how the table should look like as the preset layout allows you to create the tables on the fly; just fill in the information, the table is developed on the go. Another more attractive point is that you have the ability to sort the list and filter the listing like a database tool.
2. Used as an analytical tool
Besides the good use of managing data, Excel is a great analytical tool for business. With the pivot table contained within Excel, you can easily analyze a large amount of data, as the pivot table can automatically sort, count, and total the data stored in one table or spreadsheet and create a second table displaying the summarized data. It has gone through many revision. In each revision, we see its power being enhanced.
3. Create forms and consolidate results
You can use Excel to create not only a simple form that contains boxes, but also professional forms which include option buttons that allow you to select answers, dropdown list to select a particular answer from list of items. Together with charts, you can use Excel to compile answers to tests or quizzes and analyze the profile of the class (If you are a teacher) or your team (If you are a supervisor).
4. Corporate Budgeting
A major business application of Excel is in corporate budgeting. Many companies, from big corporations to small companies use Excel for their budgeting. Despite numerous calls by suppliers of Business Performance Management Systems (BPM) to move away from Excel as a budgeting tool, 70% to 80% of all corporations still use Excel as their primary budgeting tool. This is a marketing budget plan from Microsoft website.
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is an operating system designed and produced by Microsoft Corporation.
Similar to other operating systems, Windows makes a computer system user-friendly by providing a graphic display and organizing information so that it can be easily accessed. The operating system utilizes icons and tools that simplify the complex operations performed by computers. With the advent of Microsoft Windows, one no longer needed to know hundreds of DOS commands. With Windows, one only find the icon, or "little picture" that was a symbol of what one wanted the computer to do.
There are eight (11) components to Microsoft Windows. They are as follows.
1. Customize your desktop.
2. Install a program.
3. Uninstall a program.
4. Defragment your hard drive.
5. Update Windows.
6. System restore.
7. Task Manager.
8. Disk cleanup.
9. Knowledge of drop-down menus.
10. Knowledge of icons.
11. Knowledge of adding clipart, shapes, and objects.
I have taught Microsoft Windows in the public school system in adult education and in continuation education high school. This knowledge was of paramount importance for my students as it would determine if they would be able to obtain employment or even advance in the positions to which they were currently employed.
Further, I became familiar with windows as opposed to DOS based commands when Windows 95 first came onto the market. As you can see, that was in 1995. Therefore, I have had over 20 years experience with windows as I began with the previous version, Windows 3.1 and Windows NT.
Having learned Microsoft Windows and having worked in accounting in private industry, I am extremely proficient in Microsoft Windows in every respect. Also, I took many classes about Windows and learned boolean logic so that I am able to program any program that is installed in Microsoft Windows.
Microsoft Word
A full-featured word processing program for Windows and Mac from Microsoft, it is available as a stand-alone or as part of the Microsoft Office suite. MS Word contains rudimentary desktop publishing capabilities and is the most widely used word processing program on the market. Word files are commonly used as the format for sending text documents via e-mail because almost every user with a computer can read a Word document by using the Word application, a Word viewer or a word processor that imports the Word format.
I have used MS Word since it was made available on the market in the early 1990s. I have used it in private industry as well as taught it at the high school level with MS Excel, and MS PowerPoint.
Phonics
I have personally studied under the author of "Breaking the Code." I have successfully implemented its methods in the public education classroom for over 15 years.
"Breaking the Code," is about phonemic awareness which is necessarily essential for reading and building vocabulary.
There are over 42 phonemes in the English language. What is a phoneme? Letters or combinations of letters that make sounds. For example, how does one write the "E" sound in English. We can write it as an "e" as in the word be; we can write it as "ea" as in teach; we can write it as "ee" as in beech tree; we can write it as "ie" as in believe; and we can write it as "y" as in baby.
I have incorporated "Breaking the Code," in every subject to which I am credentialed and in which I teach. I am credentialed in mathematics, English language arts, and the social sciences. Without phonemic awareness, vocabulary development becomes a long and arduous task. Without a strong foundation in phonemic awareness, reading becomes almost impossible.
Combined with phonemic awareness are the 120 most commonly used Greek and Latin roots as the foundation for the English language is Greek and Latin. The Romans conquered the Greeks and took not only their culture but incorporated their language into Latin. The Romans conquered Britain and the language in that part of the world absorbed Latin. It becomes necessary to learn the 120 most commonly used Greek and Latin roots when teaching reading.
As stated before, in every subject that I teach, I incoporate phonemic awareness and Greek and Latin roots. I have taught world history, 7th - 12th grade, mathematics, 7th - 12th grade, economics, English language arts, 7th - 12th grade, ESL, adult education, computer instruction, art, biology, chemistry, and physical science.
Prealgebra
Algebra is a word that is Arabic in derivation and means the science of reunion and opposition. Pre-Algebra is the base, the foundation, to Algebra and must be thoroughly mastered. There are nine components to Pre-Algebra. They are:
1. Introduction to Algebra
2. Solving Equations with Whole Numbers
3. Positive and Negative Numbers
4. Factors and Fractions
5. Solving Equations with Fractions
6. Solving Equations with Decimals
7. Proportions and Percent
8. Graphing Equations
9. Probability and Statistics
With mastery of these nine components, Algebra becomes quite easy to traverse and thus opens the gateway to Geometry.
Reading
Reading requires an in-depth knowledge of phonics and phonemic awareness (the understanding that words are comprised of small segments of sound)and are intimately connected. Phonics relies heavily on a reader's phonemic awareness. The reader must not only understand that words are made up of phonemes (small units of sound), but also know a number of phonemes. Since a reader's primary phonemic awareness develops through speaking and listening, most children come to reading with many phonemes stored in their knowledge banks. Phonics instruction connects these phonemes with written letters so that they can transfer their knowledge of sounds to the printed word. This is why phonics instruction is an important component of reading education.
There are over 42 phonemes in the English language. Therefore, there must be mastery of the phonemes so that reading becomes easy to facilitate. For instance; the e sound in English can be written with an e as in be, ee as in tree, ea as in teach, ie as in believe, or y as in baby.
With mastery of the phonemes, phonemic awareness arrives and the reader is able to decode every word that they read.
SAT Reading
Reading Comprehension (also known as Critical Reading) questions test your ability to understand a passage and answer questions on the basis of what is stated and implied in the passage. You need to read the passage first so that you can identify the main idea of the passage and appreciate features such as the author's tone.
Passages on the SAT vary in length from short paragraphs that take 3 minutes to read and answer two questions, to ones that take 15 minutes to read and answer 13 questions. One section will contain two related long passages.
I obtained a high score on the SAT many years ago because I read a great deal. My advice for you is to begin to read a great deal. Two things will occur when reading now. First, you will build up the power of concentration for a prolonged period of time. Second, you will be able to identify the thesis statement and, thus, the questions with identifiable answers as you are reading while taking the test. Afterall, one would not compete in the Olympics as a long distance runner never having practiced running until the day of the race. This would be ludicrous. So it is with these examinations.
I have taken a myriad of examinations throughout my life. I have always passed every examination and with high scores. I am also a certificated teacher in English language arts, the social sciences, and mathematics. I have not only administered examination in these subjects but I have written examinations also.
Further, I have taught to and administered the CAHSEE (California High School Exit Examination) and the GED. My students always passed these examinations with high scores. As you know, if they did not pass these examinations,their lives would have been negatively impacted. So it is with the SAT examination. Without high scores on that examination, the college or university that a student wants to attend could be, based on the score, changed to which college or university is the only one that the student can attend.
Special Needs
When it comes to education, it’s impossible to take a “one size fits all” approach. Not only is every student different, each student learns differently, too – and this can be especially true of children with special needs.
Because teachers are not provided specific textbooks for these students but are still held accountable for imparting state standards.
As a teacher of over 15 years, I realized in the beginning that I had to learn as much as I could about the special needs student. This meant that I had to take additional classes in methodologies of teaching the special needs student. Thus, I studied the different types of learning disabilities.
While all learning disabilities are neurologically-based processing problems, they can affect different areas. The problems may interfere with reading, writing, or math; or they may impact higher level skills such as organization, abstract reasoning or time management. So while these students may need more time and patience, they will be able to learn once instruction methods have been tailored to their specific abilities.
Most students will benefit when provided ample direction on a project or an assignment; for the special needs student, however, this is generally a necessity. Providing instruction in a variety of ways will allow them to latch on to the method of learning that suits them best. For example, directions can be provided both verbally and in writing. Any activity that gets students applying what they've learned to their everyday life makes it relatable, and therefore more interesting.
Because students with learning disabilities may need to review material several times in order to grasp the information (but may not be adept at note-taking), I allow them to borrow my notes. In reading, I often have the discs available where the text is read to them.
Many special needs students have an amazing command of technology and this should be incorporated into each and every lesson plan. Not only is education activated, it becomes pleasurable and thus the student feels empowered.
In teaching in the public school system, mainstreaming was incorporated so that, at a minimum, 25% of my class were special needs students. Every lesson that I wrote had to be written to address the tactile, visual, auditory, and special needs students. My lesson plans became more engaging, more interesting, and more fun!
Speech
I taught classes in speech in continuation education high school for five years. The ability to communicate effectively could decide whether my students could acquire employment, retain employment, further their education, move into managerial positions, and/or own and operate their own business. Effective speaking can decide whether or not you can acquire customers and then retain those customers.
Further, it was necessary to teach my students in middle school and high school the following objectives that I designed as my "target" for success in teaching so that my students could make presentations in class. This was a requirement in every grade that I taught, grades 7 through 12, and Adult Education, in order to pass a class in English or ESL.
When teaching and/or tutoring in speech, there are three objectives that I have to meet to be effective. They are as follows.
1. I must introduce students to the basics of writing and performing public speeches.
2. I must provide speaking opportunities in order to reduce the fear of public speaking, and to gain personal self-confidence.
3. I must provide opportunities to improve public speaking skills.
Following are the target objectives that my students must meet to be effective speakers.
1. My student will be able to select an appropriate speech topic.
2. My student will conduct research to gather data that is accurate, appropriate, clear, well documented, and unbiased.
3. My student will organize and write speeches with an effective introduction and conclusion, a well-structured body, clear bridge transitions, and oral footnotes.
4. My student will write and deliver speeches using correct grammar, Standard English, and well-chosen language.
5. My student will deliver speeches with physical and vocal effectiveness.
6. My students will evaluate their own speeches and the speeches of others, recognizing strengths and weaknesses.
The students that I teach have five things they have to do. They are as follows.
1) Speech of Self-Introduction
2) Demonstration Speech
3) Informative Speech with PowerPoint
4) Sales Talk
5) Public Oral Reading
As you can see, the ability to write is of key importance. An example of catching the ears of the listeners was most poignantly demonstrated in the famous Gettysburg Addres by that great orator and President of the United States of America, Abraham Lincoln. As he stated in that speech, "...that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. The use of the aliteration, people, make this one of the most time-honored, revered speeches in the annals history.
I have virtually taught speech for over 20 years in each and every class that I was honored to teach. At one time I owned my own business so that sales, the ability to speak and persuade, was of paramount importance.
Study Skills
There are 12 components to excellent study skills. They are as follows: 1. Manage your time; 2. Study in 20 - 50 minute chunks; 3. Find a good study spot; 4. Clear your mind; 5. Snack smart whle you study; 6. Rewrite your notes at home; 7. Learn the most important facts first; 8. Make flash cards; 9. If your textbook has a vocabulary section, a glossary, or a list of terms, make sure that you understand these completely; 10. Make associations; 11. Make it a group effort; 12. If you are easily distracted by social networking sites such as Youtube, Facebook, etc., then download the application LetMeWork.
The components have been listed but "why" they are important and the in-depth meaning of them have not. If you want to study for success, if you want to get on the train called, "Education Success Express," then you will have to have a tutor/teacher. I am that teacher.
TOEFL
There are four parts to the TOEFL test. They are as follows.
1. Listening Comprehension:
You will listen to people speaking, while a monitor will demonstrate you their photos and some other information. This part consists of two: A and B. In A you will hear short dialogues between two people. After each dialogue you need to answer a question with four variants of an answer. In B you will hear longer dialogues with more participants, again with questions after each dialogue. Topics can be different, but do not require special knowledge. It is usual modern language. You are going to need some experience in speaking and attention.
Try to answer quickly. You cannot skip questions and go back. If it is a computer test, you can read a question several times and understand it. If it is a paper test, a question would be read only one time so you must concentrate.
You can imagine the answer and then try to look for similar variants among those being offered. In the computer variant of test, you can watch a video. Sometimes it contains important information related to question.
2. Structure and Written Expression
There two types of tasks. The first is sentences which should be completed with any of the four variants. Second is sentences with marked words which could contain a mistake.
You cannot skip questions and go back. Choose a variant that seems to be correct.
3. Reading Comprehension
Paper and computer variants are the same in this part. Read a text before answering. You can go back and answer one more time. If you do not know the answer, you can skip the question and answer it later. Answer first all questions related to one part of a text, then pass to another part and so on. Do not leave questions unanswered.
4. Test of Written English
You need to study the topics beforehand. Practice writing compositions at home. Check how quick you can type if you area going to pass a computer test. Using facts, you need to either agree or decline offered statements in half an hour!
Vocabulary
I have been taught by Jerome Lebo, author of "Breaking the Code." This work was about phonemic awareness which is essential for reading and building vocabulary that necessarily is essential for reading.
I have incorporated "Breaking the Code," in every subject to which I am credentialed and in which I teach. I am credentialed in mathematics, English Lanaguage Arts, and the social sciences. Without phonemic awareness, vocabulary development becomes a long and arduous task. Without a strong foundation in phonemic awareness, reading becomes almost impossible.
Combined with phonemic awareness are the 120 most commonly used Greek and Latin roots as the foundation for the English language is Greek and Latin. The Romans conquered the Greeks and took not only their culture but incorporated their language into Latin. The Romans conquered Britain and the language in that part of the world absorbed Latin. It becomes necessary to learn the 120 most commonly used Greek and Latin roots when teaching reading.
As stated before, in every subject that I taught, I incorporated phonemic awareness and Greek and Latin Roots. I have taught world history 7th-12th grade, mathematics 7th-12th grade, economics, English language arts 7th-12th grade, ESL, adult education, computer instruction, art, biology, chemistry, and physical science.
World History
World History is taught as part of the curriculum for 7th grade and for the 10th grade. There are 24 components to World History. These 24 components allow for analysis of "cause and effect," patterns, and comparing and contrasting, which requires higher critical thinking skills according to Bloom's Taxonomy. These 24 components are as follows.
7th Grade curriculum:
1. The Roman Empire.
2. The Byzantine Empire.
3. China.
4. World Religions.
5. Ghana and Africa.
6. North Africa.
7. The Muslim world expands.
8. The Atlantic world.
9. Age of exploration.
10. Absolute monarchs in Europe.
11. The Enlightenment, Scientific Revolution, and Revolution.
10th grade curriculum:
12. The French revolution and Napoleon.
13. The Nationalist Revolutions sweep the west.
14. An age of democracy and progress.
15. The Age of Imperialism.
16. Transformations around the globe.
17. The Great War (WWI).
18. Revolution and nationalism.
19. Years of crisis.
20. World War II (WWII).
21. Restructuring the postwar world.
22. The colonies become new nations.
23. Struggles for democracy.
24. Global interdependence.
I hold certificated credentials issued by the California Department of Education in social studies, mathematics, and the English Language Arts. I have taught 7th and 10th grade world history for over 12 years.
Because of multiple credentials, I am in a unique position to grade written papers, examine tests, quizzes, and homework, and be able to find the main point that the instructor is seeking with a student's paper.
Writing
There are eight genres, or kinds, of writing. The different genres of writing include descriptive, expository, narrative, persuasive, biographical, autobiographical, poetry, and technical writing, and a combination of these are usually used in any given body of writing.
Each genre has its own method. Writing is not diffiicult if you know the steps that are involved in each genre.
Furthermore, one must know the proper grammar usage in writing as an error in grammar can change the entire meaning of any writing.