To Accelerate your English Grammar

Used to

2012-08-09T18:34:00.002-07:00

FORM

[used to + VERB]

Example:

I used to go to the beach every day.

It is better not to use "used to" in questions or negative forms; however, this is sometimes done in informal spoken English. It is better to ask questions and create negative sentences using Simple Past.

USE 1 Habit in the Past

"Used to" expresses the idea that something was an old habit that stopped in the past. It indicates that something was often repeated in the past, but it is not usually done now.

Examples:

Jerry used to study English.
Sam and Mary used to go to Mexico in the summer.
I used to start work at 9 o'clock.
Christine used to eat meat, but now she is a vegetarian.

USE 2 Past Facts and Generalizations

"Used to" can also be used to talk about past facts or generalizations which are no longer true.

Examples:

I used to live in Paris.
Sarah used to be fat, but now she is thin.
George used to be the best student in class, but now Lena is the best.
Oranges used to cost very little in Florida, but now they are quite expensive.

"Used to" vs. Simple Past

Both Simple Past and "Used to" can be used to describe past habits, past facts and past generalizations; however, "used to" is preferred when emphasizing these forms of past repetition in positive sentences. On the other hand, when asking questions or making negative sentences, Simple Past is preferred.

Examples:

You used to play the piano.
Did you play the piano when you were young?
You did not play the piano when you were young.

ACTIVE / PASSIVE

Examples:

Jerry used to pay the bills. Active
The bills used to be paid by Jerry. Passive

More About Active / Passive Forms

EXERCISES AND RELATED TOPICS

Past Repetition Simple Past, "Used to" and "Would Always."

Past Future

2012-08-09T18:33:00.001-07:00

Like Simple Future, Future in the Past has two different forms in English: "would" and "was going to." Although the two forms can sometimes be used interchangeably, they often express two different meanings.

FORM Would

[would + VERB]

Examples:

I knew you would help him.
I knew you would not help him.

FORM Was/Were Going To

[was/were + going to + VERB]

Examples:

I knew you were going to go to the party.
I knew you were not going to go to the party.

USE 1 Future in Past

Future in the Past is used to express the idea that in the past you thought something would happen in the future. It does not matter if you are correct or not. Future in the Past follows the same basic rules as the Simple Future. "Would" is used to volunteer or promise, and "was going to" is used to plan. Moreover, both forms can be used to make predictions about the future.

Examples:

I told you he was going to come to the party. plan
I knew Julie would make dinner. voluntary action
Jane said Sam was going to bring his sister with him, but he came alone. plan
I had a feeling that the vacation was going to be a disaster. prediction
He promised he would send a postcard from Egypt. promise

REMEMBER No Future in Time Clauses

Like all future forms, Future in the Past cannot be used in clauses beginning with time expressions such as: when, while, before, after, by the time, as soon as, if, unless, etc. Instead of using Future in the Past, you must use Simple Past.

Examples:

I already told Mark that when he would arrive, we would go out for dinner. Not Correct
I already told Mark that when he arrived, we would go out for dinner. Correct

ACTIVE / PASSIVE

Examples:

I knew John would finish the work by 5:00 PM. Active
I knew the work would be finished by 5:00 PM. Passive

I thought Sally was going to make a beautiful dinner. Active
I thought a beautiful dinner was going to be made by Sally. Passive

More About Active / Passive Forms

EXERCISES AND RELATED TOPICS

Future in the Past Exercise

Source: www.englishpage.com

Future Perfect Continuous

2012-08-09T18:31:00.002-07:00

Future Perfect Continuous has two different forms: "will have been doing " and "be going to have been doing." Unlike Simple Future forms, Future Perfect Continuous forms are usually interchangeable.

FORM Future Perfect Continuous with "Will"

[will have been + present participle]

Examples:

You will have been waiting for more than two hours when her plane finally arrives.
Will you have been waiting for more than two hours when her plane finally arrives?
You will not have been waiting for more than two hours when her plane finally arrives.

FORM Future Perfect Continuous with "Be Going To"

[am/is/are + going to have been + present participle]

Examples:

You are going to have been waiting for more than two hours when her plane finally arrives.
Are you going to have been waiting for more than two hours when her plane finally arrives?
You are not going to have been waiting for more than two hours when her plane finally arrives.

NOTE: It is possible to use either "will" or "be going to" to create the Future Perfect Continuous with little or no difference in meaning.

Complete List of Future Perfect Continuous Forms

USE 1 Duration Before Something in the Future

We use the Future Perfect Continuous to show that something will continue up until a particular event or time in the future. "For five minutes," "for two weeks," and "since Friday" are all durations which can be used with the Future Perfect Continuous. Notice that this is related to the Present Perfect Continuous and the Past Perfect Continuous; however, with Future Perfect Continuous, the duration stops at or before a reference point in the future.

Examples:

They will have been talking for over an hour by the time Thomas arrives.
She is going to have been working at that company for three years when it finally closes.
James will have been teaching at the university for more than a year by the time he leaves for Asia.
How long will you have been studying when you graduate?
We are going to have been driving for over three days straight when we get to Anchorage.
A: When you finish your English course, will you have been living in New Zealand for over a year?
B: No, I will not have been living here that long.

Notice in the examples above that the reference points (marked in italics) are in Simple Present rather than Simple Future. This is because these future events are in time clauses, and you cannot use future tenses in time clauses.

USE 2 Cause of Something in the Future

Using the Future Perfect Continuous before another action in the future is a good way to show cause and effect.

Examples:

Jason will be tired when he gets home because he will have been jogging for over an hour.
Claudia's English will be perfect when she returns to Germany because she is going to have been studyingEnglish in the United States for over two years.

Future Continuous vs. Future Perfect Continuous

If you do not include a duration such as "for five minutes," "for two weeks" or "since Friday," many English speakers choose to use the Future Continuous rather than the Future Perfect Continuous. Be careful because this can change the meaning of the sentence. Future Continuous emphasizes interrupted actions, whereas Future Perfect Continuous emphasizes a duration of time before something in the future. Study the examples below to understand the difference.

Examples:

He will be tired because he will be exercising so hard.
This sentence emphasizes that he will be tired because he will be exercising at that exact moment in the future.
He will be tired because he will have been exercising so hard.
This sentence emphasizes that he will be tired because he will have been exercising for a period of time. It is possible that he will still be exercising at that moment OR that he will just have finished.

REMEMBER No Future in Time Clauses

Like all future forms, the Future Perfect Continuous cannot be used in clauses beginning with time expressions such as: when, while, before, after, by the time, as soon as, if, unless, etc. Instead of Future Perfect Continuous, Present Perfect Continuous is used.

Examples:

You won't get a promotion until you will have been working here as long as Tim. Not Correct
You won't get a promotion until you have been working here as long as Tim. Correct

AND REMEMBER Non-Continuous Verbs / Mixed Verbs

It is important to remember that Non-Continuous Verbs cannot be used in any continuous tenses. Also, certain non-continuous meanings for Mixed Verbs cannot be used in continuous tenses. Instead of using Future Perfect Continuous with these verbs, you must use Future Perfect .

Examples:

Ned will have been having his driver's license for over two years. Not Correct
Ned will have had his driver's license for over two years. Correct

ADVERB PLACEMENT

The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc.

Examples:

You will only have been waiting for a few minutes when her plane arrives.
Will you only have been waiting for a few minutes when her plane arrives?

You are only going to have been waiting for a few minutes when her plane arrives.
Are you only going to have been waiting for a few minutes when her plane arrives?

ACTIVE / PASSIVE

Examples:

The famous artist will have been painting the mural for over six months by the time it is finished. Active
The mural will have been being painted by the famous artist for over six months by the time it is finished.Passive

The famous artist is going to have been painting the mural for over six months by the time it is finished. Active
The mural is going to have been being painted by the famous artist for over six months by the time it is finished. Passive

NOTE: Passive forms of the Future Perfect Continuous are not common.

More About Active / Passive Forms

EXERCISES AND RELATED TOPICS

Verb Tense Exercise 25 Future Perfect and Future Perfect Continuous
Verb Tense Exercise 26 Future Perfect and Future Perfect Continuous
Verb Tense Exercise 27 Future Perfect and Future Perfect Continuous
Verb Tense Exercise 28 Future Perfect and Future Perfect Continuous
Verb Tense Practice Test Cumulative Verb Tense Review
Verb Tense Final Test Cumulative Verb Tense Review

Source: www.englishpage.com

Future Perfect

2012-08-09T18:30:00.001-07:00

Future Perfect has two different forms: "will have done" and "be going to have done." Unlike Simple Future forms, Future Perfect forms are usually interchangeable.

FORM Future Perfect with "Will"

[will have + past participle]

Examples:

You will have perfected your English by the time you come back from the U.S.
Will you have perfected your English by the time you come back from the U.S.?
You will not have perfected your English by the time you come back from the U.S.

FORM Future Perfect with "Be Going To"

[am/is/are + going to have + past participle]

Examples:

You are going to have perfected your English by the time you come back from the U.S.
Are you going to have perfected your English by the time you come back from the U.S.?
You are not going to have perfected your English by the time you come back from the U.S.

NOTE: It is possible to use either "will" or "be going to" to create the Future Perfect with little or no difference in meaning.

Complete List of Future Perfect Forms

USE 1 Completed Action Before Something in the Future

The Future Perfect expresses the idea that something will occur before another action in the future. It can also show that something will happen before a specific time in the future.

Examples:

By next November, I will have received my promotion.
By the time he gets home, she is going to have cleaned the entire house.
I am not going to have finished this test by 3 o'clock.
Will she have learned enough Chinese to communicate before she moves to Beijing?
Sam is probably going to have completed the proposal by the time he leaves this afternoon.
By the time I finish this course, I will have taken ten tests.
How many countries are you going to have visited by the time you turn 50?

Notice in the examples above that the reference points (marked in italics) are in Simple Present rather than Simple Future. This is because the interruptions are in time clauses, and you cannot use future tenses in time clauses.

USE 2 Duration Before Something in the Future (Non-Continuous Verbs)

With Non-Continuous Verbs and some non-continuous uses of Mixed Verbs, we use the Future Perfect to show that something will continue up until another action in the future.

Examples:

I will have been in London for six months by the time I leave.
By Monday, Susan is going to have had my book for a week.

Although the above use of Future Perfect is normally limited to Non-Continuous Verbs and non-continuous uses of Mixed Verbs, the words "live," "work," "teach," and "study" are sometimes used in this way even though they are NOT Non-Continuous Verbs.

REMEMBER No Future in Time Clauses

Like all future forms, the Future Perfect cannot be used in clauses beginning with time expressions such as: when, while, before, after, by the time, as soon as, if, unless, etc. Instead of Future Perfect, Present Perfect is used.

Examples:

I am going to see a movie when I will have finished my homework. Not Correct
I am going to see a movie when I have finished my homework. Correct

ADVERB PLACEMENT

The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc.

Examples:

You will only have learned a few words.
Will you only have learned a few words?

You are only going to have learned a few words.
Are you only going to have learned a few words?

ACTIVE / PASSIVE

Examples:

They will have completed the project before the deadline. Active
The project will have been completed before the deadline. Passive

They are going to have completed the project before the deadline. Active
The project is going to have been completed before the deadline. Passive

More About Active / Passive Forms

EXERCISES AND RELATED TOPICS

Verb Tense Exercise 25 Future Perfect and Future Perfect Continuous
Verb Tense Exercise 26 Future Perfect and Future Perfect Continuous
Verb Tense Exercise 27 Future Perfect and Future Perfect Continuous
Verb Tense Exercise 28 Future Perfect and Future Perfect Continuous
Verb Tense Practice Test Cumulative Verb Tense Review
Verb Tense Final Test Cumulative Verb Tense Review

Source: www.englishpage.com

Future Continuous

2012-08-09T18:28:00.004-07:00

Future Continuous has two different forms: "will be doing " and "be going to be doing." Unlike Simple Future forms, Future Continuous forms are usually interchangeable.

FORM Future Continuous with "Will"

[will be + present participle]

Examples:

You will be waiting for her when her plane arrives tonight.
Will you be waiting for her when her plane arrives tonight?
You will not be waiting for her when her plane arrives tonight.

FORM Future Continuous with "Be Going To "

[am/is/are + going to be + present participle]

Examples:

You are going to be waiting for her when her plane arrives tonight.
Are you going to be waiting for her when her plane arrives tonight?
You are not going to be waiting for her when her plane arrives tonight.

REMEMBER: It is possible to use either "will" or "be going to" to create the Future Continuous with little difference in meaning.

Complete List of Future Continuous Forms

USE 1 Interrupted Action in the Future

Use the Future Continuous to indicate that a longer action in the future will be interrupted by a shorter action in the future. Remember this can be a real interruption or just an interruption in time.

Examples:

I will be watching TV when she arrives tonight.
I will be waiting for you when your bus arrives.
I am going to be staying at the Madison Hotel, if anything happens and you need to contact me.
He will be studying at the library tonight, so he will not see Jennifer when she arrives.

Notice in the examples above that the interruptions (marked in italics) are in Simple Present rather than Simple Future. This is because the interruptions are in time clauses, and you cannot use future tenses in time clauses.

USE 2 Specific Time as an Interruption in the Future

In USE 1, described above, the Future Continuous is interrupted by a short action in the future. In addition to using short actions as interruptions, you can also use a specific time as an interruption.

Examples:

Tonight at 6 PM, I am going to be eating dinner.
I will be in the process of eating dinner.
At midnight tonight, we will still be driving through the desert.
We will be in the process of driving through the desert.

REMEMBER

In the Simple Future, a specific time is used to show the time an action will begin or end. In the Future Continuous, a specific time interrupts the action.

Examples:

Tonight at 6 PM, I am going to eat dinner.
I am going to start eating at 6 PM.
Tonight at 6 PM, I am going to be eating dinner.
I am going to start earlier and I will be in the process of eating dinner at 6 PM.

USE 3 Parallel Actions in the Future

When you use the Future Continuous with two actions in the same sentence, it expresses the idea that both actions will be happening at the same time. The actions are parallel.

Examples:

I am going to be studying and he is going to be making dinner.
Tonight, they will be eating dinner, discussing their plans, and having a good time.
While Ellen is reading, Tim will be watching television.
Notice "is reading" because of the time clause containing "while." (See Explanation Below)

USE 4 Atmosphere in the Future

In English, we often use a series of Parallel Actions to describe atmosphere at a specific point in the future.

Example:

When I arrive at the party, everybody is going to be celebrating. Some will be dancing. Others are going to be talking. A few people will be eating pizza, and several people are going to be drinking beer. They always do the same thing.

REMEMBER No Future in Time Clauses

Like all future tenses, the Future Continuous cannot be used in clauses beginning with time expressions such as: when, while, before, after, by the time, as soon as, if, unless, etc. Instead of Future Continuous, Present Continuous is used.

Examples:

While I am going to be finishing my homework, she is going to make dinner. Not Correct
While I am finishing my homework, she is going to make dinner. Correct

AND REMEMBER Non-Continuous Verbs / Mixed Verbs

It is important to remember that Non-Continuous Verbs cannot be used in any continuous tenses. Also, certain non-continuous meanings for Mixed Verbs cannot be used in continuous tenses. Instead of using Future Continuous with these verbs, you must use Simple Future.

Examples:

Jane will be being at my house when you arrive. Not Correct
Jane will be at my house when you arrive. Correct

ADVERB PLACEMENT

The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc.

Examples:

You will still be waiting for her when her plane arrives.
Will you still be waiting for her when her plane arrives?

You are still going to be waiting for her when her plane arrives.
Are you still going to be waiting for her when her plane arrives?

ACTIVE / PASSIVE

Examples:

At 8:00 PM tonight, John will be washing the dishes. Active
At 8:00 PM tonight, the dishes will be being washed by John. Passive

At 8:00 PM tonight, John is going to be washing the dishes. Active
At 8:00 PM tonight, the dishes are going to be being washed by John. Passive

NOTE: Passive forms of the Future Continuous are not common.

More About Active / Passive Forms

EXERCISES AND RELATED TOPICS

Verb Tense Exercise 23 Simple Future and Future Continuous
Verb Tense Exercise 24 Simple Present, Simple Future, Present Continuous, and Future Continuous
Verb Tense Practice Test Cumulative Verb Tense Review
Verb Tense Final Test Cumulative Verb Tense Review

Source: www.englishpage.com

Simple Future

2012-08-09T18:27:00.003-07:00

Simple Future has two different forms in English: "will" and "be going to." Although the two forms can sometimes be used interchangeably, they often express two very different meanings. These different meanings might seem too abstract at first, but with time and practice, the differences will become clear. Both "will" and "be going to" refer to a specific time in the future.

FORM Will

[will + verb]

Examples:

You will help him later.
Will you help him later?
You will not help him later.

FORM Be Going To

[am/is/are + going to + verb]

Examples:

You are going to meet Jane tonight.
Are you going to meet Jane tonight?
You are not going to meet Jane tonight.

Complete List of Simple Future Forms

USE 1 "Will" to Express a Voluntary Action

"Will" often suggests that a speaker will do something voluntarily. A voluntary action is one the speaker offers to do for someone else. Often, we use "will" to respond to someone else's complaint or request for help. We also use "will" when we request that someone help us or volunteer to do something for us. Similarly, we use "will not" or "won't" when we refuse to voluntarily do something.

Examples:

I will send you the information when I get it.
I will translate the email, so Mr. Smith can read it.
Will you help me move this heavy table?
Will you make dinner?
I will not do your homework for you.
I won't do all the housework myself!
A: I'm really hungry.
B: I'll make some sandwiches.
A: I'm so tired. I'm about to fall asleep.
B: I'll get you some coffee.
A: The phone is ringing.
B: I'll get it.

USE 2 "Will" to Express a Promise

"Will" is usually used in promises.

Examples:

I will call you when I arrive.
If I am elected President of the United States, I will make sure everyone has access to inexpensive health insurance.
I promise I will not tell him about the surprise party.
Don't worry, I'll be careful.
I won't tell anyone your secret.

USE 3 "Be going to" to Express a Plan

"Be going to" expresses that something is a plan. It expresses the idea that a person intends to do something in the future. It does not matter whether the plan is realistic or not.

Examples:

He is going to spend his vacation in Hawaii.
She is not going to spend her vacation in Hawaii.
A: When are we going to meet each other tonight?
B: We are going to meet at 6 PM.
I'm going to be an actor when I grow up.
Michelle is going to begin medical school next year.
They are going to drive all the way to Alaska.
Who are you going to invite to the party?
A: Who is going to make John's birthday cake?
B: Sue is going to make John's birthday cake.

USE 4 "Will" or "Be Going to" to Express a Prediction

Both "will" and "be going to" can express the idea of a general prediction about the future. Predictions are guesses about what might happen in the future. In "prediction" sentences, the subject usually has little control over the future and therefore USES 1-3 do not apply. In the following examples, there is no difference in meaning.

Examples:

The year 2222 will be a very interesting year.
The year 2222 is going to be a very interesting year.

John Smith will be the next President.
John Smith is going to be the next President.

The movie "Zenith" will win several Academy Awards.
The movie "Zenith" is going to win several Academy Awards.

IMPORTANT

In the Simple Future, it is not always clear which USE the speaker has in mind. Often, there is more than one way to interpret a sentence's meaning.

No Future in Time Clauses

Like all future forms, the Simple Future cannot be used in clauses beginning with time expressions such as: when, while, before, after, by the time, as soon as, if, unless, etc. Instead of Simple Future, Simple Present is used.

Examples:

When you will arrive tonight, we will go out for dinner. Not Correct
When you arrive tonight, we will go out for dinner. Correct

ADVERB PLACEMENT

The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc.

Examples:

You will never help him.
Will you ever help him?

You are never going to meet Jane.
Are you ever going to meet Jane?

ACTIVE / PASSIVE

Examples:

John will finish the work by 5:00 PM. Active
The work will be finished by 5:00 PM. Passive

Sally is going to make a beautiful dinner tonight. Active
A beautiful dinner is going to be made by Sally tonight. Passive

More About Active / Passive Forms

EXERCISES AND RELATED TOPICS

Verb Tense Exercise 18 Will and Be Going to
Verb Tense Exercise 19 Will and Be Going to
Verb Tense Exercise 20 Will and Be Going to
Verb Tense Exercise 21 Simple Present and Simple Future
Verb Tense Exercise 22 Simple Present and Simple Future
Verb Tense Exercise 23 Simple Future and Future Continuous
Verb Tense Exercise 24 Simple Present, Simple Future, Present Continuous, and Future Continuous
Verb Tense Practice Test Cumulative Verb Tense Review
Verb Tense Final Test Cumulative Verb Tense Review

Source: www.englishpage.com

Past Perfect

2012-08-09T18:24:00.003-07:00

FORM

[had + past participle]

Examples:

You had studied English before you moved to New York.
Had you studied English before you moved to New York?
You had not studied English before you moved to New York.

Complete List of Past Perfect Forms

USE 1 Completed Action Before Something in the Past

The Past Perfect expresses the idea that something occurred before another action in the past. It can also show that something happened before a specific time in the past.

Examples:

I had never seen such a beautiful beach before I went to Kauai.
I did not have any money because I had lost my wallet.
Tony knew Istanbul so well because he had visited the city several times.
Had Susan ever studied Thai before she moved to Thailand?
She only understood the movie because she had read the book.
Kristine had never been to an opera before last night.
We were not able to get a hotel room because we had not booked in advance.
A: Had you ever visited the U.S. before your trip in 2006?
B: Yes, I had been to the U.S. once before.

USE 2 Duration Before Something in the Past (Non-Continuous Verbs)

With Non-Continuous Verbs and some non-continuous uses of Mixed Verbs, we use the Past Perfect to show that something started in the past and continued up until another action in the past.

Examples:

We had had that car for ten years before it broke down.
By the time Alex finished his studies, he had been in London for over eight years.
They felt bad about selling the house because they had owned it for more than forty years.

Although the above use of Past Perfect is normally limited to Non-Continuous Verbs and non-continuous uses of Mixed Verbs, the words "live," "work," "teach," and "study" are sometimes used in this way even though they are NOT Non-Continuous Verbs.

IMPORTANT Specific Times with the Past Perfect

Unlike with the Present Perfect, it is possible to use specific time words or phrases with the Past Perfect. Although this is possible, it is usually not necessary.

Example:

She had visited her Japanese relatives once in 1993 before she moved in with them in 1996.

MOREOVER

If the Past Perfect action did occur at a specific time, the Simple Past can be used instead of the Past Perfect when "before" or "after" is used in the sentence. The words "before" and "after" actually tell you what happens first, so the Past Perfect is optional. For this reason, both sentences below are correct.

Examples:

She had visited her Japanese relatives once in 1993 before she moved in with them in 1996.
She visited her Japanese relatives once in 1993 before she moved in with them in 1996.

HOWEVER

If the Past Perfect is not referring to an action at a specific time, Past Perfect is not optional. Compare the examples below. Here Past Perfect is referring to a lack of experience rather than an action at a specific time. For this reason, Simple Past cannot be used.

Examples:

She never saw a bear before she moved to Alaska. Not Correct
She had never seen a bear before she moved to Alaska. Correct

ADVERB PLACEMENT

The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc.

Examples:

You had previously studied English before you moved to New York.
Had you previously studied English before you moved to New York?

ACTIVE / PASSIVE

Examples:

George had repaired many cars before he received his mechanic's license. Active
Many cars had been repaired by George before he received his mechanic's license. Passive

More About Active / Passive Forms

EXERCISES AND RELATED TOPICS

Verb Tense Exercise 11 Simple Past and Past Perfect
Verb Tense Exercise 12 Simple Past, Present Perfect, and Past Perfect
Verb Tense Exercise 13 Past Perfect and Past Perfect Continuous
Verb Tense Exercise 14 Present Perfect, Past Perfect, Present Perfect Continuous, and Past Perfect Continuous
Verb Tense Exercise 16 Present and Past Tenses with Non-Continuous Verbs
Verb Tense Exercise 17 Present and Past Tense Review
Verb Tense Practice Test Cumulative Verb Tense Review
Verb Tense Final Test Cumulative Verb Tense Review

Source: www.englishpage.com

Present Perfect

2012-08-09T18:22:00.004-07:00

FORM

[has/have + past participle]

Examples:

You have seen that movie many times.
Have you seen that movie many times?
You have not seen that movie many times.

Complete List of Present Perfect Forms

USE 1 Unspecified Time Before Now

We use the Present Perfect to say that an action happened at an unspecified time before now. The exact time is not important. You CANNOT use the Present Perfect with specific time expressions such as: yesterday, one year ago, last week, when I was a child, when I lived in Japan, at that moment, that day, one day, etc. We CAN use the Present Perfect with unspecific expressions such as: ever, never, once, many times, several times, before, so far, already, yet, etc.

Examples:

I have seen that movie twenty times.
I think I have met him once before.
There have been many earthquakes in California.
People have traveled to the Moon.
People have not traveled to Mars.
Have you read the book yet?
Nobody has ever climbed that mountain.
A: Has there ever been a war in the United States?
B: Yes, there has been a war in the United States.

How Do You Actually Use the Present Perfect?

The concept of "unspecified time" can be very confusing to English learners. It is best to associate Present Perfect with the following topics:

TOPIC 1 Experience

You can use the Present Perfect to describe your experience. It is like saying, "I have the experience of..." You can also use this tense to say that you have never had a certain experience. The Present Perfect is NOT used to describe a specific event.

Examples:

I have been to France.
This sentence means that you have had the experience of being in France. Maybe you have been there once, or several times.
I have been to France three times.
You can add the number of times at the end of the sentence.
I have never been to France.
This sentence means that you have not had the experience of going to France.
I think I have seen that movie before.
He has never traveled by train.
Joan has studied two foreign languages.
A: Have you ever met him?
B: No, I have not met him.

TOPIC 2 Change Over Time

We often use the Present Perfect to talk about change that has happened over a period of time.

Examples:

You have grown since the last time I saw you.
The government has become more interested in arts education.
Japanese has become one of the most popular courses at the university since the Asian studies program was established.
My English has really improved since I moved to Australia.

TOPIC 3 Accomplishments

We often use the Present Perfect to list the accomplishments of individuals and humanity. You cannot mention a specific time.

Examples:

Man has walked on the Moon.
Our son has learned how to read.
Doctors have cured many deadly diseases.
Scientists have split the atom.

TOPIC 4 An Uncompleted Action You Are Expecting

We often use the Present Perfect to say that an action which we expected has not happened. Using the Present Perfect suggests that we are still waiting for the action to happen.

Examples:

James has not finished his homework yet.
Susan hasn't mastered Japanese, but she can communicate.
Bill has still not arrived.
The rain hasn't stopped.

TOPIC 5 Multiple Actions at Different Times

We also use the Present Perfect to talk about several different actions which have occurred in the past at different times. Present Perfect suggests the process is not complete and more actions are possible.

Examples:

The army has attacked that city five times.
I have had four quizzes and five tests so far this semester.
We have had many major problems while working on this project.
She has talked to several specialists about her problem, but nobody knows why she is sick.

Time Expressions with Present Perfect

When we use the Present Perfect it means that something has happened at some point in our lives before now. Remember, the exact time the action happened is not important.

Sometimes, we want to limit the time we are looking in for an experience. We can do this with expressions such as: in the last week, in the last year, this week, this month, so far, up to now, etc.

Examples:

Have you been to Mexico in the last year?
I have seen that movie six times in the last month.
They have had three tests in the last week.
She graduated from university less than three years ago. She has worked for three different companies so far.
My car has broken down three times this week.

NOTICE

"Last year" and "in the last year" are very different in meaning. "Last year" means the year before now, and it is considered a specific time which requires Simple Past. "In the last year" means from 365 days ago until now. It is not considered a specific time, so it requires Present Perfect.

Examples:

I went to Mexico last year.
I went to Mexico in the calendar year before this one.
I have been to Mexico in the last year.
I have been to Mexico at least once at some point between 365 days ago and now.

USE 2 Duration From the Past Until Now (Non-Continuous Verbs)

With Non-Continuous Verbs and non-continuous uses of Mixed Verbs, we use the Present Perfect to show that something started in the past and has continued up until now. "For five minutes," "for two weeks," and "since Tuesday" are all durations which can be used with the Present Perfect.

Examples:

I have had a cold for two weeks.
She has been in England for six months.
Mary has loved chocolate since she was a little girl.

Although the above use of Present Perfect is normally limited to Non-Continuous Verbs and non-continuous uses of Mixed Verbs, the words "live," "work," "teach," and "study" are sometimes used in this way even though they are NOT Non-Continuous Verbs.

ADVERB PLACEMENT

The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc.

Examples:

You have only seen that movie one time.
Have you only seen that movie one time?

ACTIVE / PASSIVE

Examples:

Many tourists have visited that castle. Active
That castle has been visited by many tourists. Passive

More About Active / Passive Forms

EXERCISES AND RELATED TOPICS

Verb Tense Exercise 5 Simple Past and Present Perfect
Verb Tense Exercise 6 Simple Past and Present Perfect
Verb Tense Exercise 7 Present Perfect and Present Perfect Continuous
Verb Tense Exercise 8 Present Perfect and Present Perfect Continuous
Verb Tense Exercise 12 Simple Past, Present Perfect, and Past Perfect
Verb Tense Exercise 14 Present Perfect, Past Perfect, Present Perfect Continuous, and Past Perfect Continuous
Verb Tense Exercise 16 Present and Past Tenses with Non-Continuous Verbs
Verb Tense Exercise 17 Present and Past Tense Review
Verb Tense Practice Test Cumulative Verb Tense Review
Verb Tense Final Test Cumulative Verb Tense Review

Source: www.englishpage.com

Past Continuous

2012-08-09T18:20:00.000-07:00

FORM

[was/were + present participle]

Examples:

You were studying when she called.
Were you studying when she called?
You were not studying when she called.

Complete List of Past Continuous Forms

USE 1 Interrupted Action in the Past

Use the Past Continuous to indicate that a longer action in the past was interrupted. The interruption is usually a shorter action in the Simple Past. Remember this can be a real interruption or just an interruption in time.

Examples:

I was watching TV when she called.
When the phone rang, she was writing a letter.
While we were having the picnic, it started to rain.
What were you doing when the earthquake started?
I was listening to my iPod, so I didn't hear the fire alarm.
You were not listening to me when I told you to turn the oven off.
While John was sleeping last night, someone stole his car.
Sammy was waiting for us when we got off the plane.
While I was writing the email, the computer suddenly went off.
A: What were you doing when you broke your leg?
B: I was snowboarding.

USE 2 Specific Time as an Interruption

In USE 1, described above, the Past Continuous is interrupted by a shorter action in the Simple Past. However, you can also use a specific time as an interruption.

Examples:

Last night at 6 PM, I was eating dinner.
At midnight, we were still driving through the desert.
Yesterday at this time, I was sitting at my desk at work.

IMPORTANT

In the Simple Past, a specific time is used to show when an action began or finished. In the Past Continuous, a specific time only interrupts the action.

Examples:

Last night at 6 PM, I ate dinner.
I started eating at 6 PM.
Last night at 6 PM, I was eating dinner.
I started earlier; and at 6 PM, I was in the process of eating dinner.

USE 3 Parallel Actions

When you use the Past Continuous with two actions in the same sentence, it expresses the idea that both actions were happening at the same time. The actions are parallel.

Examples:

I was studying while he was making dinner.
While Ellen was reading, Tim was watching television.
Were you listening while he was talking?
I wasn't paying attention while I was writing the letter, so I made several mistakes.
What were you doing while you were waiting?
Thomas wasn't working, and I wasn't working either.
They were eating dinner, discussing their plans, and having a good time.

USE 4 Atmosphere

In English, we often use a series of parallel actions to describe the atmosphere at a particular time in the past.

Example:

When I walked into the office, several people were busily typing, some were talking on the phones, the bosswas yelling directions, and customers were waiting to be helped. One customer was yelling at a secretary and waving his hands. Others were complaining to each other about the bad service.

USE 5 Repetition and Irritation with "Always"

The Past Continuous with words such as "always" or "constantly" expresses the idea that something irritating or shocking often happened in the past. The concept is very similar to the expression "used to" but with negative emotion. Remember to put the words "always" or "constantly" between "be" and "verb+ing."

Examples:

She was always coming to class late.
He was constantly talking. He annoyed everyone.
I didn't like them because they were always complaining.

While vs. When

Clauses are groups of words which have meaning, but are often not complete sentences. Some clauses begin with the word "when" such as "when she called" or "when it bit me." Other clauses begin with "while" such as "while she was sleeping" and "while he was surfing." When you talk about things in the past, "when" is most often followed by the verb tense Simple Past, whereas "while" is usually followed by Past Continuous. "While" expresses the idea of "during that time." Study the examples below. They have similar meanings, but they emphasize different parts of the sentence.

Examples:

I was studying when she called.
While I was studying, she called.

REMEMBER Non-Continuous Verbs / Mixed Verbs

It is important to remember that Non-Continuous Verbs cannot be used in any continuous tenses. Also, certain non-continuous meanings for Mixed Verbs cannot be used in continuous tenses. Instead of using Past Continuous with these verbs, you must use Simple Past.

Examples:

Jane was being at my house when you arrived. Not Correct
Jane was at my house when you arrived. Correct

ADVERB PLACEMENT

The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc.

Examples:

You were just studying when she called.
Were you just studying when she called?

ACTIVE / PASSIVE

Examples:

The salesman was helping the customer when the thief came into the store. Active
The customer was being helped by the salesman when the thief came into the store. Passive

More About Active / Passive Forms

EXERCISES AND RELATED TOPICS

Verb Tense Exercise 3 Simple Past and Past Continuous
Verb Tense Exercise 4 Simple Past and Past Continuous
Verb Tense Exercise 16 Present and Past Tenses with Non-Continuous Verbs
Verb Tense Exercise 17 Present and Past Tense Review
Verb Tense Practice Test Cumulative Verb Tense Review
Verb Tense Final Test Cumulative Verb Tense Review

Source: www.englishpage.com

Simple Past

2012-08-09T18:16:00.007-07:00

FORM

[VERB+ed] or irregular verbs

Examples:

You called Debbie.
Did you call Debbie?
You did not call Debbie.

Complete List of Simple Past Forms

USE 1 Completed Action in the Past

Use the Simple Past to express the idea that an action started and finished at a specific time in the past. Sometimes, the speaker may not actually mention the specific time, but they do have one specific time in mind.

Examples:

I saw a movie yesterday.
I didn't see a play yesterday.
Last year, I traveled to Japan.
Last year, I didn't travel to Korea.
Did you have dinner last night?
She washed her car.
He didn't wash his car.

USE 2 A Series of Completed Actions

We use the Simple Past to list a series of completed actions in the past. These actions happen 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and so on.

Examples:

I finished work, walked to the beach, and found a nice place to swim.
He arrived from the airport at 8:00, checked into the hotel at 9:00, and met the others at 10:00.
Did you add flour, pour in the milk, and then add the eggs?

USE 3 Duration in Past

The Simple Past can be used with a duration which starts and stops in the past. A duration is a longer action often indicated by expressions such as: for two years, for five minutes, all day, all year, etc.

Examples:

I lived in Brazil for two years.
Shauna studied Japanese for five years.
They sat at the beach all day.
They did not stay at the party the entire time.
We talked on the phone for thirty minutes.
A: How long did you wait for them?
B: We waited for one hour.

USE 4 Habits in the Past

The Simple Past can also be used to describe a habit which stopped in the past. It can have the same meaning as "used to." To make it clear that we are talking about a habit, we often add expressions such as: always, often, usually, never, when I was a child, when I was younger, etc.

Examples:

I studied French when I was a child.
He played the violin.
He didn't play the piano.
Did you play a musical instrument when you were a kid?
She worked at the movie theater after school.
They never went to school, they always skipped class.

USE 5 Past Facts or Generalizations

The Simple Past can also be used to describe past facts or generalizations which are no longer true. As in USE 4 above, this use of the Simple Past is quite similar to the expression "used to."

Examples:

She was shy as a child, but now she is very outgoing.
He didn't like tomatoes before.
Did you live in Texas when you were a kid?
People paid much more to make cell phone calls in the past.

IMPORTANT When-Clauses Happen First

Clauses are groups of words which have meaning but are often not complete sentences. Some clauses begin with the word "when" such as "when I dropped my pen..." or "when class began..." These clauses are called when-clauses, and they are very important. The examples below contain when-clauses.

Examples:

When I paid her one dollar, she answered my question.
She answered my question when I paid her one dollar.

When-clauses are important because they always happen first when both clauses are in the Simple Past. Both of the examples above mean the same thing: first, I paid her one dollar, and then, she answered my question. It is not important whether "when I paid her one dollar" is at the beginning of the sentence or at the end of the sentence. However, the example below has a different meaning. First, she answered my question, and then, I paid her one dollar.

Example:

I paid her one dollar when she answered my question.

ADVERB PLACEMENT

The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc.

Examples:

You just called Debbie.
Did you just call Debbie?

ACTIVE / PASSIVE

Examples:

Tom repaired the car. Active
The car was repaired by Tom. Passive

More About Active / Passive Forms

EXERCISES AND RELATED TOPICS

Verb Tense Exercise 3 Simple Past and Past Continuous
Verb Tense Exercise 4 Simple Past and Past Continuous
Verb Tense Exercise 5 Simple Past and Present Perfect
Verb Tense Exercise 6 Simple Past and Present Perfect
Verb Tense Exercise 11 Simple Past and Past Perfect
Verb Tense Exercise 12 Simple Past, Present Perfect, and Past Perfect
Verb Tense Exercise 15 Tenses with durations
Verb Tense Exercise 16 Present and Past Tenses with Non-Continuous Verbs
Verb Tense Exercise 17 Present and Past Tense Review
Verb Tense Practice Test Cumulative Verb Tense Review
Verb Tense Final Test Cumulative Verb Tense Review
Source: www.englishpage.com

Present Continuous

2012-08-09T18:14:00.003-07:00

FORM

[am/is/are + present participle]

Examples:

You are watching TV.
Are you watching TV?
You are not watching TV.

Complete List of Present Continuous Forms

USE 1 Now

Use the Present Continuous with Normal Verbs to express the idea that something is happening now, at this very moment. It can also be used to show that something is not happening now.

Examples:

You are learning English now.
You are not swimming now.
Are you sleeping?
I am sitting.
I am not standing.
Is he sitting or standing?
They are reading their books.
They are not watching television.
What are you doing?
Why aren't you doing your homework?

USE 2 Longer Actions in Progress Now

In English, "now" can mean: this second, today, this month, this year, this century, and so on. Sometimes, we use the Present Continuous to say that we are in the process of doing a longer action which is in progress; however, we might not be doing it at this exact second.

Examples: (All of these sentences can be said while eating dinner in a restaurant.)

I am studying to become a doctor.
I am not studying to become a dentist.
I am reading the book Tom Sawyer.
I am not reading any books right now.
Are you working on any special projects at work?
Aren't you teaching at the university now?

USE 3 Near Future

Sometimes, speakers use the Present Continuous to indicate that something will or will not happen in the near future.

Examples:

I am meeting some friends after work.
I am not going to the party tonight.
Is he visiting his parents next weekend?
Isn't he coming with us tonight?

USE 4 Repetition and Irritation with "Always"

The Present Continuous with words such as "always" or "constantly" expresses the idea that something irritating or shocking often happens. Notice that the meaning is like Simple Present, but with negative emotion. Remember to put the words "always" or "constantly" between "be" and "verb+ing."

Examples:

She is always coming to class late.
He is constantly talking. I wish he would shut up.
I don't like them because they are always complaining.

REMEMBER Non-Continuous Verbs/ Mixed Verbs

It is important to remember that Non-Continuous Verbs cannot be used in any continuous tenses. Also, certain non-continuous meanings for Mixed Verbs cannot be used in continuous tenses. Instead of using Present Continuous with these verbs, you must use Simple Present.

Examples:

She is loving this chocolate ice cream. Not Correct
She loves this chocolate ice cream. Correct

ADVERB PLACEMENT

The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc.

Examples:

You are still watching TV.
Are you still watching TV?

ACTIVE / PASSIVE

Examples:

Right now, Tom is writing the letter. Active
Right now, the letter is being written by Tom. Passive

More About Active / Passive Forms

EXERCISES AND RELATED TOPICS

Verb Tense Exercise 1 Simple Present and Present Continuous
Verb Tense Exercise 2 Simple Present and Present Continuous
Verb Tense Exercise 9 Present Continuous and Present Perfect Continuous
Verb Tense Exercise 10 Present Continuous and Present Perfect Continuous
Verb Tense Exercise 15 Tenses with durations
Verb Tense Exercise 16 Present and Past Tenses with Non-Continuous Verbs
Verb Tense Exercise 17 Present and Past Tense Review
Verb Tense Exercise 24 Simple Present, Simple Future, Present Continuous, and Future Continuous
Verb Tense Practice Test Cumulative Verb Tense Review
Verb Tense Final Test Cumulative Verb Tense Review

Source: www.englishpage.com

Simple Present

2012-08-09T18:10:00.002-07:00

FORM

[VERB] + s/es in third person

Examples:

You speak English.
Do you speak English?
You do not speak English.

Complete List of Simple Present Forms

USE 1 Repeated Actions

Use the Simple Present to express the idea that an action is repeated or usual. The action can be a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens. It can also be something a person often forgets or usually does not do.

Examples:

I play tennis.
She does not play tennis.
Does he play tennis?
The train leaves every morning at 8 AM.
The train does not leave at 9 AM.
When does the train usually leave?
She always forgets her purse.
He never forgets his wallet.
Every twelve months, the Earth circles the Sun.
Does the Sun circle the Earth?

USE 2 Facts or Generalizations

The Simple Present can also indicate the speaker believes that a fact was true before, is true now, and will be true in the future. It is not important if the speaker is correct about the fact. It is also used to make generalizations about people or things.

Examples:

Cats like milk.
Birds do not like milk.
Do pigs like milk?
California is in America.
California is not in the United Kingdom.
Windows are made of glass.
Windows are not made of wood.
New York is a small city. It is not important that this fact is untrue.

USE 3 Scheduled Events in the Near Future

Speakers occasionally use Simple Present to talk about scheduled events in the near future. This is most commonly done when talking about public transportation, but it can be used with other scheduled events as well.

Examples:

The train leaves tonight at 6 PM.
The bus does not arrive at 11 AM, it arrives at 11 PM.
When do we board the plane?
The party starts at 8 o'clock.
When does class begin tomorrow?

USE 4 Now (Non-Continuous Verbs)

Speakers sometimes use the Simple Present to express the idea that an action is happening or is not happening now. This can only be done with Non-Continuous Verbs and certain Mixed Verbs.

Examples:

I am here now.
She is not here now.
He needs help right now.
He does not need help now.
He has his passport in his hand.
Do you have your passport with you?

ADVERB PLACEMENT

The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc.

Examples:

You only speak English.
Do you only speak English?

ACTIVE / PASSIVE

Examples:

Once a week, Tom cleans the car. Active
Once a week, the car is cleaned by Tom. Passive

More About Active / Passive Forms

EXERCISES AND RELATED TOPICS

Verb Tense Exercise 1 Simple Present and Present Continuous
Verb Tense Exercise 2 Simple Present and Present Continuous
Verb Tense Exercise 16 Present and Past Tenses with Non-Continuous Verbs
Verb Tense Exercise 17 Present and Past Tense Review
Verb Tense Exercise 21 Simple Present and Simple Future
Verb Tense Exercise 22 Simple Present and Simple Future
Verb Tense Exercise 24 Simple Present, Simple Future, Present Continuous, and Future Continuous
Verb Tense Practice Test Cumulative Verb Tense Review
Verb Tense Final Test Cumulative Verb Tense Review

Source: www.englishpage.com

Effective Teaching Methods

2012-08-05T21:30:00.000-07:00

If you want to know about the effective teaching methods that can help you to better understand and interact with your students, read this article.

Teaching is that profession where the success of the teachers of the teacher depends on the ability of the students but there have been such teachers who have made even the worst of students the best of learners. So it is evident the understanding of a subject taught by a teacher depends on the methods of teaching adopted by that teacher. Methods make the material easier to comprehend and assimilate. A teacher would only pay attention towards his methods only when he is completely dedicated towards his profession and if his profession is his passion. There are some effective teaching methods that a teacher if and when follows would get better results from his students in terms of comprehension and reproduction of that topic on pen and paper which we will discuss in this article.

Some Effective Teaching Methods

The effective methods of teaching that do yield results are as follows:

It is important that the teacher sets goals for himself or herself and also for his or her students so that they aim and work towards that goal and when they fail to achieve to that goal the target they realize it before it is too late and work upon it.
It is important that the teacher underlines the key concepts of a lesson or chapter so that the students learn to identify the main ideas that they need to understand and sieve the study material.
It is important that the teacher establishes an interactive environment in the classroom so that the students can speak out and the teacher can also understand which concepts have been studied and understood well and which have not been.
It is always better to give the students a little of the background of the topic that you are teaching so that they have better understanding.
It is also advisable to revise the topic that you did in the previous class since revision makes things easier to remember and recollect.
To make things easier and less time taking you can adopt the method the Questioning to revise the previously done things so that you can also assess their understanding.
When teaching small kids it is better to take help of visual aids since pictures and images register in the kind better than words and lessons. So if you are trying to put in facts about a tiger it is better to teach the picture of a tiger and then tell the kids about it. For subjects like geography, physics and chemistry, show the kids things that you are teaching as far as possible. Take help of maps and pictures so that the knowledge that you are imparting does not seem vague for the students.
After you are done with a certain topic divide the class into several groups where in each group there should be a mix of good and average students and grade them on team performance so that the average students copes up with the difficulties with the help of the better student.
Besides all the classroom studies it is imperative to concentrate on the talent that the student has beyond classroom studies. There are some students who cannot assimilate the routine and inhibited classroom academics but on the other hand they respond well to experiments and demonstration.

Source: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/effective-teaching-methods.html

Studying Poetry in the Classroom

2012-08-05T21:22:00.003-07:00

Many teachers of literature don’t like teaching poetry in the classroom, but if you add in some fun activities, the students will end up really liking the unit.

More often than not, if you ask literature teachers how they feel about poetry, they will tell you that they don’t like teaching it because the students don’t like learning about it. While it is true that many students balk at the mention of poetry, this is usually because the teachers try to teach it just like a book, without explaining things like word choice, form, or even what is going on in the poem. Adding some fun activities to a unit on poetry can really help students come up with their own understanding of poetry, and then they can bring that personal connection to the poems you read in class.

Teaching the Form

One of the most important things to teach when you are teaching poetry is about the form of the poem you are reading. Even free verse poems that seemingly lack a form have an art to them. Poetry is different from prose in that there are lines, and when the poet writes a poem, he or she pays careful attention to those lines. Very often, important phrases end at the line, or poets include important words at the end of the line. This can help draw attention to the words and phrases that are used in the poem, and can help illuminate the meaning of the poem.

Most Important Word

By asking students what they think the most important word in the poem is, you are asking them to think about the poet’s word choice. This is actually a very difficult question for students to answer because usually they want to choose a whole phrase. By asking them to pick one word, you are forcing them to look at the whole poem through a critical eye. If they are stuck and need help, you can always give them hints. Important words can be repeated over and over within the poem. Repetition is always a signal of an important word. Other important words can embody the entire theme or message of the poem, or can be a word that the students like the sound or meaning of. Most importantly, remind the students that, as long as they can explain their choice, there are no wrong answers.

Coffeehouse Readings

Always read poetry aloud in class. This can help students understand the poem better. Poetry was also meant to be read aloud. You can make this fun, too, by setting up your classroom like a coffeehouse poetry reading. Have the students snap their fingers after each reading, instead of clapping their hands. Add some lamps to create a coffeehouse feel when the lights are turned off, and put a fake microphone at the front of the room for students to stand up and read into. This will get the students listening and enjoying poetry just for the sound of it, which can lead to really great discussions about the content and how the poem was read.

Found Poems

Found poems are a great way to have students dive into writing their own poetry. For some students, writing a poem can be daunting if anything goes. With found poems, have the students "find" words and phrases in magazines and newspapers. Have them cut out what they find and glue it on a piece of paper in the form of a poem. By giving students something to start with - in this case, words already printed in a magazine - you’ve taken away the fear of creating and sharing something new and personal.

Source: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/studying-poetry-in-the-classroom.html

Educational Games for Students

2012-08-03T17:58:00.003-07:00

Educational Games for Students

Sometimes, you just need to play a game with your students to keep them interested in what you are doing in class, or to give them a little break.

Educational games have always been important additions to the classroom. From games that aid in spelling and vocabulary, such as Hangman and Scrabble to games that help students learn how to think critically, like Brain Teasers to some games that help improve memory like those in which you flip cards over and try to remember where the matching card was placed, games have been an integral part of every child's educational experience. As a teacher, it is important to play games with your students to spark their interest for learning and allow your students to have a little fun in the midst of classroom work. Some might say this is not a beneficial practice to engage in with your students, but if the games you play are educational and fun, everyone benefits. These games can also be used as rewards and positive reinforcement for good behavior and good work in class.

Apples to Apples

Apples to Apples is an awesome card game produced by Mattel. This game is deceptively simple and really fun to play with groups of people, whether in class or at a party. With this game, there are two sets of cards: red apple cards and green apple cards. The red apple cards have nouns (person, place, thing, or idea) on them. These nouns are often famous people (like "Mel Gibson"), concepts (like "Feminism"), or extraordinary events (like "My High School Prom"). The green apple cards have adjectives (words that describe a noun) on them. The goal of the game is to match your red apple cards with the green apple card that is drawn. In each round, each player gets five red apple cards and a judge is appointed. That judge draws a green apple card and announces the word. Each player (the judge does not play) puts a red apple card down-face down so the judge cannot see - that pairs well with the word on the green apple card. The judge then decides who put the best word in, and that person gets the green apple card. Whoever has the most green apple cards at the end, wins. This game can get students thinking about word choice in literature and in their own writing, as well as what makes certain pairings sad or funny. Students will also learn new words by being exposed to things they are not necessarily familiar with.

Hink Pink

Hink Pink is a great brainteaser game made by Discovery Bay Games. In this game, there are cards that have riddles on them, and students need to think about the answer to the riddles in order to receive points. The answers to the riddles are always two words, and they always rhyme. They also always fall into one of three categories: Hink Pinks are two one-syllable words that rhyme, Hinky Pinkys are two two-syllable words that rhyme, and Hinkity Pinkitys are two three-syllable words that rhyme. If the teacher is calling out the riddles, he or she will tell the students if it is a Hink Pink, Hinky Pinky, or Hinkity Pinkity, then read the riddle. For example, the teacher might say: "Hink Pink: A chocolate connoisseur." Then, the students would answer "Fudge Judge." There are many worksheets and educational activities online that a quick internet search will give you. However, if you buy the game, there is also a timer that can be used with smaller groups. Using the cards alone, though, is a great way to get students involved when you have a few extra minutes at the end of class.

Source: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/educational-games-for-students.html

Disciplining Your Child

2012-08-03T17:53:00.002-07:00

Disciplining Your Child

Often parents resort to spanking and hitting their kids when angry and irritated. Parents normally use spanking as a means of discipline. But does it work?

If you spank your kid whenever he commits some mistake do you think that he will learn by this act? Research shows that spanking makes more harm than good and children tend to be rebellious and violent. Studies confirm that children who are treated aggressively physically will grow up to be aggressive. So the potential for the cycle of abuse to repeat itself through the generations is increased. Another reason that spanking is not a recommended form of discipline is that it can backfire.

Therefore never spank your kid. Remember one thing that children are masters of imitation and look to their parents as models. So when hitting is used for discipline, parents risk having the child model that behavior. They learn to hit, just like mom and dad thinking this is the correct approach.

Methods of Disciplining your kid
Following are a few parenting tips that will be helpful to you when disciplining your child.
* What is more important for parents is to realize that teaching your child good values and virtues and disciplining him is something that is not only curtail and important but also will be helpful to him in the long run. Through discipline a child learns how to behave, to respect others and to follow rules and regulations. Discipline teaches children to be patient and composed, to cooperate and share. It teaches children to take care of themselves and makes them confident to face the world.

* When you discipline your child do not be too rude and harsh on him. Discipline is not a synonym for punishment. Discipline means showing children positive alternatives and an opportunity to see how their actions affect others. Be patient and wise.

* Establish fair, simple rules and state them clearly. This will help your child realize that he has to abide by the rules and if he doesn't he will have to face the consequences of his actions. Make the rules clear and simple for him to understand.

* While disciplining your kid always use words rather than actions. This is important because if you hit them then it is very much possible for them to think that this is the way it has to work and this attitude can make them aggressive and violent.

* Try to negotiate and discuss the problem instead of hitting or forcing your kid to do something. By this you will make your kid realize that he is an important member of the family and that he has a choice too rather than being forced into something.

* Don't be too nagging and dominating. Sometimes it is best to let go of small issues and leave your kid to himself. Give him time to sort out his own problems rather than being mad at him and doing things the adult way.

* Reward your kid when he does something good and praise him. Positive reinforcement is the best technique for encouraging desirable behavior. Kids are unquestionably more motivated to do the right thing in order to get a reward and to avoid punishment. Rewards are not bribes; they are ways to show a child that she is doing a good job and you appreciate it.

* Parents always have the option of using natural consequences to drive home a point and discipline the child without using force or hard means. Natural consequences help children learn to take responsibility for their actions and help parents realize that the long-term gain will be worth the short-term discomfort. For example, the 8-year-old who is refusing to eat what you made for dinner and is adamant can be told to eat what is offered or nothing. One night without a full meal will not deprive the child nutritionally in the long run, but it will teach him that there are limits to sudden impulses and he cannot always get things his way.

* Parents should work hard to frame things in a positive way rather than negative way. Using "no" always is not a very good idea. It doesn't help a child learn what will get her a "yes." Positive statements teach children what is appropriate. It is not enough to tell a child what not to do; you should also teach them a better alternative.

The last important thing that you have to remember is that treat your child with respect. Make him realize that you love him and he can turn to you if he needs anything. Don't let him feel lonely and depressed.

Source: http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/1-13-2005-64087.asp

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Disciplining Children

2011-11-09T00:57:00.001-08:00

Disciplining children is a tough and challenging job for many parents. This article will take you through some of the methods of effectively carrying this through.

The joy of being parents overshadows a lot of things in life, but that does not mean that one forgets their duty of disciplining children. Children model their parents' behavior, habits, values and thinking. In short, parents have the most influence on their kids, especially, in the early stages of their life. Along with inculcating behavior, values and habits, parents need to also discipline their children effectively. This becomes imperative and is important because if left to their own devices, children will end up creating a lot of chaos, which in later life will make it difficult for them to adjust in society.

Many parents face several problems and moral issues when it comes to disciplining their children because they automatically associate the term 'disciplining' with punishments or beatings. That is definitely not what this concept is all about! This article will help you understand how to go about disciplining children without yelling at them, or beating them and yet turning them into well behaved children.

Disciplining Children Effectively

These are some of the discipline techniques that one can employ to go about achieving this task effectively enough.

Children Have Personalities Too!
Children have a mind of their own, and the faster you know that, the better it is for you. Never underestimate a child by relegating him to the category of being small or little and therefore having no power or influence, so to speak. Wrong. Your child might not have any experience of life like you do, but the child has a personality of his own, nonetheless. Understand that he is a human with personality traits and learn to deal with him that way. That is the first step to effective child care.

Understand Their Psychology
Every child is different. Learn where he comes from. At a stage where you are employing means to carry forth discipline, they are still very young and have no experience in life. So it is useless yelling and expecting them to understand! How can they, when they cannot yet differentiate between what is right and what is wrong? Or they don't know what is the right behavior? When you get this into your mind, it will be easier for you to deal with.

Empathize
Place yourself in your child's shoes for a moment. Imagine that you are being yelled at for not doing something right. What is it doing to you? Making you feel helpless, fearful, angry and humiliated? Correct. Now think back to the time in school when you could not solve a math sum and the teacher yelled at you. Did you not feel helpless because you didn't even know the formula to solve the sum? Did you not want the teacher to explain it to you once more? But the way she yelled made you become fearful and you could never muster the courage? That is exactly what you are doing to the child. He/ she does not yet know the difference between right and wrong and your yelling is not going to make him learn any faster, it is in fact going to make him regress because there is no effective social development in children that has taken place.

Talk to Them
Children like to be treated as equals, mind you. They do not like to be tread on just because they are little. So if there are certain disciplinary tactics that you want to teach them, for example - not wearing shoes over the carpet, washing ones hands before a meal, not borrowing others' things without taking permission etc., give them live examples. Like if they don't wash their hands before a meal - tell them why it is important, what would happen if they didn't do it, the infections they would get and the like (in vocabulary that a child will understand). This will help them remember better. And the next time they forget, calmly explain it to them again.

When They Don't Listen
Kids are smart. Sometimes they might see that they are getting away with things and then continue to do it. That is your true test of mettle. Do not scream, yell or hit them, it's not gonna work. Try raising your voice a little and firmly telling them. If you've never done this before, they'll know you mean business. Remember to only raise your voice. It should be just slightly higher than your normal voice. If the child is small then giving empty threats works - but be very, very careful with that one. Like if they are not taking their meals then you could just tell your husband or wife in front of the kid something to the effect of - "Only you and I will get a candy from the candy fairy because we've had our meals. Nathan won't get any, because he hasn't". Teaching autistic children discipline requires more time and a different, more patient approach.

Ignore Tantrums
When kids learn that anything goes and start behaving just as they please, the temptation 'to set them straight' is foremost. Don't. Instead, ignore their baseless tantrums and they'll get the message. When you feed their tantrums with "I will listen to everything you do", it's like giving them the green signal to behave the way they please. So don't. They love you unconditionally, so they don't really like it when you are angry. This is especially true when it comes to disciplining children with autism. Many times, they throw tantrums (not physically hurting oneself or others, that is) because they get away with them. Positive discipline works best in such a case. Reinforcing positive behavior is the key. And patience!!

Reinforce Good Behavior
Reinforcing positive discipline works as well. Just as one goes about using disciplinary tactics with children, one has to also use reinforcements for their good behavior. When they learn a 'rule' effectively and learn to follow it, award them with praises and other small measures. This will encourage them to keep at it and over time it'll become a habit.

Be Model Parents
Children model their parents so make sure that you are portraying the same behavior which you are teaching them. That is one way of carrying forth truly effective child development.

One of the quotes from the Holy Bible says "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it" (Hebrews 12:11). Disciplining children might seem like a gargantuan task at that time, but it needs to be done to mold your children into model citizens and polite, well behaved, sensitive individuals. But remember to never yell and shout. It won't help.

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/disciplining-children.html

Steps to Effective Parenting

2011-11-09T00:55:00.001-08:00

Want to bring up your child in a more effective manner? Here are few steps to effective parenting.

Being a parent is not an easy job. Bringing up the children in a proper way is the more difficult one. Most of the parents are least prepared for this. For the parents who want to bring up their children more properly and effectively, here are certain steps to effective parenting.

Step 1: Nurture Your Child's Self-respect

The way you talk or behave with your child plays an important role in developing his self-respect or self-esteem. Praise your child for his achievements and allow him to do the things for himself. This will help him in developing self-confidence.

Never underestimate him or pass any bad comments on him. Don't ever compare him with other children.

Step 2: Try to be a Good Role Model

Remember, your child learns a lot just by observing you. He tries to behave or act like you. This possibility increases when he is younger. Therefore, it is necessary that you model the qualities you want to develop in your child.

"ACTION SPEAKS LOUDER THAN THE WORDS", and therefore instead of speaking you can teach him the qualities like respect, honesty, friendliness, kindness, trusty and tolerance simply by your actions. Don't use aggressive words or express your anger in front of him.

Step 3: Appreciate Your Child for Being Good

Praise and appreciate your child for his good behavior. Catch him while doing something right and always pass positive comments on him. Compliment him everyday however small the reason may be. The comments like "You behave very nicely with elder people" or "You are very good at drawing" will encourage him in doing right things.

Remember that your compliments, love and kindness are the greatest gifts that you can offer to your child. Never give negative compliments or repeated scolding.

Step 4: Give the Child Your Undivided Time

In today's world where both the parents work, it often becomes difficult to give time for the children. But it's the great gift you can give your child. All the children like being observed and try to do the things by which they can gain others attention. But when these children don't receive attention, they often misbehave as they feel that this is the easiest and quickest way to gain attention.

Therefore it is very important to give some of your quality time to your child. Spend a day with him. You can take him to a garden or a restaurant once in a week probably on weekends. You can even have a breakfast or a dinner with him if possible.

Step 5: Make Clear Communications

Try to make communication your first priority. Be clear with the words. As a parent, you expect a lot from your child. So make your expectations clear. Let your child know what you expect from him and why you want him to do so.

If there are some problems, you should be able to explain it your child or even ask him for suggestions. Let your child participate in the decisions.

Step 6: Be Flexible and Try to Adjust Your Parenting Style

No child is the same and therefore you have to adjust your parenting style accordingly. Every child grows at different speeds. One child may have fast growth while the other may have slow. Comparing the two children or keeping high expectations from them may result in frustration.

Therefore a single parenting style may not work. You may have to change your parenting style according to the child's growth. What works now may not work later, so be flexible.

Step 7: Ensure the Child that Your Love is Unconditional

Let your child know that your love is unconditional and even if he misbehaves, your love for him will not change. But this doesn't mean that he can carry over his misbehavior. It is your responsibility as a parent to correct and guide your child properly. The way you do this also makes a difference.

Never blame or criticize him, instead tell him in such a way that he knows that even if you expect better next time, your love is still there for him.

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/steps-to-effective-parenting.html

Parenting - Key to being a Patient Parent

2011-11-09T00:54:00.001-08:00

In a 1999 study by York University, patience topped the list of skills parents thought they needed and impatience was the No. 1 attitude they did not want to pass on to their kids. Of course it's impractical to be patient all the time trying to cover up the true frustration you feel inside...but try these tricks sometime and see the wonders you create in your relationship with your kids...

In a 1999 study by York University, patience topped the list of skills parents thought they needed and impatience was the No. 1 attitude they did not want to pass on to their kids.

Patience is probably the key skill that a parent needs to master when it comes to dealing with kids. It always seems so simple and easy to lose patience and yet so difficult and sometimes almost impossible to find more of it. Of course it's impractical to be patient all the time trying to cover up the true frustration you feel inside...but try these tricks sometime and see the wonders you create in your relationship with your kids.

Communicate - Poor communication sabotages any relationship. Talk, explain, report, and discuss your day-to-day happenings just as you expect them to. Communicate to them in a language they can comprehend. Communicate to them in a language they can learn life's wise sayings.

Have Foresight - Reduce your pace so as to keep up with your toddlers. Find workarounds which allows you to have it their way as well as yours. If your kid insists on tying his own shoe laces and in the morning rush hours you have no time for this insistence, ask your child to continue tying the laces while you drive him to school.

Stay Cool and Calm - Well we are talking about patience so staying cool and calm comes without saying. Key to staying cool and calm is to not react in the moment, if you tend to react in the moment you can easily be carried away by frustration. Back off, think through the topic, and decide what you can say and do and then do it. Set aside some time when you can composedly let your child know what you feel and why you feel so.

Keep real expectations - Gary Walters a psychology professor says our expectations about behavior can be out of line with what our children are capable of develop mentally. Do not force your expectations on your children in turn reducing their self-confidence and increasing the feeling of insecurity.

Give them space - If children insist on performing certain actions that are against your wishes, express to them the pros and cons of the action and then give them some space to think calmly what you mean and expect. Expressing and explaining topics to children breed better results as compared to forcing them to perform as you would want them to. A parent needs to be strict to a certain extent but forcing your opinions on children can yield unwanted result such as children becoming rebellious.

Remember, how you express your irritation and anger teaches your children about managing and organizing their own feelings and relationships. Help yourself to help your children. Think about the times when we deal with patience with our co-workers or with new acquaintances. If we have the ability and capability to bear such patience then why do we choose to lose it with our loved ones? Understand, that teachings that are taught with patience help children to learn thoroughly and quickly.

http://www.buzzle.com

Classroom Discipline Strategies

2011-11-09T00:52:00.001-08:00

If you are a new teacher, then maintaining the decorum of your class can be one of the many challenges you are likely to face. Classroom discipline strategies given in this article can help you out.

Discipline is one of the essential virtues in human life. The seeds of discipline are sown in early childhood itself. Schools play a vital role in inculcating the importance of discipline in young children. If you are a new teacher about to join school, then you must be equipped with solid classroom discipline strategies, that will enable you to manage your class. Classroom discipline management is one aspect of teaching, you will have to master as early as possible. Given below are some strategies for classroom discipline that will help you.

Classroom Discipline Strategies and Tips

Start Early
One of the most important classroom management strategies that new teachers should remember is, to make an impression upon your students at the very beginning. The kids intently judge your every move during the first few minutes and decide what kind of a teacher you would make. You should not reveal any weaknesses, else the kids will know what they can get away with. Hence, let your body language indicate that you are not the teacher to mess around with. Having said that, I do not mean that you should be harsh upon kids. Be friendly, approachable, yet strict.

Be Specific
Many a time, conflict arises because the students are not able to decipher the instructions of the teacher. Use of difficult-to-understand terms, ambiguous instructions can all lead to indiscipline, that too for no fault of students. Young children especially find it very hard to follow instructions that are given in a complex language. Giving clear and precise instructions is one of the most effective classroom management techniques.

Be Consistent
Building classroom discipline plan and sticking to it is very important to ensure peace in the class. Be specific about the kind of behavior you expect from kids. Make it clear to them, that you won't tolerate any misbehavior in your class. If you ignore misbehaving kids one day and jump at the slightest hint of indiscipline the next day, you will leave your kids confused. Hence, it is important to be consistent with your classroom management strategy everyday.

Keep the Interruptions Minimum
The main aim of kids who interrupt the class is to bring about disruption and halt the teaching process. These kids are least interested in the lesson and somehow want to divert the attention of the class. They may resort to talking amongst themselves or making fun of other kids. If you entertain these kids, it would actually encourage them, because that is all what they want. Hence, as far as possible ignore such kids. If the talking becomes really disruptive, ask a question to one of them to retain the continuity. Entertaining such interruptions would lead to loss of precious teaching time for kids who really wish to learn.

Add a Hint of Humor
Humor resolves even the trickiest of all situations. A good laugh can instantly ease the tension between teacher and students. However, do not mistake humor with sarcasm, unless you want to spoil your relationship with your kids. Also, do not embarrass or humiliate your students under the name of humor.

Treat Everyone with Equality
Fairness is the key to classroom management and discipline. As a teacher, you might have your own favorites amongst your students. However, do not reveal your true feelings while you are in class. Treat all your students with utmost equality, even those who are amongst your least favorites. Kids are smart enough to identify if you really like them or not. Hence, do not make your preferences obvious in front of the class.

Start Afresh
This does not mean that you come up with a new classroom management plan everyday. It simply means that do not carry grudges of the previous day with you the next day. Just because some kids misbehaved in your class the previous day, it is not fair to assume that they will disrupt you the next day as well. Do not have any preconceived notions about the class's behavior and start each day with a hope that the class will behave decently.

Once you plan your classroom discipline strategies and implement them correctly during the first few weeks, you will have little problem with class discipline in future. As an established teacher, your efforts to maintain decorum in the class will reduce with each passing year.

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/classroom-discipline-strategies.html

Classroom Management Techniques

2011-11-09T00:51:00.001-08:00

Classroom management techniques are of vital importance for the teachers who are looking for ways to tackle the chaos and indiscipline in their classes, in order to create the right atmosphere for education and learning. Find out some simple and effective classroom management techniques with this article...

Classroom management has always been a tricky subject, and while some teachers seem to easily master this art with their effective teaching strategies, others have been observed to struggle even after several years of experience. So, a number of teachers are constantly in search of the effective classroom management techniques in order to control the chaos and instill discipline in the classroom. Here are some tips for classroom management.

Classroom Management Techniques

It is always better to generate some proper classroom management methods in advance to maintain order and discipline in the classroom. These methods or strategies should incorporate everything from rules, code of conduct or behavior, enforcement of discipline, etc. Here are some important points, that if included in your classroom management strategies, would be of great help to create the right atmosphere for learning.

Classroom Rules
The first step for controlling a classroom of unruly students is to make some concrete rules. While making these rules, take into account the age of your students. The rules of your classroom should be in conformity with the general rules of the school. You cannot make rules that contradict the already established rules and regulations of the school. Do not make too many rules, which your students won't be able to follow. Make a few basic rules that are sufficient to maintain order in the class. Explain your expectations to the students and also ask them what they expect from you. This will promote their active participation in the classroom management plan. Be consistent in following these rules, as this will set a good example. Otherwise students would not respect you and gradually lose interest in your class. The rules to be followed should be explained to the students properly so that they do not have any doubt regarding them.

Enforce Discipline
Discipline is the key to run any institution, whether it is a school, government office, or business enterprise. Though punishments are essential for maintaining discipline, they should not be too harsh. Punishment should always be according to the nature of the crime. A teacher should never embarrass a student in front of his or her peers for violating any rule or disrupting the class. It would make the student more unruly and violent. If a student is really stubborn and not following the rules, then talk to him in private to know the exact reason behind his behavior. Avoid confrontation in the classroom. A teacher has to be very calm and patient while handling such cases of indiscipline and disobedience. Sometimes, an award system can work wonders in implementing rules and regulations. An award system encourages the students to follow the rules and behave in the right manner.

Be Fair
An ideal teacher should always be fair to all students. Students can easily sense if a teacher becomes partial to any particular student. So you have to treat every student equitably, especially regarding the rules and punishment. Even if the most brilliant student of the class violates the standard rules, he should get the same punishment like others. Otherwise, students would lose all interest in your classroom rules and discipline plan.

Involve the Parents
Parental involvement can help teachers a lot in understanding their students and manage them accordingly. Try to win over the confidence of the parents, and they would help you a lot in instilling values and good behavior in your students. It's not that you need to contact the parents only in a troubled situation. You can also keep them informed about their child's improvement in studies and suggest some techniques in order to help them to enhance their child's learning skills. This would help you to get their trust and confidence, so that whenever trouble pops up, you can easily discuss it with them.

These are some of the basic classroom management techniques to ensure order and discipline in a classroom. You can also learn many more classroom management strategies and techniques from your experienced colleagues and friends. But what is important is to pick up the right ones that would help you to manage your classroom without being harsh on the students. While enforcing all these rules and regulations, do not forget to give attention to your teaching skills. Try to make the class as interesting as possible in order to keep the students engrossed in the subject, and it would also go a long way in correcting their behavior and conduct in the classroom.

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/classroom-management-techniques.html

Positive Reinforcement in the Classroom

2011-11-09T00:50:00.001-08:00

Positive reinforcement in the classroom is very essential to improve the overall behavior of the students. Read this article to know the concept of positive reinforcement in the classroom in detail.

It is a widely accepted fact that the behavior of the children is influenced by the environment in which they are brought up. This is true especially in the phase of life when one is a student. Almost all children are known to spend at least six hours in school and so their personality gets shaped as per the lessons learned in the school. We can definitely say that the teachers in schools shoulder a very big responsibility of teaching the children basic values which are as important as the academic lessons. Positive reinforcement for children is a way of motivating them by appreciating their good qualities. Now, let us know how to use positive reinforcement in the classroom and the effectiveness of positive reinforcement in the succeeding paragraphs.

Importance of Positive Reinforcement in the Classroom

The main motive behind using positive reinforcement in the classroom is to encourage the students to repeat the acts done by them, which are good and would prove useful for them and for the class. The students will feel encouraged to repeat their acts only if they receive appreciation for them. However, while appreciating, need to that teachers follow certain rules which will result in the advantage of the entire class and not a certain group of students. All students who perform well should be appreciated without any bias. If a particular student answers a question correctly, it would be advisable that you appreciate him individually by taking his name, so that he feels motivated. In the positive reinforcement, the students are made aware of the good or bad consequences of their actions.

By the effective use of positive reinforcement in the classroom, you can make the students aware of their strengths and suggest them ways of using those strengths to the fullest to succeed in the tasks allotted to them. By doing this, the students would be able to eliminate the negative aspects of their personality, step by step.

While using positive reinforcement in the classroom, the teachers should note that the positive reinforcement is given on time. It is very essential to praise the efforts and the hard work of the students immediately after their success. The reason behind this is that the psychological impact of immediate appreciation will be more than delayed appreciation. Positive reinforcement in the classroom in the form of awards and gifts, can at times, be more effective than the oral ways of appreciation. Sometimes material rewards which the students always wished to possess can increase the enthusiasm and energy in them to perform better at every outing. The positive reinforcement in the classroom can help to maintain the discipline and decorum by changing the personality of each student.

Positive reinforcement has a clear advantage over punishment in many ways. It has been observed in many cases that though punishment helps to improve the habits and behavior patterns of many children, this is not true in the case of each and every child. Punishment, sometimes can have an opposite effect on the students as they may become rebellious and even more aggressive. Even if punishment succeeds in improving the way of thinking of the students, this change can be temporary and may not last too long. With the help of positive reinforcement, the values which are taught in the classroom will stay with the children throughout their lives.

Thus we conclude that positive reinforcement in the classroom is a must in the modern-day education system. By employing these methods, the teachers will be able to make the students, great visionaries when they grow up.

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/positive-reinforcement-in-the-classroom.html

Classroom Management Strategies

2011-11-09T00:49:00.001-08:00

Classroom management is one of the most important aspects for the teaching faculty. Here are some classroom management strategies which will help you to effectively curb the indiscipline in the classroom and create an environment ideal for learning.

Classroom management refers to issues related to supervising a classroom and academic discipline. The behavior of students in a classroom can vary from person to person. Some cases may not requiring any intervention, while others may require strict action on disciplinary grounds. Instances of rudeness towards the faculty by the students are on rise, and in such a situation the onus is on the teachers to make sure that the class is well behaved. Though a difficult task, effective classroom management strategies can make the work relatively easier for the teachers.

Strategies for Classroom Management
First of all the teacher has to understand that the students in the class come from different walks of life. They have different problems of their own, some deal with them while some can't. Stress and conflicts are prominent in the life of students as well. Though they come to school to learn, they have a list of activities in their mind which, according to them, are much more exciting than sitting for a forty-five minute period in the class. It's important that the teacher makes this forty-five minute class exciting, so that the students can learn, and at the same time have fun.

Make the Class Interesting
A forty-five minute period, wherein a teacher just speaks and students only hear, is not at all exciting. It's important that the students themselves participate in the process, thus making the period an interactive session instead of a dull lecture. Your classroom management strategies should also include effective teaching strategies, which would keep the students glued to the topic. As a teacher you can plan a few activities in the classroom, which will make children get up from their seat and interact with teachers as well as fellow students. Don't forget that the students have a lot of pent up energy, which has to be released. Avoid taking the class for full forty-five minutes, you can ensure that the last 10 minutes of the class time are spent in discussions.

Talk to the Students
Talk with the students, not just in the classroom or school, but outside as well. Whenever you come across any student in the cafeteria or in your neighborhood grocery store, greet them. If any student has excelled in a particular sport or event, appreciate him or her. Praise their sincere efforts and tell them how they should go on with it. This will make the students feel that you are close to them and you understand them, the result of which will be obviously seen in the classroom.

Dealing with Disruptive Behavior
Students tend to be naughty, and at times this naughty behavior on their part can disrupt the momentum of the entire class. In such a situation, if you try to yell at them on the top of your voice, you will yourself disturb other students. A wiser thing to do at such a point of time is to just go and stand near that particular students desk. This will automatically send him a signal that you want him to stop whatever he is doing, and pay attention to you. Most often this works in your favor, and if it doesn't, you can either take the student outside the class or talk to him after the class is over. Confronting him in front of the entire class will be a bit humiliating and make him more defiant. While talking to him after the class will make him feel that you understand him and he will blurt out his feelings. If both of these classroom management plans to deal with disruptive behavior fail to yield results, you should promptly send the student to the principle.

Classroom Management Tips: Dos and Don'ts
When planning your classroom management strategies, you should make sure to include the following points in them

Never give verbal or physical threats to the students. More importantly, never get involved into a confrontation in front of the class.
Avoid using negative symbols, such as 'X', to mark a wrong answer. You can use a '/' (slash) instead.
Avoid using red ink to give grades, red color represents negativity and hence is best avoided.
The students look at teacher as an inspiration, so you wouldn't want to fumble in front of them. Be well prepared with the lessons that you will take well in advance.
Be firm, yet friendly and supportive to the students. Any inclination on either side will send wrong signals to the student.
Act fairly with all the students irrespective of how they behave with you. A mistake from the best student of your class calls for the same punishment, which you would give to the most naughty student for the act.

Remember that classroom management is a skill which has to be practiced throughout your career. These classroom management strategies will also help you to cut down on problems such as indiscipline, and indirectly lessen the distractions in your classroom.

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/classroom-management-strategies.html

How to Find a Good University

2011-11-09T00:48:00.001-08:00

We all wish to get into college and pursue the subjects of our liking. But how to find a good university for yourself, when there are so many options to choose from? This article has all the answers you seek...

In order to find a good university for yourself, you need to be absolutely clear about the degree you wish to take up. Once you have made up your mind, you can proceed with the process of applying to the universities that you are interested in. You will need to search online for the most suitable options, depending on the program the college is providing as well as the facilities offered by them. Most colleges offer all the necessary information through their individual websites. Through these websites you will find out if your score and your achievements are sufficient, to be a suitable applicant. Most websites also provide information about their tuition fees and other added expenses. Here are some tips on how to find a good university for yourself.

How to Pick a Good University

Keep a Tab on Your Score
A low SAT score is bound to create impediments when it comes down to the number of colleges you'll be eligible for. Therefore, make it a point to try to keep your scores above average. Many well reputed colleges do not accept scores below B+. In order to get into a good college, you will need to keep your score card up throughout your academic year prior to the inception of college.

Select Apt Courses
Make it a point to find out about the various colleges that offer the degree course you are looking for. The program you choose will probably help you in pursuing jobs at a later stage. For instance if you wish to study anthropology, then you must apply to a university college that offers specialized courses in this field. This will enable you to dedicate all your attention towards one area of education and will thus sharpen your knowledge.

Consider the Admission Requisites
Go through the admission brochures of each college and check if you fall within their ambit of necessary requisites. The reason being, some colleges require a specific percentage or score so as to be eligible to apply, while others look for well-developed personalities, students who have fared well in all categories of academic life, including education, sports as well as extracurricular activities. Therefore apply to a college which you think is suitable for you.

Pros vs Cons
Try to chalk down the basic requirements that you wish to derive from the college of your choice. Find out if the quality of education imparted is up to your expected mark. Find out if the overall expenditure of the entire academic session is within your planned budget or not. If it's expensive, find out if the college offers a scholarship, tuition installment plans and other financial aid. If so, you're expenses will reduce drastically. Though if you do qualify for a reputed college, then taking up the offer would be a wiser decision. The reason being that, with a good degree at hand, your job prospects grow substantially, therefore allowing you to be financially more stable over the years as and when you begin to gain professional work experience. See if the colleges you short listed fulfill certain needs, such as hostel accommodation, library and messing privileges. Pursuing sports activities, part-time jobs, external research as well as internships. The college which satisfies your needs and expectations the most, must be made the first preference of enrollment.

Mission Statement
You will be required to write an essay or a mission statement, which has to be addressed to the college you are interested in joining. This letter should ideally contain a few things about yourself and it should clearly state out the reason as why you are keen about joining their college. Your admission application can be sent either through email, personal application or through postal mail of the hard copy. The application must be attached with the copies of all your past academic records. These records must authenticate the schools you attended.

You may even be required to send samples of your work, though this rule applies only to subjects wherein a certain level of personal skills can be exhibited. For instance, fields such as science, literature, performing arts, political studies, and anthropology. Send in the copies of research papers if you have any, and if you feel it necessary so as to increase your chances of admission approval. You need not get into one of the top 10 universities in the world in order to gain quality education. Nor is it a prerequisite for success in your later years.

Always keep backups of colleges that you are sure you will get through. These colleges will be categorized as safety colleges. Though, do remember that your safety net must include only those colleges which you wouldn't mind joining, in case you do not get selected by the others. Many unforeseen circumstances can arise, which can make you deviate from a prior decision of joining a particular university. Therefore keeping a likely backup would be a very prudent choice. Hopefully this article on finding a good university has been informative.

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