School Closings

Daily Points in Class

2009-02-24T17:57:00.001-08:00

Starting your class on the right foot each day is very important to both you and the students. There are certain expectations you will have, be they required materials (texts, folders, gym clothes), basic supplies (pencils/paper), or behaviors (on time, in seats, working on opening activities). You are going to want these expectations met every day.

We designed a simple set of 5 rules to start out every class. These are easy to remember and easy to keep track of. Several of our teachers use a variation of the 5 rules to start their classes, and you may feel free to adapt these to your class. These are the rules I use in English class:

Rule 1: Students must be in their seats when class begins. In some schools, classes begin (and are dismissed) by a bell. Some classes begin at a specific time. Still other classes are started by a particular signal from the teacher.

Rule 2: Students must have a writing instrument. Again, different teachers have different expectations, be it pencil or pen or whatever. For me, it doesn't matter as long as it s dark enough to read. I only balk at silver, gold, white, or any other light or fluorescent color (hot pink or yellow for example).

Rule 3: Students must have their folder out on their desk. Each of our classes requires students to keep important papers, notes, and other course artifacts. Some teachers allow students to keep these, and others provide a location in the room for folders.

Rule 4: Students must have all required materials for class that day. To reduce the number of times students ask me about what they need for the day's class, I will either write the materials list on the board or put it on the class announcements on our TV (watch for the article on creating a class cable TV network our upcoming March issue).

Rule 5: Students must be working on the class warm up activity. In English class, students write out Daily Oral Language (DOL) sentences, practicing proofreading skills. On the edge of each day's entry are the numbers 1 through 5, making it easy to grade. All you have to do is circle the appropriate number.

Again, we give each student a daily grade of points (1-5). Some teachers have only four rules and one rule is worth 2 points. You can change up and set your own rules and create an easy to grade set of points to fit your own classroom.

After a few weeks of practice, the checking of daily points becomes a student job. One student from each group (the RECORDER) gets the weekly responsibility to check the students' daily points and circle the proper number. The teacher is freed up for other activities, and you only need to spot check through the room. This way I can record the daily points only once every two weeks and they are already tallied up for me.

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For this article, and more on teaching and education, be sure to check out our website:

Frank Holes, Jr. is the editor of the StarTeaching website and the bi-monthly newsletter, Features for Teachers. Check out our latest issue at:

http://www.starteaching.com/Features_for_Teachers_2feb2.htm

You can contact Frank at:

editor@

Graduation Announcement- Some tips for the graduate

2009-02-24T05:57:00.001-08:00

If you are graduating, it is a busy time. There are lots of loose ends that must be tied up around campus. Finals and term papers are taking up a lot of your time. But now is the time to put out a graduation announcement to proclaim your accomplishment and share it with friends and family.

Addressing the envelopes and announcements can be difficult for a beginner. On the outside of the envelope the address should be written formally. Use the full title such as Mr. or Mrs. and the full name of the recipient. Inside the announcement can be less formal. If you are sending the graduation announcement to a close family member, use their family name such as Grandma or Uncle Tom.

Knowing when to send the announcement is an important issue. The graduation announcements should be sent 1 to 2 weeks before the graduation date. This will allow time for people and family members to make plans to attend. It will also give people plenty of time to call and congratulate or send a card.

Graduation announcements are not request for gifts. Do not expect gifts from those to whom you send an announcement. In some cases, family members will provide gifts or throw a party. If you do receive gifts be sure to send a thank you note. It is a very nice gesture for those who have gone out of their way to congratulate the graduate.

Sending graduation announcements is a great way to present your great accomplishment. It is also the time to send your respect to those who helped you along the way.

Dawn Rowlett is an author for Dependable Printing, providing providing invitations for all celebrations and special occasions with a large discount on all online orders. Visit the site for a wonderful selection of Graduation Announcements.

Unique Fund Raising Idea

2009-02-23T05:57:00.000-08:00

Is it possible to raise a lot of money, and not work hard?

Is it possible to raise money not only once, but keep receiving all the time?

The answer to both questions is a definite 'YES'.

Don't you think that people are tired of dishing out money for things they don't really need? Their child comes home from school, yet again, with boxes of 'old fashioned cookies', or a box of assorted chocolates to sell to friends and family. It's understandable, the school needs money. (don't we all!) Of course, it's not safe to send their offspring out knocking on neighbor's doors without a chaperone, so the easiest way would be to cough up the money themselves! Right?

No wonder people complain that they need a pant size bigger every year. Not to mention their budget dropping like socks without elastic!

What about those sweet-smelling candles that arrive by the boxes? Fantastic aroma, but bulky to store and a definite pain in the back to lift!

If you are a principle, maybe you have heard complaints from your teachers. Babysitting tens of thousands of candles was never part of their contract! Or was it?

Personally, I love candles, but let's face facts here, we are talking about hard work for those people who really want to help your school, or your organization to raise money They know you are in need, and they know you need the money 'yesterday'.

Accidents happen and unfortunately things have a habit of breaking. What then?

Do we need to dig a grave for broken candles, broken cookies and candy and lay them down to rest?

To my knowledge, first teachers have to find out from their students the choice of candle fragrance their potential customer requests, then they have to scramble through boxes of candles (breaking at least two finger nails in the process) until they come across the correct item. Of course, we won't mention the time consuming process of packing. All this has to happen hundreds/thousands of times depending on the number of candles you have received from the candle company.

Time consuming? YES, very!

Now the teacher passes the 'baton' to the student who continues the race until the money is transferred into their tiny and maybe sticky hands and later deposited back into the capable hands of the teacher. Hence, the teacher crosses the finish line of this very long fundraising marathon by counting every last penny. Out of breath and running low on a sense of humor, the teacher deposits all the hard earned cash into the treasurers safe and collapses in a chair from exhaustion.

Let's take a quick look at the function for the children. Very often unhappy kids have to persuade (or at times beg) their family, neighbors, friends to purchase the 'irresistible items.' Pressure is on, because there is always a dead line!

Is the amount raised really worth the time and hard work invested?

Now what about the third side of the triangle, potential customers!

How many of them are motivated to buy because they just feel sorry for the kids; knowing full well that they could buy cheaper in Wal-Mart or in other stores. That 'puppy-dog look' works every time! Moths take flight as the dollars see daylight! (Well, it's good to air the wallet every now and then!)

Are you tired just reading this article?

Well, if you have managed to keep reading up till now, then I want to congratulate you by offering a Kleenex to wipe off the sweat from your brow.

Now I invite you to sit back and relax. Please allow me the pleasure to tell you about the most ingenious fund-raising idea on the market today. This will blow your mind.

Attention!

Is it possible to raise a lot of money, and not work hard?

Is it possible to raise money not only once, but keep receiving all the time?

The answer to both questions is a definite 'YES'.

Listen on.

Many PTO, PTA, PTF , etc. presidents, teachers and parents are so overwhelmed with work that they do not have time, energy or desire to investigate in anything new.

This is why I have done the investigation for you. See what you think about the discovery I have made; you won't be disappointed.

What is it?

Do you think potential clients, family members, neighbors, and other children's friends would like the sound of saving a lot of money every month on the things they usually buy? Would that question catch their attention?

People are not usually so keen in giving up their money, but from past experience I know that almost everybody has listening ears when it comes to ideas on how to cut back on expenses.

So what is it? Come on!!!! You're probably saying!

Well, I want to paint the full picture, so that you will be able to enjoy the full beauty of this masterpiece!

Presentation:

I would like you to consider reviewing this idea in order to:

Raise significant and on-going money with no collections, no products to stock or deliver, no returns or charge-backs, but get an on-going income residual income, 'Month after month, after month'.

By the way, it is so easy that anybody can do it. Does it sound appealing?

The name of this idea is : "GatorPond" this will save your supporters money (which I will explain in a minute) and they will also have a lot of fun cooperating with you.

GatorPond is a 'Media Trading Program Online', where people can trade DVDs for DVDs, music CDs for music CDs, video tapes for video tapes and video games for video games, with other people who are also members of GatorPond.

Unlimited trading for only $19.95 monthly membership fee.

Your supporters will SAVE money on their Media Budget, while at the same time your Organization will earn $5.00 per month from 'every supporter' who becomes a GatorPond Member!

GatorPond will send you a check to your school/organization every month, after the monthly membership fee has been automatically withdrawn from your supporters' credit card.

Your supporters will also save on gas, because they will not need to drive to different stores to get DVDs, Music CDs, Video Games and VHS tapes.

Here is an example to explain how your school/organization will be able to raise funds.

-If you have 500 students (employees) and they will sell only 3 memberships each, that will give you the total of 1500 Memberships. Multiplying that by $5.00, will equal $7,500.00 per month and $90,000.00 per year for your school/organization.

This is with no up-front cost or risk of any kind - You can see on the chart download it in pdf file to see what will happen to your school financially. All problems will be solved with the extra monthly cash coming into your bank account. It is nothing else but a true win-win situation.

You do not need to invest any money, and you will gain passive income with minimal staff participation.

I will summarize all your benefits:

You will create passive, recurring income, with little staff participation.

You will save the supporters money and you can create a network of Supporters Nationally! You are no longer limited to those in your neighborhood!

Before explaining how your supporters save money, I want to underline something very important.

It is a fact that people usually know how much they spend on their mortgage, or car payments, or even remember how much money they spend on gas and electricity, but if you ask them how much they usually spend per year on renting videos, buying games or CD's, etc. they do NOT have any idea!

Here is a typical monthly example:

Rent 4 moviesspend anything from $16.00 to $20.00, buy 1 new release movie $20.00, later buy 2 bargain priced movies from $15.00 to $20.00; children beg for a new video game -1 video game costs from $13.00 to $70.00. Then only one music CD costs between $8.00 to $25.00.

Much to everyone's surprise, the total bill can amount from $72 to $155 per month, which equals $864 to $1860 per year!

WOW, yes it sounds crazy, but the truth is, this is the 'thief' stealing their money. They aren't aware that they have 'an uninvited guest' in their homes!

When they join GatorPond, they will save money with UNLIMITED trading, for only $19.95 per month, $239.40 per year.

Your supporters now GatorPond members, will place their 'used', (but not 'abused') Movies, Music, & Video Games, VHS tapes on their account online and they will trade 'what they have for what they want!'

All they need, is access to the Internet and an email account. Nowadays, almost every house has a computer and access to the Internet.

After they sign up, and place their media on their account online, they will be able to choose the same amount of media which they have listed. After a few clicks they will receive an email with confirmation that the selected movie will be sent in a few days.

When somebody requests their media, they will receive an email stating that they have to place a specific DVD, CD, etc. (title given) into an envelope and send it to the given address.

That's it. It's as simple as ABC!

Author:

Jack Wheadon is known for his skills in 'digging for new ideas', he doesn't stop until he hits the treasure chest! His goal is to help non-profit organizations reach their financial needs using fund-raising ideas. His motto is: 'Do to others as you would have them do unto you!'

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Online Nursing Schools - The Alternative To On-Campus Education

2009-02-22T05:57:00.000-08:00

For the thousands of people who dream of wearing that white uniform, but can't enter a program due to time or budget constraints, consider yourself enrolling in an online nursing school. There are a plethora of online nursing schools available.

1. About Online Education

Online nursing schools have made their way to the forefront of education by helping an unimaginable number of people have unprecedented access to courses they were previously, due to their geographical location, unable to pursue. Online nursing schools specifically have changed the lives of over 30, 000 students by providing them with a new career in various locations coast to coast, such as

- Columbus

- San Antonio

- Milwaukee

- Memphis

- Orlando

- Kansas

- Chicago Loop

- Chicago West

- San Francisco

- Las Vegas

- Nashville

- Madison

- Tampa

- Minneapolis

- Cincinnati

- Dallas

- Forth Worth

- Indianapolis

- San Jose

- Phoenix

- Houston

- Salt Lake City

- St. Louis

- Raleigh

- Denver

- Tempe

2. Benefits of Online Nursing Schools

Online nursing schools provide education for people who find it hard to enroll in a campus-based nursing school which is accessible and convenient for transportation. They provide comprehensive programs such as:

- Public health and safety

- Medical administrative services

- Medical and health professions

- Mental health services

- Therapeutic rehabilitation

- Medical assisting business

- Nurse assistance

- Patient care assistant

3. Occupations

Today, nursing is the biggest health care occupation in the world. It entails salaries which are noted to be at above average, and a higher rate for those advanced practice nurses with additional training and education.

One of the few trademarks these online nursing school is known for is developing an outstanding professional knowledge and skills for future working registered nurses. They're going to make great nurses out of plain people. Theoretically, online nursing schools' standard curriculum is focused mainly on the studies of the different sciences of nursing like social sciences, physical science and biological science. Online nursing schools also aim to develop and hone the intellectual and social aspects required for optimal client care as well as the cultural aspects of a professional nurse. The essential components of liberal arts is one solid foundation of all online nursing schools.

4. Types Of Degrees

I. Associate Degree in Nursing or ADN

A program which helps you develop registered nursing (RN) care in numerous given settings.

II. Bachelor of Science in Nursing or BSN

The baccalaureate degree you'll get in 4 years time. Aside from helping you provide RN care, this degree will move you up to leadership and administrative positions. Online nursing schools' BSN programs are modified to enhance the development of each students' professional knowledge and skills of registered nurses who are working. BSN Program, however, will require one to have thirty six (36) nursing core and a 3 credit integration. Upon fulfillment of this course study, students get a worth of 120-semester credit minimum requirement for the said degree.

III. Masters Entry Level Program in Nursing

This online nursing school program is for students with baccalaureate degree in another field and still want to become registered nurses. Usually, this program will take 1 or 2 years to finish it, but it will depend on the curriculum of the online nursing school you are in. Most online nursing schools requires a number of course pre-requisite you should complete. Upon graduation, students become registered nurses and earns a master degree.

For more great nursing school related articles and resources check out

What's A Pen Drive?

2009-02-21T05:57:00.001-08:00

A Pen Drive is a removable storage device that plugs into a computer's USB port. Small enough to carry on a key ring, Pen Drives are great for transferring photos, music, documents and any other data from one computer to another. Different manufacturers over the years have named their Pen Drives with many different names causing constant confusion.

As a result of this the Pen Drive can also be known as Pocket Drive, Thumb Drive, Jump Drive, USB Flash Drive, USB Flash Memory Drive, USB Key Drive, USB Memory Key and USB Memory Stick among many others!

Although none of these names are either correct or incorrect, one of the names cause a huge amount of confusion for people, this is when someone referring to a Pen Drive, uses the term "Memory Stick". This is because "Memory Stick" is a Sony trademark and refers to a type of memory card used in Sony's electronic devices, it is therefore a completely different product, which will not plug directly into your computer's USB port!

Pen Drives were invented by IBM in 1988 as a replacement to Floppy Disks but were never patented by them, M-Systems who were later contracted in by IBM to manufacture Pen Drives actually own the patent. So think of a Pen Drive as a modern day floppy disk. The main difference being that a floppy disk contains moving parts which can make the data stored on it vulnerable, a Pen Drive is solid state meaning there are no moving parts inside, making it resilient to dust and everyday magnetic fields and so a safer storage option. Also Pen Drives can hold much, much more data than the floppy disk.

Once connected to a computer's USB port the Pen Drive appears in Windows as a "Removable Drive" alongside your C Drive, CD ROM Drive etc. You can simply drag and drop photos, music, documents and any other type of data on to the "Removable Drive" just as would with any other folder on your computer (no complex recording like CD or DVD is required). The Pen Drive can then be removed (see Safe Removal of Pen Drive below) from the computer and plugged into another computer's USB port giving you access to the information you copied to the Pen Drive.

The compact size, robust nature and low cost of the Pen Drive has made it a big hit and an indispensible tool for many. It is ideal for transporting personal, or work data from one location to another, i.e. from home to school or office, or for carrying around data that someone may want to access in a variety of places. An insurance company in the US loads customer bio data and policy details on a tiny Pen Drive and advises policy holders to wear it with a neck strap in case of emergencies, another company is doing the same with policy holders who go Sking. Another company videos their conference and records it onto the Pen Drive so that the delegates can refer to it in future. Pen Drives can also be used to back up your important documents.

If you would like to know more about Pen Drives please visit our website or call us on 0845 257 2088 (9am-5pm Mon-Fri) and we will do our best to assist you. Mouse2House.co.uk supply thousands of Pen Drives to Schools, Hospitals, Businesses, Government agencies and of course private individuals. We are also able to personalise Pen Drives with logos and messages for commercial or fund raising events, minimum order quantity applies to the logo service.

Article by Iggy Quazi director of Ecommerce business www.Mouse2house.co.uk based in Essex, England stocking a wide range of digital imaging devices. For more information of a wide range of flash memory cards and more articles visit

Student loans: A good deal

2009-02-19T09:57:00.001-08:00

America is awash in debt. The consumer-driven economy is driving consumers into bankruptcy, the average household owes more than $10,000 in high-interest credit card debt spanning six or more credit cards, and the Goverment recently announced that our national savings rate was negative. (Not that the Government has room to talk; the Government is exceeding its income so much that the new exciting goal in Washington is just to cut the deficit in half by the end of the decade.)

Amidst this sea of splurge-spending that has seen consumers trade their home equity in to pay off credit cards only to max-out those same cards in the same calendar year, there is a curious reluctance on the part of the American populace to borrow money for higher education through the Stafford loan program. In fact, the same students who eagerly sign up for card after card just to get free tacky t-shirts they'll never wear complain about the amount of student loan debt that they'll have when they graduate.

If only all of America's financial troubles were linked to student loans! These loans aren't as bad as parents and students seem to believe. In fact, they're among the best deals available today. Here's why.

Attractive Rates

For the last decade, interest rates on Stafford loans have been exceptionally low, getting down to as little as 3% or less during some years. The Stafford loan rate has traditionally been variable, fluctuating based on the prime rate; by law, however, the rate has been capped at less than 9%. That means that even in a bad year, the gross interest rate paid on those funds is a lot better than the rate on most credit cards (which average around 17% and can go upwards of 25%).

Moreover, even those attractive rates only apply to the unsubsidized portion of Stafford loan debt while a student is in school (defined as enrolled half-time in a degree-seeking status). Depending on a family's financial situation -- and the terms are pretty generous here, too -- a portion of the money for which students are eligible may be subsidized. The Government pays the interest for the subsidized portion of the loans while students are enrolled.

The amount that you can borrow is capped by school year (Fr., So., Jr., Sr., and Graduate) as well as a student's dependent status with regards to his or her parents, but for a quick example, let's assume that you are a graduate student who borrows the maximum annual amount of $18,500 and qualify for the maximum subsidized amount of $8,500. Your interest rate is 8.5%, but while you're in school, you only pay that 8.5% on the $10,000 in unsubsidized loans.

That means the effective interest rate for the entire $18,500 is only about 4.6% while the borrower is in school.

Attractive Terms

In addition to being relatively cheap versus other forms of borrowing, Stafford loans offer extremely attractive terms. No payments at all are required while the borrower is in school, although students may choose to pay the unsubsidized portion of their interest to reduce payments later on. When he or she does leave school and repayment begins, there are several payment options, including a graduated pay scale that assumes a low initial income growing over time or an extended term that gives up to 30 years to pay off the debt.

And if the borrower decides to return to school? The loan can be deferred again as in-school status. Try telling a mortgage company that you won't be living in your house for a few months so you'd like to defer the mortgage!

Consolidation

At the moment, consolidating student loans remains a very powerful option for borrowers. When loans are consolidated, they shift from a variable interest rate to a fixed rate calculated as a weighted average. The average is based on the rates of each loan consolidated -- and someone who consolidated once could borrow more and then consolidate again. (Consolidation loans can also be deferred if the borrower returns to school.)

Consolidation was particularly valuable in the early part of the decade when interest rates bottomed out, giving students a chance to lock in a fixed rate of 3% or less for the life of the consolidated loan. These days, with interest rates edging up, the locked-in rate would probably be between 5% and 6%.

Tax Advantages

The last of the four key strengths of student loans is their tax treatment. Interest paid towards student loans is tax-deductible up to a certain cap. While it does phase out based on household income, the phase-out levels are fairly high and most likely don't affect many recent graduates (especially married couples).

What about grants?

In their eagerness to shun loans, Americans clamor about grant programs, particularly the Pell program. Grants are basically free money; the funds are given based on certain criteria but generally do not have to be repaid. Don't get me wrong, either: if someone offers you a grant, take it.

That being said, education is an investment in your own future. Sure, the nation has a vested interest in having an educated population, but that interest is only met if its citizens succeed in the courses that they take and actually get educated.

Grants are fine as part of the mix, perhaps, but anyone who is planning to attend a college or university should go into it confident that he or she will make enough money when it's all over to be able to repay money borrowed to finance the costs of education. I understand that there are exceptions -- some of the arts, in particular, never pay well -- and these are areas where grants make sense (though even here, I favor merit-based scholarships).

Too often, people are going to college without the slightest idea of why they are there and failing to learn anything at all. If they do that with borrowed money, fine; if they do it with tax dollars given in the form of grants, perhaps not so fine. Either way, grant money rarely covers the entire cost of education. That takes us back to Stafford loans.

Changes are coming (but it's still a good deal)

One little-noticed aspect of the recently passed Deficit Reduction Act is a provision that changes Stafford loans from variable rates to a fixed rate of a little under 7%. The Government likes this change because it makes loan interest predictable. In the long term, students will like it as interest rates get higher.

In the short term, though, this shift is bad news for borrowers who have enjoyed exceptionally low rates. My advice to borrowers? Consolidate now and lock in a fixed rate that will still be a bit lower than the new rate. Once the changes take effect in July 2006, consolidation will just create one account number without impacting interest rates.

Yet even with these changes, the Stafford loan program remains an exceptionally good deal for Americans. Sure, there's a case to be made that debt is never a good thing, but in the United States, we all too willingly embrace debt. And as far as debts go, Stafford loans are among the best debts one could have: the rates are low, the interest is tax-deductible, and the terms are generous. If the choice comes down to a Stafford loan or a credit card, ditch the lousy t-shirt and borrow from the Government.

Long live the Stafford!

James C. Samans, CISSP-ISSEP, CISA, is a twenty-something speaker and freelance writer who promotes the importance of financial planning for young professionals and recent graduates. He may be reached by email at james.samans@

Is Being a Chef a Career or a Job?

2009-02-18T17:57:00.001-08:00

When most people think of chef, what comes to mind is usually basic information that's not particularly interesting or beneficial. But there's a lot more to chef than just the basics.

Just like any other profession, whether or not being a chef is a career or a job depends largely on you. Of course, if your chef-dom is merely a job for you, don't be surprised if it doesn't take long to burn out. Fifty to 70-hour work weeks, high stress, and the creative brain drain all take their toll fairly early on those not entirely dedicated to their paycheck-maker.

Successful chefs are like other creative types they will be found "playing with their food" even if no money was involved. Like writers who write because they love to express themselves this way, and singers who belt out tunes anywhere they can get away with it, chefs are "chefs to the bone." A true chef considers the money involved merely a "bonus" to what he or she loves to be doing anyway.

While a job is just a means to an end (as in paying the bills) with 40 hours dutifully put in every week and the occasional overtime blessing (or curse, depending on your situation), a career is like a marriage: You have an unspoken commitment to yourself that you will love, cherish, and even obey this vocational calling 'til death do you part. If you ever get to know a successful professional chef, you'll immediately realize this "marriage" is a forever thing part of his or her personality that's so ingrained there is essentially no difference between that person and what they do for a living.

It's really a good idea to probe a little deeper into the subject of chef. What you learn may give you the confidence you need to venture into new areas.

Chefs live, breathe, eat, and dream about guess what? Food. Although there are many other duties associated with "cheffing," such as management, personnel, accounting, and other responsibilities, the core of a chef's livelihood is the preparation and presentation of food.

When someone earning their living comes home from work complaining of the tiredness of their feet and back, the heat of the kitchen, or the endless stream of meals that had to be prepared, it's apparent this is just a job to him or her. The career-minded chef is not even aware of being career-minded; their mind is on what went wrong, what was successful, and how could they improve on anything that happened in "their" kitchen that shift. The chef in the former state of mind wonders how to get out of his current situation; the chef in the latter mindset wants more and relishes the next opportunity to express him- or herself with food.

So when you ask if being a chef is a career or a job, no one can answer that except you. If coming home smelling like barbecue or fish or Limburger cheese appalls you, consider the fact this is often the case with chefs. You may want to save your cooking skills to the occasional at-home masterpiece that wows your friends and family. But for those of you reading this that are saying to themselves, "Yep, that's me, all right," then don't wait any longer the world's taste buds impatiently await you!

When word gets around about your command of chef facts, others who need to know about chefs will start to actively seek you out.

In the meantime you can find out more by visiting the web site listed below.

Keith Londrie II has worked and researched the subject of chefs. To learn more information, please visit the new site for culinary information at

To learn more, please visit

Keith Londrie II

klondrie @

Knives The Chef's Main Tools of the Trade

2009-02-18T09:57:00.001-08:00

When most people think of knives, what comes to mind is usually basic information that's not particularly interesting or beneficial. But there's a lot more to knives than just the basics.

Is everything making sense so far? If not, I'm sure that with just a little more reading, all the facts will fall into place.

Everyone knows that the very most important tools to a chef are knives. Forget about the cheap, disposable paring knives used by the dozens by restaurant line servers. An executive chef leans more toward the likes of the Denka No Hoto chef knives that run about $430 for a handmade 13" piece of cutlery touted as "among the finest in the world." Some chefs get so possessive of their knives, they refuse to allow anyone else to clean them other than themselves, fearing the sought-after, razor-like edge may be marred or damaged.

Professional chefs advise investing from at least $250 to $400 for a good set of quality knives that includes a paring, filleting, French, carving, and bread knife, as well as a sharpening steel and a fork. And this is a "starter" set. As a chef gains more experience and makes more money! he or she soon begins to covet the hundreds-of-dollars-per-individual-knife cutting instruments.

Sharpening steels come as adjuncts to knives, and it is not a one-kind-sharpens-all proposition, either. Steels must match the type of knife they are to sharpen. Coarser steel is used for butcher knives, for instance, while finer steel works better on paring knives. So along with your knives, you should also keep on hand the proper steels with which to keep them in excellent condition.

Cheap knife sets only mean trouble in the long run, so go ahead, take the leap, and make the investment. When buying, always inspect the blades and look for less alloys (metal mixes) in the composition and more tempered carbon stainless steel, instead. With a poor knife, you spend a lot of time sharpening it because it just won't hold an edge. Say you're in a hurry (as most chefs are) and don't sharpen it, then use it anyway. You may wind up cutting yourself badly. One trip to the emergency room, and no one will ever need to warn you again about using dull knives. As one chef said, "A good knife is like a good dog. Treat it well, and it's your friend forever."

Mandolines, while not knives, perform much the same function. These instruments slice, dice, and julienne vegetables, fruits, and meats to the user's specifications and are totally hand-operated, no electricity required. Food sliced using a mandoline comes out looking neat and uniform and cooks more evenly during deep-fat frying or sautéing. While a professional chef would most likely opt for the $200 variety found at restaurant supply houses, mandolines can be bought for as low as $30, but just like knives, it's best to buy quality over cheapness which always winds up costing you more in the end.

Chefs use many tools besides knives blenders, mixers, food processors, colanders, all kinds of hand tools such as whisks, spatulas, wooden spoons, and so on, but what struck one professional chef as his second most-needed, on-the-job tool after knives? A good attitude. This chef says that with a good approach to his profession, he is free to thrive on the adrenaline rush of busy nights at work, knowing he's in top form, and always being on the lookout for ways to improve.

Now that's some sharp tool!

Now you can be a confident expert on knives. OK, maybe not an expert. But you should have something to bring to the table next time you join a discussion on knives.

In the meantime you can find out more by visiting the web site listed below.

Keith Londrie II has worked and researched the subject of chefs. To learn more information, please visit the new site for culinary information at

To learn more, please visit

Keith Londrie II

klondrie @

What Training Do I Need to Become a Chef?

2009-02-18T01:57:00.001-08:00

The following article includes pertinent information that may cause you to reconsider what you thought you understood. The most important thing is to study with an open mind and be willing to revise your understanding if necessary.

Ready to stand on your feet up to 70 hours a week in 95-degree plus heat? Up to working with all types of people in a sometimes-frantic atmosphere and at an always-hectic pace? Prepared to wait years before you reach the top of your profession? If you can answer "yes" to these questions, you are ready to take your first step toward becoming a gatekeeper in Hades, er, I mean, a professional chef!

You can see that there's practical value in learning more about chefs. Can you think of ways to apply what's been covered so far?

Although this career can really be like the above, most successful chefs say it is definitely worth it especially if you're passionate about food. Food definitely must be the center of your life not eating it, but preparing and presenting it! (Though a taste now and then will keep the good chef on track.)

Many years of training go into the making of a professional chef, one of the reasons a deep love of food and cooking is so important. Some potential chefs begin by taking courses in high school or after-high-school vocational training programs. Others opt for formal education at private culinary schools or take culinary arts degree programs in college. Apprenticeship (usually three years) and internship (often a year) are almost always required for completion of these programs because most employers in the field today won't accept less than hands-on training when it comes to hiring people who prepare the food for which their establishments are known.

Curriculums vary, but all good cooking schools teach you how to prepare and present a number of meals appropriately using the correct equipment, along with menu and portion planning, budgeting, purchasing, nutrition, and waste control. You also learn proper sanitation and public health regulations regarding the handling of food which consist of a lot more than just a quick hand wash and a pinch of salt thrown over your shoulder for good luck.

Hotels, restaurateurs, cruise ships, and other establishments needing professional chefs look toward the American Culinary Federation (ACF) and its accreditation when going over the resume of a possible chef to work for them. The ACF puts their stamp of approval on more than 100 culinary school training programs and backs apprenticeship programs all over the USA. If you have successfully completed training that's acceptable through the ACF's recognized standards, you've got a definite leg up on your competition who've recently received certificates from Bob's Burger Flipping School. This doesn't mean you're guaranteed a job, however you just have an advantage!

Chef certification or a degree in culinary arts is not an absolute requirement for becoming a professional chef. It's just regarded as the easiest way if there is such a thing. Some chefs become what they are through working under already-well-established professionals. If they don't succeed their mentors (possibly at retirement), their mentors sometimes recommend them to other quality establishments to enable them to rise in their careers. This is wonderful if your mentor likes you; otherwise, when you leave that establishment, it's back to square one chopping, peeling, and cleaning up others' messes.

So, it's highly recommended to take the formal education route that is, if you're sure this career is to your liking. By all means, go for it! Who knows? In just a few short years, you, too, can spend hours and hours on your feet, dripping wet from the heat and exhausted from trying to get everyone doing what they're supposed to in your kitchen but hey, you'll be a chef!

Now that wasn't hard at all, was it? And you've earned a wealth of knowledge, just from taking some time to study an expert's word on chefs.

In the meantime you can find out more by visiting the web site listed below.

Keith Londrie II has worked and researched the subject of chefs. To learn more information, please visit the new site for culinary information at

To learn more, please visit

Keith Londrie II

klondrie @

How Do Chef Schools Work?

2009-02-17T17:57:00.001-08:00

The following article lists some simple, informative tips that will help you have a better experience with chefs.

Culinary schools give aspiring chefs their best shot at making it to the big time, especially those accredited by the American Culinary Federation. Just like any other profession, many of the better hospitality establishments base their hiring practices not only upon the length of education the applicant provides, but also where that education was obtained. Tuition runs the gamut from relatively inexpensive courses offered by local community colleges all the way to the Culinary Institute of America's breathtaking $40,000 price tag. And what doesn't tuition cover? Oh, just uniforms, textbooks, cutlery, and other necessary kitchen equipment.

Curricula differ somewhat from school to school, but most of the culinary student's time is consumed in learning the ins and outs of cooking by actually doing it under close supervision. Participants not only prepare food, but also learn how to plan menus, minimize food costs, buy food and supplies in quantities, and how to appropriately choose and store food. Learning proper hygiene and local public health rules also play a large part in a culinary student's education.

The best time to learn about chefs is before you're in the thick of things. Wise readers will keep reading to earn some valuable chefs experience while it's still free.

Classes are sometimes offered all day, taking a complete eight hours, while at some schools, classes are broken into morning and afternoon sessions. There are usually lectures, and then demonstrations followed by hands-on practice time with students applying the techniques demonstrated earlier. Some schools even offer part-time professional classes to accommodate working cooks wanting to increase their formal education.

A number of educational scholarships are available, among them:

The American Academy of Chefs Chair's Scholarship Ten $1,000 scholarships awarded each year

The American Academy of Chefs Chaine des Rotisseurs Scholarship Twenty $1,000 scholarships awarded annually

National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) Three yearly $2,000 scholarships for high school seniors and undergraduate students

Because years of training and experience are needed to reach the level of executive chef in most well-paying restaurants, many students serious about this profession begin their training in high school through vocational programs, then go on to a two- or four-year college or university. Apprenticeship programs offer more training afterward, and these come from individual eating establishments and are given by a personal mentor or from professional institutions and associations such as the American Culinary Federation.

Apprenticeship lasts usually about three years and is most often known as the years of "grunt work" doing all the chopping, grating, peeling, slicing, and washing necessary to prepare the ingredients for the chefs. Even cleaning appliances, sweeping and mopping floors, and other seemingly unaffiliated "chef" work gets done by the apprentice as part of his or her learning experience. Often this "trial-by-fire" period separates the truly dedicated chefs-to-be from those who are merely good cooks.

It is not impossible to attain the status of executive chef without the benefit of formal education, but in today's job market, most establishments (especially the finer hotels and restaurants) now require some type of certification to work in this capacity. Like a degree of any sort, formal training in the culinary arts may not mean you are another Julia Child or Paul Prudhomme, but it does at least signify that you've got what it takes to get through the school. So stop trying to think of ways to take shortcuts, get your tuition together, and go learn what you need to attain your dream!

Hopefully the sections above have contributed to your understanding of chefs. Share your new understanding about chefs with others. They'll thank you for it.

In the meantime you can find out more by visiting the web site listed below.

Keith Londrie II has worked and researched the subject of chefs. To learn more information, please visit the new site for culinary information at

To learn more, please visit

Keith Londrie II

klondrie @

How to Become a Freelance Chef

2009-02-17T09:57:00.001-08:00

When you think about chefs, what do you think of first? Which aspects of chefs are important, which are essential, and which ones can you take or leave? You be the judge.

Becoming a freelance chef does not mean that just knowing how to cook automatically qualifies you to go into someone's home and cook for them. Obtaining the necessary industry (yes, it is an industry!) knowledge through a comprehensive training program puts you way ahead of the game. Knowing how to market yourself as well as how to go about everyday business functions like accounting, price-setting, scheduling, menu-planning, customer relations, and more can very well dictate whether or not your freelance chef business succeeds or fails.

Two of the biggest organizations in the business of training and bestowing accredited certifications to personal freelance chefs are the United States Personal Chef Association (USPCS) and the American Personal Chef Association (APCA). Both organizations offer information regarding liability insurance, software to help with scheduling and menu planning, tools and equipment, and local chapters provide coaching, advice, and other support for members.

Thanks to the advent of these trained personal freelance chefs, many families now have their favorite meals prepared for them up to several weeks in advance, ready to simply heat and devour. For many, this means getting a decent, home-cooked meal instead of relying on fast food or tv dinners. And most personal chefs not only do the cooking, they plan entire meals, do all the necessary grocery shopping, and clean up their mess when through in their client's kitchen. Personal chefs spend, on average, four to six hours twice a month in their customers' homes making such dishes as salmon with Parmesan crust, fettuccini Alfredo, crab cakes, and other fine meals. Some suggest and provide wines, as well.

Once you begin to move beyond basic background information, you begin to realize that there's more to chefs than you may have first thought.

Pricing averages from $7 to $15 per plate, but with savings found in time saved by not having to shop or do the cooking themselves, people from singles to seniors and professionals with little or no free time, find the service worth much more than the cost.

Training schools for freelance personal chefs provide cooking and business education through seminars, personalized mentoring sessions, classroom instruction, video- and audiocassette teaching, CDs, books, and online testing for a typical price of around $900. Information varies, of course, from school to school, but usually includes such things as checklists for starting out with your business, learning how to price, preparing recipes and planning menus, packaging prepared meals for storage, sanitation and hygiene, and more. Chefs who are already certified as personal chefs and who are already successfully running their own personal freelance chef businesses commonly provide instruction and support as mentors.

Personal chefs enjoy all the benefits of any other business owner and all the responsibilities. Some freelance chefs cook for as many as 15 families. But to most, all the hard work is worth it. One personal chef summed it up nicely: "When you cook for a family for any length of time, you become a part of that family as well." And who would not enjoy that?

Don't limit yourself by refusing to learn the details about chefs. The more you know, the easier it will be to focus on what's important.

In the meantime you can find out more by visiting the web site listed below.

Keith Londrie II has worked and researched the subject of chefs. To learn more information, please visit the new site for culinary information at

To learn more, please visit

Keith Londrie II

klondrie @

Do you know when to begin teaching your child to read?

2009-02-16T17:57:00.001-08:00

It is never too early to begin teaching your child to read, or at least laying the foundation for early literacy skills, and it can definitely be left too late!

If you are not sure then think about this. Statistically, more American children suffer long-term life-long harm from the process of learning to read than from parental abuse, accidents, and all other childhood diseases and disorders combined. In purely economic terms, reading related difficulties cost our nation more than the war on terrorism, crime, and drugs combined.

Reading problems are a further challenge to our world by contribute significantly to the perpetuation of socio-economic, racial and ethnic inequities. However it is not just poor and minority children who struggle with reading. According to the 2002 national report card on reading by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), most of our children (64%) are less than proficient in reading even after 12 years of our attempts to teach them.

Even without knowing these worrisome statistics we are aware that reading proficiency is essential to success--not only academically but in life. As the American Federal of Teachers states: "No other skill taught in school and learned by school children is more important than reading. It is the gateway to all other knowledge. Teaching students to read by the end of third grade is the single most important task assigned to elementary schools. Those who learn to read with ease in the early grades have a foundation on which to build new knowledge. Those who do not are doomed to repeated cycles of frustration and failure."

More than any other subject or skill, our children's futures are determined by how well they learn to read.

Reading is absolutely fundamental. It has been said so often that it has become meaningless but it does not negate its truth. In our society, in our world, the inability to read consigns children to failure in school and consigns adults to the lowest strata of job and life opportunities.

And just when we thought the stakes could get no higher, over the last decade, educational research findings have discovered that how well children learn to read has other, even more life-shaping, consequences. Most children begin learning to read during a profoundly formative phase in their development. As they begin learning to read, they're also learning to think abstractly. They are learning to learn and they're experiencing emotionally charged feelings about who they are and how well they are learning.

What does that mean? Most children who struggle with reading blame themselves. Day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year, the process of learning to read teaches these children to feel ashamed of themselves--ashamed of their minds--ashamed of how they learn.

And the sad truth is that they have nothing to be ashamed about. As Dr. Grover Whitehurst, Director Institute of Education Sciences, Assistant Secretary of Education, U.S. Department of Education (2003) says: "Reading failure for nearly every child is not the child's failure; it's the failure of policy makers, the failure of schools, the failure of teachers and the failure of parents. We need to reconceptualize what it means to learn to read and who's responsible for its success if we're going to deal with the problem."

Do you want to wait for the policy makers to find a solution? Do you trust that they will? Or would you rather make sure that the job is done right by taking charge yourself?

I know what my answer is because I know first-hand from witnessing my brother's life-long difficulties what an irrevocable impact a reading struggle early in life can make. It can mark your child for life!

I'm not promising that your child can learn to read early or that they won't experience difficulty. After all, there is a significant number of children suffering from learning disabilities. These children will struggle. However, early instruction may ease their suffering and make the struggle a bit easier to handle. At the very least you will know that you did everything you could to help your child-and your child will know that as well. That cannot be wasted effort!

And you have a head-start on every educator because you know your child--herr temperament, her strengths, and her weaknesses. You are the person best equipped to begin teaching your child.

So we come back to the central question-when should your child's reading education begin? Traditional American Education models call for teaching a child to read between the ages of 7-9. Obviously we cannot begin teaching a newborn how to read. However, we can begin in infancy to lay the foundation for literacy which will in the end make your child a stronger reader.

Literacy is defined as an individual's ability to read, write, and speak in English, compute, and solve problems, at levels of proficiency necessary to function on the job, in the family of the individual, and in society.

Many of the simple things we do at home with our children support the development of literacy so you are already working to make your child more literate even if you are not actively beginning the process to teach your child to read. This includes simple activities such as reading to your child, reciting nursery rhymes, and singing songs.

But what if you do want to become a more active participant? There are many things you can do and it doesn't mean you need to invest hundreds of dollars in an expensive reading program. You don't actually need to spend much money at all to teach your child to read at home-or at the least prepare your child well for the beginning of reading instruction in school. Most parents already have the tools you need in your home to begin today!

This is why I stress that it is never too early to begin-if you work with your child's development and make learning fun and interesting as well as challenging.

My essential strategy as an educator is to create learning opportunities and then to get out of the way of my students so they can learn. Learning is an active experience that should fully engage the participant. I believe that when I am "teaching" that the student is only passively involved in the learning process. I see myself much more as a guide and a resource than a teacher in my classroom. I have taken this approach with my son's education and it has been very successful.

We have various learning toys and aids in our home and there are many lessons taking place each day (at home and away) but I have never drilled him on facts or even used flashcards.

If you can find ways to make learning fun and exciting-something that your child actually wants to do with you-then begin as soon as possible.

Your child will have plenty of opportunity for dry lectures, mind-numbing repetitive drills, and boring lessons as they grow older so don't even go there. If you can't make learning fun and more like play than work then don't even go there. Trust your child's education to the professionals and hope for the best. Remember, there are many wonderful teachers out there so you child is not doomed to failure even if you don't intervene. However, the system is not a success and it is likely that at some point during the process your child may be adversely effected by it! That's why I take an active role in my child's education.

Deanna Mascle offers more preschool learning resources at How To Teach ABCs and Teach Phonological Awareness.

Submitted with Article Distributor.

Pointers For A Good Choice Of Golf School

2009-02-16T09:57:00.001-08:00

According to GOLF Magazine, the Phil Ritson - Mel Sole Golf School is included among the top five good if not best golf schools in the United States. Every year since 1999, this school appears and is included among the ten best golf academies.

The Basis of the Rankings

These were according to a variety of reasons which includes the teaching quality of the golf professors, the school program and facilities, as well as the hundreds if not thousands of golf graduates that were surveyed and asked to rate the experiences they had from attending the school.

According to this particular school, they help students achieve his or her personal best, always.

Teaching Principle

The teaching principle in this golf school was formulated by Phil Ritson - he used to be a coach to Gary Player as well as other stars in the PGA and Mel Sole, who is a veteran of the PGA Tour in South Africa.

Good golf schools such as this cater to a host of golfers in different levels of skill, knowledge and expertise. They should also be open to anyone from the golf beginner and the advanced. Also, a low student to teacher ratio is best so that ample time and attention is given to teaching and learning golf without it being too expensive and unaffordable.

Visual Aids

The selection of the good golf schools as according to GOLF Magazine depended also on the various aids used in teaching the game. However, though computer generated golf swing models are used to illustrate a good golf swing, up to video analysis software that consists of four cameras to capture that perfect or imperfect shot with hopes of further improving on it, and acres upon acres of land range all help in making it conducive to study golf. Still, nothing beats a school's quality teaching instructions and curriculum.

Instructor's Credentials

The golf instructor's teaching credentials is one of the basis in the selection of good golf schools. How many years have they been teaching? How many of these teachers actually are professionals that are included in the PGA, are Class A or belong to LPGA?

In GOLF Magazine's selection, price was not included. They considered this factor as very little in the overall golf school selection since they consider that the primary reason for attending a golf school is for one to better his or her game, regardless of the price it would take for anyone to do so.

Edwin Shackleford has been helping individuals improve thier golf game for years. Visit His Site Today

Teaching the Latin Language in High School

2009-02-16T01:57:00.001-08:00

Latin was the language of the Roman Empire. All of the Romance languages, including French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian, are directly descended from this native tongue. Our own English language is heavily influenced by roots from the Latin Language (as many as 80 percent of our language can be traced to Latin). Today, Ecclesiastical Latin is the official language of the Roman Catholic Church and the Vatican. With so much influence on our own language coming from Latin, it is surprising that students are not encouraged to study it in high school and college. Though considered a "dead language", Latin education can actually help students improve English grammar, as well as provide a historical foundation for their educations.

Today, Latin is taught primarily for the purpose of translating ancient literature. It is not really taught conversationally. Proficiency in Latin is achieved in reading and translating. Often, students that study Latin in college are majors in Classical Studies, wherein they study all aspects of Ancient Greek and Roman history and Culture, or they are pre-Law or pre-Medicine students. Having a knowledge of the Latin language has obvious benefits for Law and Medical students in that they will be better able to learn technical terminology, most of which is comprised of Latin words and phrases. Classical studies majors often go on to earn Master's degrees and Doctoral degrees either in Art History or Archaeology, where knowledge of the Latin language helps them in their research, or they often devote their graduate studies to the language itself, where they can go on to teach Latin in high schools or earn a place as a professor of Classics at a college or University.

Teaching the Latin language in high school can be challenging. Most students take foreign languages to satisfy requirements for graduation, not for the enjoyment of learning a new language. And they often take "easier" language such as Spanish or French. And since Latin is not taught conversationally, learning it can be considered a boring series of memorization or vocabulary words and noun and verb endings. It is important for the Latin teacher to make learning the language for those students that do decide to tackle it interesting and not just a matter of memorizing verb conjugations and noun declension charts. There are several ways in which success in teaching Latin in high school can be achieved.

Using modern technology to teach an ancient language might seem unlikely. But, there are many resources available online to assist the Latin teacher in his or her pursuits. Many websites offer charts, tutorials, and games to not only help the teacher, but to help engage the students. Learning Latin can be made easier using technology, while allowing the students to use the Internet as a means of education. Students today are all but required to use the Internet academically, and eventually professionally. Combining learning Latin with learning Internet skills is a perfect way to bridge the gap between ancient and modern.

Another way to make learning the Latin language interesting is by incorporating Roman history and Mythology into the subject. By bringing history and myth into the study of the Latin language, students will understand the origins of the language, as well as understand the impact the language and the history of Rome has had on our modern world. Games can be played and plays can be put on, utilizing Roman mythological stories and literature, and students can learn everything from Roman military strategy to Roman engineering to Roman cooking to how Roman people dressed.

As a high school Latin teacher, it can be frustrating that the language is misunderstood and under-appreciated. But, by using modern technology and creative teaching methods, The "dead" Latin language can be brought to life, and students will learn not only the language, but have a clearer understanding of English grammar, as well as a foundation that will open up their options as they enter college. John is a director of numerous Internet companies and is a published author. Many articles have been produced on a variety of subjects with excellent content and depth. All his articles may be reproduced provided that an active link is included to

Find the essential information on where and how to learn a new or second language at

Latin Language in High School

Bartending Schools - The first step to becomming a bartender

2009-02-15T17:57:00.001-08:00

Bartending is one of the highest paying jobs without a high school degree. Believe it or not bartenders make more during their first year than college graduates. If you live in a large city such as New York, Boston, Chicago, or San Diego you can earn $50,000 your first year bartending.

Bartending Schools have sprung up across the country teaching the art of mixology for around the cost of your week's paycheck. The large rush of young adults looking for bartending certifications and training has sprung many illegal and unlicensed bartending schools. These establishments have no license from the state education department and usually close down after the season is over or when there are enough complaints about them. You can report a bad school to the Better bureau of bartending Schools at When choosing a bartending school prioritizes the schools resources and services before the price. You want to get it right the first time you go to bartender school

Currently 18 States and Washington DC have mandatory alcohol server training. You can look up your state bartending law at . Don't get it confused with bartender certification, if server training is mandatory in your state it does not mean you have to get certified from a bartending school; however, it is a good idea to do so.

Now if you decide to become a bartender here are a few tips.

1. Certification from a bartending school is just to open the door.

2. If you want to be a successful bartender you must like bartending.

3. Don't steal, and make sure your ending register amount is correct or you will appear to be stealing.

4. Bartending is more than just knowing cocktail recipes

John Barry has bartended in New York, Chicago, San Diego, Boston, and internationally. Currently he is working with to provide information for new bartenders.

What To Look For In Cooking Schools

2009-02-15T09:57:00.001-08:00

As they say, the greatest way to a man's heart is through his stomach. Is it any wonder why most women painstakingly toil and learn the art of cooking? Hence, most people who know how to cook would normally teach the others who do not know. They started having some sessions with every dish being taught every time the supposed to be teacher to his or her supposed to be student. As the time went by, this kind of teaching the others how to cook had been an invigorating activity. And so, gradually cooking schools were built, maybe with those who first taught cooking.

I. Culinary Schools - A Brief Rundown

Since its inception and practice, cooking schools had continuously provided their students, first, with the basics of cooking. Thereafter, they advanced to the next level until their students had the confidence to progress their learning on their own. The first sessions of classes in cooking schools before are not as organized as it is today. Nevertheless, the growth of the cooking schools can be traced back to the very first informal session they had before. Since then, cooking schools gradually develop into a more organized way of teaching somebody how to cook.

II. Choices

The problem is too many cooking schools. As a potential student, of course you will want to attend the very best learning institution that you can.

1. Is it accredited?

In most instances, it always takes a certificate in order to prove one's worth to an employer. In this case, a good cooking school should be accredited, and not just by so-and-so company but a valid accrediting agency. From its accreditation, you can now tell its length of service in the business. So those who have been in the business for at least 6 years are good enough, right?

2. Do you need a job right away after your training?

If so, then it's best to choose cooking schools that can give you career advancement right after your training. Good cooking schools require their students to have on-the-job-training within restaurants and hotels. In turn, it will be good exposure for you especially if you want to work for them in the future.

3. Are you particular with the student-teacher ratio?

If so, then choose a cooking school that offers at least a maximum of 15 students per instructor. This is to facilitate ease of teaching and improve better comprehension among the students. A smaller class size is better especially if the session includes mostly of a one-on-one approach.

4. Do you have a tight budget?

Normally, good cooking schools cost a lot more than the typical cooking schools. So, if you are really determined to start your cooking lessons, it's a must that you have the budget for it. Otherwise, you might just end up with a cheap one but cannot give you the right techniques as far as cooking is concerned.

5. You need a good instructor for a good cooking school, right?

That is, if you really want to know how to cook effectively and professionally. So, it's best that you check on the background of the instructors in the cooking school that you chose to enrol with. Find some helpful information if they are good enough teach you the art of cooking.

6. Proximity

Can you endure a long ride going to the cooking school? If not, then it's best that you choose a good cooking school that is located within your locality. This will give you a shorter time for commuting.

7. Is it private or a public?

If you go for public cooking schools, you might save a hefty amount of money because they are cost cheaper than the private ones. But then again, the quality of the school facilities and instruction may suffer because the government may not have allotted a budget for the school.

For more great Culinary School related articles and resources check out

Graphic Design Schools - Everything You Need To Know

2009-02-15T01:57:00.000-08:00

A successful future in the new media industry (and specifically, graphic design) depends on choosing the right school. As a graduate student in this field myself, I will be able to provide you with the absolute best advice one can get in regards to this topic.

1. Area of Focus

The first thing that you need to know about schools of this nature is that they are designed with everyone in mind, and that means people going into the program may have absolutely no experience. In my case, they asked for a portfolio of work as part of the admission process. So, if you are self-taught and eager to solidify your already existing knowledge, or a total beginner, this is a good choice for you. If, however, you have already completed a similar program, you may wish to take a new program merely to upgrade your skills (because the field of new media is always changing). If you can, it really, really, really helps if you take a freehand drawing course prior to learning how to draw using a computer.

2. Recognition

- Does the school participate in any graphical arts competitions?

- Have students accomplished anything of reknown in the industry?

3. Teachers

Trust me, this doesn't go without saying. The quality of your education will be directly related to the instructors. I have never encountered an instructor that wasn't immensely knowledgeable about the subject area. Of course, there is a big difference between knowing the subject area and being able to teach (that is, to convey that information, and manage students, answer questions, etc).

4. Job Placement

100% make sure that you get into a program that incorporates on-the-job experience. Or at least a practicum. This usually is 100 hours of real on-the-job experience and it is absolutely invaluable to your career.

5. Curriculum And Tools

You must assess whether the curriculum is relevant to you field of study. You may want to compare the curricula of different schools to see which offers the best form of education. As it so happens in my case, the administration did something they have never done before: changed the curriculum halfway through the program. The reasoning behind this was that the software we were scheduled to be instructed in would soon be discontinued on the Mac. It really pays off if you can see the facilities beforehand so you know what tools they are using. Don't just oogle at the computers, snoop around and see the programs directory and make note of what programs are installed, and if they are the latest versions.

6. Student to Teacher Ratio

Graphic design is kind of an industry that more or less demands personal contributions on every project. For this reason, you can't just be known as the photoshop guy, it is your responsibility to be well versed in a lot of different programs and techniques for creating stunning graphics and illustrations. And that means you will definately need one-on-one instruction, or at least the ability to stop the class in case you get lost. These programs are very fast-paced and if you don't make sure you fully understand concepts in the first semester you will get hopelessly lost - fast.

7. Accreditation

Accreditation means the school has passed a certain standards of educational quality. If you can, ask for literally one minute of the head departments time and find out a listing of companies that students have been hired into.

8. Cost

A full education in graphic design can cost anywhere from 13,000 to 16,000 dollars for an intensive one-year program (120 credits). The goal here is to find a university, college, or technical institute that is recognized internationally for excellence. Let's face it, Harvard University will look a lot better on your resume than Texas Community College. Three great recognized schools in are BCIT located in Vancouver Canada (Vancouver is the equivalent of Hollywood for graphic designers, web designers, and all new media experts), the Art Institute (with locations worldwide), and the Vancouver Film School (VFS) that has graphic design programs that are very specialized.

9. Scholarships

You might want to consider whether the design school you are looking at offers any scholarships. You also might want to know the terms to them too. Some schools offer scholarships based on academic performance. Some offer them based on art competitions they hold regularly. You should qualify for a national student loan either way, and repayment is extremely affordable.

For more great graphic design schools related articles and resources check out

Flight Training - Get Up There

2009-02-14T17:57:00.001-08:00

If you love heights and you simply can't ignore the satisfaction flying can give you then enrolling in flight training is a solid choice. Basically, if you want to be a pilot someday, you have to undergo excessive flight training and proper schooling in an accredited flight school. Flight training should give you the skills on how to handle, take-off, and land a very basic aircraft or glider. You will then have to go through advanced training schools to learn how to pilot large aircraft for specific training.

1. Flight regulations

Aside from the complete procedures you will undergo in a flight training, you will also be taught on areas regarding flight rules and regulations.

2. Principles of flight

Just like any professional activity, it is also important for a pilot to know the different principle in flying. This will guide them on their quest for a career in flying.

3. Medical certificate

It is important to know the needed requirements in order to start with your flight training. There is a physical requirement to be a pilot.

4. Navigation

This refers to the proper maneuvering of the aircraft along a set course.

5. Human factors

This is to equip the trainee with proper knowledge on how human factors affect the overall flying procedure.

6. Radio Communications

Here, the student is trained on how to communicate effectively with the people situated in the control area. This is to facilitate communications with an air traffic controller so as to know the condition of the air traffic in the area.

7. Meteorology

This is also included in the flight training because it is important in understanding the conditions in mid air.

8. Flight Instruction Processes

- Preparation The basics of flight

- Advanced Flying procedures and practice flying within a certain area

- Solo Flights Must be able to fly between any of the local airports and homebase

- Specific Aircraft Advanced topics such as dead reckoning, pilotage, night flying, aeronautical charts

- Certification Exam required

For more great flight training related articles and resources check out

Breaking The Silence - Forensic Nursing

2009-02-14T09:57:00.001-08:00

It was in 1992 when the term Forensic nursing was first heard. But what is it exactly? Forensic nursing is a specialty field that deals with the care of crime victims, collecting evidences and providing health care services in the prison system. It is a combined health care and judicial system profession to be precise. International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN) is the official association of forensic nurses established in 1992 by a team of nurses who specialize in sexual assault examination.

1. A Day In The Life

Contrary to popular belief forensic nurses don't spend their day hanging around with corpses. Examining victims of sexual assault and training colleagues how to treat violently injured patients eat up most of these nurses days. Another related job for a forensic nurse is providing counsel to schoolchildren who fired guns.

2. Training

Training as a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner is the entry-level position you need to obtain in order to break into forensic nursing. The nurse should be a Registered Nurse (RN) before being able to complete the specialized training needed to meet the standards of the IAFN. Forty hours of didactics and forty hours of clinical work are also needed. The nurse should be trained in handling and collecting evidences like hairs, fibers and swabs of fluids for DNA testing.

Forensic nursing is not limited to helping rape victims. Forensic nurses also work with other types of interpersonal abuse such as domestic violence, child and elderly abuse, neglect and physiological, as well as psychological abuse. They could also examine victims of near-fatal or fatal traumas like shooting or stabbing.

A lot of forensic nurses work as nurse examiners in the emergency rooms in the hospitals. In cases like shooting or stabbing, the forensic nurse works in collecting bullets and other debris left in the body that will help in the investigation. Removing the clothes the victim is wearing and storing them in a special bags are also some of their duties. They also have to photograph and measure the wounds of the patients. In case the victim dies, the nurse has to work with the medical examiner (ME).

3. Other Considerations

Forensic nurses are qualified to testify in court as an expert witness or a fact witness. As an expert witness, the nurse is allowed to give his or her opinions while on the witness stands in order to shed light on the case. On the other hand, as a fact witness, the nurse is only to state the details and answer the questions. A forensic nurse should state the information in an objective manner. It means that he or she should not speak for or against either the victim or the accused. As the duty calls for it, the nurse only has to state the information he or she obtained, not make conjecture about what he or she thinks happened.

4. Tools of the Trade

A forensic nurse should also know how to use different tools in order to document what he or she has gathered during the examination or treatment process.

- A digital camera

- An Omnichrome

- A Coloscope

To date, specialty areas are being related to forensic nursing. This includes a Forensic Nurse Specialist, Forensic Nurse Investigator, Nurse Coroner or what is known as Death Investigator, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE), Legal Nurse Consultant, Forensic Gerontology Specialist, Forensic Psychiatric Nurse and a Correctional Nursing Specialist. Forensic nursing is a growing industry in the field of nursing. More and more nurses are being drawn to it. Nursing schools are also taking notice of this need. Forensic Nurse Programs are now being offered in nursing schools.

For more great nursing related articles and resources check out

The Secrets To Finding The Right Online School

2009-02-13T09:57:00.001-08:00

Do you want to complete and online degree?

Obtaining a degree online can seem like a dream come true. You can improve your education (and chances for a better job), while learning from the comfort of your home.

But how do you know what program or university is right for you?

Picking the best Internet university may seem like a daunting task, but in truth it can be broken down into a few easy steps. Let's get started

Like the standard college or university, an online degree has a high level of standard. So the first step is to ensure that you meet the academic requirements. To do this, you must see if you can match or exceed the minimum GPA, courses taken and a high enough score from the appropriate standardized test.

The next step is to look for a school that is accredited from a recognized educational body. Most of the time, it will be obvious if an online university has an accreditation. This is because the online degree course will be part of a well-known institutional body. To help you out the Department of Education has six different accrediting bodies that you can use to research your potential school.

Thirdly, you should check out the degree program that you will be focusing on. You need to find out if this particular program is right for you. So talk to your prospective professors, check out their educational background, and ask to talk to current students. Also find out what some of the alumni are doing, and if their lives were enriched by receiving their online degree. By doing this, you are getting an idea of how the online college operates.

The final factor is if you can afford to take an online course. Some of the costs include tuition, books, special online fees and admin costs. Sometimes, you can end up spending more then you would at your standard university. So it is important to analyze your finances and see if you can afford to pay these fees.

By paying attention to these factors, you will find it easy to avoid the prevalence of so-called diploma mills. You will receive a degree that both you and your employer will be proud of.

Scott J. Patterson is the owner of an Online College Degree site. For more information on how to locate the best educational program, check out his site.

Learn The Korean Language

2009-02-13T01:57:00.001-08:00

The Korean language is spoken by more than 70 million people, primarily in North and South Korea. There are a number of native Korean language speakers in several countries, including the United States Australia, Canada, and Japan. The Korean language is made up of an alphabet of 28 characters that have been in used for hundreds of years. These characters are in no way similar the western alphabet that makes up the English, French, Spanish, and other languages. This can prove to be intimidating for someone interested in learning the Korean language. If you are a soldier, a diplomat, or just someone planning a trip to South Korea, learning the language will help you to break down cultural and communication barriers.

There are several ways you can learn the Korean language, to varying degrees. If you study Korean at a college or University, you will receive an intensive education on the alphabet, reading, writing, and speaking the language that will give you a leg up on communicating with Korean citizens and work associates. If you are planning a career in as a United States diplomat, for example, there is a chance that your job will take you to Korea. Being able to communicate with native Koreans will help you make the most of your job and experience in a new land. You will be a better representative of your country if you are able to demonstrate your willingness to learn the indigenous language. Your cultural sensitivity will be appreciated. Also, if you plan to be a teacher of English as a second language, being fluent in Korean will make your experience living there more pleasant. As an instructor of English, you will be teaching Korean students, but you will also be learning from them.

Another way to learn the Korean language is by enrolling in one of many accelerated courses that are available through community colleges and even online. An accelerated course in Korean will provide you with a basic knowledge of the language, which will allow you to understand basic phrases, and ask basic questions. You will also be introduced to the Korean alphabet, which might seem daunting. There is language instruction available for purchase, as well. You do not learn the language by memorization. Rather, native Korean speakers provide real-life scenarios that provide you the opportunity to "learn as you go", using voice technology over your computer. You get immediate feedback, which is a less stressful way for you to learn. When the learning process is less stressful, you are more apt to take the information in and retain, thus learning the Korean language with greater ease than you thought possible.

Whether you are interested in learning the Korean language for your own intellectual development and enjoyment, or you are inclined to do so for a job such a international diplomacy or teaching, learning to speak, read, and write Korean gives you the knowledge to communicate with people of a different culture, and if you are working abroad, helps you to have a less worrisome experience communicating with native Koreans. There is nothing more stressful than being unable to communicate with people while in a foreign country. Learning Korean will alleviate that stress, as well as make a good impression with your overseas associates. Learning the Korean language will enhance your travels and work experiences in that you will be appreciate the lives and culture of the Korean people, a people that seem mysterious to us. Learning a second language such as the Korean language is an intellectually and personally improving achievement that will provide many benefits to you professionally and intellectually.

Find the essential information on where and how to learn a new or second language at Learn Korean Language

John is a director of numerous Internet companies and is a published author. Many articles have been produced on a variety of subjects with excellent content and depth. All his articles may be reproduced provided that an active link is included to

Senior High Home Schooling: Help is on the way!

2009-02-10T09:57:00.001-08:00

Senior High Home Schooling: Help is on the way!

Help is on the way!

Many cities have parent co-ops to help share resources. Check with your local library to see where and when your local home schooling group meets. Sharing books and resources with other parents is an excellent, low cost option.

What if your child is smarter than you?

It's a scary thought, isn't it? But don't feel bad be proud of the great job that you've done so far. A great resource of your 'advanced student' is to tap into the online home schooling resources. There are curriculums that can be purchased and completed online. Some will provide textbooks as well as standard home schooling products. Another option is to take classes that can be held in a virtual classroom, students can use a web cam to participate or they can simply use lecture based courses online.

Should you consider public or private school instead?

Many parents feel that during the high school years, education at home is too difficult. They consider sending their child to public high school. But, this can be a difficult and troublesome transition for your teenager. The environment in a public high school can be anything but rewarding or inviting to a child who has been home schooled up until now. A private school may be better, but still has draw backs including cost. There are still the problems with your child being 'the new kid' at school. New friends, new teachers, new expectations are all anxiety producing for your child.

What else can I do?

If you feel over-whelmed about home schooling your senior high school student and don't want to consider public or private high school what else can you do? Consider your network of fellow parents who home school. What are you best at? What are their strengths? There may be a way to trade skills with other parents. A parent who has skills and interests in high school educating may be willing to teach your child along with their child in trade for you teaching one of their children who is younger. The double bonus here is added socialization for both high school students.

Post Secondary Option

Another resource for your 'advanced student' is the post secondary option at your local college or junior college. This has great advantages for both you and your student. Your child won't be branded as 'the new kid' everyone at college is new. Many times you don't pay college tuition for the classes that your child takes. Your child receives high school credit and enjoys the socialization and mental stimulation that advanced classes can bring. It's a win win for both of you!

Brought to you by Help-For-High-School-M and Home-S where help is what we're all about!

I developed Help-For-High-School-M and Home-S to give parents resouce ideas to help with home schooling their most valuable asset - their kids!

Playing An Active Role In Your Children's Homeschooling

2009-02-09T09:57:00.001-08:00

Homeschooling is an option that many parents choose when they feel that, for whatever reason, their child will not be getting the best education in a public or private school system. Homeschooling allows for a variety of curriculum and teaching techniques to be applied that suit your child's particular needs - often that is unlikely to happen in a large classroom setting. One of the benefits - and also one of the difficulties - in homeschooling is the extreme amount of flexibility it affords. In order to homeschool successfully, it is important that you understand, and decide how to handle this conundrum.

While there are many benefits to homeschooling, it also requires discipline. In the same way that working from home can be difficult, homeschooling can be difficult because it requires you make a distinction between home and school while still remaining at home. Like almost everybody, there are going to be times in your family life when you are extremely busy or dealing with serious distractions. It can be tempting at these moments to try and multitask: that is, to both educate your children and deal with other aspects of your life. There can be a tendency among homeschooling parents to place an assignment in front of their children and then leave the room to engage in other activities.

If you do this you will severely limit the value of your child's education. When homeschooling you should think about public and private school systems, and use them only as a benchmark for reference, but not as a strict and limited tool of measurement. You should be trying to surpass, or at the very least match, the level of education your child would receive in one of these environments. Now, if you think about a public school classroom, you'll see that the teacher is always in the room. It is one of the most fundamental rules of teaching -- even if the students have been assigned work to complete on their own in class time, the teacher remains in the room in order to assist the students. You may not have to sit continually with an older child, but being accessible is vital. Accessibility is not limited to being in the home, but also being available to drop what you are doing with out irritation should your child need assistance.

You should also adhere to this principle. Children learn by example, in subtle ways that are not always within our control. If you assign your children work and leave to go do other things you are sending a message to them that the schooling is not of a highest priority for you. Even if they cannot articulate it, this negative message in terms of your priorities will affect the children's attitude towards their education.

When homeschooling your children, the hours that you spend teaching should be hours in which your children's education are the number one priority. Errands or other household duties should be left for "after-school" hours. When "school is in," you should be to. Of course, there will be many instances where you will be trying to get your children to learn how to work independently, but at these times you should still be physically, mentally and emotionally available for questions or your children's need for assistance. Independent learning is not a wise option at all when your child is still young or new to homeschooling. Being an independent learner is a growth process. As a homeschooled student approaches high school and prepares for college, some subjects and topics are best to be self-directed, but never ignored by the parent.

By always being present during your children's education you make them understand that their education is a serious thing, not simply something to occupy them while you take care of more pressing activities.

Donna L. Miller is a Homeschooling Mother of three High School students. She is a former Private School teacher, and a Certified YMCA Summer and After School Camp Director, and Family/Teen Program Director. She has been homeschooling for 10 years, and remains very active in Community Homeschool issues. Donna is the Moderator for several online homeschool forums and parent support groups, and maintains the popular site:

Tai Chi for Over Fifties And Under Fifties!

2009-02-08T09:57:00.001-08:00

Tai Chi is an internal martial art which can be soft and gentle. It can and should be practised in a flowing way for practitioners of any age. Particlularly, in China and the est nowadays, people ove r 50 are taking up tai chi whilst the younger generation in china are not so interested in such a traditional art!

Tai chi has been proven by the 3000 years of Chinese experience and recent medical studies into te benefits of qigong [tai chi is acomplete qigong] to be beneficial to the health of the individual practioner. Complete recovery of from diseases from cancer to colds has been documented through diligent pratice of tai chi.

Tai chi can also be used to control arthritis. It is recommended that you learn under a highly experienced instructor, who has over 10 years of experience and has learned in China or from a well-recognized master with verificable "lineage". This is because you want to be learning the real thing and benefitting by clearer mind, healthier body and gradual recovery from any health challeneges you may have experienced or be experienceing.

Tai chi chuan means "supreme ultimate fist". What does "supreme ultimate" mean to you? Tai chi is really about the cultivation of mind, body, spirit and also to kinds of energy, which we don't have a proper concept of in the West. Those are internal energy, or chi which is present in the body from birth and we also get it from air and food. External energy is the energy that is in the universe. We learn to build up the chi in our bodies in tai chi and that helps us to improve our health. This is the medical aspect of tai chi. We learn to utilize the external energy in tai chi which is the martial aspect of the martial art of tai chi.

Tai chi is said to have been invented approximately 5000 years ago, legend has it either by a Taoist priest named Chang Seng Feng or passed to the ancient Chinese people by a group of people reputed to have been 7ft tall and these people - "the sons of reflected light" are said to have taught the arts to the chinese which has made their civilisation so advanced since as long as 3000 year ago as documented by discoveries of the porcelain and silk items in archaeology.

Chang Seng Feng is reported to have witnessed a fight between a crane and a snake and noticed the yielding and striking qualities of these animals and designed tai chi based on observations of nature. Tai chi is thus performed slowly and changingly, "flowing like a river" to promote longevity and health. does the tortoise or the elephant move quickly and fast? And how long do these creratures live for? Is it not possible then that we should slow down in our lives and relax like these long-living creature to improve our own chances of living long lives?

We imitate the movements of many animals in the tai chi form - a sequence of movements or postures which flow into each other. These stretching and strengthening exercises have very poetic names, beautiful such as White Crane Spreads Its Wings, Golden cock Stands On one Leg and Fair Lady Weaves The Shuttles.

Tai chi is a healthy exercise which improves circulation. The author used to be a medical student at Sheffield university and notes that Tai chi was used in the Royal Hallamshire Hospital to aid recovery for heart attack patients. Tai chi incorporates breathing and movement as well as internal assage of the body's organs and stretching of muscles, tendons and ligaments. Keeping a clear mind is important and whilst the exercise is anaerobic, i.e. not strenuous, the body feel invigorated after proper practice and one can feel energy circulating in the body after practice -so don't overdo it. The key is consistent daily practice and taking responsibility for your health 100%

Sam Beatson runs Sam Beatson Runs Several

and

Problem Solving And Conflict Resolution For Children

2009-02-07T09:57:00.001-08:00

Problem solving and conflict resolution for children should begin being taught early on. If you're a parent of multiple children in your family this becomes apparent as it won't take siblings long at all to become engaged in some type of 'sharing' violation with one another. Children of a family with other children almost immediately are engaged in a social type of activity albeit only with their brothers and sisters early on. Conflicts and resolving those conflicts soon become part of their day.

At an early age children are in more of a self exploration and self discovery mode. From there and from a socialization progression you will see kids playing together but not as a coordinated group. In other words, the next progression is to see a group of children 'geographically' playing together but they all still have their own toys and objects. The next step of the socialization of play is around 2 to 3 years old where you'll see kids begin activities that begin to require interaction and subsequently problem solving and conflict resolution.

As a homeschooling parents you have the opportunity to actually teach conflict resolution and problem solving techniques and skills rather than just solving them. As a part of conflict resolution it's important to get children to express themselves and their feelings and get past their initial emotional reaction. This will initially take some time and practice, and you should take the time to get back to, and discuss the conflict that occurred at a later time or date after the emotions have calmed sufficiently down. Discussing previous conflicts and how they could have reacted and handled them is a key in their emotional growth.

As all children do early on, before they have the ability to concisely express themselves, they learn that many times crying and even screaming resolves their conflict because as parents we try to assuage the behavior by getting them what they want or need. The time needed for this emotional growth and self education just isn't available in the public schools. But as a homeschooling parent this should be a practiced activity.

Understanding and teaching conflict resolution to your children is an integral part of their social development and growth. Without these tools, children will grow into adults resolving problems the only way the have ever known how to do with emotional behavior, and sadly, many times with force.

There is a tremendous amount of excellent information on these techniques and teaching them to children of all ages. Make them part of your day, and a part of your child's life and they will grow in depth and confidence.

Mary Joyce is a former educator, successful homeschool parent, and has written many articles on

homeschool information for the Homeschool-Curriculum-4u website. Please visit (http://www.homeschool-curriculum-4u.com/homeschool-information.htm) for more of Mary's articles, resources on homeschool, ideas, and curriculum information.

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Student loans: A good deal

Is Being a Chef a Career or a Job?

Knives  The Chef's Main Tools of the Trade

What Training Do I Need to Become a Chef?

How Do Chef Schools Work?

How to Become a Freelance Chef

Do you know when to begin teaching your child to read?

Pointers For A Good Choice Of Golf School

Teaching the Latin Language in High School

Bartending Schools - The first step to becomming a bartender

What To Look For In Cooking Schools

Graphic Design Schools - Everything You Need To Know

Flight Training - Get Up There

Breaking The Silence - Forensic Nursing

The Secrets To Finding The Right Online School

Learn The Korean Language

Senior High Home Schooling: Help is on the way!

Playing An Active Role In Your Children's Homeschooling

Tai Chi for Over Fifties And Under Fifties!

Problem Solving And Conflict Resolution For Children

Knives The Chef's Main Tools of the Trade