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Mythological Matters

Today's guest Learning and Professional Development article is another in our series of excerpts from the great book book i before e (except after c) by author Judy Parkinson.

Mythological Matters

Mnemosyne is the Greek goddess of memory, daughter of Gaia and Uranus. She lay with Zeus for nine nights and gave birth to the nine Muses: Calliope, Euterpe, Clio, Erato, Melpomene, Polyhymnia, Terpsichore, Thalia, and Urania.

Carol Eats Crunchy Eggs, Mashed Potatoes, Then Throws Up.

In classical art, the Muses are represented by emblems, or mnemonic symbols, of which the masks of comedy and tragedy are probably the most familiar.

Name -- Association -- Mnemonic symbol   

Calliope -- Chief of the muses and muse of epic poetry -- writing tablet   
Euterpe -- Muse of music -- flute   
Clio -- Muse of history -- scroll and books   
Erato -- Muse of love poetry -- lyre and crown of roses   
Melpomene -- Muse of tragedy -- tragic mask   
Polyhymnia -- Muse of sacred poetry -- pensive expression   
Terpsichore -- Muse of dance -- dancing with a lyre
Thalia -- Muse of comedy -- comic mask
Urania -- Muse of astronomy --  staff and celestial globe

Memorizing the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World

Today's guest Learning and Professional Development article is another in our series of excerpts from the great book book i before e (except after c) by author Judy Parkinson.

The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World

The seven wonders of the ancient world were chronicled in the second century B.C., but a list has been discovered in The Histories of Herodotus in the fifth century B.C. The final list of amazing monuments to religion, mythology, and art was compiled in the Middle Ages.

1. Statue of Zeus at Olympia
2. Lighthouse (Pharos) of Alexandria
3. Mausoleum of Halicarnassus
4. Pyramids of Egypt
5. Hanging Gardens of Babylon
6. Temple of Artemis at Ephesus
7. Colossus of Rhodes

This mnemonic phrase has proved useful in remembering the seven wonders:

Seems Like Mata Hari Picked Her Targets Carefully.

The above is an excerpt from book i before e (except after c) by author Judy Parkinson.  Judy Parkinson is a graduate of Bristol University in England.  She is a producer of documentaries, music videos, and commercials, as well as the recipient of a Clio Award for a Greenpeace Advertisement.  Parkinson has published four books and has contributed to a show of life drawings at the Salon des Arts, Kensington.  She resides in London.

Memorizing the Roman Emperors

Today's guest Learning and Professional Development article is another in our series of excerpts from the great book book i before e (except after c) by author Judy Parkinson.

Memorizing the Roman Emperors

After Julius Caesar, the Roman general and statesman who became dictator of the Roman Empire before his assassination in 44 BC, the first five emperors of Rome were all Caesars. The first emperor was Julius Caesar's adopted son (and great-nephew), Augustus, who handed down the title to his son-in-law Tiberius. From Augustus to Nero, Caesar's descendants, by adoption, marriage, or birth, all inherited the family name:

Augustus (31 BC-AD 14)
Tiberius (AD 14-37)
Caligula (AD 37-41)
Claudius (AD 41-54)
Nero (AD 54-68)

Here's a phrase to help remember the names by which they were most commonly known:

Another Tom Cat Caught Napping.

The next six Roman emperors after Nero are Galba, Otho, Vitellius, Vespasian, Titus, Domitian:

At The Cat Club Never Give Out Violent Vermin To Dogs

The above is an excerpt from book i before e (except after c) by author Judy Parkinson.  Judy Parkinson is a graduate of Bristol University in England.  She is a producer of documentaries, music videos, and commercials, as well as the recipient of a Clio Award for a Greenpeace Advertisement.  Parkinson has published four books and has contributed to a show of life drawings at the Salon des Arts, Kensington.  She resides in London.

Parent-Teacher Conferences, A Time to Celebrate Strengths

Today's guest Family Life article was written by Jenifer Fox, author of Your Child's Strengths: Discover Them, Develop Them, Use Them.

It is parent-teacher conference time and you arranged your schedule three months in advance to attend. If you are like most parents, you feel a certain amount of anxiety around this event. You attend hoping there won't be any surprises and that you won't discover that your child is experiencing any difficulties. Unfortunately, most parent-teacher conferences focus on grades rather than children, with the primary goal of addressing a child's area of weakness. Few parents go to conferences with the main goal of discovering where and how their children excel. I know, I was a teacher for ten years and the parents of the students who were getting A's in my class rarely attended conferences, or if they came, they usually breezed by my table, winked and whispered, "Keep up the good work."

Parent-teacher conferences become an occasion to look forward to when they are viewed as prime opportunities to talk with teachers about your child's strengths. What exactly are strengths? Strength are the activities that energize and excite your child when he is doing them. This is as opposed to his weaknesses, the activities that leave him feeling depleted. There are three kinds of strengths: Activity Strengths (the things you do that energize you), Relationship Strength (the things you do with and for others that make you feel energized and proud) and Learning Strengths (the ways that learning makes the most sense to you). All of these strengths are discoverable land your child can develop them to find success.

The conversation about changing our minds, our schools, and our nation to a paradigm that focuses on strengths begins with parents and teachers. Parents, teachers, and students can begin to form a strength alliance between the home and the school. If you are a parent and use this book at home, share it with your school. Likewise, if you are a teacher and practice these exercises and philosophies with your students, waste no time in sharing them with your students' parents. Here are some exercises to help advance the strength alliance.

• Draft a one-page letter to your child's teacher if you are a parent, to a child's parent if you are a teacher, or to both your teacher and your parent if you are a student. In the letter, describe the Learning Strengths of the child in question in as much detail as you can. Include how he -- or you, if you're the student -- likes to learn, what things he enjoys doing most, what type of environment works best for him, and what he finds difficult. Share this letter with the person for whom you wrote it. If you are a parent, bring the letter to parent-teacher conferences.
• Read the following case study and answer the accompanying questions:

Yolanda's Day in School: Yolanda is a focused student. She takes everything she does in class very seriously and listens very well to the teacher. She does not like to participate in group activities, and she does not raise her hand much or contribute to class discussions unless the teacher calls on her. Although she completes all her assignments, sometimes her work is not correct. At recess, Yolanda likes to sit in the shade and read. She has a few friends that sit with her, but she does not like to join in the large group activities on the playground.

Given what you know about Learning Strengths, create a learning profile of Yolanda. Ask a teacher or another parent to do the same, and then compare your decisions and insights.

The above is adapted from the book Your Child's Strengths: Discover Them, Develop Them, Use Them by Jenifer Fox. The above excerpt is a digitally scanned reproduction of text from print. Although this excerpt has been proofread, occasional errors may appear due to the scanning process. Please refer to the finished book for accuracy.  Copyright © 2009 Jenifer Fox, author of Your Child's Strengths: Discover Them, Develop Them, Use Them.

i Before e Except after c

Over the next few weeks, on our Learning and Professional Development Wednesdays, I am going to be sharing with you some great excerpts from the book i before e (except after c) by author Judy Parkinson.  I was thrilled to receive this book for review and can't recommend it highly enough.  Here's a brief overview of the book:

Featuring all the mnemonics you’ll ever need to know, this fun little book will bring back all the simple, easy-to-remember rhymes from your childhood—once learned, fix the information in the brain forever—such as learning to count by reciting “One, Two, buckle my shoe, Three, Four, knock at the door.” Packed with clever verses, engaging acronyms, curious—and sometimes hilarious—sayings that can be used to solve a problem or cap an argument.

Take a trip back to the classroom, and rediscover the assortment of practical memory aids covering a range of different subjects, including spelling, time, mathematics, history, general trivia, and much more. The information is organized in short snippets by category such as:

• Geographically Speaking: Remember North East South West by reciting Never Eat Slimy Worms or Naughty Elephants Squirt Water.
• Time and the Calendar: “Thirty days hath September, April, June, and November; All the rest have 31 excepting February alone; And that has 28 days clear; With 29 in each leap year”
• Think of a Number: Know the Roman numerals by remembering “I Value Xylophones Like Cows Dig Milk”
• World History: “In fourteen hundred, ninety-two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue, And found this land, land of the Free, beloved by you, beloved by me”

The clever verses, engaging acronyms, curious sayings are endless. Guaranteed to amuse and inform, here is a perfect gift for any language lover—complete with a To/From gift plate.

Here's this week's excerpt for your learning convenience:

The Greek Philosophers

The names of the three most important Greek philosophers, in order of their dates of birth and also their influence, are:

Socrates (469-399 BC)
Plato (c. 429-c. 347 BC)
Aristotle (384-322 BC)

Socrates taught Plato, and Plato taught Aristotle. Together they created the foundations of Western philosophy. Use your visual memory and imagine them meditating in a health SPA. Or think of the phrase: Smart People of Athens.

The above is an excerpt from book i before e (except after c) by author Judy Parkinson.  Judy Parkinson is a graduate of Bristol University in England.  She is a producer of documentaries, music videos, and commercials, as well as the recipient of a Clio Award for a Greenpeace Advertisement.  Parkinson has published four books and has contributed to a show of life drawings at the Salon des Arts, Kensington.  She resides in London.

Printable Homework Charts Keep Mom From Pulling Her Hair Out

Today's guest post was written by Colleen Langenfeld.

If you are battling with your kids over doing homework, there is a simple tool that can really help. Printable homework charts have made a difference in many homes and they can work in your home, too.

This premise is amazingly straightforward. Kids, like most adults, need structure. However, most kids do not understand their need for structure and will not institute any on their own. That's normal and where you, as a parent, can really shine.

 Helping your student get organized using homework charts is easy. Realize you may have to make tweaks in your system over the first few weeks. Many parents are frustrated with a new system that doesn't work perfectly the first time. Don't fall for that! Making changes over time is called progress and should be celebrated.

Start by sitting down with your child and going over his homework needs with him.

- How many classes or subjects does he have?

- What are the daily assignments that never change; such as daily reading or memorizing math facts.

- Are there days of the week he never has homework?

Use this information to get a feel for your child's homework needs and then head to your computer to get some printable homework charts. There are a wide variety of charts available online; some simple and some quite sophisticated. Take a look at your choices and print some charts out to get started. You can always get different ones later on.

Fill out the homework chart for the first week or month. Consider that this is a new habit for your child and some motivation to stick with the program will probably be needed. This is not so much about grades as about becoming responsible for doing the homework with minimal prodding from you.

Let the homework chart be the 'heavy' or authority on this issue. Explain to your child about this new system designed to help make her life easier (which it will absolutely do if she gets on board with it). Tell her there will be frustrations at first, that's fine, but grown-ups push through frustrations with a decent attitude.

Then get started. Each day point to the homework chart and ask if she has completed it for the day or how far she has gotten. Keep pointing out the natural consequences for not keeping on top of homework and establish your own family consequences for not keeping school a priority.

If you begin this system when your children are young and just starting out with their educational careers, you will find that you don't have any difficulties nagging about homework as they grow. If your kids are older and have already established non-productive homework patterns, then your work will take longer, but you can still get the job done. Let's face it. Adults complain loud and strong when they have to make changes they don't like, so why should we expect our half-grown children to be any different? That's human nature and as parents, we can be patient and show our kids the great skill of changing ourselves willingly and intentionally.

Use printable homework charts in your home to develop strong self-discipline habits and a healthy appreciation for education. Good homework habits are worth their weight in gold over the lifetime of your family.

Colleen Langenfeld has been parenting for over 27 years and helps other moms enjoy mothering more at http://www.paintedgold.com . Visit her website and grab your own printable homework charts today.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Colleen_Langenfeld

Life Lessons on a Unicycle

Today's guest post on the topic of Learning and Professional Development was written by John Bishop of GoalSettingForStudents.com.

"For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips speak only words of kindness."        Audrey Hepburn

Ever try to ride a unicycle? Many people call it “terror on a stick,” and I agree. But it is also a great teacher of some valuable life lessons.

I chose a unicycle to teach my grandchildren some valuable lessons.  At sixty years old many of my friends thought I was out of my mind. In truth, I thought they might be right, particularly after my first fall. Older people do not heal as quickly as they did when they were twenty, and I’m certainly no exception.

But it was important to teach my grandchildren that they can do anything they want to if they are determined and willing to put in the extra effort. Riding a unicycle is not easy at any age, but at sixty it was a real eye-opener.

What I learn about life on a unicycle:

1. Some of life’s lessons are painful, but keep trying.
2. Determination helps you overcome your fears.
3. You won’t go very far without balance in your life.
4. Breathe naturally, even when you are afraid.
5. Practice, practice, practice.
6. Don’t be concerned about what others are saying.
7. On a unicycle you will stand out in a crowd.
8. You’re as old as you think you are.
9. If you believe you can go for it.
10. You can do anything you make your mind up to do.

I’m not professing that everyone should start riding a unicycle. I am suggesting that it is important to get out of your comfort zone and try something new. Some of life’s most important lessons do not come easy.

Ideas for Implementation

1. What have you always wanted to do? Take singing lessons, hike the Appalachian Trail or take a college course? If it’s realistic; go for it. If not, modify your dream to fit your current situation.
   
   
2. Develop a plan with a goal, action steps, and a timetable for completion.
   
   
3. Find a partner to help and share in your newfound excitement.

Please visit the archive section of www.goalsettingforstudents.com  for more life skills ideas to help teenagers succeed.

Lovin' My Library

My favorite purchase at my recent trip to Macworld Expo was my acquisition of Delicious Library 2, a wonderful piece of software that’s helping me regain a bit of control over my incredibly chaotic  library.

I’ve tried other systems before, but without great results.  The amazing thing about Delicious Library 2 is its partnership with my Macbook’s built in iSight webcam.  The camera scans the book’s barcode and within seconds, the book appears on the virtual bookshelf on my computer screen.  Books can be sorted by title, by author, or even by other “smart” selection terms.  I can create multiple virtual shelves, placing all of my time management books on one shelf or all of the books relating to faith, family, or parenting on another.  Books can appear on more that one shelf if they fall into multiple search criteria.

This may not excite some of you as much as it does me, because Delicious Library combines my love of my books with my love of my computer.  As a book reviewer, I can easily scan newly received books into my library and go ahead and place them on my bookshelves instead of stacking them around the floor of my office.  The $29 bargain price I paid for the software will likely save me hundreds in doctor bills since I’m less likely to trip over a stack of books and break my leg!

Delicious Library runs only with Apple computers with Leopard installed, but if you’re looking to organize your books on a PC, I can also recommend LibraryThing.com, a terrific online book catalog service that’s half database, half social networking environment.

I will admit to having a hoarding problem when it comes to books.  Very few things make me happier than finding one of my favorite author’s books in a used bookstore to round out my collection. 

Do you love collecting books, or are you a kind book sharer?  How do you organize your personal library - by name, by topic, or randomly?  What are some of your favorite books?

10 Ways to Accomplish Your New Year's Resolutions

On Wednesdays, I share my thoughts on Learning and Professional Development.  Today's guest post was written by John Bishop of GoalSettingforStudents.com. 

Successfully completing your New Year's resolutions can be difficult, but with a little planning and determination you can greatly improve your chances for success.

The ideas below should help you stay focused, positive and motivated.

Ten ways to improve your chances for success:

1. Be realistic. - Make sure that the resolution(s) is realistic. Set yourself up for success by setting one or two reasonable and attainable goals that stretch your capabilities.
   
2. Write down your goal and action steps. - Break down the goal into achievable parts called action steps. With the completion of each action step you are moving closer to accomplishing your goal.
   
3. Set a time table. - Without a specific completion date, your resolution is only a wish.
   
4. Read the resolution(s) each night before bed and again when you wake up.
   
5. Determine what you will sacrifice. - Accomplishing your resolution will take time and effort on your part. What habits and behaviors are you willing to change in order to reach your goal?
   
6. Be determined and minimize excuses. You will face some hurdles as you strive to be successful. Avoid making excuses that stop you from reaching your goal.
   
7. Use the positive “I'll Make It Happen” words like: yes, I can and I will.
   
8. ”Minimize the Bummer Words” words. - Bummer words include - “no, can't, won't, never, maybe, and if.
   
9. ”Ask yourself each day, “Did I give my best effort today's activities?” An honest answer will help you stay focused and move you closer the successful completion of your New Year's Years Resolutions.
   
10. Don't be afraid to ask for help.

Good luck! This is your life! Your goals! Your success!
You are a WINNER!

The University of YouTube

On Wednesdays, I share my thoughts on Learning and Professional Development.

I love YouTube.  I can't tell you how many times I've turned to it when stumped and come up with the perfect video to help me work through my particular dilemma.

So last week, when we had a family "crisis", we turned to the computer and the problem was resolved within five minutes.

The "crisis" in question was the proper tying of a necktie.  You see, one of my sons had a tie wearing occasion and dad was out of town for the week.  I tried initially to put the tie on my own neck and imitate some of the wrapping moves I've seen my husband perform for over twenty years, but the end result was quite laughable.

So we turned to YouTube and within five minutes had a perfectly tied tie!  It's uncanny that there seem to be several helpful videos for just about anything that I need to learn.

What's the most original thing you've ever learned from YouTube?  What are some of your other favorite sources for learning things online?