Category: Elementary

Throughout elementary and high school, you have probably heard students say, “What’s the point of learning this?” and “When am I going to use this information in my future job?” Maybe you have even been the person saying this. However, there is much more to your education than some parabolas and rhetorical devices you may not use when you’re older. Once you grow up and have a job you will quickly realize the importance of education. It’s just hard to imagine it right now as you are in the midst of it. I’ve heard countless adults say that they regret not going back to college or university to get a higher degree because they would have a better chance of earning more money in the long run.

In order to get a full-time job, most require at least a high school diploma, especially jobs that have an average salary. Most students strive for their dream jobs. Whether that be a doctor, psychiatrist, teacher, lawyer; all of these require a high school diploma along with post-secondary education, and more requirements depending on the job you are hoping to achieve. Education is crucial to earning money; the more education you have, the better job you will get and therefore you will earn more money. The only downside is you need to have patience and stick with it. Did you know that approximately 1.2 million high school students drop out every year? A portion of those students will go on to get jobs and work their way up in order to have a full-time job and be successful. However, the majority of these students will suffer the consequences and may not be able to get a full-time job.

Along with this, it’s important in order to have basic education and to be able to do everyday things like writing, calculating, taxes, etc. The more education we have, the more successful we will become, and without any education, how would we be able to everyday tasks at work without having this knowledge? We wouldn’t. Next time you’re shopping and calculating the tax on an item, or calculating how much of your paycheque to put into your savings account, or even giving instructions to a coworker; think about how difficult this would be if you hadn’t had any education at all. It’s important to follow through with your education. When you’re older and it’s time to get a full-time job, everyone wants a high-paying job with a good salary. Secondary and post-secondary education increases your chance at success in the work field immensely.

Lastly, education is important for our society as a whole in order to become smarter, make advances in the medical and science fields and learn more about ourselves and our world. Think back to the 1800s where they had very minimal access to education if any. As a society, we have made such progress with education. There are hundreds of elementary and secondary schools and even a few post-secondary schools that allow access to free education. This is a basic human right that everyone deserves and should partake in so long as they have access to it. It makes an enormous difference in our society when we are all learning and growing together.

It can be exhausting; all of the homework and schoolwork on top of our everyday lives. It can feel unnecessary and stressful. However, all of the hard work and effort we put in, is an investment in our future lives, our families, and ourselves. I can almost guarantee that when you’re older, you will be so glad that you pushed yourself to get through your education. You will see that getting a proper education is worth the outcome.

References:

1. https://www.borgenmagazine.com/top-10-benefits-of-education/

https://positivewordsresearch.com/education-is-the-key-to-success-in-life/

By Erin Rebello

Gardening is a great way to relieve stress and truly gives you the opportunity to care for something from seed to flower. However, as more and more people move into apartments and condominiums, it’s becoming just about impossible to cultivate a backyard flower field. As a result, many are turning to indoor gardens to get their daily dose of greenery. If you’re interested in creating a plant-haven in your own home, keep reading to learn more!

Things to Consider

Although it’s really quite simple to grow your own garden indoors, there are a few key essentials that are crucial to the success of your floral endeavours! For starters, make sure that you purchase a pot large enough for your plants. You should make sure to research this carefully in order to ensure that you’re giving your plants plenty of room to grow and thrive. Another thing to research is the type of soil to use for your plant. You shouldn’t just scoop some soil from outside into your flower pot and call it a day! While some gardens need a type of soil called loam soil, others need sand or silt, and it all depends on what you’re growing.

Another thing to remember is that indoor gardening is all about being resourceful and finding ways to creatively navigate any issues you may face. Also, since plants are meant to be grown outdoors, there are a lot of additional factors that you will have to make up for. For example, if you can’t give your plants direct sunlight, you could position them near a sunny south-facing window. Since your plants won’t receive any rain, you’ll need to remember to water them regularly. If your plants are accustomed to warmer temperatures, you should keep them in the warmest place of the house. In this way, you can ensure that your plants receive the best possible indoor care!

Grow it Yourself

To get you started on your gardening journey, here are a few great fool-proof flowers, herbs, veggies, and other plants to try for yourself!

Flowers are a great way to brighten up any room and get some much needed greenery into your life! These bursts of colour can be grown in pots around your home, and are usually sold partially or fully-grown so you won’t need to sow the seeds yourself! Easy peasy!

• Begonias
• African Violets
• Geraniums
• Primroses
• Black eyed Susans
• Orchids

Growing herbs work well if you’re a master in the kitchen and absolutely need the very freshest for your dishes! Herbs also grow fairly quickly, and can be easily dried for future projects!

• Basil
• Mint
• Thyme
• Rosemary
• Cilantro

If you’re patient and ready for a challenge you might want to consider growing some simple vegetables indoors! You’ll have to do lots of research and be very careful with your plants, however, you’ll find that the end result is quite delicious!

• Lettuce
• Kale
• Arugula
• Cherry or grape tomatoes
• Microgreens

Succulents, cacti, and houseplants are safe bets for indoor gardening. They’re usually easy to grow and maintain, and will fill any space with life!

• Spider plant
• Snake plant
• Chinese money plant
• Bunny ear cacti
• Slow-growing bamboo
• Peace Lily

What jobs do you want to do? It can be hard to figure out what career you want to explore while in school. But there are many ways to get ready. In fact, you can start at home! By practicing different jobs in your house or apartment, you will gain experience and a better understanding of your strengths and interests. Modern technology with some imagination means you can find ways to pretend or even perform many different jobs without ever having to leave your home.

A lot of physical jobs can be done at home as chores. Many people are very busy with work and taking care of their families, and it is hard for them to keep their houses clean. Help out at home with vacuuming, dusting, doing the dishes, cleaning and folding laundry, and more. You can work your way up to bigger chores, such as painting, fixing broken items, and preparing meals. The variety of tasks are the same things you would be doing as a cleaner for an office, superintendent for an apartment building, or a personal support worker helping those who are sick. Chores cover a lot of careers!

You can practice a lot of different jobs without stepping outside by simply going online. A lot of people make money by doing projects as freelancers. You can write blogs, make YouTube videos, create your very own website, and more, even if you are not trying to make money from them right now. These jobs may not make lots of money, but they can be very helpful for someone who works part-time or is self-employed. They can also be part of larger careers that involve marketing in the digital world.

There is plenty to do in and around your neighbourhood, all of which you can do at home. If you have a dog, you can spend more time taking care of them, feeding them, taking them for walks, and even training them. This can help you practice being a dog walker for the neighbourhood, as well as a dog trainer or veterinarian in the future. By watching your younger sibling while your parents are out, you can practice important skills that can help you become a babysitter, teacher, or other roles that involve children. Do you love arts and crafts? You can set up a shop to sell your creations in the neighbourhood. While at home, you can think about what your business name and logo might be, and put together advertising on posters or online. There are a lot of people looking for these services, and you have a lot to offer!

Being at home does not mean there is nothing you can do to get ready for jobs in the future. There are lots of ways to practice or even perform different lines of work without even leaving your room. Start thinking about jobs you are interested in and how they might relate to things you can do around the house, online, or in the neighbourhood. Even if you are not making any money, you will gain very useful experience and a better understanding of what you are good at and what you want to do. Start practicing today!

Sources

How to Make Money as a Kid. “200+ Ways to Make Money as a Kid.” https://www.howtomakemoneyasakid.com/ways-to-make-money-as-a-kid/

Rosen, Peg. “6 Tips for Developing Job Skills at Home.” Understood. https://www.understood.org/en/friends-feelings/teens-tweens/first-jobs/6-tips-for-developing-job-skills-at-home

During the winter, many people like to go skiing in the mountains. Walking up the hills would be difficult or even impossible in many cases, but using a ski lift helps people to get up to the top so that they can enjoy coming down. Ski lift mechanics help make that possible.

Mechanics learn to fix problems with all kinds of machines. A ski lift is different from a car or a truck, but many of the principles are the same. Ski lift mechanics install, maintain, and repair ski lifts, including the cars, the wires, and the motors that keep the lifts running. The skiing season is only during the months with snow, but ski lift mechanics can work all year, doing major repairs in summer and fall and doing regular maintenance during the winter.

Working in this job requires an ability to work in all kinds of weather, often high off the ground. Having a good ability to balance on narrow beams and to do precise work, even with cold fingers, is important. Ski lift mechanics should be able to drive snowmobiles, trucks, and other vehicles. Being able to work alone is helpful, but people in this field also often need to work with other employees and to be able to follow or give instructions. When a ski lift breaks down, the mechanic might also need to keep passengers on the lift calm and to be able to give concise and accurate information.

Wages for this work generally start at about $24 per hour or almost $52,000 per year and can rise to $60 per hour or more than $125,000 per year. Job prospects in this field are limited since Canada has only a few areas with mountains high enough for ski lifts. Most of the jobs are in Alberta and British Columbia, but a few could also be in other parts of the country. For example, Manitoba has a few places with downhill skiing, and the other provinces and territories might also have opportunities.

Most employers require at least a high school education for their employees in this field. Apprenticing as a millwright or a related trade can also be very helpful for learning the necessary skills. Many of these apprenticeships take three or four years to complete, with both on-the-job and classroom training. Knowing the regulations for this kind of work is very important, since ski lifts carry people at great heights, and passengers can be killed if any mechanical problems cause the lift to fall. Even being stuck on the lift for a long time could be very stressful for many people.

Ski lift mechanics should enjoy working with their hands and solving problems. The work can be physically difficult, and  Still, the skills that they learn can be useful in many other trades. If you think that the work sounds interesting, you might want to consider this career. Then you could help people have fun and keep them safe at the same time.

Bibliography:

Go2HR. “Career Summary: Lift Mechanic.” https://www.go2hr.ca/career-summary/lift-mechanic.

Payscale. “Elevator Mechanic.” https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Elevator_Mechanic/Hourly_Rate.

Technical Standards and Safety Authority. “Ski Lift Mechanic Certification.” https://www.tssa.org/en/ski-lifts/ski-lift-mechanic-certification.aspx.

Zippia. “How to Become a Ski Lift Mechanic.” https://www.zippia.com/ski-lift-mechanic-jobs/.

Zip Recruiter. “Ski Lift Mechanic Salary.” https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Ski-Lift-Mechanic-Salary.

Your morals and principles mean a lot; it’s having manners, acts of kindness and common sense when communicating with others respectfully. Earning respect is an important part of maintaining friendships and relationships in order to obtain trust. Having ethics can be crucial in certain situations. This results in countless positive benefits such as good karma (for those who believe!), and healthy relationships.

What are morals and principles? Morals and principles are doing what is considered the “right” thing to do. It can mean being the “bigger” person when being put in a difficult position.

Moral: adjective

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : of or relating to principles of right and wrong in behavior : ethical moral judgments

Moral: noun

1a : the moral significance or practical lesson (as of a story) The moral of the story is to be satisfied with what you have.

b : a passage pointing out usually in conclusion the lesson to be drawn from a story

Definition of principle

1a : a comprehensive and fundamental law, doctrine, or assumption

b(1) : a rule or code of conduct

(2) : habitual devotion to right principles a man of principle

Trying to do what is “right” and to stand by your morals and principles can be tiring. For example, if your friend feels left out, on principle, you will make them feel included. That is if your principle is to always make people feel included and safe, in this instance. It can even be minuscule actions in our daily lives that enact our morals and principles, like picking up something someone dropped or saying positive things to people who are having a rough time. Any choice you make that positively impacts someone else can mean you are morally bound. Morality can also be about learning a lesson. Think of a time that you made a mistake. What did you learn from that choice? What could you have done differently? Chances are, the act you should have done, would have been the moral choice. We all make mistakes at one point or another in our lives but it’s important we keep in mind what moral decisions would look like in our lives.

Morals and principles are very important in today’s society. Whether you’re at home eating dinner with your family, taking the bus, or even hanging out with your friends, it’s important to keep in mind how you’re portraying yourself to others. If someone bumps into you and apologizes, do you say, “Back off buddy!” or do you say, “That’s okay!” and walk away? As I said, morals and principles are used constantly and are important to build relationships and to be a good person. In short, your morals and principles can be a sign to what kind of person you are.

So how do you have good morals? How do you become a truly ethical person? The easiest way to have these important values is to practice them consistently. Using manners, being selfless and generally being kind to those around you are all simple ways of practicing positive principles. The most important thing is to think before you speak or act; what are my intentions of this thing that I’m about to do or say? Is it positive? If you are concerned that what you are saying will hurt someone, it’s best to avoid that. Along with this, surrounding yourself with ethical people, chances are you will develop good morals as well. Hanging out with disrespectful, hostile people, the opposite is likely to occur.

Every day, no matter where you go or who you are with, basic common sense and morals are being used. People don’t tend to lash out at people for no reason, and that is just the basics of having principals. The majority of us are kind and friendly. Our values are important to us and even if we disagree with something someone is saying, we remain respectful. Why wouldn’t you be? There’s no reason to treat someone terribly for something small that doesn’t matter in the long run.

Thinking before you act is key to being an ethical person; through doing this you are predicting the outcome of what you say and the effects it will have on others. You are showing sympathy along with respect for other people. Overall, countless benefits result from being an ethical person and there’s always reason to treat people with kindness and respect.

References:

1. https://ethicsunwrapped.utexas.edu/glossary/morals
2. https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/behavior/moral-principles-and-how-they-impact-your-life/

Many children choose to follow in their parent’s footsteps career-wise; ever wonder why that is? Growing up, we become exposed to the reality of those jobs, the fun aspects of that career, as well as the challenges. However, children are often inspired by their parents, and often mimic parts of their lives, such as their likes, their dislikes, their career, and more. It is common to follow the lead of your parents, but it is also important to avoid the pressure to do so if you do not feel it is right for you. It does not matter if your siblings or friends are following their parent’s leads, you do not have to. There are likely so many other people feeling the same way.

A lot of parents expect their kids to have the same career as they did, but try to understand that is not the only way to go. Despite your parent’s expectations, you have the right to go into any career pathway you want. Your parents likely want the best for you, and if a certain career will make you happy, they will most likely understand and support you.

So, how do you know if following in your parent’s career footsteps is the right pathway for you? To understand if this pathway is best suited for you, it is best to visualize what you see yourself doing in the future as a career rather than what your parents visualize you becoming. Take a moment, close your eyes, and think about yourself in the future. Are you at a desk job, outside, doing something hands-on or dealing with money? What job do you feel would make you happiest? Putting your happiness first is key because studies show humans work best while doing the things they enjoy doing.

Some parents run their own business and have high expectations of their children to take on the business after they retire, but if you are in this situation, remember that this is not your only choice. You have the right to decide your career path. If you base your decision off of the pressure you feel from your parents, you are likely to not choose a pathway you enjoy or will succeed in.

One way to see what job is best suited for you is by completing some surveys. There are countless surveys online that ask a series of questions based on your traits, qualities and the things you enjoy doing. After processing, the results will tell you the jobs and careers that are best suited for you based on your interests and personality traits. You can also visit a guidance counsellor or career counsellor to get more guidance towards what area of interest you want to focus on in the future. If the results show that you should follow the same career pathway that your parents took, perhaps consider jobs within that career.

Try your best to avoid other people’s opinions. People who follow their parent’s careers have various reactions; sometimes they love it, sometimes they hate it. You will never know unless you try. Think; which courses do you enjoy doing?

Overall, choose what you want to do when you are older. If that is the same pathway your parents took, go for it! If it’s not, that’s okay, too. Your parents should support any decision you make. Try to relieve any pressure you are feeling about choosing a career. According to Career Advice Online, most people change their careers 5-7  times throughout their lives. Whether you choose to follow in your parent’s career’s footsteps or not, you’re not alone.

References:

1. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/01/learning/will-you-follow-in-your-parents-footsteps.html

Chores are a pain! That is one thing that many adults and children can agree on. But they are a very important part of everyday life and no home can get by without all its chores getting done. Your parents might be asking you to do more around the house. Maybe you feel guilty about not doing as much as you could. There are many ways to start building the habit of getting chores done on a regular basis. Your family will appreciate it, your home will be better off for it, and you will benefit in a number of ways.

The sooner you start helping out at home, the quicker it will become a habit. If you are finding this hard to do, keep an eye out for smaller and easier tasks. Put away toys or games when you are done, fill up the pet bowl with food, or take messy plates from the table to the sink. These actions take just seconds to do, and you can see the immediate good that comes from them: a cleaner room, a happy dog, and an empty table. You can feel it too! It feels good to contribute to the household and help out your family.

As you start picking up this good habit, be on the lookout for bigger chores to take care of. Take note of what you see your parents doing, and ask what needs to be done daily and weekly. Every room has to be vacuumed, leaves in the yard have to be raked, and the dishes all have to be cleaned. You are not just being a good son or daughter, but also being a good team member in the household. These important skills will stay with you as you grow older and move out into your own home that will have its own chores in need of getting done.

A study from Harvard University found that children who do chores end up doing better later in life. They were more likely to be happier, healthier, and more independent once they grew up. It helps you feel more confident and more positive about yourself. As you grow older, focus on the chores that you will really benefit from making a habit once you are on your own. Prepare meals for yourself and the rest of your family, do the laundry (and fold it too!), and clean hard-to-reach nooks and areas under or behind furniture or appliances. Your future self will be glad you did!

Start by talking to your parents about wanting to do more to help out. If this has been a problem before, be honest about why you were not doing your chores – whether you were tired from school or simply figured your parents would do them instead. Now be on the lookout for the little tasks that make for a cleaner, nicer home. Slowly make a routine out of bigger and more important chores. You will better connect with your family, be prouder of your home, and be better prepared for the future. Chores may be a pain, but the rewards are worth it!

Sources:

Aha! Parenting. “6 Reasons Kids Don’t Help Around the House – and What You Can Do About It.” https://www.ahaparenting.com/blog/5_Ways_to_Get_Kids_to_Help_Around_the_House

Morin, Amy. “The Importance of Chores for Kids.” Verywell Family. https://www.verywellfamily.com/the-importance-of-chores-for-kids-1095018

Our Family Wizard. “5 Ways to Get The Kids Helping Around The House.” https://www.ourfamilywizard.ca/blog/5-ways-get-kids-helping-around-house

 Being able to speak a second, or multiple languages can be very helpful when it comes to finding jobs. It gives the person and the company they work for the opportunity to communicate with and reach a more diverse audience. This can benefit the company and the person in many different ways.

Here are five reasons as to how learning a new language can be beneficial:

Increased Chances of Getting Hired

Applying for a job can be very competitive. There will be many people who are applying for the same position. If the ability to speak more than one language is on a resume, it will catch the employer’s attention. That detail will differentiate the resume from the others. It is preferred by several companies to have multilingual employees. Although it is beneficial to be multilingual, it does not mean that you will be hired on the spot. It just means that the chance of getting hired is raised.

Higher Salaries

The ability to speak a foreign language can also help receive promotions or get hired for management roles. This ability is important because it can help supervisors lead and manage teams that include workers of different ethnicities. It also provides the ability for the supervisor to easily resolve any issues that deal with cultural and language differences between employees and customers.

Attracts Global Companies

Many people would like to work for international companies. Being able to speak different languages makes it much easier to communicate with many of those international companies. If one enjoys traveling, it will give them opportunities to travel on behalf of their company. Since a multilingual person is trusted to represent the company, it gives international companies a great first impression. This could be beneficial for one’s company, as well as the representative.

Builds Relationships

Being multilingual allows people to be able to relate and communicate with many different cultural groups. Having a language barrier can, unfortunately, make communicating awkward and uncomfortable for both sides. Speaking to clients, and possibly coworkers, in a language they all understand breaks down any barriers and makes them feel much more comfortable.

Helps with Language-Based Jobs

Some jobs are based on knowing more than one language. There are several job opportunities in marketing, transportation, retail, banking, education, law, tourism, and government that require one to know a second or several languages. In some of these, people are needed to translate and transcribe written work into foreign languages. It is best for those who can read, write, and speak in foreign languages.

Being able to speak, read, and/or write in more than one language can be very beneficial. This is especially beneficial if one’s country has more than one official language, such as Canada.

There are several ways one can learn a new language. There are apps, online courses, classes in school, and much more. It is not mandatory to speak more than one language but it is recommended. Learning languages can be fun and it would not hurt to learn a few basic phrases in another language!

Resources:

https://bilingua.io/benefits-learning-a-foreign-language-career

https://work.chron.com/speaking-foreign-language-job-27872.html

https://www.winterwyman.com/blog/five-reasons-why-knowing-foreign-language-will-help-your-career/

http://www.careerprofiles.info/career-benefits-of-foreign-language.html

https://www.uei.edu/blog/can-speaking-two-languages-increase-your-job-prospects