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Category: Elementary

  • The Importance of Role Models

    The Importance of Role Models

    The term role model gets thrown around a lot. Celebrities are usually considered role models, based simply on their status in society. But what does the term really mean and what does it take to be a good role model?

    Role models are people others want to imitate; someone who is admired and who others want to be like. A good role model should help you get motivated. They should help you develop the skills and abilities necessary to succeed in your chosen field (sports, arts, business, sciences, politics etc.).

    They can be famous or notable people or someone you know from your daily life, like a teacher, coach, parent or friend. Anyone who inspires you to be the best person you can be could be considered a good role model.

    It is important to have people to look-up to. They can help you make important decisions that will impact the rest of your life; like whether or not to continue your education or what career path to take.

    Role models can help show you how to live. They can help guide you in making good decisions, and can teach you the importance of hard work, self-confidence and how to become a productive member of society. Looking up to a successful person will help make you successful. Seeing how someone else accomplished their goals provides a path for you to do the same.

    An example of a good role model could be Mala Yousafzai. She is a 17 year-old activist from Mingora, Pakistan. In 2012 she defied the Taliban by insisting girls be allowed to receive an education. For speaking out for women’s rights and standing up for her beliefs she was shot on her way home from school. She survived and continued her fight. In 2014, she was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize and won, making her the youngest recipient of the award in history. Mala took a tragic event and turned it into awareness. Her ability to stick to her beliefs in the face of overwhelming obstacles shows a confidence and resilience that is admirable, making her someone to look up to.

    Whatever your interests or whoever you choose to be your role model, make sure they have a few of the following traits:

    • Confidence
    • Leadership
    • Respectful
    • Knowledgeable
    • Empathetic
    • Passionate
    • Humility
    • Charitable
    • Moral
    • Hardworking

    But remember, even though it’s good to have someone to aspire to, it is just as important to be you. Don’t become someone else. You are meant to be your own unique person. Don’t loose that.

  • Meditation and You

    Meditation and the awareness of it is growing in Canada and western countries. Many centers, places and groups have been formed to practice meditation in a formal and informal way of improving well-being. With that in mind, wouldn’t mediation done by adults also be beneficial to you? It is well known that keeping your mind quiet and in one place may be harder than landing a man on the moon. Therefore meditation could be a great tool to for you to create calmness in your life; however it does come with some major obstacles. Before we get into the nitty-gritty of meditation, it would be good to give a simple overview of what mediation is:

     Mediation is the just the practice of sitting, lying down in a clam place and watching your breath, thoughts and sensations. It is a way of focusing attentively on the present moment.

    Some schools have brought mediation to the classroom. This allows students the time to take a break from all their daily activities. These time-outs have also proven to show positive effect.   Such visible benefits include enhanced relationship with parents, friends and better personal self-esteem.[1] The traits and benefits are long lasting and can provide a great foundation for you to build upon in future endeavors. So getting started early in your life, is a worthwhile undertaking. Suggestions include starting off with just sitting down and relaxing for a few minutes. Afterwards, watch the breath and progress onward from there… There should be a sense of wonder as you learn and try mediation in groups, at school, or with family and friends. If you continue practicing, you may achieve high levels of spiritual enlightenment. In brief, www.iamspirituality.com describes spiritual enlightenment as:

     “The concept of enlightenment implies complete understanding of life and the universe, which usually is accompanied by a detachment of all things impermanent and a complete awareness of everything that is, at the moment that it is.”[2]

     Growing up in our modern society is tougher than ever; you face a number of distractions and challenges. Consequently providing a way to relax and calm your mind through mediation is a great tool. Mediation acts to protect your mind from toxic stress by empowering oneself to be comfortable with your thoughts and emotions[3]. It may not be easy for the young at heart, but through practice and patience, can be a great experience.

    References:

    [1] O’Connor, B. (n.d.). “How to Get Kids to Meditate.” Retrieved June 7, 2015.

    [2] http://iamspirituality.com/top-10-ways-to-achieve-spiritual-enlightenment/

    [3] Machado, Amanda. “Should Schools Teach Kids to Meditate?” The Atlantic. Atlantic Media Company, 27 Jan. 2014. Web. 10 June 2015.

  • What Is Homeschooling?

    What Is Homeschooling?

    Most of us are use to the norms of public and private school; the classroom with boring blackboards full of mathematical equations and Shakespearean sonnets. Homeschooling on the other hand, is quite different. In Canada over 20,000 students are homeschooled. While children are homeschooled, the parents are responsible for the child’s education. The parents teach their children based on their own beliefs and methods. They follow a grade based curriculum and progress on, based on their own decisions.[1]

    So what are the benefits of homeschooling? There are many both socially and mentally. First parents can give individual attention to their child. This will allow the parent to see their child’s strengths and weaknesses, where on the contrary weaknesses go unnoticed in larger classrooms. Homeschooling will also allow the child to think independently and formulate their own ideas rather than follow the actions and ideas of others in larger groups.[2]

    Homeschooling allows parents to asses their child’s abilities and tailor the activities associated with the curriculum to suit their needs; this will help the child with their confidence. With fewer distractions, children will be more focused opposed to a regular classroom. Home schooled children are more likely to develop better relationships with their parents.[3]

    The procedural process for homeschooling is not complicated. Parents must write a letter of intent each to the school board of their jurisdiction. In Ontario, curriculum material isn’t funded by the government; parents must purchase the material themselves. However, regulations vary in different provinces where some governments will provide funding for material and allow parents to obtain tax credits related to home schooling.

    So homeschooling is something definitely to consider for parents and students. Students who enjoy working by themselves may find a home schooled environment more beneficial than a traditional classroom.

    References:
    [1] http://ontariohomeschool.org/homeschooling-faq/

    [2] http://www.csse-scee.ca/CJE/Articles/FullText/CJE25-3/CJE25-3-arai.pdf

    [3] http://www.columbiaacademy.com/news/the-importance-of-individual-attention

  • Fun Activities for Summer!

    Fun Activities for Summer!

    You’ve been waiting patiently all year for June… for school to finally be over.

    Sure, for the first week or so it is was nice to relax; unwind; sleep in; lie around; enjoy not having anything you “had” to do. But after a few days, the novelty of doing “nothing” tends to wear off, and you get BORED!

    Really bored. You start whinny to your parents, care givers, friends and relatives…

    “There’s nothing to do!”

    “I’m so bored!”

    “No one’s around!”

    “There’s nothing fun going on!”

    Before these words slip out of your mouth this summer, stop and think of all the great things you can do, now that you have the time to do them.

    Here is a list of fun ideas to get you started:

    • Set up a mini golf course in your backyard.
    • Raise money for charity by having a car wash, BBQ or yard sale.
    • Go camping, even if it’s in your backyard. You can roast marshmallows, sing camp songs and tell ghost stories.
    • If you go on a family vacation be sure to take lots of pics. When you get back you can make a cool memory album for each member of your family.
    • Check out your local thrift store and adopt a new look to rock when you go back to school this Fall (don’t forget to donate your old clothes to charity).
    • Get a summer job, or do odd jobs like yard work, painting, babysitting or dog walking. You can gain job experience and save up some cash to buy something you really wanted.
    • Have a movie marathon sleep over with your friends, or binge watch your favorite TV show on DVD.
    • Organize a fun tournament for you and your friends. You could play volleyball, basketball, ultimate Frisbee, or washer toss.
    • Learn to cook. Or if you already know how to cook try out some new recipes. You could even invent a new kind of pizza.
    • Make playlists for different activates like parties, cleaning, exercising, relaxing etc.
    • Start a book club with your friends.
    • Have an old school board game night. Don’t forget to make a trophy to compete for.

    There are a ton of things to do no matter where you live- sometimes your imagination will be your best tool to discovering new and exciting activities.

    A famous comedian named Louis C.K. once said:

    “I’m bored’ is a useless thing to say. I mean you live in a great, big, vast world that you’ve seen none percent of. Even the inside of your own mind is endless; it goes on forever, inwardly, do you understand? “

  • Career Profile: Linguist

    Career Profile: Linguist

    People work with all kinds of materials. Sometimes they build bridges or put casts on broken bones. Sometimes they sew clothes or paint pictures, and sometimes they work with words. Linguists are people who study what words mean and how people use them. They use this knowledge in many different areas of life, including crime detection, language teaching, psychology, and in other professions where words are important.

    You might think that linguists are people who speak a lot of languages. It can be true, and these types of linguists often work as translators or find jobs in different countries. However, the main point of linguistics is not learning languages but analyzing them. Linguists might learn other languages in the process, but that is not normally the focus of their work.

    Analyzing a language involves working in areas like phonetics (the sounds of words), grammar, word origins, and the relationship between culture and language. Linguists try to find out why people use words the way they do and how the structure or vocabulary of a language reflects what people think.

    How does a linguist’s field of study relate to everyday life and work? Linguists can become English as a Second Language teachers or professors in fields like language, history, or anthropology (the study of human cultures). They can work as speech therapists to help people speak more clearly. They can even become crime fighters, becoming forensic linguists. This field is still quite new, but it has already helped solve many crimes.

    Forensic linguists analyze many different aspects of the language used in crimes. Sometimes, they look at the words used in ransom notes or other documents. Each person has a slightly different way of using words, and linguists can help find these differences. At other times, forensic linguists try to identify people’s accents or find out where they’re from based on their word usage. They might be able to help people who have lost their memory to find their way home again or discover the origin of a criminal’s accent. Anything that relates to language can be part of a forensic linguist’s work.

    Working as a linguist can involve a lot of hard work and study. Developing an interest in language is probably the most important way to start. If you don’t enjoy looking in dictionaries or playing word games, linguistics might not be the right field for you.

    If you decide that you enjoy language enough to work with it all day long, you’ll probably need to get an education. A general Bachelor’s degree with some courses in linguistics is probably a good start, but you might want to continue your education further. Because requirements vary, it might be a good idea to talk to an adviser at the university before you get very far in your studies. Choosing to study linguistics might not give you a clear career path, but it can be a rewarding field.

     

    Bibliography:

    Freeman, Jan. “What Do Linguists Do?” Boston.com. http://www.boston.com/news/globe/ideas/articles/2006/06/18/what_do_linguists_do/.

    International Association of Forensic Linguistics. “Forensic Linguistics.” http://www.iafl.org/.

    Jitt, Jack. “Words on Trial: Can Linguists Solve Crimes That Stump the Police?” New Yorker. http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2012/07/23/120723fa_fact_hitt

    Language Translation, Inc. “What Do Linguists Do for a Living? http://blog.languagetranslation.com/public/blog/136455

    Memorial University, Department of Linguistics. “Careers in Linguistics.” http://www.mun.ca/linguistics/home/career.php.

    World Wide Learn. “Guide to College Majors in Linguistics.” http://www.worldwidelearn.com/online-education-guide/social-science/linguistics-major.htm.

  • The Importance of Play

    The Importance of Play

    As children, all of us had recess in school where we played sports, tag and bounced around the jungle gym. There were some great moments with friends that we still cherish to this day. However, as we grow older a sense of seriousness starts to settle in and we forget the joys of just playing around. This is even truer when entering University or any higher level of studies. The pressures of grades, tests, labs and planning for the future can create an environment not beneficial to play. The notion of spending free time in University or College playing around may appear frivolous to many. It does come across that way upon initial observation, but researchers and psychologist stress the benefits of play in adult life.

    It can be said that engaging in play as an adult is as important to our well-being today, as it was when we were younger. Studies by researchers show advantages to play including stress reduction, brain stimulation, the improvement of friendships and higher energy levels. [1] These are just some of the many reasons why a young undergrad student should take up play and encourage their friends to join in as well. You should never lose your sense of adventure. As a kid today, stress creeps in a lot earlier than usual. With so much going on at school, home and after school, your brain starts to wear out and get run down.

    Involving yourself in play can help students in University take their mind of the rigors of class work. If you are younger than that, play is very important. You are still developing those essential life skills. Those moments give the brain a much needed break from the daily routine of life. So why not take a break and throw the pigskin around, shoot some hoops or skip rocks with friends. It will make you feel young again, and may also help get the A you were looking for in class.

    [1]

    Robinson, L., & Smith, M. (n.d.). The Benefits of Play for Adults. Retrieved May 14, 2015, from http://www.helpguide.org/articles/emotional-health/benefits-of-play-for-adults.htm

     

  • Career Profile: Team Mascot

    Career Profile: Team Mascot

    If you enjoy sports, you probably know the names of many of the players on your favourite team. You might know some of the coaches, and possibly the cheerleaders. How much do you know about the team’s mascot? Even if you know nothing about the person’s name, you probably know how good the mascot can make you and other fans feel.

    Helping people enjoy a sports event is what team mascots do- they lift your spirits high and encourage team support. They lead people in cheers, do special tricks, or otherwise try to get people excited about the game. Most professional teams in sports like basketball, football, and basketball have official mascots. Some amateur teams might have them, as well as special teams and clubs. Canada also has an Olympic mascot named Komak the Moose.

    If you want to work as a team mascot, you can already start to look for openings. You can check with sports teams to find out about the possibilities for work. Talent agencies can be useful since they often have e-mail lists with job openings.

    No special education is required for becoming a team mascot, but training is helpful. Team mascots might have to dance, jump through burning hoops, or perform all kinds of other athletic tricks. Learning how to do these tricks safely can help keep people from getting hurt. If you have a positive attitude, love sports culture and fun, this is a fun job. Whether the team wins or loses, the mascot’s job is the same.

    Staying healthy and in good shape is extremely important. Mascots might have to spend many hours each week running, lifting weights, and doing other physical training.

    Professional sports teams travel a lot to compete with teams from other regions. Normally, team mascots go along with the teams. For some mascots, this might mean that they are away from home for several months every year. Since most sports are seasonal, they might have a few months of frequent travel, followed by months of no work at all. The salary for mascots can also vary widely. Some mascots receive only about $25,000 per year, but others can be paid $100,000 or even more. In some cases, it can be a part time or fulltime job.

    Creating your mascot trademark is important. Most mascots wear costumes that can be heavy and hot to wear, but they still have to be able to move around and to do whatever will make people notice them. Some mascots might develop special techniques, such as doing somersaults or back flips. Others might use funny gestures or find other ways to draw people into the game. Over time, mascots can also change and develop their style, with the direction of the team’s marketing department.

    Creativity and special skills are important for team mascots. Being able to sew and to alter costumes can be valuable, and other special skills are also useful.

     

     

     

     

  • Why Do I Need Math Skills?

    Why Do I Need Math Skills?

    As you sit in yet another math class, you might be wondering

    “Exactly what am I going to use this for in real life?”

    Even if you have a handy calculator and Google in your phone, you are learning skills relevant in so many life situations.

    Work:

    • A Cashier making change
    • A business owner creating budgets, spreadsheets, doing taxes, applying for bank loans, analyzing yearly sales, tracking employee hours.
    • A professional sports team analyst that creates computer programs using logarithms to analyze the opponent’s strengths and weaknesses. Buying and selling player contracts. Budgeting. Ticket sales and concessions.
    • An artist using programs that deal in pixels, artwork dimensions, focal lengths and composition rules.

    Fun:

    • Games that need addition and subtraction, money skills, or logic jumps.
    • Calculating how much your night out with friends will cost.
    • Splitting the taxi ride with friends, or the restaurant bill between people.
    • Estimating time, distance, cost. How long will it take to get somewhere, how much gas will it take, and how often will we need to stop?
    • Calculating the odds or probability in games of chance.

    Everything else:

    • Calculating a household budget.
    • Working out a loan for a car, or a mortgage.
    • Baking and cooking using measurements, time, and temperature.
    • Decorating your home, calculating how much carpet to buy, or how high to hang those pictures.
    • Saving for college, retirement, or another big expense.

    Now you may never pull out that advanced calculus graph ever again, and you will probably be ok to forget about imaginary numbers, but the logic and decision making skills you are building while learning these concepts in mathematics will help you make better decisions every day. Math really is universal.

  • Catching Z’s: Keeping Your Sleep Routines

    Catching Z’s: Keeping Your Sleep Routines

    Whether you have a set bedtime or just go to bed “whenever”, sleep is certainly an important part of your life. Getting rest is crucial for both your physical and mental well-being and helps you recharge for the morning ahead. Staying up late might be fun, but sometimes it’s not worth it to wake up groggy and miserable after watching too many movies into the wee hours of the morning.

    Have you ever considered how important it is to keep a regular sleep schedule? Your body runs on an internal 24-hour clock, called a circadian rhythm, which means it naturally gets used to doing things like sleeping according to the time of day (or the amount of light or darkness outside). If you’ve ever experienced jet lag, you’ll know how off-kilter you feel when your rhythm is thrown off: it’s totally unpleasant to be exhausted at noon and wide awake at midnight, just because you’re suddenly in another time zone.

    That means it’s important to keep your sleep rhythm regulated according to your own day, which includes going to bed around the same time every night, and waking up around the same time every morning. Chances are you already do something similar when you’re following your regular school schedule (and you just stay up later on Fridays and sleep in on weekend mornings). If you keep your sleep schedule on track, you won’t have any trouble feeling awake when you need it the most.

    Sleep is important at all stages of your life, especially during your time in elementary school. However, the stakes will be much greater when you’re cramming for high school exams, or writing big university papers, or trying to get up bright and early for your first job. To achieve all that you want to do in the coming years, you’re not only going to need a lot of energy, but you’re going to need it in regular and dependable bursts. In that way, cultivating your sleep patterns today can definitely help you out in the future—you’ll already be used to keeping yourself well rested and ready to go.

    To make sure you’re getting the most out of your rest, be proactive about your sleep habits. Set a 30-minute window for yourself in the morning and evening, and try to wake up and go to sleep within that time frame each night. You can even keep track of how many days you do this, and see if you feel better after some time on a regular sleep schedule. (In order to stick to your plan, it helps if you plan all your morning and evening activities around that window; e.g. you could brush your teeth around 10 minutes before lights out.)

    Finally, of course you can have a couple of late nights—sleepovers aren’t very fun when everyone has to be in bed by 9. Just make sure that waking up at noon doesn’t become a bad habit, and you’ll be good to go.

     

  • Becoming a 911 Operator

    Becoming a 911 Operator

    You and your friends probably know that when someone is injured or in danger or otherwise needing assistance, they can call 911 and someone will come to help. It might be the police, paramedics in an ambulance or firefighters in a fire truck. The people who answered the phone and sent the help will not be there, however. Emergency operators for the 911 system don’t respond to crises themselves, but they work in call centres to help organize help for whatever people need.

    Imagine dealing with emergencies without a 911 system. If you saw a fire, you would have to call the fire department, but if you saw a store being robbed, you would have to call the police. A bad accident might require a call for an ambulance, and other situations might need all three. That could be very confusing and waste time as people tried to decide what number to call. The job of 911 operators helps to make the process easier.

    Basically, 911 operators take emergency calls and pass on the information to the right people. Sending the best help involves finding out as much as possible about the situation before doing anything else. The response for a fire, for example, will not be the same as the response to a heart attack.

    Before they send out help, operators need to find out what they can about the type and seriousness of a situation. They have to remain very calm, even when people are upset. If someone’s life is in danger, 911 operators have to be sure to send out the right type of help as quickly as possible.

    In Canada, most 911 operators work with the RCMP, although they work from call centres rather than in police stations. Canada has twenty-two federal or provincial call centres spread out around the country. They are the connection between people in need and the places that can send help.

    If you love to help people, you might want to become a 911 operator when you grow up!