Students

Questions to Ask on a College Visit

When considering a college, there are a lot of important factors to consider. One of the most important is the quality of the education you will receive. Here are some questions you can ask on your college visit:

-What are the school’s admission requirements?

-What kind of campus is it?

-What are the offered curriculum and classes?

-How is student life?

-What extracurricular activities are available?

-What kind of professors do you expect to find?

-How affordable is the tuition?

-What kinds of financial aid are available?

-What are the available housing options?

-What are the available transport options?

-What is the quality of the infrastructure?

-What kind of community is the school in?

How Important are College Rankings?

College rankings are important to many people, and for good reason. College is a critical time in a person’s life, and the right choice of school can have a significant impact on their future. College rankings are one way of measuring the quality of a school, and they can help you find a school that is right for you.

College rankings are based on a variety of factors, and they change constantly. However, the most important factors are usually research and graduation rates. A school that is high in the rankings may have high research rankings as well, which means that the school is research-focused. Graduation rates are also important as a high graduation rate means that the students at the school are likely to succeed in the workforce after they graduate.

College rankings can be helpful in many ways. They can help you find a school that is right for you and help you succeed. College rankings are important, and they should be taken seriously.

10 Innovative Learning Stations That Get Students Reading

In today’s world, reading has become a lost art. Too often, students are given boring, dry texts that lack the excitement and intrigue of novels and magazines. But there are ways to get students reading again, using innovative learning stations that are sure to keep their interest piqued.

1. Reading Hack: Use QR codes to get students to read magazines and newspapers. Scan the codes with a smartphone and access the articles right on the device. This is a great way to get students to read material that they would otherwise ignore.

2. Reading Station: Set up a reading station in your classroom and make it a fun place to be. Include a large selection of books and magazines as well as a computer with access to the internet. Encourage students to read whatever they choose, and let them know that they can earn rewards for completing reading challenges.

3. Reading Gallery: Have students stand in a line and read aloud from a book. This is a great way to get them used to reading aloud and to increase their fluency.

4. Reading Rotations: Have students read different types of books for different lengths of time. This will help them develop a deeper understanding of different genres and authors.

5. Book-Loving Contest: Have students vote on their favorite books of the year. The winner will be the student who read the most books during the year.

6. Reading Quiz: Have students take a quiz on a chapter or section of a book. This will help them to understand the material and develop strong comprehension skills.

7. Reading Riddles: Have students solve riddles in order to read a book. This will help them develop their critical thinking skills and increase their vocabulary.

8. Reading Challenges: Have students read a different book every week. This will help them develop a love for reading and increase their reading skills.

9. Reading Spots: Have students read at different locations in your classroom. This will help to break up the monotony of reading, and it will encourage students to read more.

10. Reading Club: Have students join a reading club and read together every week. This will help encourage reading and build relationships among students. 

149 Wh-Questions For Kids

As a parent or caregiver, it is important to encourage children to think and learn by asking questions. One effective way to do this is by using “Wh-questions” – questions that begin with a word that starts with the letters “wh” such as “who,” “what,” “when,” “where,” “why,” and “how.” Asking these types of questions can help children develop their critical thinking skills and increase their understanding of the world around them.

To help guide your questioning, we have compiled a list of 149 Wh-questions for kids. These questions are appropriate for a variety of ages and can be used in many different settings, such as at home or in the classroom.

WHO
1. Who is your best friend?
2. Who is your favorite superhero?
3. Who is the oldest person you know?
4. Who is your role model?
5. Who makes you laugh the most?

WHAT
6. What is your favorite food?
7. What is your favorite toy?
8. What is your favorite book?
9. What is your favorite color?
10. What is your favorite game to play?

WHEN
11. When is your birthday?
12. When do you go to bed?
13. When do you wake up in the morning?
14. When did you last go on a vacation?
15. When did you first learn how to ride a bike?

WHERE
16. Where is your favorite place to play?
17. Where is the biggest park you have ever been to?
18. Where would you like to go on your next vacation?
19. Where do your grandparents live?
20. Where do you go to school?

WHY
21. Why do we have to wash our hands?
22. Why do we have to wear shoes outside?
23. Why do you have to go to bed early?
24. Why do some people have pets?
25. Why do we have to go to school?

HOW
26. How do birds fly?
27. How do you tie your shoes?
28. How do you ride a bike?
29. How do you bake a cake?
30. How do computers work?

WHO ELSE
31. Who else lives in your house?
32. Who else do you like to play with at school?
33. Who else do you admire?
34. Who else can ride a bike?
35. Who else in your family has a job?

WHAT ELSE
36. What else can you do besides play?
37. What else do you like to eat?
38. What else can you think of that starts with the letter “B”?
39. What else do you like to draw?
40. What else do people use computers for?

WHEN ELSE
41. When else do you have fun?
42. When else do you get to play outside?
43. When else does the sun shine?
44. When else do people go shopping?
45. When else do you see your grandparents?

WHERE ELSE
46. Where else can you go to play?
47. Where else do people go to eat besides restaurants?
48. Where else can you see animals besides the zoo?
49. Where else can you learn besides school?
50. Where else can you sleep besides your bed?

WHY ELSE
51. Why else is it important to eat healthy?
52. Why else do we have to go to the doctor?
53. Why else is it important to read?
54. Why else do we need trees?
55. Why else is it important to be kind to others?

HOW ELSE
56. How else can you stay healthy besides washing your hands?
57. How else can you make friends?
58. How else can you solve a problem?
59. How else can you create a piece of art?
60. How else can you communicate besides talking?

WHAT IF
61. What if you could fly like a bird?
62. What if you won a million dollars?
63. What if you could talk to animals?
64. What if you could live in any country in the world?
65. What if you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life?

HOW MANY
66. How many planets are in our solar system?
67. How many days are in a week?
68. How many fingers do you have?
69. How many letters are in the alphabet?
70. How many books have you read this year?

HOW MUCH
71. How much does a car cost?
72. How much does a house cost?
73. How much water should we drink every day?
74. How much does a plane ticket cost?
75. How much sugar is in your favorite dessert?

WHO WAS
76. Who was your teacher last year?
77. Who was the president before the current one?
78. Who was your first best friend?
79. Who was the first person to walk on the moon?
80. Who was your favorite singer when you were a baby?

WHAT DID
81. What did you eat for breakfast this morning?
82. What did you do yesterday after school?
83. What did you learn in school today?
84. What did you do the last time you were at the beach?
85. What did you get for Christmas last year?

WHEN DID
86. When did you learn how to swim?
87. When did you go to a sleepover for the first time?
88. When did you start liking your favorite food?
89. When did you start school?
90. When did your parents get married?

WHERE DID
91. Where did you go on your last vacation?
92. Where did you go for your last birthday party?
93. Where did your parents meet?
94. Where did you get your favorite toy?
95. Where did you go on your last field trip?

WHY DID
96. Why did the chicken cross the road?
97. Why did the dinosaurs become extinct?
98. Why did you pick out the outfit you’re wearing now?
99. Why did you choose your favorite hobby?
100. Why did your parents choose your name?

HOW DID
101. How did dogs become pets?
102. How did you learn how to read?
103. How did cavemen make fire?
104. How did you make your Mother’s Day card?
105. How did your family get your pet?

WHAT HAPPENED
106. What happened on your last birthday?
107. What happened when you lost your first tooth?
108. What happened when you learned how to ride a bike?
109. What happened when you went to the zoo for the first time?
110. What happened on your last family vacation?

WHO CAN
111. Who can run the fastest in your family?
112. Who can do the most pushups in your family?
113. Who can make the best pancakes in your family?
114. Who can speak the most languages in your family?
115. Who can sing the loudest in your family?

WHAT CAN
116. What can you do to help the environment?
117. What can you do to be a good friend?
118. What can you do to be healthy?
119. What can you do to make a person happy?
120. What can you do to save money?

WHEN CAN
121. When can you ride your bike without training wheels?
122. When can you stay up late on a school night?
123. When can you play outside without a coat on?
124. When can you go on a date?
125. When can you have a sleepover without a parent present?

WHERE CAN
126. Where can you buy candy besides the grocery store?
127. Where can you find your favorite book besides the library?
128. Where can you swim besides a pool?
129. Where can you learn a new language?
130. Where can you volunteer in your community?

WHY CAN’T
131. Why can’t we eat junk food for every meal?
132. Why can’t we be mean to others?
133. Why can’t we forget to brush our teeth?
134. Why can’t we watch TV for hours every day?
135. Why can’t we be late for school?

HOW COME
136. How come we have different seasons?
137. How come we have day and night?
138. How come some people have blue eyes and some have brown eyes?
139. How come we have to pay for things with money?
140. How come we have to sleep?

WHO WILL
141. Who will you be when you grow up?
142. Who will win the next sports game you watch?
143. Who will be in the next presidential election?
144. Who will be the next person to visit our house?
145. Who will you invite to your next birthday party?

WHAT WILL
146. What will you do in the future?
147. What will happen if it rains all summer?
148. What will you eat for dinner tonight?
149. What will happen if you don’t clean your room?

Incorporating Wh-questions into your conversations with your child or students can be a great way to encourage learning and critical thinking. These questions can be used in many different settings, from a conversation at the dinner table to a lesson plan in the classroom. Remember to provide opportunities for children to ask their own questions as well, and to provide thoughtful and patient answers to encourage their curiosity and learning. 

Six Signs of a Student Loan Scam

You may have been the victim of a student loan scam. Here are five warning signs to watch for.

1. The loan is excessively high-cost.

This may be a sign that the loan is not a legitimate one. If a loan seems too expensive, it may be a sign that the company is not reputable.

2. The company demands unusually high interest rates.

If the company is asking for extraordinarily high interest rates, it may be a sign that it is not a legitimate one. Interest rates should be based on the risk of the loan, not on the company’s desire to make a profit.

3. The company asks for money upfront.

If a company is asking for money upfront, it may be a sign that it is not a legitimate one.

4. The company has a low rating on the Better Business Bureau.

If a company has a low rating on the Better Business Bureau, it may be a sign that the company is not a reputable one. If a company is reputable, it should have a high rating on the Better Business Bureau.

5. The company has been known to scam other customers before.

If a company has been known to scam other customers before, it may be a sign that the company is not a reputable one. If a company is reputable, it should be known for its quality, not its ability to scam other customers.

Should You Take Online Classes

Online learning has become increasingly popular in the last few years as the cost of tuition has continued to rise. However, does taking online classes actually offer a better education than traditional classes?

There are a few pros to taking online classes. First, online classes are typically more interactive and allow for more one-on-one interaction with the instructor. This can provide a more personalized learning experience. Additionally, online courses are typically delivered at your own pace, so you can work through the material at your own pace. This can be especially beneficial if you have a busy schedule.

However, online classes do have some cons. First, online classes typically require more work than traditional classes. To complete an online course, you must be diligent with your studies. Additionally, online classes can be difficult to follow if you are not familiar with the material. If you are not used to reading dense text, for example, you may find the material difficult to understand.

Ultimately, it is important to consider your needs when deciding whether or not to take online classes. If you have a busy schedule, online classes may be more manageable for you. If you are struggling to understand the material, online classes may not be the best option for you.

Personally, I wouldn’t want to take an online course because I relish the opportunity to synergize with my classmates in a traditional classroom environment. Online classrooms seem impersonal to me and do not offer students a chance to live up to their academic potential. I could be wrong, but I highly doubt it.

I was educated during a time when online education was thought of as a fad that colleges and universities did not take seriously. If you had an online degree, potential employers would toss your application in the trash.

However, after a time, colleges realized that online education was not going away and that there were billions of dollars to be made in the industry. Then, all of sudden, it became a viable learning vehicle and was adopted by the entire education system.

Don’t let me make the choice for you. Weigh the pros and cons and make the best decision for you.

Generational Names in the United States

In the United States, social groups born within a specific time frame and have comparable cultural features, attitudes, and interests are referred to as generations. Most Americans currently identify as Millennials, Gen Xers, or Boomers. Although generational names have been used sometimes for many years, this is a relatively new cultural phenomenon.

A Brief History of Naming Generations

The majority of historians agree that generational naming started in the 20th century. For instance, the late American author Gertrude Stein used the phrase “Lost Generation” in writing. She gave this title to those born about 1900 and gave their lives to serving in World War I. Stein famously penned “You are all a lost generation” as the epigraph to Ernest Hemingway’s “The Sun Also Rises,” released in 1926.

The 20th Century

What about the remaining generations? In their 1991 book “Generations,” generational theorists Neil Howe and William Strauss are generally recognized for establishing and naming American 20th-century generations. Although the dates that define them are relatively changeable, most of these designations persisted. The G.I. Generation—short for “Government Issue”—was the term used in this research by the two historians to describe the World War II generation, although it would soon be abandoned. Tom Brokaw’s best-selling cultural history of the Great Depression and World War II, “The Greatest Generation,” was released less than ten years later, and the term is still in use today.

Generation X

The Baby Boom generation was named after the Canadian novelist Douglas Coupland, who was born in 1961 near the conclusion of the Baby Boom. As a result of chronicling the lives of 20-somethings, Coupland’s 1991 book “Generation X: Tales for an Accelerated Culture” and subsequent works came to be recognized as a realistic portrayal of that generation’s youth. Coupland unknowingly gave Gen X a permanent moniker.

Did You Know?

Neil Howe and William Strauss, two-generational theorists, proposed the name Thirteeners (for the 13th generation to be born since the American Revolution) for Generation X, but the moniker was only sometimes used.

Most Recent Generations

Little is known about the antecedents of generations that came after Generation X. Media sources like Advertising Age, which coined the phrase in 1993, often referred to the children born after Generation X in the early 1990s as Generation Y. The name “Millennials,” which Howe and Strauss initially coined in their book, began to be more often used to describe this generation by the mid-1990s, during the uproar around the dawn of the twenty-first century. There are current generations known as Generation X and Millennials.

Even greater ambiguity exists in the naming of the most recent generation. While some like the catchier names like Centennials or the I Generation, others prefer Generation Z, which continues the alphabetical tradition started with Generation X. Nobody can predict what the future will bring, and more significant disagreement arises with each new generation.

Generation Names and Dates

Some generations, like the Baby Boomers, only have one name, but others have a wide range of names, which is a significant source of debate among academics. Below are a few different classification and naming schemes for generations.

From 1900 forward, Neil Howe and William Strauss defined generational cohorts in the United States.

  • 2000–: New Silent Generation or Generation Z
  • 1980 to 2000: Millennials or Generation Y
  • 1965 to 1979: Thirteeners or Generation X
  • 1946 to 1964: Baby Boomers
  • 1925 to 1945: The Silent Generation
  • 1900 to 1924: The G.I. Generation

Population Reference Bureau

The Population Reference Bureau offers a different listing and dates for each generation’s names, demonstrating that the borders dividing each generation are only sometimes well defined.

  • 1997 to 2012: Generation Z
  • 1981 to 1996: Millennials
  • 1965 to 1980: Generation X
  • 1946 to 1964: Baby Boomers
  • 1928 to 1945: The Silent Generation

Center for Generational Kinetics

According to the Center for Generational Kinetics, the following five generations are presently represented in the American workforce and economy. The dates of each generation are established using changes in parenting, technology, and the economy.

  • 1996–: Gen Z, iGen, or Centennials
  • 1977 to 1995: Millennials or Gen Y
  • 1965 to 1976: Generation X
  • 1946 to 1964: Baby Boomers
  • 1945 and before: Traditionalists or the Silent Generation

What About the Youngest Generation?

The youngest generation, which other systems exclude and fail to update, may be credited to Australian researcher Mark McCrindle. He termed individuals born between 2010 and 2024 Generation Alpha.

The offspring of millennials are called “alpha” in McCrindle’s book “The ABC of XYZ: Understanding the Global Generations” which references the notions advanced in Howe and Strauss’ study because they would likely grow up in a time of rebirth and recovery. The first generation wholly born in the twenty-first century, Generation Alpha, represents a new beginning for the economy, political atmosphere, ecology, and more.

Generational Naming Outside of the United States

While generational naming is more common in the West, the idea of social generations is not. Although they are more often impacted by local or regional events and less by covert social and cultural zeitgeists, other countries also name their generations. People born after apartheid in 1994 are known as the Born-Free Generation in South Africa, for instance. The Revolution Generation refers to Romanians born after communism fell in 1989.

13 Fun ESL Games for Children to Learn in English Class

No matter what language you are learning, there are always fun games to help you learn. Here are 15 of the most popular ESL games for children that can help you improve your English skills.

No matter what language you are learning, there are always fun games to help you learn. Here are 15 of the most popular ESL games for children that can help you improve your English skills.

  1. Hangman
    This classic game is always a hit with children and can help improve your vocabulary and spelling.
  1. Picture Dictionary
    This is a great game to help your children learn new English words. Have them look at a picture and guess the English word that is written next to it.
  1. Hangman with Multiple Words
    For a more challenging game, try hangman with multiple words. You will need to find all of the words in a sentence or picture.
  1. Word Ladder
    This game is great for vocabulary development. Have your child ladder up words one at a time on a chart or whiteboard.
  1. Hangman with Multiple Letters
    For a different kind of hangman game, try hangman with multiple letters. This game is a little more challenging and will help your child improve their word knowledge.
  1. Word Match
    For a game that is a little more challenging, try word match. Your child will have to match a word with its corresponding picture.
  1. Scrabble
    This classic game is a great way to improve your English vocabulary. Have your child play against a computer or another player.
  1. Word Hunt
    This is a great game to help your child learn new English words. Hide a word in a picture and see if your child can find it.
  1. Hangman with Multiple Letters
    For a different kind of hangman game, try hangman with multiple letters. This game is a little more challenging and will help your child improve their word knowledge.
  1. Word Jumble
    This is a great game to help your child learn new English words. Write a word on a piece of paper and tell your child to unscramble it.
  1. 20 Questions
    This is a classic game that is always a hit with children. Have your child answer 20 questions in English using the vocabulary that you have been teaching.
  1. 20 Questions with Multiple Words
    For a more challenging game, try 20 questions with multiple words. Your child will have to figure out the words in a sentence or picture.
  1. Word Association
    This is a great game to help your child learn new English words. Have them select a word and then answer questions about the word they just selected.

15 Great Books About Education to Get into This Summer

This summer, read 15 great books about education to get into the spirit of learning. Whether you’re a student looking for inspiration or an educator seeking new ideas, these books will make you learn in new and interesting ways.

  1. Becoming a Master Teacher: A Guide to Training and Development
  2. The Educated Mind: How Cognitive Science Can Help Us Understand Learning
  3. The New Reality of Learning: Tools for Success in the 21st Century
  4. Educating for Effective Democracy
  5. Cracking the College Reading Code: A Guide to Overcoming Tough Textbooks and Boosting Your GPA
  6. The Big Idea: How to Think About and Teach Mathematics
  7. A World of Learning: Teaching with Technology
  8. The Art of Teaching: A Visionary History of a Passionate Profession
  9. Raising Global Citizens: A Path to the Future
  10. How Learning Works: Brain Science and the Education of Tomorrow
  11. The Highly Sensitive Person’s Guide to Life: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You
  12. Teach Like a Pro: A Collection of Master Class Lessons from the Best Teachers in the World
  13. Massive Open Online Courses: A New Model for Higher Education
  14. The Unseen University: A History of Oxford from 1066 to the 21st Century
  15. A Student’s Guide to College Success

28 Classroom Rules for a Happier Classroom

In order to create a more enjoyable and productive classroom environment, teachers should follow certain guidelines. Here are 28 classroom rules that can help create a more positive learning environment:

  1. Let students know what is expected of them in advance.
  2. Make sure all materials are available in advance.
  3. Give students a chance to ask questions.
  4. Allow students to work in groups whenever possible.
  5. Make sure students are allowed to take breaks and have time for socializing.
  6. Give feedback regularly.
  7. Don’t get angry or frustrated easily.
  8. Be respectful of students’ time.
  9. Let students know when they are doing well.
  10. Encourage students to ask questions and express their thoughts.
  11. Be supportive of students’ efforts.
  12. Be patient with students.
  13. Be aware of students’ moods and reactions.
  14. Let students know when they are not meeting expectations.
  15. Let students know when they can leave.
  16. Make sure students know where to find help if they need it.
  17. Don’t overreact to students’ mistakes.
  18. Be fair in assigning tasks.
  19. Be flexible in setting deadlines.
  20. Be aware of students’ physical and emotional well-being.
  21. Make sure students can openly express their feelings.
  22. Promote a positive school culture.
  23. Cooperate with other teachers.
  24. Make sure students have opportunities to learn from their mistakes.
  25. Encourage students to get involved in extracurricular activities.
  26. Make sure students have access to technology.
  27. Reward students for their efforts.
  28. Make sure students have a positive school experience.