Teaching Strategies, Tactics, and Methods

Initial consonant deletion (ICD) is considered a phonological disorder. ICD is when a child consistently misses the first consonant at the start of a word. It can be common for children to leave consonants at the end of terms. However, it is quite uncommon for a child to get rid of the first consonant of a word.

Because ICD is considered a phonological disorder, the child has developed a rule that tells them to remove the initial consonant in words. It is not a conscious error; some children may not even realize they are doing it. So, it is just their brain finding an easier way to say the word.

It is recommended that a child sees a speech pathologist, no matter what their age is if they are showing signs of initial consonant deletion. You may notice them saying words incorrectly, for example, displaying ‘ee’ instead of ‘tree.’ A speech pathologist will be able to work with the child and help them with this phonological disorder and, hopefully, will be able to correct it.

How to help children with initial consonant deletion

Although initial consonant deletion may sound worrying when you say it is a phonological disorder, it can be reversed, and a speech pathologist will work with the child to ‘re-train’ their brain.

A speech pathologist may use minimal pairs to help the child with initial consonant deletion. For example, they will find minimal pairs where one word has an initial consonant and the other doesn’t, for example, ‘cup’ and ‘up,’ as well as ‘off’ and ‘cough.’

You can hold the minimal pairs up in front of the child and explain the differences between the two. If you can get images of each word, this will help the child to understand each word and the differences between the two.

You can ask the child to point to certain words; for example, say, ‘point to the card that says cup,’ and the child will have to find which card has the word ‘cup’ on it. Then, as they point to the card, you can say the word they are pointing to. For example, if they point to the wrong card, you could say, ‘Nice try. That word says ‘up.’ We are looking for a card that says ‘cup.’

Once the child has got the hang of pointing out the cards and can do so correctly, get the child to say the words, they might not be able to say these words correctly straight away, but you can work on it and keep repeating the correct words.

You can give them examples by saying the word in sentences and getting the child to copy it. The most important thing to remember is to keep practicing. The more you practice, the easier it will become for the child to say the words correctly.

If a child is finding this process challenging, you could try the following:

• Focus on one initial consonant at a time
• Focus on commonly used words
• Exaggerate the initial consonant in the words

It is important to remember that these things can take time to correct, and it isn’t going to happen overnight. So stay patient and keep practicing. The more you do it, the easier it will become.

Bacteria are amongst the smallest living things in the world, containing just one cell. Bacteria are single-celled or unicellular organisms. Bacteria are so small that we need a microscope to see them. Bacteria are everywhere: in the air, our skin, the ground, bodies, and nature.

Bacteria are microorganisms that need nutrition from their environment. Many types come in various shapes and sizes, including spheres, spirals, and rods. Some can swim, some can glide, and others stay still for a long time.

Most bacteria are not dangerous, though some kinds of bacteria can make us sick. Bacteria that make us unhappy are called pathogens. Pathogens can cause diseases in many living things, including animals and plants. Our bodies can fight off pathogens with our immune system, but we can get sick. We can prevent pathogens from entering our bodies by washing our hands.

Although bacteria are just a single cell, they can carry out all six life processes:

• movement;
• respiration;
• sensitivity;
• growth;
• excretion;
• nutrition.

Keep reading to learn some fun bacteria facts!

The three different types of bacteria

Although there are many different types of bacteria living around the world, there are five most common types of bacteria that are distinguished by their shape and the structure of their wall, which include:

• Spirochaetes: These corkscrew-shaped bacteria fall into three types (Treponema, Leptospira, and Borrelia) and can cause specific diseases.
• Rickettsia: These are bacteria from the Rickettsiaceae family, which can only live and survive inside other living cells.
• Mycoplasma: These are bacteria that have no cell wall. These can infect humans and cause.
• Cocci: These are spherical cells with thick cell walls and are termed gram-positive because they take up the Gram stain. Those with thin cell walls are termed gram-negative.
• Bacilli: This is a rod-shaped bacterium that includes two orders, Bacillales, and Lactobacillales, which contain several well-known pathogens such as Bacillus anthracis and are almost exclusively gram-positive bacteria.

Shapes of bacteria

Bacteria come in a range of different shapes and sizes. Certain types of bacteria are rounder, while others are shaped like rods, and some have an unusual shape. Generally speaking, there are three main shapes of bacteria:

• Coccus: A round shape
• Bacillus: A rod shape
• Spiral: A spiral or twisted shape

Common bacterial cell arrangements

In addition to the different shapes of bacteria, there is a range of different types of bacteria cell arrangements. The common types of bacterial cell arrangements are as follows:

• Diplo: In this arrangement, the cells stay in pairs after dividing.
• Strepto: In this arrangement, the cells remain in chains after splitting.
• Tetrad: In this arrangement, the cells stay in groups of four and divide into two planes.
• Sarcinae: In this arrangement, cells remain in groups of eight and divide into three planes.
• Staphylo: In this arrangement, cells stay in clusters and split into multiple planes.

These are all the standard arrangements and shapes of bacteria, but there are several exceptions. The more unusually shaped bacteria are known as pleomorphic and will experience different forms at different stages in their life cycles.

Cocci bacteria

One of the three main shapes of bacteria is the coccus bacteria. Coccus bacteria, the plural for which is cocci, have a round, oval, or spherical shape. There are a few different arrangements that these bacteria can take on:

• Diplococci: In this arrangement, cells stay in pairs after dividing.
• Streptococci: In this arrangement, cells remain in chains after splitting.
• Tetrad: In this arrangement, cells stay in groups of four and are divided into two planes.
• Sarcinae: In this arrangement, cells remain in groups of eight and divide into three planes.
• Staphylococci: In this arrangement, cells stay in clusters and split into multiple planes.

Types of cocci

There are a few different types of coccus bacteria, all of which are named based on their bacterial cell arrangement. The kinds of coccus bacteria include Diplococcus bacteria, Streptococcus bacteria, Staphylococcus bacteria, and Enterococcus bacteria.

Bacilli bacteria

The next of the three main shapes of bacteria is bacillus. Bacillus bacteria, the plural of which is bacilli, are rod-shaped bacteria cells. There are several different arrangements that bacillus cells can take on:

• Monobacillus: In this arrangement, cells stay as singular rod-shaped cells after dividing.
• Diplobacilli: In this arrangement, cells stay in pairs after dividing.
• Streptobacilli: In this arrangement, cells stay in chains after dividing.
• Palisades: In this arrangement, cells in a chain are organized side-by-side instead of end-to-end. These cells are also partially attached.
• Coccobacillus: In this arrangement, cells are short with a slightly oval shape. These cells look like coccus and bacillus bacteria.

Types of bacilli

There are several types of bacillus bacteria, all of which have slightly different functions. Bacillus bacteria can be found in various environments, including the soil and the ocean. This type of bacteria is also located within the human body, wherein they help the process of digestion and boost immune health. Bacillus bacteria are also used to make different types of food and drink, including wine, cheese, yogurt, and beer.

Spirilla bacteria

The last of the three main shapes of bacteria are spirilla bacteria. Spirilla bacteria have a spiraled, twisted shape and typically occur in three forms: spirillum, the plural of spirilla, spirochaetes, and vibrio. Let’s have a look at each of these forms of bacteria:

• Spirilla

Spirilla bacteria have a long spiral shape and are rigid cells. It is also likely that these cells have flagella, which are lengthy projections at each end of the cell used for movement.

• Spirochaetes Bacteria

Spirochaetes bacteria are long, tightly-coiled cells that are spiral. One difference between spirochaetes and spirilla bacteria is that, while spirilla are super rigid, spirochaetes are much more flexible.

• Vibrio Bacteria

While vibrio bacteria are fairly similar to spiral bacteria in shape, there are a few key differences. Vibrio bacteria have a slight curve to them, identical to a comma. Like some spirilla cells, this type of bacteria also has flagella, which are projections for movement. Many types of vibrio bacteria are known as ‘pathogens,’ organisms that cause disease. They are heavily associated with food poisoning and can also infect open wounds to cause blood poisoning.

This bacterium is known as ‘facultative anaerobes,’ meaning they can survive without oxygen.

How to prevent bacteria

Although not all bacteria are bad, the easiest way to clean away bacteria is by washing your hands! Handwashing is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself and others from illnesses like flu and food poisoning, and it is easy to promote and teach in schools to develop effective and safe hygiene standards. There are many resources available on the Twinkl site that can teach pupils how and why they should be washing their hands in different scenarios, such as:

• when your hands are dirty;
• before eating or touching food;
• after using the bathroom;
• after blowing your nose or coughing;
• after touching pets or other animals;
• after playing outside;
• before and after visiting a sick relative or friend.

Fascinating bacteria facts

Learn all about bacteria with this list of fun bacteria facts!

• Did you know that bacteria is the oldest known life form on Earth? Yep, scientific studies have found that bacteria have been around for more than 3.5 billion years, which is longer than any other life form on the planet.
• Something that people never really consider when talking about bacteria is their speed. On average, a single bacterium can move around 100 times its body length in just one second, making them super speedy life forms.
• All yogurt lovers out there are eating bacteria with your favorite snack. Many common foods, such as yogurt, cheese, and kimchi, are all made using bacteria. Don’t worry; it’s completely safe! The bacteria used to make these kinds of foods are beneficial for your gut health.
• Leading on from that last bacteria fact, there is a common misconception that bacteria are bad for you when, in fact, most bacteria are good. The human body has way more bacterial cells than human cells. The human body is around 90% bacteria. Bacteria are useful for digestion and help the body fight off bad bacteria. Shockingly, only 1% of all the bacteria in the world will make us sick.
• Bacteria have existed for billions of years but were only discovered in 1674. A Dutch scientist named Antonie van Leeuwenhoek was responsible for their discovery. Van Leeuwenhoek was looking at scrapings from the human mouth under the microscope, a device that had only just been invented, when he spotted bacteria for the first time.
• Bacteria are extremely adaptable, which works against us when trying to cure bacterial illnesses. For example, antibiotics are used to fight off bacteria within the body. Still, it is hard to find an antibiotic that is consistently effective because bacteria can adapt quickly. For instance, if you take an antibiotic too often, the bacteria in your body resist it, and the drug becomes ineffective.
• Bacteria are single-celled organisms. This means they are made up of just one cell.
• Despite being little tiny organisms, bacteria are incredibly durable. Bacteria can survive many intense conditions, including extreme heat, cold, and even radioactive waste. Not only can bacteria survive in these crazy conditions, but they thrive in them!
• Last up on this list of bacteria facts is that most bacteria haven’t been identified yet. For instance, when a geneticist named J. Craig Venter analyzed the high seas water in 2003, he found over a million bacterial genes that had never been seen before.

How do bacteria benefit us?

Bacteria in the soil

Bacteria can benefit us in many ways, notably through their work in the soil. For example, a specific type of bacteria called decomposers can be found in soil, breaking down material from dead animal and plant matter. This fairly gruesome process is crucial for creating ground and removing dead tissue. Another handy type of bacteria found in soil is called Rhizobium. Rhizobium bacteria help fertilize the soil using nitrogen, which plants then use for growing.

Bacteria in food

You didn’t read that wrong; bacteria are in our food. Bacteria are used to make lots of different types of food, with yogurt being the prime example. Foods created using bacteria include pickles, cheese, vinegar, soy sauce, fermented fish, meat, and vegetables.

Bacteria in our bodies

There are tons of bacteria within the human body, all of which have various uses. One of the main uses of bacteria within the body involves the digestive system, as they help break down our food. In addition, some bacteria in the body are beneficial for fighting illnesses and keeping us healthy. These bacteria work with our immune system to help fight off different organisms that could make us sick.

Structure of bacteria cells

The structure of every cell type is unique. What sets bacteria cells apart from plant and animal cells is that they are prokaryotes, meaning they do not contain a nucleus.

Some of the elements that can be found in the majority of bacteria cells are;

• Capsule: Certain bacteria contain a tablet, a layer of protective covering located outside the cell wall. A pill is made up of complex carbohydrates.
• Cell wall: The cell wall is a rigid structure made of peptidoglycan, a protein-sugar molecule. The cell wall gives the bacterium its shape, and its role is to surround the cytoplasmic membrane and protect it from the environment. Depending on the species of bacteria, the cell wall can vary in thickness.
• Plasma membrane: The plasma membrane is located within the cell wall, generating energy and transporting chemicals. Moreover, the plasma membrane is permeable, meaning substances can easily pass through it.
• Cytoplasm: The cytoplasm is a jelly-like substance found inside the plasma membrane. This part of the cell is composed of water, enzymes, nutrients, wastes, and gases. Within the cytoplasm, there is a range of genetic material and ribosomes. The cytoplasm of bacteria cells is super important as cell growth, metabolism, and replication are all carried out.
• DNA: DNA, which stands for deoxyribonucleic acid, is a polymer that contains all of the genetic instructions necessary for the development and growth of bacteria. This part of the bacteria cell is located within the cytoplasm.
• Ribosomes: Ribosomes are teeny tiny particles in bacteria cells responsible for making proteins.
• Flagellum: The flagellum is important in the bacteria cell, as it is used for movement. Depending on the species of bacteria, there can be more than one flagellum. Flagella (the plural of flagellum) are very fine, hair-like structures that propel the bacteria forward in a propeller-like motion. This movement is necessary because it takes the bacteria away from toxic chemicals and towards nutrients.
• Pili: Pili are present in some, but not all, bacteria cells. They are hair-like structures that protrude from the outside of the cell. They allow bacteria cells to adhere to surfaces and transfer genetic material to other cells.

In Buddhism, The Five Precepts are equivalent to a code of conduct or rules to follow if you’re to live a truly Buddhist life. They’re created to help people act morally in their day-to-day lives and help them reach enlightenment – this is the main aim of Buddhist teaching.

Buddhist principles teach that actions can gauge a person’s morality and whether they harm others or cause suffering.

The main goal of Buddhism is to reduce suffering in your life and the lives of others, so these precepts aim to help people do this.

Buddhist ethics are mainly concerned with the actions and principles of people and whether they are helpful or harmful to the aims of reducing suffering and achieving enlightenment. There’s an emphasis on personal spiritual development, and the general goal of a Buddhist is to reach nirvana, which is a state of true enlightenment.

These five precepts of Buddhism can be seen as a representation of Buddhist values and principles. If one follows them in their everyday life, they can work towards reaching enlightenment and living a truly Buddhist lifestyle. Buddhists don’t worship a single God, and these precepts aren’t seen as the orders of a deity, in the same way, some other religions are structured.

They’re guides to help follow the path to enlightenment, to ensure that they accumulate good karma and, as such, can come closer to achieving enlightenment. Buddhists believe you can reach this state by working on your morality through meditation and following these precepts.

Some monks follow hundreds of precepts, but these five are the main guidelines for the everyday individual who practices Buddhism.

The First Precept

The First Precept is to refrain from taking life; this applies to humans and animals and means we shouldn’t kill anything that lives.

Many Buddhists choose to be vegetarian to fully follow this precept, as they don’t want to break it by contributing to the death of an animal for food; some interpret this precept as a principle against all wars, and many Buddhists do apply it in this sense. So it’s similar to the Bible’s commandment ‘Thou Shalt Not Kill,’ although Buddhist precepts aren’t framed in the same way – they’re seen more as guidelines to follow rather than strict rules. Buddhism also doesn’t follow a deity in the same way as Christianity, so the precepts aren’t seen as God-given commands.

The Second Precept

The Second Precept is to refrain from taking what is not given to you. It is typically interpreted as not stealing since this is a clear way of harming others and causing suffering. Taking what is not shown can also be read to discourage exploitation and taking advantage of people. Dishonest acts like this aren’t in line with Buddhist morality.

The Third Precept

The Third Precept of Buddhism is to refrain from sexual misconduct or the misuse of the senses. It typically applies to things like adultery and being unfaithful – we shouldn’t overindulge in sex or commit sexual offenses. Buddhist monks and people who follow the faith very seriously may take vows of celibacy, as sex could be a distraction from reaching true enlightenment. Celibacy is also a way of guaranteeing you adhere to this third precept.

The Fourth Precept

The Fourth Precept is that one should refrain from wrong speech. It is typically interpreted to mean lying, misleading and gossiping. Instead, Buddhists following this precept should say useful, considered, and well-meaning things. Speech is tied in with listening, and when following this precept, one should be a good listener and avoid speaking out of turn and causing suffering through speech and interactions.

The Fifth Precept

The fifth and final precept is to refrain from intoxicants that cloud the mind. It means you shouldn’t use drugs, alcohol, and other intoxicants, as they can hinder your journey toward enlightenment and cause suffering.

The aim of abstaining from intoxicants is to achieve a clear and alert mind that can focus properly on meditation and reaching enlightenment. Some Buddhists also apply this to one’s thoughts and use this precept for mindfulness. However, if one is to have a truly clear mind, one needs to be aware of their thoughts, motivations, feelings, and actions – one way of being acutely aware of all these is by practicing mindfulness.

Mindfulness

Mindfulness is a technique rooted in Buddhism, and it’s the practice of being aware of our thoughts, feelings, and sensations, living truly in the present, and clearing one’s mind of all other thoughts. It can be practiced through meditation, another key element of Buddhism that can help people reach an enlightened state.

Buddhists believe that meditating helps them gain wisdom, as by acting morally and ethically, they can grow their knowledge.

Meditation also becomes easier the more it is practiced, helping Buddhists to rid their minds of negativity.

Four Foundations of Mindfulness

Buddhist principles of mindfulness are based on four key things we should be mindful of: our bodies, our feelings, our minds themselves, and “phenomena,” or “the world around us.”

By training and being mindful of these four foundations, Buddhists believe they can see these things for what they are beyond our conceptual ideas.

Training in the four foundations of mindfulness allows us to see reality with more clarity and serenity.

What is Enlightenment?

In Buddhist texts, it’s explained that people are meant to develop their character to strive toward achieving enlightenment. These precepts are a handy step towards doing this.

If one follows these precepts, one can ensure their thoughts and actions align with Buddhist morality and work towards reaching the true state of Nirvana. It can be done with thoughtful meditation, living out these precepts through your actions, and trying to reduce your suffering and the suffering of others.

The state of enlightenment is wisdom, contentment, and knowledge of the self. It’s often defined as the realization of all truth about life. Buddha is said to have achieved this through meditation under a tree. Supposedly, Buddha lived around 2500 years ago. He was from a rich and powerful family and lived in a palace. Here, he didn’t see much of the suffering in the outside world. Then, one day, he left the palace to see widespread death, illness, and despair.

His life and story inspire Buddhism, as when he encountered suffering in the world, he realized that suffering is inevitable in life. The only way to reconcile this is through meditation and reaching enlightenment. Once he had achieved this, people started to refer to him as ‘Buddha,’ which can loosely be translated as a teacher.

Enlightenment means knowing one’s place in the world and having full knowledge and control over one’s mind. Buddhists feel this level of enlightenment is the only true way to understand and reduce suffering.

Habitat loss is the destruction or alteration of the necessary conditions for plants and animals to survive in a particular place. It affects not only individual species but the entire ecosystem.

The world’s forests, lakes, swamps, plains, and other habitats are reduced in size or, in the worst case, completely disappear.

What are the main kinds of habitat loss?

• Destruction

Habitat destruction is what we most commonly think of when we think of habitat loss. Major parts of a habitat are cleared and destroyed by cutting down trees, filling in wetlands, dredging rivers, or mowing fields.

• Fragmentation

Habitat fragmentation is common in areas that have undergone urban development, where roads or buildings have cut up large areas. These areas of fragmented habitat can affect species that need a large territory to find mates or food. It can also make it more difficult for migratory species to find food and shelter during their migration routes.

• Degradation

This is when habitats become degraded over time by causes such as invasive species, pollution, or a disruption to the ecosystem. For example, some habitats can become so polluted that wildlife can no longer live there.

What is Habitat destruction?

Habitat destruction tends to be what we commonly think of when discussing habitat loss. Habitat destruction eliminates or alters the conditions for animals and plants to survive. For example, major parts of a habitat are cleared and destroyed by cutting down trees, filling wetlands, dredging rivers, or mowing fields.

The process of habitat destruction sees a natural habitat incapable of supporting its native species. As a result, the organisms previously inhabited the site are displaced or die. This reduces biodiversity and species abundance.

Habitat destruction is one of the biggest threats facing plants and animal species worldwide. The loss of habitat has a major impact on the planet’s ability to sustain life, impacting individual species and the global ecosystem’s health.

Finding a balance between what humans and animals need will help to prevent habitat destruction. For example, some scientists think that if we put aside half of Earth’s land and water for nature, we could save up to 90 percent of all species.

What are the effects of habitat loss?

Habitat loss is considered one of, if not the biggest, threats to life on our planet today. It’s the main threat to 85% of all plant and animal species that are endangered or threatened.

Habitat loss can affect ecosystems in several different ways:

• Reduced Biodiversity

In one ecosystem, you could expect hundreds or thousands of different species of plants and animals. When that place experiences habitat loss, this number will decrease dramatically. When an animal loses its habitat that it needs to survive, limiting its access to food, water, and shelter, its species’ numbers will decline and head towards endangerment or even extinction. Between 14,000 to 35,000 species are at risk of death, with habitat loss being one of the main causes.

• Ripple Effect on Other Species

In an ecosystem, every species is connected by the food chain. When one species’ numbers decline or become extinct, this will have an impact on other species living in the same habitat or ecosystem. For example, when sea otter numbers decline, the population numbers of their prey, sea urchins, can increase dramatically. However, sea urchins eat kelp. If there are too many sea urchins, they’ll significantly reduce the size of kelp forests, and many other marine species rely on this habitat too.

• Less Pollination and Seed Dispersal

Many plants, both wild and agricultural, depend on pollination to reproduce. For example, fruits and vegetables depend on bees and other insects to take pollen from flower to flower. However, as you may know, bee numbers are on the decline, primarily because of habitat loss. In addition, the increase in intensive farming and urban development has meant that bees have lost some food sources. When there are fewer bees to pollinate the flowers and plants, there will be fewer flowers and plants that can successfully reproduce.

• More Carbon Dioxide

When forests, woodlands, and other areas with a large cover of trees and vegetation become reduced, they can’t absorb as much carbon dioxide as they used to. This means that more greenhouse gas will be released into the atmosphere, worsening climate change’s effects.

• More Plant Pests

When there are fewer plant species because of habitat destruction, it’s much easier for pests to spread. This could lead to the eradication of an entire plant species. More insects and animals will eat the problems when there is greater plant diversity. Habitat loss puts plant species at risk.

• Indirect Effects on Humans

Humans depend on the biodiversity of ecosystems and habitats for food, clothing, shelter, and many other reasons. A diverse range of crops can protect farms against low crop yield or crop failures. However, this also means that reduced biodiversity makes farmers more at risk of crop failure, which results in less food to eat or sell.

What are the causes of habitat loss?

Human actions largely cause habitat loss.

• Agriculture

The loss of forests is mostly caused by agricultural expansion for farmland or timber harvesting. Massive trees and forestland are cut down to make room for agricultural land. The land is also converted to make more room for growing populations of people. This disrupts and displaces many plant and animal species and reduces the area in which they have to live.

• Meat Production

The feed production necessary for livestock has a massive impact on the surrounding environments and is a cause of habitat loss. Feed cows can take a lot of water, fertilizer, and fossil fuels. It takes 660 gallons of water to produce just one hamburger. Millions of acres of land are used to make feed for livestock.

• Coastal Development

Coral reefs are a rich and diverse ecosystem but are also at risk of habitat loss. Coastal development can affect the ecosystem, such as destructive fishing practices, boat anchors, and even tourists touching or removing corals. Overfishing is a huge issue too. When too many fish are removed from the ecosystem, it will ripple across the habitat and affect other species. Coral bleaching due to climate change also massively affects marine life.

• Overgrazing

When a predator’s species number decreases, this can lead to its prey becoming overpopulated in the habitat. In addition, prey animals tend to eat grass and vegetation, so when there are lots more of them, more grass will be eaten. Sometimes, it will be consumed faster than it can grow back. Overgrazing can also occur with groups of livestock on farmland.

• Pollution

Pollution has a huge impact on just about every ecosystem, but freshwater habitats are the most affected. They can become polluted with waste, acid rain, pesticides, and fertilizers. This affects not only the species living in the water but also the animals which go to freshwater as a source of food or water.

• Climate Change

Climate change is becoming an increasing factor in habitat loss. Climate change can affect the temperature and seasons, which will naturally have a ripple effect on the species which live in these places. For example, the oceans are becoming warmer, which means ice is melting. Animals that live on the ice will experience habitat loss, but so will species that live in areas where the sea level is rising and submerging the land.

Examples of habitat loss

Habitat loss occurs worldwide on big and small scales, but one of the biggest examples is the Amazon Rainforest. It’s experiencing deforestation on a massive scale.

Around 17% of the forest has been lost in the last 50 years, mostly due to the land being cleared for cattle ranches. In addition, there is a lack of support for sustainable development and nature conservation, so the forest’s needs are pushed aside for agricultural development.

As a result of this loss, more and more species that live in the Amazon Rainforest are at risk of extinction. These are just some of the species which are endangered or threatened:

• jaguar;
• South American tapir;
• giant river otters;
• pangolin;
• white-cheeked spider monkey;
• hyacinth macaw;
• pink Amazon dolphin.

How can we stop habitat loss?

While habitat loss and destruction are often the results of large-scale farming operations, there are still some ways that you can adapt your everyday life to become more sustainable and aware of the way our actions affect the environment.

• Reduce Your Water

The planet only has so much water, mostly from lakes and rivers. Using too much can affect the plant and animal species that live there. You could turn off the tap while brushing your teeth or opt for showers instead of baths to combat this.

• Use Less Palm Oil

Many rainforests are destroyed to make room to grow trees for palm oil. Palm oil is found in many everyday products, such as soap, shampoo, bread, chocolate, and cookies, so it’s a good idea to check and see if what you’re buying contains palm oil. Then, opt for the rainforest-friendly option!

• Plant a Garden

You can help to create a habitat on a smaller scale. For example, plant a garden full of flowers and various plants to make a thriving ecosystem perfect for insects, birds, and other animals you might find in your local area.

• Don’t Use Fertiliser

If plant fertilizer gets into the water system, it can have devastating effects on algae life down the line. So instead, use natural fertilizers or plant local flowers which will thrive in the environment in the first place.

• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

One of the best things we can do is reduce our production waste. Recycle paper, donate old toys and clothes to charities, and make sure that you reduce as much waste that goes to the landfill as possible.

So, what are analogies? An analogy compares one thing to another, usually to explain or clarify something. They do this by showing a connection between two different things; writers help to explain something significant about one thing by using a second thing you know about.

So, why do we need to understand analogy? The purpose of a metaphor is not only to show how two things are connected but also to explain them. This makes an analogy more complex than a simile or a metaphor, which aims only to show without explaining.

What are synonym and antonym analogies?

Analogies can also be used to describe the relationship between synonyms and antonyms. These can be useful for helping children to understand what synonyms and antonyms are and how different words are similar to each other.

Synonym analogies examples:

• friendly is too kind, as mean to aggressive;
• cold is freezing as hot is boiling;
• cute is too adorable, as scary is too terrifying.

Antonym analogies examples:

• strong is too weak, as love is to hate;
• wet is too dry, as cold is too hot;
• sweet is to sour, as the sun is to rain.

What are five examples of analogy?

Analogies are very often seen in common expressions and phrases. This means that it is very likely that your students have come across analogies without even realizing it. Take a look at some of these examples of analogies:

1. ‘That was as difficult as finding a needle in a haystack.’
2. ‘That’s as useful as rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.’
3. ‘He is a diamond in the rough.’
4. ‘Life is a roller coaster with lots of ups and downs.’
5. ‘That game was a rollercoaster ride of emotions.’

To understand these examples more, let’s take a closer look at the final model, ‘that game was a rollercoaster ride of emotions. In this example, you’re not literally on a rollercoaster ride twisting and turning. However, the game was full of ups and downs with lots of surprises, making you feel like you’ve been on a ride.

What is the difference between analogy and metaphor?

Now that we know more about analogies, your students may confuse analogy and metaphor. So, what is the difference between analogy and metaphor? To put it simply:

• Metaphor: A metaphor is saying something is something else.
• Analogy: An analogy is saying something is like something else to make a point.

For example:

• Metaphor: Tom is a ninja.
• Analogy: Tom moved easily, like a ninja on a bungee jump.

Dramatic language is language traditionally associated with drama. It incorporates theatrical vocabulary, is designed to pack an emotional punch, and elicit strong feelings. Traditionally, it mimics these strong feelings and presents them hyperbolically. In addition, dramatic language is often associated with emotive interjections – picture a Shakespearean character on stage, lamenting loudly and peppering their speech with lots of ‘oh!’s and ‘ah!’s.

Nowadays, the principles of dramatic language are often translated into literature. But, on paper or as spoken word, the language still delivers a real impact.

His use of dramatic and hyperbolic language effectively shows the audience how in love with Juliet he is. His use of metaphor is a good example of theatrical language, and his exclamatory ‘o!’ shows how overcome with emotion he is. You can tell it’s the dramatic language because it’s not how most people speak! Instead, it’s very vivid and flowery and packs a real punch. Although some people do use dramatic language in their day-to-day lives, most people are more conservative with their language use and speak more directly to the point.

Dramatic language on the stage

It’s in the name – dramatic language is for drama. In its purest form, dramatic language is meant to be performed. Because of this, interjections are a common part of theatrical language, as it mimics speech.

Crucially, dramatic language on the stage is, of course, dialogue. It often comes in monologues, such as the Shakespearean example above. One explanation is that dramatic language is more lengthy and descriptive than normal speech. Picture a drama queen – everything is all about them, so they talk in dramatic monologues to monopolize the conversation and make extended flowery speeches.

On stage, everything is bigger; some audience members will be sitting far away and won’t be able to see one slight tear in the corner of an actor’s eye. This is why hyperbole and exaggeration play such a big role in theatre, where dramatic language is rooted.

How can you use dramatic language in your writing?

To use dramatic language in your writing, you must think carefully about word choice. For example, bland, commonly used words such as ‘sad’ and ‘good’ aren’t very dramatic and won’t achieve the desired effect! This is why it’s so important to use varied, high-level vocabulary.

Zero or 0 is what mathematicians use to represent nothing.

As well as this, it’s used as what’s called a placeholder in large numbers. That is, it’s not worth anything, but it can change the value of other numbers. For example, in the number 124, 2 represents 20. However, if we add a zero to the end to make 1,240, the 2 illustrates 200. So, adding a zero to the end of any number increases its value by a factor of ten.

If you’re struggling to see how this works, you might want to think about it in table form:

124

Hundreds	Tens	Units
1	2	4

1,240

Thousands	Hundreds	Tens	Units
1	2	4	0

Who Invented the Number Zero?

Evidence of the number zero being used over 5,000 years ago in Mesopotamia. Back then, though, it looked very different, like a double diagonal wedge between columns of numbers.

Despite this, it took a while for zero to catch on. It went in and out of fashion in Ancient Greece, and the Romans didn’t use it. It wasn’t until Arab merchants imported the number from India in the 11th Century that its use became widespread in Europe. By then, mathematicians in other parts of the world had already been using it for hundreds of years!

Addition with Zero

As you might have already guessed, addition with zero is easy! The Identity Law of Addition says that any number added to zero equals itself. For example:

• 3 + 0 = 3
• 21 + 0 = 21
• 142 + 0 = 142
• 1,657 + 0 = 1,657
• 1,243,576 + 0 = 1,243,576

Have you spotted the pattern yet? You can add zero to any number; the answer is the same!

And if you’re after something else, why not let us know? Our dedicated TwinklCares team is always on hand to help.

Subtraction with Zero

As with addition, when you subtract 0 from a number, you get the same number. So, for example, 16 – 0 = 16.

This gets a little trickier when subtracting larger numbers using the column method. For example, consider the sum 1740 – 472 = ?. To solve this, you’ll have to borrow or exchange, where you take the number from the left.

Tips for Teaching Zero

Of course, it’s only natural your class or child will have more questions about the number zero. How can it be a number? Why do we need it? What even is it? These are just a few that are bound to come your way!

So, if you’d like to come prepared to your lesson, then here’s some handy advice for teaching zero:

• You’re best off introducing zero after children understand the value of other numbers.
• Start by comparing zero and nothing, then compare it to other numbers.
• Though it might sound strange, using objects like coins or counters can help explain zero.
• After you’ve spent some time on this, you can extend your teaching on zero to weights and measures. Again, this is a great way to consolidate understanding.

As always, if there’s anything else you’d like to learn about this, then why not get in touch? If you want, you can put your questions to us using the contact form below, and one of our team will get back to you.

A tsunami is a giant wave or series of waves caused by a huge earthquake or volcanic eruption under the ocean. These occur from movement in the Earth’s crust.

The earthquake causes a large amount of water to be displaced very quickly. When this happens far out at sea, tsunami waves don’t increase in height as they travel inland; the speed and size of the waves increase.

This can cause huge damage when the wave of water reaches the shoreline. You might have heard about some tsunamis in the news.

Several things happen when a tsunami hits land. First, a tsunami’s trough (the lowest point under its crest) usually reaches the shore. When it does go land, it sucks the coastal water towards the sea, exposing sea floors in the process as part of a vacuum effect.

It’s important to remember that a tsunami is a series of waves, not just one wave; this is called a ‘wave train.’ This means you should not assume that a tsunami has passed after one initial wave. Instead, it would help if you waited for official confirmation from the authorities that it is safe.

How tsunami waves happen:

1. They usually start with an earthquake below the ocean’s surface.
2. A series of waves travel through the deep water.
3. As the waves travel through shallower water near land, they get bigger.
4. The waves hit the coastline at high speeds and can cause large amounts of damage.

Tsunamis are sometimes referred to as tidal waves, but this isn’t technically correct, as tides do not cause them. A tidal wave is a shallow water wave caused by how gravity interacts between the sun, the moon, and the earth. A tsunami is a wave triggered by large ocean earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or landslides.

Tsunami facts for kids

Now you know what a tsunami is, we’ve collated some interesting tsunami facts around them for you and your class.

• Tsunami is a Japanese word that means ‘Harbour Wave.’
• Approximately 80% of tsunamis happen inside the Pacific Ocean’s ‘Ring of Fire.
• An earthquake or volcano could cause a tsunami.
• Tsunamis can go about as fast as 500 miles (805 kilometers an hour), nearly the same speed as a jet plane.
• Tsunamis retain their energy, allowing them to travel across vast oceans with little energy loss.
• Hawaii is a high-risk area for tsunamis. People who live in Hawaii usually get one every year. They average a severe tsunami almost every seven years. Other vulnerable areas include Alaska and the Pacific Northwest of America.
• Scientists can precisely predict when a tsunami will reach nearly any location in the world. They can do this using calculations for the depth of the water, distance to travel, and the time the earthquake happened to cause the tsunami.
• If taken by a tsunami wave, you can grab a floating object and let the current carry you.
• Tsunami waves get bigger and stronger, so the first isn’t usually the strongest.
• Their waves can be as big as 100 feet!
• The 2004 Indian tsunami had a 9.0 magnitude epicenter on the Richter scale.
• That same Indian tsunami hit fourteen different countries, from Thailand to Africa, killing around 250000 people.
• Scientists believe that a tsunami caused huge damage in Japan in 1700. They think it had a magnitude of 9.
• A tsunami wave can be less than 30 centimeters tall!

Most deadly tsunamis:

Lisbon – 1755

The earthquake and tsunami almost destroyed Lisbon and had a death toll of between 10,000 and 100,000 people in Lisbon, making it one of the deadliest disasters in history.

Italy – 1783

The Calabrian earthquakes were a sequence of five strong earthquakes that hit the region of Calabria, the first two producing tsunamis. The death toll lies in the range of 32,000 to 50,000 people.

Italy – 1908

The Messina earthquake and tsunami took about 123,000 lives in Sicily and Calabria, southern Italy. The major cities of Messina and Reggio Calabria were almost destroyed.

Sumatra, Indonesia – 2004

This Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami were the most devastating modern times, killing 230,000 people in 14 countries and bringing up to 30m high waves. It was the third-largest earthquake ever recorded and had the longest observed duration (8.3 to 10 minutes). Moreover, it was so strong that it caused the entire planet to vibrate.

Japan – 2011

At 2:46 pm, an 8.9 magnitude earthquake struck the northeast coast of Japan. The quake triggered a huge tsunami that swept inland. In places, the tsunami waves reached as far as 10k inland, and entire towns virtually disappeared. Japan has the longest recorded history of tsunamis in the world.

What is cluster reduction? Cluster simplification?

Cluster reduction, or cluster simplification, is quite a common articulation error. Many children find it challenging to say certain words, so they reduce the word to make it easier; however, it’s not the right way to say it. Here are a few examples:

• speaking ‘fren’ instead of ‘friend’;
• displaying ‘pider’ instead of ‘spider’;
• saying ‘boo’ instead of ‘blue’;
• saying ‘kool’ instead of ‘school’;
• saying ‘firt’ instead of ‘first.’

It is quite common for children to do this, and many children grow out of it and develop their articulation skills further to be able to say these words. This typical phonological error/difficulty typically develops when a child is 2-3 years old. It usually clears up on its own by the time the child is about 3 ½.

How to help children with cluster reduction (cluster simplification)

Some children may need a bit of extra support to stop cluster simplification. If a child is 2-4 and still has problems with cluster simplification, then it may be a good idea to speak to a speech pathologist for advice and help.

It is important to note that cluster reduction/simplification is a phonological error, meaning that it is not a physical disability causing this difficulty in articulation. However, if a child continues to speak with cluster reduction after a certain age, they may have a phonological process disorder.

A speech pathologist can listen to a child’s speech and determine whether they have a phonological process disorder. This might sound scary and upsetting, but there is no reason to worry because children can have speech therapy to help with cluster reduction.

A speech pathologist is trained in articulation treatments and should be able to correct phonological process disorders. The speech pathologist will work with the child to eliminate cluster simplification. They will demonstrate to the child how to properly say each word and will correct the child when they shorten it. They may also play games or activities with the child to help them with their articulation. A speech pathologist may also recommend activities for parents to do at home with their children.

For most people, writing a birthday card or tying your shoelaces probably seems like a relatively easy task. But these activities are complex movements that require the coordination of the muscles and the brain.

To be able to carry out these tasks, we have to develop our fine motor skills.

Fine motor skills are the ability to make movements using the small muscles in the hands and wrists. These skills involve the coordination of the hands and fingers with the eyes.

Improving these skills is a really important part of our development, as we use fine motor skills in various ways daily.

What is the difference between fine motor skills and gross motor skills?

While fine motor skills involve the muscles in our hands or wrists, gross motor skills refer to the coordination of the larger muscles in the arms or legs with the eyes.

So, fine motor skills are essential for smaller movements and actions like picking things up or holding a pencil, while gross motor skills are important for larger activities like walking or throwing a ball.

Fine motor skills examples for children

Some activities that require us to use fine motor skills include:

• Holding a pen, pencil, or paintbrush
• Drawing, tracing, and writing neatly
• Stacking and organizing objects
• Using scissors and rulers
• Typing on a computer
• Fastening clothing – zips, buttons, and velcro can be difficult to use at first
• Opening lunch boxes – the clasps on food containers can be clips or sometimes screw tops
• Tying shoelaces
• Video Gaming – the controllers, have small buttons and require fast reactions
• Using a knife and fork – if you don’t correctly hold them, the food may not stay on the utensil, or it will take the child a long time to finish their dinner
• Opening doors
• Brushing their teeth

A fine motor skill example that some adults attempt to perfect throughout their life and sometimes never master is playing a musical instrument. Quite often, it requires small intricate movements from the fingers that must be timed and positioned correctly. This is why schools and parents often suggest their children take music lessons at a young age – even if they never become world-class musicians, their agility (the ability to move their hands quickly and deliberately) will improve incredibly.

Fine Motor Skills Development

Children develop fine motor skills at different rates, but generally, the bulk of fine motor skill development happens between the ages of 6 and 12. As a result, children will improve their fine motor skills differently at each developmental stage.

The progression of fine motor skill development will vary from child to child and is reliant on the age-appropriate development of certain physical skills that can act as a base for arm and hand control.

Below is a list of milestones that may be expected at certain ages:

Babies:

Fine motor skill development starts when we’re babies, primarily with reflexes.

A good example is the ‘palmar grasp,’ where babies grab a person’s finger by closing their hand around it.

Before reaching 12 months, babies may pick objects up using a pincer grasp (using their thumb and one finger) and maybe even pass toys between their hands.

If babies don’t meet these milestones, there may be some reasons, such as poor muscle development and control.

Toddlers:

At this stage of fine motor skill development, children learn through play. For example, an important skill toddlers pick is understanding that different objects have different weights and sizes.

Toys and games that toddlers will play that can help to develop fine motor skills:

• Making towers with building blocks
• Doodling with colored pens, pencils, and crayons
• Placing beads and buttons on string and ribbon
• Playing with Play-Doh, especially rolling into small balls or sausage shapes
• Turning the pages of picture books

Pre-school:

By this stage, children will have developed some basic fine motor skills which allow them to cut and stick, hold a pencil and build things out of blocks.

Another way that children develop fine motor skills is by manipulating materials such as clay or dough, and they may be able to create more complex shapes than toddlers.

At this age, children may develop the ability to use their non-dominate hand to stabilize objects like paper when playing and drawing.

Other activities that will help preschool children to develop their fine motor skills include:

• Using scissors to cut a continuous line
• Writing their name and numbers 1-5
• Using zips and buttons independently

Poor pencil grip or frustration when holding pencils may cause a delay in development at this age.

Primary School:

As they progress through school, kids develop more fluidity in their fine motor skills, such as better accuracy when cutting and sticking and learning to write neatly and within the lines.

Activities that primary school children will be expected to complete that employ the use of fine motor skills include:

• Cutting out shapes
• Coloring within the lines
• Form letters and numbers correctly
• Write within the lines
• Tie their shoelaces independently

Slower development of fine motor skills can be a sign of developmental coordination disorder (DCD), also known as dyspraxia.

Ideas for fine motor skills development at home

• Encouraging children to play with small toys and playdough
• Finger-eating and painting
• Completing puzzles

Threading beads onto pipe cleaners