Monday, January 21, 2013

Why We Celebrate Martin Luther King Day

How Did Martin Luther King Day Come to Exist?

By Aquarius Cain

Did you ever wonder how we came to be able to celebrate the great works or Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.? As you sing the upbeat "Happy Birthday" song, did you realize that there is history behind the making of the song?

"Happy Birthday" is a 1981 single written, produced, and performed by musician Stevie Wonder for the Motown label. Wonder, a social activist, was one of the main figures in the campaign to have the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. become a national holiday, and created this single to make the cause known. Wonder used the song to popularize the campaign, and continued his fight for the holiday, holding the Rally for Peace Press Conference in 1981. In 1983 Stevie Wonder successfully led a campaign to have Martin Luther King's birthday declared a national holiday. On November 2, in a dramatic White House Rose Garden ceremony, President Ronald Reagan signed the King holiday bill. The first celebration of the holiday took place on January 15, 1986. The first official Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, held the third Monday in January of each year, was held on January 20, 1986, and was commemorated with a large-scale concert, where Stevie Wonder was the headlining performer. In January 1995 President Bill Clinton declared Martin Luther King's birthday to be a federal holiday after some states, including Arizona and New Hampshire, refused to make King's birthday a state observed holiday.

The lyrics to the song reflect Stevie Wonder's questioning of the opposition to the observance of Martin Luther King Day. Check out the lyrics below and the video in which Stevie Wonder performed this song live for Mandela Day.

"Happy Birthday"

By Stevie Wonder

You know it doesn't make much sense
There ought to be a law against
Anyone who takes offense
At a day in your celebration
Cause we all know in our minds
That there ought to be a time
That we can set aside
To show just how much we love you
And I'm sure you would agree
It couldn't fit more perfectly
Than to have a world party on the day you came to be

Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday

Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday

I just never understood
How a man who died for good
Could not have a day that would
Be set aside for his recognition
Because it should never be
Just because some cannot see
The dream as clear as he
that they should make it become an illusion
And we all know everything
That he stood for time will bring
For in peace our hearts will sing
Thanks to Martin Luther King

Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday

Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday

Why has there never been a holiday
Where peace is celebrated
all throughout the world

The time is overdue
For people like me and you
Who know the way to truth
Is love and unity to all God's children
It should be a great event
And the whole day should be spent
In full remembrance
Of those who lived and died for the oneness of all people
So let us all begin
We know that love can win
Let it out don't hold it in
Sing it loud as you can

Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday
Happy birthday
Happy birthday
Happy birthday
Ooh yeah
Happy birthday...

We know the key to unify all people
Is in the dream that you had so long ago
That lives in all of the hearts of people
That believe in unity
We'll make the dream become a reality
I know we will
Because our hearts tell us so

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About the author:

Aquarius Cain is the CEO of Accelerated Learning Educational Services. She is a full-time tutor with more than ten years of combined teaching and tutoring experience. As an educator, Mrs. Cain is a lover of learning and any opportunity she gets to spread knowledge through training the mind, she does, in her own unique way!

Connect with Aquarius Cain on LinkedIn

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About Accelerated Learning Educational Services (ALES):

ALES is a tutoring company that provides comprehensive tutoring services. Students in grades K-12, college students, and adult learners can get quality tutoring through an online course, live virtual one-on-one tutoring, or in-home tutoring. For more information on the world-class services and service areas provided by ALES, visit the website: www.acceleratedlearningservices.com.

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Wednesday, January 16, 2013

How To Fight Procrastination

Top 10 Tips To Fight Procrastination

"Procrastination is the thief of time." Edward Young

One of the biggest reasons why students are not successful in school is because of PROCRASTINATION. Procrastination is defined as "putting off or delaying or deferring an action to a later time." Approximately 95% of students are prone to procrastination, 50% procrastinate consistently, and 20% are CHRONIC procrastinators.

What triggers students to clean out closets or wax the car when it's time to work on their statistics paper? Usually it's self-doubt, says procrastination researcher and Carleton University psychology professor Timothy A. Pychyl, PhD. Other students may actually think they get a thrill out of delaying their work and believe they work best under pressure.

So, how do you fight procrastination? Here are 10 Steps to help fight this DISEASE!

Write Down Your Goals

Write down all of your goals for the next day the previous night -- Goal setting is most important but take it day by day to keep from being overwhelmed.

Set A Schedule

Set a schedule for all of your tasks and assignments and don't stop until you have finished all of your tasks one by one

Positive Self-Talk

Replace negative messages with positive ones, like "I can sit down, concentrate, and get this done," or "I have good ideas that I can communicate to other people."

Get Your Friends to Help

Get a friend to call you every 20 minutes or so to make sure you're working and see how far you've gotten. This friend is your "Accountability Partner." They will hold you accountable and responsible for doing what you say you're going to do.

Focus on Fun!

Think about the pressure-free good times you'll have when you get your work out of the way.

Give Yourself a Break

Allow yourself a little "controlled" procrastination, Play ONE game. Text a friend. Get on Facebook or Twitter. But promise yourself afterwards, you'll get down to it. Then follow through.

Take a Nap

Restless? Can't settle down? You may be sleep-deprived and not even know it. A 20-minute nap can do the trick.

Remove Distractions

Turn off all electronic devices and communication. Just use only what you need to accomplish your task. If you're going to need the computer, turn off all notifications and log out of all of your social networks. If you must have your phone on (so your accountability partner can call you), place it on vibrate and send out a DO NOT DISTURB message to your other friends.

Shape Your Space

Pick a work area. Set it up the way you like it. For some, it's a nice, clean place where it's quiet. For others, it might be the kitchen table. Try to avoid your room, especially the bed, because your brain and body associates sleep with your room.

Treat Yourself

Make a cup of tea or a smoothie. Set out some candies or nuts. Reward yourself once the tasks/assignments are complete.

Are you a procrastinator? Which category of procrastinators do you fall into: chronic, occasional, consistent? What makes you procrastinate? Thanks for sharing your comments with us. Don't forget to share this article with your friends if you found it helpful.

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About the author:

Connect with Aquarius Cain on LinkedIn

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About Accelerated Learning Educational Services (ALES):

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Breaches in School Security

Are Your Children Safe At School?

By Aquarius Cain

View more videos at: http://nbcphiladelphia.com.

Recently, there have been breaches in security at several schools throughout the U.S. From the shooting massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, CT and now a child abduction from Bryant Elementary in West Philadelphia. There was also a security breach at JFK High School in Cleveland just days ago. Even I experienced an incident with my 3-year-old son recently that has me wondering, “Are our kids safe at school?”

With metal detectors and an x-ray machine, you would think that students at JFK High School in Cleveland would be safe. Not the case. One side door was found unlocked and open with no personnel there to guard it. Anyone could have walked into the building from that entrance. The door is usually used by faculty and staff only. Luckily, there was no incident or crime that occurred. So, how did the door become unlocked and who left it open?

But what about the little 5-year-old girl, Nailla Robinson, who was abducted from her elementary school in West Philadelphia just minutes after her mother dropped her off at school? An amber alert was issued on January 14, 2013 for the missing girl hours after someone walked into the school pretending to be her mother and checked her out. How did this happen? How can someone walk right into a school and take someone’s child? It was only after a daycare provider came to pick little Nailla up that school officials realized she was missing. They called her parents and issued the alert. She was found early this morning (January 15, 2013) crying and cold nearly 10 blocks away from where she was abducted. Thankfully she was okay.

I can completely understand parents’ concerns over the safety and protection of our children. My son was missing at daycare during an afternoon transition to combine classes. I walked into a dark and empty classroom to retrieve my 3-year-old son’s belongings before going to pick him up from another class. As I walked to his cubby I hear, “Mommy.” I turn around and see my son walking from a back corner of the classroom alone (let me remind you that it was dark in the classroom). Immediately, so many things are running through my mind but I kept my composure to question my child about why he was in the room alone. He never left the room! The teacher did not make sure that all of the children left the room. Yes, she did a head count but failed to line them up at the door. She simply told them to “come on.” My major concern was that he was alone and anything could have happened to him. The teacher noticed that A CHILD was missing but did not know which one. When she sent another teacher to look for a missing child, that teacher only checked the bathroom before walking out to check the playground. My son was okay and unharmed but this raises major concerns about policies, procedures, and the safety and security of our children.

How do we make sure our children are protected when we are entrusting their lives to child care providers and school systems? “Schools are soft targets. They have multiple entry points, are known to be gun free and are target rich environments,” says Mike DeBoer, a retired Battle Creek police commander. Mr. DeBoer continues to offer solutions, suggesting that schools conduct regular security surveys at each building to identify weaknesses and improve security. Locked doors and glazing materials should be used as a first line of physical defense against predators. I believe there should be monthly trainings for teachers and child care providers to attend to review safety policies and procedures and to practice them. While it may be costly, an investment into security and identification equipment is necessary as well. Had Bryant Elementary had an identification system with photo id software identifying persons with permission to pick the child up, I believe that would have prohibited Nailla from being abducted.

Missing Girl Abducted From School Has Been Found

JFK High Security Breach

Mike DeBoer Analyzes School Shootings

Do you feel that your kids are safe at school? What security measures, policies and procedures are in place that makes you feel secure about sending your children to school everyday?

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About the author:

Connect with Aquarius Cain on LinkedIn

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About Accelerated Learning Educational Services (ALES):

Follow Accelerated Learning on Twitter
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Monday, January 14, 2013

Ways to Help Students Get Organized

5 Ways to Get Organized For School Success

By Aquarius Cain

organization, organizer, organize, tutoring, training

If your life is filled with clutter, or if you can’t find things, then it’s likely that you need to learn how to organize it. Organization helps to keep the stress levels low and the success levels high. Learning how to organize is pretty simple, no need to hire a professional organizer to show you how to do so. Here are some tips to help you learn organization skills:

Organize your papers

Organize your papers. Make sure you have a separate binder or a separate section in a loose-leaf binder for every subject you take. Write everything for each class in its notebook or section. Also, for every subject, keep a folder where you can put handouts and other loose pages. Color-coding your notebooks and folders can help.

Read the article, How To Be Successful in School, for more information about organizing your notebook and color-coding it.

Organize your backpack

Don’t let stuff accumulate in your backpack. Each day when you get home, clean out your backpack. Throw away trash and whatever you don’t need. Be careful about throwing away returned assignments and graded papers. It’s a good idea to keep them for future referencing for cumulative tests. Place papers that you decide to keep in your ORGANIZED notebook. Before you go to bed, make sure that everything you’ll need at school the next day is in your backpack, neatly placed where you can find it easily. Place your backpack at the door so that you don’t forget it if you have to leave in a hurry.

Organize your locker

Clean out your locker regularly—at least once a week. Throw out trash and take home whatever you don’t need. Again, be cautious about throwing away papers that may be helpful in the near future. Don’t use your locker as an extension of your closet. Piled-up clothes take up room and make it harder to find things you need. You might want to try a locker organizer. They don’t cost a lot and they give you a little extra storage space. Also look for locker accessories and locker decorations as an added touch. It may inspire you to keep your locker organized and clean. The Container Store is a great place to find locker organizers and decorations at a cheap price.

Organize your workspace

Remove clutter, make sure you have all the supplies you need and keep your workspace clean. To find out how to choose the appropriate workspace, click here: Find the appropriate workspace

Organize your schedule

Time management is the key to organizing your schedule. Keep a master calendar and record everything you have to do on that calendar. Transfer assignments from your assignment book. Don’t forget to write in social events such as parties, sports events, and trips. The following documents will help you to get started organizing your schedule.

Study Schedule Template

Homework Checklist

Did you find this article useful? What would you say keeps you from being more organized? Share your thoughts and comments with us below.

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About the author:

Connect with Aquarius Cain on LinkedIn

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About Accelerated Learning Educational Services (ALES):

ALES is a tutoring company that provides comprehensive tutoring services. Students in grades K-12, college students, and adult learners can get quality tutoring through an online course, live virtual one-on-one tutoring, or in-home tutoring. For more information on the services and service areas provided by ALES, visit the website www.acceleratedlearningservices.com.

Follow Accelerated Learning on Twitter
Like Accelerated Learning on Facebook

Thursday, January 3, 2013

How To Prevent Students From Failing Part II

12 Ways To Prevent Students From Failing Part II

(A Guide for Parents and Students)
By: Aquarius Cain

Accelerated Learning Educational Services

1. Communicate With Teachers Regularly

It’s important to build a good relationship with teachers. Communicate with them weekly to make sure that homework assignments were turned in on time, classwork is being completed, etc. Ask for make-up work ahead of time when you know absences will occur. Get an advanced notice on major assignments and upcoming projects. Let them know that you are not a threat; you just want to stay informed and are willing to assist in any way to ensure a fair grade.

Schedule a conference with the teacher monthly to receive feedback on student performance. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL GRADE REPORTS ARE SENT HOME. By the time grade reports are sent home, the damage may have already been done and you may not be able to reverse the damage.

2. Get Organized

· Organization is the key to success! To be organized, first de-clutter lockers, back packs, and notebooks; sort through the papers and separate them by subject. DON’T THROW ANYTHING AWAY…YOU MAY NEED IT LATER!

· Try to keep the notebook in a particular order so that it’s easier to find things

· Have a system to communicate between parents, students, and teachers by having a: Home/School Communication Folder

· Students remember more if they do homework in the same place and same time each day! So, it’s important to have a workstation and a study schedule.

Read this article to find out more about how to stay organized: How To Be Successful in School

3. Understand How You Learn

Students learn differently! However, many teachers do not teach differently (that is, according to the way each student learns). Teaching to the multiple modes of learning is called differentiated learning. The modes of learning are visual, auditory, or kinesthetic.

Students should take a Learning Styles Assessment to determine exactly how they learn:

· Visual learners learn by reading and seeing things written down or drawn into pictures.

· Auditory learners learn by hearing and discussing information.

· Kinesthetic learners learn by practicing and doing things over and over until they understand it.

After taking a Learning Styles Assessment, use study techniques that will help you learn new information based on your learning style.

Learning Styles Assessment

4. Know When To Ask For Help

One of the easiest ways to prevent failure is to know when to ask for help and to actually ask for help. Students should always raise their hand in class and ask questions when they do not understand. It is important to understand that no question is a stupid question and that there is probably someone else who doesn’t understand and is waiting for someone to ask for an explanation. If not you, then who?

If students are afraid to ask questions in class then they should ask the teacher after or in-between classes or schedule an appointment to get further help. This is also where extra tutoring with the teacher may be needed.

5. Stay Positive/Be Encouraged

To prevent failure, it is imperative to keep a positive attitude. “If you believe, you can achieve.” Even when things get tough, students should continue to encourage themselves by using compliments and positive mantras. Being surrounded by friends who are encouraging and positive is a helpful way to stay positive and encouraged as well.

Students should know and understand that they may not be successful at everything and with every assignment, and that’s ok. Everyone fails eventually but it is important to keep trying and to always do your best.

6. Reward Progress

As small goals are met, such as turning in all homework assignments this week, celebrate those accomplishments. Go and grab ice cream or rent a favorite movie. Rewards also help to keep students motivated and encouraged. It is imperative to reward small things just as much as major accomplishments. Some students may make all C’s and rewarding them for consistency is good while making the next incentive greater if they can make a B, for example.

Figure out what works but don’t overdo it to the point where it backfires and students begin to expect rewards for performance.