Saturday, March 28, 2020

Looking For a Physical Chemistry Tutor in Miami

Looking For a Physical Chemistry Tutor in MiamiIf you are interested in getting a physical chemistry tutor in Miami, then here are some of the things that you need to do. If you want to learn how to identify the things that you need to do and how to go about the process of hiring a tutor in Miami, then read on.To find a physical chemistry tutor in Miami, the first thing that you should do is to look up information on the topic on the internet. There are many resources available online for this kind of learning and there are many reviews online as well. Take time to check these out, because you might find that one of them suits your learning style best.When you are going about the search for a physical chemistry tutor in Miami, you need to look into the requirements that are involved in hiring the tutors that you are looking for. You can check on the requirements for each state as well as the nation, as you will find that different states have different requirements when it comes to h iring the tutor. If you need more information about what is involved in getting a tutor in Miami, then just look at the website for your state or the website of the tutor institute you have been thinking about.Another thing that you need to consider before you even get started is the information that you will need to bring to your physical chemistry tutor in Miami. Although the process of hiring a tutor in Miami is relatively simple, you need to make sure that you know how to handle the situation. Because you want to make sure that you can get all the information you need, make sure that you get the help of someone who is well-versed in dealing with the information that you are going to need.You can hire a tutor in Miami either in a professional way, through a tuition center or even through an online service. Make sure that you go for the professional option because it will save you a lot of time, trouble and money.You can also check with the online services to see if they can help you out. Many of these online tutoring services have their own websites and they can provide you with a wide range of services. You can make use of their resources to get the information that you need.You have plenty of options available to you when it comes to hiring a physical chemistry tutor in Miami. All you need to do is take the time to look for the right type of tutor in Miami that can help you out.

Friday, March 6, 2020

Writing Your Way to Language Fluency

Writing Your Way to Language Fluency Guest Post by Allison VanNest, Grammarly.com Even if your goal is just to be conversant in a new language, don’t neglect reading and writing in favor of speaking and listening. These four aspects of language acquisition all work together to forge new pathways in your brain. Incorporate daily writing practice into your routine to learn faster. Here’s how: Be Social. Find a writing buddy who speaks the language you are learning, and offer to trade writing samples.  italki’s notebook feature allows you to post short pieces of writing for correction by a community of native speakers. It’s a social way of learning that helps you develop your language skills at your own pace. Master Idioms. Some of the most difficult things to master in any language are the idiomsâ€"regional expressions that can’t be literally translated. For example, in English you might greet someone informally with “What’s up?” but if you translated that expression word-for-word into a foreign language, you might get some funny looks. Writing lets you explore those expressions and incorporate them into your speech. Practice Grammar. Native speakers tend to instinctively know when words are in the wrong order or the incorrect pronoun appears in a sentence; however, even similar languages such as Italian and Spanish have differing grammar rules. It’s much easier to figure out the ins and outs of grammar by writing and reading. You can take your time and correct mistakes that might go unnoticed in speech. Develop Your Vocabulary. When practicing conversation in a new language, you tend to fall back on the limited stock of words you’ve already masteredâ€"if you’ve only learned the words for apple and banana, you can’t ask for an orange. Writing allows you to explore a richer vocabulary since you aren’t limited to the words on the tip of your tongue. Make it Personal. Keeping a journal or diary in the language you are studying is a great way to learn. Since you’re writing about your life in the real world instead of practicing made-up scenarios, it helps to reinforce the connection between your brain and the new language. Get Creative. You don’t have to stick to writing about the mundane. If you don’t want to journal about your day-to-day life, trying writing a piece of fiction instead. You’ll develop more vocabulary when writing creatively, and you may discover that it’s more fun, too. If you’re feeling really ambitious, you might participate in NaNoWriMo this November, a month-long challenge to write an entire novel in 30 days. If that sounds too overwhelming, Grammarly has a group novel project, GrammoWriMo, for participants to each contribute up to 800 words. Write, Then Translate. When you’re learning a new language, you still think in your native tongue. Try approaching the written word the same way. Write a page in your journal in your native language first and then translate it into the language you want to learn. Take a Picture. Ryan North, the creator of Dinosaur Comics, shared examples of his six-panel comic strip that had been captioned by foreign language students. The Japanese and Korean students used the pictures to tell their own story. You can try the same thing by taking a comic strip and blanking out the text, watching a cartoon with the sound off and making up a story for the characters, or even just looking at a picture or movie still and describing the characters and action. It’s okay if it’s silly; in fact, that just makes it more fun! Keep a Sense of Humor. You’re going to make mistakes. That’s okay. Learning a new language is tough, and if you accidentally use the wrong word or mangle a sentence, remember that every mistake is a learning opportunity. When a native speaker corrects your grammarâ€"you meant to say something about the weather but accidentally asked to pet their uncle’s cowâ€"laugh it off and learn from it. Next time, you’ll get it right! About the Author A self-proclaimed word nerd, Allison VanNest works with Grammarly to help perfect written English. Connect with Allie, the Grammarly team and its extensive social media community on Facebook or Twitter. And don’t forget to sign up for Grammarly’s group novel project to begin this November at www.grammarly.com/grammowrimo. Writing Your Way to Language Fluency Guest Post by Allison VanNest, Grammarly.com Even if your goal is just to be conversant in a new language, don’t neglect reading and writing in favor of speaking and listening. These four aspects of language acquisition all work together to forge new pathways in your brain. Incorporate daily writing practice into your routine to learn faster. Here’s how: Be Social. Find a writing buddy who speaks the language you are learning, and offer to trade writing samples.  italki’s notebook feature allows you to post short pieces of writing for correction by a community of native speakers. It’s a social way of learning that helps you develop your language skills at your own pace. Master Idioms. Some of the most difficult things to master in any language are the idiomsâ€"regional expressions that can’t be literally translated. For example, in English you might greet someone informally with “What’s up?” but if you translated that expression word-for-word into a foreign language, you might get some funny looks. Writing lets you explore those expressions and incorporate them into your speech. Practice Grammar. Native speakers tend to instinctively know when words are in the wrong order or the incorrect pronoun appears in a sentence; however, even similar languages such as Italian and Spanish have differing grammar rules. It’s much easier to figure out the ins and outs of grammar by writing and reading. You can take your time and correct mistakes that might go unnoticed in speech. Develop Your Vocabulary. When practicing conversation in a new language, you tend to fall back on the limited stock of words you’ve already masteredâ€"if you’ve only learned the words for apple and banana, you can’t ask for an orange. Writing allows you to explore a richer vocabulary since you aren’t limited to the words on the tip of your tongue. Make it Personal. Keeping a journal or diary in the language you are studying is a great way to learn. Since you’re writing about your life in the real world instead of practicing made-up scenarios, it helps to reinforce the connection between your brain and the new language. Get Creative. You don’t have to stick to writing about the mundane. If you don’t want to journal about your day-to-day life, trying writing a piece of fiction instead. You’ll develop more vocabulary when writing creatively, and you may discover that it’s more fun, too. If you’re feeling really ambitious, you might participate in NaNoWriMo this November, a month-long challenge to write an entire novel in 30 days. If that sounds too overwhelming, Grammarly has a group novel project, GrammoWriMo, for participants to each contribute up to 800 words. Write, Then Translate. When you’re learning a new language, you still think in your native tongue. Try approaching the written word the same way. Write a page in your journal in your native language first and then translate it into the language you want to learn. Take a Picture. Ryan North, the creator of Dinosaur Comics, shared examples of his six-panel comic strip that had been captioned by foreign language students. The Japanese and Korean students used the pictures to tell their own story. You can try the same thing by taking a comic strip and blanking out the text, watching a cartoon with the sound off and making up a story for the characters, or even just looking at a picture or movie still and describing the characters and action. It’s okay if it’s silly; in fact, that just makes it more fun! Keep a Sense of Humor. You’re going to make mistakes. That’s okay. Learning a new language is tough, and if you accidentally use the wrong word or mangle a sentence, remember that every mistake is a learning opportunity. When a native speaker corrects your grammarâ€"you meant to say something about the weather but accidentally asked to pet their uncle’s cowâ€"laugh it off and learn from it. Next time, you’ll get it right! About the Author A self-proclaimed word nerd, Allison VanNest works with Grammarly to help perfect written English. Connect with Allie, the Grammarly team and its extensive social media community on Facebook or Twitter. And don’t forget to sign up for Grammarly’s group novel project to begin this November at www.grammarly.com/grammowrimo.

How the italki Language Challenge prepared me for the Olympics

How the italki Language Challenge prepared me for the Olympics Patineuse (left) at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics acting as a volunteer translator. I completed the 2014 italki New Year’s Language Challenge. The challenge was to take 20 lessons in 6 weeks.  I actually finished the Challenge in a record 10 days!  The Challenge was great for me because I was going to the  2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi and it was the perfect opportunity to improve my Japanese, French and English.  I wanted to improve these languages to at a level where I could help out as a volunteer translator. I want to thank my favorite teachers JapaneseTutor, Jéròme, Altini and Lloyd. It was not only my Challenge, but also theirs as well ?? At the Sochi Winter Olympics, I was preparing to volunteer as a translator at Iceberg Palace where I would be translating for figure skating and short-track speed skating contestants.  Im a native Russian speaker and am fluent in English, Japanese and French.  However, I wasnt at the level where I could translate specific figure skating and speed skating vocabulary.  I needed to really improve my translation abilities in these languages very quickly.  Even though my teachers were all native speakers in their respective languages, they had to put in extra time to learn the specific vocabulary around these sports.  I really appreciated all the extra preparation that my teachers put in to learn about figure skating and short-track speed skating.  You can say that they are now experts in these areas.  They really showed their professionalism and sincere wish to help me during the Challenge. What I got out of the Challenge was even more confidence and a greater understanding of these languages. One my personal highlights of the Games was that I helped translate for Olympic Champions Yuzuru Hanyu  (in the picture above with me!), Yulia Lipnitskaya and Adelina Sotnikova. I also acted as one of the translators for Canadian short-tracker Charles Hamelin. There were many athletes that did not need any translating help, but as I was always nearby I was able to listen in on their interviews (of course I completely understood what they were saying). It was amazing that I had the opportunity to take part in such a historic event!   I could not have been there without improving my language abilities on italki.  The italki Language Challenge kept me motivated in my language learning and I didnt have to spend a lot of money! So again, I finished the Challenge. But Im not stopping there.  I am sticking with my long term goals to continue improving my foreign languages skills.  After the challenge, Ive actually set a new goal I want to participate in the Olympic Games in Korea and Japan not only as a volunteer, but as a paid translator! So, I will continue learning foreign languages and I am looking forward to the next Language Challenge. For everyone at italki, I wish all your dreams will come true! Patineuse joined italki in 2011 as a student.  In Feb 2013 she became one of our Community Tutors where she helps others learn Russian.  If youre interested in learning Russian from a Olympic-level Polyglot, please contact her! How the italki Language Challenge prepared me for the Olympics Patineuse (left) at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics acting as a volunteer translator. I completed the 2014 italki New Year’s Language Challenge. The challenge was to take 20 lessons in 6 weeks.  I actually finished the Challenge in a record 10 days!  The Challenge was great for me because I was going to the  2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi and it was the perfect opportunity to improve my Japanese, French and English.  I wanted to improve these languages to at a level where I could help out as a volunteer translator. I want to thank my favorite teachers JapaneseTutor, Jéròme, Altini and Lloyd. It was not only my Challenge, but also theirs as well ?? At the Sochi Winter Olympics, I was preparing to volunteer as a translator at Iceberg Palace where I would be translating for figure skating and short-track speed skating contestants.  Im a native Russian speaker and am fluent in English, Japanese and French.  However, I wasnt at the level where I could translate specific figure skating and speed skating vocabulary.  I needed to really improve my translation abilities in these languages very quickly.  Even though my teachers were all native speakers in their respective languages, they had to put in extra time to learn the specific vocabulary around these sports.  I really appreciated all the extra preparation that my teachers put in to learn about figure skating and short-track speed skating.  You can say that they are now experts in these areas.  They really showed their professionalism and sincere wish to help me during the Challenge. What I got out of the Challenge was even more confidence and a greater understanding of these languages. One my personal highlights of the Games was that I helped translate for Olympic Champions Yuzuru Hanyu  (in the picture above with me!), Yulia Lipnitskaya and Adelina Sotnikova. I also acted as one of the translators for Canadian short-tracker Charles Hamelin. There were many athletes that did not need any translating help, but as I was always nearby I was able to listen in on their interviews (of course I completely understood what they were saying). It was amazing that I had the opportunity to take part in such a historic event!   I could not have been there without improving my language abilities on italki.  The italki Language Challenge kept me motivated in my language learning and I didnt have to spend a lot of money! So again, I finished the Challenge. But Im not stopping there.  I am sticking with my long term goals to continue improving my foreign languages skills.  After the challenge, Ive actually set a new goal I want to participate in the Olympic Games in Korea and Japan not only as a volunteer, but as a paid translator! So, I will continue learning foreign languages and I am looking forward to the next Language Challenge. For everyone at italki, I wish all your dreams will come true! Patineuse joined italki in 2011 as a student.  In Feb 2013 she became one of our Community Tutors where she helps others learn Russian.  If youre interested in learning Russian from a Olympic-level Polyglot, please contact her!

Thursday, March 5, 2020

8 tips for home-schooling

8 tips for home-schooling Home-schooling your child has become an ever-increasing trend, with more and more parents opting for the less traditional way of educating their child. Some parents find that their child thrives in a home-school environment where following the national curriculum is not compulsory. Parents do not need to be teachers or necessarily have teaching experience and there are plenty of private tutors out there that can help stimulate the subjects your child is really interested in. Home-schooling your child can be very rewarding but can also be a difficult and daunting task; following a few simple tips can make the process a far smoother one. 1. Read Read; in all senses of the word. Read to your child, have your child read to you, read aloud together. We all know that reading plays a great factor in your child's development and the more they read the more they will both enjoy it and learn from it. Take the time to explore different books at your local library and make sure you are members there so that you can borrow books and return them on a regular basis. Incorporated into your schedule this will become an important part of your routine. It is also vital that you, as the parent, reads about home-schooling and different teaching methods. The more informed you are the more your child will benefit. 2. Decide on the best approach The great thing with home-schooling is that there are no real rules to follow and you have the freedom to decide what your child will learn and how you will go about teaching it to them. Learning life-skills is often more important to parents home-schooling their children than teaching them a foreign language or chemistry. Knowing how to use a washing machine, change a car tyre or ride a bike are important skills that children will take with them into adulthood. Take the time to discuss with your child things they would like to learn about then decide the best way to approach these lessons. There are plenty of free resources that can give you advice on the different approaches people use when home-schooling their child. Take the time to try different methods and go with those that best fit your child. 3. Have patience Patience is something that goes hand-in-hand with home-schooling. Like anything new, home-schooling your child successfully will take time for both you and your child. It is perfectly natural to try methods that do not necessarily work for you both; having the patience to persevere is the key to success here. Your child will of course grasp some things more naturally than others and this will also require a good amount of patience on your part. Always praise your child's efforts and if something is difficult for them find a different method of explaining it to the until they feel comfortable enough to move on. A private tutor is the perfect solution for some of the problems parents face with home-schooling. If your child has difficulty with certain subjects, needs some extra help or simply needs more stimulation then a private tutor is your answer. 4. Get in touch with other home-schoolers Home-schooling always seems to bring the feeling of unsociability and loneliness but it doesn't need to be this way at all. There are home-schooling communities all over the UK where parents get together with their children and plan different days out or joint lessons. Being social is an important part of growing up and children will always need other children their ages to interact with and talk to. Join different groups and meet people that are also home-schooling their child. Aside from meeting new people you will have the chance to exchange ideas and plan visits together. 5. Learn about different home-schooling styles Finding the best method to home-school your child can often be challenging and it is important to find the one that best suits both you and your child. The more options you have available to you in regards to different methods and styles the more prepared you will be to make decisions. There are many great books out there that are available for parents to read and better understand different home-schooling styles. These 3 books are great reads for home-schooling parents: No Sweat Home Schooling: The Low Stress Way To Teach Your Kids by Kelly Wallace The Everything Homeschooling Handbook: All you need to create the best curriculum and learning environment for your child by Sherri Linsenbach Children's Book of Experiments: 30 Incredible Experiments for Young Scientists by Jaroslaw Wasilewski 6. Know your child's learning style Learning styles play a major part in how your home-schooling journey will go and knowing our child's learning style will almost certainly ensure a happier learning environment. Whether you child learns best through auditory, visual or kinaesthetic methods, knowing how they learn best will be a great way to figure out the best teaching methods. To find out more about learning styles read our blog on 'Understanding Learning Styles - is your learning style compatible with online education?'. 7. Keep a home-schooling plan A great way to get into a good home-schooling routine is to have a plan. Home-schooling is all about flexibility but having a good plan of subjects and topics you want to cover and educational visits and outings will keep you ahead. A great book for home-schooling parents is 'Simple Homeschool planner'' by Schoolhouse Heaven. A simple way of keeping a schedule and organising your days. 8. Be creative One of the best things about home-schooling is that you can be as creative as you like without having to follow rules. Have a budget that will allow you to do different activities with your child and plan them together. With home-schooling the world is your oyster so use imagination as freely as possible. Visit fire-stations, forests and beaches, join support groups and take long trips to places your child has never seen. Your options are endless and with some careful planning and lots of creativity, learning can be a truly wonderful experience.

Final Grades What do They Mean for You

Final Grades What do They Mean for You What do Final Grades Mean for You? Once high school students get their final grades for the year they are free to go off and enjoy their summer. Many students dont think about what their final grades mean until it comes time to apply for college. However, its a good idea for students to look really at their final class grades and ask themselves a few questions. Is this a subject I struggle with? Do my grades seem fair? Is it the grade I was expecting? Students are also encouraged to calculate their GPA and get an idea of what types of colleges might be right for them. Additionally, if students have questions about their final exams or other assignments from the class, they should talk to their teacher to get feedback. 1. What do grades say about strengths and weaknesses? Final grades can help students look at their strengths and weaknesses. In many cases, a high school student will know that theyve always been great at science or that theyve always struggled with grammar. However, some students develop brand new skill sets once they reach the high school environment. Grades can be an indicator of both study skills and content knowledge. A final grade will give a student an idea of their overall strength in a particular subject. This can be very helpful when students need to choose which AP courses to take or what they might like to study once they get into college (READ: Why Its not too late to get a tutor for finals). 2. How will final grades affect college admittance? Students who are entering the college prep years might also want to think about how their final grades will affect college admittance. Most universities look at grades from sophomore to senior year, but some look at all four years. If the student’s final grades are a little bit lower than they would like them to be its a good opportunity to look at study habits and think about what students can get help with the following year. For example, did the student have an A in their math class going into the final but end up with a B overall? Why did their grade drop so suddenly? On the other hand, maybe a student had a straight B+ in their English class the entire year? 3. Are these grades accurate? Although grades are almost always accurate, it doesnt hurt to check. This is especially true if students were completing extra credit or if they were handing in missing assignments from earlier in the term. If students received a grade they werent expecting, they are encouraged to go online and look at each assignment and how much it was worth it. Some assignments might have been worth 20% of a students final grade while other assignments may have only been worth 2%. 4. How do final grades affect GPA? Students should also think about how their final grades affect their grade point average. In most cases, each class is worth the same amount of weight in a GPA. However, sometimes elective classes or after-school activities count for fewer units than academic classes. The online grading system should be able to calculate a GPA for the student, but students should learn how to calculate their GPA so they can stay informed throughout the year (READ: 5 Tips for Last Minute Finals Study). 5. Can grades be improved in the future? Students are also encouraged to think about whether or not grades can be improved in the future. In some cases, a student is struggling with the content of a course. Perhaps calculus is just really hard (it is!), in which case they might need to join a study group or work with a tutor one-on-one. Other times, a student might nail the subject matter but have difficulty organizing their many assignments and need to address their study strategy before the fall. Final grades give students great insight into their current skill set and ability and can help them determine how to approach the next year of high school this August. All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us write.

Online Tutoring Courses - Where To Learn At Harvard

Online Tutoring Courses - Where To Learn At HarvardIf you want to have access to all the Harvard University students, there is the 'Tutoring Site: Harvard.edu' available at the official website of the university. The Tutoring Site: Harvard.edu contains all the materials for all the subject matters taught by the masters at Harvard University.This Tutoring Site: Harvard.edu has been fully approved by the university, and all the Harvard students who would like to attend classes at Harvard can now do so. All the resources available through this site include comprehensive notes about the subject matter, detailed teacher's manuals, the Harvard Student Guide and much more.If you find it difficult to follow a lecture of your teacher at Harvard, then you may simply use the tutoring site. The Tutoring Site: Harvard.edu will help you keep track of what your teacher is saying. It is an ideal resource for students who are very busy with their studies.The tutoring site: Harvard.edu is a unique res ource of its kind. In fact, it has been designed as a computerized class instruction system that allows its users to learn at their own pace, according to their convenience. There are both public and private tutoring services offered through this site. No matter which route you choose, the Tutoring Site: Harvard.edu will enable you to learn everything you need to know about any subject that you are studying.The tutor at the tutoring site is assigned based on the person's social class. Those from the lower economic strata are in a position to avail of the services of the tutoring site from the very beginning, regardless of whether they are new to the subject, or have taken up such a course previously.Mostof the tutors offer free online classes. Students of all ages can also benefit from the tutoring services offered by the tutoring site. Students in high school may want to take up the free tutoring classes offered by the tutoring site.Students interested in attending different online classes may have the option of opting for the Harvard Tutoring Course. If the student is enrolled in a Harvard program and wishes to take up the course at a later stage, the Tutoring Site: Harvard.edu will make sure that he can do so without any difficulty.

What to Expect at the A.C.S. Organic Chemistry Exam 2020

What to Expect at the A.C.S. Organic Chemistry Exam 2020This article will discuss what to expect at the A.C.S. organic chemistry exam 2020. This is a good opportunity for you to get prepared for the A.C.S. exam.The exam will start on the Monday of September 22nd. The testing schedule has been changed to allow time for students to prepare for the exam. It is best if you can study online and when you do so, make sure you focus on A.C.S. substance Chemistry. You can also practice with real test questions and practice material to help you with your study habits.Different areas are covered in the exam. You will be asked to identify numbers and letters for simple compounds, ions, acids, bases, and ketones. The examiner will make a reference to the classic texts or labs that have been used in chemistry to answer your questions. These reference materials are called CAS lists.There are many exams around the world, but this one is unique because of the length. In fact, many other exams are two and a half hours long. However, with the shorter exam, you are getting to the material faster, which means you won't be as tired after completing the exam.Some people take an extra hour out of their exam because of their lab's room. You can have a great time during your exam if you can take a break for five minutes. If you feel that you can only stay awake for an hour or two, try taking a nap.You should take some extra supplements before the exam. These include Vitamin C and magnesium.You should be aware that this exam is extremely difficult. However, it is also one of the most important ones to take since you will be deciding whether you get into an advanced chemistry program or not.

9 Epic ( Hilarious) Examples of Car Singing to Aspire To

9 Epic ( Hilarious) Examples of Car Singing to Aspire To Suzy S. Summer is the season of freedom and fun, and whether youre a parent or a college student on summer break, epic road trips come with the territory.  Singing in the car  can make running an errand the best part of your day, and  when youre driving for hours at a time, theres nothing like the energy boost of a car singalong. The following  nine  YouTube performances star in-transit singers and lip-syncers who know how to tap into the power of music. From toddlers with potential to superstars backing their own tracks, these music lovers will show you how its done. 1. TJ Smith Serenades Roadside Buttercups TJ Smith is already a working actor and singer, but his Highway Sing-a-Long series made him a bona fide YouTube star. If you want to spread joy everywhere you go, follow TJs lead, and embrace the contagious, shameless joy of singing in the car with an open window. He isnt afraid to engage every driver he passes in his energetic rendition of Build Me Up Buttercup by the Foundations. Thats one way to build up your resistance  to road rage! 2. Jennifer Hudson Does Carpool Karaoke with James Corden She won an Oscar for her work in Dreamgirls and came in seventh on American Idols third season; he held his own in the Sondheim adaptation Into the Woods and started his career in a West End musical. But when Jennifer Hudson played carpool karaoke with James Corden, the two proved that their talents arent restricted to traditional mediums. Jennifer one-ups her own vocals during the eight-minute montage, while James stands in for Iggy Azalea in Trouble and channels R. Kelly in a fast-food drive-through. 3. Baby Ella Impersonates Elvis Adorable Ella Mae wasnt even two years old yet when she wowed the Internet with her rendition of Elvis Presleys An American Trilogy. The little girl doesnt just know the words; she also knows how to keep her act entertaining, with heart-melting Hi, Daddy asides and a drum-roll of her very own. Right before Elvis brings it home with a bombastic finale, she reminds us to Get ready! and plays the air drums like a rock star in training. 4. SketchShe Lip-Syncs Through the Decades This talented Australian comedy duo earned millions of international fans with their Mime Through Time singing in the car montage, which takes place in a parked car but spans decades of musical movements. They start by  channeling the Andrews Sisters in throwback pompadours and military uniforms, then move  onto iconic looks like Elvis Presleys rhinestone-studded jumpsuit and Beyoncés  one-shouldered leotard. They even  sing along to The Beatles as kidnapped flower girls, go grunge with some intense Nirvana  air guitar, and take everything off as  Miley Cyrus. 5. Family Takes on Frozen Another lip sync success, this video by parents Sam and Nia went viral right in the height of the Frozen frenzy. Our favorite part, however, is their daughter in the back, who doesnt even seem to be paying attention.  Who says  family road trips  are boring? 6. Greg James  Taylor Swift  Lip Sync Blank Space Even talented singers cant resist the fun of lip syncing! Here,  British radio DJ and TV presenter Greg James takes Taylor Swift on an entertaining commute remember, the more  expressions and hand gestures you do, the better  (drivers, keep your hands on the wheel!). 7. A Cappella Sweet Child O Mine If youve ever seen the movie Step  Brothers, you probably remember this scene, in which actor Adam Scotts fictional family takes on an a cappella version of Sweet Child O Mine. Just remember, cut the negative talk! Singing the car should be fun, not full of pressure! 8. Drive-Through Mash-Up by Andie Case Who needs a radio when you have a guitar and a couple of amazing singers? YouTube star and singer-songwriter Andie Case first went viral with her mash-up of  Me My Broken Heart / Lonely No More, in which she and her band bring the stage to the car. In this video, she returns with a mash-up of  Want To Want Me and  I Want You To Want Me by Jason Derulo Cheap Trick. 9. Cruising Cop Shakes it Off The car singalong that started it all wasnt even staged. Police departments issue dashboard cameras  for serious reasons, but the only serious thing about this video is the amount of dedication this on-duty cop puts into his lip-syncing routine. Officer Jeff Davis is happy to keep cruising for crime, as he shakes off the haters and puts his whole body into a Taylor Swift singalong. His enthusiasm took the Internet by storm. Songs to Sing in the Car Feeling inspired? Although some of the best car karaoke is  often an impromptu thing, longer road trips call for a perfectly-crafted road trip playlist songs you can sing along to, dance along with, and all-around make a fool of yourself. Nows not the time to be shy! Nervous about  unrolling the windows and sharing your voice with fellow drivers at that red light? Working with a  singing instructor  can help you improve your voice, whether youre blasting  Joan Jett or Miley Cyrus (no judgement).  As you head from one destination to the next, music  will transform your mood and make memories good enough to go viral just like these epic examples of singing in the car. Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

4 Tips For Maximizing the Lifespan of Your Acoustic Guitar

4 Tips For Maximizing the Lifespan of Your Acoustic Guitar Suzy S. Whether your acoustic guitar is brand new or gently used, you can do a few simple things to keep it in great condition! Follow these tips from guitar teacher Samuel B. to get the most out of your acoustic guitar Lets face it. Acoustic guitars can be an outright nuisance to keep in shape. Theyre delicate, sensitive to both humidity and temperature patterns, and often have weak central support. While the desire to keep yours both easily accessible and on display in a stand or on a rack is more than understandable, doing so increases its vulnerability. A few simple storage and maintenance provisions will prolong its shelf life and reduce (if not altogether eliminate) the need for repairs. 1. Keep it in the case when youre not playing. Although I recommend a hard shell case, any padded one will do just fine. The trick here is to keep your instrument out of the open air while youre not playing it. An unpadded soft shell case will not be much help here. Find a trustworthy robust alternative to protect your instrument. 2. Be sure your strings are the proper gauge. Installing over-sized strings is a very easy way of creating otherwise avoidable bends in the neck. My experience has been that most acoustic guitars (at the least the ones Ive played â€" Takamines and Martins) are light gauge friendly. Some of the more robust models (such as Guilds for example) rely on a heavier gauge of guitar string for optimal sound. Its best to find out as much information as possible about a models gauge compatibility before purchasing it. If you have questions about the right gauge of string for your guitar, talk to your guitar teacher or chat with an expert at a local guitar shop. 3. Keep the truss rod tight. The truss rod is the thin metal shaft aligned with (and within) the neck adjustable with an allen wrench. “Lefty loosey, righty tighty” is the relevant mnemonic device. Although Ive heard opinions on both sides of the fence here with regard to whether it should be regularly tightened or regularly loosened, Ive had the best results by checking it for tightness (for resistance to a clockwise turn in other words) in the middle of every string change. If youre not sure your truss rod is at the right level of resistance, you can always have it looked at by a professional. 4. Change strings as infrequently as possible. This may come as a surprise, but a college bandmate brought this to my attention at one point. While its true that professional musicians change strings after every performance, an instrument being used in a mostly non-performance capacity does not need this level of maintenance. As a matter of fact, changing strings too often is actually not good for an instrument that isnt receiving regular full-length concert treatment. Nightly string changes are perfectly appropriate for instruments like Willie Nelsons “Trigger”, Bruce Springsteens “Excalibur”, and Neil Youngs “Old Black.” After all, these three are regular conduits of colossal energy and need to be equipped with the appropriate elements to support it. However, an instrument being used for lessons, wood-shedding, or songwriting does not need this attention and actually benefits structurally from having the same set of strings retained for as long as possible. Samuel B. teaches beginner  guitar lessons in Austin, TX. He teaches lessons face-to-face without sheet music, which is his adaptation of Japanese instruction (involving a call-and-response method).  Learn more about Samuel here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo by Brett Jordan