Sum of Normal Distributions

Sum of Normal Distributions A normal distribution is a probability distribution which can be clearly represented using a bell curve. A standard normal distribution is also a normal distribution, however the mean of such a distribution is 0 and the standard deviation is 1. A bell curve, also known as the normal distribution curve is a graph which depends on factors such as the mean and the standard deviation of set of real numbers. The z-score value of normal distribution is given by a formula which depends on the mean standard deviation and the normal random x value. Example 1: For a set of random variables, given the normal random variable to be equal to 15. If the mean of the given set is 5 and the standard deviation is 2, then what is the standard score or the z-score? Given, x = normal random variable = 15 Mean, = 5 Standard deviation, = 2 The z-score = (x )/ This implies, z-score = (15 5)/ 2 = 10/2 = 5. Therefore, the standard z-score is 5. Example 2: For a set of random variables, given the normal random variable to be equal to 24. If the mean of the given set is 18 and the standard deviation is 3, then what is the standard score or the z-score? Given, x = normal random variable = 24 Mean, = 18 Standard deviation, = 3 The z-score = (x )/ This implies, z-score = (24 18)/ 3 = 6/3 = 2. Therefore, the standard z-score is 2.

Violin or Cello Which Instrument Is Right For You

Violin or Cello Which Instrument Is Right For You Sign up successful Because the instrument has been popular now for around 400 years, there isn’t a shortage of repertoire to keep both budding and experienced violinists challenged. Within orchestras, spaces for violinists also tend to be the most numerous, so in that sense violinists have an advantage (especially over winds, brass, and percussion). Compared to other string sections however, violin can also be more competitive because so many people play it. It might not be too difficult to earn a spot in the second violin section, but earning a place among the upper ranks can be more difficult. Pros and Cons of the Cello The cello is often cited for its practical disadvantages â€" mainly its size and expense. But for students who enjoy the sound of the cello more, hauling around a larger and more expensive instrument is well worth the care and effort. The cello’s low register and tonality resonates with many musicians far more than the violins higher register. Both the violin and cello have a unique range and repertoire that tend to draw different people. While violin repertoire is probably more extensive, the cello also has a well-established and diverse repertoire, including significant solo works. Fewer students study the cello than the violin, so cellists are usually in higher demand than violinists. This tends to hold true even when taking into account the typically lower number of cellists required to create an orchestra or chamber ensemble. Which is Harder to Play: Violin or Cello? Many students wonder, which instrument is more difficult: the violin or cello? People who have tried both instruments tend to say the cello is less difficult due to its more natural position. The position of the violin can feel awkward at first, however advanced violinists insist that it becomes natural over time. Many experienced musicians say that both instruments have their own difficulties. For example, although a cellist’s playing position is easier to learn, the thumb position on the cello is difficult for many students. Advanced cellists also must learn three clefs instead of just one. SEE ALSO: How Easy is it to Switch Instruments? [Infographic] Making the Choice Between Violin or Cello Music students and their families can do a number of things to help them in their decision between the violin or cello. First, consider what opportunities are available at school or in the community. Keep long term goals in mind. Make sure the student has exposure to both instruments. This can include videos, CDs, or local concerts. Local colleges and conservatories often perform concerts for the general public and many of these feature the violin and cello. Local symphonies also put on free concerts in the park. To be sure you’re making the right choice, it’s always a good idea to sample each instrument and take a couple lessons. Check out this directory of violin teachers, and this directory of cello teachers. Lessons are available both in-person and online all over the country. Above all, the student should love the sound of whichever instrument they choose, whether it’s the higher and more cheerful violin or the deeper and rich cello. What are your thoughts on whether the violin or cello is a better instrument? Let us know in the comments below! .TeacherBox { border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 20px; padding-left: 0; margin-bottom: 20px; white-space: nowrap; } .TeacherBox > div { display: inline-block; vertical-align: top; white-space: normal; } .TeacherBox > Post Author:  Carol Beth L. Carol Beth L. teaches  viola  and violin  in Sacramento, CA. She currently plays viola in the Rancho Cordova Civic Light Orchestra and has been teaching students since 2012. Learn more about Carol Beth 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

What is it Like to Attend The University of Kansas

What is it Like to Attend The University of Kansas The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Stephen is a New York City tutor specializing in College Essays tutoring, Writing tutoring, AP English tutoring, and more. He graduated from The University of Kansas in 2006 with a Bachelors degree in Sociology. Check out what he had to say about his undergraduate experience: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options.How urban or safe is the campus?Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Stephen: The University of Kansas (KU)is in the center of Lawrence, a town of about 100,000 people. The campus is really beautiful and spread out across Mount Oread. Flowering trees dot campus, and walking across campus while petals flutter to the ground always filled me with a sense of joy, even when walking to my dreaded biology lab. KU has a bus system that transports students across campus, and it links up with Lawrences bus system. A car or bike is nice, as there are no grocery stores nearby. However, I didnt have a car for the first year I was at KU, and I had no problem. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Stephen: I had a very close relationship with my advisors in both the Sociology and English Departments.I also pursued relationships with them. I had lots of friends who had difficulty finding their niches at KU. If a student was passive during their educational process at KU, then it was very easy for them to get lost. I think that if a student desires strong mentoring from their professors, advisors, and TAs, KU might not be the best choice for them. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Stephen: There are eight residence halls, as well as Scholarship Halls. The halls are very diverse in what they offer. Some are classic dormitory style, while others have suites with private bathrooms. Also, there is apartment style living for upperclassmen. All the dorms are on the edge of campus, but there are buses that transport everyone onto campus. Its not required that students live in student housing. For food, there are three different cafeterias, as well as sack lunches. All of the food is serviceable. I found dorm life really rewarding, as it pushed me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to be exposed to a lot that I might not have otherwise encountered. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? Stephen: I studied Sociology and Playwriting. I have always been interested in why people do what they do, and looking at their actions from a macro-level perspective fascinates me. Also, I knew I wanted to write, so Sociology and Playwriting seemed like a natural fit for me. I felt like the university did a good job of giving space and funding to both of my programs. I never had any complaints about either one. VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Stephen: I spent my first two years living in Hashinger, a dormitory that specializes in the arts. I found it really easy to meet people, as everyones doors were very open and RAs encouraged interaction among peers. At Hashinger, I met friends on my floor with whom I am still very close. KU does have a very active Greek life, and if someone wants to participate, they can. However, there are lots of options, both on and off campus, to meet people. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Stephen: There are study spaces in all the dormitories. The Memorial Unions and the libraries have tons of study rooms and individual cubicles. I never had any problem finding a place to set up shop and work. VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between?To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Stephen: Downtown Lawrence is about two miles away from campus, and its got a really vibrant music scene. Lawrence is geographically situated so lots of touring bands come. Students go downtown all the time, as there are tons of restaurants, bars, and shopping that cater to both students and locals. Also, Lawrence has a great farmers market on the weekend and public parks that frequently host events. There are frequent parades, late-night movie screenings, and coffee shops galore. Lawrence is an interesting intersection of collegiate liberalness and surrounding conservatism, so theres a really interesting mix of people and social scenes. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Stephen: There about 20,000 undergraduates at KU. The lower level general classes can be huge. My Psychology 101 class had 1,000 students. But once I settled into my major classes, they were relatively small, with only about 16 people in them. I even had classes as small as eight people. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Stephen: One of the coolest experiences I ever had during my undergraduate career was when a one-act play I wrote was given a staged reading at Lawrences performing arts center. This was because Professor Paul Lim had created his own theatre company to produce the works of students. It was the only English department with its own theatre company in the nation. Professor Lim exposed me to so much art I would have otherwise never sought out myself, and Im forever indebted to him. Check out Stephens tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Italian Food Around the World

Italian Food Around the World The Influence of Italian Cooking around the World ChaptersItalian Cuisine in North AmericaItalian Cuisine in South AmericaItalian Cuisine in EuropeWhy Is Italian Food so Universal?There are few types of food as universally popular as Italian food.Which other cuisine can boast pizza, pasta, ice cream, and many health benefits?In fact, thanks to its simplicity, Mediterranean flavours, and popularity, Italian food firmly established itself as a global cuisine.It’s estimated that 14 billion plates of pasta (including fusili, penne, spaghetti, and ravioli) are consumed every year around the world.Other countries have been familiar with spaghetti for years. (Source: Nile)Pasta carbonara is thought to be the most commonly cooked dish on the planet. A lot of Italians are probably annoyed by the use of cream in the recipe, though. The original recipe just calls for pasta, bacon or pancetta, parmesan, and eggs.While pasta can be found almost anywhere in the world, bruschetta, Italian cheeses (parmesan, pecorino, ricotta, etc.), and curied m eats like Parma ham and pancetta, are also popular in many places.Waves of Italian immigrants have also helped spread Italian culinary tradition all over the world.Over the course of this article, Superprof will be taking your taste buds on a journey from Italy to all the places where Italian cooking ended up and how it ended up changing in its new homes.Here, you'll see there's more to the cuisine than just pizza and pasta.Let’s go! GiovanniCooking Teacher 4.83 (12) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HalimaCooking Teacher £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HakimCooking Teacher 5.00 (5) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors VincenzoCooking Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors GinellaCooking Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ArronCooking Teacher 5.00 (2) £9/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoshuaCooking Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FlickCooking Teacher 5.00 (1) £50/h1 st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsItalian Cuisine in North AmericaBoth the United States and Canada are fine examples of Italian influence. Just take New York’s Little Italy, for example.This lively neighbourhood is as unmissable in the Big Apple as the Statue of Liberty!  â€œLittle Italy” is the name of the neighbourhood where most Italian immigrants can be found following two major periods of immigration:Between 1860 and 1930 when many Italians left their country to head to America.European emigration starting in the 1950s.For health, economic, and social reasons, Italians left Italy looking for a better life.  Fortunately for many, they brought gnocchi, focaccia, Parma ham, and authentic Italian style cooking with them, giving rise to these famous neighbourhoods.While the neighbourhood in Manhattan is no longer home to only Italians, but rather Italian Americans and other nationalities, you can still find plenty of Italian American restaurants and businesses offering fres h pasta and other dishes just like they would in Italy.The best cooking classes on Superprof.Italian food has been in the United States of America for many years. (Source: RitaE)You can get pesto (a sauce made from pine nuts and basil), mascarpone, gorgonzola, and other ingredients to make Italian dishes at home from Italian delis.The Feast of San Gennaro is still celebrated in the Italian neighbourhood. This street festival, which lasts 11 days, pays homage to Italian food and traditions.  You can even take part in a pasta-eating contest!Other Italian neighbourhoods of note in the US and Canada include:The Hill in Saint Louis, where you can find plenty of Italian restaurants and delis.Little Italy in Cleveland, which has Italian art galleries as well as traditional Italian trattorias.Federal Hill in Providence, home to many pizzerias and Italian ice cream parlours.Petite Italie in Montréal, with plenty of Italian cafés and trattorias.Little Italy in Toronto, a small neighbourhood that lives and breathes its Italian heritage.The food and restaurants in North America have been greatly influenced by Italian food. There’s no lack of pizza, pasta, or risotto.Italian Cuisine in South AmericaIn Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, you can find the largest group of Italian descendants in the world.In fact, Argentinian food was largely influenced by Italy: pizza and pasta can be found on the menu at most classic Argentine restaurants.Veal Milanese, an Italian recipe where the veal is breaded with parmesan, flour, and breadcrumbs, has become a typical Argentine dish.Parmesan is an essential ingredient in veal Milanese, even in Argentina. (Source: Icb)On the 29th of each month, Argentines eat gnocchi.  This is because it's just before payday and many Argentine families would only have the ingredients for gnocchi in their cupboards. Polenta is also regularly cooked by families in Argentina.  Unlike in North America, there’s no Little Italy in Buenos Aires but ra ther an Italian influence that can be found all over the town. In fact, during the largest waves of Italian immigration, nearly half the population (45%) of Buenos Aires was Italian and nearly two thirds (63%) of Argentines are descended from Italians.The Italian influence isn’t as strong in other South American countries. That said, you can still find the veal Milanese on menus in Bolivia, Chile, and Peru.While they might add a tomato sauce, the basic ingredients are all there.Italian Cuisine in EuropeAccording to a Tripadvisor survey, Italian food is the most popular in Europe. Italian food is most common in the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, and Germany.This can be explained by the presence of Italian immigrants in these countries during the 20th century. Whether you’re in London, Paris, Brussels, or Berlin, you can easily:Eat in an Italian restaurant or trattoriaBuy Italian products in Italian delisGet Italian cooking classes from Italian chefsOpening the borders across Eu rope has allowed for Italians to move about more easily, bringing their cooking traditions with them.You can now enjoy squid ink risotto without having to travel all the way to Venice. (Source: Gellinger)The number of restaurants offering the antipasti, primi piatti, secondi piatti formula is increasing.In Italy, there are two main courses! Don’t forget there’s also limoncello for afterwards. An “aperitivo” isn’t all. The Venetian “Spritz” cocktail was everywhere during the summer of 2016.When it comes to alcohol, the Italians have prosecco, the sparkling white wine similar to champagne.Did you know that Italy is one of the world’s biggest wine producers?While Italian restaurants around the world didn’t always follow their culinary tradition to the letter, in recent years, this has started becoming the case again.More and more Italian chefs are promoting traditional Italian recipes straight from Italy. Spaghetti bolognese is no longer just pasta with tomato sauce, but rather with minced beef or meatballs as it should be. Delicious!There are plenty of Italian chefs who’ve moved to the UK and are showing us Brits exactly how their food should be. Try a genuine Italian pizza and taste the difference!Why Is Italian Food so Universal?Italian food is often thought of as being the most popular in the world.  You don’t need to look very hard to understand why. Just ask your taste buds.Simple and natural ingredients are used and there's a culture of eating homemade food. Olive oil, cheese, and charcuterie (cured meats like Parma ham and prosciutto) is used for both starters and mains and are both delicious and easy to cook.Basil, garlic, cherry tomatoes, capers, and mushrooms are also used in Italian recipes from traditional pasta dishes to the Neapolitan pizza.  Italian food is also famous for how healthy it is.There are plenty of products with protected designations of origin in Italy: Balsamic vinegar from Modena, Sicilian blood orange, cheeses like Gorgonzola, Gran Padano, and, Mozzarella di Bufala Campana, and meats like Mortadella and Pancetta. This means that if these products aren't from Italy, they're not the real deal!There’s a stark difference between a generic mozzarella and Mozzarella di Bufala Campana, isn’t there?The best type of mozzarella is mozzarella di bufala. (Source: Congerdesign)More proof that Italian food is popular around the world is the Italian cuisine week that took place across 105 different countries during its first year in 2016. There were gatherings in the UK, US, France, and many other countries celebrating Italian food.Its goals were to:Spread the traditions of Italian cuisinePromote Italian cooking methodsPromote collaboration between Italy and other countriesAmbassadors, Italian chefs abroad, and even school pupils worked towards spreading Italian culture to everyone.Given that an Italian-food-themed park opened in 2017, it doesn’t look like Italian food’s popularity is going to dwindle any time soon.  With restaurants, delis, and vendors, you can discover how Italian products are made and, more importantly, try them!If you want to eat traditional Italian dishes, try a selection of cheese, or try out some wine tasting, this place is like Disney World for foodies and those who don't like roller coasters.If you can't make your way to Bologna, whether you fancy a lasagna, seafood, or a vegetarian option (roasted stuffed vegetables, for example), there's something on an Italian menu for everyone!Once you've finished your meal, why not try a tiramisu or panna cotta? Italian desserts are outrageously good!While Italian restaurants are great, Italian food is best served at home and you should try cooking it for yourself. If you can't cook, you can always get Italian cooking tutorials from a private tutor.See 20 great Italian recipes. Learn more about Italian Food around Italy.

Taking Your Tutorials Outside

Taking Your Tutorials Outside Where Can You Teach Outside the Home? ChaptersPrivate Tutorials: Why Teach Outside?Different Places to Teach Private TutorialsThe Advantages and Disadvantages of Teaching Outside“Share your knowledge. It is a way to achieve immortality.” - Dalai Lama XIVPrivate tutors are the new way to learn. In fact, private tutors have been gaining in popularity over recent years. The market’s estimated at around £2 billion and 40% of children in London have already taken a private tutorial.Whether it’s IT for secondary schoolers, exam prep for GCSE and A Level, or group physics or chemistry tutorials, almost every subject can be taught at either the student’s or the tutor’s home. However, sometimes the home’s not a suitable place to be taught in.That said, there are other options. You could teach your private tutorials elsewhere. If you find a place that works for you and your student, you could easily teach them in public places, such as the library.While we often call it home tuition or home tutoring, there's nothing stopping a private tutor from taking their one on one tutoring services to a public place. After all, when a student decides to find a tutor, it's so that they can get one to one instruction from a qualified, experienced, and gifted educator, not just so they can chat to someone at home or see the inside of a stranger's flat.Private tutoring is about giving students the confidence and study skills in a one on one environment to improve in a given subject so that when they find themselves in a small group or large class, they can apply the academic coaching they received in order to perform better academically.Whether they're helping a student with their biology homework, preparing for their mathematics algebra exams, or helping them get their heads around calculus, the best tutors will have carefully planned their tutorials to ensure that everything, including where the lesson takes place, works for the student.If there’s one place for learning languages or doing private tutorial s, it’s obviously the home. Sitting on your own sofa in the warmth can make both the teacher and the student feel relaxed and is conducive to conversation.The teaching environment is just as important as the teaching approaches and resources you use. (Source: PourquoiPas)However, as we saw before, you can’t always have your private tutorials take place in the home and you’ll need to find somewhere else for you and your student. You may feel a bit lost with so much choice or worried that you won't be able to find somewhere to calmly study concepts.The following are good places to teach private tutorials:A cafeA libraryAn empty classroom in a school or universityA parkA field or picnic area, especially if you live in the countryCoworking spacesAnd many othersOf course, this isn’t an exhaustive list of the places you can teach private tutorials but it should give you a few ideas and show you that it’s not the end of the world if you can’t have your tutorials in the house. T he most important thing is to be able to transfer knowledge to the student and build a good relationship with them.The Advantages and Disadvantages of Teaching OutsideTeaching outside isn’t impossible. However, it’s not a decision you can take lightly as there are a number of things you’ll have to consider. It’s not all fun and games taking your private tutorials out of the house, but there are a number of pros and cons to doing it.A good private tutor will use all the resources they have at their disposal. (Source: Pexels)The AdvantagesBy taking your lessons out of the house, you’ll be safe in the knowledge that you’re free from any of the regular distractions you have at your  homes such as your roommate or pet. Additionally, you won’t be distracted by things you have lying around the house such as personal effects and ornaments.Academic support outside of the home is also useful for those that need help concentrating in different environments.The DisadvantagesTeachi ng classes outside of the home also has its disadvantages and things that stop us from teaching. One of the biggest disadvantages is that you can’t shut yourself off from the outside world when you’re in a public place, which can distract students and make things harder to learn. That said, a teacher and a student mightn’t work more effectively in calm environments.Whether it’s intensive classes, a one-off tutorial, or even maths tutorials, you need to make sure you don’t lose your patience due to outside distractions that you can’t control. At home, you know exactly what will and won't come in the way of your teaching and that you'll have a better idea of distractions and how to control. Outside of the home, tutorials can be affected by the opening hours of public places or the weather.Similarly, music and singing tutorials or chemistry and physics lessons aren’t the easiest things to teach safely outside. You need to decide upon the method that makes your tutorials a s engaging and educational as possible.Certain subjects require a lot of equipment. For example, piano tutorials or guitar tutorials will require a piano and a guitar respectively. These are things that you can't necessarily take with you to a public place. Additionally, you probably won't be welcome playing the piano or guitar in a library, for example.Follow these guidelines for choosing locations for giving lessons!There are also technical and scientific subjects that require a lot of equipment. You can't really teach woodwork in a cafe.  These are the kind of tutorials that are better taught in the tutor's home where they can convert part of their home into a classroom, lab, or workshop, for example.Art is a great subject to take outside. You and your student could study landscapes, for example, and sketch things as research for a bigger painting that they can complete at home.Languages and the humanities are also great subjects for teaching in public places as they normally req uire the student and tutor to talk to one other, don't require a lot of equipment, and can be taught with just a few books and an exercise book.You no longer need to be in a classroom in order to learn. (Source: Wokandapix)Of course you can teach outside of the home! While we normally see the home as the ideal spot for teaching private tutorials, you should keep in mind that teaching outside of it isn’t impossible. For certain subjects, teaching outside of the home is even better as it can keep students engaged and motivated.Don't forget that if you can't teach at your home, the student's home, or in a public place, online tutoring is also an option. An online tutor teaches their students via video conferencing, all they need is a computer, webcam, microphone, and a decent internet connection.Whether you're teaching grammar, economics, geometry, you can work flexible hours and save money on transport costs by becoming an online tutor. You can also charge those being tutored less, making finding tutor jobs and your accounting much easier.

How to Adopt a Growth Oriented, Ownership Mindset

How to Adopt a Growth Oriented, Ownership Mindset Improving Academic Performance Most people tend to have one of two mindsets: fixed or growth. Those with a growth mindset believe they can always improve and change their personality or level of intelligence through feedback and hard work. They believe, accurately, that the brain is a muscle that can be built up over time. Those with a fixed mindset believe your personality and intelligence is more or less given to you at birth, and you can only tinker around the edges. You want to adopt a growth mindset. Developing a Growth Mindset Why is the growth mindset important? First, because the research suggests it’s true, and second, because adopting this mindset leaves to whole host of behaviors that have been shown to lead to academic and other types of success, most notably “grit” and the willingness to stick with things when the going gets tough. People with a fixed mindset tend to think their abilities, personalities, and intelligence is given at birth, and can’t be changed. They may tend to avoid activities at which they fear they’ll fail, since this will expose a lack of ability which of course, can’t be changed. This creates a truly unfortunate cycle. Because the student believes they simply, for example, aren’t good at math, but recognizes that it would be nice if they were good at math, they avoid situations in which their poor math ability will be exposed. They make the choice to avoid raising their hand, for fear of looking dumb. So, they don’t ask questions to clarify their understanding in class. They may even avoid doing their homework, since it’s somehow easier mentally to do poorly because you didn’t study than to try your best and fail, thus confirming your belief that you may just not smart. Ultimately, and over time, a student with a fixed mindset starts to try far less hard, do much less homework, falling farther and farther behind, until the evidence seems to confirm that yes, other people “have it” and they don’t when it comes to math (or, insert any other common skill). People with a growth mindset believe that abilities and talents are built up over time through hard work, persistence, feedback, and ultimately learning. They’ll ask a question in class in the honest pursuit of feedback and learning, without being too worried about sounding dumb. They have no fear of being exposed as lacking math skills, because they believe they can and will just build up their math skills if they lack them today. Growth vs. Fixed Mindset There are a variety of interesting studies which support the importance of the growth vs. fixed mindset distinction. For example, in one long term study, Dr. Dweck interviewed and analyzed and ultimately placed 7th grade students into one of two categories: a) those that seemed to have a fixed mindset and those that seemed to have a growth mindset. At the beginning of the study, both groups had earned an average grade of 74% in math. Over the course of two academic years, however, the average math grade of the fixed mindset cohort steadily declined, while the opposite occurred for the growth mindset group. In sum, a 4% point change in math grades was attributed directly to having a growth vs. fixed mindset over the course of two academic years (C â€" average vs. C+). Why do we see positive results from adopting a growth mindset? I think there are likely three related reasons: 1) the most common explanation is the brain really is like a muscle that you can build (see next chapter). As you try harder and ask questions, you learn and become smarter. 2), knowing that it’s possible to learn and grow, you work much harder, displaying more grit, and stick with difficult tasks for a long time. 3), what is discussed less but is very important, in my view, is that the growth mindset also leads to a sense of accountability, ownership, and control over your education or academic or professional performance. If you truly believe you can learn and grow, then you feel responsible for making positive changes happen. What can you do to encourage a growth mindset in yourself and others? The answer here is relatively simple. Place value and praise on displays of effort and learning, not natural intelligence and talent (whatever those concepts might actually mean). How to learn more about building a growth, ownership oriented mindset? To learn more about the Growth mindset - Visit MindSet works, the company Carold Dweck co-founded Read Dr. Dweck’s book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success â€" How We Can Learn to Fulfill Our Potential To learn more about the Importance of grit and persistence â€" How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character The Smartest Kids in the World: And How They Got That Way hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(215486, 'ec7de4d5-7dbc-47df-88fd-67e762d72f81', {});

US Constitution Test Study Guide - Private Tutoring

US Constitution Test Study Guide Anna L Jan 12, 2020 Oops, cramming for that Constitution exam tomorrow? This US Constitution test study guide will cover the main areas you need to know to approach it with confidence. Key terms and subjects that you’ll need to remember are in bold and be sure follow points of interest to develop your answers. Need more help? What Came Before The United States Constitution was not the first document to dictate the political and judicial makeup of the country. The Articles of Confederation (1771-1789) provided a generally weak framework for a central government since it wanted to emphasize the independence and free-will of the 13 states. Its powers were limited to international diplomacy, national territory, and declaring war (no plans for taxation are a key problem here). Its President (the President of the Congress) was largely ceremonial as a debate moderator for the 13 states. Failure of the states to work together meant that a better system with a strong central government needed to be put in place. However, it would be enough to win the revolutionary war and establish the Declaration of Independence (1776). This saw the 13 states as independent from Britain and that they would unite to form a nation-state. The Constitution would then need to perform a balancing act between centralizing power (not allowing states/the electorate to do as they please) and avoiding tyranny (not becoming like Britain). Points of interest: How did the War of Independence shape the political foundations of the United States? What previous document/s dictated the government of the United States? What were their limitations? Writing the document The United States Constitution (1787) was drafted during the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia and defined the American government as a constitutional republic. It gives power to its citizens in the preamble by beginning with “We the People” rather than owing itself to the inherited position of a throne (Britain’s constitutional monarchy). Those who helped draft the Constitution alongside the signers of the Declaration of Independence were the Framers of the Constitution. As expected, most of these 55 men were wealthy land-owners with a significant portion owning slaves (a smaller number were entirely dependent on slave-labor). While it only required 9 of the 13 states to be enacted, it was ensured that amendments to the constitution could be made in future. Rhode Island was the final state to ratify the constitution. Like the Articles of Confederation, many disagreements were made over its contents which meant that compromise needed to be made. The Virginia Compromise called for representation of each state to be determined by population whereas the New Jersey Compromise wanted equal representation for each state. The joining of the two, the Connecticut Compromise, made Congress bicameral. Points of interest: Who wrote the Constitution? Where and when was this conducted? What are amendments and how many have been made? What is the term for how power is shared between federal, state and local government?   How the Constitution designs our Political System The Constitution divided the government into three branches who would provide checks and balances on their powers. These were the Legislative (congress), Executive (the president) and Judicial (the supreme court). Legislative The Legislative Branch is set out first and given the most attention. It’s job is to make laws in congress which is separated into two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate. It is a requirement of the constitution that Congress assembles at least once a year. As of 2019, the House of Reps (lower chamber) consists of 435 seats that are divided amongst the 50 states on the basis of their population size. At the time, Native Americans were not counted in the census and “all other persons” (slaves) were counted as 3/5 of a person, although this was stopped by Amendment 14. Elections for representatives are held every 2 years with candidates needing to be residents of their state, 25 or older and having been a citizen for at least 7 years. The Speaker of the House is elected by majority, meaning it will be the leader of the controlling party. The Senate (upper chamber) is comprised of 2 seats for each state, making 100 members total as of 2019.  Senators serve 6 year terms with the requirement that they are at least 30, have been citizens for at least 9 years, and are residents of their state. The Senate is led by its Presiding Officer who is usually the Vice President. Congressional members are elected by direct popular vote from their constituents (congressional districts elect the House of Reps whereas Statewide elections appoint senators). This system of legislature is a representative democracy where citizens elect members to make laws on their behalf (this is opposed to direct democracy where citizens would vote on matters individually). This is an example of the constitution centralizing power while avoiding tyranny of monarchy. Section 8 approves Congress to conduct taxation which avoids the problem of weak governance set out in the Articles of Confederation. Bills can originate from both houses but must also be approved by the majority in both. The President must also approve, but this can be avoided in different circumstances. If the President rejects a bill it can return to the chamber it was proposed by and become law if 2/3 of its seats approve. Similarly, if the President sits on a bill for 10 days without rejection it will become law. Congress has the power to impeach the President. It is initiated in the House of Reps and subsequently tried in the Senate. Congress also has the ability to declare war. Test your knowledge: Which chamber has two representatives from each state? Senate House of Reps What is the difference between representative and direct democracy? An election is being held for the Senate in Ohio. Who determines the vote? The House of Reps Residents of Ohio The Electoral College No one, senators are appointed by local judges Executive The Constitution then defines the Executive branch made up the President, the Electoral College, and the Cabinet. The Electoral College is responsible for electing the President. The amount of Electoral College members in each state is equivalent to the sum of their congressional seats: Senate seats + House of Representative Seats = number of electoral voters per state When citizens vote ‘for the President’ they are effectively voting for a potential elector who will in turn vote for their Presidential choice. No part of the constitution requires electors to vote in accordance with the popular vote. The candidate must win the majority of electoral votes (270 out of 358) to assume the Presidency. The President is titled the ‘Commander in Chief’ by the Constitution, assuming the highest position in all branches of the United States Armed Forces and the executive. A President is tasked with directing foreign treaties and nominating judges to the Supreme Court. Presidents enforce bills passed by the legislative branch. Presidential candidates must be at least 35, a natural-born citizen, and a resident for at least 14 years of their life. Presidents serve 4 year terms and could initially serve as many terms as possible, although 22nd Amendment (1951) placed a 2-term limit on the position. FDR is the only President to have served 4 terms. If a President is incapable of holding office then the Presidential line of succession determines who takes their place. The Vice President would be first followed by the Speaker of the House and so on. The President is able to pardon anyone who commits crimes against the United States. The President can also veto any bill put forward by Congress. Test your knowledge: True or false: the President is elected via popular vote. What decides the number of Electoral College Voters? The exact number is ratified in the Constitution Proportional to population-size of each state with a maximum of 538 Sum of Congressional Seats What are the three requirements for Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidates? Points of interest: What could have motivated the constitutional framers to enact an Electoral College?   Judicial The 3rd article establishes the Supreme Court comprising of 9 judges who serve life appointments, although they can be removed via impeachment. Congress has the ability to set up inferior courts. These courts can rule on all cases that full under the Constitution. The Supreme Court is charged with interpreting the law and deciding what is constitutional and unconstitutional. The Constitution outlines treason as its only crime. The Supreme Court is able to declare any law or act committed by the Executive or Legislature as unconstitutional. Test your knowledge: How many Judges are on the supreme court? 7 9 13 How are Supreme Court judges selected? Nominated by the President and confirmed by both chambers of Congress Nominated by the President and confirmed by the House of Reps. Nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate Directly appointed by the President What branch of government can have their actions deemed unconstitutional by the Judiciary? Legislative Executive Both Federalism and Amendments The Constitution has been very effective in centralizing the power of government compared to previous attempts. Some feared that this threatened the rights of states and individuals, namely James Madison who had written the first 10 amendments to the Constitution entitled the Bill of Rights. Notable was the freedom of speech and separation of church and state (1st), the right to bear arms (2nd), the need for warrants (4th) and the right to not plead against yourself in court (5th). The 10th amendment ensures Federalism, in that power is shared between national and state governments. This meant that any power that isn’t described as Congressional belongs to the states of the people. However, the Elastic Clause allows for Congress to act outside the explicit language of the Constitution if it can rationalise that it fits within its delegated powers. Amendments can be proposed by 2/3 of both chambers of Congress or state legislatures. They are ratified by ¾ of state legislatures or state ratifying conventions. The president has no official role in these proceedings. As of 2019, 33 amendments have been made to the Constitution. Points of interest The 33 amendments vary in scope and effect. What are the most important amendments in your view? What are the least important? What is problematic about the Elastic Clause? Would it be supported or objected by federalists? You Might Also Be Interested In: Learn How to Study for a Test or Course the Easy Way United States Constitution Test Study Guide  These are some of the topics that you want to dive into deeply and make sure that you can cover at least the basics of each whether its for the US History exam, government and politics test or an AP Exam. Often youll see questions coming right from these topics, so take the time to check them out and know the answers! Functions of the Judicial, Legislative, and Executive Branches Definition of Pardon Head of the Executive Branch # of Justices, including the Chief Justice, make up the Supreme Court Term of a Supreme Court Justice Term of a member in the House of Representatives and Senate Qualifications for a member of the House of Representatives Who holds the concurrent powers? What Amendment states no state can deny people their basic rights? 1st Ten Amendments is called what? What year did the Constitution become effective? Who presides over the Senate? What amendment guarantees the right to bear arms? What amendment provides rights for the accused in terms of punishment? What amendment contains a due process clause? What amendment ended slavery? What 2 things did the Declaration of Independence do? Who had the final say in all matters under the Articles of Confederation? What was the form of government in which power is handed down from one generation to the next? What were the most striking characteristics of the framers of the Constitution? What city did the constitutional convention take place in? Know the difference between direct and representative democracy. How many Presidents have served a complete four terms in office? What amendment addresses the term limits of the President? What group elects the President? Know the differences between the Virginia, New Jersey, and Connecticut Compromises. What is impeachment an example of?   Who holds the power of impeachment?   Who is the jury? How many colonies were at the First Continental Congress? What is the minimum number of electoral votes to be elected President? How many members are there in the House of Representatives and Senate? What type of government does the Constitution create? Know what the elastic clause does for the constitution. In order to add an amendment to the constitution â€" it has to pass by what margin and does it need a presidential signature? What does the Constitution state that no person may be deprived of? A trial by jury cannot be denied if the value of the lawsuit exceeds what $ amount. What is the minimum infraction necessary for the impeachment of a judge? How many times per year is Congress required to be assembled by the Constitution? Know what a warrant does for law officials. Does the Constitution state anything regarding Church and State? Know the Presidential succession. Know the President’s job descriptions â€" chief citizen, chief diplomat, commander-in-chief, chief legislator, and chief of state. Be able to identify procedures of the US Government as expressed, implied, inherent. (4.1 worksheet) Be able to identify what 10 key Presidents were known for.   (list of Presidents on Review Day) How many amendments are in the Constitution. What is a filibuster? Who has the power to declare war? When are congressional elections held? Does the 5th Amendment guarantee that you can’t be tried twice for the same crime? What 2 groups make up Congress? What court case established Judicial Review? Which state was the last state to ratify the Constitution? Where does all of the power of government agencies come from? We can help you find the best private tutor near you! It’s simple and secure â€" Get real results fast. 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Executing the Mentally Impaired

Executing the Mentally Impaired John Coffee (Michael Clarke Duncan) awaits execution in The Green Mile Last week attention was called to the topic of intellectual disabilities (ID) and the death penalty when a Georgia court granted a last minute stay of execution for a man with an I.Q. of 70 (the widely-accepted threshold for ID). The courts intervention was a relief for many, and a surprise to those familiar with criminal law in Georgia and elsewhere. Since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Atkins v. Virginia eleven years ago, states have been reluctant to set up legal tests which would classify inmates as intellectually disabled, leading to a system which clearly favors execution over mental care or rehabilitation. In Georgia, a defendant must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he is in fact mentally handicapped. This ensures that judges and juries will be very hesitant to rule in favor of an ID claim and most will be sent to death row. This has been the fate of numerous ID claimants in Texas where the legal standard required to pass as mentally handicapped (or mentally retarded, as the outdated legal text still reads) is so strict that almost anyone with a pulse and an operational nervous system is eligible for lethal injection. The Texas courts test for intellectual disability is based on seven Briseño Factors, named after the case which established the precedent. A Google search of the term reveals a large collection of stories about unjust sentences to be handed down to our most helpless citizens. To be considered intellectually disabled under the Briseño Factors, a defendant must prove to a jury that he or she lacks proper functioning in all seven areas covered by the test. These factors were created by judges instead of doctors, they are not scientifically based, and they include things such as the ability to plan a faculty observed in many zoo animals as well as nearly every human who ever lived. In addition to standards that could be met by an animal, the Briseño Factors also provide that courts should disregard an ID claim if friends or family members of the defendant do not believe he or she is mentally disabled. Regardless of feelings on the morality of the death penalty, surely there are few people who would suggest that systematically executing mentally handicapped prisoners is acceptable. Affronts to human rights such as this happen around the world every day, but should not be common news in a nation that prides itself on fairness and justice. Just as tyrannical governments in past centuries have sought to quietly eliminate undesirable populations, states governments right here at home are executing people who by all civilized standards should be safely confined from the general population and properly treated. The execution of mentally handicapped people is a disgrace to our society and a slap in the face to human rights. The only way to tackle the issue is by making yourself and others more aware of what happens to these poor unfortunate men and women. Stories of prisoners with intellectual disabilities facing the death penalty: http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/category/categories/issues/mental-retardation http://www.thenation.com/blog/169243/updated-texas-executes-man-iq-61 http://www.theeagle.com/news/local/article_8a7ef928-9fe2-515d-9e44-ee6a700606a1.html