A Survey of the Periodic Table

A Survey of the Periodic TableIt is difficult to appreciate the importance of Michael Addition organic chemistry class without having learned a great deal about the periodic table. As I wrote in my last Organic Chemistry class, chemistry is a science which includes an application of knowledge, information and theory about elements, molecules, atoms, etc., so I encourage you to learn this important subject as soon as possible.The periodic table is a key factor in the study of the nature of chemistry, world history and all other aspects of life. Elements in the same row are the same element. These elements, combined in different ways, can produce different substances and elements.The periodic table has been used since ancient times, with the ancient Egyptians using it to describe the natural world. This gives the table a long history. Ancient man recognized the power of the elements to create different kinds of substances which we recognize today as medicines, foods, minerals, plastics , paint, coal, etc. The ancient Greeks and the Chinese had similar ideas, but unlike the Egyptians, did not think of the periodic table in the same way today.The periodic table was used more widely during the Middle Ages. At that time, it was considered more of a religious artifact than a tool for science. There was a belief that the elements would travel down through different veins through time, thereby passing by many forms and places before finally settling at the bottom of the earth. The periodic table helps us understand this belief, because it illustrates that at each time the earth and its atmosphere have changed, certain elements have either altered their positions or new forms have emerged.Modern scientists, though, still cannot agree on which of the elements should be numbered first. Part of the problem is that different people use different units of measurement. Some people use the International System, while others use the SI, and still others use the U.S. customary uni ts. And then there are those who prefer to use their own unit, perhaps one that makes sense to them personally.In some parts of the world, the concept of the periodic table seems to have been forgotten. For example, the Chinese can use the moon's distance from earth as their unit of measure, and they just as readily use the Chinese values of the number 'one' to identify elements. It is often said that the element found on the opposite side of the earth will be easy to identify with a traditional unit of measurement.I hope you can appreciate the value of learning about the periodic table. It can help you think about chemistry and science in a different way. If you are looking for a topic for your next chemistry class, this would be a good time to introduce this subject to students.

Why was English Wikipedia black last week A English Listening Exercise

Why was English Wikipedia black last week A English Listening Exercise Websites, including Wikipedia, that protested last week.Last week, you may have noticed that the English language version of Wikipedia was blacked out last week. Other sites, like Google, The Oatmeal, Craigslist and Wired magazine did similar things to their websites last week, protesting the proposed SOPA and PIPA laws that the U.S. congress was working on.So what was congress doing that was such a problem that Wikipedia, Google and other important websites would protest? The issue is somewhat complicated, but Salman Kahn of the Kahn Academy  does a great job of explaining the bill in the video below. After the video youll find a series of listening questions._____ ____ that youre the owner of some kind of copyrighted material.What is he asking you to do in the previous sentence?What does he say the purpose of SOPA is?What does he say the problem is?What kind of companies within the U.S. might be hurt by SOPA?When does it get creepy according to Kahn?Why does it get creepy?What are some examples of how this law could be misused?What this allows them to do is _____ first and _____ later.What does he mean by the previous phrase?What does he say is the creepiest thing about the bill?Id be _____.

New Tutoring Test Prep Option in California

New Tutoring Test Prep Option in California Improving Academic Performance MyGuru is excited to announce the launch of our presence in several new cities. We are anxious to extend the success we’ve experienced in building an elite team of tutors in the Chicago area. We now have tutors available in California (Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco), Minneapolis, MN, Champaign, IL, Bloomington, IN, Boston, MA and New York, NY. We’ll bring the same commitment to recruiting and working with only extremely talented and accomplished tutors, delivering a high level of customer service, and building a results-driven culture. However, whereas outside California we are slowly building our presence with our Chicago-based management team, in California we are taking a different approach. Our team of tutors in California is being built by our new Managing Tutor for West Coast operations, Ethan Castro. Ethan graduated Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa with a double major in English and Humanities at the University of Colorado. He also holds a Master’s degree in Education from Loyola Marymount, a Juris Doctor from Northwestern University School of Law and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern. He worked as a strategy and management consultant at a top consultancy prior to joining MyGuru. Perhaps most importantly, Ethan spent several years as a high school English teacher prior to going to Northwestern University to study for his JD/MBA degrees. This gives him a unique and valuable perspective and set of capabilities that spans the worlds of business and education. We are excited to have Ethan aboard, and look forward to bringing the same quality academic subject tutors and ACT, SAT, GMAT, GRE, MCAT, LSAT, CPA, CFA tutors to Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco, as we have already brought to the Chicago area.

A Complete Guide to Renters Insurance

A Complete Guide to Renters Insurance pexels.com What is renters insurance? Costing about $10 to $20 a month, renters insurance protects renters against possible loss or damage to their personal property. It also insures renters in the case that someone else is injured while on their property. What does renters insurance cover? Renters insurance covers a wide variety of potentially disastrous things that could happen to your rental property and/or your belongings. According to Insure.com, a super helpful site explaining the basics of renters insurance, there are 16 different perils covered by a policy called the HO-4. Some of these perils include fire or lightning, explosions, windstorm or hail, damage caused by vehicles, smoke, falling objects, vandalism, and theft, just to name a few. For the complete list, visit Insure.com if you want to check all 16 conditions that are covered by renters insurance. What does it not cover? While renters insurance certainly covers many different perils that could befall your rental property, there are unfortunately some conditions that are not covered. For example, your insurance won’t cover such natural disasters as earthquakes, mudslides, and landslides. Further, events such as natural floods, war, nuclear hazards, government seizure of your property, intentional destruction of property, and failure to save your property either during or after the time of loss, are not covered by renters insurance. To get coverage for such events as earthquakes or floods, you may need to purchase a separate insurance policy. Also, be aware that even your pets can become a liability. For example, if you have a dog and it bites or injures someone  who is on your property, the harm caused will not be covered by your renters insurance policy. As a result, if you do happen to have a dog (or any other pets that could potentially cause harm to others), you might want to consider purchasing a separate policy that will cover animal bites. Infographic by Kailey Walters What are the benefits of having renters insurance? Have you ever heard of the saying, “Better safe than sorry”? Well, that saying definitely applies to your decision to get renters insurance. Some people might hold themselves back from buying renters insurance because they think it’s not worth it â€" perhaps they don’t feel like shelling out extra money each month, or they think their personal belongings aren’t valuable enough to warrant protection. However, at about only $10 to $20 a month, renters insurance is certainly affordable and a worthy investment to make to protect your property. In fact, the  National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)  reported that the average cost of a renters insurance policy was $187 annually in 2011 â€" not a bad price for protecting your most prized personal possessions, especially when considering how much more expensive it could potentially be to replace any lost or damaged items out of pocket. Ultimately, the actual cost of your policy depends on a number of other factors as well, such as where you live and the type of coverage you choose. Especially if you intend to rent the same property for an extended period of time, making sure that your property and personal belongings are protected against any possible damage is certainly a smart idea. In the event of a disaster or something unfortunate that happens unexpectedly, you will have peace of mind knowing that your belongings are insured. Particularly if you think you cannot afford to replace any lost or damaged belongings, having renters insurance is a safety net to cover replacement costs. Further, if someone happens to be injured while on your property, they could potentially bring up liability issues by suing you. Having renters insurance can consequently save you a lot of headache in terms of dealing with paperwork and a whole slew of unnecessary legal issues. Another advantage of having renters insurance is that it may possibly  cover additional living expenses. For example, if something happens to your rental property (i.e. one of the 16 perils mentioned previously) and you can no longer live there, your insurance may cover the costs of temporarily living elsewhere, which includes your food, and other expenses. Especially when you think about how much it would cost to temporarily stay in a hotel for even a few nights, or how anxiety-inducing it is to find a place to stay on such short notice, you’ll be glad that you have a renters insurance policy. To make sure of the details, check with your specific policy. Can you rely on the landlord to protect your possessions? Unfortunately, no. A common misconception held among renters is that their landlord’s insurance will cover their rental property and their belongings, which is why many renters ultimately choose not to purchase an insurance policy. However, the landlord does not have you covered in this situation. While your landlord’s insurance covers damage to the building and the grounds, it does not cover your personal possessions or any damage you may have caused to your property, such as a fire in your own kitchen. With that being said, it is definitely smart to stay informed about what your landlord can and can’t do for you, and to know exactly what you are responsible for protecting. As a result, having your own renters insurance can be quite useful in protecting your property and in allowing you to know what to expect, so that you arent hit with any nasty legal surprises. In fact, some landlords might even require you to have your own renters insurance policy. If you are not sure about this or need assistance finding coverage, ask your landlord for some guidance. He or she should be willing to help you out and clear up any questions. What are the different ways that your belongings can be covered? There are two ways your belongings can be covered generally: actual cost value (ACV) or replacement cost coverage. ACV coverage will only pay for what your property was worth at the time of loss or damage, minus the deductible. This means, for example, that if you bought an electronic device for a certain amount of money ten years ago, ACV coverage will only pay for what it was worth back then â€" even though today, that electronic device would most likely be worth less. The other option, replacement cost coverage, will reimburse you for what the item costs according to current market prices, minus the deductible. While this option costs a bit more than ACV coverage up front, it may be more worthwhile in the long run, especially for more expensive items that you own. So, when it comes to how you want your belongings to be covered, you have a couple of options to choose from.  Again, definitely check with your specific policy to make sure of the details. What kinds of coverage are involved in renters insurance policies? There are three basic kinds of coverage to consider when you start shopping for a renters insurance policy: personal property, liability, and additional riders. Personal property coverage is fairly self-explanatory â€" it covers your personal possessions, such as clothing, furniture, etc., which is usually a minimum of $2,500 worth of coverage. Liability insurance protects you against liability claims, such as lawsuits for bodily injury, while additional riders provide coverage for belongings that are of higher value, such as jewelry and electronics. Where should you get renters insurance from? According to Value Penguin, some of the best renters insurance companies of 2018 include State Farm, Erie, Allstate, Lemonade, and USAA. So, if you want to get the most bang for your buck and rest assured that you are being covered by an effective policy, take a look at these companies. What’s more, Uloop is certainly a great resource to turn to for your renters insurance needs while still in college. Under the “Renters Insurance” section of Uloop, you will find a form that you can fill out to get a quote for renters insurance. You will also find information on the GradGuard College Renters Insurance Plan, which provides a number of useful features â€" such as theft and fire protection, or liability protection â€" that can be of great help in protecting your personal belongings and your property on campus. pexels.com What else should you do to be smart about renters insurance? Definitely one thing you should do is to take a complete inventory of all of your valuable personal belongings. Doing so will help you keep track of everything valuable you own and ensure that you are properly compensated for anything that is lost or damaged. Create a list of all your belongings and their monetary value, and make sure to keep the list in a safe place.  (It’s up to you whether you keep an electronic or a physical version do whatever works best for you!) It’s also a smart idea to keep receipts for everything, as well as to take pictures of your belongings and keep them as your own photographic records. Leave no stone unturned â€" after all, when it comes to your belongings, you want to do everything you can to make sure your stuff stays protected. Even if youre not a particularly organized person, there are a number of resources out there to help you stay on track with cataloging your stuff. One resource is the myHOME Scr.APP.book set up by the NAIC, which allows you to photograph images, barcodes, and serial numbers that you can then store electronically. Another good resource is the Allstate Digital Locker app, which also allows you to take and store photos of your belongings. Also, while this may seem a bit tedious, it’s a good idea to go through your policy with a fine-tooth comb to check for any limitations or specific items that are not covered. For example, many policies may not fully reimburse you for particularly expensive items such as jewelry and electronics. In those cases, say if you have a favorite piece of costly jewelry or a flat screen TV that you cant stand the thought of losing, you may want to consider getting further coverage beyond what the standard policy can offer, just to be safe. How can you save money on renters insurance? Although renters insurance is already fairly affordable, there are still ways you can get discounts on your insurance policies. If you have another policy (e.g. car insurance) with a certain insurance company, they might offer you a discount on your renters insurance. According to the Insurance Information Institute, you might also be eligible for a discount if you have a security system, use smoke detectors, use deadbolt locks, have good credit, stay with the same insurer, or are over 55 years old. Ultimately, if you rent property, it’s definitely a good idea to take the necessary steps to insure yourself against possible damage or loss of your personal belongings. When it comes to your possessions, you’ll want to make the most responsible decisions to ensure that everything you own and your property remain safe and sound!

Rise in A-level exam resits expected

Rise in A-level exam resits expected A significant increase in the number of students resitting their A-level exams has been forecast for the coming academic year. There are approximately 60,000 students who face rejection from universities because of an unprecedented amount of competition for places. These students are expected to take a gap year in which they will undertake further study and exam revision in the hope of boosting their grades and being accepted onto a university course. Despite an ongoing media debate about whether students should be allowed to keep resitting their A-levels, Jerry Jarvis, the managing director of the Edexcel exam board, believes that resits should continue to be allowed. He used the analogy of Mount Everest, pointing out that the growing number of people who managed to conquer the peak did not mean that the mountain had somehow become easier to climb. However, students who want to resit their A-levels under the present syllabus would be well advised to start making tuition arrangements as soon as possible. As of January next year, the current A-level syllabus will be jettisoned in favour of a new system of more open-ended exam questions which are intended to stretch pupils' thinking skills. Most resit students are expected to spend the rest of 2009 undergoing additional study - often with a private tutor - to supplement a one-term A-level booster course that will prepare them for exam retakes in January 2010. If they get the necessary grades, the students can reapply to universities for the September 2010 intake.

English learners in China can get italki and SpeakENG through Alipay

English learners in China can get italki and SpeakENG through Alipay Alipay Learning English is the primary goal of most users on italki, which is natural given that the majority of users are not native speakers of English. Our largest group of users come from China (20% of total users). Weve just started a marketing partnership with Alipay to make it easier for Chinese users to purchase italki credits. Alipay is a payment platform owned by the global e-commerce company Alibaba. Alipay works similarly to Paypal, and is very popular in China. For the month of August, we are offering a 10% bonus to purchases of italki credits over $30 USD through Alipay. Learning English in China Alipay - italki page We hope that by making it easier for Chinese users to pay online, this will lead to more transactions on the italki marketplace. There is certainly an immense demand for learning English in China. Chinese students start learning English at an early age (depends regionally, but average age of 10-13). However, after studying English for five years or more, many students graduate with ???? (mute English). They often have not had any opportunity to use their English, and the vast majority are taught by Chinese teachers with varying levels of proficiency. Given the demand for English, English training centers in China are a huge industry. These centers often are very expensive (10,000 20,000 RMB or ~$1500-$3000 USD). This amount of money also needs to be viewed in an economic context where the average monthly salary is roughly between $200 $600 USD (depends on the city and region). Anecdotally, weve been told that many Chinese find their experiences at these teaching centers to be disappointing. The centers are strong at marketing, but weak at delivering real improvement for students. Students have very limited access to teachers and are stuck listening in large classes. Naturally, we believe that online learning can change this equation radically. italki partners, like Eleutian, can deliver an online product (SpeakENG), direct to students at an incredibly low costs. Students can get Eleutians certified teachers or find independent teachers which they can schedule according to their own time needs. In addition, student tuition doesnt go into supporting building rents in expensive city districts, massive marketing campaigns, or large school administrations. Given the natural benefits of online learning, we think this will become a major alternative to offline learning in the near future. View the English press release (PDF) View the Chinese press release (PDF) The italki Team English learners in China can get italki and SpeakENG through Alipay Alipay Learning English is the primary goal of most users on italki, which is natural given that the majority of users are not native speakers of English. Our largest group of users come from China (20% of total users). Weve just started a marketing partnership with Alipay to make it easier for Chinese users to purchase italki credits. Alipay is a payment platform owned by the global e-commerce company Alibaba. Alipay works similarly to Paypal, and is very popular in China. For the month of August, we are offering a 10% bonus to purchases of italki credits over $30 USD through Alipay. Learning English in China Alipay - italki page We hope that by making it easier for Chinese users to pay online, this will lead to more transactions on the italki marketplace. There is certainly an immense demand for learning English in China. Chinese students start learning English at an early age (depends regionally, but average age of 10-13). However, after studying English for five years or more, many students graduate with ???? (mute English). They often have not had any opportunity to use their English, and the vast majority are taught by Chinese teachers with varying levels of proficiency. Given the demand for English, English training centers in China are a huge industry. These centers often are very expensive (10,000 20,000 RMB or ~$1500-$3000 USD). This amount of money also needs to be viewed in an economic context where the average monthly salary is roughly between $200 $600 USD (depends on the city and region). Anecdotally, weve been told that many Chinese find their experiences at these teaching centers to be disappointing. The centers are strong at marketing, but weak at delivering real improvement for students. Students have very limited access to teachers and are stuck listening in large classes. Naturally, we believe that online learning can change this equation radically. italki partners, like Eleutian, can deliver an online product (SpeakENG), direct to students at an incredibly low costs. Students can get Eleutians certified teachers or find independent teachers which they can schedule according to their own time needs. In addition, student tuition doesnt go into supporting building rents in expensive city districts, massive marketing campaigns, or large school administrations. Given the natural benefits of online learning, we think this will become a major alternative to offline learning in the near future. View the English press release (PDF) View the Chinese press release (PDF) The italki Team English learners in China can get italki and SpeakENG through Alipay Alipay Learning English is the primary goal of most users on italki, which is natural given that the majority of users are not native speakers of English. Our largest group of users come from China (20% of total users). Weve just started a marketing partnership with Alipay to make it easier for Chinese users to purchase italki credits. Alipay is a payment platform owned by the global e-commerce company Alibaba. Alipay works similarly to Paypal, and is very popular in China. For the month of August, we are offering a 10% bonus to purchases of italki credits over $30 USD through Alipay. Learning English in China Alipay - italki page We hope that by making it easier for Chinese users to pay online, this will lead to more transactions on the italki marketplace. There is certainly an immense demand for learning English in China. Chinese students start learning English at an early age (depends regionally, but average age of 10-13). However, after studying English for five years or more, many students graduate with ???? (mute English). They often have not had any opportunity to use their English, and the vast majority are taught by Chinese teachers with varying levels of proficiency. Given the demand for English, English training centers in China are a huge industry. These centers often are very expensive (10,000 20,000 RMB or ~$1500-$3000 USD). This amount of money also needs to be viewed in an economic context where the average monthly salary is roughly between $200 $600 USD (depends on the city and region). Anecdotally, weve been told that many Chinese find their experiences at these teaching centers to be disappointing. The centers are strong at marketing, but weak at delivering real improvement for students. Students have very limited access to teachers and are stuck listening in large classes. Naturally, we believe that online learning can change this equation radically. italki partners, like Eleutian, can deliver an online product (SpeakENG), direct to students at an incredibly low costs. Students can get Eleutians certified teachers or find independent teachers which they can schedule according to their own time needs. In addition, student tuition doesnt go into supporting building rents in expensive city districts, massive marketing campaigns, or large school administrations. Given the natural benefits of online learning, we think this will become a major alternative to offline learning in the near future. View the English press release (PDF) View the Chinese press release (PDF) The italki Team

Lincoln County Schools

Lincoln County Schools Lincoln County Schools LINCOLN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS: A DISTINGUISHED SCHOOL DISTRICT Every Student, Every Classroom, Every Day; College/Career and Citizenship Ready Not just a tag line, but a philosophy that guides our every choice and decision. Located in the heart of the picturesque Bluegrass region of central Kentucky, Lincoln County Public Schools is a progressive, family-oriented community of dedicated educators and supportive stakeholders. The District is Comprised of 6 Elementary Schools, Lincoln County Middle School, Lincoln County High School, Ft. Logan High School, and the LC Area Technology Center. Conveniently located just 50 miles south of Lexington, KY, and 90 miles southeast of the metropolitan area of Louisville, KY, we are small enough to offer that home town feel but large enough to provide easy access to big city attractions and opportunities. The second oldest settlement in the Commonwealth, the county seat of Stanford is undergoing vibrant renovation. Come check us out and consider Lincoln County Schools for your educational future! The Lincoln County Public Schools mission, To empower every student with the knowledge, skills, and attributes necessary to become college/career and citizenship ready by providing high quality education and enriching opportunities in every classroom, every day, articulates our commitment to the realization of our vision of Every Student, Every Classroom, Every Day: College/Career and Citizenship Ready. As a primary goal of graduating all students equipped with the skills and competencies needed to successfully compete in higher education and the global marketplace, Lincoln County Schools strives to provide equitable student opportunities throughout our academic, athletic, and extracurricular programs. We believe teaching must provide rigorous and relevant educational opportunities for all students that facilitate development and refinement of individual talents and skills. View our Brochure