Clayden Organic Chemistry - A Beginners Guide

Clayden Organic Chemistry - A Beginner's GuideClayden Organic Chemistry 2nd Edition is the first in a series of reprints from chemist Peter Coleman, which deals with the evolution of chemical reactions from ancient times, through to the present day. This book explores the ancient chemical reactions that have led to the development of many modern chemicals, including many of the basic building blocks of life, and the significant processes that occur during the cell formation process. Clayden Organic Chemistry is considered one of the most comprehensive books on chemical reactions for the beginning student, or even the professional scientist.In order to understand how the modern world works, it is important to understand the way that chemistry has developed over the last two thousand years. This book includes references for the rest of the years, because you can read about ancient substances such as mercury, lead, and sulphuric acid, which are still being used today to enhance certain compounds. There are also descriptions of the chemical reactions that are still going on today, such as the reduction of alcohol to acetone, and nitrogenous compounds produced by the reaction of nitrogen with carbon dioxide, such as ammonia and nitric oxide.The book also contains some chemistry for students, which will help you learn about many of the common compounds that are found in the environment today. Examples include arsenic, cadmium, benzene, and chlorine, as well as graphite and vinyl chloride. It also contains diagrams for many common compounds, such as carbon tetrachloride, mercaptans, and different forms of zinc.The specific area of chemistry which is covered in this book is Organic Chemistry, which is a very broad and particular area of study. This particular topic deals with chemical reactions that are observed in living systems, such as life, plants, and animals. With this book, you will understand the fact that the organism's metabolism occurs at a rate that is, in part, determined by the chemical reaction that has occurred inside of the organism.Many chemical reactions are known or are suspected, to be due to a range of different organics, and sometimes it is not possible to prove them. This can be due to the fact that the reaction itself might not have been measurable, but rather because of something outside of the system, such as an outside source of heat, water, or nitrogen. This can often lead to a great deal of controversy, and a lack of scientific confidence, and this book addresses some of the issues.This book provides a reference for students, who wish to take a look at some of the ways that chemical reactions can occur. This includes the basic properties of carbon, potassium, nitrogen, phosphorous, and boron, and the vast history of organic chemistry, which included the methods used to prove the various chemical reactions, and how this history influenced the current period. Many of the reactions that you read about in this book are s till going on today, but with other chemicals taking their place.It is recommended that this book is used with books such as Understanding Natural Resources: A Guide to Commonly Used Chemicals and Materials for Building the World Around Us, or Living With It: A Guide to Sustainable Building Materials and Practices. It is a good idea to read both of these books, to ensure that you are fully aware of what is going on, and this book is an easy way to do this.

The British Empire Everything You Need to Know

The British Empire Everything You Need to Know History's Largest Empire. ChaptersWhen was the British Empire, and what countries were included within it?The Origins of the British EmpireThe Peak of British ControlConflict and ControversyWorld Wars and British Imperial DeclineThe British Empire TodayThe British Empire was the biggest empire in world history â€" and there’s a reason why its nickname was the ‘empire on which the sun never sets’.It covered nearly a quarter of the world, dominating some twenty-three percent of the world’s population and twenty-four percent of the surface of the planet. That seems like quite a lot for a tiny little island on the corner of Europe.But, it’s time to get to grips with what the British Empire actually was, with how it originated, how it weakened and fell, and how it changed the world that we live in now. If you are studying for the AQA A level in The British Empire, this is the place to come â€" but if you are just interested in what this controversial global system was, then you are more than welcome too. MarkHistory Teacher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JohnHistory Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarjotteHistory Teacher 5.00 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErinHistory Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChantelleHistory Teacher 5.00 (2) £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndriyHistory Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeterHistory Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SerenaHistory Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhen was the British Empire, and what countries were included within it?Often the British Empire is actually split up into two by historians: the First British Empire and the Second. The First takes us from the first colonies in the ‘New World’ at the turn of the sixteenth century to the loss of the United States as a colonial territory in 1783. The Second sees Britain responding by focusing more on the Paci fic, gaining land in India, Australia, and New Zealand. Throughout the period, Britain had major territories in Africa too.However, it all ended in the twentieth century. Some historians point to the end of the Second World War, which triggered a wave of independence movements across the Empire, whilst others say that the Empire formally ended in 1997, when Hong Kong was returned to China.This map of the British Empire in 1915 shows just how large it was - with territories on every continent.The Origins of the British EmpireBritish imperial activity began in the late sixteenth century, after the Spanish and Portuguese had embarked on explorations in the New World and were basking in the prestige and wealth that these brought. Other important powers in Europe â€" including France, the Netherlands, and England â€" wanted in on the action.In England’s case, Elizabeth I began a policy of exploration in the Americas and pursued naval conflicts with the Spanish. People like Walter Ralei gh and Francis Drake were engaged in piracy, looting the spoils of Spanish discoveries and trying to establish colonies of their own.In the last years of Elizabeth’s reign, in 1601, England conquered Ireland after many previous attempts. This began the slow process of importing Protestant Englishmen and Scots into the Catholic island.At the beginning of James I’s reign, England signed a treaty with Spain, meaning that the country became less focused on attacking its Iberian rivals and attempted more to establish colonial settlements in north America and the Caribbean.Once colonies there were established, the English barred anything other than British ships. This policy of isolation was attempted to secure all profits from the territories, but it displeased Britain’s rivals. The subsequent naval wars with the Dutch, whilst ostensibly lost by the Brits, ultimately laid the conditions for British dominance. The Brits, for example, gained Dutch territory â€" including New York in the 1665-7 Anglo-Dutch war â€" but, after the Glorious Revolution of 1688, the two countries signed a truce.It wasn’t until 1757 that the British East India Company gained control of India, the most valuable territory that they owned.Francis Drake played a huge role in the early British Empire - through piracy! MarkHistory Teacher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JohnHistory Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarjotteHistory Teacher 5.00 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErinHistory Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChantelleHistory Teacher 5.00 (2) £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndriyHistory Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeterHistory Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SerenaHistory Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe Peak of British ControlThe height of the British Empire was between 1815 and 1914 â€" and it has been called ‘The British Century’. This was the period after American independence, but when Britain nonetheless had more territory than ever â€" as Independence inspired further British expansion into the Pacific and east Asia.As we see with the Mongol and Roman Empires, there became something of a Pax Britannica â€" a peace throughout the areas owned by Britain â€" due to the unassailable dominance of the British. Throughout the areas owned by the Empire, trade flourished.The NavyUnlike other major empires â€" the Russian Empire, the Mongol Empire, and the Qing Dynasty â€" British imperialism was facilitated by means of the ocean. The British Navy was the biggest to ever have existed, and its power led to the conquests that developed into the empire â€" hence that famous song, ‘Britannia Rules the Waves’.World TradeWhilst many of the colonies were, in their own right, immensely valuable to the British â€" for their resources, their industries, their manpower â€" many were also founded to facilitate more easily global trade routes. Further, often trade companies were the main drivers of imperialism.For example, it was the East India Company that established the colony in India â€" with the help of the navy â€" whilst the Cape Company fought with the Dutch in South Africa precisely because the ‘Cape’ provided a stopping place on the way to the Pacific from the Atlantic. The intersection of private trade and government power is well shown by the example of Cecil Rhodes, the businessman, miner, and diamond trader, who became prime minister of South Africa and after whom Rhodesia was named.Industrial RevolutionThroughout the nineteenth century, developments in industry made Britain ‘the workshop of the world’: its trade and manufactured goods dominated the world, as they were produced cheaply and quickly, and were distributed easily, due to the combination of the British Navy and the industrial revolution at home.The wealth and resources that perm itted this development often came from the colonies, such as the Indian textile industry.Conflict and ControversyThe administration and processes of the British Empire were not often particularly well received, by either the colonists who had set up residence in the provinces nor the native populations over which the Empire dominated. The issue of slavery is perhaps the most controversial of all.American War of IndependenceThe American Revolutionary War (1775-1783) shows how the resentment of the colonies caused problems for the Empire. This war allowed the Thirteen Colonies, which became the United States, to gain independence from Britain. In the war, they allied with France, who were eager to maintain their properties in that part of the world and to stymie British dominance.The spark of the revolution was taxation. The colonies were required to pay taxes to Britain, but they were not represented politically in Parliament. The issue of democracy was central here.Slavery and Racis mIn contexts, such as India, where the native population was not destroyed by the colonists, the imperial regime often used native upper classes to rule under the control of the British.However, the often outright racism of the Empire is most evident in the Royal African Company. This was established in 1672 to take slaves from Africa to the Caribbean. The company carried approximately 3.5 million slaves across the Atlantic until 1807, to work primarily on plantations.World Wars and British Imperial DeclineThe World WarsAs happens with all empires eventually, the British Empire began to decline â€" during the twentieth century. Whilst they won both world wars, Britain was severely weakened and financially drained.  With the rise of Germany, and the Ottoman Empire fighting the Russian Empire, the First World War had been an explicitly imperialist war.World War II was a truly world war, with the imperial countries demanding the contribution of troops from the colonies. In the far eas t during the Second World War, Japan had invaded British territories and had showed that their dominance was not absolute. The Japanese had also spread anti-British sentiment among the territories they controlled.Independence Movements and DecolonisationAfter the two wars, the combination of the weaknesses of the British government and the growth of nationalism globally meant that disillusion with imperialism was felt at home and abroad throughout the twentieth century.Following a massive rebellion and peaceful revolt led by the nationalist Mahatma Gandhi, Indian independence was granted in 1947 â€" signed by the government of Clement Attlee. This loss of the biggest of British territories sparked twenty years of quick independence movements.Gandhi is a famous anti-colonialist, who kicked the British Empire out of India.The British withdrew in 1948 from Palestine, after Jewish terrorism demanding independence â€" and the state of Israel was declared shortly after. Shortly afterwards , the Suez crisis of 1956 showed that Britain was no longer the power that it had been â€" as a military strategy ended in embarrassment without the help of the United States.In Africa, Britain hoped to avoid the situation suffered by the French in Algeria: a long and brutal war of independence. Britain pursued decolonisation peacefully, with nearly thirty African territories being granted independence in the sixties. Only Rhodesia remained technically a part of the empire, if a territory with self-government â€" until the eighties.The end of the British Empire is often considered to be 1997, when Britain returned Hong Kong to China.The British Empire TodayA Problematic LegacyThese days, Britain’s imperial past is controversial â€" with some considering it with pride and others identifying the problems of racism and the domination of different ethnic and political identities.Colonialism was essentially a violent phenomenon, which used racist ideas to justify the plunder and contro l of resources. Critics point out that Britain built its wealth of the impoverishment of other countries.These days, we can see the importance of the British Empire across the world by the fact that many people speak English. The Commonwealth of Nations is another legacy of empire â€" the cooperation and association of 53 states that were previously British colonies.Find out more about the great empires of the world in our series on the subject!

5 Graphic Novels that Will Help You Learn French

5 Graphic Novels that Will Help You Learn French Megan L. Learning to speak French  can be a daunting task, so why not make it fun? Watching and reading French material is a fantastic way to study the language. In this article, teacher  Walker P.  introduces you to the wonderful world of French graphic novels One of the biggest steps we can take in our foreign language learning is reading in French. But let’s be honest, sometimes we’d rather take just half a step and that’s okay! Instead of staring at a  block of text and feeling intimidated, we can begin our journey to literacy with the engaging world of comic books and graphic novels. Furthermore, France has a rich world of illustration that we can enjoy beyond our studies. Whether you want to help your child learn French or learn it yourself, these novels have something for everyone. Let’s take a look at five publications of different skill levels that all have a unique story to tell. 1. Histoire de Babar: le petit éléphant, Jean de Brunhoff The Story of Babar: The Little Elephant After his mother is killed by hunters, young Babar escapes the jungle and arrives in a city where he is befriended by an old woman. She hires him a tutor and dresses him with an heir of sophistication. What we end up with is a charming and refined young elephant who brings civilization to the land of elephants. This children’s book with full-page illustrations is perfect for beginners and anyone who wants a relaxed, immersive experience with French. 2. Les Aventures de Tintin: On a marché sur la Lune, Hergé The Adventures of Tintin: Explorers on the Moon, Hergé Tintin is an adventurous young reporter and main character of this very popular series. Loved for its slapstick humor, realistic world, and well-researched plotlines, this series is perfect for anyone just beginning to develop their French vocabulary skills. This time, on a trip to the moon to explore stalactite caves, Tintin and his companions face stowaways, depleting oxygen, and the challenges of survival in space. Its a simple and fun science fiction jaunt to warm up your brain to the French language. 3. Titeuf, Dieu, le sexe et les bretelles, Zep Titeuf, God, Sex and Suspenders, Zep The most popular comic series in France currently, Titeuf, stars an inquisitive eight-year-old who really just wants to understand life. Standing at the edge of puberty, Titeuf explores the questions of what lies ahead  and invokes a playful, honest attitude toward growing up. This series is perfect for younger French students that can relate, as well as for those more advanced who want to laugh as they learn. 4. L’Arabe du Futur, Riad Sattouf The Arab of the Future Born to a Syrian father and white French mother in the 1980s, Riad grows up between two cultures. Drawn to art and having a gentle disposition, the male-centered, aggressive worlds of Libya and Syria challenges Riad as a young child. This graphic novel is written from his perspective but makes many observations on the politics of France and North Africa, as Riad navigates the culture of his father and of Islam. A great choice for people at a high school or college reading level. 5. Persepolis, Marjane Satrapi Ranked by Newsweek as the fifth-best fictional book of the decade, Persepolis explores the childhood and adulthood of its author during and after the Islamic Revolution in Iran. The protagonist, Marji, fights for what she believes in and explores her cultural identity throughout this wonderful series. Anyone looking for a more advanced read and still wants an engaging, beautifully-illustrated experience need look no further than Persepolis. As an added bonus, once you finish you can watch the animated adaptation and practice your French listening skills and oral comprehension. Welcome to the world of French graphic novels, or as we would say in this case: bandes dessinées. Now take these skills that you learn from the novels and try to have a French conversation with someone. As always, practice with consistency, and study often! Post Author:  Walker P. Walker P. teaches English, Japanese, and French in Chicago, IL. He received a bachelors degree in English and French at DuPaul University. Walker has edited thousands of formal essays for his peers and enjoys one-on-one conversations to improve others English skills.  Learn more about Walker here! Photo by morebyless 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

The 10 Most Common Spelling Mistakes in English

The 10 Most Common Spelling Mistakes in English How to Avoid the Most Common English Spelling Mistakes ChaptersA Mismatch Made in Heaven: English Pronunciation and Spelling10 Nightmare Spellings You Will Encounter in Your English LessonsFor English native speakers as well as those who learn English as a foreign language, getting the hang of English grammar and spelling is a frustrating task.Sadly for some, every learner has to study English spelling in addition to their English listening comprehension, literacy skills, speaking skills, reading and writing skills as well as practicing their knowledge of slang and idiomatic phrases to improve their overall proficiency and language skills.With an international status, few irregular verbs, no gendered nouns and adjectives that don't change depending on tenses or number, English may seem an attractive second language  to a  non-native  English learner, but it causes nothing but trouble from the word ‘go’.However, there is an upside when it comes to studying English spelling and grammar: you learn to expect the unexpected.Thankfully, yo u’re not alone in your struggle.The average native English speaker regularly has trouble spelling certain words which seem simple at first, and the interesting spelling of English vocabulary reflects its rich history.And for every problem, there’s a solution â€" starting to learn English spellings of new words as you improve your vocabulary is all part of the fun!De-finite-lyThis takes care of the vowel mix-ups in the middle, and then all you need to remember is the starting and finishing letters.Separate Like ‘definitely’, the frequent misspelling of ‘separate’ is down to the subtle difference between its pronunciation and spelling.People often mistakenly only use one ‘A’, spelling it ‘seperate’ â€" which doesn’t look wrong.You have to learn to catch yourself out when writing it, and make sure you use two ‘A’s.Some people use the phrase ‘an R separates the two A’s’ to remember the spelling.ConsensusThis word isn’t a part of an English speaker’s e veryday vocabulary, but when it does come up, it’s usually spelt incorrectly.This is probably because of the number of possible pronunciations of the letter ‘C’, which is often pronounced as an ‘S’ sound.For this reason, people become confused as to whether the first ‘S’ sound is indeed a ‘C’ or an ‘S’.To English speakers, the final ‘U’ may also cause confusion, since they are used to an ‘o-u’ combination to represent this sound.Business‘Business’ is a prime example of an English word that looks nothing like its pronunciation.Even some adults find spelling it a challenge, probably because it is such a common word that they’re used to seeing, so never think about the spelling irregularity.Good spelling is everyone's business ¦ source: Visualhunt - Olu EletuThe best way to remember this spelling is easy: just picture its meaning â€" busy-ness!After that, all you have to do it swap the ‘Y’ for an ‘I’ - and you'll be speaking business English in no time.A lotTechnically, ‘a lot’ doesn’t count as a word, but its misspelling is so common that we simply had to include it on our list.‘A lot’ can mean ‘very’, ‘much’, ‘many’, ‘numerous’, ‘several’, the list goes on.This word features in everyday vocab, but is more common in spoken English, as it one of the less formal among these expressions.For this reason, English speakers rarely see it written down, and therefore misspell it as it sounds in English speaking, as ‘alot’.This is why, for those aiming to become fluent in English, spelling is so important.Even simple spellings can be lost when speaking English, so be sure to pay attention to every aspect of your skills with quizzes and grammar exercises so you don't get caught out in written exams!This is just one of the ways you can improve your English speaking fluency, English writing and listening skills when you learn to speak English as a second language. Learn the difference between UK a nd US spelling.

7 Tips to Start Your New Job Right - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / 7 Tips to Start Your New Job Right - Introvert Whisperer 7 Tips to Start Your New Job Right What’s one thing that would make you feel most comfortable as you start your  new job? Share your thoughts in the comments! Do you know what your next career step is?  Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable. Get your copy now and start your action plan today! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

5 Things to Know About Business School Before Applying

5 Things to Know About Business School Before Applying Deciding to apply to business school is a big step in your life. Youre on your way to either advancing your career or starting a completely new one. With essays, recommendations, interviews, and the GMAT, so much is involved before you start your first class. Here are five things you should know about business school before applying. 1. Everyone goes to business school for different reasons And those reasons will not necessarily match yours. Some students are more focused on academics, some only want to concentrate on building their careers, while others find the social activities most appealing. You will encounter a multitude of personalities through your MBA program, and each personfrom classmates and professors to recruiters and administratorswill have his or her own agenda. Though it can be tough, navigating these personalities is part of the process, a management skill that will serve you well as you move throughout your career. While learning what motivates other people, figure out what motivates you, too. Knowing who you are will help you find the MBA success you are seeking. 2. Dont measure your achievements by how successful you think your classmates are Everyone comes to business school with different backgrounds, skills, privileges, connections, and baggage. You may think you know, but sometimes you have no idea whats going on in the lives of your new friends. Dont make assumptions about your peers. Keep your focus on where you want to go. For instance, you might overhear that your classmate Jodywhose daily contribution to your Brand Management class is a series of prolonged snoreshas job offers from three Fortune 500 CPG companies, while youre still waiting to land an interview in finance. You presume she must be well-connected, or lucky. But what you dont know is Jody has been working in brand management for a Fortune 100 company since her sophomore year of college, and she is only applying to opportunities in the same industry and function. Instead of gauging your progress against Jodys, take her out for coffee, congratulate her on her success, and pick her brain about the culture of the finance department at her previous company. You build better networking relationships with honey than with jealousy. 3. You will have very little downtime But you still will be having a lot of fun! Let your friends and family know this before you apply. They might start to realize how busy you will be when you start the application process, with your calendar full of studying for the GMAT, wrangling recommendations, writing and rewriting essays, and attending MBA recruiting events. Once your student orientation begins, free moments will seem like a thing of the past. Classes, mixers, study groups, conferences, info sessions, and new peers will consume much of your schedule, minimizing free time outside of those endeavors. Adjust expectations accordingly and make the effort to pencil in time to catch up with your old friends and family over academic breaks. 4. Like college, students often change their concentration Even though you initially intended to enter consulting as a new career, a conversation with a second-year student who had a grueling consulting internship over the summer may change your mind. Its okay to adjust your path; dont be afraid to create a new plan. Explore new industries and functions that you had not previously considered or heard of. Find something you like, and discover how to achieve MBA success in a new way. 5. An MBA program lasts a short period of time As most alumni will tell you, business school goes by quickly, so enjoy your one-, two-, or three-year program while youre in it! Write down the goals you want to accomplish before you start, or else you might not get to them before graduation. There arent enough hours to complete all of your classwork, lead every club, participate in every case competition, attend every MBA conference, develop relationships with all of your classmates and professors, interview with every company, and start your new career in the period allotted. Pick a few significant things across those categories to maximize your experience, and add or subtract along the way. Business school is an exciting journey filled with new friends, new experiences, and a rigorous education inside and outside the classroom. Its also a brief moment in your career that wont last forever. You have the rest of your life ahead of youbut first, you have to apply and get in, of course! Do your research, and let your knowledge of who you are and what you want inform both your applications and your MBA life.

English Conversation Classes and Valentines Day With Kina Grannis

English Conversation Classes and Valentines Day With Kina Grannis St. Valentine’s Day, which falls on February 14, is the day in which love and lovers are celebrated worldwide. Have you ever wondered who St. Valentine was and why he is so associated with love? Let’s see if we can answer this.Who was St. Valentine?Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to this question. History books tell us that there were a number of Valentines throughout history who were Christian martyrs and who were said to have performed miracles after their death to achieve sainthood. However, during the reign of Roman Emperor Claudius II there was a young priest named Valentine who defied the emperor’s wishes than young men remain single (so they would fight in his army) and married young lovers in secret. For this reason he was sentenced and put to death. While in custody awaiting his death he allegedly fell in love with the jailer’s daughter and wrote her love letters signed “from your Valentine.”How do you celebrate St.Valentine’s Day?Will you give your love d one a Valentine card with a special verse?Will you give your partner a romantic gift like heart-shaped chocolates or flowers?Will you take your partner for a candlelit meal?Will you cover the house with rose petals?Will you read romantic poetry to your loved one?Have you ever received a Valentine card from a secret admirer?Did you try to find out who it was from?How did it make you feel?Flattered?Embarrassed?Nervous?Scared?Interested?Happy?While you think about this, here is a song to get you in the mood for this years Valentines Day, Kina Grannis Valentine.Did you find this blog helpful? Feel free to share it on Facebook and Twitter.English Classes | Aulas Inglês | Cursos Inglés

Top 10 ideas for February Half Term

Top 10 ideas for February Half Term Are you a little stumped for ideas on what to do with the kids this February half term week? The clever people over at KidRated have selected the Top 10 ideas for February half term for those based in London!  KidRated  is a website where all the reviews are done by kids to help families make more informed choices. 1. Magical Lantern Festival If you and the family enjoyed Christmas at Kew Gardens, then you’ll love this festival in the gardens at Chiswick House. This is the first time it’s been held in the UK, and boasts a spectacular artistic installation of beautifully sculpted lanterns taking various forms from animals and birds to buildings and abstract designs of all shapes and sizes. Kids Will Love: Roasting marshmallows and the brightly coloured, cute animals. Adults Will Love: Getting outdoors and seeing your kids’ faces light up. Until 6th March  2.  London RIB The London RIB Experience has yet to get a bad review from Kid-Raters - exciting, informative and always fun - their hilarious and knowledgeable guides are the icing on the speedy cake. Warm coats are provided and don’t forget to take your camera because nothing beats the sights of London from the Thames. Kids Will Love: Going fast of course! Adults will love: The in-jokes and nostalgic soundtrack. 3. Zippo’s Cirque Berserk The circus comes to the Peacock Theatre in this jaw dropping spectacular. With an international cast of over 30 acrobats, jugglers, aerialists (with no safety harness!), and death defying stuntmen, families are guaranteed unique, edge-of-the seat theatre! Kids Will Love: The Globe of Terror - 4  motorcyclists speeding at over 60mph inside a steel cage! Adults Will Love: Tweedy, the award-winning clown and fire-breathing Giant Robot. Mon 8th February â€" Wed 24th February. 4. Mini Vault Festival The ?maze ?of caves and caverns? under Waterloo station are transformed into a magical world for under 11s to create a  family festival of underground shows and events. There will be DJs and bands, plus kids can get involved in art adventures, and try their hands (or mouths!) at beatboxing. Other highlights include pirates, clowns, magicians and jellyfish! Kids Will Love: The whole ambience and atmosphere of the vaults. Adults will love: The family palm reading. Under-11s go free. Sat 13th Feb Sunday 14th Feb (10am â€" 3pm) 5.  Puddle Jumping Championship at the WWT London Wetland Centre The first ever London Puddle Jumping Championships is being held at WWT London Wetland Centre and children of all ages can grab their wellies and have fun making a splash. Points will be given for style, creativity, enthusiasm and size of splash. There will be a prize each day for our selected ‘super-splasher’ and a Puddle Jumping Champion will be selected at the end of the week, with the chance to go on to further glory by becoming WWT’s Big Splash national champion. Sat 13th Feb â€" Sun 21st Feb 6.  Finding Nemo and Dory at the London Sea Life Aquarium This summer, the long awaited sequel to Finding Nemo will finally be arriving in cinemas. If your kids can contain their excitement until then, all kinds of tropical fish activities are taking place at the London Aquarium including a Dory trail. There will also be loads of opportunity to learn all about the fish that inspired the blockbuster Pixar films. Kids Will Love: Quite literally finding Nemo and Dory, or at least their lookalikes. Adults Will Love: The daily talks about Nemo’s Kingdom, who says half term can’t be educational. Sat 13th Feb â€" Sun 21st Feb! 7.  Imagine Children’s Festival This year the Imagine Children’s Festival is celebrating the centenary of Roald Dahl’s birth. There are loads of free activities for under twelves but some of the more special events should be booked in advance. We recommend Judith Kerr, author of the Tiger who Came to Tea in conversation, and watching Minpins, Roald Dahl’s final story with a live orchestral accompaniment. Kids Will Love: The giant satchel art installation from Matilda the Musical. Adults Will Love: Most of the activities are free, there’s wifi, somewhere to sit and great cafés. Wed 10th Feb â€" Sun 21st Feb 8. Take a Trip to the CINEMA You can never trust the British weather to behave so it’s always worth having some film ideas in your back pocket incase you need to dash indoors. Here’s our picks: Goosebumps (PG). Kids love being scared and this comedy horror starring Jack Black with has laughs and thrills in equal measure. Black stars as the writer R.L. Stine who has to recruit a gang of kids to help him save the world from disaster when the creatures he has created escape from his books. Capture The Flag (PG): Animated fun which sees a surfing-obsessed boy stowing away on a rocket and heading to the Moon Deadpool (15): Warning for older kids only. Violent, funny and highly inappropriate this superhero movie starring Ryan Reynolds will be the must-see movie for teenagers. Kids Will Love: All of them. Adults Will Love: Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson and Penelope Cruz in Zoolander 2 which is also on general release. 9.  Play-doh Fun at the Museum of Childhood The Museum of Childhood is celebrating 60 years since Play-doh first hit the toyshop shelves. You can join in drop-in activities throughout the week or book in advance for workshops including one about animation all featuring the great modelling toy. Kids Will Love: Letting their imaginations run wild and taking home their creations. Parents Will Love: The nostalgia Monday 15th Feb-Friday 19th Feb 10.  Ripley’s Believe It or Not This half term, Ripley’s and the Hard Rock Cafe are teaming up to create an awesome pop-up. There will be one of a kind items on display from Lady Gaga, Elvis, Paul McCartney, Rihanna and loads more to celebrate the Hard Rock Cafe’s 45th birthday. Kids Will Love: The weird and wonderful exhibits throughout the six floors. Adults Will Love: Explaining who Elvis and Paul McCartney are!

Seven Computer Skills Your Child Should Learn in Primary School

Seven Computer Skills Your Child Should Learn in Primary School Some students are surrounded with opportunities to use technology at home as well, but students in a primary school setting typically have frequent chances to work with computers today. Computer labs filled with desktops, tablets in a cart tolled from class to class or laptops that follow the student from class to class--every school manages student technology use a bit differently. No matter how your school approaches computer classes and uses for students the following is a list of basic skills an elementary student should develop and work toward improving. This base will prepare these students for more advanced computing in middle and high school and beyond. Keep in mind elementary students will develop these proficiencies over a number of years. Identification Of Components And Basic Positioning Younger students will be expected to identify the keyboard, the monitor, the mouse, headphones and printers. They will be able to sit at a computer station with proper posture, turn on the machine and login with a shortened password. Students acquire knowledge of common icons and symbols. The cursor can be pinpointed and moved. Graphic Programmes Students will practice and become proficient at choosing tools, colors and shapes. Filling, erasing, and detailing will become routine over the elementary years. Keyboarding To start with students manipulate the space bar, letter/number keys, enter key, escape, delete and shift keys. As they move through school most basic keyboarding functions are added, with practice at home row based keyboard mastery. The goal is to increase typing speed and confidence, often accomplished with online tutorials or software written for youngsters. Intermediate students will use spelling, grammar, dictionary and thesaurus applications. Spacing and text alignment proficiency will develop. Copy and paste commands will be mastered. Tables may be copied and inserted, lists formatted and blocks of texts moved within a document as skills increase. Manipulation With Mouse And/Or Touchpad Beginning with simple pull-down menus and single and double click commends elementary computer users will select options and pull and drag items. Programmes can be selected and launched and then closed as skills progress. Graphics and text block can be added to documents and resized. Fonts, text colors and font style can be selected and changed. Documents And Archiving After documents are created the elementary student will become adept at naming, saving and printing. Saved documents will be located and reopened at later times to edit and complete. Spreadsheets And Graphing Students will master elementary spreadsheet applications and software. With the information entered into spreadsheets students will be able to create graphs and charts. Safe Internet Browsing Younger students will be taught how to log in with a username and password. While online the students will respect the internet protocols of their school districts and will practice safe browsing. Individual student's capabilities will vary as they acquire these computer skills, often correlating with the opportunities they have at home to practice. With the increased availability and use of tablets in schools some of these skills may be adapted for those more mobile devices.