Welcome

Welcome to the Blog for L.T.L. Tutoring Central.
I hope to write a few pieces about education - but the subject matters may be broader than what is considered strictly academic.
Also, I hope that a few of you will contribute and have some ideas and/or comments.
Of course, questions are always welcome, too.

Brainstorming

Credit photo to: zirconicusso

Don't forget to use brainstorming to help you get started on any writing assignment.

Whether you are writing a book report, speech, essay, or fiction story, brainstorming can help you get started, get organized, and get that final draft quicker!

You should take a few minutes to brainstorm for ideas.
Sit down with a piece of paper and jot down any ideas that come to you when you think about the topic.

For example, if you need to write an essay based on the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, you might brainstorm for ideas you could use to help generate a thesis.  Don't waste time - start scribbling down your thoughts.  Later you will discard those ideas you don't like and narrow down your focus.
              Example:
                      Atticus - just man
                         - willing to sacrifice
                        - too good to be true ?
                        - model parent
             Novel written from child's point of view
                          - flaws in perception ?
                         southern racism and conflict
                    religion vs morals vs law
            Boo - scary character or innocent ?

Your list could be much longer.  Once you have decided on a thesis (or your teacher has given you one) you can brainstorm again to find supports.

You might ask:  "Why do all this chicken-scratching on scrap paper, writing and storming my brain?"

Primarily because "It gets one started."

Looking at a blank page for hours (or days in some cases) waiting for the perfect inspiration to come is the true waste of time!

Also, these thoughts can be used to help you organize your article.  I have read many essays in which the author had a good thesis and some solid supports, but they are written as they come to mind rather than in an organized, planned fashion.  At best, the article seems confused and tricky to read.  At worst, the author's meaning is completely lost in a mish-mash of ideas without unity and coherence.

So don't be afraid of the blank page - use brainstorming to get you started.

Leap Year !

Well, it is February 29th - We don't have a lot of these, and here's why:
 

1. The earth does not orbit the sun in exactly 365 days.   In fact, it is a little less than 365 1/4 days.
2.  Julius Caesar (Roman Emperor) with the help of his astronomer came up with the solution of having a 365 day year (previously 355 days with an extra 22 day month every 2 years - a wee bit complicated), with an extra day every four years.
3. Remember, however, that the earth does not quite orbit in 365 1/4 days but slightly less. So Pope Gregory XIII and his astronomers made an adjustment in the 1500's. A year that is divisible by 100 but not 400 is not a leap year. So, the year 2100 will not be a leap year.
4. One more little tidbit is that February used to have 30 days; however, during the reign of Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus - he did not like that his namesake month (August) had only 29 days, whereas Julius Caesar's namesake month (July) had 31. So, he took a couple of days from February to make August the same as July! (Hence, the two months in a row with 31 days!)   Ahhhh, Ego - thy name is many and varied.

Usually, if the year is divisible by 4 - it is a leap year (noting the exception above).

One final note - just because you are born on February 29th does not mean you only age 1 year for every 4 years compared to everyone else!
Yes, a couple of students did inquire about this.

Teaching and Learning Tips - Quotations

Teaching and Learning Tips - Quotations

Sunrise

Just a couple of recent sunrise pictures from our house.

Computer Invasion

Just had an uninvited guest on the computer called "XP Security 2012."
This is NOT an actual security program - but rather a rogue that invades and hijacks your computer - telling you that you have all kinds of viruses, etc. when, in fact - it IS the virus!
If you see this program popping up on your computer - Do NOT buy it - do NOT delete what it wants you to - and take action right away to get it off your computer.
Apparently it goes by different names as well:  
XP Antispyware 2012
Vista Antispyware 2012
Win 7 Antispyware 2012
XP Antivirus 2012
Vista Antivirus 2012
Win 7 Antivirus 2012
XP Security 2012
Vista Security 2012
Win 7 Security 2012
XP Home Security 2012
Vista Home Security 2012
Win 7 Home Security 2012
XP Internet Security 2012
Vista Internet Security 2012
Win 7 Internet Security 2012

I tried several things to try and eliminate it but finally used Trojan Killer:
http://trojan-killer.net/

I had to run the computer in Safe Mode (hold F8 key while restarting before welcome screen) - and run the trojan killer for both the Admin and under my name.  Of course, it may be different for others.

Also, I had to open the task manager (control-alt-delete) and keep pushing "end task" on avp.exe  (again may be different on other computers)  this stopped the rogue from having all the control - but it kept popping up.

So far, things seem to be working.  My regular anti-virus software, internet, firewall, etc. all seem to be back (they had all been hijacked by this nasty software).

I should note that I was typing reports and, apart from a brief look at my e-mail and facebook (i.e., I didn't open anything or download anything!) I was not doing anything that should have brought on this little creature. 
Of course, it may have been lurking from a previous e-mail or other program - who knows.

If anyone runs into it - maybe this will help. 

Happy New Year !!

Wishing everyone a very Happy New Year !!  

(whenever and however you celebrate it)
Click below for a video from History.com to learn a little more about New Year celebrations.

http://www.history.com/topics/new-years/videos#history-of-the-holidays-new-years-eve