How to Choose Your Music Tutor

How to Choose Your Music TutorOne of the best things about having a music tutor is that they will be able to help you learn how to play your favorite songs. Many music teachers will let you play the songs they teach, this means that you will be able to get an insight into the way your own ears are reacting to the music you are playing. By doing this, you will also be able to understand why you are not listening to what you should be listening to, and how you can correct that. If you have mastered a few songs and you are unable to hear the notes of your song, then it is because you are not getting the correct messages in your head.It is often not until you have heard and learned many songs that you can actually hear how you are actually hearing them, and you need someone to give you the right information that you are needing to understand the song you are playing. When you are playing a song that you know is difficult, you need to do the same. You need someone to listen to you and tel l you how you are supposed to be singing it, and that is not something that you will learn unless you are getting the correct instruction in your head.The best thing about having a music tutor is that they will give you the same instructions, and it doesn't matter whether you are an amateur or an expert in playing your favorite songs. This will mean that when you need to learn how to play a song that you don't know how to play, you will have access to the correct information. This is crucial as this means that you can go from a beginner to an expert within a matter of weeks, and you will only have to keep doing it again, if you choose to. There is nothing better than learning new things and then being able to put them into practice on a regular basis.Once you have made the decision to take up music lessons, it is best to make sure that you go for the first available teacher, and this is where you will be able to get some excellent advice and help. This will save you a lot of time an d money as you will be able to avoid paying for lessons with so many other people offering the same information. In fact, you may find that you could have benefited more if you took up lessons from a musical tutoring company. This will give you the ability to play all the different kinds of music at any time, and in a short amount of time.Although music is something that you can learn by yourself, it is always good to take the advantage of a tutor. This will give you the chance to play a song and figure out how you are going to sing it. This will give you a little bit of confidence, and will help you to become a better singer.When you are choosing your music tutor, make sure that you check out their background. You need to find a person who has had a successful career in the music industry. By doing this, you will be in a position to get the best advice, which will result in you being able to learn much faster.Music instructors are now the best business people on the planet. There a re many different kinds of companies who offer their services, but it is important that you find a company that offers quality, and is able to deliver on its promises. If you think that you need help, then look for a company who will be able to give you the right advice, and you will be able to learn how to play your favourite songs in no time.

What Makes the University of California, Irvine So Special?

What Makes the University of California, Irvine So Special?The best University that you can attend for a Master of Science in Chemistry is the University of California, Irvine. Their online Master of Science in Chemistry degree will give you everything you need to move ahead in your career and live a long, happy life. When it comes to becoming an expert in Chemistry, it can be overwhelming to know which program is right for you, so let's take a look at some of the things that make this University so unique.You will not just get a Master of Science in Chemistry; instead, you will go on to earn a PhD. A PhD is the highest level of degree that one can receive in Chemistry. You will be able to pursue your interests further by completing a PhD program. As a Chemist, you have many careers that you can choose from, but a PhD is the most coveted because it is the pinnacle of achievement in your chosen field.Your degree program will teach you everything you need to know about Chemistry. The c ore curriculum will include topics such as Organic Chemistry, Alkali and Biomolecular Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, and the periodic table. You will also learn all about every chemical element, making it an extremely useful and exciting field to pursue. When you finish your program, you will be prepared to start a career in the field that you love.It is important to realize that you can gain great knowledge about a subject from a traditional education, but that is only one way to learn about chemistry. In addition to traditional education, you can also explore the Internet for more information. With the way science and technology have developed over the past few years, the Internet has become the number one source of information on almost any topic. When you take your courses online, you will be able to study and learn at your own pace. You will also be able to do research at your own speed, as well as use your study materials whenever you have a spare moment.There are many types o f degree programs available for you to choose from. One of the most popular and highly recommended is the Bioengineering program. This program focuses on how biology, and the way it affects chemistry, is a major component of modern day life. A Master of Science in Chemistry with Bioengineering will be a perfect blend of the two, providing you with the knowledge you need to create products, make cures, and develop pharmaceuticals that are safe and effective.Students who pursue their degree in the Biological Sciences may find themselves specializing in a particular scientific discipline. If you enjoy studying the environment, learning about medical conditions, or conducting research, you may decide to specialize in a field such as Biology, Ecology, or Medicine. If you are interested in studying plants, the Environmental Sciences program will be ideal for you.One of the most popular fields that students choose to go into is the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) f ield. An MS in Chemistry with Bioengineering will be an excellent place to start if you want to work in the area of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Engineering, or you may decide to pursue a more hands-on career in Bioengineering. You can be employed within a science lab or develop your own products while earning your degree online at the University of California, Irvine.

3 Tips for Student Teachers

3 Tips for Student Teachers Student teaching can simultaneously be one of the most exciting and intimidating stages of becoming a teacher. No longer are you just reading textbooks, discussing what you would do if things occurred, or role-playing a student-teacher scenario. As a student teacher, you are able to become familiar with the schools culture, observe how other teachers operate, and take initiative in various situations. Keep reading to learn three tips for student teachers: Student teaching tip #1: Familiarize yourself with your schools culture During the first week or two of your student teaching experience, spend time getting to know your schools culture. Seek out classroom and school-wide policies, as well as spoken and unspoken rules that teachers and students abide by. For example: What does classroom management look like at your school? How does your administration like students to walk in the hallways? Are there any common concerns or community issues shared by your student or parent population? The idea is not to make generalizations about your students or parents, but rather to be aware of patterns, knowing that there will always be exceptions to the rule. A great idea is to directly seek out this information, like asking your mentor teacher or principal, as well as to notice and observe daily interactions. This practice of getting to know your schools culture will help you better meet your students needs, be a more helpful student teacher, and exercise skills that will improve your teaching in the long run. [RELATED: 3 Ways Teachers Can Encourage Passion for Learning This Semester] Student teaching tip #2: Observe as much as you can As a student teacher, you have the great opportunity to see classroom problem-solving in real time. Youll have your mentor teacher, of course, and you may be required to observe other classrooms as part of your student teaching assignment. Take advantage of these opportunities, especially the ability to see a range of teachers styles and strategies. Observe teachers who are both similar to and different from you, as this will offer valuable insight on teaching practices. If youre able toand if it doesnt conflict with your responsibilities to your mentor teacherobserve more than youre required. Once you have your own classroom, you wont have nearly the same amount of time or energy to do so. Lastly, dont forget to take notes as you observe. What worked and what didnt? What do you want to try, either immediately or next year when you feel surer of your teaching skills? This notebook of reflections will be a valuable resource as you go into your own classroom. [RELATED: 4 Ways Personalized Learning Positively Impacts Students] Student teaching tip #3: Take initiative in the classroom Student teaching is partially about observing great teachers, but its also about taking initiative and anticipating needs in your classroom. Checking in with your mentor teacher and asking them what theyd like your help with is great. You can also look around the classroom and see where you could be helpful, like checking in with a small group of students. As a student teacher, you may be both anxious to have your own classroom, but relieved that its not quite time to take over completely. Make the most of your opportunity at your student teaching assignment in terms of absorbing wisdom from more experienced teachers. Then, as you take what youve learned into your own classroom, know that every school, administration, and student is unique in their own ways. [RELATED: Resources New Teachers Can Use Next Semester] Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

The One Thing You MUST Master Before Learning to Sing

The One Thing You MUST Master Before Learning to Sing Sign up successful It starts with dismay at being asked to begin with singing basics. Their initial impression is that the instructor doesnt get them or appreciate their potential. But if they stick it out, working through breathing, projection, compression, and dynamics, then they discover that their pronunciation is not as clean as they thought it was. Cover (that overtone that carries the color of the notes produced)  cannot be achieved without proper breath support and tongue, jaw, and throat position. At this point, they begin to doubt themselves and then as they continue learning to sing, they discover their breath support isnt adequate, either. At that point, they meet the roadblock; their anxiety spikes, and their true capacity for criticism is exposed. At this stage, anxiety-prone students can even experience panic attacks. Singers never see this coming, but an experienced instructor will know what to do. The relationship at this point must be strong, because it comes down to a trust issue and even a minor trust issue creates the hardest of all hurdles to jump. I have not seen a single student in 20 years that did not experience this complex to some degree while learning to sing. I always wait to see whether they will bail or not right at the stage where the anxiety increases. 90% of my students have stuck it out and in six weeks have had brand new voices they didnt believe they could ever produce. For them, it was like going through boot camp and graduating as all that they can be. My admiration for singers has grown tremendously over the years as Ive watched students summon all their courage to face their own limitations and transcend them, just to be able to fall in love with music and do it justice with the instrument they wer e given. If youre serious about singing, then pricing, distance, and repertoire should be secondary considerations; the critical factor is the reality that a serious instructor is going to force you out of your comfort zone. A little-known empirically proven fact is that singers experience an anxiety response in the brain thats measurably more intense and prolonged than in other musicians. Training exposes your actual tolerance for criticism, as well as all those minute flaws that add up to a less-than-stellar vocal performance. So, take these steps before you go into formal vocal training and you will feel pride and earn the unending admiration of your instructor, supporters, and audiences: Sing in public everywhere, every chance you get. Record your voice through any means and listen as impartially as possible to yourself. Have as many people as possible give you frank feedback, and just write it down without responding. Come to your sessions with these recordings and feedback so your new instructor can assess you in as broad a manner as possible and structure your lessons appropriately. If you take the initiative to prepare yourself in this manner, you will see constant progress, your instructor will be able to be more thorough and creative for you, and you will soon grow immune to resentment from any form of criticism. So, in reality, the most vital aspect of vocal training is in learning to grow a thicker-than-thick skin. As always, remember humility. Even Pavarotti had to wait until he was 40 to be able to cry to heaven with confidence. Lourdes C. teaches various music subjects and tutors in Tucson, AZ. Her doctorate is in Applied Linguistics and American Indian Studies. She has been an instructor and tutor for over 20 years for academics, research methods, languages and literature, and music as well. Book in-person or online lessons with Lourdes here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo by Kevin N. Murphy

Online College Grade English Help, A New Service by TutorPace

Online College Grade English Help, A New Service by TutorPace Learning has no end. You can learn and grow or vice-versa. It is not possible for us to know everything that revolves under the sun of the universe. But some things are there that we should know and we should know it deeply and from its inner roots. The more you will have grip over knowledge, the more you will flourish. When we are in school we are unable to know the importance of what knowledge is and how it will help us. So we miss many chances of deriving knowledge and getting help through that. When we grow up and become a bit more matured we can understand the importance of knowledge and how it helps you. It is very important to know bit of everything and something till its roots. College life is something that is fun filled as well as provides you with immense knowledge as well. You yourself only want to learn many things that were unknown to you before. This helps in increasing your knowledge to a great extent. In this hard competitive market it is very important for us to have knowledge so that we can get into the conversation or put our words in the conversation as well. English, as a subject and its division During the college span you have to concentrate on only one subject and that subject will lead you towards your career. It is very important that one should know the subject well. Let us know about English deeper and what are the ways through which you can learn better English.   English is subject that is divided into two parts-one is English language that is the grammatical section and the other is literature section. Literature section can be easily crossed, but the grammatical section is tough and regular practice will make you a genius in it. But not only regular practice, but also good teacher and good guidance are needed side by. Private tutoring is a good way to help you out in the adverse situation of knowing the subject well. But it cannot be considered as the best way as best way is yet to be revealed. That is none other than the online tutoring facility that are found. Yes, you heard it right, it is the e-learning courses that are new in the market but are gaining lot of popularity within very less time period. Some important features revolving e-learning courses Let us get to know about what are the basic help and good features that this new way of learning experience brings to us. It is better to start of with the help of a good teacher and how efficient the teachers can be. There are various teachers involved in these institutes and these institutes bring to us different types of services that encourage us to know a subject better, crack any kind of tough exam with ease and also get over with any of the assignments and project work of ours. The efficient teachers help the students to know the subject well. it provides you with utter knowledge with the subject and also derives you out from all the different kind of problems that one face with the subject. The good institute provides you with good study material as well that helps you in many ways. The things are explained better way and this helps the learning process to be smooth and fast for any student. Solving papers are given that brings you close to success and that also within minimal time period. The teachers have grip over the subject and knows the subject well, thus this helps them to deliver the best teaching experience to their students as well. The weak students can also be befitted under the guidance of such teachers and can flourish well with the subject. The best of such online tutoring is that every single child is handled by individual teacher. When you have individual teacher by your side then you can open up in a lot more ways that it would have happened in any case of any kind of coaching classes. This helps the student to know the subject well and clear all the doubts that arise in their mind related with the subject. It is generally surveyed that there are some institutes who charge much less than any other private tutoring institutes. Parents can easily afford the rates that is been charged for any kind of services. It is not at all a big lump sum amount of money and thus it is within reach. Online tutoring has a big advantage and that is the teachers are available all round the clock. Whenever you want to attend the classes you can easily go for the classes.  With the all time availability of the teachers by your side increases the self confidence within you and you can perform better than before. When you get comfort of your home and is availing the services then it is for sure that you will perform better and increase your grades as well as your knowledge as well. What TutorPace is all about? TutorPace is an e-learning institute that helps you with different kinds of services under the guidance of some of the best teachers being beside you. You can know any subject well, prepare yourself to crack any tough exam, complete your projects and assignments under good guidance and lots more. The charges are also less as compared to many other institutes and this increases the popularity of the institute. It comes under the list of some of the reputed institutes providing you with these kinds of services. So, from now onwards if you want to get help from different types of subjects and crack any tough exam you can come in direct contact with TutorPace. This institute with its world best services will bring in success at your doorstep. Even Online college grade English help is a service that TutorPace delivers you.

How to Be a Confident, Motivating Leader - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / How to Be a Confident, Motivating Leader - Introvert Whisperer How to Be a Confident, Motivating Leader Sarah Landrum March 22, 2018 Leadership No responses Go to top It may seem as though a leader has to have a booming voice and electric presence to achieve their goals. But it turns out, introverts make great leaders too â€" guiding others to succeed takes more than just an outgoing personality, after all. Introverts do splendidly in these types of positions because other facets of their personality are more vital in leading and inspiring others. If you identify as more reserved, here are six ways to be even more motivating in your position: 1. Put Others First So many bosses get caught up in the numbers and benchmarks set by their higher-ups that they forget what’s in front of them: a team of people who drive each project and, ultimately, the company’s success. As such, it’s easy to forget their needs and feelings about expectations, pushing harder and harder toward a target that’s difficult to reach. As a motivating leader, it’s crucial to put your team members first. Sure, you have deadlines to meet, but you can do so with their needs in mind. You have the inherent ability to let your team take the spotlight, so you know just how they’re feeling, what they’re doing and how much longer they need to succeed. 2. Lead by Example   There seems to be an idea that a manager has to be on the offensive at all times, barking out orders and assigning can’t-miss deadlines to employees. As an introvert, this screaming style of leadership doesn’t suit you â€"  and you’re better for it. Rather than building an unapproachable, means-business persona, you can lead your team by simply showing them the way to success. Your calm, hard-working and independent example will show staffers how to work hard â€"  and they will because they’ll prefer your gentler style of leadership. Plus, they’ll get more done in a more introverted workplace â€" high-stress offices tend to get less done. 3. Work Well Independently   To be an effective leader, you will certainly have to collaborate with your team, as well as with your higher-ups. But, as an introvert, you excel at productively working solo too. This ability will help you as a leader because you’ll get your hands dirty rather than regularly delegating tasks and overseeing their completion. Staffers will certainly appreciate the fact that you’re working alongside them, but they’ll also mirror your ability to be productive all on your own. By working well yourself and not micromanaging, you’ll be setting a great example and giving your employees the autonomy they need to be productive themselves. 4. Listen to Your Team   A great leader doesn’t always have to be the one at the forefront of discussion. Instead â€"  and this is a much more significant sign of leadership â€"  they can sit and listen intently to what those around them have to say. This skill can certainly be honed over time, but as an introvert, you’re already happy to sit back and let others take the mic. Your employees will be appreciative of your power listening skills too. Knowing that you’re truly taking in, recording and eventually responding to what they say will help them realize you’re accessible and caring. And with that, they’ll feel motivated to work hard for a leader they can approach and respect, who takes their thoughts and opinions seriously. 5. Be as Transparent as Possible   Extroverts love to talk, but that sometimes gets them into trouble. They might dance around answering a question or end up contradicting themselves because they say too much. You’re nothing like that, though. Instead, you’re a person of little words, which lends you to a very transparent leadership style. You’ll use your words wisely and clearly, spelling out the goals and to-dos for everyone. You’ll help the team prioritize and provide quick, effective feedback. All of this comes to you naturally, and it’ll help you motivate your team because they know exactly what you want â€"  you don’t mince words. 6. Radiate Positivity   Rallying the troops might not be one of your strong suits, but you can still be an optimistic, motivational figure. All you have to do is make a conscious effort to create a positive presence. Start by taking note of your current state of mind. Are you happy? Tense? Tired? Then, think about how you can change your tone, body language and energy so that you can alter your vibe and prevent those around you from picking up on those feelings. Instead, they’ll soak up your positivity â€"  and it will improve their outlook on the day too. Leading Your Own Way   You’re a leader. It doesn’t matter whether you’re outgoing or reserved â€" you’re in charge of motivating your team to succeed on tasks both large and small. And now, you know how to lead the right way. Go to top Personal Branding starts with how well you speak about YOU.  I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook â€" The Definitive Guide to Creating and Using an Elevator Speech.  In this guide, I give you simple to follow instructions for creating a “wardrobe” of ways to talk about you â€" to leave a lasting impression. Get your copy now! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

The Aztecs

The Aztecs The Short-Lived Aztec Empire ChaptersPre-Aztec MesoamericaFounding the Aztec SocietyEducation in Aztec SocietyThe Aztec Social StructureAztec GodsThe Fall of the Aztec EmpireNo one is really sure where the people who defined themselves as Aztec originated from. The most prominent theory is that they migrated from North America.Finding the fertile land they arrived at already claimed by an assortment of warring tribes, the leader of this wandering band asked to occupy a relatively barren patch of land, a request that was granted.What happened next is a story of violence and brutality, in equal parts driven by spiritual beliefs and a hegemonic hunger that could never be assuaged.Let’s take a look at what made the Aztec so mighty, how they lived and, in the end, how their might did them in, leaving behind a legacy that continues to be explored. 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 Tea cher 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 tutorsPre-Aztec Mesoamerica The Aztec were a fierce people but there was another side to them... Image by Joaquín Enríquez from PixabayEarly in the 13th Century, colonies descended from North America and settled in small tribes throughout what we know today as Mexico. They fought to establish dominance but no tribe was wholly successful in dominating the region or any other group.The Mexicas, a people who also spoke the Nahuatl language, arrived fairly late.Seeing the most fertile portions of land had already been settled, they convinced the Culhuacan king to allow them a seemingly worthless patch of land to cultivate. In return, they promised their service as mercenaries to the king.This arrangement worked fairly well. While a few men did the king’s bidding, the rest of the population set about breaking and moving rocks to build their city.At the king’s behest, the Mexica fought a particularly bloody battle with a neighbouring realm. Thus preoccupied, they failed to notice the king’s monitoring of thei r progress â€" both in building their city and in working the land.After the battle had been won, the king sent his daughter to rule over the Mexica, an act that those people saw as a betrayal. They flayed the young woman to death, presumably because their god Xipe Totec had commanded them to.Actually, there are conflicting versions of this account. Some say she was sent by the king and other specify that the Mexica people asked the king for his daughter with the specific purpose of spilling royal blood.Either way, this daughter’s sacrifice infuriated the king. He ordered his troops to drive the Mexica from the land.Their headlong flight was abruptly stopped by the sight of an eagle atop a cactus, devouring a snake.  They interpreted this appearance as a sign from their gods that they should make that land their home.It didn’t hurt that the land in question was an island in the middle of Lake Texcoco. From a military standpoint, it meant that the location would be difficult to a ttack and easy to defend.The Mexica set about building their greatest city, Tenochtitlan.Founding the Aztec SocietyHaving till then been nomadic, the people who came to be known as Aztec had a lot to learn about civilization and government but, because they had always been quick learners, the methods for establishing a society came easily.First, while still living within the shadow of an established kingdom, they learned through observation how a monarchy should be run.Also, while there, they married Culhuacan women who had experience in building and maintaining homesteads. These women were doubly advantageous as they could teach the next generation how to function in society.Once they felt reasonably established â€" they had built homes and had a growing population, they selected their first king, again following traditions they learned from the Culhuacan.That all sounds a bit idyllic but make no mistake: there was no peaceful coexistence between neighbouring realms.Constant fighti ng among them â€" for riches and political dominance whetted the Aztec appetite for blood and demonstrated their ability to draw it.After several such skirmishes, neighbouring states Texcoco and Tlacopan joined forces with Tenochtitlan to form a triple alliance; a military rule that dominated the Valley of Mexico.Now with allies firmly established, civilisation could thrive! The Aztec calendar was widely used throughout Mesoamerica Image by Dieter Martin from Pixabaydivisions were not set in stone. For instance, if the child of a commoner displayed a particularly high aptitude in a given subject, s/he would be sent to the ‘noble’ school.Young children would be educated in the home; females by their mothers and males by their fathers.This training followed traditional gender roles: boys would hunt, fish and fight; girls would weave, grind maize and learn to cook and care for the home.Once firmly grounded in ‘gender work’, they would attend school for academic acquisition, generally around age 15. There, they would learn maths, writing, history and national songs.Their early years in formal education saw all children, noble and common, in the same classroom. In later years, they would be split up along class and gender lines.Makes you wonder: if everyone receives the same education, how could there be social classes?The Aztec Social StructureAt the height of the Aztec civilization, in the early 16th Century, their capital city was home to more than 200,000 inhabitants: Tenochtitlan was the largest city of all the pre-Columbian civilizations.Aztec society was organised into three tiers: slavery, peasantry and nobility.In the early days of Aztec society, one did not inherit a social position; it had to be earned by demonstrating prowess in the battlefield or by making some extraordinary contribution to society.In a sense, this system was a cheat because nobles had the means to afford ‘earning’ their position but commoners generally did not.One way for a son of a modest family to gain nobility was to prove himself a cunning and ruthless fighter.Oddly enough, being accepted as a warrior was conditional; you could only be considered military if you captured five prisoners or more.Prisoners were used in religious sacrifice rituals so it was more valuable to capture them than to kill them in battle.Any conditional soldier who fa ils to capture a prisoner within his first three engagements would be relegated to the peasant class, forever shamed. For this reason, military initiates would often band together to capture an enemy, guaranteeing them a chance to eventually graduate to nobility.Being an Aztec slave was also rather remarkable.If you had been convicted of a misdeed, you may be deemed a slave. However, you could keep your property â€" your owner would become its caretaker during the time of your ‘sentence’, and you could even own slaves yourself.Slavery was generally the penalty for unsociable behaviour such as gambling or being deemed ‘incorrigible’. Willful children often entered into slavery that way.Slaves could regain their freedom after their owners’ death if they had discharged their duties exceptionally well, by marrying or having a child with their owner or by buying their freedom.If none of those conditions applied, slaves would be passed down to the next generation.Children of the poor could be sold into slavery, but only for a set time. Individuals could also sell themselves into slavery but maintain their freedom for a while before going into service.Any runaway slave who arrived at the royal palace without being caught would immediately be granted their freedom.Learn more about slavery in ancient Egypt...Women in Aztec SocietyUnlike other societies that flourished before the Spanish conquest, the Aztec elevated their women to a position on par with men.Noblewomen could work as secretaries or government officials â€" bookkeepers and administrators.‘Common’ women would not have such lofty positions open to them but they could be merchants, seamstresses or food vendors. They also had the option of becoming prostitutes â€" a profession not at all looked down on.Women functioned as midwives and medicine dispensers, diagnosing and treating the sick.If a mother wanted her newborn girl-child to become a priestess, they would take the infant to the temple to e stablish the terms of her tenure. After the child turned five years old, she would live in the temple, learning the rituals and keeping it clean.That must have been a tremendous job, considering the number of sacrifices each temple conducted! The feathered serpent, Quetzalcoatl, is a prominent god in the Mesoamerican pantheon Image by Rodrigo de la torre from PixabayAztec GodsAt no time would the gods ever be ignored but, as with many Mesoamerican cultures, deities fell in and out of favour, depending on the current circumstances.For example, the gods of rain and agriculture would be invoked in times of drought and harvest but, were a conquest on the horizon, the gods of war would receive enjoy extra sacrifices.Unlike other civilisations in Pre-Columbian Central America, the Aztecs had three distinct groups of gods: some for celestial happenings, others for war and sacrifice and the third group concerned themselves with fertility â€" of the land and the people.In all, the Aztecs worshipped more than 200 gods. Their most prominent ones were:Huitzilopochtli, the father of the Aztecs. It was he who showed them where to establish their city.Tlaloc, god of rain: borrowed from the Mayans, he is one of the most ancient deitiesTe zcatlipoca, god of night: generally associated with dark, evil and deathQuetzalcoatl: brother of the night god, he represents learning and light, creation and goodnessthis feathered serpent god is also very old and renown in the Mayan cultureAlso discover how aboriginal Australians honoured their gods.The Significance of Human SacrificeBy today’s standards, any god who demands a steady supply of fresh blood would be seen as terrifying and barbaric but, to the Aztecs, human sacrifice was seen as a way to appease the gods and curry favour with them.While the Aztec were quite prolific in their sacrificial offerings, the rite did not initiate with them but with the Incan empire.Nevertheless, sacrificial rites took on a new significance for the Aztecs; it is estimated that more than 10,000 people ‘met the gods’ each year.The Aztec had gods aplenty and they each must be regularly fed. That was only one reason for sacrificing.Others include offerings for beneficial outcomes in trade or military engagement, and, strangely enough, for political reasons.The Aztec were relatively small in number. If they demonstrated their ruthlessness in such a public manner, surrounding tribes would be too scared to attack them. Besides, at the height of the empire, the Aztecs were collecting tributes from all of the neighbouring cities.Rather than offer one of their own for sacrifice, it was not uncommon for one village to kidnap a few people from the neighbouring village and hand them over to the Aztecs for sacrifice.In all, this clever ploy kept surrounding cities from banding together and attacking the Aztecs all while providing them with a sufficient number of sacrifices to keep their gods appeased.Oddly, that makes sense. What is a bit harder to understand and condone is child sacrifices.Scholars believe that, for the most part, those being sacrificed were drugged beforehand so that they would be easier to control. It is possible that being drugged made the ensuing agony a little more bearable.On the other hand, children were made to cry before being sacrificed because it was thought that their tears would moisten the earth, compelling their rain god to pour down his bounty.If the child would not cry on his/her own, the priests might rip out a few fingernails. Once the tears started flowing, it was ‘on with the show!’.How were children treated in ancient Greece? The Aztecs discovered the abandoned ruins of Teotihuacan and claimed the territory Image by jjnanni from PixabayThe Fall of the Aztec EmpireThe Aztec empire lasted just under 100 years: from 1428 to 1521. In that time, they established a remarkable civilisation that may have endured for centuries more had it not been for Hernan Cortes.They built magnificent structures to worship their gods, palaces and fine homes for nobility to live in, and fertile fields to grow crops.One of their most remarkable agrarian accomplishments, chinampas, produced enough grain and plants to feed the entire population.These floating gardens measured about 300 feet in length and 30 in width. They were crafted by weaving sticks together to form a raft. On that raft was piled mud and silt until it sunk about three feet.Anchoring those rafts to trees, they were then able to plant enough to sustain the entire population.The Aztec calendar became the standard of Mesoamerican civilizations.This solar calendar wa s based on a 365-day cycle and a ritual cycle of 260 days. The Aztec religion depended on their calendars for rites and sacrifice events.Much of Aztec culture and poetry was recorded in a series of books or codices.Did the ancient Mesopotamians also maintain a codex library?Each one tells a story of some aspect of the life of the Aztec people â€" religious, military, agricultural... some are historical accounts of events during and after the arrival of the Spaniards.The death knell sounded for the Aztec empire not on the shores of Lake Texcoco but on the Yucatan peninsula: it was there that Spanish forces arrived from Cuba, on a reconnaissance mission.After returning there, Spanish governor Velasquez ordered a much larger delegation to sail. Their orders were to claim the land for the crown and reap whatever riches could be had.Not only did Cortes bring a fighting force, he and his men brought diseases the Aztec had no immunity to.Much of the population succumbed to smallpox and inf luenza and a substantial number were massacred by the Spaniards. Still, the Aztecs did not give up.A nephew of Montezuma, the recently-murdered emperor, claimed the throne and drove the invaders out. Undaunted, Cortes joined forces with another of the Aztec rivals, stormed the city for the third time and defeated the Aztecs for once and for all.Upon his victory, he and his troops rased Tenochtitlan. Out of its ruins, he built Mexico City, which became the European centre of the New World.Still, Mexico has not forgotten her Aztec heritage; the scene of the eagle atop a cactus devouring a snake - the vision that compelled the Aztecs to settle in that region is emblazoned on their flag for all to see.Aztecs were poets, artists, intellectuals and amazing engineers. They were also brilliant military strategists, ruthless fighters and hostage to a band of bloodthirsty gods.It seems a shame that they are more remembered for their negative aspects than their marvelous ones.Now join the disc ussion: how do other ancient civilizations compare with the Aztec?

Suzannes Story - Teaching GCSE Spanish

Suzanne's Story - Teaching GCSE Spanish Teaching GCSE Spanish is an area that many of our Tutorfair Foundation volunteers help with. Want to start teaching a language that isn't your mother tongue? New volunteer Suzanne G tell us in her own words what it’s like to help in a classroom. I've been teaching English as a foreign language for several years. I completed a Spanish degree a few years ago and I decided I'd like to start doing some Spanish tutoring. I started running an after-school club at a primary school, but I also wanted to tutor older pupils and particularly focus on GCSE Spanish. A few months ago my cousin told me about Tutorfair. I wanted to do private tutoring but I was also attracted by the idea of doing volunteering in a school. Apart from wanting to help the students, I thought it would be useful for me as a private tutor to see how Spanish GCSE is taught in schools. Training Day for Teaching GCSE Spanish I signed up for the volunteer training day in February. I found it useful to learn about how the Tutorfair Foundation works, plus meet other tutors and get up-to-date information about the exams. The training day also prepared me for some of the issues that could come up in the classroom and what I could expect during my volunteering. On the first day, I'd arranged a specific time to meet the teacher at the school. I was given brief information about the course and the students shortly before the lesson started. The lesson time I signed up to was the second half of a double lesson but I decided to volunteer for both lessons. First Day of Teaching GCSE Spanish On that first day I went around seeing what the students were working on and trying to help those who were unsure of what they were doing. When students have a question, rather than giving them the answer I enjoy asking them questions to help them find the answer themselves. I've done 5 sessions at the school so far. I'm getting to know the students better and they're getting to know me. I've found everyone at the school friendly and helpful and enjoy spending time there. What I've been learning has also helped me in my work as a private tutor. The challenges I face are the fact that Spanish isn't my first language. Also my limited experience of teaching teenagers. As another language teacher told me, you can’t expect to know all the answers to questions. Especially when you’re teaching a language that’s not your own. The more sessions I do, the more I learn. If something comes up which I'm not completely sure about, I answer it as well as I can and then I check, so I can be sure the next time. Observing and interacting with the students is also part of the learning process for me. Overall the volunteering has definitely helped me as I continue to develop my tutoring practice. For anyone who's considering it, it's worth volunteering some of your time with Tutorfair. The students deserve to have as much support as possible with their learning and it can be a very rewarding experience for the tutor. Are you thinking about getting involved? You can sign up for our next training session. You can book private Spanish lessons with Suzanne on Tutorfair.com