The ABCs of Alphabet Games A Complete Guide

The ABCs of Alphabet Games A Complete Guide SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips It’s hard to imagine a time when you didn’t know the alphabet, so the idea of teaching the letters to someone else can be daunting. But for toddlers and preschoolers (and anyone else learning English), the letters of the alphabet are the building blocks of the English language. Learning and recognizing them is the first crucial step to developing strong literacy and language skills. Enter: alphabet games. Alphabet games make mastering letters fun- which is exactly what learning should be! So whether you have a little one just starting out on their literacy journey, or know someone learning English as a second language, we’ve broken down everything you need to know about alphabet games. In this article, we’ll explain what alphabet games are, the best ones to use, and the mistakes to avoid when using them to guarantee learning success. Feature image:Retrokatz/CC What Are Alphabet Games? Alphabet games are any activities designed to help children learn the 26 letters of the English alphabet. They may also be referred to as â€Å"letter games,† â€Å"ABC learning games,† or â€Å"letter recognition games.† They can be as simple as using alphabet magnets to show letters, or as advanced as alphabet puzzles, and everything in between. Edward Miller/CC Why Do We Use Alphabet Games? Being able to read, write and listen are core to understanding and communicating in English (and any language). As such, we want to do everything we can to encourage success. By making that first big step (learning the alphabet) fun and engaging, children are more likely to remember letters and their sounds. The more they remember their letters, the more they’ll recognize them and identify them in and out of order. And the more prepared they’ll be to learn to read and write. Josh Applegate/Unsplash Early Childhood Cognition From the moment they’re born, children are like sponges absorbing everything in their world. They want to know how things work, why they work, and what things are. Learning the alphabet serves as a base for learning to read, communicate and understand the English language. It’s the first step to providing children with the tools to not only learn, but to seek answers on their own. To add to their knowledge base of how and why things work and what they are. Beyond the alphabet, letter games help children improve and strengthen their memory and cognition- all vital skills for anyone to have.. When it comes to mastering the alphabet, the vital concept a child must conquer is the ability to recognize letters and recall them. The easier they can recognize and recall, the easier it’ll be for them to learn letter sounds, which is a must for learning to read. Being able to â€Å"recognize and recall† letters means your learner can tell the difference between each of the 26 alphabet letters. They can also say the name of each letter. Identifying a letter by its name and sound (regardless of the order presented), requires memorization and practice. So, the more letter recognition games they play, the more fun they’ll have, but also the more letter repetition they’ll be exposed to and the more easily they’ll be able to remember and recognize letters and sounds. The following is a chart featuring a few of the reading-related milestones to look out for depending on your learner’s age, according to the U.S. Dept. of Education: Age: 0-3 years Age: 3-4 years Age: 5 years Age: 6 years Begin to associate words they hear frequently with what the words mean. Understand that print carries a message. Sound as if they are reading when they pretend to read. Read and retell familiar stories. Handle objects such as board books and alphabet blocks in their play. Make attempts to read and write. Recognize letters and letter-sound matches. Decide on their own to use reading and writing for different purposes. May write about topics that mean a lot to them. Understand how books should be handled; pretend to read books. Identify familiar signs and labels. Understand that print is read left-to-right and top-to-bottom. Identify new words by using letter-sound matches, parts of words and their understanding of the rest of a story or printed item. Look at pictures in books and realize they are symbols of real things. Identify some letters and make some letter-sound matches. Begin to match spoken words with written ones. Identify an increasing number of words by sight. Begin to pay attention to specific print such as the first letters of their names. Enjoy listening to and talking about storybooks. Begin to write letters of the alphabet and some words they use and hear often. Sound out and represent major sounds in a word when trying to spell. Produce some letter-like forms and scribbles that resemble, in some way, writing. Use known letters (or their best attempt to write the letters) to represent written language especially for meaningful words like their names or phrases such as "I love you." Begin to write stories with some readable parts. Try to use some punctuation marks and capitalization. What Are the Different Types of Alphabet Games? We tend to think of the alphabet song when we think of learning letters, but that’s only one of many letter games children should be playing. This is because we want learners to do more than just sing the alphabet in order. We want them to be able to recognize and distinguish between the letters. This will make them versatile and adept readers down the road. It can be hard to differentiate between letter recognition games when there are so many out there. Particularly given that not every child learns best in the same way. There are three main types of learners: auditory, visual and kinesthetic. Knowing which one your child is (or combination of) can help you find the best letter games for them. Each alphabet game you use should focus on one or more of these types of learning: What Are the Best Alphabet Games to Use? The first thing to know is that there is no absolute right way to teach the alphabet. However, the most effective method will use a combination of letter games targeting the different types of learning. The best games will address some or all of the following: memory, sight recognition, sound and speaking (or â€Å"phonics†), and touch. The following are a few of the most used and versatile ABC learning games we recommend: Alphabet Bingo Alphabet bingo (or â€Å"letter match†) is great for audio, visual and kinesthetic learners. Players get to see the letters on a card, hear the letter being said to them (and, if you’d like, you can have them say the letter back to you!), as well as identify and physically place (touch) a marker to the correct letter. You can easily make this game yourself using household items, download it for free online (here’s a link to 30 free printable alphabet bingo cards), or purchase it from a vendor, such as Amazon. Sidewalk Chalk Games Sidewalk chalk games are fantastic for visual and kinesthetic learners because children get to see letters in a different context and move around while still learning. And the best part? All you need is chalk and (you guessed it) a sidewalk. While there are numerous games you can play, we recommend â€Å"Alphabet Hopscotch† for its versatility. Alphabet Hopscotch can be played as the hopscotch game we all loved as kids (just with letters inside the squares), as the block version below, as a â€Å"hop and move† game (second photo), or any variety of ways you can imagine. Sidewalk letter games are great for children who learn best by doing and being physical./Buggy Buddy Use actions to make the letters more memorable./No Time For Flash Cards Playdoh Letters Playdoh Letters is another fantastic game you can â€Å"play† in so many different ways. Playdoh Letters are great for kinesthetic and visual learners because of their tactile nature. Use Playdoh to make letters for your child to touch (identify) or have them make Playdoh Letters based off of alphabet letters written on paper or shown on a screen. A child can also stamp letters into the Playdoh, or use magnetic letters or alphabet cookie cutters to make letters. Use Playdoh Letters for audio learners by saying the letters and having your learning choose the correct one, then have them pronounce the letter back to you. Alphabet Puzzles Another great activity for letter learning is the alphabet puzzle. Puzzles are fantastic for kinesthetic and visual learners because children get to touch and move letters around, as well as see them in 3D. Use them for audio learners by saying aloud and having your child say the letter once they’ve put it in its correct slot. There are many versions of this game in stores and online, but for those looking for a DIY version, This Reading Mama has printable puzzles on her website. Reading Ok, so we know it’s not exactly a game, but reading can really help a child on his or her journey to learning the alphabet. Reading exposes learners to seeing letters on a page, and hearing the letters being pronounced helps them understand letter sounds. Reading also helps children understand how letters can be used to form words and trains them to know English reading is done from left to right and top to bottom on a page. Nicole Honeywill/Unsplash Alphabet Learning Games for Students With Different Learning Needs There are also alphabet learning games available for students with different learning needs (i.e.: for the blind and deaf). Below are a few links we recommend checking out for games using American Sign Language and Braille. Sign Language Learning Games (for Learners Who Are Deaf) DeafLinx Very Well Health Kids Courses Braille Learning Games (for Learners Who Are Blind) Paths to Literacy Pinterest Sensory Sun Other Resources The internet is full of great resources for teaching and learning the alphabet. We recommend searching through Pinterest and YouTube for alphabet learning games. There are also a ton of free resources available on various websites and blogs (e.g., those by parents and teachers) that can be found using your favorite search engine. Here are a few we recommend: Growing Book By Book Healthy Children How Wee Learn Reading Rockets The Measured Mom The Most Common Mistakes Made When Using Alphabet Games (and How to Avoid Them) Unfortunately, finding fun alphabet games is only the first step. If you want to help a child learn their letters efficiently, make sure to avoid these common mistakes. #1: Teaching the Alphabet in Order Believe it or not, teaching the alphabet in order from A-Z is not the most effective or useful way to learn the alphabet. This is because we want to ensure children not only memorize their letters, but that they know them by sight and sound independent of the alphabet order. Instead, try teaching the letters in groups to both break up the alphabet into chewable nuggets and to give your child a chance to distinguish small words. For example, teaching a child the letters in their name can be a fun, easy way to get started. Not only will they hear and see those letters on a regular basis, they’ll also have a simple word to learn that ensures they know each letter in their name by sight and sound. Once a child can identify a letter by its name, it’s easier to move on to learning the letter sounds. Another trick is to teach groups of letters that can make small words. Say you focused on the following group of letters: B, P, N, D, E. Once a child has learned those letters, they can begin to identify small words such as: den, bed, pen, etc. #2: Not Making Alphabet Games Hands-On Enough Learning the alphabet and playing alphabet games should be a dynamic, engaging process. Children love to move, touch, see, and interact with the world around them, and alphabet games should tie into that enthusiasm easily. Relying too heavily on methods like worksheets can lose a child’s interest and decrease the likelihood that they’ve truly learned their letters and can distinguish them in and out of their alphabetic order. #3: Not Mixing It Up Avoid the temptation of using the same two or three games over and over. As with anything, variety is the spice of life. Keep minds interested and engaged by changing up the types of games used to master letters. #4: Not Being Consistent Practice truly makes perfect when it comes to letter recognition and ABC learning games. One simple way to keep children invested is to use everyday objects as a chance to learn. Try labeling objects around the house that a child will come in contact with throughout the day and every time you see them interact with that object, use a simple word to help them connect it back to the alphabet. For example: when your child sits on a couch, you can point to the label and ask them what object they just sat on. Then say the word â€Å"couch† and/or have them say the word and the letter it starts with (i.e.: â€Å"C† is for â€Å"couch†). #5: Not Celebrating Each Success Along the Way Learning the alphabet is an incredible accomplishment! But there are 26 letters to learn and each one mastered is a reason to celebrate. Give your learner a sense of accomplishment by encouraging them and cheering them on every time they learn a new letter. Remember... There is no single correct way to teach the alphabet. However, the more fun, dynamic and engaging you make it, the more your learner will remember his or her letters. The more they remember, the better prepared they’ll be to learn to read. Be sure to mix up the types of alphabet games you play by using letter recognition game ideas on Pinterest, YouTube and blogs (like ours!). Be consistent and don’t forget to celebrate every learned letter as its own accomplishment. What’s Next? Looking for more learning games? Be sure to read our complete guide. (Coming soon) Already reading? Check out the 9 Literary Elements You’ll Find in Every Story. If you need a break from letters, learn about the Most Common Shapes and How to Identify Them. These recommendations are based solely on our knowledge and experience. If you purchase an item through one of our links, PrepScholar may receive a commission.

Skills Shortage and HRM Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Skills Shortage and HRM - Essay Example Hence, people are discouraged from education and the economy of that country suffers immensely 9 Beresford, pg 190, 2004). However, a somewhat opposite situation from the one described above, is the situation of plenty of jobs being available and very few workers available with suitable skills and qualifications for the job. In the former scenario described, a number of job-seekers are running after one job, whilst in the latter scenario, many companies are running after one potential employee. This is because the economy holds few skilled workers in the required profession and many companies require those skills, hence, companies are competing to recruit the same employees (Capelli, pg 145, 2005). Issue of Scarcity Such shortages usually occur in highly skilled and technological fields, which are constantly evolving with the rapid change in technology. Employees must be trained regularly to meet the changing technological environment and enhance their expertise. One of the most worr isome situations for companies is the situation of having vacancies in a required field, but experiencing recruitment problems. Many companies rely on these employees for progress and success in their business, yet because of recruitment problems, many resources are diverged from actual operations to employee recruitment. This causes a loss for the company and deepening problems in business operations. Hence, companies must put up an effective fight to win the war for talent (Goss, pg 232, 1994). Recruitment Strategies There are several factors which may motivate employees to work for a certain company and may assist the company in recruiting employees. Such factors include the size and reputation of the company, working conditions, fringe benefits, pay rate, opportunities for promotion, management style, and training opportunities. Employees have differing opinions on their preferences and which factor influences them most when seeking jobs from a company. Pay may be very important for one employee, while the other employee will feel exhilarated by working for a reputable company offering exciting promotional possibilities. Hence, companies may negotiate with various employees in order to enhance their interest in the job and their motivational levels (Capelli, pg 146, 2005). However, some companies may be facing continuous recruitment problems and may be losing out while competing with other firms for talent. These companies probably lack one of the above mentioned factors and are not able to meet the needs of the required employees. Such problems are enhanced because of a lack of skilled labor to fit the job description and the potential employees who do fit the required criteria, may prefer other companies. Hence, the struggle becomes quite challenging for some smaller firms who cannot compete with the larger firms in offering employee benefits. There are a number of factors that the firm may focus on to increase employee recruitment levels and enhance emp loyee motivation. These factors combined may prove to result in a favorable situation in which employees may prefer to work for the smaller firm rather than go to the larger competitors (Debrah & Reid, pg 933, 1998). These factors include higher pays, better facilities, more benefits, training programs, or even a compromise on the part of the firm itself. The firm must analyze its personal situation in order to

Emerging hybrid technology in the automotive market Research Paper

Emerging hybrid technology in the automotive market - Research Paper Example Secondary energy most often originates from primary source or sometimes comes from an external system (Badin F., Briat O., Olivier S., Jeanneret B., Trugue R., Malaquin B., October 2004). Hybrid vehicles are not a modern invention. Hybrid technology has been in use since the 20th century. The first diesel motor ship, which is also called the first diesel electric ship, was launched in 1903, and Russian Tanker Vandal had been using hybrid technology since then. Another modern example of hybrid ship propulsion is electric motors mounted in pods, called azimuth thrusters, which allow for 360o rotation of thrust. There are also diesel-electric trains developed in 1920’s, used for moving trains around railway yards. These hybrid vehicles get significant importance due to simplification of power transmission as well as usage of multiple motors and electricity that reduce maintenance cost. Convention Cars: A traditional or conventional car, unlike a hybrid car, lacks an electrical motor to assist engine to make power during crisis time. Convention cars have just one source of energy and there is no second source. Because there is no assistance of an electrical motor in convention cars, hybrid cars are more fuel efficient and produce fewer emissions. Hybrid Cars: Hybrid car is the most common application of hybrid technology. The first introduced hybrid motor vehicle was a bicycle equipped with helper motors. These were known as mopeds. VeloSoleX is an example of mopeds. An example of the most modern application is the human electric hybrid vehicles which consist of a drive train i.e. a human being, generator or an electric motor, and an energy accumulator or battery. It has the same characteristics of a hybrid bicycle with enhanced acceleration and innovation of regenerative braking. An example of hybrid vehicle is â€Å"TWIKE† which was designed to carry cargo and two passengers. It can be driven either in electric mode or electric and

How do breakfast show presenters create a lively and engaging Coursework

How do breakfast show presenters create a lively and engaging atmosphere on their radio shows - Coursework Example Steve Price Breakfast Show on the subject of carbon tax legislation illustrates the key features of spoken language that distinguishes it from written language. The topic of the subject focused on the divisions within the ranks of the Australian Labor Party (ALP), environmental activists, and the public. The breakfast show presenter was Luke Grant. The guest of the breakfast show was Greg Hunt, who plays the role of shadow spokesperson on the matter of climate change. The unique features of spoken language that make it possible for the discussants to explore the different perspectives of the subject matter enhance the discussion between the two. The show is interactional in nature and addresses itself to the subject of environmental conservation policies in Australia. Naturally, the primary target audience is the Australian public. This show captures their interest because of the growing concern on matters of environmental conservation. The different policies taken by the government and other interested parties have both long-term and short-term effects on the general population. The secondary audience includes the political class, the business community, and the wider global citizenry because the subject matter is both global and local in nature. The interactional language employed in the show engages the mind of the audience in the sense that they are able to apply their analytical skills in real-time as the show progresses. They are also able to discern the merits of the arguments by pointing out the logical and illogical parts within the debate. At the beginning of the show, the presenter introduces the subject matter through questions: â€Å"Where are we in terms of this debate? It does look a little like game over, doesn’t it?† (Latest News, 2011). These two questions have the effect of attracting the keen interest and concern of the audience. The questions, in their spoken context, imply the possibility of some form of a crisis. Although wr itten language also employs the use of questions, their import, when assessed in the context of spoken language produces a more dramatic effect. This is because questions are rendered in a regulated volume, pitch, and tone. These qualities are very significant in enhancing the meaning-making process. The questions also prepare the audience for the debate since the rest of the debate becomes an effort to resolve the two questions at the beginning. A second sentence by the presenter is equally significant in the context of the spoken language. Grant interrupts the guest with the sentence, â€Å"Glad to hear that, by the way†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Latest News, 2011). The value of this sentence could be seen both in terms of its interruptive nature and in terms of its ungrammatical form. The sentence interrupts the initial statement made by Hunt. Interruptions are common features in spoken language in the sense that they enable the clarification of matters or change of focus towards the matter s pertinent to the discussion. It is possible to perceive the value of interruptions as a strategic tool for enhancing the rules of logic as understood within the framework of the discussion. The same sentence is grammatically incorrect. In both form and structure, spoken language tends to assume different aspects from written language. This is because

Best Practices Manual for New Supervisors Essay Example for Free

Best Practices Manual for New Supervisors Essay Communication is a multi-faceted term in the realm of management and employee relations. It can apply to the individual’s ability to interact in general terms (supervisor to employee) or literal language skills (e. g. clearly speaking the domestic language). When language is the concern, supervisors must work to ensure all employees can effectively communicate within the organization as well as with the client or customer. In an era of diversity, most organizations employ individuals from all ethnic backgrounds and conduct business with a diverse clientele. Having clients of different cultural backgrounds does not have to pose communication barriers. In fact, with a little research and training, both the international employee and client can enjoy a mutually prosperous relationship. One of the most effective methods in communicating is in understanding. Understanding in the context of internal relations involves the supervisor’s ability to interact with employees at a level that encourages positive behavior and productivity. In terms of clientele, the best strategies and techniques in communicating with clients of different cultures would be know as much as possible about the client’s cultural background. Supervisors must be aware of the uniqueness of individual needs and how they relate to different aspects of life. While adapting to various levels of communication may seem difficult, it is possible and encouraged for the overall success of an organization. Determining Effective Orientation and Training Methods Effective orientation and training methods are similar to recruitment and selection methods, whereby selection tools prove beneficial to managers in determining which applicants are best suited for a particular position. Regardless of the industry, methods recommended include various forms of testing (personality tests, cognitive ability tests, and biographical inventory tests), combined with interviews and evaluations at both a team and individual management level. The most common indicators of training needs are when workers consistently fail to achieve productivity objectives and excessive customer complaints. These issues are best identified through organization analysis, task analysis, and person analysis, including a variety of specific training options. Specialized technology training uses the systems model of training whereby asserting the needs assessment followed by design (objectives, readiness and learning principles). After determining the needs of each individual employee, supervisors must then work toward implementation with on-the-job or other applicable training methods. If faced with a report of increased customer complaints, supervisors must first look at the organization as a whole, investigating areas that seem to be lacking and narrow down results from there. All aspects of the needs assessment can be useful: organizational, task and person analysis. Once the source of the problem has been identified, the next step is to design a training program that will address the issues while teaching employees better customer service skills. While most employees detest mandatory meetings, such gatherings work to encourage employees in maintaining good performance records and motivate low performing employees. Training to increase employee participation in pep meetings would be designed to motivate individual employees through incentives. It is important that employees feel valued and that each is an essential member of the collective team. Positive training methods must also include a level of encouraging traits, allowing each to feel he or she gains valuable knowledge from these meetings versus a feeling of dread. Improving Productivity for Teams In all levels of business, it takes teamwork to achieve the result of productivity, whether the team is part of human resources, production, shipping, or in executive management. All members of an organization must work together to attain a desired result. An effective means of encouraging and improving productivity for teams is in the use of team-based incentives. This type of incentive encourages employees to continue working as a team and thus creating a cooperative environment within the company. To the credit of individual incentives, often times individual employees put forth more effort than others and are not rewarded according to their actions when applied under a team-based incentive program. However, positive aspects of the application of team-based incentives indicate such action works toward achieving the desired result: teamwork. There is no doubt that employee incentives promote better performance. Team-based incentives are more economical in many ways. By allowing employees to work as a team, there is a greater chance of attaining a better productivity level. Offering incentives under this premise offers each employee to work well with others to ensure that final goal is attained, and therefore creating the certainty of receiving such incentives. When team-based incentives are geared toward individual teams, the results are more apt to be to the executive department’s satisfaction. For example, if X department understands that it must be the monthly requirements for Z department to complete its end of month reporting and that there will be no incentives given in the event of missing a specific deadline or goal, each respective department team will be more likely to work harder to achieve the end goal. Team-based incentives also give the appearance of â€Å"fairness† in the type of incentives offered. For example, as referenced through an article by Nancy R. Katz (Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, June 2000), although incentives lead to enhanced motivation, effort, and performance, â€Å"in the real world, however, incentives can have dysfunctional effects† (2000). Katz writes that the most common dysfunctional effect an employee’s expression, â€Å"It’s not fair! † When incentives are contingent on performance, Katz explains that workers give greater concern to the issues of fairness. â€Å"When the distribution of rewards that is perceived as even slightly unfair can lead to significant problems† (Katz 2000). Team-based over incentives provide positive points including economical benefits, encouraging teamwork, giving the feeling of fairness, and reduction of employee absenteeism. Clearly, when employees work together cooperatively the outcome requires an understanding of what makes cooperation work. Such traits include positive interdependence, individual accountability, positive interaction, social skills, and group processing. The discipline structure of these traits includes the growth of group commitment and an increased dedication to the company as a whole. While each employee must be held accountable for his or her own actions, they must also work to meet and promote each others productivity. Team settings also provide a setting whereby each employee has the opportunity to participate in explanations and discussion, problem solving, present ideas and feedback, receive group support and encouragement, and be held accountable by coworkers which leads to an individual putting forth a greater effort for a satisfying end result.

Who Cares about Student Apathy? :: Personal Narrative Essays

Who Cares about Student Apathy? Over the last several months I have been emerged in the issue of voter apathy. This year only 8.3% of students voted in our Student Government elections. This became an important issue to me since I first came to high school. I watched many of my friends show no interest in what was going on around high school. They did not know any of the candidates and they did not seem to care what happened to the organization that carried the most weight in conveying student interests to the administration. From this discourse, I set out this semester with goals in mind. 1) Increase voter turnout in the SGA election 2) Make voting available on-line 3) Increase student interest in SGA Needless to say I failed at all 3 goals. Our voter turnout went down from the previous year, and I was told voting on-line had already been discussed and the administration had decided that it was not practical. It is hard to measure whether I increased interest in student government, however, based on the previous two, I believe interest has not increased. While at this point in my endeavors I became frustrated. That did not stop me. I started simply talking to people I know about voting. I asked them why they thought students had apathy and what they thought might change that. These discussions changed my outlook completely. I was no longer concerned with just getting everyone to the polls because I realized that it took more than that to get people involved. In order for students to vote, they must strongly believe that what is happening affects them personally and that by voting they are not only taking a stand about something, but also they believe their stand will make a difference. Students who are not voting for these reasons probably should not be voting. This was a turning point in my process, and from here I took two new steps. 1) I developed a survey on voting 2) I created an information sheet to publicize the SGA election The SGA election is not highly publized, and I felt it might be beneficial to post sheets telling students how and where to vote. I particularly liked the "one vote" statistics on the information sheet distributed to students. Who Cares about Student Apathy? :: Personal Narrative Essays Who Cares about Student Apathy? Over the last several months I have been emerged in the issue of voter apathy. This year only 8.3% of students voted in our Student Government elections. This became an important issue to me since I first came to high school. I watched many of my friends show no interest in what was going on around high school. They did not know any of the candidates and they did not seem to care what happened to the organization that carried the most weight in conveying student interests to the administration. From this discourse, I set out this semester with goals in mind. 1) Increase voter turnout in the SGA election 2) Make voting available on-line 3) Increase student interest in SGA Needless to say I failed at all 3 goals. Our voter turnout went down from the previous year, and I was told voting on-line had already been discussed and the administration had decided that it was not practical. It is hard to measure whether I increased interest in student government, however, based on the previous two, I believe interest has not increased. While at this point in my endeavors I became frustrated. That did not stop me. I started simply talking to people I know about voting. I asked them why they thought students had apathy and what they thought might change that. These discussions changed my outlook completely. I was no longer concerned with just getting everyone to the polls because I realized that it took more than that to get people involved. In order for students to vote, they must strongly believe that what is happening affects them personally and that by voting they are not only taking a stand about something, but also they believe their stand will make a difference. Students who are not voting for these reasons probably should not be voting. This was a turning point in my process, and from here I took two new steps. 1) I developed a survey on voting 2) I created an information sheet to publicize the SGA election The SGA election is not highly publized, and I felt it might be beneficial to post sheets telling students how and where to vote. I particularly liked the "one vote" statistics on the information sheet distributed to students.

The History of Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt Essay -- Egyptian Kingdom

The History of Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt are both cradles of civilization. Both contributed greatly to human development through their achievements, failures, peoples, scientific accomplishments, philosophies, religions, and contributions. Mesopotamia is a rich flat plain created by deposits from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. At the southern end of this plain developed the first recognizable civilization, in the area known as Sumer. In 3000 B.C. Sumer contained a dozen or more city-states, each ruled by its own king and worshiped its own patron deity. The citizens of these city-states were classified into three classes: nobles and priests, commoners, and slaves. In the center of a Sumerian city usually stood a tower culminating in a temple for the patron god of the city. The Sumerians believed that this patron god owned the whole city. The Geography of this city helped a lot with the trade, and led to mathematics as well. The Sumerians developed a precise system of mathematical notation called the sexagesimal, in which the number sixty is the main element. We even use this system in our world today! The Sumerian’ chief contribution to later civilizations was writing, even though their script was pictogra phic. Through these pictographic scripts historians found a long narrative known as the Epic of Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh is a great hero and ruler who sets out to recover cedar from northern lands. He travels with his companion Enkidu, who is killed by the storm god, Enlil. Mourning the loss of his companion and confronted by death himself, Gilgamesh travels the world in search of eternal life. He ends up finding the plant of eternal youth, but a serpent swallows it while he is bathing. The epic ends with his death and funeral. The Sumerians believed that the gods created people to be their slaves. The first Great Warlord came from the region of Akkad, an area north of Babylon. His name was Sargon, and he conquered all of Mesopotamia. Sargon was from a group of people called the Semites. The only difference between the Semites and the Sumerians were linguistics. Semites spoke many different languages like Akkadian, Hebrew, and Canaanite. The Sumerian people adapted the Akkadian language. Sargon and his successors ruled from Akkad until 2230 B.C, when internal disagreement ended the Akkadian... ... King Tutankhamen moved the capital back to Thebes and favored the older god Amen-Re. In the 19th Dynasty arose the greatest pharaoh, Ramses II. Ramses achieved a period of temporary peace. In this period he spent time and money on luxurious building projects. A major achievement in Egyptian society was the role of women. Women were allowed to own land and pass it down to their daughters. Women also helped with agriculture and went shopping. Women were legally equal to men but in their own class. They even started having occupations. Some were singers, dancers, priests, and professional mourners. Women were even buried next to their husbands in an elegant tomb. As you can see there are many differences and similarities between the Sumerians and Ancient Egyptians. Both were one of the first civilizations and contributed into the development of how our world works today. From politics to family life our culture today has come from a very long line of ancient civilizations and reforms. Work Cited Chambers, Mortimer, The Western Experience. McGraw-Hill College, 1999 pg. 6-20 David, A. Rosalie, The Egyptian Kingdoms. New York: Peter Bedrick Books, 1975.