Firstly, academic tutoring is a widely available resource, whether you are seeking a private instructor or you enlist the assistance of a free tutor through your child’s educational institution.  Your options don’t end there either; choosing a peer tutor is also an excellent way to help your child learn in an environment where they can relate to their tutor and feel more at ease while learning.  The benefit of peer academic tutoring is that your child won’t view the tutor as an authority figure; they will feel more comfortable conveying their difficulties and successes and they are more likely to look forward to time spent with a peer.  Honor Roll high school students or college students are great choices for peer tutors.

If you are more of the mindset that you want a professional tutor for your child, there are a few things you should take into consideration. Does the tutor regularly attend teaching or tutoring courses?  Research suggests that tutors, who maintain a rigorous learning schedule themselves, often produce better results in their tutees. Does this tutor encourage communication between themselves and your child’s teachers?  The most successfully tutored children have been tutored in a manner that closely mirrors their regular school curriculum and whose tutor openly communicates with the child’s teachers and vice versa.  Does the tutor you are considering use a structured teaching model?  Having a teaching plan is essential; it’s why schools implement an approved curriculum.  If, when interviewing candidates, their academic tutoring style does not have an obvious structure, map or plan, you should consider using someone who does.  A structured teaching plan is not only necessary to tracking a child’s progress but it also helps the child and the parents understand what can be expected of the tutor.

Secondly, the drawbacks of academic tutoring are of a time-sensitive nature.  Studies suggest that students who wait to receive academic assistance through tutoring benefit less. Therefore the sooner you begin the more effective it will be and the greater the results will be.  To be more specific, waiting until you are at a college level to seek out assistance may not do much good.  When you reach the post-secondary level, if you are having trouble in an area such as math, chances are your trouble derives from an earlier mistaken understanding that will be difficult to identify or remedy at this stage.  Therefore the earlier you delve into academic tutoring the sooner you will remedy misconceptions and create a strong foundation to build on in future academic endeavors.

There is one area, however, where academic tutoring has proven to be incredibly successful at any stage in life or education.  That is reading and comprehension.  With the right guidance and instruction, people learn how to read and absorb what they are reading four times faster than if they are left to learn on their own. Reading and understanding what you’re reading is half the battle; an above average comprehension of the English language can put you ahead of the curve in many areas of education.  The better you understand the question at hand, the better you will be able to formulate an intelligent response and perhaps academic tutoring is the road to get your child to that point.

Finally, there are a lot of factors to consider when deciding if academic tutoring is right for your child. Keep in mind that everyone can benefit to some degree from expanding their educational horizons. You might learn a new word, a new way of looking at things or even discover the simplicity behind something that was once a complicated mystery to you.  Ask yourself if this is something that would benefit your child, if it is then you can start your academic tutoring search online immediately and find out what’s available to you in your area.

This guest post was written by Merlyn Gertel, on behalf of Score at the Top, a professional academic tutoring company, offering students all the tools needed to succeed. To know more about benefits of home schooling, you may visit About.com.

If you go by the latest statistics, use of tennis ball machines has increased by 8% over the last 10 years. Reasons behind the growing popularity of the machine, is the fact that even the smallest machine can hold up to 50 balls and the robust machines are capable of housing 400 hundred balls. So, you get the opportunity of practicing for long and improve your tennis skills.

Let us have a look into some of the features of the tennis ball machines:

Capacity constitutes the first important feature of the tennis ball machines. While some of the machines can hold up to 400 hundred balls, there are the smaller machines that can hold around 50 balls. Again, while some are higher, others are lower, so you need to make your choice according to your convenience.

Oscillation is another feature of tennis ball machines. This feature enables a machine to shoot balls randomly. If you are buying a high brand machine, you can expect it to shoot balls in different directions.

Feed ball rate feature refers to the total number of balls the machine is able to feed a player. Good ones allow you to set comfortable ranges. This range varies from 2 seconds to 12 seconds. Tennis ball machines that gives you better control will cost more.

Ejection rate or the speed, at which a ball is thrown constitutes another feature of the tennis ball machines. A good throwing range will be around 10miles/hour and 60miles/hour. If you are an amateur, it is better to opt for the slower speeds.

Spinning of the ball is very vital like in any other game. Modern machines come with varying spins such as backspin, top spin etc. Good machines can spin in different directions and this offers an even more realistic experience to the player.

Trajectory statistics constitute the key to the overall performance of the machine. Good tennis machines offer groundstrokes or high lobs like any other games. You gain better control over the game with wider shots. The machine should not be too heavy, so that you don't find it difficult to carry it around the court.

Last but lost the least; the source of power is another vital consideration that you must not overlook. While some run on batteries, others are power driven. It is better you go with the models, which are run on battery, as it might be difficult for you to find power sources near tennis courts.

So, if you are interested in the game of tennis, tennis ball machines can turn out to be a boon for you. You will have a lovely time practicing with machine, without waiting for anyone to assist you. So, browse online to come across the machine of your choice and start practicing to become a pro in almost no time.

This guest post was written by Kendra Lofstrom on behalf of Pitching Machine Pro, who specializes in softball and baseball pitching machines. To know more about the game of tennis, you may also visit USTA website.

When you think of taking an island getaway, odds are you imagining lazing about on one beach or on one island. If you are looking for a bit more intrigue, adventure, and variety than that, however, you might want to consider Greece vacations for your island experience. Greece is home to so many islands, it’s not even clear how many there actually are. Count estimates generally fall between 6000 and 12,000. The dispute lies in what the definition of an island is; there is no consistent agreement on how large the land has to be considered an island. It is known, however, that over 150 are inhabited, with 78 having more than 100 inhabitants. Though only a small fraction of the islands are well inhabited, Greece still boasts many, many islands to explore, and each of them comes with its own set of adventures.

If you think a relaxed, tropical vibe is the ideal way to spend Greece vacations, look no further than Mykonos. This place has everything: hiking, beaches, windsurfing, local shops, and even a lively nightclub scene. Mykonos is a beautiful island, making it ideal for relaxation. It tends to be thought of as a more traditional island vacation spot than some of Greece’s more historic attractions and locations, though it still has a rich history of its own.

If variety is what you’re looking for on one of your Greece vacations, you will want to visit the country’s largest island, Crete. Crete is home to modern conveniences, such as shopping, nightclubs, resorts, and world-renowned restaurants, but it also hosts many of the historic features that make Greece famous, such as ruins, ancient cities, and archeological dig sites. Crete’s natural features are every bit as varied as its cultural attractions. From mountains to beaches, from evergreen forests to palm groves, Crete truly has something for everyone. The variety in the landscape opens it up to a range of activities as well. You can go swimming one day and hiking the next without having to go very far at all. If you’re looking to take in many activities without having to wonder very far, Crete is absolutely the Greek island for you.

If the thought of Greece vacations stir up your artistic side, you’ll want to stop by the beautiful, scenic island of Santorini. Sparkling white villas nestled among volcanic cliffs on the edge of the crisp Aegean Sea – few places in the world are more breathtaking. This island is notorious for attracting artists and photographers, all eager to capture its striking beauty; however, you need not hold an artistic occupation to simply relax here and enjoy the scenery. Santorini’s beautiful can be appreciated by anyone and everyone.

These islands represent a mere fraction of the possibilities that await for you on your future Greece vacations. There are dozens more with fantastic scenery, attractions, and potential for adventure or relaxation. Wherever you decide to go on your vacation to Greece, you are guaranteed to have a wonderful and memorable experience, and will probably be ready to come back and try a new Greek island in no time!

This guest post was written by Cheryll Hovantzi, on behalf of Hellenic Holidays, which specializes in Greece vacation packages. To know about travel packing tips, you may visit About.com.

A good Pilates studio will ensure you get the right idea about movements and positions while beginning the exercise regimen. Breathing techniques have an important role to play in any kind of exercise. Experienced trainers in studios will help you with proper breathing methods, position and movements.

For proper breathing during Pilates, you need to first lie down on your back with your legs slightly bent and keens pointed at the ceilings. You will have trainers in Pilate studio, who shall instruct you to rest your hands on your abdomen under the belly bottom. You should keep on inhaling and exhaling. At this point, you shall get a feeling that your diaphragm is stretching from one end to the other.

There is a position called neutral position that is repeated in many exercises. It is a good way to work on the same muscles. Experts in Pilates studio call this position the neutral spine or the neutral pelvis position.

When you lie straight on your back, you can see two areas of your spine not touching the ground. One is the area at the lower back and the other under your neck. These are the two natural curvatures of your spinal cord. Familiarizing yourself with these areas will help you maintain the curves while you are lying down or sitting. You need to adjust yourself, until your curvature feels relaxed. Before you start, your Pilates exercise sessions or whenever you want to take a break, make sure to begin with neutral position.

Imprint is another foundational exercise practiced in Pilates studio. In this, the trainers will ask you to lie on your back like the previous exercises. Every part of your body must feel relaxed. You should focus on your breathing pattern when you allow your abdominal muscles drop towards the spinal cord. You should then relax your legs, hips and feel your spine sinking in the mat. You will feel relaxed when you pull up your belly button.

Beginners in a Pilates studio start with Swan Prep that helps spine relax in-between the workouts. For doing this, you need to lie on your back with arms close to your body and do the spinal stretch. Thereafter, you need to pull your hands over your shoulders, while keeping the shoulders below your ears. Instructors and trainers in good Pilates studios will ensure that you are following the proper breathing techniques while exercising.

After this, you need to stretch your spine and head as if you are reaching the sky. Your elbows will be bent slightly when you press your hands and lift your upper body. You need to slowly lower your back down. You should be breathing in while you lift and breathe out as your drop. You can repeat this few times holding this particular pose.

So, as you can understand only trainers in a good Pilates studio shall give so much attention to details while you exercise. So, if you want to enjoy a new fitness level, make sure to get in touch with experts of good studios.

This guest post was written by Joslyn Handzel, who works on behalf of The Pilates Flow, a leading Pilates studio in Bukit Timah, Singapore. To know more about breathing techniques during exercises, you may also refer to eHow.

If you have decided to go for a basement construction project, you need to deliberate upon a number of important factors. Basement construction calls for attention to details like lighting, cooling and heating, wiring, waterproofing, electrical, plumbing and other related aspects. If any of the above-mentioned aspects are overlooked, you will not be successful in your remodeling or construction project.

Let us look into the parameters to be considered in course of the construction procedure:

Experts suggest that the very first thing that you need to analyze, while constructing a basement in an existing structure, is to find out if the structure will be able to withstand the construction work or not. It can be a challenge and must be entrusted on construction specialists only to ensure that the top levels are well supported.

Time is a very crucial factor in any basement construction project. You cannot complete the basement construction in a hurry and the soil condition plays important role in determining how the construction work must go.

Once the setting and preliminary preparations are done, waterproofing becomes the next important level.

Remodeling projects are comparatively easier than the construction projects. Contractors, in case of remodeling projects, use partitions in wide-open spaces for diving rooms. Different color schemes and patterns can be used to create the kind of environment you want.

Height of the ceiling is another challenge, which basement construction specialists often encounter. In case the basement ceiling is too low, you might have to consider remodeling it again. Even the covering ducts are removed at times, if the need arises.

Factors like temperature and flooring are given due consideration during the basement construction project. Basement waterproofing becomes essential, when you have a concrete floor, to keep it damp and moisture free. Together with this, the walls must be sealed and there should be provision for floor heating as well.

Lighting is another important consideration during a basement-remodeling venture. Proper lighting arrangements are a must since basements are dark. At least one window must be added in the course of construction.

It is thus very important that the minute factors as well as the purpose must be kept in mind when it comes to any basement construction project.

You might have observed that basements are constructed along with the rest of construction in large buildings, because they employ skilled contractors, who are careful about slopes around the foundation and thus need not wait through the settling period.

So, if you do not want to live on top of an unbalanced basement, do not mind spending a little bit extra while hiring the construction specialists. You may get your work done at cheaper rates, but later suffer from irreparable damages. So, if you want to ensure that your basement is being constructed with good quality materials, you can browse online and get idea about good contractors near your locality. You can look into the testimonials and gather feedback from others who have hired them before, to entrust them the responsibility of handling your basement construction project.

This guest post was written by Rosita Schwark on behalf of Abbey Pynford, a leading London basement company. To know more about basement finishing, you may also visit About.com.

If you’re looking at working in a facility that allows gambling in Queensland, you probably already know that you will require a Responsible Service of Gambling (RSG) certificate. What you might not know is that training and gambling regulations vary from state to state, so you will have to look for state specific training. You must obtain your RSG QLD training and certificate to work in a gambling facility in Queensland.

Taking online training is an increasingly popular option. Who can argue with flexible training times, and the ability to study and complete the course at your own pace, not to mention the ability to take tests nerve and stress-free in the comfort of your own home? It certainly is an appealing option, but caution must be exercised when searching for courses. Many search engines are intuitive to location, so there is a strong chance that search will yield local results, but errors do happen. Be sure that you are not registering in courses for other states, or even other countries! Some of the course material might be the same, but the certification will be invalid unless it is approved for Queensland.

Keep in mind, too, that having gone through RSG QLD training once does not necessarily leave you off the hook for good. In Queensland you will required to redo your training and certification every three years. Don’t assume you can just breeze through the course the second or third time around based on what you already know. In fact, you should pay closer attention when you are re-training, because regulations might have changed. Often these changes are very small and might be easy to miss, so it is important that you go over every detail as carefully as possible. Over-confidence or a failure to pay attention could lead to some very serious legal trouble, and a scarred business reputation. Your safest bet is to keep on top of industry and regulatory changes, and pay close attention in your training. This will save you a world of trouble in the long run.

Your RSG QLD training is more than just a technicality; it’s a great way to learn your industry and how the regulations of laws of Queensland affect your business and operations. Participating in Queensland specific Responsible Service of Gambling training courses and certificates do more than just show your customers that you follow the law; it shows that you take a great deal of pride in your role, your business, and your location.

This guest post was written by Marquita Tegethoff on behalf of CFT QLD one of Australia's largest online RSA, RSG and food safety training providers. To know more about gambling careers online, you may visit About.com.

Domestic cleaning services in Canterbury follows modern cleaning methods to cope with the changing requirements. Factors like the kind of cleaning that is required, cleaners used and the place play important role in determining the cleanliness that you expect. Domestic cleaners Canterbury can be hired for regular domestic cleaning works and you can enjoy a sparkling home.

Since it is not possible for us to perform the daily cleaning task all by ourselves, it becomes important to hire domestic cleaning experts in Canterbury. Cleaning experts have the requisite cleaning materials and equipments that ensure maximum cleanliness. Today, experts no longer rely on the traditional soaps, and cloth for cleaning dirty surfaces. There are special treatments done to preserve textures and colors of surfaces to be cleaned. Concepts of steam cleaning and dry cleaning have emerged out of the modern cleaning methods. Professional domestic cleaners are not those who help you with babysitting. You cannot expect experts from domestic cleaning firms in Canterbury to cook for your child. The experts concentrate on cleanliness of the house only and ensure that the assigned tasks get over within the stipulated time. For instance, if you have assigned them the task of cleaning windows, the experts will use necessary solutions, solvents and other materials required to get the windows cleaned. Before getting into the task, they will count the number of windows, their position, size and estimate time required to accomplish the task. Professional domestic cleaners get into the job after consideration of all these factors. Therefore, if you get in touch with the professional cleaners you can expect maximum satisfaction as well as systematic and timely delivery of work.

If you wish, you can take up the cleaning task yourself, however; if you want a professional touch to it, it is advisable you contact domestic cleaners in Canterbury. A home is a place of refuge, where you rest after entire day's hard work. It is a place where you spend some precious moments with your loved ones. It is thus your responsibility to keep your home neat and tidy. Hiring domestic cleaning professionals in Canterbury will save you from taking the trouble of cleaning during the weekends and you can enjoy your time with your family members, while the house gets a makeover in the hands of the experts.

So, if you are planning to hire domestic cleaners for your home, you can look online and get idea about the fees they charge and the kind of services that you can expect. You should be clear about what you are looking for, as this will help you to distinguish a good cleaner from the rest. What suits others may not be suitable for you, so you should make a list of your requirements and match them with the services they offer. So, this way you can be careful in the selection you make. You will love to stay in a home that is sparkling clean and germ free as well.

If you have just finished your graduation and are out looking for a job, but don’t have a professional CV to go ahead with? Then you need help and that means help via CV samples. A CV or curriculum vitae, is the most essential document for – a student or a mid-level manager – looking out for jobs.

Have you heard the old saying, "never judge a book by its cover", unfortunately this phrase does not really work in a business world. Because here, the book (or a candidate), IS judged by its cover (or a CV) when being appointed for a job. In the corporate world, a CV acts as a form of 2-way communication before any face-to-face interviews that takes place between an employer and an employee or between a recruiter and a candidate. Therefore, one cannot risk making a mistake while writing a CV as you wouldn’t be seated in front of the recruiter/employer to rectify that mistake.

After having applied or mailed your CV for a job, a candidate is unable to do anything apart from waiting for interview calls from prospective employers. A candidate can neither go over to the office nor call the office desk to check on the status of their job interview. Because hereon, your CV acts as your mouthpiece; speaking on your behalf to a recruiter or an employer by highlighting your work, educational experience, goals, achievements, and objectives in life. So before sending out or emailing your CV make sure that it isn’t overloaded with irrelevant information for others to read.

As recruiters' deduce a candidates profile or personality via CV, it is advisable for one to write their CV with careful diction. Sometimes, while writing a CV, we may leave out or skip some information in areas that pertain to personal information. You may do this to avoid any discomfort on your part, but for a recruiter, a CV lacking vital information is a sure sign of a candidate's laziness and untruthful personality. So don’t leave anything blank, fill details that are legal and worthy of being your support system during your interview.

Most of the time, a CV will either have excessive information that recruiters don’t want to know, or very little information that downplays a recruiter's curiosity. So, how should one balance out information in a CV? To help you create a better and balanced out professional CV, are online companies that offer writing services tailor made for all job descriptions and are without any error.

A good CV sample has the following features:
•    They come in a variety (that is, catering to each industry) highlighting all aspects of a job post.

•    Some samples, which are creatively designed break the barrier of a vaguely formatted CV and the text is laid out in a structured format that is professional and appealing.

A good CV sample also highlights a candidate's professional experience in such a way that the employer need not read in between the lines to find out more details. So get creative and purchase CV samples that will surely boost you on a recruiter's list, today!

It can be said that a good music photographer is almost as important as musicians themselves in terms of preserving music and cultural history. Though these photographers may not be able to capture the sounds that made their musician subjects famous, they capture everything else that surrounded them: their looks, their fans, their concerts, their most candid moments. Capturing the essence of everything the musician was helps to create a snapshot of culture at that time, and becomes an important part of preserving our cultural history.

One music photographer who left his mark on the music industry with his striking and often candid images of some of the world’s biggest musicians is Jim Marshall. His greatest and most famous achievements include photographing country legend Johnny Cash at San Quentin, as well as serving as the chief photographer at the infamous Woodstock music festival in 1969. Other career highlights include photographing the Beatles at their final concert (the only photographer given allowed to do so), and capturing the stunning image of Jimi Hendrix setting his guitar on fire on stage at the Monterey Pop Festival.

Jim Marshall’s talent as a music photographer rested in his ability to capture every side of his subjects, creating a complete, complex, and very human portrait of each of them. One of his most famous shots of Johnny Cash is an image of the country star with a defiant snarl on his face, extending his middle finger at the camera, showcasing his tough exterior, the product of a well-documented rough life. On the other hand, yet another famous photo in the Johnny Cash series is one of him tenderly and serenely embracing his wife, June Carter Cash. The photo shows a very human and loving side of the singer, and when put together with the first photograph tells the story of a very complex and multidimensional human being.

It’s safe to say that as a music photographer, Jim Marshall made his rock star subjects more accessible to their fans by photographing them in very real, everyday moments, on top of capturing their performances. It’s easy to think of musicians as being super humans who only exist on stage and whose every move is in some way more grand or perfect than those of everyday humans. By capturing some of the more vulnerable moments, as well as backstage images that show musicians as very normal people before their stage personas take over, Jim Marshall broke down the invisible wall that separates people from the rock stars they admire and worship. These moments of humanity were at times beautiful, at times tragic, and at times surprisingly mundane, proving that rock stars are just like everybody else.

Jim Marshall served as an influence for many, many other photographers since who have chosen to use musicians as their primary subject matter. Sadly, he passed away in his sleep in 2010 at the age of 74. His loss was mourned not only by fellow photographers, but by musicians, historians, and pop culture aficionados. We will forever be remembered as a brilliant music photographer who gave us all a glimpse into the lives of rock stars.