Travel Games

One of my favorite travel games is chess. Okay, it's just one of my favorite games, and I have three-ounce set with a cloth board, so I can take it anywhere. The last time I used it was in the town center of a small pueblo in the Andes Mountains. The games below are primarily car travel games, but can be adapted to other forms of travel too. Have fun!

Educational Travel Games

Some games get you thinking, learning something, or at least showing off what you know. Here's one for the family. Have the driver, or another designated host, asks questions like "What temperature does water boil at?" or "What's the Capital of Columbia?" or "With sales tax of 7.6%, what's the total cost of a $23 sweater?" For the kids to love this one, you may have to pay twenty-five cents for each right answer.

Another car travel game starts with someone looking out the window and randomly selecting an object. Players then try to imagine a creative way to make money with it. Old barns become places to advertise, cows are rented out for kids parties, and an house that is being moved becomes a traveling discotheque.

"Red Car" Travel Games

Guess how many red cars will pass in the next ten miles or ten minutes. It can also be blue cars, trucks, or whatever everyone agrees to. It's considered bad form for the driver to slow down, letting more cars pass, so his guess will be the closest.

One classic travel game involves the alphabet. Try to spot something starting with an "a", and be the first to call it out ("apple tree!"). Since the Qs and Xes are difficult, they can be skipped. The player with the most "firsts," is the winner.

Using the radio, you can have a game in which everyone tries to be the first to call out the name of the artist when a song starts. Then change the station, so you don't have to wait through a whole song to continue the contest. In one car radio game, each player chooses a word. The player whose word is spoken (or sung) first on the radio is the winner.

Here is one you can play anywhere. Someone starts a story with a sentence or two, then each person in turn adds a line to the story. It can get personal, but this usually creates a story that has everyone laughing.

Try one of these on your next trip, especially if you have a car full of kids. They are easy, and unlike my chess game, you don't need anything but a few people to play these travel games.

Steve Gillman hit the road at sixteen, and traveled the U.S. and Mexico alone at 17. Now 40, he travels with his wife Ana, whom he met in Ecuador. For travel stories, tips and a free e-book, visit: http://www.EverythingAboutTravel.com

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About the Author: One of my favorite travel games is chess. Okay, it's just one of my favorite games, and I have three-ounce set with a cloth board, so I can take it anywhere. The last time I used it was in the town center of a small pueblo in the Andes Mountains. The games below are primarily car travel games, but can be adapted to other forms of travel too. Have fun!

Secrets Behind Old Glory Revealed Part 2

Nathan T. Lynch

E-mail:webmaster@synergizemarketing.com

The famous name of ‘Old Glory’ was originated in 1831 by Captain William Driver, a shipmaster from Salem, Massachusetts. As he was leaving on one of his many voyages aboard his ship the ‘Charles Doggett’, his friends presented him with a beautiful flag of twenty four stars. As the banner opened and waved in the ocean breeze for the first time, he cried out "Old Glory!" By the time the Civil War broke out, just about everybody in and around Nashville, where he had retired in 1837, recognized Captain Driver's banner as "Old Glory." William Driver's grave rests in the old Nashville City Cemetery and is one of only three places authorized by an act of Congress where the Flag of the United States can be flown 24 hours a day - quite an honor.

Although schools around the country had already been celebrating the American flag’s ‘birthday’ on June 14 every year for over 30 years, it wasn’t until August 3, 1949, that President Truman signed an Act of Congress designating June 14th as National Flag Day.

During the War of 1812, a young lawyer and amateur poet named Francis Scott Key wrote what later became the United State’s National Anthem. While witnessing the final enemy attack on Fort McHenry during the War of 1812, he became greatly inspired by the flag’s survival through the bombings and fires. He wrote his verses on the back of a letter he had in his pocket and after his brother had the words published, it immediately became popular across the country. In October of that year, a Baltimore actor sang Mr. Key’s song in a public performance calling it "The Star-Spangled Banner". History had been made and finally, on March 3, 1931, his song was adopted as our national anthem.

As a child growing up in the United States, you learned to pledge your allegiance to the American flag. But did you know, that after all the current controversy about omitting the ‘Under G-d’ part, that the original pledge went like this: "I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands - one nation indivisible - with liberty and justice for all." Ironic, isn’t it? But true nonetheless. That original Pledge of Allegiance was written by Francis Bellamy on September 8, 1892. Bellamy was a circulation manager in Rome, New York and printed those words on thousands of leaflets that were sent out to public schools across the country. Then, on October 12, 1892, more than 12 million children recited the Pledge of Allegiance in their morning classes, thereby beginning a mandatory school-day ritual.

Need eagle with the american flag? Check out American flag for all of your old glory needs.
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Finally! Secrets Behind Old Glory Revealed

Nathan T. Lynch

E-mail:webmaster@synergizemarketing.com

If you are an American and grew up attending school in the United States, you were taught the lesson of how Betsy Ross sewed together the first American flag in 1776. But how many recall exactly what the stripes, the stars and the colors represent?

Believe it or not, the colors red, white, and blue didn’t have any significance when the flag was adopted in 1777. The Continental Congress actually passed a resolution on July 4, 1776 which authorized a committee to come up with a seal for the United States of America. That committee was instructed to create a design that reflected the Founding Fathers' beliefs of values and independence for the new Nation. It wasn’t until the seal was completed and approved on June 20, 1782 that the national colors and symbols on the American flag had any defined meaning. The explanation for the flag’s design, taken from a book written by the House of Representatives during that time, is as follows:

* The Stripes – White to denote purity and innocence – Red to represent hardiness and valor
* The Field – Blue for vigilance, perseverance and justice
* The Star - “…a symbol of the heavens and the divine goal to which man has aspired from time immemorial; the stripe is symbolic of the rays of light emanating from the sun."

In 1777, the number of stripes was congressionally mandated to stand at thirteen to represent the original thirteen colonies, however, designs throughout America still varied greatly. A hero of the War of 1812 and Naval Officer named Samuel Chester Reid got together with New York Congressman Peter H. Wendover in 1818 and initiated a bill to establish uniformity for the design of the American flag. Samuel Reid was the person who actually suggested that stars be added as new states were admitted into the Union. That bill was passed on April 4, 1818.

Over the years, there have been twenty-seven versions of the flag. The current design dates to July 4, 1960, when Hawaii became the United States of America’s 50th state.

You should fly your flag from sunrise to sunset, especially on suggested holidays and any additional state and local holidays, but only if weather permits:

New Year's Day, January 1 * Inauguration Day, January 20 * Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday, 3rd Mon in Jan * Lincoln's Birthday, February 12 * Washington's Birthday, 3rd Mon in Feb * Patriots Day, * Armed Forces Day, 3rd Sat in May * Memorial Day (half-staff until noon), last Mon in May Flag Day, June 14 * Independence Day, July 4th * Labor Day, 1st Mon in Sep
Constitution Day, September 17 * Columbus Day, October 12th * Navy Day, October 27 * Veterans Day, November 11 * Thanksgiving Day, 4th Thu in November.

Need American flag clipart? Then check out American flag for all of your old glory needs.
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The Art Of Note Taking

by: Scott Palat

By following these ten steps, you will become a more efficient note taker and this will help improve your overall study skills. With good note taking skills, better grades are just around the corner.

1. If possible, sit near the front and center of the class. You will be less likely to become distracted and will probably find staying focused easier.

2. Use a binder instead of a traditional notebook. This way you can add, rearrange, or rewrite pages of your notes, insert handouts and assessments in the appropriate chronological order and review the material covered in the chapter/unit much easier.

3. Put headings and the date on all papers. Organize them chronologically in your binder.

4. Take notes on loose-leaf paper and keep them organized in a three-ring binder. Make sure that you hole punch and add all of the handouts, assignments, quizzes, tests, etc. to your binder. It usually is best if everything for the entire chapter/unit is kept in chronological order in your binder.

5. Think about what is being said before you write anything down. Do not write down everything the teacher says. Pick out important phrases, terms, and concepts to focus on.

6. Record any examples the teacher may give while lecturing. Examples are extremely important in creating connections in your brain and in helping to jog your memory while studying.

7. Look for cues that teachers give to indicate that something is important. For instance, they may repeat something a few times, change the volume or tone of their voice, write it on the board or overhead, and/or creates lists for you. Be sure to ask them to repeat what they have just said if you miss the initial cue but later realize that you should be writing the material down.

8. Leave some space between portions of your notes so you can make additional comments as you study or read the text.

9. Re-write or even re-TYPE your notes. Not only will your notes be much more organized and make studying easier, but the practice of re-writing notes gives you another opportunity to think about the material as you write or type it again. Make sure that you re- write them in a timely manner. The more time that passes between taking the original notes and re-writing them, the less effective this strategy is.

10. Review these notes often. The more times you see them, the easier it is to commit them to memory and the less time you will spend studying them prior to the test.

Go to www.live-etutor.com to learn more about online tutoring and watch a virtual tour inside of our online classroom. All tutors are screened, qualified and ready to help your child get better grades!

About The Author Scott Palat graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a Health and Physical Education degree. In 2002, Scott started www.ehomeworkhelp.com because he saw a need to help struggling students complete their homework assignments and understand their schoolwork. Since this time, E Homework Help inc. and http://www.live-etutor.com have helped hundreds of students get better grades. See what online tutoring with voice is all about. Our private tutors will help you get better grades and this is a guarantee. View a demonstration right now. Go to http://www.live-etutor.com for more information.

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Choice Theory

by: Kim Olver

You have listened to me for a year now talking about Choice Theory but I know I’ve never really explained what Choice Theory is. Choice Theory is actually an explanation of all human behavior developed by Dr. William Glasser.

There are basically five components of this theory—the basic human needs, the quality world, the perceived world, the comparing place and total behavior. I’ll give a brief overview of each one, starting with the five basic human needs.

The Basic Human Needs

We are born with five basic human needs—survival, love & belonging, power, freedom and fun. We are all born with these needs but we experience them to varying degrees. One person might have a high love & belonging need, while another person is high in freedom. We are born with these needs and are biologically driven to get them met in the best way available to us.

The Quality World

This is a place that exists inside all of us where we store pictures of things that have satisfied one or more of our basic needs in the past or things we think may satisfy them in the future. These things do not have to meet society’s definition of quality. Alcohol is in the quality world of an alcoholic, steeling cars in the quality world of a car thief, and domestic violence is in the quality world of a batterer. The only two requirements for entry into the quality world are that it meets one or more of our needs and it feels good.

The Perceived World

There is much to be said about the perceived world but for the purposes of this article, all I want to say is that we each have our own perceptions of the world. Our sensory system takes in information through sight, touch, sound, taste and scent, however we all have unique ways of processing that information based on our life experiences, our culture, and our values.

The main thing to remember about the perceived world is that if you encounter others whose perceived world doesn’t match yours, it doesn’t mean one of you is wrong. It simply means you are different. Remembering this simply statement will reduce much of the disagreements and fighting that occurs in people’s lives. Acceptance of this fact would mean we could give up the need to convince others of our point of view. We could simply accept the fact that we see things differently and move on.

The Comparing Place

The comparing place is where we weigh what we want from our quality world against our perceptions of what we believe we are actually getting. When these two things are a match, all is well.

However, when our perceptions and quality world don’t line up, in other words we perceive we are not in possession of the things we want, then we are driven to action to get those things we are thinking about. People generally don’t make a lot of progress or change the things they are currently doing unless they are in some degree of discomfort—the greater the pain the more motivation to try something different.

This is where conventional wisdom tells us that if we want what’s best for other people in our lives, then it is our responsibility to raise their pain level to get them to do things differently because we generally know what’s best for them. Right?

Wrong. We can only know what’s best for ourselves. Remember, our perceived worlds are all different. We have unique values and experiences. How can we possibly know what’s best for someone else when we haven’t been in their skin or lived their life? We can only know what’s best for ourselves.

Total Behavior

There are two main things about behavior. One is that all behavior is purposeful and two is that all behavior is total. Let’s begin with the idea that all behavior is total. There are four inseparable components of behavior—action, thinking, feeling and physiology. These all exist simultaneously during any given behavior in which we engage. The first two components—acting and thinking—are the only components over which we can have direct control. This means that if we want to change how we are feeling or something that is happening in our bodies (physiology), then we must first consciously change what we are doing or how we are thinking.

As for all behavior being purposeful, all behavior is our best attempt to get something we want. We are never acting in response to some external stimulus. We are always acting proactively to get something we want. This means that when I would yell at my son to clean his room after asking him nicely several times, I wasn’t yelling because my son “made me mad.” I was yelling because I was still using my best attempt to get him to do what I wanted, which was to clean his room. This seems like I’m splitting hairs but it’s an important distinction to make when you are attempting to move from a victim’s role to that of an empowered person.

The Implications

Choice Theory pretty much rids us of the idea that people are “misbehaving.” All anyone is doing is their best attempt to get something they want. Of course in the process, they may break laws, disregard rules and hurt others but those are really side effects of doing the best they know how to get their needs met. We are all doing our best—some of us simply have better tools, resources and behaviors at our disposal than others.

If we embrace Choice Theory’s concepts, then our function should be more to educate and help others self-evaluate the effectiveness of their own behavior. Know that often they will continue to do things exactly as they have because it’s familiar and/or because what they are doing really is getting them something they want. It is not our job to stop them, nor is it our job to rescue them from the consequences of their own behavior.

We can only make our best attempt to help others evaluate the effectiveness of their behavior and to choose a different way that perhaps is not against the rules or doesn’t hurt the person or someone else. Then, we need to get out of the way and let the situation play out. This may seem hard to do—like you aren’t doing your job as a parent, teacher, counselor, or supervisor, however, I ask, what is the alternative?

When you attempt to force or coerce or bribe another person to do things he or she doesn’t want to do, you may be successful. You may be able to find the right reward or create a painful enough consequence to get another person to do what you want but in so doing you are breeding resentment and contempt. Your relationship will suffer. If you believe, as I do, that relationship is the root of all influence, then you are losing your ability to influence another by using external control.

About The Author Kim Olver has over 20 years experience in staff development and supervision and is an expert in leadership skills, staff relationships and diversity. Certified in reality therapy/choice theory/lead management/quality school concepts, she works with counselors, schools and businesses to apply these ideas http://coachingforexcellence.biz/ChoiceTheory.shtml Found at http://www.ArticleCity.com/

Four Learning Styles

by: Jean Morgan


There are four learning styles that most people fit in to. Visual/verbal, tactile/kinesthetic, visual/non verbal and auditory/verbal. These four learning styles will help you to understand and process any information given to you. Once you know which style you fall in to, you can begin learning the best ways for you to study.
The visual/verbal learning style means that you learn the best from viewing information both visually and in a written format. It works best for you when your instructor uses the blackboard or an overhead projector. If the most important parts of a lecture are put into a bulletin format or used in an outline, you will find it much easier to follow along. Textbook information and class notes will be a great way for you to study and when you're trying to retain information or remember something, you often can "see" it or picture it in your mind.
Of the four learning styles, the visual/verbal person will want to use color coding to help them retain information from books or notes. Highlighters and different colored pens are a great way for this learner to absorb information. Summarizing important information from your notes or textbook is another good way for you to retain what you have learned. This person might also try flashcards, diagrams, illustrations and print-outs to aid in studying.
The second of the four learning styles is visual/non verbal. This person learns best when they are presented with pictures or visual aids. Instructors who incorporate film, videos, maps or diagrams will hold the attention of the visual/verbal learner. You may not find study groups helpful and would prefer to work in a quiet room. If you're trying to remember something, you might picture it in your mind. These learners often tend to be very artistic.
To aid in your retention of information, the visual/non verbal learner should try using flashcards that have important information on them. Illustrating them with pictures and symbols is another good way to help the information to be retained as well as using highlighters and pens.
The third of the four learning styles is tactile/kinesthetic. This learner enjoys "hands on" activities in the classroom. Any type of lab setting or field work will help this type of person to understand the information given. Instructor's that provide their students with demonstrations, presentations or student learning experiences will be helping the tactile/kinesthetic person learn.
Lectures might be hard for this person to sit through, and that's why it's important for them to sit in the front and take notes. Spelling shouldn't be a concern when you're writing notes and you should write down important words you here or draw pictures to depict them.
When you're studying, try incorporating action into it- read when you're on the exercise bike or walk back and forth while reciting information.
The last of the four learning styles is auditory/verbal. The auditory/verbal learner works best when information is given to them in an oral format. Lectures and group discussions work well for you and listening to audio tape information is a good idea too.
To study more efficiently, you might want to join a study group or find a person that you work with every day for a few hours on certain material. Read information out loud and tape record your lectures.
About The Author
Jean Morgan has several learning websites:
http://www.businessstudent.co.uk
http://www.kinverweb.co.uk
http://www.myinternetmarketingresources.com
jean@jeanmorgan.org



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Getting Educated

by: Deanna Mascle

1. In 1949, following the Communists' victory in the civil war between Communists and Nationalists, the Common Program establishes the right of all citizens to education and the responsibility of the state to provide it. In which country did this take place?

A. Cuba
B. China
C. Japan
D. Vietnam

B. China
QQ: How many people got that right? The year shouldn’t have left much room for doubt…

2. The 20th century has been marked by the emergence of national school systems among developing nations, particularly in Asia and Africa. Compulsory elementary education has become nearly universal, but evidence indicates that large numbers of children do not attend school? Can you guess how many of those that age 6 to 18 throughout the world do not attend school?

A. 20 percent
B. 30 percent
C. 40 percent
D. 50 percent

D. 50 percent
QQ: That number is far too high. The QuizQueen was outraged that she only discovered it by accident and that there is not a far greater outcry about the issue.

3. During the Middle Ages, what organization helped preserve learning, especially by saving the manuscripts of Classical Greece and Rome?

A. Monasteries
B. Monarchies
C. Masons
D. Knights Templar

A. Monasteries
QQ: Much history and learning would have been lost if the Monks had not preserved and copied ancient manuscripts.

4. Did one of these educational advances not take place during the ninth century?

A. Emperor Charlemagne instituted a revival of learning
B. Al Qarawiyin University was established in Fes, Morocco
C. King Alfred the Great initiated a revival of learning
D. Muslims and Jews promoted education within their own societies and also served as translators who brought ancient Greek thought to European scholars
E. They are all true!

E. They are all true!
QQ: These events still have implications for modern educators and students.

5. What movement led to the creation of elementary and secondary schools in the 16th century?

A. The Renaissance
B. The Humanist
C. The Reformation
D. The Counter Reformation

C. The Reformation
QQ: Martin Luther’s Reformation movement led to the creation of Protestant elementary and secondary schools, although the Counter Reformation later led to the Jesuits setting up a Roman Catholic school system in many countries.

6. During which century were the foundations laid for the possibility of mass education?

A. 20th
B. 19th
C. 18th
D. 17th

C. 18th
QQ: During this century Prussia established a school system, Peter the Great began a formal education system in Russia, schools and colleges were developed in Colonial America, and education reforms resulted from the French Revolution. In addition, in England the Sunday school movement was initiated for the benefit of poor and working children.

7. Which educator developed the teaching method that stresses development of initiative and self-reliance by permitting children to do by themselves the things that interest them, but within strictly disciplined limits?

A. Maria Montessori of Italy
B. Johann Herbart of Germany
C. Horace Mann of the United States
D. Herbert Spencer of England

A. Maria Montessori of Italy
QQ: She first introduced the now world-famous Montessori Method in 1907.

8. Educational systems in the Western world were based on the educational methods of which religious tradition?

A. Roman Catholic
B. Jewish
C. Hindu
D. Buddhist

B. Jewish
QQ: Surprised? You shouldn’t be!

9. Which ancient Greek philosopher created the foundation for the liberal arts education widely embraced by Western educators?

A. Plato
B. Isocrates
C. Aristotle
D. Socrates

B. Isocrates
QQ: He believed in teaching the whole student—mind, body, and soul—to be a well-rounded person.

10. What is scholasticism?

A. The art of earnest study
B. An ordered system integrating both the natural wisdom of Greece and Rome and the religious wisdom of Christianity
C. Writer’s cramp
D. A paper cut

B. An ordered system integrating both the natural wisdom of Greece and Rome and the religious wisdom of Christianity
QQ: It was a philosophical and theological movement that took place during the Middle Ages.

11. Which culture has one of the oldest known systems of education, a system that taught religion and promoted the traditions of the people?

A. American
B. Druidic
C. Egyptian
D. Roman Catholic

C. Egyptian
QQ: Maybe you didn’t know the answer, but the other options should have made this easy!

12. Who wrote The Century of the Child, arguing that young children require flexible and creative instruction that responds to each child’s individual needs and talents, which was published in 1900?

A. Maria Montessori of Italy
B. Ellen Key of Sweden
C. Bertrand Russell of England
D. John Dewey of the United States

B. Ellen Key of Sweden
QQ: Barnets århundrade was translated as The Century of the Child in 1909.

13. During what century did science become a part of the courses of study in the universities and secondary schools?

A. 18th
B. 17th
C. 16th
D. 15th

B. 17th
QQ: The foundation of the Royal Society of London for improving Natural Knowledge in 1660 helped simplify the exchange of scientific and cultural information and ideas among European scholars.

14. Why did British religious leader Robert Raikesis found the modern Sunday school movement?

A. To provide secular and religious education to factory children
B. To convert Irish Catholic children to Protestantism
C. To promote the children’s Bible he’s written
D. To up the congregation of the Church of England

A. To provide secular and religious education to factory children
QQ: He established the first Sunday school at Gloucester in 1780 as a means of furnishing both secular and religious education to children whose employment in the factories prevented them from attending the secular schools.

15. When were the first universities established in northern Europe?

A. 8th Century
B. 10th Century
C. 12th Century
D. 14th Century

C. 12th Century
QQ: The Scholasticism movement and renown of such teachers as Saint Thomas Aquinas led to this development although education was still the privilege of the upper classes.

About The Author Deanna Mascle shares more fun themed trivia quizzes with her blog at http://QuizQueen.net.

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How Can You Find A Good Quizzes Site

by: Ayman Almoqbel

There is no reservation that using internet is one of the great ways to increase and develop our information, knowledge, experience and also it has been used as an entertainment tool for all ages. Thus, there are many entertainment categories such as games, puzzles, movies,….. etc on the internet. However, what is the constructive type of entertainment that increase our comprehension ?

One of these types is Quizzes games. There are hundreds of sites or may be more providing Quizzes; but do they all add value to us ! ( i.e. Quizzes that give us knowledge and increase our information ). Currently with a lot of sites on the internet today, it is tough to pick out the best combinations of fun and increasing information.

So, how can I find a practical and appropriate quizzes game site and what are the main circumstances that should be available in that site ? there are many features should be existing, for instance free accessing to the quizzes is the first and most important feature ( free registration ) ; there are several reasons for that such as it will make the site more popular. Second, the quizzes game should be challenging; it different from site to site, some websites divide quizzes into levels and other choose time limitation for adding exciting to the web. In my opinion finding a site providing both ( Levels and Time limitation for challenging ) will be more attractive. Third, you must find one that will motivate you to challenge what you know and increase your talent in competition.

So, Quizzes games are great because they are just what their name suggests: games that provide us with fun and promote our knowledge at the same time.

About The Author Aymen Almoqbel: the creator and editor of the site: www.competetick.com info@competetick.com Found at http://www.ArticleCity.com/

Can You Draw a Perfect Hexagon?

by: Peter Waycik




It may not sound like a difficult task, but constructing hexagons and other polygons can be a frustrating and daunting task for children and adults. A sketch of a square is fairly simple to make as the corners are familiar right angles that most people have no trouble creating. Every other regular polygon from equilateral triangles to dodecagons and beyond can be a challenge without a highly developed ability to recognize and construct a variety of angles. Thankfully, there is a slick technique for constructing all sorts of regular polygons based on the fact that all regular polygons fit neatly inside of a circle.
For the uninitiated, a regular polygon is a closed figure with equal length sides and equal angles. A pentagon with three centimetre sides and 108 degree angles is a regular pentagon. Regular polygons are the figures that are most commonly used to represent each family of polygons.
To experience the most success with this method, it is recommended that you use a full circle protractor. A half circle protractor will work just fine except the procedure changes slightly. The basic procedure for the full circle protractor is to place the protractor on a piece of paper, make a bunch of dots, and join the dots. The trick is dividing the 360 degrees of the circle by the number of vertices in the regular polygon, and making dots at the resulting interval. In a hexagon, for example, there are six vertices, so divide 360 degrees by six to get sixty degrees. Starting at zero degrees, make a mark every sixty degrees around the full circle protractor; there will be dots at 0, 60, 120, 180, 240, and 300 degrees. Join the dots, and voila; you have a perfect regular hexagon. With a half circle protractor, it is necessary to establish a center point first, so when you rotate the protractor to complete the dots on the other side, it can be lined up properly with the zero point and the center point.
The really nice thing about using a 360 degree circle to construct regular polygons is that it works for all of the regular polygons that one would encounter in an elementary or primary school. This is because 360 is divisible by 24 different numbers including 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, and 12. To construct an equilateral triangle, for example, first divide 360 by three to get 120. Make dots at 0, 120, and 240, join the dots, and enjoy a perfectly drawn equilateral triangle. Squares are constructed by marking dots at 90 degree intervals, pentagons at 72 degree intervals, octagons at 45 degree intervals, nonagons at 40 degree intervals, decagons at 36 degree intervals, and dodecagons at 30 degree intervals. "But what about a heptagon?" you may ask. Even numbers that don't divide evenly into 360 can be approximated using this method. For example, a heptagon (seven sided polygon) can be approximated quite well using 51 degree intervals. It will be hard to tell with the naked eye that you were one or two degrees off.
One limitation of this method is that there is only one size of circle available, so all of the polygons come out quite large. With a little ingenuity, this limitation can be overcome. One simple solution is to cut out a circle of paper and place it on top of the round protractor. Any paper circle smaller than the round protractor can be used. Make the dots around the edge of the paper circle lining them up with the scale on the protractor. The paper circle becomes an intermediate protractor that can be used just as the regular protractor, but it will make a smaller polygon.
Another limitation is that your students might not be at the point where they can divide or find multiples of large numbers. In this case, you could tell your students at which numbers to make the dots, or create paper protractors with just the intervals marked on them for each polygon.
This is the quickest and most efficient method I have seen for constructing regular polygons. It takes little time to teach and little time to learn, and it makes the construction of regular polygons a simple and painless activity for students. And if you need a bit of a challenge, try the 180 sided polygon with two degree intervals. I'll bet you never guessed you could make one of those so easily!
About The Author
Peter Waycik is an elementary teacher and the creator of thousands of free math worksheets that can be found at his website: http://www.math-drills.com.
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Quotes From 9 Revolutionary Leaders

by: Kerry Beck
Seven men offer their advice from the Revolutionary time period of America. These leaders founded our country with their blood and their perseverance. Quotes from these men
From the beginning of time, we can learn from leaders. They offer great wisdom in their actions and the comments stated. Take a few minutes to see what some American Revolution men say.
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George Washington:
Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for 'tis better to be alone than in bad company.
Patrick Henry:
I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death.
Benjamin Franklin:
The heart of a fool is in his mouth but the mouth of a wise man is in his heart.
Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox:
Promises that you make to yourself are often like the Japanese plum tree - they bear no fruit.
Martha Washington:
I am still determined to be cheerful and happy, in whatever situation I may be; for I have also learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances.
John Witherspoon:
That religion which God requires, and will accept, does not consist in weak, dull, lifeless wishes, raising but a little above a state of indifference. God in His Word, greatly insists upon it, that we be in good earnest, fervent in spirit, and our hearts vigorously engaged in mercies.
John Paul Jones:
Whoever can surprise well must conquer.
John Adams:
I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. My sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history, naval architecture, navigation, commerce, and agriculture in order to give their children a right to study painting poetry music architecture statuary tapestry and porcelain.
James Madison:
If men were angels; no government would be necessary.
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When we look at the words of those Americans who founded our country, we can learn from their lives as leaders. They had a broader picture of America's destination, than just politics. They believed that a successful nation founded on religion and morality will ensure future generations to be free.
Training our children to lead and maintain our freedom is essential for America. Are you raising your children to follow or lead our country as a free nation?
About The Author
Kerry Beck, author of Raising Leaders, Not Followers, encourages parents to train children to be leaders who rule wisely. Get here free report, Leadership Education in the Homeschool Curriculum at http://www.CurriculumConnection.net/leaders.htm
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Ten Important People Of The Twentieth Century

by: Keith Valentine
Have you ever wondered who made the top one hundred important people in the twentieth century? What made them famous? How did they do it? You’ll learn about ten luminaries that are listed in Time Magazine’s “Most Important People of the Century”. The Time 100 list comprises one hundred important people from such categories as: leaders & revolutionaries, artists & entertainers, builders & titans, scientists & thinkers, and heroes & icons. Those mentioned here are in chronological order, based on the year they became famous. Dr. Albert Einstein: German. In 1905 he was well known for his contributions to quantum physics and the theory of relativity. With just a pen and paper, he peeked farther behind Nature's curtain than anyone had since Newton — then spent the rest of his years living it down. Now, when we think of genius, we see his face. Henry Ford: American. In 1908 he was praised for the first mass-produced automobile, the Model T. He produced an affordable car, paid high wages and helped create a middle class. Not bad for an autocrat. Sir Winston Churchill: English. In 1944 he exalted in the success of the D-day invasion. The master statesman stood alone against fascism and renewed the world's faith in the superiority of democracy. Without a doubt one of the world’s most important people. Estée Lauder: American. In 1948 she began her billion-dollar cosmetics empire. She transformed beauty into big business by cultivating classy sales methods and giving away samples. Mother Teresa of Calcutta: Albanian. In 1952 she was founder of the Missionaries of Charity in India. In fighting for the dignity of the destitute in a foreign land, she gave the world a moral example that bridged divides of culture, class and religion. Lucille Ball: American. In 1952 the first lady of comedy brought us laughter as well as emotional truth. No wonder everybody loved Lucy. Muhammad Ali aka Cassius Clay, Jr.: American. In 1960 he was celebrated for winning a gold medal at the Rome Olympics, and in 1967 as the greatest boxing heavyweight champion of all time. Floating, stinging, punching, prophesying, he transformed his sport and became the world's most adored athlete. Rachel Carson: American. In 1962 she was an acclaimed zoologist and marine biologist. Before there was an environmental movement, there was one brave woman and her very brave book. Silent Spring, serialized in the New Yorker, gored corporate oxen all over the country. The Beatles: English. In 1964 they were renowned for the film “A Hard Day’s Night” and in 1967 the “Sgt. Pepper” era. Irrepressible and irresistible, they were — and remain — the world's most astonishing rock-'n'-roll band. Margaret Thatcher: English. In 1979 she was known as the “Iron Lady” or simply “Maggie”. She was British Prime Minister for eleven years. Champion of free minds and markets, she helped topple the welfare state and make the world safer for capitalism. Naturally your choice of which celebrities were more important than others will no doubt be different but as you can see, this gives you a brief summary of some of the best. Now at least you won’t be stumped when you’re asked if you’ve heard of these important people.
About The Author
Keith Valentine began his interest in leaders, artists, builders, scientists and icons, at seventeen. Now 52, he has written several articles about renowned individuals. For more interesting stories about famous celebrities, please visit the Important People Site at: http://101-people.blogspot.com
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Ten Amazing Brain Facts

by: Steve Gillman
What part of you is only 1% to 3% of your body's mass, yet uses 20% of all the oxygen you breathe? Your brain! Here are ten more brain facts. - Your brain needs a continuous supply of oxygen. A 10 minute loss of oxygen will usually cause significant neural damage. Cold can lengthen this time, which is why cold-water drowning victims have been revived after as nuch as 40 minutes - without brain damage. - Your brain uses a fifth of all your blood. It needs it to keep up with the heavy metabolic demands of its neurons. It needs not only the glucose that is delivered, but of course, the oxygen. - Your brain feels no pain. There are no nerves that register pain within the brain itself. Because of this, neurosurgeons can probe the brain while a patient is conscious (what fun!). By doing this, they can use feedback from the patient to identify important regions, such as those used for speech, or visualization. - The cerebellum is sometimes called the "little brain," and weighs about 150 grams (a little over five ounces). Found at the lower back side of your brain, you need your cerebellum to maintain posture, to walk, and to perform any coordinated movements. It may also play a role in your sense of smell. - The human brain weighs an average of a little over three pounds, or 1.4 kilograms. Albert Einstein's brain may have been smaller than yours, because he was smaller than average. There is a general correlation between body size and the size of our brains. - An elephant's brain is huge - about six times as large as a human brain. However, in relation to body size, humans have the largest brain of all the animals, averaging about 2% of body weight. A cat's brain? It weighs about one ounce, a little over 1% of body weight. - There are about 100,000 miles of blood vessels in the brain. If they were stretched out (there's a nice thought!) they would circle the earth more than four times. - If you have an average sized brain, you have about 100 billion neurons up there. You'll be happy about that after reading the next item. - Approximately 85,000 neocortical neurons are lost each day in your brain. Fortunately, his goes unnoticed due to the built-in redundancies and the fact that even after three years this loss adds up to less than 1% of the total. Oh, and look at the next item. - Recent research proves that your brain continues to produce new neurons throughout your life. It also proves that it does so in response to stimulation (do those brainpower exercises). Scientists refer to this as brain plasticity or neuro-plasticity. You may find this one the most encouraging of these brain facts.
About The Author
Copyright Steve Gillman. For more on How To Increase Brain Power, and to get the Brain Power Newsletter and other free gifts, visit: http://www.IncreaseBrainPower.com Found at http://www.ArticleCity.com/