| How to Improve Your ACT Score Posted: 01 Dec 2019 04:00 PM PST If you've gotten your ACT results and they're not as high as you hoped, you may want to consider taking the test again. A higher score increases your chances of being accepted into the college of your choice and can help you earn scholarships, so it's worth the effort and preparation involved in taking the test again. When you're properly prepared, retesting can raise your score by several points. In fact, students who retook the ACT scored an average of 2.9 points higher on their composite score than people who took the test only once.[1] By practicing efficiently and using solid testing strategies, you can improve your ACT score. [Edit]Analyzing Your Score - Review your score report. You can get a copy of your test booklet to find out which questions you missed. Use your score report as a guideline to help you focus your efforts. Concentrate more of your efforts on improving your weaker areas to practice more efficiently.[2]
- As you're reviewing your score report, reflect on your testing day. Take notes of any sections that you felt were difficult or places where you ran out of time and couldn't complete the questions.
- If you scored high on a particular section, don't devote too much of your practice time to that area. Don't aim for perfection; it's better to target your weaker areas to improve your score.
- Use data to your advantage. As you're practicing, make notes to help refine your study techniques. Time your practice and track which sections are taking the longest, and how many questions you're able to complete within the time limit. Analyze which questions you're missing the most often, and try to figure out why. [3]
- Keep track of your practice test scores to monitor progress. As your scores improve, shift your focus to weaker areas.
- Space out your study sessions. Rather than long weekly sessions, try several short daily sessions. Schedule two or three 30-40 minute blocks of study time with breaks in between. Cramming in too much information all at once is counterproductive and could lead to burn out.[4]
- Consistent practice is important, so once you've made your schedule stick with it.
- Rethink your time management strategy. The ACT is a fast-paced test. Plan ahead how you'll manage your time effectively to maximize your score and avoid leaving questions unanswered. Decide how you'll handle hard questions, and how you'll make sure you're staying on track timewise.[5]
- When in doubt, guess! A blank answer is a guaranteed loss of points, but a good guess could result in points.
- Consider choosing a standard answer like C to bubble in when you're running out of time. When the five-minute warning is called, fill in all unanswered questions with the standard answer to avoid blank answers.
- A digital watch with a silent timer is a great tool to make sure you're staying on track.
[Edit]Seeking Additional Practice Help - Take an ACT prep class. ACT prep classes can help you learn effective test-taking skills and strategies. They can also help you target your weak content areas. Bring your results with you so your teacher can help you devise an efficient study plan. [6]
- Work with a tutor. A tutor is great if you need more one-on-one help and attention. Tutors are also a great resource for help with filling in knowledge gaps in specific content areas. You can ask another student who is great in your weaker subject areas to help you out or hire a tutor from a local tutoring company.
- Maximize low-cost resources. Not everyone can afford a tutor or prep class, and that's ok! There are tons of reliable free or inexpensive resources to help you do your best on the ACT. Check your local library for ACT practice tests, or utilize online resources like Khan Academy's math, science, and grammar tutorials.[7]
- If your library ACT prep books are out of date, that's ok! As long as they are authentic ACT prep material, they'll be helpful
- Consider forming a study group with your friends! It will make studying more enjoyable.
[Edit]Preparing for the Test Day - Pack your bag the night before the test. Make sure you have your ticket, your ID, several sharpened pencils, and an ACT approved graphing calculator. This will save you a lot of stress, and prevent you from running out the door without something you need. [8]
- Properly fuel your body. Your brain works more efficiently when it has the proper fuel. Eat a breakfast high in protein to give you the energy and stamina to complete the test. Bring healthy snacks in your bag to refuel on your breaks. Make sure to drink plenty of water. [9]
- When packing your snacks, choose foods like fruit, nuts, and cheese for healthy lasting energy.
- Go to bed early. Your brain can't operate at peak capacity if you're tired. Not getting enough rest affects your processing and speed and memory. Make sure you get at least 8 hours of sleep so you can perform your best. [10]
[Edit]References |
| How to Introduce the Elf on a Shelf Posted: 01 Dec 2019 08:00 AM PST The Elf on the Shelf is a fun way to get your kids even more excited for the Christmas season while reminding them that Santa is watching. However, introducing the elf can be tricky! To get your kids familiar with the Elf on the Shelf, plan a day to explain everything about their new gift from Santa. [Edit]Getting a Delivery from Santa - Pick a date when you'd like the elf to start appearing. Normally, the elf can show up as early as early November to keep an eye on the kids for the Christmas season. Some elves start coming on December 1st, to get kids in the mood for Christmas and remind them that Santa is watching!
- A good rule of thumb is to start the elf when you put up the Christmas tree for the year.
- Keep in mind that the elf has to come every day until Christmas Eve. If you forget or miss a day, you'll have to come up with a reason for why the elf didn't move.
- Come up with a name for your elf. Having a name for your elf can make it seem like a member of the family. Make sure you introduce the elf by its name and encourage your kids to call it that while it's there. Soon, they'll be excited to see their elf every morning.[1]
- You can make your name something festive and Christmas-themed, like Jingle, or a common name, like Jeff. It's up to you as the parent!
- Stage the first appearance. Have the elf appear one morning in an open place where you know your kids will see it, such as the kitchen or living room. Keep it simple for the first morning, and ask your kid what they know about elves. They might surprise you with what they already know about your family's new friend![2]
- For example, you can have the elf sitting on the dining room table or couch with its book, waiting for your kids when they wake up.
[Edit]Explaining What the Elf Does - Write a letter from Santa to arrive with the elf. This letter can explain what the elf does, how long it's going to be staying, and set some rules for the kids. For example, you can have Santa tell them that kids aren't allowed to touch the elf, that the elf comes every day until Christmas, and that it reports back to Santa in the North Pole every night.[3]
- You can also have the letter be written by the elf instead of Santa. That way, the elf can "talk" directly to the kids and let them know what's going on! However, hearing the rules from Santa, who they respect, might be more effective for some kids.
- If you have more than one kid, you can write individual letters or just have one letter for the whole house.
- Read the Elf on the Shelf book with your kids. The book does a great job of explaining where the elf comes from, and where it goes every night. Sit down with them in the morning that the elf comes and read the book together, or have your kid practice their reading out loud.[4]
- The book is aimed for kids ages 5, 6, and 7 to read aloud.
- There's also a movie, called An Elf's Story: The Elf on the Shelf, that tells the backstory of the elf and might be more engaging for your kids if they don't like reading.
- Answer any questions your kids have about the elf. Be prepared for questions! This new member of your family is fun and exciting, but kids are smart and can be skeptical at first. They might have questions about why your family got an elf, or why they've seen the elf in the store.[5]
- If your kid has friends who don't have an elf, you can tell them that there's a long list of families who are waiting to get an elf, and you guys were lucky enough to get one this year.
- To explain why the elf can be bought in the store, tell them that elves can be bought in the store for families who don't get them from Santa. However, let them know that your specific elf is special because it was a gift from Santa.
[Edit]Moving the Elf - Position the elf in the Christmas tree, hanging onto an ornament. This is a quick, easy idea for a night when you might have less time. The elf has velcro hands, so you can have the elf hanging from a higher branch of the tree near an ornament as if it were trying to help decorate.
- Placing it about mid-way up the tree will keep the kids from reaching it, but will ensure that they're still able to see the elf in the morning.
- Set up the elf to "play" with other toys. If your kids have a favourite doll or action figure, set up a scene where they're playing dress up, having a tea party, or fighting crime together. Doll-sized cars and trucks are also great for setting up "racing" scenes between the elf and other toys.
- If you're stumped with how to set up the scene, you could position the elf climbing into or out of a toy box or dollhouse to make it seem like it was just hanging out with the other toys!
- Create a stuffed animal parade with the elf at the front. Stuffed animals are great for making creative scenes with the elf. Have the elf "ride" a larger animal like an elephant or dog, and make an animal parade by setting up other stuffed animals in a row behind them!
- If you're having trouble getting the elf to sit upon the animal, try having them lean forward and hold onto the animal with the velcro on their hands.
- Set up a Christmas countdown involving the elf. If you get the elf started early, you can start a Christmas countdown by using small treats like chocolate to spell out the number of days until Christmas. You can make it look like the elf set out the treats, or have a few chocolate wrappers surrounding the elf—like it ate some of the treats!
- You don't have to do this every night, but you can do it on major milestones like 1 month, 12 days, or 1 week until Christmas!
- Use packets of hot cocoa and a cocktail umbrella in a cake pan to make a "beach". Sprinkle 3-4 packets of hot cocoa mix into the pan to coat the bottom. Then, position the elf in the pan to lounge along the side. Remember to place the umbrella next to the elf to shade it from the sun!
- If you don't have a hot cocoa mix, you can use crushed graham crackers or brown sugar instead.
- Use a round cake pan to create a smaller beach, or cookie sheet for a bigger one. You can get as creative as you want with a beach towel, doll-sized surfboard, or a mini drink for the elf!
- Most children who are old enough to know the story of Santa will also be excited by the elf. If your child is still confused about Santa, or doesn't know the story of Santa, try explaining that to them first.
- Plan your first week of elf appearances beforehand so you don't forget! The first week is important for showing your kids that the elf is really going to come every day and is watching them for Santa.
- Set an alarm on your phone every night to remind yourself to move the elf. When things get hectic, it's easy to forget to do it! An alarm will help you remember to do it quickly before bed.
[Edit]References |
| How to Brew Loose Leaf Tea Posted: 01 Dec 2019 12:00 AM PST All you really need to prepare loose leaf tea is hot water, the leaves themselves, and a tea strainer. However, each type of tea requires slightly different steeping techniques. For the best cup, follow the recommended measurements, water temperature, and steeping time outlined on the package of tea. Experiment with different quantities of tea or steeping durations. Finally, add in your favorite sweetener or milk for a soothing cup of tea that really hits the spot. [Edit]Mastering Tea-Steeping Basics - Pour fresh, cold water into a saucepan or kettle. Don't use distilled or previously boiled water as it may negatively affect the taste of your tea. Instead, start with fresh, cool water from the tap.[1] Use an electric kettle, stovetop kettle, or a saucepan to warm up the water.
- If your local water is especially hard (i.e. high in mineral content), consider using bottled water for a more pleasant taste.
- Heat the water until it reaches . Remove the water from its heat source once it begins to steam, simmer, or reach a rolling boil. Depending on the tea variety you're preparing, you may need it to be slightly warmer or cooler to bring out the best flavors in the leaves. Use an instant-read thermometer to get the most accurate temperature.
- If you prefer, you can boil the water and allow it to cool down to the correct temperature before adding it to the tea leaves.[2]
- In general, white and green teas can be brewed at a lower temperature with the water just starting to steam, while oolong tea is typically best prepared at a moderate simmering temperature. Black and Puerh teas can withstand a higher temperature when the water hits a rolling boil.[3]
- Weight out 2 to 3 grams of loose leaf tea for every of water. Since tea leaves come in different shapes and sizes, it's best to measure out your tea by weight (i.e. grams) rather than by volume.[4] But if you do measure by volume, start with roughly 1 teaspoon for smaller leaves and about 1 tablespoon for larger leaves. Spoon out your desired amount of tea into a tea strainer or teapot, depending on how you plan to steep it.
- A teacup holds about of water, but since most coffee mugs hold about of water, you may need to double the amount of loose leaf tea you use in a larger mug.
- The amount of tea you decide to use is completely a matter of taste. Steep more or less to see which flavor you prefer.[5]
- Steep the tea in hot water for 3 to 5 minutes. Pour the hot water directly over the tea leaves and allow the flavors to seep out for a few minutes. Different tea varieties require slightly different steeping times, so be sure to follow the instructions on the packaging. If you're not sure how long to steep the leaves, start with 3 minutes for your first cup. Then add 30 more seconds for each subsequent cup until you find the perfect taste.
- Generally speaking, green and oolong teas can be steeped for about 3 minutes, white tea for 4 minutes, and black and Puerh teas for 5 minutes.[6]
- Avoid steeping tea longer than 5 minutes; it will only taste bitter. If you want a stronger cup, just add more tea leaves and keep the timing the same.
- Since herbal teas don't contain any actual tea leaves, they can often be left to steep longer without taking on a bitter flavor.[7]
- Remove the tea leaves from the water once they've steeped. How you do this will depend on the type of strainer you're using. Basket-style strainers, metal or silicone infusers, and filter bags can be lifted out of your teapot or cup to stop the infusion. Place the strainer on a spoon rest or saucer to catch the drips from the soggy tea leaves.
- If you steeped the tea directly in the teapot, hold a strainer over your teacup to catch the damp leaves as you pour out the tea.
- Discard the used tea leaves while they're damp, or wait until they've dried out to more easily tip them out of the strainer.
[Edit]Using Tea Strainers - Place the tea leaves directly into a tea strainer for easy cleanup. Place a basket-style tea strainer into a cup or teapot first. Measure out the loose leaf tea into the strainer and pour the hot water directly over it. Make sure you completely cover the tea leaves with water so that they steep properly.[8]
- After a period of 3 to 5 minutes, simply remove the strainer and the damp tea leaves.
- Choose a disposable filter bag for fine, powdery teas. Buy a packet of disposable tea filter bags from a tea shop or grocery store. Use one when you're preparing especially fine tea which tends to slip through mesh strainers easily. Keep the bag upright with the opening well above the water level so the tea leaves don't float out.
- You can also use a filter bag if you just want to make 1 cup at a time with easy cleanup.
- Use a mesh, basket-style tea strainer for larger tea leaves. Most loose leaf teas can be successfully steeped in these types of strainers. Choose one that fits correctly within the opening of the cup or teapot you'll be using; it shouldn't shift around or sink into the vessel, otherwise the tea leaves will escape.[9]
- Try a travel tea mug with a built-in basket strainer if you'll be on the go. Just remember to remove the tea after it's steeped for 3 to 5 minutes.
- While a short or rounded basket strainer may work for a single cup, use a deeper basket to steep loose leaf tea in a deep mug or teapot.
- Avoid using tea balls or infusers for large or fine leaves. Metal tea balls and silicone tea strainers are popular since they come in playful designs, but keep in mind the limited practicality of these tools. Refrain from using them for large-leafed tea as they won't leave much room for the leaves to unfurl as they become hydrated. Additionally, avoid using a tea ball or infuser for fine, powdery teas as the tea leaves may slip through the holes easily.
- If you're steeping medium-sized tea leaves in small quantities of water, a tea ball or infuser might not pose any problems.
- Hinged tea balls are difficult to fill and the mechanisms can be tricky to open and close, especially when the metal is hot.[10]
- Leave plenty of room for the tea leaves to expand in the strainer. Loose leaf tea leaves can grow up to 5 times their original size once you hydrate them with hot water. For this reason, aim to leave plenty of space in the tea strainer or filter bag. Don't overfill it with too much tea.[11]
- A mesh basket-style strainer will allow the tea to expand, while a tea ball may compress the leaves.[12]
- A little extra space will allow the water to flow around the tea leaves so you'll have a better result.
- Strain the tea after it steeps in the teapot if you prefer. This is a useful technique if you don't have a tea strainer that fits correctly in your teapot. Instead of placing the leaves into a strainer, what you can do is measure out the tea leaves and drop them directly into your teapot. After the leaves have steeped, hold a tea strainer over your cup. Carefully pour the liquid into the cup and you'll see the strainer catch the leaves.[13]
- Since there will still be leaves sitting in the teapot, the tea will grow more bitter as it continues steeping.
- To keep the tea warmer for a longer period of time, pre-warm your teapot or cup by sloshing some boiling water around inside it. Tip this out before adding the tea and the rest of the heated water.[14] Alternatively, try covering the teapot with a quilted tea cozy to keep it warm.
- Delicate green and white teas are best consumed immediately while more robust black teas can be enjoyed for a longer period of time.[15]
- After you've poured the tea into your cup, add milk, honey, lemon, or sugar to taste. Just avoid adding milk and lemon at the same time as the milk may curdle.
- When you start making a certain type of tea, it helps to use a thermometer to gauge the temperature of the water. Once you know how much steam and how many bubbles the water will give off at the optimal temperature, feel free to eyeball it.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Kettle or saucepan
- Cool, fresh water
- Teapot
- Teacup
- Tea strainer
- Loose leaf tea
- Measuring scale or spoon
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