Types and Uses of a Serving Platter

Although a person may not consider serving platters as being an essential part of your dishes and other pieces of your table setting, they are extremely versatile and second in functionality next to serving bowls. Serving platters can be utilized for a variety of uses inclusive of the following:

- casual everyday serving of bread, burgers, or fruit
- Thanksgiving turkey or Christmas ham
- special events such as weddings or parties for serving appetizers, desserts, and refreshments

A good rule of thumb is that you should purchase at least a serving platter, a serving bowl, and serving utensils when you initially purchase your dinnerware set. Manufacturers are known for discontinuing dinnerware product lines, so if you want your dinnerware and platter to match, you should consider it with your initial purchase. Despite the issue here, we are not saying that everything has to be a perfect match.

Variety of Uses

Just like all other items that are classified as serveware, serving platters are designed with functionality and versatility in mind. There are numerous collections of attractively colorful platters to serve in and serveware items available today, so at times the selection process can be a bit of a challenge to say the least. Serving platters today are second in importance only to serving bowls, but they still play a key roll in the dining room and kitchen. As with any other dinnerware item, these platters are manufactured in a variety of materials from durable plastic to sterling silver.

The event or dining occasion oftentimes defines the usage of the platter as well as whether it is a casual or formal piece that you select. Of great significance here is the fact that the serving platters you choose will allow you to create an eye-pleasing display of food unlike any other piece of your table setting. It is important to realize that you don't just want your serving platters to be a "fashion statement." They need to be functional and versatile as well, and fit the needs of the specific occasion that you are using them for.

There is an endless assortment of colors, designs, materials, patterns, and styles available in the market today. This can make your purchasing decision extremely difficult. Here are some helpful tips that will hopefully make your purchasing decision a little easier:

Decide on the primary purpose of your platters. Try to determine if your platters will be used for everyday dining or just for serving formal or special occasions. Not only will this help you to decide if you are purchasing a casual or a formal serving platter, it will also help you determine how much you will spend on the item.

Consider your budget and how much you are willing to spend on your platters. Once you decided on either casual or formal platters, determine if it fits within your budget. This is also an ideal time for determining if you want to purchase any additional matching serveware pieces.

By Anita Choudhary
PressSearch.org

Where Does Cocaine Come From?

Cocaine is a white powder made from an extract of the leaves of the coca plant indigenous to South America. It is believed the natives in South America were chewing coca leaves as far back as 3000 BC. The leaves gave them a lift, and staved off exhaustion and hunger.

For these beneficial properties, the coca plant was considered a gift from God.

In the 1400s, the Incas, an ancient Peruvian civilization, started cultivating coca extensively. This was the foundation of the modern coca crop, the origin of today's cocaine.

The Spanish were exposed to the plant when they invaded parts of South America in the early 1500s. Sensing the benefits of the plant they promptly took over the coca plantations and imposed a tax on coca leaves. Toward the end of the century the coca trade became the largest employer of European labor in South America.

The medicinal and narcotic effects of cocaine began to be fully understood toward the latter half of the nineteenth century. The first extraction of cocaine took place in 1855. Cocaine in small doses was added to wines, certain medicines and even to coca cola.

Today three quarters of the world's cocaine is produced in Colombia. Some of the cocaine base is imported from Peru and Bolivia and the rest from home-grown coca.

The demand for cocaine as a recreational drug started in the 1970s. Cost of production in Colombia was $1 pre gram which retailed in the US at $80 per gram. Most of the cocaine that enters the US is smuggled across the Mexico-US border. Because of the enormous profits entailed, drug traffickers conjure up more and more ingenious methods to evade detection. At one time the CIA trafficked in cocaine to fund the US backed insurgency against the socialist led government in Nicaragua.

By Pauline Go
PressSearch.org

Bingo Cards in Education

Most of us, are, I think, familiar with the game of bingo. Pretty much everyone knows how to play, even those people who are not dedicated bingo enthusiasts. Something that is less well known, is that modified versions of bingo are nowadays being used in many classrooms to help teach a diverse range of subjects.

One of the biggest challenges facing today's teachers is how to engage with their students and sustain their interest. The fact that bingo is an enjoyable game can perhaps be of some help. Furthermore, the game play mechanics can easily be adapted or modified by the teacher, depending on the particular subject being taught. Finally, the fact that bingo does not require a large investment in expensive materials or specialist resources is of course important given the financial constraints that most teachers work under.

The most common way to adapt bingo to classroom use, is by varying the contents of the bingo cards. In the standard game of bingo, the cards are generally printed with numbers, however in educational versions of the game the bingo cards are printed with words, phrases, or even math problems of the teacher's choice. Additionally, game play mechanics may be varied: in an introductory reading class, students may simply be required to simply locate words printed on their cards, but in a language class they may be required to find a French or Spanish word when the teacher says the English equivalent, and in a math class, the students might be required to solve the math problems on their cards as they are called out.

By Sunil Tanna
PressSearch.org

Different Teaching Methods

Teachers use many different tools to test their student's proficiency. They use exams and chapter or unit tests. Many teachers also give a weekly vocabulary quiz over specific words. Some teachers, particularly foreign language teachers, like to give oral quizzes to test student's pronunciation skills. Some mathematics teachers like to give time tests so that their students really have to know the material well. Clearly, teachers have unique ways to test their student's knowledge. The ways in which teachers evaluate their student's grasp of concepts and information differs greatly.

For instance, the methods of a gym teacher differ greatly from the methods of a physics teacher. A gym teacher has a few accepted options for evaluation of student achievement. He or she could mandate a uniform and then grade his or her students on whether or not they come to class everyday wearing that uniform. Another option for gym teachers is to use a participation grade. If a student participates in the activity and gives a solid effort then the student will receive high marks even if they have little athletic ability. Another method that some gym teachers use to evaluate their students is through fitness tests. If students improve their scores from their previous effort then they will receive high marks. If students do not improve their time or number from the last test then the teacher will evaluate the student with that in mind. Clearly, there is not just one path to take when evaluating students. The methods that a physics teacher uses differ from that of a gym teacher. Physics teachers tend to give chapter tests to test student proficiency on a certain topic. For instance, once the teacher has lectured on a chapter on thermodynamics, then the students will have a test on the material covered in the text and the class lectures. Physics teachers may also use labs and out of class projects to evaluate their students progress and knowledge. Another method that teachers use to test their students proficiency is assigning and checking homework. Homework is used to see if one specific topic sunk into the student's brains. Gym teachers and physics teachers clearly have very different ways in which they evaluate their student's progress.

Foreign language teachers often use different methods to test their student's proficiency. Many foreign language teachers use oral quizzes and tests to see how well their students grasp things like pronunciation and conversation. They are good for testing how well students would be able to communicate if they were immersed in the language. Many foreign language teachers give frequent vocabulary tests and quizzes to test their student's grasp of words and their meanings. They also give tests on grammar topics like verbs tenses and other parts of speech. Many language teachers will assign culture projects to see how well their students grasp the culture of the language that they are studying. Clearly, different teachers use different methods to test their students. The flexible nature of teacher's careers makes every teaching style and approach unique.

By Chuck R. Stewart
PressSearch.org

Multicultural Education in Your Classroom

America has always been referred to as a melting pot, but ideally, it's a place where we strive to invite everyone to celebrate exactly who they are. As the US population is becoming increasingly diverse and technology makes the world feel increasingly smaller, it is time to make every classroom a multicultural classroom.

What is Multicultural Education?
Multicultural education is more than celebrating Cinco de Mayo with tacos and piñatas or reading the latest biography of Martin Luther King Jr. It is an educational movement built on basic American values such as freedom, justice, opportunity, and equality. It is a set of strategies aimed to address the diverse challenges experienced by rapidly changing U.S. demographics. And it is a beginning step to shifting the balance of power and privilege within the education system.

The goals of multicultural education include:

- Creating a safe, accepting and successful learning environment for all
- Increasing awareness of global issues
- Strengthening cultural consciousness
- Strengthening intercultural awareness
- Teaching students that there are multiple historical perspectives
- Encouraging critical thinking - Preventing prejudice and discrimination

Advantages of Multicultural Education
According to the National Association for Multicultural Education (NAME), multicultural education:

- Helps students develop positive self-image.
- Offers students an equitable educational opportunity.
- Allows multiple perspectives and ways of thinking.
- Combats stereotypes and prejudicial behavior.
- Teaches students to critique society in the interest of social justice.

Road Blocks to Implementing Multicultural Education
Contrary to popular belief, multicultural education is more than cultural awareness, but rather an initiative to encompass all under-represented groups (people of color, women, people with disabilities, etc) and to ensure curriculum and content including such groups is accurate and complete.

Unfortunately, multicultural education is not as easy as a yearly heritage celebration or supplemental unit here and there. Rather, it requires schools to reform traditional curriculum.

Too often, students are misinformed and misguided. Not all textbooks present historical content fully and accurately. For instance, Christopher Columbus is celebrated as the American hero who discovered America. This take on history completely ignores the pre-European history of Native Americans and the devastation that colonization had on them. Some history books are being revised, but often, it's much easier to teach that "In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue."

Most curriculums also focus more on North America and Europe than any other region. Most students have learned about genocide through stories of the Holocaust, but do they know that hundreds of thousands of people are being killed in places like Darfur and Rwanda? Despite our close proximity to Latin America, American schools typically spend little time reading Latin American literature or learning about the culture and history?

Thus, multicultural education is most successful when implemented as a schoolwide approach with reconstruction of not only curriculum, but also organizational and institutional policy.

Unfortunately most educational institutions are not prepared to implement multicultural education in their classrooms. Multicultural education requires a staff that is not only diverse, but also culturally competent. Educators must be aware, responsive and embracing of the diverse beliefs, perspectives and experiences. They must also be willing and ready to address issues of controversy. These issues include, but are not limited to, racism, sexism, religious intolerance, classism, ageism, etc.

What You Can Do in Your Classroom
Just because we're facing an uphill battle doesn't mean we shouldn't take those first steps. To integrate multicultural education in your classroom and your school, you can:

- Integrate a diverse reading list that demonstrates the universal human experience across cultures
- Encourage community participation and social activism
- Go beyond the textbook
- By supplementing your curriculum with current events and news stories outside the textbook, you can draw parallels between the distant experiences of the past and the world today.
- Creating multicultural projects that require students to choose a background outside of their own - Suggest that your school host an in-service professional development on multi-cultural education in the classroom

Favorite Lessons in Multicultural Education
Analyze issues of racism through pop culture.
Example: Study the affects of WWII for Japanese Americans through political cartoons, movies, photography, etc.

Analyze issues of socioeconomic class through planning and development.
Example: Design a development project with solutions to the needs of those living in poverty stricken communities.

Analyze issues of sexism through media.
Example: Make a scrapbook of stereotypical portrayals of both men and women. Compare both positive and negative stereotypes and determine the struggles they face as a result of these stereotypes.

Recommended Resources
Books:
Becoming Multicultural Educators by Geneva Gay
Beyond Heros and Holidays by Enid Lee
Lies My Teachers Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong by James Loewen

By E.K. Garcia
PressSearch.org

New Teacher Tips - How to Use First Day of School Worksheets

In my first year of teaching and for many years that followed, I spent an inordinate amount of time preparing my own first day of school handouts. I thought it was the "hook" that students needed. I thought that teacher dominated discourse represented learning. But it really wasn't. It was actually a cover up for understanding the true purpose of what a good handout actually is all about.

A lot of teachers I know use worksheets for different purposes and when used effectively, it can be a good filler or fulfill the purpose of what you want to teach.

A good handout always supplements the lesson. You need to pre-teach material and information before it is to be processed via a handout.

When these are given too much emphasis however, students can become demotivated by the learning process, which in turn, lowers their self-esteem. You obviously want to avoid this.

Ask yourself these questions when preparing a handout whether it is for the first day of school or just a plain ordinary lesson on teaching reading strategies.

• What is the aim of the handout?
• Will I grade the handout?
• Will I go over the handout in class or collect it?
• How much percentage will I give for handouts for the final grade?
• Is my handout well prepared?
• Do students have enough information to tackle the subject matter of the handout?
• Are the instructions crystal clear?
• Do I want the students to finish the handout at home or during class time?
• Do I want to give the students an answer key for the handout?
• How much time do I want to spend talking about the handout?
• Did I preteach the content of the handout?
• Did I illustrate the task with an example?

By thinking your handouts through, you will be doing your students a great favor by aiding them through the learning process. Many students don't have enough learning skills.

Take them through the process of handling their work. Teach them a system of organization. This can include:

1. How organize a folder of their handouts.

2. What to do with finished worksheets. Perhaps you want to have a showcase of finished student worksheet. Have you considered a portfolio?

The Teacher as a Model

Model think aloud skills. By using an example to show exactly what you want, you are acting as a facilitator for the students' abilities to process information.

You can have a full lesson just teaching these life long skills of organization.

By Dorit Sasson
PressSearch.org

Treasury Enforcement Agent Exam - What You Need to Know

Need to take the Treasury Enforcement Agent Exam?

If so, in order to successfully pass and score big, there are several steps you should take. For starters, make sure you get some practice working with the types of problems most likely to be on your examination.

In order to accomplish that goal, most test takers choose to get a TEA Exam Study Guide. A study guide gives you the valuable information needed to beat this exam once and for all. But make sure if you do go this route that you get a study guide that includes not only information about the exam, but includes a practice test as well.

You see this examination is much different than most other tests you have probably taken. In fact, it is one of the more difficult exams out there. On the actual test you can expect to be required to solve complex word problems. In order to solve these word problems, you must use algebra. In fact, in addition to algebra, you must use logic to construct the formulas needed to solve.

The other two sections of the TEA Exam are very similar. While they do require the use of algebra, they are complex.

The Verbal Reasoning section is one of them. This section contains advanced sentence structure filled with "double negatives" and other word tricks. With these types of problems, you must sort through the various passages and then choose an answer that best describes or negates it. Again, most test takers find this section to not only be difficult, but complicated as well.

The third section is called Problems for Investigation. In this section you are presented with a fictional crime scene. In addition, you are given several "statements" that are supposedly from witnesses. After reading through all of the various data, you then must answer several questions that follow.

Again, similar to the other sections of the exam, this part is difficult as well. Expect to sort through complex word associations and other "tricks" designed specifically to throw you off.

How can you overcome these obstacles and pass your exam? Again, to answer that question, most test takers choose to get a study guide. This allows them to get some "hands-on" practice working with the types of problems most likely to be on the exam.

By J.M. Anderson
PressSearch.org

How to Read a Ruler

A ruler is one of the basic materials that are required in school. We remember using it to make straight lines during art classes. Your trigonometry teacher has also asked you to use a protractor, which is also a form of a ruler.

We have been using a ruler since kindergarten (and maybe even before that), yet there are some who have taken for granted learning how to properly use a ruler. If you are teaching a kid on using one, here are some tips.

1. Determine the difference between metric and English systems.

The twelve-inch ruler usually has two types of measurements - the metric measurements and the English system.

The metric system uses the meter (which is expressed as centimeters in a ruler). One centimeter is equivalent to 1/100th of a meter.

On the other hand, the English system uses the inch as the unit of measurement. Twelve inches makes one foot, which is the standard size of a ruler. However, there are also times that you will encounter half-foot or even smaller rulers.

The English system may be converted into the metric system using the factor 2.54. Multiply the measurement in inches by 2.54 to get the metric equivalent. Or divide the number of centimeters by 2.54 to get its equivalent in inches.

2. Know how the little lines are to be read.

Aside from knowing the centimeters and inches, you have to notice the lines that come in between each centimeter and inch.

Each centimeter is further subdivided into ten smaller parts by small lines in between each centimeter marker. Each smaller part is equivalent to one millimeter or 1/10th of a centimeter or 1/1000th of a meter. Thus if you are measuring a segment that extends two millimeters after the 3 centimeter marker, the measurement may be read as 3.2 cm.

Reading measurements using the smaller lines in the English system may be a bit more complicated. Each inch may be divided into eight smaller parts. Some rulers even have sixteen smaller parts in between an inch. Therefore, when reading measurements in English system, it may be more convenient to use fractions to indicate the intervals. You may say 1 ½ inch, 2 ¼ inches, 3 5/8 inches, or 5 11/16 inches. Because these intervals do not follow the decimal system, you will need to convert the fractions by dividing the numerator by its denominator to get its decimal equivalent.

Once a person has the skills in using the ruler, it will be easier for him or her to use other measuring devices such as weighing scales and measuring cups.

By Kenny Leones
PressSearch.org

The Egyptian Ankh - Charms, Symbols and Origins

The Egyptian ankh is a familiar symbol seen as ankh charms, on decorative items, on T shirts and many other places in the modern world. It is similar in appearance to the Christian cross with a loop above the bar. It's origins are still a mystery but it's meaning is clear. It is the Egyptian hieroglyph for 'eternal life' and is seen in decorative work in tombs and on household objects left in the tombs, which were either shaped in the form of an ankh or decorated with this symbol.

The Origins of the Ankh

There are many theories about it's origins ranging from a knot used on ceremonial or religious garments, a stylised sandal strap or as a sexual symbol. The most popular theory is that it represents an elaborate bow with the lower section often being comprised of two parts which make up the tails of the bow. The ankh is carried in depictions of Egyptian gods and clearly symbolises life in these images. It is often seen being offered to a king as a symbolic 'breath of life' and ankhs were often symbolised as flowing in chains from water vessels symbolising it's life giving properties. Vessels used for water containers in religious ceremonies were often made in the shape of an ankh.

A Symbol of Life

As a symbol of life it was also seen as a symbol of fertility, life in the generations to come. Another name for the ankh is the Key of the Nile and as such represents the union of Osiris and Isis which was thought to begin the annual Nile flooding, so important to the Ancient Egyptians. Many Egyptian gods were shown carrying an ankh, often in both hands crossed over the chest as seen in a statue of Osiris or an ankh in one hand and a scepter in the other as Hathor, Isis, Anibus, Sobek, Tefnut and many more are shown. The symbol also represents life in the netherworld and the dead may be referred to as ankhu and a sarcophagus as a neb-ankh.

Mirrors and many other household objects were made in the shape of an ankh and it was also the word for mirror. A gilded mirror case was found in the tomb of Tutankhamen and sistrums (a type of musical instrument) and spoons were also made in this shape.

The Use of the Ankh in the Modern World

Today the ankh is widely used as a decorative devise today from American pop culture to a symbol depicting spiritual beliefs. In the 1960's and 1970's it was a popular sign used by the hippies as an affirmation of life and disdain for the materialism of the times. It is associated in Gothic subculture with vampirism and has appeared in many vampire films.

Whether you wear an ankh for it's purely decorative affect or for a deeper, spiritual meaning it is a well known and loved symbol that can be found in exquisite gold and silver jewelry, as ankh charms, earrings, necklaces or pendants.

By Janet Ashby
PressSearch.org

Word Jumble Puzzles

Word jumble or word search puzzles are puzzles consisting of an array of letters arranged in a grid. If you just glance at such a puzzle, it will appear as a selection of randomly chosen letters, but if you look more carefully, you will notice that hidden within the array are words.

The words can be in any direction, whether that be horizontal, vertical or diagonal, and including directions that you wouldn't normally expect such as right to left or bottom to top. To solve the puzzle a person must find all of the words hidden within the grid (usually, but not always, they are given a list of the particular words to search for).

You can find this types of puzzles in many newspapers, magazines, and even in some companies' in-house newsletters. Many children in particular enjoy doing this puzzles, so they are a good activity for children when you need a quite, safe, indoor activity to keep them busy.

Some teachers have also found that word search puzzles can be of educational use. These type of puzzles not only reward effort and concentration, but also can expose children to new words, as well as helping them pay close attention to the exact spelling of words they already know.

While it possible to buy printed books full of word jumble puzzles, if you want to legally (without violating copyright) including one in a newspaper or magazine, or otherwise publish one you will need to create your own. Creating your own puzzle also allows you to choose the words and topics for your puzzle, which in educational uses is particularly important - puzzles can be tailored to student's reading level and ability.

Creating a word jumble puzzle by hand is no easy task - it is tedious work and could take hours. Fortunately, as with so many things in life nowadays, computers can help. A computer, with the help of word jumble puzzle making software can produce puzzles very easily and quickly - simply enter the words you want in your puzzle, and a few mouse clicks later a new ready-to-solve puzzle will emerge from your printer.

By Sunil Tanna
PressSearch.org

Irish Celtic Symbols

The Celts were first recorded as being loose groups of tribes who lived north of the Alps, close to the Danube River in Europe. The Celts have always been regarded as being nomadic and over the next few hundred years they arrived in Ireland around 500 BC; it is suspected they arrived in groups which gradually spread across the country. By the 5th century they were established and their language was widely spoken all over Ireland.

Celtic Symbols Meanings
Irish Celtic symbols evolved over time and were meant to honor the spirit of the enduring culture. Yet today understanding these symbols is difficult as no writings exist in order to substantiate or explain their meanings. What is known has been established and conjectured by learned academics that have made it their mission to study and understand these ancient people.

One thing everyone agrees on though is that the Celts loved symbolism and made visual representations that date back as far back as 3000 BC which illuminate their beliefs and customs. Something that appeals today is the belief that Celtic design patterns or shapes hold secret meanings.

Irish Celts believed their symbols had powers and used them in almost every area of their lives from jewelry to weapons, tools and religious icons.

Irish Celtic Knots
When we think of Celtic knots we mostly think of the designs that were created by Irish Christian monks who adopted these symbols during their attempts to turn the Celts away from paganism.

Knot Work is perhaps the greatest signature left by the Celts. This pattern is perhaps the most meaningful of all Celtic symbols as it represents how everything and everyone is connected to all things. Many have three points which are thought to symbolize the holy deity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This type of Knot Work is commonly known as the Trinity Knot or the Celtic Triquetra. This knot takes individual strands and wraps them back onto itself. It also symbolizes the connection between body, mind and soul.

Irish Celtic Spirals of Life
The Celtic Spiral is second in importance only to Knot Work. They existed long before the written word in Ireland and are considered one of the oldest symbols associated with Celtic heritage. Many believe that Spirals represent the spiritual balance between the inner and outer consciousness.

Spiral
The Triple Spiral can be found on many ancient Celtic stone carvings and dates back to around 2500 BC. Some scholars argue that this Spiral represents life, death and rebirth while others argue that it represents male, female and child on the path of life, it would also represent the Triple Goddess.

Another Celtic Spiral worth noting is the Triskele, also known as the Triskelion. This Spiral consists of three prongs and is often used as a starting point for more complex designs. Some believe that it represents the three ages of womanhood while others believe it represents the Holy Trinity, whatever the meaning this Spiral is based on the number 3 which itself is another important Celtic symbol believed sacred by the Celtic Druids.

Druids
Celtic Druids believed in three separate worlds and the ability to transmigrate between them. They believed in a world above this one which represented happiness, a world below this one which signified misery and the world in its present state. The reason behind transmigrating was meant not only to purify the soul but also as a means to punish and reward. They believed that in the present world good and evil were balanced and that they had the freedom to choose or reject either.

The Quintessential Shamrock of Ireland
The Druids were thought to revere this plant for the secret meanings hidden in its three leaves, the number three being sacred to them as they related it to the Holy Trinity. The shamrock was originally known as the 'seamrog' in the Irish language but was later been anglicized to the word Shamrock.

The Celtic Shamrock is also associated with Christianity for its sacredness and purity and symbolizes the spiritual quest of St. Patrick who desired to share the word of God with the Celtic pagans.

Shamrocks are today identified as being uniquely Irish even though many may not even be aware of the Celtic heritage.

By Tim Lazaro
PressSearch.org

Preschool Theme Lesson Plans

Why Use Themed Lesson Plans?

Preschool themes are not essential for a successful preschool lesson, but they do help bring everything together and keep students engaged in learning. For that reason, preschool themes are highly encouraged to help teachers save time and energy in their planning.

Preschool themes also help teachers show students how different things can be interrelated. It allows them to dig deeper into the theme and explore it from different angles.

How to Use Themes

Once a teacher has chosen a theme, the next requirement is to determine how to fit a lesson into the constraints of the theme. There should be several components to a themed lesson. The first would be the main objectives, whether they are to teach geography or animals or new vocabulary. These objectives should tie back to the theme. For example, if the theme is animals, the learning objective could be to teach rainforest animals and the reason for their colors.

Next, the lesson should have a physical activity to get students moving around and involved. This activity could be a song, dance, scavenger hunt, or follow-the-leader game. Again, the activity should tie back to the theme and allow students to explore it further. If the theme is animals, students could imitate animals and require students to guess the correct animal.

Finally, the lesson should include a craft project. This project should engage students creatively, encouraging them to use art to express themselves and learn more about the theme.

Sample Themes

Because preschoolers are interested in the world around them, good themes tie back into the things they see everyday. The following list is a good starting point for preschool teachers needing the ease of flexibility and a way to tie everything together.

• Automobiles
• World geography
• Mountains and volcanoes
• In the kitchen
• Pets
• At the zoo
• Weather
• Flowers
• Vacations
• Winter activities
• Holidays
• Seasons

Daily vs. Long Term Themes

Teachers who use preschool themes have a few options when it comes to the length of the theme. They can either choose a theme for a day or one for longer. Anything less than a day is not long enough for students to understand the connectedness of the activities.

If teachers want to expand preschool themes for a week or longer, they must choose a broad enough theme that all the days can tie together in some way. For example, if the theme is weather, Monday could be the basic elemental movements making up weather, Tuesday natural disasters, Wednesday the water cycle, Thursday clouds, and Friday can tie it all together.

Final Thoughts on Preschool Themes

Preschool themes can help teachers tie lessons together and explore ideas in a deeper way than they otherwise could with less time. Themes should be no shorter than one day, but can be much longer, such as a week or even more. Themes should be broad enough that teachers can touch on many different aspects, but should be focused enough that students can see the connectedness of the ideas.

By Mary Robinson
PressSearch.org

How to Obtain Your Federal Firearms License Application - 3 Steps to Becoming an FFL Holder Quickly

In three steps you can obtain your Federal Firearms Dealer License and be on your way to building a thriving gun dealer business. There are just a few things to watch out for that we will cover below.

Step1 - Meet the minimum requirements which are:

• At least 21 years old
• You are not convicted of a crime, a fugitive, user of "controlled substances", illegal alien, are a mental patient, have a dishonorable discharge, or have a court restraining order.
• Has not willfully violated federal firearms law or regulation
• Has not willfully withheld or failed to disclose required information or made false statements in the application
• Has a premise in a business or home that is in a permanent structure so that you can conduct business

You will also need to certify that your business will be following all state and local laws and you will not conduct business until this occurs. In addition you will also need to notify law enforcement that you are applying for an ffl liscense.

Step 2 - Obtain the Proper Forms

You will need to fill out ATF (Form7). This form is not available online for downloading from the BATFE web site.

To receive the FFL license application along with the proper fingerprint cards, either go to the Distribution Center Order Form or call the Distribution Center at (703) 455-7801 and request a packet. The packet will be sent to you via U.S. mail.

Step 3 - Submit your Application

According to the NRA Fact Sheet you must submit to the BATFE regional office the appropriate form (ATF form 7), fee, photograph, and fingerprints. You can send the completed packet to BATFE at P.O. Box 2994, Atlanta, GA or call them 404-417-2750 with your questions. The BATFE has 60 days to approve or reject your federal firearm license application.

In dealing with any government entity, it is always wise to do your homework and know what they require in advance. You want to prevent your application from being delayed or denied unnecessarily.

By Alex Homes
PressSearch.org

Scottish Celtic Symbols

The Scottish Celtic people are also known as Pict's, the word Pict having its roots in Latin. They lived in Northern Britain at that time and the Romans described them as being covered in pictures of animals and other figures. The Pictish people were so notoriously difficult to conquer that Hadrian, a Roman Emperor of the time, built a stone wall across Britain to keep them out of the South, effectively ceding them the North which we know today as Scotland.

Scottish Picts symbols are known for their intricate Knot Work, animals and Spirals just as Irish, British and Welsh Celtic symbols are, but they have a vast array of symbols not seen in other Celtic traditions and which are often found on Pictish Stones. There are approximately 35 different symbols depicted on these ancient stones, some are abstract while others depict animals, there also exist representations of everyday items. These stones may have served as memorials or as a way to depict clans and lineage.

Pictish Symbols
The Scottish Picts were tribal and although their language is lost they left a wealth of large monoliths carved with mysterious Scottish Celtic designs known as 'picture' stones of which there approximately fifty major picture symbols.

While some of these symbols are easily identifiable such as animals and other mythical creatures, others are more mysterious and consist of crescents or V-rods or double disk emblems. After their conversion to Christianity in about the 5th Century many Scottish Celtic symbols began taking on a more Christian theme, which reflects in their carvings. In fact, many of the Celtic Crosses that exist in England and Scotland are Pictish Stones.

Enigmatic or Mysterious Symbols
Perhaps the most unusual or mysterious of these Scottish Celtic symbols are ones we know as the V-rod, Z-rod or double disks, which are named after their shapes. The V-rod looks as though it is an arrow bent or superimposed over a crescent and its more common translation is one of death.

The Z-rod is often found depicted on stone carvings along with either a serpent, a tomb or doorway and a double disk, or sun. These symbols are perhaps meant to depict the solar cycle and the afterlife, or death.

Mirrors though not commonly regarded as enigmatic are mysterious because of the fact that they were deemed a symbol important enough to immortalize in their carvings. The mirror is often paired with a comb and is thought to be a symbol of the wealth and power of Scottish Celtic women. These stone carvings are believed to denote a memorial and are also often seen together with carvings of mermaids.

Mythical Creatures
Pictish animal symbols are thought to have been related to the relationship they had with Gods and Goddesses and include animals seen in other Celtic tribes such as boars, fish, birds and wolves. They go further though and many Celtic Scottish symbols depict monsters, mermaids and sea creatures. One of these creatures is the notable Pictish Beast.

The Pictish Beast is also known as the Pictish Dragon or Pictish Elephant. It is not usually identifiable with a real animal and rather resembles a seahorse. The Picts used this creature in about 2 out of 5 of all their animal depictions, which meant they must have credited it with great importance. What it is thought to represent is either a highly important person or perhaps even a political symbol.

Druid Symbols
The earliest of all Scottish Celtic symbols stem from the ancient Druids. Called Druid Symbols they include Wreaths and Staves. These designs have their origin in heraldic designs which often featured wreaths made from oak leaves.

A more modern symbol is the Awen which in Gaelic means inspiration or essence. The three parts of the symbol represent the harmony of opposites. The left and right bars, or rays represent female and male energy and the center ray represents the harmonious balance between them.

An ancient Druid symbol was the Sun Wheel which had six or eight spokes and which was meant to represent the solar calendar. The Celtic cross has its origins in this motif. Another modern Druid symbol is the Tree of Life which was commonly used in Pagan times but was later adopted for Christian use.

By Tim Lazaro
PressSearch.org

The Best College Backpacks

Ever since the classroom held more than ten students and text books were allowed to go home with the student the era of the backpack was born. In the beginning it was a simple pouch or perhaps a basket that could hold the books and a bite of lunch. Then the birth of the book bag started in the fifties with a Scottish plaid look and the capability to hold your books, pencils, crayons and lunch. The lunch pail was born and the backpack went to the over the shoulder carrier.

The student from age five to college age all had to have a backpack for everything from soup to nuts. The backpack companies started inventing backpacks out of all sorts of materials. Backpacks were made from plastics, materials, cloth, blue jean style, fancy leather, psycdellic, and many other formats. The back pack was made for the mod student, the hippie, the sophisticated, the glamour girl and for the average just let me study student. The idea behind the backpack gave birth to a new piece of equipment that both male and female could carry and feel comfortable. The necessity of carrying all your school supplies, sporting equipment, and other essentials gave birth to backpack mania. Everybody needs a backpack.

The backpack grew from the school age child to the college student and now even busy executives carry a backpack as they travel. It seems this is needed in order to carry the notebook for many people in business. Today there are millions of people all over the world of many different ages that carry around a backpack. It seems that the backpack mania caught on and is here to stay.

Find the best backpacks for school all on my top 25 list, and more of my work all at FINDcollegecards.

By Tom Tessin
PressSearch.org

How Long Does Cocaine Stay in Your System?

Cocaine is a powerfully addictive and dangerous drug that is snorted, sniffed, injected, or smoked. Cocaine is not a new drug; in fact, it is one of the oldest known drugs. The pure chemical, cocaine hydrochloride, has been an abused substance for more than 100 years, and coca leaves, the source of cocaine, have been ingested for thousands of years.

Crack is also known as cocaine that has been processed from cocaine hydrochloride to a free base for smoking.

Cocaine is a powerfully addictive stimulant that directly affects the brain; it usually makes the user feel euphoric and energetic. Common health effects include heart attacks, respiratory failure, strokes, and seizures. Large amounts can cause bizarre and violent behavior. In rare cases, sudden death can occur on the first use of cocaine or unexpectedly thereafter.

Cocaine is the second most popular recreational drug in the US and Europe after marijuana. In 2006, 6 million Americans age 12 and older had abused cocaine in any form and 1.5 million had abused crack at least once in the year prior to being surveyed.

Cocaine's effects appear almost immediately after a single dose, and disappear within a few minutes or hours. The duration of cocaine's immediate euphoric effects depends upon the route of administration. The intensity of the 'high' is proportionate to the rate of absorption. The quicker the absorption, the briefer the period of action. Snorting takes time to give a high, and the high may last 15 to 30 minutes. The high from smoking may last 5 to 10 minutes only.

By Pauline Go
PressSearch.org

Top Bridges in the World - A Triumph of Infrastructure Engineering

Bridges are in incredible asset to the engineering world, they have influenced the development of cultures, surroundings and lives throughout different countries. A bridge makes a large part of famous skylines in the world, it is almost impossible to imagine San Francisco without the Golden Gate Bridge, or Manhattan without Brooklyn Bridge. Structures such as these have shaped our lives, aided commerce and urban development. Here in this article we shall look at some of the biggest and famous bridges in the world, all to which we owe to infrastructure engineering.
Located in the United Kingdom is a well known bridge known as the Clifton Suspension Bridge. Completed in 1864 this stunning bridge spans across the Avon Gorge and is as famous to Bristol as the Eiffel Tower is to Paris. Dedicated maintenance of this structure has ensured that the bridge has never closed and now carries an impressive four million cars a year. It is easy to forget that this infrastructure engineering was carried out in the 1830s, created in the 1860's and initially intended for horse drawn traffic. Today this amazing bridge is protected by a trust set up by the parliament in 1952, highlighting the importance of this structure to society.
Another impressive feat of infrastructure engineering is the recognized Brooklyn Bridge that was designed by the inventor of wire cable John. A Roebling. Brooklyn Bridge is a renowned cultural icon that was designed in 1867; a smaller prototype of the bridge was made over the Ohio River in Cincinnati. The gothic towers on the bridge are made entirely of granite and the roadway platform hung on two inch diameter steel suspenders that are strung from two pairs of cables. This type of project demonstrates how much of an influence infrastructure engineering is on culture and how we perceive certain parts of the world.
Finally, another celebrated bridge is the Le Ponte De Normandie that is located in Le Havre, France. The design of this prominent cable bridge was by Michel Virlogeu. The infrastructure engineering of this structure was affected by three factors, anchorages of a suspension bridge would have been too heavy and the bridge would have sunk into the soft river bed. The structure was only required to support a light traffic load and the bridge was designed to motivate nationalistic pride. All of these factors were taken into consideration and why the bridge ended up becoming world's longest cable-stayed bridge.
It isn't often recognised how important design, engineering and infrastructure engineering is on society. Bridges, tunnels and other massive projects all shape locations and can end up really benefiting an area for various reasons, not just for their original function.

Dominic Donaldson is an expert in the engineering industry.
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