Upgrade Your Artistic Skills With These Sketching Tips and Tricks

Sketching Tips and Tricks
Sketching is a fun art form at which one can get better with practice. This article from ArtHearty lists some sketching tips and tricks, which will help you become better at sketching.
ArtHearty Staff
Last Updated: Feb 22, 2018
Before we get down to discussing the techniques and tips of sketching, let us tell you that everyone has their own way of drawing. What works best for someone may not necessarily work for you, but that doesn't mean you are going wrong or you will not be able to do it. You may have heard the saying "practice makes man perfect" a zillion times before, but it so holds true! Remember - miracles don't happen overnight but only when you diligently and faithfully work hard TO MAKE THEM HAPPEN.
Never ever trash your previous work, even if it is not up to scratch, but maintain it to monitor your progress. As you will compare your previous work with your present work, you will realize how much improvement you have made through hard work and patience. It's simply rewarding!
Sketching Tips for Beginners
So, what does one need for sketching basically? Is it paper? Is it pencil? No, it's not. It is the skill of observation, that is an important attribute for a good sketching artist . Here, are a few tips and tricks that will help you in improving your drawing and sketching skills.
It is not necessary to spend all your money on expensive stationery. One of the sketching tips for beginners, is to start sketching on textured paper. Later on, you can start using A4 sized papers used for photocopying. For sketching, a darker pencil is required as you can add more depth to your sketches by adding dark shadows and tones. You can always lessen the pressure on the pencil and lighten your strokes, so start with a 6B pencil of decent quality. You will require an eraser and a sharpener or a cutter handy, to sharpen the pencil, and carry a pad to support the papers.

Now that you have all the equipment, the important thing before your start sketching is observation. Whatever the subject you want to sketch, the important thing before you start is to observe the subject carefully. It can be still life, nature, portrait or gesture drawing. First just sit and watch. What does the subject look like? How is the subject balanced? How does the light fall on the subject? Lighting is an important factor that one should pay attention to, when adding texture in a sketch. Look for the highlights (brightest spots) and shadows formed on the subject.

Hand Movements
Many people don't know that one of the most important part when it comes to sketching is related to hand movements. Before sketching, for 5 -10 minutes just draw circles of a diameter of around 10 centimeters. Draw vertical, horizontal and diagonal lines from end to end of the paper. While drawing these shapes, it is important that you don't rest your wrist on the paper. As you get better at drawing these lines and circles perfectly, your hand movements will improve and you will be able to draw shapes more confidently. This is an important practice assignment, one should do before sketching any subject, for free hand movement.

Getting the Right Form
Whenever sketching a subject, forget about the completion of the sketch. The first thing you should get right is the form. This is one of the important sketching tips for kids, or any beginner. For example, in still life get the shape, size and symmetry of the object right. The shading and texturing of the drawing is secondary and comes later on. When sketching for perspective drawings, get the form perfect and then proceed to shading. If you get the form right, you will not just now how to shade them but also to paint them. So whatever subject you want to sketch, try to get the correct form first. You can buy books on different subjects. These books have rules for drawing forms, which will help you understand and draw the form with proper rules.

Texturing or Shading
After you get the form of the subject right, start practicing shading. At this stage, you can buy more pencils of different tones. You can also buy kneaded erasers to give different light shades to your drawings. In the drawing, find the highlights and leave these spots, then take a middle tone pencil, and start shading with the pencil, in even angle strokes. Then proceed to the darkest spots on the subject, and shade these areas with dark-toned pencils. Always observe and then start shading the sketch. There are different types of textures, one can use in sketching, like hatching (parallel lines), cross-hatching, varied hatching, stippling, etc. You can create your own texture too, many people smudge their sketch with their fingertips to give a soft hazy look. Buy a basic texturing book, to learn about the different texturing styles. After you get better with black and white sketching, you can start using color pencils. There are some color pencils which are water soluble, so you can use a wet brush on the sketch and give the sketch a watercolor painting sort of feel!

However, practice is the most important thing required to get better at sketching. So if you really want to sketch well, practice the art at least for an hour everyday and when outdoors, observe and absorb details about anything or anybody. Use the above tips and sketch amazing portraits, still life, nature, perspectives, etc.
Good Luck!
6b blue pencil
Hand holding clipboard with blank sheet
Sharpener and eraser
Multicolored Crayons
Colored Pencils
New Colored Pencils Textured


Saturday, 15 September 2018

CoL Update (Term 3, Week 8)

Paul's recount about the museum -

Paul's recount about Tongan language week-

Tolo pato
“I asked Havea what game is this”
“Havea said it’s dodgeball”

Fusi Maea

Kian's recount about making a tent at school -

Kian's Tongan language week recount -

Ryan's story - The true heart

“yes it's me” i replied to her
(i love you)

...The end...

Overall comments

Thursday, 13 September 2018

Cynthia Greenleaf PD - Argumentation vs. persuasion

Link to evidence/reasoning about slides 11 and 12.

Link to group norms about discussions, and refining those norms.

Thinks to think about...
- layering - there was a picture on slide 11 and a text on slide 12. Did using both of these allow people to feel they had enough to go from?
- there is a difference between argumentation and persuasion
- if you are trying argumentation and students don't have anything to share, consider the resources that were given and if they were enough for students to access the situation.
- before starting the activity, Cynthia told us to "pay attention to something somebody else said that made you think" - that was there is no pressure to say something you thought of, but you still have a voice.
- consider how you are asking students to discuss (i.e. padlet is anonymous, this is both a good and bad thing).
- give students sentence starters (where is your evidence for that, did you consider, did anyone notice that)

Friday, 7 September 2018

CoL Update (Term 3, Week 7)

CoL Update
This week has been crazy as it was Tongan language week, however a couple key things I can talk about are 1) my first social story and 2) moving up reading levels.

Social stories are something I learnt about from Donna Ryan  at a PD session a while ago. The PD session was about visual aids in the classroom, but she mentioned social stories because they are visual aids to help children understand what to do in a social situation. They can be made about ANYTHING. The one I felt was necessary to make was 'how to sit on the mat', as Ryan often struggles to do this in what could be called the 'expected' way.

I explained to my class that I wanted them to pose for pictures and not to worry about why, so they were happy to do so. (Thank you 10 year old photographer!)

Then I made the social story.

It was simple and easy to make, and I kept the 'instruction-ey' part simple. The pictures show what the words describe.
My plan is to give this to Ryan during mat time to help him remember what he should be doing and manage himself. I find that I am almost constantly asking him to turn around, sit down, face the front etc.
Don't get me wrong - I understand and acknowledge that sometimes he isn't able and ready to do these things and that is okay. But sometimes he is ready and able, so needs a gentle reminder.

Also because I am aware of the social precariousness of 10 year old boys, I have made 5 copies of this social story and will give them to anybody who needs a reminder. That way Ryan doesn't feel targeted or picked on in any way. I will only give it to students when they need a reminder - not giving it to them straight away and assuming they won't/can't do it. Only when they need it.

Another highlight of this week was that I rejigged my reading boxes. I have these tubs to store colour-wheel level books for Paul and Kian (and another ESOL student who I have mentioned a couple times). Previously, these started at Level 9-10 (blue) and went through to Level 21-22 (Gold). I finally decided that if Kian is going to move I kinda have to force him. Due to his learning differences, he has been sitting around levels 10-15 for the past few years. He moves up, slides backwards over the holidays, moves up again, slides backwards, etc etc. He is currently reading Orange books (Level 15-16) with me at 'guided' level, and was reading level 9-14 for independent reading. However, he wasn't really doing any independent reading. The books that go home come back unread and he refuses (due to confidence) to read to anybody but me or Paul in class. Hence, I got rid of the level 9-14 tubs and he is now going to only be reading orange or higher. There are a mixture of types of books to give variety (and level of complexity, as PM books and sunshine books are different even though they are graded at the same level). I really want to challenge him and build his confidence so he can and will read these books. He is capable of it and I want him to see that. When I explained that I was going to get rid of the blue/green books and he was only going to read orange, he didn't really care. So no opposition!

I put in Level 23-26 books with the spare 2 containers I know have. Even though I only moved Paul a few weeks ago onto Level 21, he can pretty much read them first time, independently, so hence I am not challenging him enough.
Paul (and the other ESOL student) read with me both together and separately, and they will read to and with other students as well. They get a lot of mileage because of this.
For Paul, this participation and contribution, and be willing to work with others in different ways and in different contexts has really accelerated his learning.

Friday, 31 August 2018

Response to reading: "Digital Text is Changing How Kids Read—Just Not in the Way That You Think"

Key parts for me -

Key points.
  1. Students reading online is more taxing and is different. Not better or worse, but a different set of skills, or rather, a more fast-paced set of skills is required. Readers are bombarded with ads, links, pictures, text that they are trying to read and text that is distracting, all at the same time. No wonder they can get distracted.
  2. Children need to be taught how to read online as well as in books. If this reading and decision making process is faster and different, we can't expect them to read the same way. We need to explicitly teach how to make these decisions, how to know if i am reading the right thing, should move on, should skip a paragraph, should click that link over there...
  3. Attention spans are shorter. I can definitely see that,  in adults around me more so than my 10 year olds. We grew up with screens as new and exciting, so always want the digital stimulation it brings. Not many 20 somethings I know can sit and read a paperback for more than about 10 minutes. And yet... those same people I am thinking about who can't deal with life without technology, also get bored of it because they churn through so much content there's nothing new anymore.
  4. Reading as decoding and making meaning occurs in both worlds, what is difference is the depth of that meaning. Reading is reading. Do you know what these words are saying? Then you are reading. But reading online, so it seems, demands less in-depth thought and analysis of what is being read.

Response to reading: "Why kids should keep using their fingers to do math"

Link to article

This is SOOOO true. I have seen and heard teachers growl students for using their fingers in maths (yes, even in recent times) and felt horrified.
I am a 23 year old, grown adult... and I count on my fingers. I use them all the time. And personally, actively encourage my students to do so as well.

With the numeracy project came this structure -

Which says that when teaching new concepts, you should start using materials, and when students are ready move to imaging (no materials, or using materials but only looking at them and not moving them around), then once they got that, move onto no materials at all.
With this, came this idea that if you had to use your fingers to count, you were imaging (using materials to help you). Which sure, fingers do kinda count as a material as you aren't doing the math in your head). Hence, using your fingers in maths was actively discouraged and became almost taboo to some teachers.
For me, it depends how you are using your fingers.
If you are using them to count to 10, you are COUNTING.
If you are using them to help you keep track while you skip count in 5's to figure out 9x5, you are TRACKING.
To me these are completely different things.

Without using their fingers some students can't keep track of the maths they are doing in their heads.
For example with my current students, those who haven't memorised their times tables use their fingers to track how many skip counts they have done.
E.g. 9x5 would sound like 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and one finger would go up for each number they said. If they didn't have the 9 fingers up, they would have already forgotten how many times they skip counted, or not known to stop at 9 and kept counting till 100.

Using their fingers helps them keep track of mental maths.
And we should let them do it!

CoL Update (Term 3, Week 6).

This week has been really interesting, and again another week where I haven't been in class for a full 5 days (CRT on Friday).

Ryan has had awesome days and terrible days. Last week I gave all my students 'spots' or desks to sit in instead of letting them sit wherever they wanted, as they weren't being responsible and looking after classroom equipment (including Netbooks). Ryan took his spot and really made it his own. He bought over the labelled container he keeps all his stuff in, started putting things in his desk, set up three walls around him and decorated them with his own work/books (including moving the teaching station to make his third wall). This has worked really well for him, and I am so impressed that he has taken his 'spot' in a positive way and made it his own. I took this photo of him one day when I randomly noticed he was wearing the ear muffs (something we have tried/failed at many times) and was quietly working away.

Paul really surprised me again one day when during a DMIC session, he said to his group "I know it, I'll do it", and took the piece of paper and solved the problem. For context, the boy sitting next to him is the top maths student in the class, and yet Paul is the one who solved it. I love that because his friend is giving him the chance to succeed and lead, even though he could have solved it himself. This boy (the friend) understands what I have been trying to do with him, and is trying to do the same. I also LOVE IT because he is leading and participating and contributing in a maths lesson, without ANY teacher input.
Side note - he also got it right (adding fractions with different denominators - BOOYAH!)
He then later tried to help other groups explain their maths thinking because he understood it and others didn't.. He wanted to get up in front of the class and explain where somebody else had gone wrong in their maths thinking. AMAZING.

Another time, I was working with a group of about 10 boys on an inquiry task. The task was a group task to sort (compare and contrast) different natural disasters - there was no reading and writing involved, only sorting and explaining/justifying. In the video (although you can't see their faces so you might not notice), both Paul and Kian ask for a picture in the beginning, then discuss with their friends where it should go and why.

I find that with Kian and Paul, they are more involved with group/whole class tasks when they don't involve reading and writing. This makes sense, as they are both lower (ability wise) than the rest of the class and know it, so are scared to make mistakes or say something silly. To try and get them to participate, I think reading the text with them before hand or giving them a different text (in groups), so then they could access the information without feeling awkward, shy or scared.

Response to reading: What kinds of activities are common among teenagers who work well with others

Link to article

Statement 1: This makes a lot of sense to me, because when students are doing physical activity, they are usually doing it together. The very act of playing a game of rugby or soccer (or whatever else) demands children to negotiate, collaboration, make decisions, play against a agreed set of rules, often being their own referees and captains. They are building social skills while doing the physical activity.. so is this causation or coalition?

Statement 2: The article talks about students who played games at home scored less on the collaboration part of the test. I don't know if my own experience agrees with that, as when students are playing games at home, they are often either
1) playing alongside a family member who they take turns and give/receive guidance from
2) playing alone, but on an online platform in a team where they must collaborate with people from across the world.
Yes, maybe they score worse on the PISA test, but surely they are still developing some collaborative skill, possibly in a way that the test didn't detect?
I think that there are different kinds of collaboration and each can't be measured using the same ruler.

This makes total sense to me. Even if it was not directly what they were measuring, a positive impact still occurs. Feelings are hard to measure with a standardised test.

Statement 3: They are talking about feelings in this statement, not directly ability to collaborate. However, having positive feelings towards those you are collaborating with is hugely important.

Learning Difference Workshop - The University of Auckland - Part 3

Developmental dyspraxia & sensory processing
by Emma Ratcliff from Kidz Therapy.

Developmental coordination disorder = dyspraxia.
It’s about organisation and coordination, not just letters/numbers.

Dyspraxis is about - Idea of what it is I need to do, planning to do something, and execution of that plan.

Children with dyspraxia can hop, skip, and jump separately when asked. But if you ask them to hop, skip and jump one after the other straight away, they might not get it right or do it in the right order. Things they could do yesterday, they can’t do today. They can struggle to transfer skills or knowledge to new areas or join them together.

In the brain, the neurons don’t stay connected as they would in a non-dyzbraxic brain. That’s why kids can do something one day, and not the next. The best way to make the connection stick and grow is to be happy – the chemicals behind being happy anyway.
It’s like having to learn how to drive the car, EVERY TIME THEY GET IN. The brain doesn’t remember what to do.
Therefore, everything is hard, no matter how many times they have done that task.

 This shows as...

How can we give these children a positive learning experience, without being too soft on them?

Learning Difference Workshop - The University of Auckland - Part 2

“I thought I was dumb Miss” – Marie Kelly from Kidz Therapy.

DSM5 – “specific learning disorder”

Dys/dis words – disorganised, disliked, disabled as well as dyslexic, dyspraxia, dyscalulia etc.
It has a negative connotation no matter what your intention.

Dyslexia is not the same as dyspraxia (etc) but usually parts of all ‘dys’s are present.

Wechsler scale of intelligence of children (hard to read so here's a better one).

Cognitive ability
1. Working memory is important.
say it forward – 56398 – rote learning.
Now saw it backward… who could do it? Who could do it if you were looking at the numbers written?
Now put these numbers in order –

2. Processing speed –
Even routine things like copying from the board, they get it wrong.

How to help?
Text to speech
Voice typing
Google read and write

Pictures from slideshow.

how does it feel to be dyslexic?

Kids can’t win--- they can’t follow 10 instructions at once so they ask their friends for help, then get told off for talking.

Research later.
CALL SCOTLAND apps for Dyslexia

Reading assessments recommended for students with Dyslexia
Joy Alcot’ spelling??
Lucid screening test.
Writing sample.
South Australian spelling test or Peters.

Books recommended by Marie

The following 2 pictures I took because they resonated strongly with a student of mine who I suspect has dyslexia.

And another 2 books she recommended. The '100 ideas' one was REALLY good and has lots of beginners tips.


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25 Labor Rights in Islam – Employee Obligations

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Islam is well known as a religion which dignified, honored, and cared the labors. In the past, labor’s right was disgraced by the practice of slavery, where they were humiliated and violated at the same time. But Islam is different. Islam has a define meaning of labor’s right as a part of society who has to be treated equally.

Islam guarantee the rights of labors by establishing social justice to secure the labor’s family for a decent life when the worker passed away. The value of a labor is raised in Islam from a respectful perspective and involving the view of humanity in it.

The two main guidance for Muslim, Quran and Hadith both confirm about the right of a labor as written below:

1. The right to get wages

Wages is and obligation for the employers to their labor, and Islam took a great care for that matters. In Islam, work is one of religious duties must perform by every Muslim to make a living. Working from the morning until evening is another form of good deeds, especially when a head of a family doing labor for the sake of his family, Allah guarantee rewards for him.

For employers who violating the labor’s right of wages deserves Hell fire as reported by Abu Umamah (may Allah be pleased with him): Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, “Allah decrees the (Hell) Fire and debars paradise for the one who usurps the rights of a believer by taking a false oath.”

Also read: Importance of Leadership in Islam

2. The wages should be paid in the due time

Islam urge every employers to pay for their labor’s wages when he is return from his work. Paying the wages before the labors coming home is something important from Islamic point of view. As the salary someone receive from his employers will be used to feed his family who have been waiting all day. Imagine if a labor return home from work empty handed, because his employers hasn’t paid him yet.

The rest of the family will be famished, and thus the employers have violated the rights of their labor.

Also read: Importance of Istighfar in Islam

3. The wages paid should be in fair amount

Fair doesn’t mean equal. If there are ten employers in a company with the difference in job description, the time he’s been working, and the burden of the work, the amount of wages should be different. The wages paid to the labors has to be equal and fair, due to their capabilities dan talents. Allah (SWT) said, “and do not deprive people of their due.” – Al-A`raf (7:85)

The amount of wages should be fair, not exceeding his capabilities or less than it. Allah Almighty has warned employers who paid their employers in no fair amount, “Woe to those who give less [than due]. Who, when they take a measure from people, take in full. But if they give by measure or by weight to them, they cause loss.” Al Mutaffifin (83:1-3)

Also read: The Importance of Prayer in Islam

4. The wages has to be given on the spot

Islamic rules has set one of the labor’s right is to receive the wages by the time their work has completed. As narrated by Abdullah ibn Umar, the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, “Give the worker his wages before his sweat dries.” – Ibn Majah.

Moreover, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) has declared employers who delayed their labors wages as Allah Almighty’s opponent in the Day of Resurrection.

Also read: Importance of Inheritance in Islam

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5. Choose appropriate works

Islam significantly raised the dignity of a worker by giving them freedom to choose any work that appropriate for them as an absolute right. Works that the labor was engaged with should bring him goods and a lot of fortune, for both the employers and the employee. This is stressed in both Holy Quran and Hadith. Allah Almighty says,

“And say, ‘Do [as you will], for Allah will see your deeds, and [so, will] His Messenger and the believers’.” – At Tawbah (9:105)

Also, Allah command His believer to take the work within his capabilities and not exceed it, because Allah Himself won’t make his worshiper suffering.

“Abu Hurairah reported Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said, ‘It is essential to feed the slave, clothe him (properly) and not burden him with work which is beyond his power’.” – Muslim

Also read: Importance of Time in Islam

6. The right to have rest

Employers must not overworking their labor with a lot of duties beyond their capabilities. Having some time to rest is the right of a labor. The work that the labors do must not causing damage to his health and life.

“And I do not wish to put you in difficulty.” – Al Qasas (28:27)

The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, “Do not charge them with works that they cannot afford.” – An Nasa’i and Ibn Majah.

7. Obtaining the rights that determined by the employers

Under the contractual work, an employer must give proper rights to his labors and not to violating any of them. The violation of labor’s right considered as injustice in Islam. Employer must never devalues the labor’s wages by benefited his severe need at a time. This is strictly prohibited by Islam.

8. To be fired due to lack of performance

Given all the privilege involving proper wages and resting time, Islam also asks labor to give their best when it comes to work as a return. Unless the decreasing performance was caused by sickness or old age, the employers have the right to fired their labors when they’re lacking in performance. A labor should benefited the most from his young age to give his best at work.

Also read: Importance of Sacrifice in Islam

9. The labor’s dignity should be preserve

Labors in Islam is not a submissive of lower class in a society. Rather, they are the equal part of it and should also be treated equally. Thus, employers should protect the dignity if their labors. Labors should not be humiliated and violated like a slave. Labors should be treated as coworker who helps the employer to gain benefits. The Prophet (SAW) himself would eat together with the labors and assist them in work.

10. Labors should not be abuse

Islam does not permit employers to practice abusive act towards their labors. If they ever hit labors, they should be responsible for their act.

This is confirmed by Aisha who narrated: “The Messenger of Allah never beat any of his servants, or wives, and his hand never hit anything.” – Ibn Majah

Also read: Importance of Jummah in Islam

More Labor Rights in Islam

  1. Employer must give his labors time to do the religious ritual such as prayer and fasting.
  2. Labors have the right to complain when they feel any injustice related to work.
  3. Labors have the right for insurance system who will benefited themselves and their family when they deceased.
  4. Labors have the right for the kindness from their employer. These kindness include not to force them beyond their capability to do works.
  5. Labors have freedom to form a unions or association to seek justice and escalate their bargaining power within the society.
  6. Relationship between labors and employer should be like brotherhood, so both parties could gain the best benefits.
  7. Labors should be educated and treated nicely.
  8. Labors should not do work which cause any harm physically so they no longer capable to work.
  9. Labors should work at the exact amount of time that equals to his wages.
  10. Labors could disagree to their employers when they feel injustice in the employer-labor relationship.

So those are the rights of labors in Islam. May Allah bless us with a good behaviors towards our brother and treat labors as one of them.

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The Fear Of The Unknown

I came across this quote and just felt it was a piece of the puzzle I was searching for.  I always pay so much attention to every little detail in every aspect of my life. There is not a moment in my life that I haven’t just experienced and let it be. I over think, and analyze every emotion, every pain, every moment. I often wonder how many people like myself, are afraid of the unknown. How many moments do we really allow ourselves to just “let it be?”  Instead of trying to constantly understand the entire world, what if we all just enjoyed the sense of mystery? Sometimes we just need to leave room for mystery, because really, not everything needs to make sense.

We spend so much time trying to untangle the knots or rearrange the puzzle pieces in our life daily. We make each strategic move as if we are pieces on a chessboard, trying to protect our king and queen. Did you ever think that maybe we are the reason that the pieces won’t fall into place? We find ourselves waiting for our opponent, a bad job, a mean boss, a bad relationship, an unhealthy lifestyle, a disease, to make their next move. Based on their move, we sit and analyze every possible retaliation they could make on our next move. Sometimes we lose sight of our king, and make a spurious choice, and we are in checkmate. We look to take back our move, and think over and over again how we were blinded. There is always an excuse when we find ourselves in checkmate. Either we spent too much time analyzing or we acted on impulse, both decisions could bring us to the same point. You will never know which one is the right choice unless you try. You see the thing about checkmate is it brings you to an end, to begin a new beginning. The pieces return back, and you have a chance at a fresh new approach.  So don’t try for the perfect move, for we don’t know in the end if it will ever simply be “perfect.”IMG_20140227_215036


The Chetlat Island is 56 km on the north of the Amini and 432 km (233 nautical miles) away from Kochi. It lies between 11° 41′ and 11° 43′ N latitude and 72° 41′ and 72° 43′ E longitude having an area of 1.40 sq km. Along the eastern side of the island, there is a wide belt of coral delta formed by storms, which broadens at the north and covers the whole southern end of the island.

CHETLAT is the northern most inhabited island.Coir twisting is thechief occupation of the people here.The coconut yield is poor and income is meagre.Manufacture of mats and weaving of coconut leaves are the spare time industries here.The island suffered a great deal at the hands of the portuguese in the 16th century.Boat building was a flourishing industry at the beginning of the 20th century when all the vessels needed by the Amindivi islanders were built here.

Island at a glance
Population (2011) 2345
Density (per 2255.
Location 11°- 41* North Latttude 72°- 43* East longitude
Distance to Malabar coast 432 km from Kochi
Total geographical Area 1.40 sq.Kms
Maximum Length 2.68 km
Width 0.59 km
Temperature 32oC (Max.) to 28oC (Min.)
Humidity 70-75%
Highest Rainfall 241.8 mm.recorded in 24 hours
Literacy Rate 92.22


IELTS Writing: Should I Write 4 or 5 Paragraphs?

If you’ve been studying IELTS for a long time, you’ll see certain teachers and textbooks recommending one structure or another. Generally, what they suggest is something like this:

  • Introduction
  • 2-3 body paragraphs
  • Conclusion

That’s it. Pretty simple, right?

Well, some students ask, “Should I write 4 or 5 paragraphs?” because they want to know which is best. When they look at model essays by IELTS examiners, they see both kinds of essay, but wonder why.

Why Do Paragraphs Matter?

Paragraphs are important in writing essays because they break down your ideas into convenient sections that a reader can easily understand. Imagine if a 250 word IELTS task 2 essay was just one whole block of text!

As such, there are certain basic writing conventions like introductions and conclusions, and the notion that one paragraph should contain one idea. All of this makes it easier for a writer to give clear information, and for a reader to understand it.

In IELTS, you should follow these ideas. Remember that the IELTS writing test is marked according to four sections:

  • Task Achievementrubric 300x213 - IELTS Writing: Should I Write 4 or 5 Paragraphs?
  • Coherence and Cohesion
  • Lexical Resource
  • Grammatical Range and Accuracy

Paragraphing falls under “coherence and cohesion”, meaning that the IELTS examiner will be judging your overall English ability on this skill.

Being able to use paragraphs “sufficiently and appropriately” would get you a band 8.0 for this part of the exam, so it is super important!

Ok, here’s a little bit of advice. Learning grammar is super hard, but learning essay structure is easy! You could study grammar for five years and still struggle with it, but you could learn essay structure in just one day! Now consider that both of these are worth 25% and you can understand why it’s so important to get good at structuring.

4 v 5 Paragraphs: Which is Better?

Ok, let’s look at the merits and problems with each of these approaches to writing a task 2 IELTS essay.

The 4-Paragraph Structurestructure 1 300x210 - IELTS Writing: Should I Write 4 or 5 Paragraphs?

A four-paragraph essay is going to look like this:

  • Introduction
  • Body paragraph 1
  • Body paragraph 2
  • Conclusion

Your body paragraphs will be chosen according to the question type. You may, for example, have one paragraph about advantages and another about disadvantages. You may have a paragraph about problems and another about solutions. However, there will always be two body paragraphs, and each should contain a different idea.

Here is an example of how it could be used:

The best way to travel is travel in a group led by a tour guide.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

You could structure a 4-paragraph essay like this:

  • Introduction – restate the question, outline essay
  • Para #1 – state counterpoint, explain why I disagree
  • Para #2 – reason why independent travel is good, explain
  • Conclusion

Here is my sample answer:

Nowadays, more people are travelling around the world and some of them choose to do it in tour groups. There are various reasons why they travel like this, but others strongly disagree with this method of tourism, and instead prefer to travel alone, or with a smaller group, such as friends or family. This essay will argue that independent travel is preferable to guided tours.

There are many reasons why people prefer to travel in groups. Some of the most common reasons are that it is cheaper, more convenient, and you are guided by an expert who will speak your language and be able to give you important information. This is mostly true, but it also creates an artificial environment by alienating the travellers from the place they visit. Tourists in large groups are surrounded primarily by other tourists, taken to pre-arranged locations, and given access only to what the tour suggests. They are therefore losing out on many experiences available to those who travel more freely.

People who travel by themselves are able to choose their own itinerary and, if they like, change that itinerary according to their preference. For example, say they decided to travel through the islands of Thailand. They may really enjoy one island and decide to stay there for longer, rather than stick to the original schedule. Moreover, their experience will be more authentic as they are able to converse with the locals and explore a place naturally.

Some people may argue that getting lost or having translation issues are problems that would ruin a holiday, but on the contrary, they provide adventure and experience. Guided travel certainly makes travel easier, but it doesn’t make it better.

Pros and Cons

In the above example, I was able to take the two ideas – being for or against tour groups – and devote a paragraph to each. This is a really simple way of structuring an essay, yet it is almost always effective. On the other hand, it could sometimes be limiting. Certain types of question, like problem/solution or the two-part question, may work out better with a 5-paragraph structure.

On the other hand, the four-paragraph structure may allow for more development within the paragraph, thereby showing a greater ability to expression your ideas. For example, you could:

  • State an advantage
  • Explain
  • Give an example

Whereas, with the time and space constraints, this may be harder to do with five paragraphs.

The 5-Paragraph Structure

The five-paragraph structure is more complex than the four-paragraph structure, but it needn’t be much more difficult to use. Here’s an example of how it may appear:

  • Introduction
  • Body paragraph 1
  • Body paragraph 2
  • Body paragraph 3
  • Conclusionstructure 2 300x210 - IELTS Writing: Should I Write 4 or 5 Paragraphs?

As you see, this allows us to include more ideas in the body of the paragraph, which has both advantages and disadvantages, as we shall see.

I will write another plan and essay based upon the same question above:

  • Introduction – restate the question and outline essay
  • Para #1 – arguments for group travel
  • Para #2 – 1st argument against group travel, explain
  • Para #3 – 2nd argument against group travel, explain
  • Conclusion

As you can see, this allows me to more clearly divide my arguments, rather than condense two ideas into one paragraph.

Here’s my 5-paragraph essay:

The reasons why people prefer guided group tours are numerous. Many people prefer this means of travelling because it is often cheaper, more convenient, and allows them access to a knowledgeable guide who can help them understand the area better. However, although these reasons are mostly true, there is more to be gained by travelling alone or in a small, independent group.

For one thing, travelling alone allows a greater degree of freedom. If you arrange your own itinerary, you can go where you like and even choose to change this according to circumstances. For example, if you are travelling the islands around Thailand, you may find one that is better than the others and choose to spend more time there.

In addition, the experience of travelling without a tour guide is more authentic. Arranged tours usually take people to the most common destinations, where you only see the same things that other tourists see. You seldom get to see the authentic life of people in that place. Even if it is more difficult, it is better to explore independently than be guided.

In conclusion, although there are many apparent benefits to travelling in large guided groups, it is preferable to travel independently. Chief among the reasons in favour of this mode of travel are the freedom and authenticity they provide.

Pros and Cons

The five-paragraph structure may seem harder to construct, and perhaps it is, but it is not much more difficult than the four-paragraph structure. Perhaps paradoxically, it can make structuring easier because, instead of condensing various arguments into a single paragraph, you can instead add a second argument to an additional paragraph. Then again, it is easier to include too many ideas or even to stray off topic with more paragraphs. Make sure to plan carefully and choose your arguments before you begin writing.

3 300x210 - IELTS Writing: Should I Write 4 or 5 Paragraphs?

So which is the better structure to use for your essays?

The answer is… it’s a personal choice.

Remember, there is no one perfect way of writing an essay. Different people will have different methods.

To be honest, both 4- and 5-paragraph essays are completely fine to use in the IELTS writing task 2. As long as you use the structures correctly, either one could get you a band 7.0 or even higher. The important thing is that you plan your essay carefully and don’t go off-topic.

Don’t worry about word length, either. Look at my example essays above. The 5-paragraph essay is only a few words longer than the 4-paragraph essay!

However, I would say that since the 4-paragraph structure is slightly easier to use, it has my recommendation.

I made this post into a video, which I just uploaded to YouTube. Maybe it makes things easier to understand. Please subscribe to my channel and LIKE the video – it would be really, really helpful to me! Thanks so much. I appreciate all my readers and viewers.

Some Final Words of Advice

In my IELTS classes, I almost always teach my students to use the four-paragraph structure. This is because it is easier and, to be honest, there is little more that you could do with a five-paragraph structure.

There are some occasions when a five-paragraph structure is better. I would suggest that you consider it for two-part questions or maybe even problem and solution questions; however, in most cases there is little difference between the two.

I could write a band 9.0 answer to any IELTS question using the four-paragraph structure. It would be a little more difficult to do it with the five-paragraph structure, but not impossible, and not much more difficult.

Therefore, choose whichever style you find best, and practice that often. Seek feedback from qualified IELTS trainers, then repeat your process in your IELTS exam.

One final word of warning: You really don’t ever need to write more than 5-paragraphs. I would be surprised to hear of anyone getting a high band score with six or seven or eight paragraphs. Likewise, just having three would also be a bad idea. Stick to 4 or 5 and you will be fine.

Author: David S. Wills

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EPA to reconsider Obama-era coal ash disposal rule

EPA to reconsider Obama-era coal ash disposal rule
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Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulators will reconsider portions of an Obama administration rule regulating coal ash, a byproduct of fossil fuel-fired power plants.

The rule, finalized in 2015, set new standards for coal ash disposal sites and boosted inspection and monitoring operations to make sure the sites don’t leak or spill.

Coal ash is a waste product produced by burning coal. It can contain small amounts of toxic chemicals, and is generally stored in ponds or pits near the power plants that burn them.

The EPA’s rule was the first national standard for coal ash disposal, and it came after a series of high-profile spills and leaks.

But President Trump’s EPA said it would reconsider sections of the rule after utilities petitioned the agency.

The Utility Solid Waste Activities Group, an industry organization, and power plant operator AES Puerto Rico asked the EPA to review sections of the rule, including its groundwater compliance and on-site storage provisions.

The EPA said it’s not committing to rewrite the rule, but that it “determined that it was appropriate, and in the public’s interest, to reconsider specific provisions” of it.

“It is important that we give the existing rule a hard look and consider improvements that may help states tailor their permit programs to the needs of their states, in a way that provides greater regulatory certainty, while also ensuring that human health and the environment remain protected,” EPA Administrator Scott PruittEdward (Scott) Scott PruittOvernight Energy: Trump rolls back methane pollution rule | EPA watchdog to step down | China puts tariffs on US gas EPA inspector general to resign Overnight Energy: EPA watchdog says agency failed to properly monitor asbestos at schools| Watchdog won’t investigate former Superfund head’s qualifications| Florence causes toxic coal ash spill in North Carolina MORE said in a statement.

Republicans have complained that the coal ash rule carries expensive compliance costs and threatens the viability of coal as a fuel source.

Democrats and environmentalists, meanwhile, pushed the Obama administration to go even further with its coal ash regulation. Obama’s EPA, for instance, did classify coal ash as a hazardous material, a distinction that would have opened the door to stricter regulations but higher compliance costs.

The EPA's Thursday action is the second it's taken in two days to review power plant regulations. The agency announced on Wednesday that it would delay compliance deadlines for a rule limiting toxic water pollution from coal-fired power plants.


This I Believe

Danielle - Briarcliff, New York
Entered on June 1, 2007
Age Group: Under 18

I believe in the heterozygosity of the human race; I believe in the individuality and the originality of every being that has walked, flied, swam, slithered or crawled the planet; I believe in the beauty of inequality. No creature is the same and no creature is equal to its neighbor and despite what the citizens of planet earth are taught, inequality is the most beautiful and rewarding thing that could ever exist.

Inequality is not just comprised of segregation and racial differences. These things can be categorized as “negative inequality”. Despite what most people have thought since the beginning of time, there is an inequality that is beautiful, a kind of inequality that we’re not taught to embrace as children. Inequality is wrong, we are taught, and something as significant as the Constitution says so, conveying the idea that everybody’s equal. But this is not the case at all. In fact, nobody is equal to another and this is what makes the earth beautiful, it’s what makes the citizens of planet earth different from eachother. It’s what we need to assure ourselves that no being will exist that is equal to another and that there is, truly, so much more to one’s life than being just a… life.

It is unfortunately true that an African-American man standing beside a white man represents pure inequality, but who is to say that the white man is “better” than the African-American man? The beauty of inequality is that nobody knows who is the better person because the inequality exists on so many levels that it’s practically impossible to tell. No technology, no meter, no genius can tell me which out of two people is the one that is “better”. Perhaps inequality rises above science and the power of the human mind. The ironic superiority of inequality, I believe, to be a beautiful aspect of the world as we know it.

It’s much too bad that the irony of this superior existence of inequality can’t be thoroughly explained by a girl who has lived a meager sixteen years on planet earth, but I can observe just as well as any adult and my belief lies within me. A belief is something that is carried through ones life, something that remains constant and doesn’t change. A belief lays at the core of an individual, while the flesh and bones around it develops, grows old. Like a peach, for example, the “pit” remains inside. It remains there until the fruit around it grows ripe enough to be eaten and once that happens, the pit still exists and the seed goes on to be planted to share itself to produce more. As humans, it’s our duty to share our belief with the world around us. Let our beliefs flower into the callow lives of others.

“The only thing constant in this world is change,” Buddha tells us. Every pattern is a heterozygous one. Nothing is equal and nothing should be. In this idea, I most certainly believe.


Taxi Blues (1990)

Genres - Drama  |   Sub-Genres - Urban Drama, Odd Couple Film, Psychological Drama  |   Release Date - Sep 7, 1990 (USA - Unknown)  |   Run Time - 110 min.  |   Countries - France, USSR  |
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Taxi Blues is a ground-breaking Russian film, one of the first to examine the rifts between the old Soviet Union and the post-communist Russian society. The movie concerns the friendship of an independent, alcoholic Jewish jazz musician named Liocha (Piotr Nikolajevitch Mamonov) and Schlikov (Pyotr Zaitchenko) a stern, conservative cabdriver. After Liocha doesn't pay Schlikov for a fare one evening, the cab driver tracks the musician down and takes his saxophone as payment. Despite his initial treatment of Liocha, Schlikov becomes fascinated by the musician and offers him a bed in his apartment. Eventually, the two strike up a friendship and Liocha gets a job in the taxi depot in order to pay off his debt. However, their friendship turn sour when Schlikov's girlfriend becomes smitten with the musician and Liocha joins an American musician for a U.S. tour. When Liocha returns, rich and successful, he fights with his old friend, leading to a sorrowful conclusion. Taxi Blues received great critical acclaim and many awards, including director Pavel Lungin winning the Best Director award at the Cannes Film Festival in 1990.

personality, alcoholism, cab-driver, friendship, ideals, music, political-conflict, saxophone


HK Tennis Academy
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Boys/Girls Varsity Tennis

At our tennis facility, we offer the highest quality instruction to tennis teams at the varsity level. Our coaches have world class experience to teach technique, athleticism and strategy for both singles and doubles tournament play.

A deposit of $1200 is required before the start of the term to reserve dates and times agreed upon. Choose any date and any time when making the deposit. A confirmation receipt will be emailed to the email provided.

Varsity Tennis Deposit


Now that the weather is warm you probably have your schedule filled with parties and other activities. Being outdoors partying on Independence Day is something a lot of people do. Parades, marching bands, and live music are frequently part of the good times, and don’t forget fireworks! There is no cause to remain home and miss out on the good times, but take a moment to consider how you might protect your hearing when you do go out to celebrate this summer.

Noise-induced hearing loss affects nearly 6 percent of the U.S. adult population less than the age of 70; that equates to around 40 million people. The sad part is this kind of hearing damage is almost 100 percent avoidable. What’s necessary is a little forethought and good sense. Take into consideration some examples of why you really should take care of your ears as you enjoy yourself this season and how to do it.

FireWorks are the Most Noisy of all.

With all the potential dangers that come with fireworks, hearing damage tops the list. Despite that, you rarely hear experts warning people about this threat like they do with fire or burns.

The good news? The potential for hearing damage is exponentially lowered the further you are from the explosion. People watching, for example, from their porch, would be less at risk than someone in the stands where the fireworks show is happening. If you are an adult it is recommended that you stand at least 30 yards away. Children should be 70 yards away to take care of their hearing and babies shouldn’t be there at all.

Because You Love Live Music

Hearing loss is a constant factor when it comes to repeated exposure to loud music. A sound at 100 decibels, which is typical level for live shows, becomes dangerous after just 15 minutes. Almost all concerts are longer than that!

Crowd Noise is Easily Overlooked

A Small Amount of Common Sense Goes a Long Way

What type of protection should you use for your ears? You might not realize that it’s actually common sense. Try to determine what the hearing risk is before the event:

  • Will there be loud music?
  • Large crowds?
  • Fireworks?

What precautions you take depends on how loud you think the celebration will be. It is important to wear hearing protection if you are going to be around loud music, crowds, or fireworks. Something simple like foam earplugs will allow you to hear what’s going on still, but at a safe level.

If there is a fireworks show, take the family back to a safe distance. The nature of fireworks means you can enjoy them without being in the front row. A block or two away is the safest minimum distance. Being a little further away helps you avoid large crowds making the show more enjoyable

The Sumer Season has Other Risks Besides Hearing Damage

There is more to talk about here than just sound. Hot sun, not enough water, excessive drinking, and fatigue also can be a concern. If you have tinnitus or suffer from hearing loss these things will make them worse.

Celebrations come every year, but you only get one pair of ears. Do what you must to keep them safe while still enjoying the good times. If you are worried that you may have already suffered hearing damage it is important to schedule an appointment with a hearing care specialist.


Department News

(l to r) Olivia Ho-Shing, Leigh Needleman, Nimrod Rubinstein, Julio Perez, and Catherine Dulac

Most cells in the mammalian body contain two copies of each chromosome, one passed from each of the parents. While most of the genes are equally active from both of the parental chromosomes, in a limited set of genes, a copy from only one of the parents is inactivated in a process known as genomic imprinting. The process of inactivation, or imprinting, generally takes place in the oocyte and sperm cells, and is achieved through addition of chemical marks on the DNA, which in the offspring, ensures inactivation of the genes. As a result of this phenomenon the maternal and paternal genomes contribute differently to the tissues in which they are expressed. While it is known that many imprinted genes are expressed in the embryo and placenta, and hence play key roles in early development, it is becoming evident that many imprinted genes are also expressed in the developing and adult brain, potentially regulating functions such as feeding, as well as social and motivated behaviors. Mapping imprinted genes in the brain can therefore shed significant light on the genetic basis of these functions.

Despite the advent of RNA sequencing technologies, which provide sensitive measurements of gene expression, several previous efforts to map imprinting in the mouse brain have yielded inconsistent results, most likely due to inadequate experimental design, data analysis, and lack of secondary validation. People from the laboratory of Catherine Dulac, in collaboration with the group of Jun Liu (Department of Statistics), have addressed these issues by applying a combined approach that includes developing a powerful statistical model that accounts for many of the sources of noise and variation inherent to RNA sequencing data, and extensively validating each imprinted gene candidate using an independent experimental technique. Using this approach for mapping imprinted genes in the developing and adult mouse cerebellum, they detected and independently validated 41 novel imprinted genes, in addition to 74 previously known imprinted genes.  This is a staggering increase of the total number of genes known to be imprinted in the mouse.

Their analysis confirmed that imprinting for many genes is manifested as lack of expression from one of the parental copies. However, it also highlighted that many other imprinted genes show a moderate deviation from equal expression of both copies (parental bias). Among many exciting findings of this work, the comparison between the two animal age groups revealed that the parental bias is not constant through life but generally its magnitude tends to decrease with age. Furthermore, quantifying the parental bias for a subset of imprinted genes across the brain and in tissues outside the brain showed a striking preference for these genes to be parentally biased only in the brain.  In addition, they observed a remarkable variability in the degree of the parental bias across the different brain regions (Figure 1).

While it was known that many imprinted genes are involved in tissue growth processes, programmed cell death (apoptosis) emerged as another biological pathway in which imprinted genes are significantly involved. Specifically, the long isoform of the Bcl-x gene (Bcl-xL), whose function is to prevent apoptosis, was found to have a 60:40 paternal-to-maternal expression level ratio. Despite this moderate parental bias, mice in which the paternal copy of the Bcl-x gene was deleted from all brain cells showed a significantly smaller brain size compared to either mice in which the maternal copy of Bcl-x was deleted or to control mice. Studying the brain histology of the paternal Bcl-x deleted mice showed that this loss of brain volume is largely due to a specific loss of excitatory neurons within the brain. This suggests that genomic imprinting of Bcl-xL is specific to certain cell types in the brain. It also clearly demonstrates the biological significance of a key finding of this work – that imprinted genes with moderate parental biases have a functional biological significance.

Read more in eLife or download PDF

Read more in the Harvard Gazette


The Butt Boulder

While trying to keep warm in between the lead qualifications and the speed competition, something great happened at the bouldering wall. Pinches and I were bouldering with a few kids from the team, trying out the wall and making some boulders. Far off in a corner, we discovered a huge starting hold, low on the wall. The yellow hold was almost large enough to be used as a seat, but not quite...

This is how we created the infamous "Butt Boulders".

Most of the problems we came up with involved clenching your butt around the starting hold, trying to keep your balance, then continuing to slide around for some next far-off hold. It was a sight to behold.

Please enjoy some samples from the session:

I very much enjoyed screaming "CLENCH YOUR ASS" at other people trying our boulder. I will never forget this bouldering session.

- Crimps


100-calorie snack: Dairy-free chocolate almond butter chews ready in five minutes!

May 15, 2012

Yes, I know….this snack sounds too good to be true.  Well, I am going to make it and let you know if it is actually yummy.  The ingredients are by themselves tasty, so I would assume that the combination is delicious as well.   I found this recipe in the Chatelaine magazine I get on line every day and I thougth to share it with you:

Five-minute, no-bake, vegan chocolate almond butter chews

Yield: 7 golf-ball sized chews

1/4 cup chunky all-natural almond butter

3 tbsp organic brown rice syrup

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

1 cup rice crisp cereal

1 tbsp cacao nibs or chopped dark chocolate

1. Line a plate with parchment paper.

2. In a medium sized bowl, stir together the almond butter, brown rice syrup, and vanilla. Microwave on high for 35-45 seconds or heat on the stovetop until simmering. Stir well and immediately add in the rice crisp cereal and cacao nibs or chopped chocolate until combined.

4. Place the balls onto parchment paper lined plate and freeze for 5 minutes. You can keep these chews in the freezer in a sealed container. They remain nice and chewy even straight from the freezer.

The original recipe can be found at the following link: http://www.chatelaine.com/en/blog/post/37696–100-calorie-snack-dairy-free-chocolate-almond-butter-chews-ready-in-five-minutes


Get a custom mouth guard. These are made for people with sleep apnea. It is a great alternative to CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) and is much more comfortable to wear at night. A mouth guard will work by positioning the jaw and tongue in a helpful way that will allow for easier breathing while asleep.

If you consume alcohol or smoke, this could be the underlying cause of your sleep apnea symptoms. Meanwhile, smoking causes the swelling of the airways; alcohol does the complete opposite and relaxes them too much. If you want to be able to sleep well each night, limit or quit smoking and/or drinking.

While sedatives and other sleep medications may help you fall asleep they are not so good when suffering from apnea. If possible, avoid taking any sleep aids to see if this improves your apnea problems. You just may find that something you thought was helping you to sleep was actually decreasing the quality of your sleep.

Learn to recognize sleep apnea. If you snore a lot or choke and can’t breathe during the night, this is probably a sign of sleep apnea. Use a tape recorded if you sleep alone and listen to the tape to find out how much noise you make during the night.

Some people may experience sleepiness brought on by sleep apnea. Make sure that if you are one of the many who experience this, don’t operate any vehicles or heavy machinery. Do the responsible thing and get the right treatment. Don’t operate any vehicles or machinery without treatment, as you can be a hazard to yourself and others.

Lose weight. If you find yourself having difficulty sleeping, take the time to evaluate your weight. If you are obese, that is likely a major factor in your sleep apnea. Start on a diet and exercise regime right away so that you can slim down and sleep more comfortably every night.

Make some drastic lifestyle changes if you must, in order to cure your sleep apnea. This means if you are smoking, drinking or taking sedatives, avoid doing so. If you don’t, this can worsen your sleep apnea symptoms. If you are addicted to smoking or drinking, consider getting help before being able to relieve your sleep symptoms.


Cannabivarin/CBV is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, analogous to cannabinol/CBN but with a shorter side-chain.

CBN is a cannabinoid with weak psycho-active properties and some therapeutic potential related to cancer, pain, ALS and eating disorders.

TRPV3 is one of the non-GPCR-coupled cannabinoid receptors. TRPs are typically involved in pain sensation.

TRPM8 is involved in sensory perception.

TRPA1 is best known as a sensor for environmental irritants, pain, cold and stretch.

Both plant cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system have been implicated as risk factors in the development of depression as well as therapeutic targets to treat depression.

8-OH-CBN is a recently discovered cannabinoid. The physiological and therapeutic properties of 8-OH-CBN remain to be investigated.


30 July 2009

The biggest debate about science?

Today’s post, I am a lazy blogger and mostly compile other people’s responses to something Colin Stuart asked on Twitter:

What do you, good folk of Twitter, believe to be the most pressing debate about modern science?

I thought that was a great question, so wrote:

The most important debate about science is how to convert scientific information into public action.

And I really wanted to see what other people had to say. The wording of “about” science is important here; it’s not asking for the most important debates in science. A few broad themes came up...

Public trust and public policy

I see debates re cloning, GM, MMR, stem cell etc. all as symptoms of a single 21stC malaise: who to trust, who to believe? - ruthseeley

the woeful lack of scientific literacy in the media. - cromercrox

Perceived lack of acknowledgement of importance of science/evidence in govt., policy-making etc. (another pov) - EvidenceMatters

To teach the public to be comfortable with uncertainty. - silentypewriter

How to accurately communicate to the public what we know we know and what we don't know we don't know. - JATetro

I think most pressing science issue is lay mistrust of science. Without some consensus, much else is moot. - nparmalee

I think the most "pressing" debates all stem from what to do energy/environment/health wise with this many people on planet - ktg72

most pressing debate: at what point does human population growth override the need for medical progress? - museumoftechno

Climate change

How to stop climate change and avoid being the cause of a mass extinction event? - imascientist

Global warming: a habitable planet would be useful - loopysue_p

Surely how to tackle global warming - what could be more pressing? - twitandtweeter

As others have said, nothing really compares to global warming, i.e. the continuing existence of the human race! - jjaron

most pressing debate? Actually, I think climate change. Major public sketicism + large possible effects, for the lose. - Luna_the_cat

Science as profession

In that case, the most pressing debate is whether and how to fix the broken scientific publishing, funding & career system. - kejames

Depends on which pov. Researcher - poor funding, career prospects in UK. Public - 'balance' of reporting and science apps. - EvidenceMatters

peer review reform - blandiloquent

the future of space exploration. i.e., to decide that the time has come to get ourselves a space elevator. - doroncalo

Robot overlords

the rise of the machines. nano tech and it's viral future. interests and scares me most. - ColtSeaversPS

'in' modern science = e.g. the singularity, abiogenesis; - kejames

The development of Hover-boards. Only 6 years away!!! - FantasticMrOx

1 comment:

James Salsman said...

Let's make sure that no science money is spent in a way that could further the problem instead of solve it. We should strive to limit jargon, too.


drilling speeds and feeds calculator metric

Drilling wood generally uses higher spindle speeds than metal, and the the dating black book pdf speed is not as critical.
Smid, Peter (2008 CNC Programming Handbook (3rd.
The machinability rating is determined by measuring the muvee reveal version 8 product key weighed averages of the normal cutting speed, surface finish, and tool life for each material.
Schematically, speed at the workpiece surface can be thought of as the tangential speed at the tool-cutter interface, that is, zoo tycoon saved games how fast the material moves past the cutting edge of the tool, although "which surface to focus on" is a topic with several valid answers.Spindle speed edit The spindle speed is the rotational frequency of the spindle of the machine, measured in revolutions per minute (RPM).This speed at the periphery (of a point on the circumference, moving past a stationary point) will depend on the rotational speed (RPM) and diameter of the object.If variables such as cutter geometry and the rigidity of the machine tool and its tooling setup could be ideally maximized (and reduced to negligible constants then only a lack of power (that is, kilowatts or horsepower) available to the spindle would prevent the use.Proven On The Shop Floor.Our calculator is aimed at solving all your machining-related tasks in one place.Strength of the workpiece (high feed rates will collapse thin wall tubing) Characteristics of the material being cut, chip flow depends on material type and feed rate.Mechanical arrangements to effect CSS have existed for centuries, but they were never applied commonly to machine tool control.RPM is the calculated speed for the cutter.The greater the number of cutting edges, the higher the feed rate permissible: for a cutting edge to work efficiently it must remove sufficient material to cut rather than rub; it also must do its fair share of work.A cutting speed for mild steel of 100 ft/min is the same whether it is the speed of the cutter passing over the workpiece, such as in a turning operation, or the speed of the cutter moving past a workpiece, such as in a milling operation.In turning and boring, the surface can be defined on either side of the depth of cut, that is, either the starting surface or the ending surface, with neither definition being "wrong" as long as the people involved understand the difference.That's some serious cost-savings power.The recommended speeds and feeds provided in this book were the result of extensive testing to determine optimum tool life under controlled conditions for every material of the day, operation and hardness." 3 Flórez-Orrego.However, hole-making may be performed as a secondary machining process for an existing part, such as a casting or forging.
A line drawing showing some basic concepts of speeds and feeds in the context of lathe work.


S. R. Janakiraman

Born in 1928 in Lalgudi, Tamil Nadu, Shri S.R. Janakiraman received his training in music under various gurus and scholars. His teachers in vocal music included stalwarts like Tiger Varadacharya, Budalur Krishnamurthy Shastrigal, Musiri Subramanya Iyer, and T. Brinda. He also learnt the Veena under Kalpakam Swaminathan and took the degree of Sangeet Vidwan at the Central College of Carnatic Music, Madras. Among our leading musico- logists today, S.R. Janakiraman has worked under Professors P. Sambamurthy and P.K. Rajagopala Iyer. He is a repository of Carnatic classical music, and has taught music and musicology for nearly four decades within the country and abroad. He has a large number of publications to his credit. He has been honoured by various institutions including the Music Academy, Madras. The title Kalaimamani was conferred on him by the Tamil Nadu Eyal Isai Nataka Manram in 1998. Shri S. R. Janakiraman recei- ves the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for his contribution to Carnatic vocal music.


Religion > Comparative Religion/World Religions

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The Ravenous Hyenas and the Wounded Sun
Myth and Ritual in Ancient India
Stephanie W. Jamison
Jamison addresses the conditions that have limited our understanding of Vedic myth and ritual, such as the profusion and obscurity of the texts and the tendency on the part of scholars to approach mythology and ritual independently.

The Prince of Darkness
Radical Evil and the Power of Good in History
Jeffrey Burton Russell
While recounting how past generations have personified evil, Jeffrey Burton Russell deepens our understanding of the ways in which people have dealt with the enduring problem of radical evil.

Accommodation without Assimilation
Sikh Immigrants in an American High School
Margaret Gibson
A holistic portrait which reveals why Sikh high school students, despite language barriers, prejudice, and significant cultural differences, often outperform their majority peers and other United States minority groups.

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Terminator Genisys Gets A 15-Sec Tease

Ahead of tomorrow’s launch of the full trailer for the sci-fi epic “Terminator Genisys,” Paramount has unveiled a fifteen-second tease of the first footage from the movie. A liquid T-1000, Earth being wiped out, and Arnie with a cybernetic arm are the money shots on offer in this brief glimpse.


The Holy Spirit was just getting started on the Day of Pentecost. With Holy Spirit empowered Christians there were lots of strange things happening, things that defied the natural world and human nature. A man who hadn’t walked in 40 years was walking and jumping and praising God. The apostles were boldly proclaiming the truth of Jesus Christ in spite of great adversity and threats of political repercussions. The people of the First Century church were living in unity. There were no needy people, no greedy people, no entitled people among them. If they saw a need, they met it. They gave of their wealth to spread the gospel and gave even beyond the 10% tithe as they saw the need. Some sold land and laid the proceeds at the apostles’ feet to be used to promote God’s Kingdom. Even though they came from diverse backgrounds and cultures, they were united in their faith and in their mission to care for and encourage one another and spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. The power of the Holy Spirit made all of these things possible.

Pr 3:9-10; Jn 14:6; Acts 2:43, 3:6-8, 12; 4:19-20, 32-34; Phil 4:6;

(Acts 2:43) All believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them…. (Acts 4:32-34)

What was happening in the First Century church was amazing and miraculous. It was the power of the Holy Spirit working in and through devoted believers. This power is available to all Christians; sadly, there are many who live at a low level of devotion and never allow God’s power to be revealed in them. God prompts believers to step out and step up. God may ask you to do something that you consider risky…out of your comfort zone. You can either take a bye or you can take God’s hand and trust Him. As you cooperate with the Holy Spirit and experience his power in those moments, you will be seeking more opportunities! When time and time again God has strengthened and empowered you, you develop a high level of devotion. Walking in the Spirit is simply responding with a “yes” as God leads you. The First Century Christians did not withhold of their time, their service or their resources. They honored God with all they had. They made sure that no one was needy, that all were cared for, that the ministry of the apostles and the church were funded so that God’s Word would spread to every corner of the world. This seems like a utopia that works on paper but could never work when people, personalities and all their differences are involved. Yet, the Christians we read about in Acts were from many cultures and backgrounds; they had many differences. However, those differences did not have the power to separate what the unity of faith in Jesus Christ created.

How has the power of the Holy Spirit helped you to set aside differences you have with other believers? Why is unity so difficult? Have you experienced a miraculous healing? Were there more miracles in the First Century church than there are today? Explain. When has God called you to do something risky? How did you respond? Do you frequently ask for the Holy Spirit’s power in your life? Why or why not? If yes, when?

Read your Bible every day. Ask God for opportunities to trust him and take risks. Pray for his power to be revealed in your life. Keep a journal of the doors he opens, how you respond, and how things turn out.

Gracious God, thank you for your Spirit that strengthens and empowers me. Open doors and help me to walk through knowing that your Spirit will be with me. Give me the courage and the words that I need to be your witness. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.


Bengal's pride: Baluchari sari

Baluchari of West Bengal and Jamdani of Bangladesh depict the famous tradition of world-famous saris of Bengal. In this article, the author discusses Baluchari sari of Bengal, its specialties and how it was revived after independence. Read to know more.

Till the eighteenth century, Bengal's Muslin was exported all over the world. But due to the terrible torture of the British rulers, the production of Muslin was stopped. The painful history is well-known. Similarly, production of Baluchari sari of Bengal was totally stopped. But, due to the endeavor of a great connoisseur of this art, it has been revived. Let us know about Baluchari sari, the pride of Bengal.

What is the specialty of the Baluchari saree?

Before the advent of camera and photography, people used to paint to present a visual image. Not only painting, there were various art forms to present visual images. Baluchari saree used to be a medium for the creation of such visual image-for telling a story. Each and every Baluchari sari used to tell a different story through the images depicted on each sari.

Baluchari sari (Image courtesy: Google) Baluchari sari (Image courtesy: Google)

Baluchari saree originated at Baluchar-a very prosperous village in the district of Murshidabad. The art form was actively encouraged by the Nawabs including famous Murshid Quli Khan and other aristocrats of the Bengali society. The weavers were very prosperous and Baluchari sari was (and still is) exported to foreign countries and all over India.

After a devastating flood in Bhagirathi river (a tributary of the Ganga), the weaving community of Baluchar was shifted to a safer place. Bishnupur in present Bankura district was the capital of Malla dynasty and a much safer place. The weaving community was shifted to Bishnupur and the progress of Baluchari continued unabated.

Intricacies of Baluchari sari

In the days of Nawabs, the entire process including cleaning, sorting of cotton, spinning, dyeing, pattern, warping and finally weaving was man-made. The entire family of the weavers used to be engaged in this work. Even then, in a year only two to three saris could be produced. Each saree was created with a separate motif based on a theme. The lifestyle of aristocrats, the story of the epics and other fairy tales were used as a theme. Each sari used to tell a different story and the entire design was created in a hand-made loom. Many people (including the British rulers) used to get confused by these designs and used to think these designs were paintings on canvasses.

Bad days of Baluchari

As already said, an entire family of weavers could produce only two-three Baluchari saris in a year. The weavers faced tremendous pressure from the British rulers and businessmen. With the economic downfall of the country, the weavers started losing their patrons. Many weavers switched their profession. As a result, the craft saw a steady decline. Last known and famous weaver of Baluchari, Dubraj Das, breathed his last in 1903. He was known for Baluchari sari with his signature. The saris with his signature are still found in some collections. With the death of Dubraj Das, the making of Baluchari was stopped.

Revival of Baluchari Sari

British rulers left the country in 1947. In 1956, Subho Thakur, a great artist born in the world-famous Thakur family, made an earnest endeavor to revive the great weaving tradition of Bengal. At that time, he was the Director of the Regional Design Centre of West Bengal. He took out the Baluchari saris off his family, showed it to Akshay Das, a master weaver, and after making many experiments like Jacquard weaving, various new motifs like Ajanta-Ellora paintings, Ramayana and Mahabharata, temple architectures, etc., use of different cotton and silk from South India. After tireless effort, Subho Takur, Akshay Das and other renowned weavers of Bishnupur finally revived the pride of Bengal, Baluchari sari.

Again the sari got the attention of Indians and the eminent people of the world. The intricate weaving attracted the ladies. Baluchari sari has again become famous all over the world.

Price of Baluchari sari

There are different variants of Baluchari sari named Chitro, Kolka, Parh and Buti. The motifs can be seen in anchal, parh and the main part of the sari. The price depends upon the intricacy of design. An authentic Baluchari sari nowadays costs in the range of Rs. 10,000/- to Rs. 50,000/-. Sometime a Baluchari sari with intricate and elaborate designs with uncommon motif can go upto Rs. 80,000/-. Such sari with intricate design is not readily available. It must be ordered beforehand and can take six months for delivery.

Ladies of ISC! During the next major festival, why don't you demand a Baluchari sari from your husbands?

Author: Reena Upadhya02 Sep 2018 Member Level: Diamond   Points : 8

I don't know what is more beautiful? Is it the author's unique narration or the image of the Baluchari sari? Well, both of them are beautiful and unique.

Baluchari sari is also sometimes called as Baluchar sari. It is not only popular in India but also worn by women in Bangladesh. On sari’s pallu, unique designs are present. Each sari is a unique collection. Each one depicts scenes from mythology. West Bengal is the only proud state where this unique sari is produced. Replicas and copy materials can be found in other states too. However, if one wants to purchase an authentic Baluchari sari, one has to go to West Bengal. Right from the dying stage to the weaving and packaging, care is taken to maintain high quality. It is a work of high precision. It is the status symbol. It is a symbol of aristocracy. Earlier Murshidabad was the place of production. Now Bishnupur and its neighboring places are doing this proud work. The workers need around one week to weave it.

The process of Baluchari production-
It is not an easy process. The whole production is divided into various segments. Since it is a silk sari, silk cocoons and worms need to be cultivated. To achieve softness, yarn needs to be boiled in a soda and soap solution. Once the boiling process is completed, acid color is used to dye it. Once the yarn becomes soft, care is taken to make it crisper. To achieve this, it is stretched in the opposite directions from either end. Now comes the real hard work of motif making. It is a work of delicate intricacy. Motifs are made not only on pallu but also on the other parts of the sari. Intricate designs are drawn above the graph paper. They are colored. Cards are used for punching and are later orderly sewed. In the jacquard machine, cards get fixed. Jacquard loom is introduced. It requires almost a week for a weaver to do the job. Sometimes weavers work in different shifts to complete the process.

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Mediterranean restaurants in Los Angeles and Orange County, CA

Los Angeles is the largest city in California and the second-largest city in the US. The LA area is the home of Hollywood and of nine professional sports teams. Its culinary scene is diverse and thriving, offering everything from contemporary Mexican and California fare to Pan Asian. Business Insider named LA one of the "17 best US cities for people who really like to eat" in 2016. Neighboring Orange County, sometimes referred to as "The OC," boasts 42 miles of pristine beaches, legendary theme parks, and endless dining options. Mediterranean cuisine is many things, but they all tend to have the olive in common. Greek, Italian, Spanish, Lebanese are all Mediterranean, but the term is perhaps most often used as a shorthand for Greek, Turkish, Lebanese, Syrian, Israeli, Palestinian, and Egyptian food. Mediterranean favorites include falafel, gyros, shawarma, and dolmades. Amazon Restaurants delivers all your favorite Mediterranean dishes.


Public Release:

Disease outbreak management -- flexibility can save lives and money

What is the best way to handle a disease outbreak? Current efforts to prevent or stem such outbreaks may fall short because of uncertainty and limited information about the real-time dynamics of the specific disease outbreak. A team of epidemiologists, led by two Penn State University researchers, proposes a new approach for responding to and managing disease outbreaks -- a flexible approach that could save many lives and millions of dollars.

The approach, called "adaptive management," allows decision-makers to use knowledge they gain during an outbreak to update ongoing interventions with the goal of containing outbreaks more quickly and efficiently. The researchers have written a scientific paper on this adaptive management approach that will be published on October 21 in the open access journal PLOS Biology.

"Responders often have incomplete information during a disease outbreak," said Katriona Shea, professor of biology at Penn State and a leader of the research team. "Everyone is trying to make rapid decisions, but we don't have reliable information to make the best decisions. Even if we have information about a previous outbreak, no two outbreaks are identical. Adaptive management involves planning to learn as you act for the most effective, efficient response."

In their PLOS Biology paper, the authors present two scenarios in which adaptive management likely would improve outcomes. One of Shea's co-authors is Matthew Ferrari, a leader of the research team and an assistant professor at Penn State's Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences; Ferrari, who consults with organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control, the World Health Organization, and Doctors Without Borders on disease-outbreak prevention and response, cited measles vaccination as one example.

In measles outbreaks, Ferrari explained, responders need to make decisions and to act quickly based on the information available. An outbreak contained to young children would call for a fast and nimble response, moving from town to town very quickly and vaccinating only young children. Conversely, an outbreak affecting a broader age range requires a slower, broader, more methodical response. "There are tradeoffs to taking the wrong approach," Ferrari said. "If you did the fast, nimble child vaccination but the outbreak had a broader risk, you would miss a lot of people. If you did the slower, broader, more methodical response, you'd protect lots of people but the response may not be fast enough."

Organizations such as Doctors Without Borders work quickly to contain outbreaks as well as to prevent further spread. "Preparing, in advance, to include monitoring and evaluation with an eye towards changing management actions in light of changing conditions on the ground is the key to adaptive management. We've shown that a plan to manage adaptively can change the recommended actions on day one because, for example, you only need to manage for the worst-case scenario if it arises," Ferrari said.

The second example the researchers cite is an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in the United Kingdom in 2001. During that outbreak, almost 600,000 cattle and 4 million sheep were either infected or culled in an effort to prevent further spread of the disease. "Culling decisions during the outbreak were contentious as there was so much uncertainty about the spatial scale of transmission," Shea said. "Many farmers felt that they were being penalized for being in the vicinity of infected farms when they believed that they were not at risk."

Adaptive management in the case of foot-and-mouth disease initially would employ a less-severe approach that would reduce the number of cattle culled and rely on real-time updates to modify responses - more-severe culling would be recommended only if justified by the spread of the outbreak. According to Shea, if foot-and-mouth disease were to break out in the United States - a very real risk - adaptive-management measures could result in significant savings in terms of reduced livestock losses. "The United States does a huge trade in beef, and the second we are infected all that international trade would shut down," Shea said. "Foot-and-mouth disease is highly infectious and would have to be contained quickly. Adaptive management would incorporate a plan to change intervention efforts appropriately as events unfold."

Historically, Ferrari said, "the argument has been for a very static policy because it's clear and easy to implement. We recognize that a more nuanced, context-specific approach could be better. We need to put the possibility of changing midstream into our toolbox, integrating scientific discovery with policymaking to improve intervention efforts."

Katriona Shea:, (+1) 814 321 4809

Matthew Ferrari:, (+1) 814-865-6080

Barbara Kennedy (PIO):, 814 863 4682

Citation: Shea K, Tildesley MJ, Runge MC, Fonnesbeck CJ, Ferrari MJ (2014) Adaptive Management and the Value of Information: Learning Via Intervention in Epidemiology. PLoS Biol 12(10): e1001970. doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.1001970

Funding: This work arose out of a workshop funded by the RAPIDD program of the Science and Technology Directorate of the Department of Homeland Security. The authors are supported by a grant from the Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Disease program of the NSF/NIH (award number 1 R01 GM10524701). MF is separately funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.