Back-to-School Homework Policies
Posted in Friday Funny
Daily Homework Policy
Students should not spend more than 90 minutes per night completing homework: This time should be budgeted in the following manner:
- 15 minutes looking for assignment
- 11 minutes calling a friend for the assignment
- 23 minutes explaining why the teacher is mean and just does not like students
- 8 minutes in the bathroom
- 10 minutes getting a snack
- 7 minutes checking the “TV Guide”
- 6 minutes telling parents that the teacher never explained the assignment
- 10 minutes sitting at the kitchen table waiting for Mom or Dad to do the assignment
Long-term Homework Policy
- These assignments are always given the night before they are due. This explains “long-term”
- It is a long-term commitment to the time it takes to finish it, which usually begins at 9:30 p.m. and ends at 11:50 p.m….or later
- It is important that the whole family is involved in the project
- It is imperative that at least one family member races to Wal-Mart for posterboard, and that at least one family member ends up in tears (does not have to be the student)
- One parent needs to stay up and complete the project. The other parent needs to call the school and leave a message that the student is out sick
- It is not necessary to have the student’s name on the assignment
Free On-line Learning Resources
Posted in The Simple Life
About six months ago, I posted some links to free learning resources to create your own lunch and learn sessions. Life-long learning does not have to be an expensive proposition. There are countless free resources to help you expand your knowledge.
Here are three more:
Learn to Speak Languages Online
I was born in Brazil and, up until the time the family returned to Canada, my English and Portuguese developed at a similar rate. My parents tell me, within 24 hours of being in Canada, I stopped speaking Portuguese altogether.
I have often thought of taking some language classes to see what I might learn. BBC offers online training in a number of languages; Portuguese included. I might try picking up a few basic phrases, though I can promise that you will not see me on the Copacabana beach in a Speedo anytime soon. 
UC Berkeley Courses Available on Google Video
The University of California, Berkeley is the preeminent public research and teaching institution in the nation . From classic literature to emerging technologies, the curricula of our 130 academic departments span the wide world of thought and knowledge. Supported by the people of California, the university has embraced public service as an essential part of its mission since 1868. The content on this page —drawn from campus seminars, courses and events—is just one part of UC Berkeley’s commitment to the broadest possible dissemination of knowledge for the benefit of our state, the nation and the world.
Improve your photography skills with video tutorials
The Photo Answers website offers a range of short video tutorials. Pick up new skills and tips from their experts. The videos cover many aspects of photography and imaging techniques to help you learn faster.
Whether you shoot with a digital compact, digital SLR, enjoy Photoshop, are a beginner or more experienced photographer, there’s a video that will help you improve your skills. You’ll discover how to take better pictures and improve them in Photoshop.
Time Management Tip - How to Stop Procrastinating
We all put things off. Generally, we put off tasks that are boring, difficult, unpleasant, etc. When faced with something we don’t want to do, we can find a dozen taks of no consequence to fill our time. When you’re tempted to procrastinate, follow these steps:
- Set a deadline —a task without a deadline can be put off indefinitely. Set a date and stick to it.
- Set up a reward system —make it commensurate with the task. An afternoon cleaning out the garage is worth dinner out, while a 14 month software roll-out might warrant a tropical vacation.
- Arrange for a follow-up —assign someone to be a “nag-buddy”. Give them permission to check in periodically to make sure you’re staying on track.
- Do it first —tackle difficult jobs early in the day, when you have the most energy.
- Break the task into small pieces —if the whole seems too big to tackle, break it into manageable sub-tasks.
- Do it now —don’t put if off any longer. Sometimes you just have to jump in and get it done.
5 Ways to Reduce Interruptions
Interruptions soak up our time like a sponge. Here are five simple ways to limit interruptions so you can accomplish what you set out to do each day.
- POST A DO NOT DISTURB SIGN. Schedule certain periods during the day when you’re available for questions, feedback, etc. and conserve other periods for your own purposes. Let everyone involved know when you’re available, and when you are not. During the time slot when you’re not available, hang a Do Not Disturb sign, along with the time slot visitors should return.
- SCREEN YOUR CALLS. While you’re working on an important project, have your answering machine–or an office assistant–take your calls. You’ll be able to work on your project, and then return calls at a later time when it’s more convenient.
- DON’T ENCOURAGE UNSCHEDULED VISITS. At the office, remove visitor chairs unless you have a legitimate appointment. Visitor chairs do nothing more than encourage people to stop by and shoot the breeze. At home, ask friends and family to schedule visits with you, rather than just stopping by.
- CLOSE YOUR DOOR. If you have an office with a door, close the door while you’re working. When you have your door open, basically it’s seen as an open invitation. A closed door implies you’re working on something important and should not be disturbed.
- WRITE UP INSTRUCTIONS. People will interrupt you when they have questions or don’t know how to do something. Whenever you can, put answers to common questions and instructions in writing. Give these instructions to the appropriate people so they can look up answers, rather than disturbing you for every little thing.
by Maria Gracia - Get Organized Now!
Want to get organized? Get your FREE Get Organized Now! Idea-Pak, filled with tips and ideas to help you organize your home, your office and your life, at the Get Organized Now! Web site
http://www.getorganizednow.com
[tags]organization, GTD, productivity, time management, getting things done[/tags]
Hacking Email: 99 Email Security and Productivity Tips
Why is it that when it comes to emails, there are no accepted standards? Even though 6 billion emails are sent every day, almost no one agrees about simple things like email etiquette, how to organize a note, or whether emails are considered private or not.
The 99 tips in this article make up the best in email practices:
4.) Don’t forward chain letters. Just don’t do it. Enough said. That includes the email that says that if you don’t forward it to 10 people you’ll die. I don’t care how superstitious you are, don’t send them.
12.) Don’t spam friends. Occasionally, company mail servers go on the fritz and send forty-five copies of the same email to the recipient (personal experience). Even if it’s not your [...] Continue Reading…
10 e-mail tips from the Crabby Office Lady
Posted in Communication
Have you met the Crabby Office Lady? She has been dispensing Microsoft Office tips for the past six years. (Some would say working with Microsoft products would make anybody crabby. 
)
One of her hundreds of columns deals with e-mail etiquette.
I’ve got a bee in my bonnet about the way some people are abusing their e-mail privileges. And from the sound of your letters, I’m not alone. Let’s tackle some of the bigger issues and see if we can’t make this a kinder, gentler cyberworld.
Crab #1: Discretion is the greater part of replying
Crab #2: Stop yelling at me
Crab #3: Save the stationery for snail mail
Crab #4: This is not a chain letter
Crab #5: Too many forwards is one step backward
Crab #6: Don’t [...] Continue Reading…
Monday Motivation Question - September 1
Today is Labour Day in North America; a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country. For most people, it’s the last break of the summer, before school starts and things get back into gear.
When you get a chance to take a break, are you taking advantage of the chance to refresh, relax and re-charge?
Notes from a Dented Reality
A story, as suggested by Liz Strauss
I was Working Smart , but I really wanted something RIMarkable. An adventure was in order.
A couple of galaxies down and one nebula over, I entered a BBHub. I saw felix hominum making a Chris Brogan list with a big nosed ugly guy about 50 ways to transcend coffee.
Nearby the Chief Happiness Officer was sparkplugging and Jordon Cooper had just shouted, “EAT MY GAMES.”
Meanwhile, some Fractals of Change were wandering aimlessly and asking, “Has anyone found The Lazy Way to Success?”
No one seemed to notice the group in a candlelit corner. Dressed in black, in cognito, the Slacker Manager held a rendezvous with a Dumb Little Man, and JenSense. Rumor has it they were [...] Continue Reading…
How to Establish a Good Credit Rating
Posted in Money Matters
NB: This information is based on Canadian practice.
Last week we looked at seven things you need to consider when renting accommodation. One of the key factors in a landlord’s decision to rent to you is proof that your are a good credit risk. Can you afford the rent? Will you pay on time?
The credit check is the tool that most landlords will use to assess your credit worthiness. What does your credit history look like and what can you do to improve it?
Your Credit History Is on File
You build a credit file when you borrow money and pay it back. A credit file is a detailed report containing information about how you use credit and when you make payments. It also [...] Continue Reading…
11 Energy Saving Tips for the Fall
Posted in The Simple Life
The temperature around here has dropped in the last week or so. The geese are starting to fly South and that means one thing, fall is on the way.
Back in March, I posted 9 Energy Saving Tips for Spring. Now it’s time for some energy tips for autumn. Direct Energy lists nine things you can do in the spring to make you home more energy efficient:
Seal all leaks around doors, windows, and electrical outlets. Heat from your home escapes out of these cracks. By sealing these leaks you can save on your heating bill.
Fall is the best time to clean the chimney and get vent systems checked. Pipes must be properly connected and there should be no signs of rust or [...] Continue Reading…
