Princeton Club

An Overview of the Samurai

Word Count:
551

Summary:
Given their noble role in most Hollywood movies, you might be surprised to find the discussion of the Samurai is a somewhat controversial area, particularly as to how the Samurai actually acted.

Keywords:
japan, asia, samurai, feudal, emperor, nobility, clans, warriors, japanese, Bushido, ethics, movies,

Article Body:
Given their noble role in most Hollywood movies, you might be surprised to find the discussion of the Samurai is a somewhat controversial area, particularly as to how the Samurai actually acted.

An Overview of the Samurai

One of the most interesting periods in the past of Japan has to be the feudal period. Out of this era came many different aspects of the Japanese culture that are still thought of today and one of those aspects are the Samurai. Discovering just what role the Samurai actually played is an interesting study into the minds and manners of ancient Japanese warriors.

The story of the Samurai begins with the early shogun warriors, who were trained fighters during the Heian period in Japan. These warriors, amassed by the emperor Kammu in the late eighth to early ninth centuries, were a group of men that were clan warriors from the powerful regional clans in Japan. They were skilled in combat while mounted and as archers. Ironically, the Imperial court did not regard them highly regardless of what you see in movies. In fact, they were seen more as barbarians than as the cultured Samurai now portrayed. As Emperor Kammu’s power declined, this group of warriors was disbanded, but soon after new clans of warriors took their place.

In the story of the Samurai, this can be said to be the era when the samurai really developed. Here, in the late Heian period, the warriors began to adopt traditional Japanese styled weapons and armor. They also came up with the foundations of their famous ethical code known as Bushido. At this point, the clan warriors were known as Saburai, or armed retainers, and often accompanied people as needed to protect against thieves and other criminals. After the 1100′s, Samurai were expected to not only be excellent fighters, but also to be cultured and educated. They had to follow “Bun Bu Ryo Do”, which loosely translated means “the pen and sword in accord”.

As Samurai clans evolved beyond just being warriors who were employed by nobility and possibly the emperor, they battled many wars and skirmishes among themselves and against the nobles. By 1200, they established superiority above the aristocracy and were nobility in their own right. The next two hundred years saw the Samurai at the top of their game, with periods where they defeated would-be conquerors such as the Mongols. They also developed the characteristic Samurai sword at this time, the katana, and the very defined Samurai code of ethics.

Alas, the Samurai clans began to be breached by warriors from other classes. This area of Samurai lore is controversial, but it is now generally believed that the Samurai became more of a problem then the threats they were supposed to provide protection against. Many abandoned the code of ethics and reports of mafia like behavior were not uncommon.

By the 1500′s, Japan began to open up to the outside world. This led to the importation of firearms, which meant the deterioration of the Samurai culture. By the 19th century it had nearly died out, with just a few people claiming to be descended from the famous warriors. As with many famous groups in antiquity, the Samurai ended with more of a yawn than a bang. They simply could not evolve with the times.

Getting the Most From Math Online Tutoring

Word Count:
344

Summary:
This article discusses tips for math online tutoring.

Keywords:
online tutoring, math tutoring, math online tutoring video tutorials, math tutorials

Article Body:
Learning math can be tough, and when you pay for help from tutoring, you expect results. You can maximize your chance of getting positive results by understanding how the tutoring works. Familiarize yourself with the software try to test it out ahead of time. Understand how to log on (remember to keep your logon and password in a safe place), learn how to maneuver around the software, and be sure your computer meets or exceeds the hardware requirements in order to ensure yours sessions run as smoothly as possible.

Another thing to do prior to entering a tutoring session is to study up on the material. The more you know going in, the more you can get out of tutoring. Ask the tutoring service if there are any math online tutoring video tutorials. These short videos can help you understand the concepts. Besides your paid tutoring service, you can search on the web for math online tutoring video tutorials that do the same thing. Usually, they’re not free, though, so the best thing is to hit the books before getting help from your tutor. You should also ask the tutoring service if they can record the session for you, then you’ll have your own recorded tutoring session that you can go back to if you need to refresh your memory of what you did.

There are also many example problems online that you can look to if you want to get ahead. These examples are good, not only to learn the material, but to study for your math tests later on. Use these example problems to quiz yourself, and if you can’t figure out the answer, you can ask your tutor during your sessions. That is a great way to utilize free resources and commercial resources.

So, remember to study up, find free example problems online, and watch free math online tutoring video tutorials before sitting down for a 1-on-1 tutoring session. I know you want to see your math grades go up, and this will help you do just that!

Booster Shots…. For Homeschooling Parents.

Word Count:
735

Summary:
No, we’re not talking about immunizations. We are talking about booster shots for those families that have homeschooled for so long, or so in depth that they have lost the joy of why they started this journey in the first place.

You may be one of those families that has been homeschooling for 9 years or so and now are on the home stretch, or you may be new to the journey and have gotten in over your head and wondered if this is the right choice. Any and all of us could use…

Keywords:
homeschool, homeschool parents, home school supplies, tips to homeschooling, homeschooling families

Article Body:
No, we’re not talking about immunizations. We are talking about booster shots for those families that have homeschooled for so long, or so in depth that they have lost the joy of why they started this journey in the first place.

You may be one of those families that has been homeschooling for 9 years or so and now are on the home stretch, or you may be new to the journey and have gotten in over your head and wondered if this is the right choice. Any and all of us could use a Booster Shot at some point.

Here my top 10 ideas:

10. Field Trip! Just a short one or maybe even a day long adventure – your choice, but there is nothing like a field trip to break up the week and breath life into a student’s schedule.

9. Read Aloud! If you don’t already do this, it’s a good time to start when your battery is low. You can read to them, or they can take turns reading to you and each other. It’s a great way to bond and relax. Yes, even high school kids like this still!

8. School Outside! The weather is turning warmer in most parts of the country! Take the books, the art, the portable CD player and learn outside. Even better, just walk and study what is about to bloom and discuss the science of this blessing!

7. Combining 8 & 9! One booster for us, all the way up until mid high school, was to take a huge blanket out under the sun or shade tree and read. We would watch clouds, pet new baby chicks or kitties and just enjoy hearing a good story in the fresh air.

6. Year-round School Schedule! This SOUNDS awful to some people, but it doesn’t ‘t really mean school every single day! It means for each month of the year, you have school for 3 weeks and then one week off. These schedules can often be planned around holidays. If you and your student knew that every three weeks you both got a significant break, there is time to plan fun or just do NOTHING every month!

5. Find a Co-op! Many area support groups have some co-op learning classes. Often it will require that you volunteer a bit of your time once in a while, but the change of pace and learning surroundings can be invaluable to both you and all students involved!

4. Let the Student Plan – not You! One of my children wanted the freedom to plan her own Senior year completely. She chose an extra science and an extra social studies. She also planned every weeks’ work and is doing so that she can be finished WELL before her graduation ceremony date – by her 18th birthday! This has motivated her and also taught her accountability. It has also lightened my load to simply grading!

3. Let a Science Experiment ‘evolve’ into more! This was always one sure fire way for my kids to get a little giggly or off track – but boy it is memorable and it was worth the side track! Take the science experiment to any lengths your child’s questions or curiosity will let it go (but let’s be safe about it). Not only do they learn more by not having to fit into a science ‘box’ – but you will ignite the joy of learning again – and you will LOVE to see how their minds work when unhindered by steps preordained by someone else!

2. Talk with others! When you get the chance, ask other parents for ideas that may be inviting to your homeschool to use. You may also be surprised how your kids react when they find out what other kids do for their homeschool. My kids were actually pleasantly pleased when they heard the schedule and weight of some other homeschooled students their age. I became a ‘cool’ mom (for a little while anyway).

1. My number 1 favorite! Just take the day off (or the week) when you know you’ve all reached your limit! Bake a big ole batch of chocolate chip cookies, play with the pets, make a mess, don’t grade, don’t file and don’t worry. Mix this in with prayer and thanksgiving that you have the chance to be home with your kids and I’ll guarantee that an attitude of gratitude will renew that joy to your homeschool heart!

Everything about creating a website is just a bundle a joy; I mean really, right from the moment you pick up that Head first HTML and CSS boo from the local book store to the point where you test ride your web page on the browser, truly everything just brings up as much excitement as watching a baby walk. But all that fun and pleasure lasts only till you finish the website; because once you finish it and you’re up on the web searching for a web host, things can really get very annoying. Really there is just absolutely no way in the world that you can find the right web host without having any disappointments; because these web hosts never really maintain the same price or the same level of service, they just keep on changing them every time due to competition.

Like, even if you spend months finding a web host and finally come up with the best, the very next day you will find some service better. So really there is just no end; now, obviously there is no perfect solution to this, but you sure can get close enough, one sure shot method of finding the best is by reading web hosting news. Not only do they give you a precise report on the web host but also tells you what to expect; just check out webhostingrating.com to get started, as far I have searched this is really the best place to start looking. Really this site is like webhost review central; from joomla web hosting reviews to accurate wordpress webhosting that are otherwise just inexistent, webhostingrating.com provides all the information you will ever need on picking a webhost. Also you can find loads of useful information on web hosting and website building, here as well; so even if you’re beginning I would suggest you visit the site before you start creating. So what are you waiting for, just log on to webhostingrating.com and launch your web carrier.

Come Up With Projects When Homeschooling

Word Count:
526

Summary:
Due to its many benefits, many parents are choosing homeschooling for their children. Homeschooling allows for a more flexible educational experience, and curriculum can be easily tailored to your child’s individual needs. As the costs of private schools continue to rise, homeschooling becomes a viable economic decision as well.

When you decide to homeschool your children, you need to become knowledgeable on a broad range of subjects so you can prepare an adequate educatio…

Keywords:
home schooling, homeschooling

Article Body:
Due to its many benefits, many parents are choosing homeschooling for their children. Homeschooling allows for a more flexible educational experience, and curriculum can be easily tailored to your child’s individual needs. As the costs of private schools continue to rise, homeschooling becomes a viable economic decision as well.

When you decide to homeschool your children, you need to become knowledgeable on a broad range of subjects so you can prepare an adequate educational plan. Once you have established a plan, which should include targets for different subject areas, you should consider the idea of unit projects.

You’re probably familiar with projects, as you likely did one or two if you came through the public school system. Projects are a great way to implement and test knowledge acquired through an educational unit. A good plan is to have a multi-week unit set up for a given subject, and at the end of the unit assign a week-long project that will make use of what your child has learned.

For example, if you and your child study a biology unit, a great week long project is to create an ecosystem. This can be done with an old aquarium, and your child’s goal will be to create an environment that can be self-sufficient in the sealed aquarium. In learning about the water table and the different cycles of nature, encourage your child to think of the best way to make his or her ecosystem. After your child has come up with a plan, take him to a store to by the requisite materials with which to begin his project. Once it is started have him track the ecosystem’s progress every day.

The reasons that projects like this can be very effective is that they serve multiple educational purposes: your child will not only be learning as he goes, but he will be learning in an engaging way, and most likely with a higher level of retention. A project can also engage other members of the family. The ecosystem, for example, could be placed in a prominent location, and other family members will no doubt take interest. It’s a great educational experience when your child can not only excitedly report on a project’s progress to his parents, but actually show the work at hand. Every parent has witnessed a child from the publics system describing a project they’re doing at the dinner table, but as a homeschooling parent you have the benefit of having “home” and “school” being one: you child can not only tell, but show.

When you homeschool, you’re not limited by the practicalities necessary in a public or private school system. Project ides are only limited by you and your child’s imagination. For each and every unit, encourage your child to come up with long term project ideas and use their learning in a practical way. Not only will the project allow your child to learn more about the subject, it will carry over into the home as a whole: other family members will take interest, and the whole process of buying the materials and planning the project will become part of your child’s educational experience.