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Thursday, December 30, 2010

New year's Eve Around The World

New Year's Eve Celebration around the world

New Year's Eve or Old Year's Night is observed on December 31, the final day of the Gregorian year, the day before New Year's Day. New Year's Eve is a separate observance from the observance of New Year's Day.

In modern practice, fireworks, music, alcoholic beverages and other forms of noise making is part of the New Year's Eve celebration. New Year's Eve is celebrated with parties and social gatherings spanning the transition of the year at midnight.

Localised celebrations

Argentina

In Argentina, the entire family gathers together around 11:00 at night to partake of a good table of traditional dishes. Just before midnight, people hurry out in the streets to enjoy fireworks. The first day of January is celebrated at zero hours with cider or champagne, wishing each other a happy new year, sometimes sharing a toast with the neighbours. People go to parties and celebrate until dawn.

Australia

Each major city around Australia holds New Year’s Eve celebrations, usually accompanied by a fireworks display amongst other events. Gloucester Park, a racecourse in central Perth, is the largest and most recognised display in Perth. In Brisbane 50,000 people annually gather at sites around the Brisbane River in the city to watch a fireworks display while events are held in the city and at Southbank.

The two largest New Year's Eve celebrations in Australia are held in its two largest cities, Sydney and Melbourne. The celebrations in Sydney are usually accompanied by a theme which is displayed in light shows and a large symbol in the middle of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Over 1.5 million people gathered around Port Jackson (Sydney attendance of 2 million people). The fireworks display last from 12 to 25 minutes and is followed by music shows set on several stages throughout the beach.

As one of the first major New Year's celebrations each year (due to time zones), Sydney's fireworks display is often broadcast throughout the world during the day of 31 December.

Austria

In Austria, the New Year's Eve is usually celebrated with friends and family. At exactly midnight, all radio and television programmes operated by ORF broadcast the sound of the Pummerin (bell of St Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna), and right after that the "Donauwalzer" (The Blue Danube) by Johann Strauss II is played, which many people dance to at parties or on the street. Large crowds gather on the streets of Vienna, where the municipal government organises a series of stages from which bands and orchestras play music. Fireworks are set off both by ordinary people and the municipal governments.

Belgium

Belgian New Year's Eve celebrations are held in all large cities on 1 January. These celebrations are usually accompanied by fireworks.

Brazil

The Ano Novo (New Year in Portuguese) celebration, also known in Brazilian Portuguese by the French word Reveillon, is one of the country's main holidays, and officially marks the beginning of the summer holidays, that usually end by Carnival (analogous to Memorial Day and Labor Day in the United States).
The beach of Copacabana (in Portuguese: Praia de Copacabana) is considered by many to be the location of the best fireworks show in the world.

Brazilians traditionally have a copious meal with family or friends at home, in restaurants or private clubs, and consume alcoholic beverages. They usually dress in white, to bring good luck into the new year. Fireworks, eating grapes or lentils are some of the customs associated with the holiday.
The city of São Paulo also has a famous worldwide event: the Saint Silvester Marathon (Corrida de São Silvestre), which traverses streets between Paulista Avenue and the downtown area.

In other regions, different events also take place. At Fortaleza (Ceará) there is a big party by the yacht area. People gather together for dinner and for a show of one band/group that usually plays during Salvador´s Carnaval.

Canada

In Canada, New Year's traditions and celebrations vary from region to region. Generally, New Year's Eve (also known as New Year's Eve Day or Veille du Jour de l'An in French) in Canada is a social holiday. In major metropolitan areas such as Toronto and Montreal, major celebrations with music and fireworks are often held at midnight. Other common New Year's Eve celebrations such as late-night partying are also major events in these cities and other places around Canada. In some areas, such as in rural Quebec, people ice fish and drink with their friends until the early hours of January 1.

On television, the sketch comedy troupe Royal Canadian Air Farce had been known for their New Year's Eve specials on CBC, which in addition before the start of their weekly television series, was one of their first forays into television after years on radio. Consequentially, the series finale of their television series was a New Year's Eve special on December 31, 2008, although due to their popularity, the CBC requested that they return for a New Year's Eve special for 2009.

China

In China, although the celebrations of the Lunar New Year are not until a few weeks into the new year, celebrations of the Gregorian New Year are still held in some areas. Celebrations with fireworks and rock concerts have taken place in Beijing's Solana Blue Harbor Shopping Park.

Czech Republic

For the Czechs, Silvestr is without doubt the noisiest day of the year. People generally equip themselves with fireworks and champagne for the midnight toast and gather with friends to eat, drink and celebrate at parties, in pubs, clubs, in the streets or city squares. In larger cities and especially in Prague, the first detonations of pyrotechics can be heard in full daylight, even before noon, the frequency steadily rising until midnight. In the first minutes after midnight, people toast, wish each other a happy new year and go outside to light their fireworks or watch others'. All major TV stations air entertaining shows before and after the midnight countdown which is followed by the national anthem. The president gives his New Year's speech in the morning.

Denmark

    * Nytårsaften
    * Happy New Year! is Godt Nytår!

Danish people go to parties or entertain guests at home just as Americans do. The evening meal is more exclusive than usual, with desserts including the ring cake Kransekake next, along with champagne.

The New Year is celebrated with merrymaking and fun. It's usually well-intentioned fun and only playful, not malicious. It can, however, become mischievous.

Two significant traditional events are broadcast on television and radio, viz. respectively the New Year message from Amalienborg Palace kl. 18.00 (6:00 pm) and the Town Hall Clock in Copenhagen striking midnight. Thousands of people gather together in Rådhuspladsen and cheer. The climax is when New Year is celebrated with fireworks as the sound of the Town Hall Tower Bells chime over Copenhagen on the strike of twelve. It's a great chance to see the parade of the Royal Guard in red gala uniforms.

England

Clocks symbolize the transition that occurs at the stroke of midnight on this occasion, with London's celebration featuring primarily the clock housed in the Clock Tower at the Palace of Westminster, recognized world-wide as "Big Ben". The celebrations have been televised from London over the last few years by the BBC in England and Wales. In 2010, more than 200,000 people across the UK gathered to view the seven-and-a-half minute display of firework above the London Eye.

Other major displays are held in Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and Newcastle

Bideford in North Devon is also renowned for its New Year's Eve celebrations and traditional fancy dress, the centre of the celebrations on the quayside and around the Old Bridge. However, South West Ambulance Service NHS Trust publicly raised concerns about how the annual party is organised.

Estonia

Estonia celebrates New Year's Eve with fireworks.

France

The French call New Year's Eve "la Saint-Sylvestre". It is usually celebrated with a feast called le Réveillon de la Saint-Sylvestre (also called Cap d'Any in Northern Catalonia). This feast customarily includes special dishes like foie gras, seafood such as oysters and drinks like champagne. The celebration can be a simple, intimate dinner with friends and family or a much fancier ball (une soirée dansante).

On le Jour de l'An (New Year's Day), friends and family exchange New Year's resolutions kisses and wishes, the main ones being "Bonne Année", Bonheur, Sante, Amour, Argent ("Good Year", Happiness, Health, Love and Money). Some people eat desserts made of ice cream

The holiday period ends on January 6 (The Twelfth Night) for the Epiphany, or Jour des Rois. On this day, they celebrate the Wise Men, eating a traditional type of flat pastry cake, la galette des rois, most often two sheets of puff pastry, filled with frangipane (almond paste). The cake contains a fève, small china character, that whoever finds becomes king or queen and get to wear a gold paper crown, then chose their partner. This tradition can last up to two weeks.

Germany

Germans call New Year's Eve Silvester because 31 December is the feast day of St. Sylvester. Since 1972, each New Year's Eve, several German television stations broadcast a short comedy play in English (recorded by West German television in 1963) entitled Dinner for One. A line from the comedy sketch, "the same procedure as every year", has become a catch phrase in Germany. Every year Berlin hosts one of the largest New Year's Eve celebrations in all of Europe which is attended by over a million people. The focal point is the Brandenburg Gate and the fireworks at midnight are centered on that location. Germans have a reputation for spending large amounts of money on firecrackers and fireworks, and so fireworks are to be seen all over the country on this night. When the clock strikes midnight on Silvester, Germans toast the New Year with a glass of Sekt (German sparkling wine) or champagne. 'Bleigießen' is another German New Year's Eve custom, which involves telling fortunes by the shapes made by molten lead dropped into cold water. Other luck bringing things are touching a chimney sweeper or have him rub some ash onto your forehead for good luck and health. Traditionally jelly filled doughnuts with and with out liquor fillings are eaten. An finally a tiny marzipan pig is consumed for more good luck.

Guatemala

In the town of Antigua, Guatemala, people usually get together at the Santa Catalina Clock Arch to celebrate Fin del Año (New Year's Eve). The celebrations are centered around Guatemala City's Plaza Mayor. Banks close on New Year’s Eve, and businesses close at noon on New Year’s Eve. Starting at sundown, firecrackers are lit, continuing without interruption into the night.

Guatemalans wear new clothes for good fortune and down a grape with each of the twelve chimes of the bell during the New Year countdown, while making a wish with each one.

The celebrations include religious themes which may be either Mayan or Catholic. Catholic celebrations are similar to those at Christmas. Gifts are left under the tree on Christmas morning by the Christ Child for the children. Parents and adults do not exchange gifts until New Year's Day.

Hong Kong

In Hong Kong, the people usually get together in Central, Causeway Bay and Tsim Sha Tsui to celebrate and to look at the night lights along the harbor. The Times Square shopping mall in Hong Kong also holds their own send-off to the ball drop held at Times Square in New York City. The celebration had been extended to other districts such as Tsuen Wan, Sha Tin, Mong Kok and Kwun Tong by district-wide celebration activities.

From Year 2008, for the last 60 seconds before entering the next year (23:59:00), 60-sec numerical countdown by LED lights with pyrotechnic display effects on the facade of Two International Finance Centre was launched, followed by special firework display of A Symphony of Lights.

Iceland

"Gleðilegt nýtt ár" is "Happy new year" in Icelandic. In Iceland the biggest new year events are usually in the greater Reykjavik area. Fireworks are very popular in Iceland. Bonfires are also set in several places throughout the country and are often accompanied with shows, musical events and sometimes foodtables.

India

In India, Allahabad with its inherent party culture, is the ideal venue for celebrating the birth of a new year. Tourists and backpackers from all over the world descend on Allahabad to revel in the festivities accompanying the New Year celebration. Most celebrations take place in the larger cities of India like Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Ahmedabad,Guwahati and since 2009-10, in Chandigarh. Events such as live concerts and dances by Bollywood stars are organised and attended mostly by youngsters. Large crowds also gather at popular spots along the coastline such as the Gateway of India, Girgaum Chowpatty, Bandra Bandstand, Juhu Beach etc. More often than not friends rather than family tend to get together to celebrate the New Year. In Hyderabad, fireworks are very common.Hotels and resorts are all decked up in anticipation of the tourist influx and feverish competition ensures to entice the vacationers with exciting New Year offers.

Indonesia

The local government of Jakarta often holds a music show, a new year's countdown, and fireworks party in New Year's Eve celebration. The events often held in Monumen Nasional, Taman Impian Jaya Ancol, and Taman Mini Indonesia Indah. In Jakarta, people celebrates New Year's Eve in Jalan Muhammad Husni Thamrin, with their families, siblings, or their friends. Trumpet and fireworks are the most important things for Indonesian people to celebrate their New Year's Eve. we party,we dance, we enjoy life

Ireland

The Irish call New Year's Eve New Year's Eve, or in Irish - Oíche Chinn Bliana, Oíche na Coda Móire or Oíche Chaille. Celebrations in major cities are modest. The beginning of 2009 was heralded only by the ringing of church bells. Fireworks ring in the new year along with celebrations around the Country. A lot of Irish people tend to go to the smaller towns and villages around Ireland to celebrate the new year. Some popular destinations include Kerry, Limerick and Galway for festivities.

Israel

New Year's Eve is known by Israelis as the Silvester, and is celebrated by parties, social get togethers, concerts and dining out in major cities such as Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

Italy

Italians call New Year's Eve Capodanno (the "head of the year") or Notte di San Silvestro (the night of St. Silvestro). Traditionally there are a set of rituals for the new year, such as wearing red underwear and getting rid of old or unused items by dropping them from the window, but this is an old tradition, followed by quite nobody today.

Dinner is traditionally eaten with parents and friends. It often includes zampone or cotechino (a kind of spiced Italian sausage) and lentils. At half past eight pm, The President of the Republic reads a television message of greetings to Italians. At midnight, fireworks are displayed across Italy.

Japan

The day is a preparation day to welcome toshigami (年神), new year's god. Therefore, traditionally, people clean their home and prepare Kadomatsu and/or Shimenawa to welcome the god before New Year's Eve. Buddhist temples ring their bells 108 times at midnight. This tradition is called joya no kane (除夜の鐘) which means "bell rings on new year eve's night." The rings represent 108 elements of bonō (煩悩), defilements, or Kilesa in Sanskrit, which is said people have in their mind. The bells are rung to repent 108 of the bonnō.

A popular TV show on New Year's Eve in Japan is Red and White Year-end Song Festival. Kōhaku Uta Gassen is a 60-year-old tradition involving a singing contest between male and female teams of celebrity singers.

Kiribati, Republic of

This is the first country to receive the New Year. Kiritimati (UTC+14) is the first place of this country to see the sun rise.

Lebanon

In Lebanon, people celebrate the New Year's Eve by the use of fireworks, and by organizing tabouli, hummus and kibbi and other Lebanese foods for family and friend gatherings. These celebrations could also take place at some diners and clubs. Game shows are also organised where people can try their luck to win some money. The synchronised final countdown is broadcast through the leading TV channel and the celebrations usually continue until sunrise.

Macedonia

Macedonian New Year's Eve celebrations are celebrated in all families across Macedonia. New Year's day is usually the day where the children are getting gifts and the celebration is accompanied by fireworks all day long. The day is celebrated together with family or friends in house or usually in restaurants, clubs, cafe's and hotels with evening celebration encompassing good food, music, and dancing to both traditional Macedonian folk music but also modern music. New Year's Eve is celebrated on the 31st of December as well as on the 14 January according to the Macedonian Orthodox Calendar.

Malaysia

A government-held New Year countdown known as 'Ambang Tahun Baru' will be held at Merdeka Square, the field opposite the Sultan Abdul Samad Building in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur. The event will be broadcast live on government as well as private TV stations.

Besides the governmental event in Merdeka Square, private organizations too hold their own New Year countdown parties at major shopping malls and landmarks, most notably the fireworks display at the Petronas Twin Towers.

Malta

Malta organized its first street party in 2009, parallel to what other major countries in the world organize. The event was not highly advertised and controversial, due to the closing of an arterial street on the day.

Mexico

Mexicans down a grape with each of the twelve chimes of the bell during the New Year countdown, while making a wish with each one. Mexican families decorate homes and parties, during New Year's, with colors such as red, to encourage an overall improvement of lifestyle and love, yellow to encourage blessings of improved employment conditions, green to improve financial circumstances and white to improved health. Mexican sweet bread is baked with a coin or charm hidden in the dough. When the bread is served, the recipient whose slice contains the coin or charm is believed to be blessed with good luck in the new year. Another tradition is making a list of all the bad or unhappy events from the current year; before midnight, this list is thrown into a fire, symbolizing the removal of negative energy from the new year.At the same time, thanks is expressed for all the good things had during the year that is coming to its end so that they will continue to be had in the new year. The celebration in Mexico City is centered around Zocalo, the city's main square.

Montenegro

Montenegrin New Year's Eve celebrations are held in all large cities on 1 January. These celebrations are usually accompanied by fireworks. It is usually celebrated together with family or friends in house or outside. Restaurants, clubs, cafe's and hotels are always organizing celebration with food and music

Marocco

New Year's Eve is also celebrated in Morocco. Moroccans call it Rass l'aam or (رأس العام) which means the "head of the year".

In Casablanca, New Year's Eve is celebrated in the company of family and friends. People get together to eat cake, dance, laugh. Traditionally, people celebrate it at home, but some of them prefer to hit the clubs. At midnight, fireworks are displayed across Ain Diab, in the Corniche of Casablanca.

Netherlands

New Year's Eve is called Oud en Nieuw ("Old and New") or simply Oudejaarsavond ("old year's evening"), and is usually celebrated as a cosy evening with family or friends. Traditional snack foods are oliebollen (oil dumplings) and appelflappen (apple turnovers) or appelbeignets (apple slice fritters). On television, the main feature is the oudejaarsconference, a performance by one of the major Dutch cabaretiers (comparable to stand-up comedy, but more serious; generally including a satirical review of the year's politics). In Reformed Protestant families, Psalm 90 is read, although this tradition is now fading away. At midnight, Glühwein (bishopswine) or Champagne is drunk. Many people fire off their own fireworks, which are on sale from a few days before. Towns don't organise a central fireworks display, except for Rotterdam where the national fireworks display can be seen near the Erasmus Bridge. Public transport shuts down completely (the only scheduled time during the year) between approximately 20:00 and 01:00. On television a clock is broadcast several minutes before midnight.

New Zealand

Gisborne is 496.3 kilometres (308.4 mi) west of the International Date Line and thus is the first major city to see the beginning of the new year, however it is Kiritimati, Republic of Kiribati that is the first "city" in the world to see the first sun rise for the year. In New Zealand, cities celebrate this with large street parties and fireworks displays. Elsewhere in New Zealand, local councils usually organise parties and street carnivals and fireworks displays. In recent years however, liquor bans have been imposed on many of the more popular areas due to disorder, vandalism and other anti-social behaviour. During the day of New Year's Eve, in recent years, the Black Caps have played a One Day International cricket game in Queenstown. The tallest tower in the southern hemisphere Sky Tower celebrates the new year by lighting up Auckland's sky with fireworks from the top of the tower.

Philippines

Filipinos usually celebrate New Year's Eve with the company of family and close friends. Traditionally, most households stage a dinner party named Media Noche in their homes. Typical dishes include pancit, Hamon, Lechón (roasted pig), which is usually considered as the centerpiece of the dinner table. Barbecued food is also an integral part of the menu.

Most Filipinos follow a set of traditions that are typically observed during New Year's Eve. Included among these traditions is the customary habit of wearing clothes with circular patterns like polka dots, this signifies the belief that circles attract money and fortune or other colorful clothing to show enthusiasm for the coming year. Throwing coins at the stroke of midnight is said to increase wealth that year. Traditions also include the serving of circularly-shaped fruits, shaking of coins inside a metal casserole while walking around the house, and jumping up high which is believed to cause an increase in physical height. People also make loud noises by blowing on cardboard or plastic horns, called "torotot", banging on pots and pans or by igniting firecrackers and pyrotechnics at the stroke of midnight, in the belief that it scares away malevolent spirits and forces.

Urban areas are usually hosts to many New Year's Eve parties and countdown celebrations which are usually hosted by the private sector with the help of the local government. These parties usually display their own fireworks spectacles and are often very well attended.The main celebration is focused on Manila Bay at Roxas Boulevard, Manila Philippines.

Pakistan

New Year's Eve is usually celebrated in the country with joy; however, as Pakistan is an Islamic country, they also celebrate New Year's Eve on the every first of Muharram (First Islamic Month). It is celebrated as a religious occasion with Muslims offering special prayers on this eve.

Poland

The celebration of New Year's Eve in Poland is full of much vibrance. Traditionally, Poles have devoted each day on the calendar to a particular saint for adoration and devotion to that saint. December 31 is named after St. Sylvester, and thus the day is commonly referred to as "Sylwester". Celebrations partake both indoor and out, with the most notable being held in the Main Square - Rynek in Krakow. Here, thousands celebrate the New Year with live music and a fireworks display over St. Mary's Basilica. Similar festivities are held in cities around Poland such as Wrocław.

For those who do not wish to spend the New Year in a city, the mountains are a popular destination. Zakopane, located in the Carpathian Mountain Range, is the most popular Polish mountain resort.

Romania

The celebration of the New Year's Eve in Romania has a totally traditional flavor. Romanians welcome the New Year with the customs, rituals and conventions that have been around for centuries. The children as well as the adults, take part in the joyous celebrations with great enthusiasm. On New Year's Eve in Romania, small school going children sing Plugusorul and Sorcova. The songs wish good luck, happiness and success.

Russia

Most Russians celebrate New Year's Eve with their families and close friends. The origin of this holiday in Russia derives from the Christian holiday of Christmas. Christmas was also a major holiday in Russia up until it was banned along other religious holidays by the Communist Party. To compensate for the absence of Christmas, New Year's was now celebrated similarly to Christmas, just without the religous aspect of the holiday. Even after the fall of the Soviet Union, New Year's is celebrated in Russia and has became a [tradition].

The celebration usually starts one or two hours before midnight and the common tradition is to "say farewell to the old year" by remembering most important events of the last twelve months. At five minutes to twelve most of the people watch the president's speech on TV or watch popular New Year TV shows ("Goluboy Ogonek"). There is a tradition to listen to the Kremlin clock bell ('Kuranty') ringing twelve times on the radio or on TV. During these last 12 seconds of the year people keep silence and make their secret wishes for the next year. After that they drink champagne and have rich dinner, watching TV concerts and having fun. Some people like starting fireworks outside and visiting their friends and neighbors.As the 30th and 31 December are working days, a lot of people also have small parties at work, though 31 December is mostly spent at home or with friends. There is an old superstition that if the first visitor (especially unexpected one) on the 1st of January is a man, the year will be good. People also try to start the new year without debts.

Scotland

New Year's Eve is called Oud en Nieuw ("Old and New") or simply Oudejaarsavond ("old year's evening"), and is usually celebrated as a cosy evening with family or friends. Traditional snack foods are oliebollen (oil dumplings) and appelflappen (apple turnovers) or appelbeignets (apple slice fritters). On television, the main feature is the oudejaarsconference, a performance by one of the major Dutch cabaretiers (comparable to stand-up comedy, but more serious; generally including a satirical review of the year's politics). In Reformed Protestant families, Psalm 90 is read, although this tradition is now fading away. At midnight, Glühwein (bishopswine) or Champagne is drunk. Many people fire off their own fireworks, which are on sale from a few days before. Towns don't organise a central fireworks display, except for Rotterdam where the national fireworks display can be seen near the Erasmus Bridge. Public transport shuts down completely (the only scheduled time during the year) between approximately 20:00 and 01:00.

On television a clock is broadcast several minutes before midnight.

New Zealand

Gisborne is 496.3 kilometres (308.4 mi) west of the International Date Line and thus is the first major city to see the beginning of the new year, however it is Kiritimati, Republic of Kiribati that is the first "city" in the world to see the first sun rise for the year. In New Zealand, cities celebrate this with large street parties and fireworks displays. Elsewhere in New Zealand, local councils usually organise parties and street carnivals and fireworks displays. In recent years however, liquor bans have been imposed on many of the more popular areas due to disorder, vandalism and other anti-social behaviour. During the day of New Year's Eve, in recent years, the Black Caps have played a One Day International cricket game in Queenstown. The tallest tower in the southern hemisphere Sky Tower celebrates the new year by lighting up Auckland's sky with fireworks from the top of the tower.

Philippines

Filipinos usually celebrate New Year's Eve with the company of family and close friends. Traditionally, most households stage a dinner party named Media Noche in their homes. Typical dishes include pancit, Hamon, Lechón (roasted pig), which is usually considered as the centerpiece of the dinner table. Barbecued food is also an integral part of the menu.

Most Filipinos follow a set of traditions that are typically observed during New Year's Eve. Included among these traditions is the customary habit of wearing clothes with circular patterns like polka dots, this signifies the belief that circles attract money and fortune or other colorful clothing to show enthusiasm for the coming year. Throwing coins at the stroke of midnight is said to increase wealth that year. Traditions also include the serving of circularly-shaped fruits, shaking of coins inside a metal casserole while walking around the house, and jumping up high which is believed to cause an increase in physical height. People also make loud noises by blowing on cardboard or plastic horns, called "torotot", banging on pots and pans or by igniting firecrackers and pyrotechnics at the stroke of midnight, in the belief that it scares away malevolent spirits and forces.

Urban areas are usually hosts to many New Year's Eve parties and countdown celebrations which are usually hosted by the private sector with the help of the local government. These parties usually display their own fireworks spectacles and are often very well attended.The main celebration is focused on Manila Bay at Roxas Boulevard, Manila Philippines.

Pakistan

New Year's Eve is usually celebrated in the country with joy; however, as Pakistan is an Islamic country, they also celebrate New Year's Eve on the every first of Muharram (First Islamic Month). It is celebrated as a religious occasion with Muslims offering special prayers on this eve.

Poland

The celebration of New Year's Eve in Poland is full of much vibrance. Traditionally, Poles have devoted each day on the calendar to a particular saint for adoration and devotion to that saint. December 31 is named after St. Sylvester, and thus the day is commonly referred to as "Sylwester". Celebrations partake both indoor and out, with the most notable being held in the Main Square - Rynek in Krakow. Here, thousands celebrate the New Year with live music and a fireworks display over St. Mary's Basilica. Similar festivities are held in cities around Poland such as Wrocław.

For those who do not wish to spend the New Year in a city, the mountains are a popular destination. Zakopane, located in the Carpathian Mountain Range, is the most popular Polish mountain resort.

Romania

The celebration of the New Year's Eve in Romania has a totally traditional flavor. Romanians welcome the New Year with the customs, rituals and conventions that have been around for centuries. The children as well as the adults, take part in the joyous celebrations with great enthusiasm. On New Year's Eve in Romania, small school going children sing Plugusorul and Sorcova. The songs wish good luck, happiness and success.

Russia

Most Russians celebrate New Year's Eve with their families and close friends. The origin of this holiday in Russia derives from the Christian holiday of Christmas. Christmas was also a major holiday in Russia up until it was banned along other religious holidays by the Communist Party. To compensate for the absence of Christmas, New Year's was now celebrated similarly to Christmas, just without the religous aspect of the holiday. Even after the fall of the Soviet Union, New Year's is celebrated in Russia and has became a [tradition].

The celebration usually starts one or two hours before midnight and the common tradition is to "say farewell to the old year" by remembering most important events of the last twelve months. At five minutes to twelve most of the people watch the president's speech on TV or watch popular New Year TV shows ("Goluboy Ogonek"). There is a tradition to listen to the Kremlin clock bell ('Kuranty') ringing twelve times on the radio or on TV. During these last 12 seconds of the year people keep silence and make their secret wishes for the next year. After that they drink champagne and have rich dinner, watching TV concerts and having fun. Some people like starting fireworks outside and visiting their friends and neighbors.As the 30th and 31 December are working days, a lot of people also have small parties at work, though 31 December is mostly spent at home or with friends. There is an old superstition that if the first visitor (especially unexpected one) on the 1st of January is a man, the year will be good. People also try to start the new year without debts.

Spain

Spanish New Year's Eve (Nochevieja or Fin de Año in Spanish, Cap d'Any in Catalan, Nit de Fi d'Any in Valencian, Cabo d'Anyo in Aragonese) celebrations usually begin with a family dinner, traditionally including shrimp and lamb or capon. Spanish tradition says that wearing new, red underwear on New Year's Eve brings good luck. The actual countdown is primarily followed from the clock on top of the Casa de Correos building in Puerta del Sol square in Madrid. It is traditional to eat twelve grapes, one on each chime of the clock. This tradition has its origins in 1909, when grape growers in Alicante thought of it as a way to cut down on the large production surplus they had had that year. Nowadays, the tradition is followed by almost every Spaniard, and the twelve grapes have become synonymous with the New Year. After the clock has finished striking twelve, people greet each other and toast with sparkling wine such as cava or champagne, or alternatively with cider.

After the family dinner and the grapes, many young people attend New Year parties at pubs, discothèques and similar places (these parties are called cotillones de nochevieja, after the Spanish word cotillón, which refers to party supplies like confetti, party blowers, party hats, etc.). Parties usually last until the next morning and range from small, personal celebrations at local bars to huge parties with guests numbering the thousands at hotel convention rooms. Early next morning, party attendees usually gather to have the traditional winter breakfast of chocolate con churros (xurros amb xocolata in Catalan, xurros en xocolate in Valencian), hot chocolate and fried pastry.

Suriname

Pagara (Red-firecracker-ribbons) New Year's Eve in Suriname is called Oud jaar which means old year. It is during this period that the Surinamese population goes to the city's commercial district to watch demonstrational fireworks. This is however, a spectacle based on the famous red-firecracker-ribbons. The bigger stores invest in these firecrackers and display them out in the streets. Every year the length of them is compared, and high praises are held for the company that has managed to import the largest ribbon. These celebrations start at 10 in the morning and finish the next day. The day is usually filled with laughter, dance, music, and drinking. When the night starts, the big street parties are already at full capacity. The most popular fiesta is the one that is held at café 't Vat in the main tourist district. The parties there stop between 10 and 11 at night. After which the people go home to light their pagaras (red-firecracker-ribbons) at midnight. After 12, the parties continue and the streets fill again until daybreak.

Switzerland

In Switzerland, New Year's Eve is typically celebrated at a residence with friends (Christmas usually having been celebrated with family). There are no particular main dishes associated with the event, although sweets and desserts are usual. Each commune has its own government-arranged countdown in a public space, accompanied with formal fireworks shows in larger cities.

Sweden

In Sweden, New Year's Eve is usually celebrated with families or with friends. A few hours before and after midnight, people usually party and eat a special dinner, often three courses. New Year's Eve is celebrated with large fireworks displays throughout the country, especially in the cities. People over 18 are allowed to buy fireworks, which are sold by local stores or by private persons. While watching or lighting up fireworks at midnight, people usually drink champagne.

Taiwan

In Taiwan, the end of the year is celebrated with concerts held in cities including Taoyuan, Taichung, Taipei, and Kaoshiung. Recently, the nation has used higher technology to communicate among the cities via video, enabling the cities to count down together. The most crowded city is the capital, Taipei, where most people gather by Taipei 101 and shopping centres in its vicinity. The tower is located in the shopping and financial area of the Xinyi District. People gather around the streets of Taipei 101 as they count down. With each number they count, one of the layers of Taipei 101 (eight floors per layer) lights up until 0, when the fireworks shoot out from the top of each layer (eight layers excluding a layer under the antenna) in different directions, as shown in the picture at right.

Turkey

Numerous decorations and customs traditionally associated with Christmas and Bayrams find a secular translation in Turkish New Year's Eve celebrations, where homes and streets are lit up in glittering lights as well as various traditional Turkish aesthetic practices. Small gifts are exchanged, and large family dinners are organized with family and friends, featuring a special Zante currant-pimento-dill iç pilav dish, dolma, hot börek, baklava and various other eggplant dishes, topped with warm pide, salep and boza.

Television and radio channels are known to continuously broadcast a variety of special New Year's Eve programs, while Municipalities all around the country organize fundraising events for the poor, in addition to celebratory public shows such as concerts and family-friendly events, as well as more traditional forms of entertainment such as the Karagöz and Hacivat shadow-theater and even performances by the Mehter - the Janissary Band that was founded during the days of the Ottoman Empire.

Public and private parties with large public attendances are organised in a number of cities and towns, particularly in the largest metropolitan areas such as Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Adana and Antalya, with the biggest celebrations taking place in Istanbul's Taksim, Beyoğlu, Nişantaşı and Kadıköy districts and Ankara's Kızılay Square, which generally feature dancing, concerts, laser and lightshows as well as the traditional countdown and fireworks display.

Ukraine

In the former Soviet Union, New Year has the same cultural significance as Christmas has in the United States, but without the religious connotations. Russian, Ukrainian and other families from former Soviet Union traditionally install spruce trees at home, the equivalent of a Christmas tree. In Eastern Europe, there is the Ded Moroz, who looks similar to Santa Claus, except he wears robes, and instead of reindeer, he is pulled by a troika (i.e. a three-horse drawn sled). Families gather to eat a large feast and reflect on the past year. They have a large celebration, make toasts, and make wishes for a happy New Year. Families give presents to their friends as well as informal acquaintances. This is due to Russians being a closely-knit community, and it is seen as a taboo to not give presents to those the family associates with. Children stay up until midnight, waiting for the New Year. Also, during these celebrations many Russians tune to special New Year shows, which have become a long-standing tradition for the Russian TV.

New Year is often considered a "pre-celebration" for the Eastern Orthodox living in Eastern Europe, primarily in Russia and Ukraine, since Christmas is celebrated on January 7 according to the Eastern Orthodox tradition.

United Stated

In the United States, New Year's Eve is a major social holiday. One of the top destination cities for New Year's Eve is New York City.

In the past 100 years the "ball dropping" on top of One Times Square in New York City, broadcast to all of America (and rebroadcast in many other countries), is a major component of the New Year celebration. The 11,875-pound (5,386 kg), 12-foot (3.7 m) diameter Waterford crystal ball located high above Times Square is lowered, starting at 11:59:00pm and reaching the bottom of its tower 60 seconds later, at the stroke of midnight (12:00:00am). This is repeated in many towns and cities across the United States. From 1981 to 1988, New York City dropped an enlarged apple in recognition of its nickname. It is sometimes referred to as "the big apple" like the city itself; the custom derives from the time signal that used to be given at noon in harbors.

From 1972 through 2007 (except in 1999), Dick Clark hosted televised coverage of the event called Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve, shown on ABC, and now renamed Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest for the arrival of 2009 with Ryan Seacrest handling hosting duties. The show did not air for the arrival of 2000 as it was preempted by ABC 2000 Today, but Dick Clark reported during the "ABC 2000" broadcast, with an introduction from Peter Jennings, saying some would not consider it the New Year if Dick Clark did not count it down. From 1956 to 1976 on CBS, Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians serenaded the United States from the ballroom of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel on Park Avenue in New York City. The Royal Canadians continued on CBS until 1978, and Happy New Year, America replaced it in 1979, continuing until 1995. The song Auld Lang Syne has become a popular song to sing at midnight on New Year's Eve, with the Lombardo version being the standard. NBC also has hosted New Year's coverage; traditionally, the networks' late night hosts have hosted special editions of their regular shows (including a special Central Time Zone-specific countdown on Late Night with Conan O'Brien), but since 2005, the network has opted for a special entitled New Year's Eve with Carson Daly. Fox, CNN, and Fox News Channel also have their own New Year's specials. One of the more popular traditions is the Twilight Zone marathon hosted on Syfy (formerly SciFi).
Communities

Religious Communities

    Many Protestant and Methodist churches, especially those consisting of the African American community, have a tradition of New Year's Eve known as "Watch Night." Many Reformed congregations also have New Year's Eve worship services. In those churches observing Watch Night, the faithful congregate in such services commencing New Year's Eve night and continuing past midnight into the new year. In each of these communities, New Year's Eve services are a time for giving thanks for the blessings of the outgoing year and praying for divine favor during the upcoming year. Though held by some to have begun in the African American community, watch night can actually be traced back to John Wesley, the founder of Methodism. Wesley learned the custom of Watchnight from the Moravian Brethren who came to England in the 1730s.Moravian Congregations still observe the Watchnight Service on New year's Eve. Watch Night took on special significance to African Americans on New Year's Eve 1862, however, as slaves anticipated the arrival of January 1, 1863, and Lincoln’s signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.

Local celebrations
Main article: List of objects dropped on New Year's Eve

Certain cities in the U.S. have their own local version of the traditional New Year's celebration, even while keeping an eye on New York, and echoing the New York tradition of ball drop, these cities also descend or lower an object (or an enlarged representation of an object).

There are also examples of objects being raised. The countdown in Seattle is done by raising the Space Needle's elevator and launching fireworks up the side of the tower until both reach the top at midnight.

Major cities including Chicago, Atlanta, Cleveland, New Orleans, Las Vegas and San Francisco host annual New Year's celebrations similar to the annual celebration in Times Square. New Year's Eve is a major event. The streets are shut down as crowds of people gather together to celebrate the New Year.

New Year's Eve is traditionally the busiest day of the year at Walt Disney World in Florida and Disneyland in California, where the parks stay open late and the usual nightly fireworks are supplemented by an additional New Year's Eve-specific show at midnight.

New Year celebrations in certain regions are punctuated by celebratory gunfire which could potentially cause injuries or deaths. Police departments in these cities, aided by gun safety organizations, have attempted to crack down on this practice through technology and the enforcement of stiffer penalties.

The Children's Museum of Houston has a celebration called New Year's Noon available for families, with a Brilliant Ball Drop and Countdown "like they do in Times Square", but at noon instead of midnight.

Over 60 cities nationwide celebrate First Night, a non-alcohol family-friendly New Year's Celebration, generally featuring performing artists, community events, parades, and fireworks displays to celebrate the New Year.

It is common to spend New Year's Eve with loved ones and to kiss them at midnight. It is also a popular occasion for marriage proposals and elopements.

Venezuela

In Venezuela, many of the traditions are very similar to the ones from Spain, with an over-emphasis in traditions that supposedly will bring good luck in the year forthcoming. Those who want to find love in the New Year are supposed to wear red underwear on New Year's Eve; those who want money must have a bill of high value when toast, those who want to travel must go out home while carrying some luggage, and so on. Yellow underwear is worn to bring happiness in the New Year.

Usually, people listen to radio specials, which give a countdown and announce the New Year according to the legal hour in Venezuela, and, in Caracas, following the twelve bells from the Cathedral of Caracas. During these special programs is a tradition to broadcast songs about the sadness on the end of the year, being popular favorites "Viejo año" ("Old year") by Gaita group Maracaibo 15 and "Cinco pa' las 12" ("Five minutes before twelve") who was versioned by several popular singers like Nestor Zavarce, Nancy Ramos and José Luis Rodríguez El Puma, and the unofficial hymn for the first minutes of the New Year is "Año Nuevo, Vida Nueva" ("New Year, New Life"), by the band Billo's Caracas Boys.

Wales

Welsh celebrations on New Year's Eve are known as Calennig. The tradition of giving gifts and money on New Year's Day is an ancient custom that survives even in modern-day Wales, though nowadays it is now customary to give bread and cheese.

Thousands of people descend every year on Cardiff city centre to enjoy live music, catering, ice-skating, funfairs and fireworks. Many of the celebrations take place at Cardiff Castle and Cardiff City Hall.
Nos Galan road race - Welsh: Rasys Nos Galan

Every New Years Eve there is a 5 kilometre (3.1 mi) running race called the Nos Galan road race (Welsh: Rasys Nos Galan) in Mountain Ash (Welsh: Aberpennar) in the Cynon Valley (Welsh: Cwm Cynon), Rhondda Cynon Taf, South Wales.

The race celebrates the life and achievements of Welsh runner Guto Nyth Brân. Founded in 1958 by local runner Bernard Baldwin, it is run over the 5 kilometre route of Guto's first competitive race. The main race starts with a church service at Llanwynno, and then a wreath is laid on Guto's grave in Llanwynno graveyard. After lighting a torch, it is carried to the nearby town of Mountain Ash, where the main race takes place.

The race consists of a double circuit of the town centre, starting in Henry Street and ending in Oxford Street, by the commemorative statue of Guto. Traditionally, the race was timed to end at midnight, but in recent times it was rescheduled for the convenience of family entertainment, now concluding at around 21:00. This has resulted in a regrowth in size and scale, and the proceedings now start with an afternoon of street entertainment, and fun run races for children, concluding with the church service, elite runners' race and presentations.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

A Test for Students Anxiety

Helping Students Cope with Test Anxiety. ERIC Digest.

Anxiety is a basic human emotion consisting of fear and uncertainty that typically appears when an individual perceives an event as being a threat to the ego or self-esteem (Sarason, 1988). In some instances, such as avoiding dangerous situations, anxiety can be helpful. However when taken to extremes, it may produce unwarranted results. One of the most threatening events that causes anxiety in students today is testing. When students develop an extreme fear of performing poorly on an examination, they experience test anxiety. Test anxiety is a major factor contributing to a variety of negative outcomes including psychological distress, academic underachievement, academic failure, and insecurity (Hembree, 1988). Many students have the cognitive ability to do well on exams but may not do so because of high levels of test anxiety. Because of the societal emphasis placed on testing, this could potentially limit their educational and vocational opportunities (Zeidner, 1990).

CHARACTERISTICS OF TEST ANXIETY

Test anxiety is composed of three major components: cognitive, affective, and behavioral. Students who experience test anxiety from the cognitive perspective are worriers lacking self confidence. They may be preoccupied with negative thoughts, doubting their academic ability and intellectual competence (Sarason & Sarason, 1990).

Furthermore, they are more likely to overemphasize the potential negative results and feel helpless when in testing situations (Zeidner, 1998). Some students may feel the need to answer every question on the test correctly. When this does not occur they may think of themselves as being incompetent, thus fueling negative thoughts such as, "I knew I was not going to pass this test," "I know I am going to make a poor grade," or "Everyone knows I am not smart." In order for students to have the best opportunity for academic success, negative thinking must be minimized and controlled.

From the affective perspective, test anxiety causes some students to experience physiological reactions such as increased heart rate, feeling nauseated, frequent urination, increased perspiration, cold hands, dry mouth, and muscle spasms (Zeidner, 1998). These reactions may be present before, during, and even after the test is completed. In conjunction with the physiological reactions, emotions such as worry, fear of failure, and panic may be present. When students are not able to control their emotions, they may experience higher levels of stress, thereby making it more difficult for them to concentrate.

Test-anxious students express anxiety behaviorally by procrastinating and having inefficient study and test-taking skills. Zeidner (1998) contends that test-anxious students have a more difficult time interpreting information and organizing it into larger patterns of meaning. In addition, some students may physically feel tired or exhausted during test administration because they do not have a healthy diet, have poor sleeping habits, and fail to routinely exercise.


SUGGESTIONS TO HELP STUDENTS OVERCOME TEST ANXIETY

There are a number of suggestions that school administrators, teachers, school counselors, and parents may utilize to help students effectively manage test anxiety.

Administrators should:

* attempt to build a strong alliance with parents, students and teachers by explaining to them the importance of testing including potential advantages and disadvantages.

* encourage teachers to teach the curriculum rather than teaching to the test because ideally the test should reflect the curriculum being taught.

* develop school policies on standardized tests that are clear and easily understood.

* consider giving students school-wide practice tests.

* encourage school counselors to address test anxiety with students individually, in small groups, and during classroom guidance lessons.

Teachers should:

* become aware of students' developmental levels and the pressure they may be placing on students prior to test administration.

* teach students successful test-taking strategies that include understanding test time limits, the importance of pacing, and the different type of test formats (e.g. multiple choice, essay, fill in the blank).

* consider designing some classroom tests using the standardized test format during the school year.

* help students understand test ceilings and provide information on whether or not they will be penalized for incorrect responses. If points are deducted for incorrect responses students should be informed to leave items blank (Sycamore & Corey, 1990).

* address test anxiety in class by exploring students' concerns and, if necessary, meet with the school counselor and parents of identified students to confront this issue.

School counselors should:

* collaborate with school officials to identify students experiencing test anxiety.

* conduct classroom guidance topics on test anxiety, test-taking strategies, and effective study skills, and consult with teachers.

* practice different forms of relaxation techniques with students and provide them with the cognitive tools to defeat the negative self-talk they may experience before, during, and after the test.

* offer workshops to parents focusing on ways they may help their children reduce test anxiety.

* meet with students experiencing test anxiety individually or in small groups to address this issue in more detail.

* seek out students who have successfully defeated test anxiety and have them speak or partner with other students to share their experience (Wilkinson, 1990).

* be aware of the developmental levels of students and recognize when test anxiety is out of control, because more serious anxiety-related problems could be present

Parents should:

* make sure their children attend school regularly.

* create and maintain a home environment that will help their children be well rested during regular school days and during the week of testing.

* evaluate their children's academic progress over a period of time rather than on one single test score.

* talk with their children and encourage them to do their best.

* be proactive, contact school officials if they have questions concerning tests results (U.S. Department of Education, 1993).

* encourage their children to maintain a healthy diet and exercise on a regular basis.Students are encouraged to:

* consistently develop good sleeping habits, especially during the week of the test, and maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly.

* avoid cramming, develop good study habits and good test taking skills.

* wear comfortable clothes during the exam and maintain a comfortable and relaxed body posture during the test.

* be aware of time allotted for the test, read directions carefully, and for time management purposes leave questions blank that they are not sure of and attempt to answer them later.

* not compare themselves to other students while taking the test.

* take deep breaths and attempt to regain composure when anxiety levels are high or when negative thoughts are present.

CONCLUSION

Test anxiety is something that impacts students from all ethnic backgrounds and grade levels. Helping students learn to effectively manage such anxiety is a challenging task that requires a genuine team effort. Students, parents, teachers, school counselors, and school administrators must all find ways to be actively involved in reducing test anxiety. We live in a test-taking society and when students are anxious during tests, they are less likely to perform up to their academic potential.

Source: ERIC Counseling and Student Services Clearinghouse

REFERENCES

Hembree, R. (1988). Correlates, causes, effects, and treatment of test anxiety. Review of Educational Research, 58, 7-77.

Sarason, I. G. (1988). Anxiety, self-preoccupation, and attention. Anxiety Research, 1, 3-7.

Sarason, I. G., & Sarason, B. R. (1990). Test anxiety. In H. Leitenberg (Eds), Handbook of social and evaluative anxiety (pp 475-496). New York: Plenum Press.

Syncamore, J. E., & Corey, A. L. (1990). Reducing test anxiety. Elementary School Guidance & Counseling, 24, 231-233.

U. S. Department of Education (1993). Help Your Child Improve in Test-Taking.
Washington, DC: U. S. Government Printing Office.

Wilkinson, C. M. (1990). Techniques for overcoming test anxiety. Elementary School Guidance & Counseling, 24, 234-237.

Zeidner, M. (1990). Does test anxiety bias scholastic aptitude test performance by
gender and sociocultural group? Journal of Personality Assessment, 55, 145-160.

Zeidner, M. (1998). Test anxiety: The state of the art. New York: Plenum Press.

Friday, December 10, 2010

How To Use Dictionary

Instructions
Things You'll Need:

    * Dictionaries
    * Oxford English Dictionary On CD-ROM

Read the introductory or front matter of the dictionary. You'll understand the various features and how they're set off using typefaces (bold, italic), numbering, lettering and punctuation.

Pick an entry or two to review, referring back to the introduction. Find the parts of speech and related words, and look up the abbreviations used.

Find several etymologies (word histories) and use the list of abbreviations to decipher them.

Check the pronunciations of some words you know, using the pronunciation key to become familiar with the conventions used in your dictionary. Then look up a word that you do not know how to pronounce and see whether you can figure it out.

Consult your dictionary about finding words if you don't know the spelling. Often, good suggestions are offered in the explanatory material.

Note special features such as quotations or examples of use. These are intended to help you find the exact meaning you're seeking. Try substituting the word in a sentence to test it.

Look up abbreviated labels in the table for them. They can indicate that a word is used in a certain region, for a specific subject, or that it has a special usage ' slang, informal, nonstandard, archaic, obsolete, vulgar and so on.

Use the dictionary to hunt around for synonyms of words. Although it's not as handy as a thesaurus, you will find plenty of related words by doing multiple lookups using the words in definitions.


Tips & Warnings

Consider investing in specialized dictionaries: unabridged, foreign language and special subjects (science, etymological, geographical and so on), for example. Not all words are in any one dictionary.

Dictionaries advertise high word counts based on the fact that entries have "run-ons" and "derivatives" as well as "inflections." Run-ons and derivatives are forms of the base word such as electricity from electric. Inflections are grammatical changes in number, person, mood or tense ' and plurals.

You may be surprised to learn that there are variant spellings and pronunciations. The first listing is not necessarily correct but, rather, preferred.

Remember that the dictionary is not an unquestionable authority. It is written by trained professionals reporting on the real use of words and phrases by the general public.
The use of the name Webster is public domain. All dictionaries called Webster are not created equal. Read dictionary reviews before buying a new one.

Monday, December 6, 2010

10 Secrets to a Perfect Teaching Interview

Are you nervous about your next interview for a teaching job? Don’t be! Just remember these 10 secrets to a perfect interview!

1. Have a teaching portfolio that is filled with lesson plans and student work samples.

We know it takes a great deal of time to assemble a teaching portfolio, but your hard work will pay off. Instead of just telling them you’re a great teacher, you can use your portfolio to show interviewers the exciting lessons you’ve used to teach children in the past.

2. Practice sample interview questions before you go to the interview.

Interview questions aren’t usually unique. In fact, the same questions will be asked at almost every interview. Do a google search to find common teacher interview questions and practice your responses beforehand. (50 common interview questions and answers are also available in my eBook, which can be downloaded from: http://www.iwantateachingjob.com )

3. Be sure you dress professionally.

You’d be surprised at how much your clothing matters. If you dress to casually, the interviewers may not believe that you’re taking the interview seriously enough.

4. Make eye contact with all of the interviewers at the table, not just the principal.

We’ve sat in on many interview committees and have noticed that many candidates look directly at the principal and seem to ignore the rest of the panel. Be sure you make eye contact with everyone at the table.

5. Project a friendly, bubbly, positive, and outgoing personality.

Interview committees are looking for friendly people to be on their staff. While your teaching credentials are important, you need to remember that the interview committee is also looking for someone with a positive person that is easy to get along with. If they can see your glowing personality shine through, they are more likely to want you at their school.

6. Research the school district beforehand.

Visit the district’s website to find out their philosophy of education. Also, research information about the types of students that you will be teaching, the community, and the subjects being taught there.

7. Be sure your educator vocabulary is up-to-date.

Be sure you’re familiar with educational jargon and teaching acronyms. All of those big vocabulary words you learned in college may come back to haunt you at the interview. If you’re asked about differentiated instruction, IEPs, Everyday Math, NCLB, or ELL students, you don’t want to be the candidate that responds with, “Huh?”

8. Use lots of specific examples when you discuss your teaching experiences.

Want to seem like an experienced professional? Whenever an interviewer asks you how you would do something, tell them how you have already been doing it. If you use words like, “I would like to…” or “I might try to…” or “I could…”, then you will seem inexperienced. Instead, say things like, “When I was student teaching, I…” or “When I taught __, I would…” or “One thing I always do is…” This will help to emphasize and highlight your expereince.

9. Prepare a good question to ask at the end of the interview.

Your questions should be complimentary to the school and open-ended. Try to prepare a question that will require the interviewer to think, rather than just provide you with a one-word answer. Thoughtful questions will leave a lasting impression.

10. Don’t forget to mail your thank you letter right away!

Whether you send a greeting card or a formal business letter, be sure you thank the interviewers for meeting with you. You letter should express your appreciation, compliment the school environment, and invite the interviewers to contact you again.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Student Attitude

WHAT INFLUENCES STUDENT ATTITUDES TOWARD A COURSE?

From: Curran, J. M. and Rosen, D. E. (2006). Student attitudes toward college courses: An examination of influences and intentions. Journal of Marketing Education, 28 (2), 135-148.

The first and most obvious answer is the instructor. Much previous research establishes the powerful ways instructors influence how students respond to and in a course. But two researchers wondered if the instructor was the only factor influencing student attitudes. Drawing from work in their discipline, services marketing and management, they extrapolated seven factors that might be significant determinants of student attitudes. Using a complex statistical model, they tested the seven factors and found that four of them explained 77 percent of the variations in attitude toward the course: instructor, course topic, course execution, and the room (physical environment).

They write of these findings: "An important result is that there are significant factors, in addition to the instructor, at work shaping a student's attitude toward a class that he or she may take. The model shows that course topic has just as strong an influence on attitudes as does the instructor." (p. 144) Only required courses were included in the study. They covered topics about which students had a range of interests, from not being interested at all to the course topic being introductory to a major. The researchers point out that if the subject matter of a course influences how students relate to a course, then their level of interest ought to be acknowledged as a contributing factor on course evaluations. At this time most course evaluations focus exclusively on instructor-related variables.

Equally interesting in this work are those other factors not found to influence student attitudes toward courses. For example, the student him- or herself was not found to significantly contribute toward attitude about the course. The researchers explain why they were surprised by this finding. "Given the emphasis some educators place on encouraging students to take ownership of their education, it was surprising to find that, overall, this group of students did not see themselves as being instrumental in shaping their own education experience." (p. 146) What the findings confirm is that students (at least those in this cohort) do not understand that they are at least partially responsible for what happens to them in courses. It seems to reconfirm the extremely passive orientation many students take toward knowledge acquisition.

Also surprising was that fact that other students were not seen as a factor influencing student attitudes. This means that "educators cannot assume that students will automatically appreciate the value of the diverse student population that takes a given college course together."

Finally, in a follow-up analysis that explored some of the factors related to course execution (which these researchers defined as overall design and conduct of the course), there was confirmation for some facts about participation many of us have observed in our individual classrooms. "Students in classes where participation was expected and graded were significantly more likely to prepare for class, attend class, and commit to excellence. Students in those classes where participation was emphasized were also significantly more likely to value the contributions that other students make to their learning experiences."

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Beat The Five Common Excuses Used To Avoid Exercise

Beat The Five Common Excuses Used To Avoid Exercise

Do you get all the exercise that you need?

Most of us do not.  How do I know?  Because according to the CDC, 66% of adults are overweight or obese.  This is a huge indicator that many of us are trying to avoid exercise.

Why don’t we exercise more often?  Well, there are several common excuses we use to remain sedentary.

If we learn to beat these excuses, we will lose weight, have more energy and live longer.
Why should we be motivated to beat these common excuses?

Exercise requires effort, so why should we bother?  Isn’t it better to just rest and relax?

Well, there are many benefits to regular, moderate exercise when it becomes part of your normal lifestyle.

Of course, one of the biggest positives is that it will help you manage your weight.  Are you overweight?

According to the CDC, overweight is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or greater; obesity is defined as a BMI of 30 or higher.  You can calculate your BMI here.

You might ask, “Why does it matter if I’m a little chubby?  Isn’t it just more to love?”

If you are heavier than you should be, then there is more of you to love, but you might not be around as long to be loved.

I know that’s not what we want to hear, but it is true.  Studies have repeatedly shown that as your weight increases so does your risk for many life-threatening conditions such as:

    * Coronary heart disease
    * Type 2 diabetes
    * Certain types of cancer
    * Stroke
    * Liver and gallbladder disease

You can stick your head in the sand and choose to avoid exercise until it is too late or you can overcome the common excuses, get active and become healthier!

If you won’t do it for yourself, then surely you will for your spouse, your children and the rest of your family.

Do you really want to become a burden to them emotionally, physically and financially?  I didn’t think so.  Let’s get busy beating those common excuses!
How to beat the five common excuses used to avoid exercise

Each of us has used various excuses in the past to avoid exercise.  I know that I’ve been guilty of this myself, so believe me when I say that I’m NOT judging you if you’ve used one of these.  The key is to admit the truth and then get busy getting healthier.

Here are the five common excuses I’ve heard or used:
Excuse #1 – I don’t have the time to exercise.

This is a very flimsy excuse to avoid exercise because we always have time for what we make a priority.  In addition, exercise does not take a lot of time if you keep it simple.

A good cardio routine that lasts 20 to 30 minutes a day can have a very positive effect on your health.  It burns calories, reduces stress and contributes to good circulatory health.

We can all spare a half an hour a day for something so important.  You can walk on your lunch hour or combine exercise with recreation to kill two birds with one stone.
Excuse #2 -  I’m too tired to exercise.

Exercising will actually build up your stamina not wear you out.  Sure, there are times when I feel too tired to exercise as well, but when I go ahead anyway I always feel better as a result.

Exercise releases endorphins that help reduce stress and improve emotional states.  If you feel tired, then exercise will actually help you feel better!

A vigorous exercise routine will also help you sleep better which means that you will get better rest and start having more energy.  This excuse too is a very flimsy way to avoid exercise.
Excuse #3 – I cannot afford the right equipment or gym membership.

Getting the needed exercise does not require anything really.  You can walk, do aerobics or just run in place.  The key is simply to get your heart rate up.

I have a stationary bike that I bought at Walmart for $99.  I’ve been using this same bike for several years.  I keep it in my walk-in closet and read a book while I’m riding.

Most of us already have all we need to get a good workout.  Lack of money is not an excuse for avoiding exercise.  You just need to get off the couch and make it happen!
Excuse #4 – I hate exercising and it is boring!

I used to use this excuse quite frequently.  It was my personal favorite.  The thing is I feel so much better after I exercise that now I can’t stop.

However, I had to find the right thing for me.  Riding the stationary bike allows me to read while I exercise.  This overcomes the boredom and makes the time fly by.

If you have used this excuse, then I suggest that you broaden your view of exercise.  Think outside the box and find something that works for your unique personality.
Excuse #5 – Exercise does not help me lose weight.

I recently heard a respected doctor say that it is physiologically impossible to gain weight if you are burning more calories than you are consuming.  The CDC backs up this claim with their Caloric Balance Equation.

The combination of moderate to vigorous exercise combined with a reduction in the calories you consume will result in weight loss.  There is no way around it.

Regular physical exercise is a key ingredient to losing weight and staying healthy.
Push the common excuses aside and exercise for your well-being

I often wonder what I did before I started exercising regularly.  It has such a positive impact on how I feel that the real health benefits are just gravy.

Beating the common excuses to avoiding exercise isn’t all that hard.  The hard part is just getting up and getting started.

Once you do it you are likely to be just like me.  You will find it so beneficial that you won’t want to stop!

Do you exercise regularly or do you avoid it at all costs?

Source : http://mysuperchargedlife.com/blog/beat-the-five-common-excuses-used-to-avoid-exercise/

12 Way To Exercise Your Brain

Exercising your brain is essential to good mental health.  When it comes to your mind, the old adage “use it or lose it” truly applies.  Exercise is just as important to your brain as it is to your body if you want to stay mentally keen.

Our brains need stimulation and challenging tasks to retain cognitive and memory skills.  Do you have difficulty finding the right word when its on the tip of your tongue?  Are you forgetful?  Do you lose your train of thought?  You might consider trying to exercise your brain to keep your mental acuity.
Fantastic Ways to Exercise Your Brain!

1.  Do an art project like sculpting or painting

Art projects are great exercise for your brain.  They require you to be creative, use fine motor skills, and think analytically.  Enroll in an art class to get started.  Art can be fun, challenging and rewarding.  You’ll expand your horizons while exercising your mind.
2.  Expand your vocabulary

A strong vocabulary is one of the best indicators of intelligence.  Sign up for a service like Vocab Vitamins for a word a day newsletter.  You can then practice working the new words you learn into everyday conversations.  This will keep you mentally active and thinking.
3.  Practice visualization techniques

Creative visualization is the technique of using one’s imagination to create a mental image of what one desires.  In other words, visualization is the art of putting daydreaming to good use.  You can use visualization to exercise your creative faculties keeping them alive and well.
4.  Throw away the calculator

Do math the old-fashioned way to exercise your brain.  Sometimes it seems hard to even remember how to do basic math in our heads.  This is mental flabbiness.  The best way to overcome it is the same way we learned math in the first place.  Practice, practice, practice!
5.  Sing along to your favorite song

Fire up the 8-track and howl out at the top of your lungs.  Memorizing and recalling the lyrics of songs you love is a great way to exercise your brain.  It can also be a lot of fun!  Of course, your family and neighbors might disagree with me.
6.  Learn to play a musical instrument

Not a lead singer?  Then you might try out for the band instead.  Learning to play an instrument can be challenging.  This makes the perfect exercise for your brain.  You want to be challenged.  Push your mind and discover how much it still has to offer you.
7.  Memorize poetry and wisdom literature

Memorize and recite a love poem to your significant other.  They’ll love you for it and so will your brain.  Of course, if poetry isn’t your thang, then you can always memorize passages from classic wisdom literature or your favorite joke book!  Suit yourself.
8.  Solve a few brain teasers

Brain teasers come in all forms.  There are the ones you solve on paper and the ones where you try to untangle a seemingly impossible puzzle.  Either kind will serve our purpose.  The trick really is just to get your mind working harder than normal.
9.  Use a brain training video game

A great example of this is Brain Age for the Nintendo DS.  Brain Age gives your mind a workout by having you solve simple math problems, count currency, draw pictures on the Nintendo DS touch screen, and unscramble letters.  The great thing about the Nintendo DS is that it is portable so you can take it with you anywhere.
10.  Study a foreign language

Developing new language skills is a great workout for the mind.  Plus, bilingual people are in demand in many professions.  Learning to speak another language might not only help your brain, but it could benefit your bank account too!
11.  Assemble bikes, toys and furniture

As the man of the house, I often find myself putting together all kinds of things.  These projects are great exercise for the brain.  You know what I mean.  It is like a giant puzzle with a million tiny parts.  Don’t worry if you have a couple of leftovers.  That always happens to me too!
12.  Get rid of the GPS and use a map instead

Manually plan the route for your next road trip.  This engages your imagination and analytical skills.  We’ve become too reliant on our technological toys.  We need to stop letting the gadgets do all the thinking for us!
Exercise your brain and you can forget about memory leaks!

A good mental exercise regimen for your brain will help you stay sharp and keep your smarts.  I’m old enough that I already see the memory leaks starting to occur.  I have to take every opportunity to keep my mind in tip-top shape.  I plan to live a long, full life and I want to do everything possible to be sure my mind is able to keep up!

What do you do to stay mentally sharp?

How To Train Your Brain

In order to stay sharp, it is important that you exercise your brain.  The less we use our minds, the duller they become.  There is a lot of emphasis these days on staying physically healthy, but we should also be concerned for our mental well-being.  Our brains continue to expand and adapt to the stimuli they receive throughout our lives.  The more we take care of our brains, the better thinkers we become.  Here are twenty ways that you can develop a training regimen for your brain!

 1.  Read a good book.

Reading a book stimulates the imagination.  Your brain can’t keep from drawing mental pictures when you read.  Reading gets your mind off its butt and to work.  I love to let a book carry me away.  I always have a book that I’m reading and sometimes I have 3 or 4!  I get most of my books from the library to avoid the cost of buying each one.  This also allows me to try a wide variety of books without risk.

2.  Big Brain Academy.

Video games have a bad reputation for causing brain rot, but there are some that will actually help you strengthen your mind.  I like Big Brain Academy for the Wii.  It is a collection of brain teasers that tests your mental acuity.  The tests are entertaining and addicting.  You can even compete with others which makes for some great family fun.

3.  Practice meditation.

Don’t worry, I’m not going off the new age deep-end here.  There are a lot of different forms of meditation.  To me, in its most simple form, meditation is about spending a little time alone to relax and center your thoughts.  It is amazingly therapeutic.  If you haven’t tried meditation before, I would highly recommend reading this guide to meditation.

4.  Get plenty of rest.

A lack of sleep can interfere with your ability to assimilate new information.  This means those all-nighters you pulled back in college were much less effective than you thought.  Your brain needs rest to operate at its peak performance.  This may be why things always seem clearer and brighter after a good night’s sleep.

5.  Exercise regularly.

You didn’t think you were going to get away without a little time on the treadmill did you?  Cardiovascular exercise improves blood flow to the brain which improves brain functioning.  One study found that physical exercise actually helped to increase the volume of the brain.  So, if you want a bigger, better brain, then get to exercising!

6.  Eat a good breakfast.

It is not a myth.  Eating a good breakfast does get you off to a better start.  You should eat a breakfast high in protein and good carbohydrates.  A couple of pieces of whole-grain toast with peanut butter will fit the bill.  Eggs are also an excellent source of protein.  Nuts, milk, and fresh fruit are also great ways to feed your brain.

7.  Think positive thoughts.

Encourage yourself.  I am convinced that positive thinking increases the effectiveness of the brain and helps to avoid things like depression.  I like to say that your brain works much like a computer, garbage-in, garbage-out.  Find positive, encouraging people to hang around, read material that jazzes you up, do whatever it is that makes you feel good about yourself.  These things will also help you be more mentally productive.

8.  Be a continual learner.

Never stop being curious about your world.  Seek out new experiences, skills, and knowledge.  Think of something that you’ve always wanted to learn to do and then get started.  A now famous study, showed that certain areas of the brains of London cab drivers were more developed compared to the average citizen.  This was due to their need to learn how to navigate the maze of downtown streets.  We can use this technique of challenging our brains to improve our abilities.

9.  Lay off the alcohol.

Alcohol is of course a depressant.  It slows down mental functions.  The effects of alcohol on a person’s cognitive ability is well-documented.  If you need peak mental performance, then stop drinking alcohol.  In addition to its obvious effects, it also decreases the restfulness of one’s sleep which, as we have already discussed, impedes your ability to think clearly.

10.  Get romantic (especially if you’re a woman).

Studies have shown that there may be a link between regular sex and improved brain performance in women.  Love-making increases a woman’s estrogen levels and higher estrogen levels are tied to better mental performance.  Of course, the mental benefits probably do not outweigh the risks, unless you are in a faithful, monogamous relationship.

11.  Break your routines.

Drive a new way to work.  Try writing with your less dominant hand.  Mix things up a little.  This perks up your brain because it requires you to think more.  You aren’t just running on auto-pilot.  Challenge your brain by getting out of your routines and it will respond.  This is a great way to get your mental juices flowing.

12.  Stop watching so much television.

Researchers have found that too much television between the ages of 1 and 3 leads to attention problems later in childhood.  Let’s face it, TV is mind-numbing.  Get up off the couch and away from the television.  Sure, there is some good educational stuff for children and adults, but the average American watches way too much TV.  If you want peak mental performance, then turn off the boob tube.

13.  Work with numbers.

Do math problems in your head instead of on a calculator.  For many of us, it is use it or lose it.  We have become mentally lazy.  We rely on our gadgets instead of thinking for ourselves.  Working with and memorizing numbers is a great way to get your brain back in shape.  This could pay off big dividends down the road!

14.  Stop relying on your GPS to tell you where to go.

Remember the cab drivers in #8 above?  Using your brain to figure out how to get from Point A to Point B is good mental exercise.  You have to use your brain’s ability to determine spatial relationships to effectively read a map and navigate a city.  Traveling in an unfamiliar area is even better!

15.  Recall old memories.

Get out those old picture albums and start thumbing through them.  This taps into your brains memory banks.  Pictures will help you recall things that you thought you forgot.  Dig deep to see just what all you remember.  If you have other ways to stimulate your memory, like old letters or home movies, then by all means use those too.

16.  Make beautiful music.

Learning to play a musical instrument is a great way to super-charge your brain.  It requires a number of different parts of your brain to work together to make the melodies that you desire.  Of course, if you are already a musician, then learn a new piece.  Push yourself to learn new techniques.  Music is a great workout for the mind.

17.  Speak a new tongue.

Many people agree that learning to a speak a new language is a powerful way to give the mind a stretch.  If you’ve ever tried to learn even a few new words, then you know this can be difficult.  Of course, the harder something is for the brain, the better!  You have so much more mental capacity than you might imagine.  Give it a try!

18.  Memorize a song.

Many of us have lots of old songs stored in our heads, but why not expand your memory by learning a few new tunes?  It may take awhile at first, but if you keep at it, you will find it gets easier.  This is your brain getting back in shape.

19.  Walk around the house blindfolded.

It might seem like a strange activity, but your brain can handle it.  Once you try it a few times, you will probably find it fun and challenging.  Again, this one draws on your memory, motor skills, and reasoning abilities.  What a workout!

20.  Expand your vocabulary.

Decide to learn one new word a day.  There are several websites out there that can help you with this endeavor.  You’ll not only be expanding your mind, but you’ll also be able to impress your friends and co-workers when you work one of your new words into a conversation.
Get started today and be smarter tomorrow!

There you have it!  I have just given you 20 very practical ways to sharpen your mind.  These suggestions will have your brain back in tip-top shape in no time.  Why are you waiting?  It is time to start exercising your mental muscles!

How do you keep your brain in perfect working order?

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