Friday, March 27, 2020

Getting Your Child a Tutor Required For Your Child

Getting Your Child a Tutor Required For Your ChildFinding a tutor required for your child can be difficult. If you live in the south west, then you know it's tough, but fortunately there are many options that you can take to make the job easier.If you have a small family and/or you are out of work then it's more difficult than it would be if you had the extra money you needed to hire a tutor required for your child. There are still lots of things you can do to find a tutor needed for your child. The first is to visit the school. Ask the headmaster if you can take them on as a volunteer tutor in exchange for some of their time and help with homework.If the children's teacher will let you do this, it's worth doing. They know what they can offer you and it makes life much easier when you're on a tight budget.Of course you can always go online to see if any local parents are looking for a tutor for their child. If they do advertise, ask to visit their home and get some of their time and let them know you're in need of a tutor for your child.However, remember that it's better to meet up with them over the Internet, rather than out at their house, so you should have some basic information about yourself and any qualifications. It might also be helpful to have the address of your parents so you can show up to your appointment at their house and hand over the money.This is a good alternative to finding a tutor who lives near you, if you can't afford to spend a day at their house. Of course, if you have a lovely house, you might prefer to pay a bit more and find a tutor that lives a few miles away. In any case, you'll never be disappointed with the results and you'll probably have more fun as a result. days Of course, if you can't do a day, there are lots of other things you can do. If you have an extra half hour, go to the library and browse the books that you can find on tutoring, not all of which are from the USA. They're not all bad but most of them aren't meant for tutors.

Friday, March 6, 2020

Tips From an Irvine SAT and ACT Tutor - TutorNerds

Tips From an Irvine SAT and ACT Tutor - TutorNerds The SAT and ACT Study Plan: What to Use and Who to Trust The SAT and ACT Study Plan: What to Use and Who to Trust Standardized testing has evolved to become a significant factor in determining students’ options for their educations after high school. The SAT and ACT are at the forefront of these tests that can have an impact on what schools a student gets accepted into and what scholarships they may receive for their education book your private Irvine SAT tutor today. Since the SAT and ACT have become so important, many companies have developed books, classes, guides, and other forms of study material to help you get a better score on the tests. With many options available to you at varying levels of cost and commitment, what are your best options? This study plan will briefly discuss what the focus should be on when preparing for these tests to help you optimize your time, avoid being taken advantage of by greedy companies, and (most importantly) maximize your score. Study with practice tests First, let’s discuss the best way to begin preparing: practice tests. This cannot be stressed enough. If you are going to be taking a standardized test, you need to familiarize yourself with the exam: the layout, the time limits, the question types, the directions, etc. The first test that students take is almost always their worst because they ran out of time, went to fast, didn’t understand some sections, or got overwhelmed or burnt out by the length of the test. Do not make your first test an official one. Make it a practice one and give yourself time to get used to the test. Use official resources first That leads us to who you should trust. You now know that you need to prioritize practice tests to study, but whose practice tests should you use? You’ll find a dozen different practice tests and practice books in the test prep section of the library or bookstore. Some are better than others, and some are outright trying to deceive you. So, who should you use? The official materials. This cannot be stressed enough. This is a mistake that most students make when they’re preparing for these exams. If you had a test coming up in your science class, would you instead use the textbook your teacher gave you to study or a different one that you found at the store? If your teacher gives you a study guide, do you ignore it and find a different teacher’s study guide from a different class? The people who make the test know and understand what is on the test, and they provide the best resources to study. The College Board administers the SAT. They offer several printable practice tests for free on their website collegeboard.org in the SAT section. They also offer online tests and prep partnered with Khan Academy, an app for daily practice, and a yearly study book with more practice tests. The practice tests also have answer keys, explanations, and can be scored. For the SAT, use the College Board before going to any third parties. ACT Inc administers the ACT. They offer free practice multiple choice and writing tests. You can find their website at act.org and specifically their prep material at act.org/the-act/testprep . They also offer an official prep guide, ACT Academy, and online prep. Again, you can find explanations, answers, and scores with the official ACT material. For the ACT, use ACT Inc before going to any third parties. Third party test prep companies cannot always be trusted. Over the years, I have tutored many students who have come to me with books they have already purchased asking for help. Every time I have done this, I have found questions or material that would never be on an actual SAT/ACT. Someone experienced with the tests should be able to spot these poorly chosen questions quickly, but a confused student would just be wasting their time studying them. These companies crank out huge numbers of new questions and practice tests every year, but they are not the official test makers. They are not held to the same standard as the College Board or ACT Inc, and they always have some percentage of faulty or unrealistic questions. Finally, a common tactic these companies employ is to make the material too hard. They make diagnostic tests, sample questions, or the first practice tests harder than they should be (or they score them more harshly than they should). This way, you get a lower score than you expected, and you feel the need to use their material to get better. Then, when you take the real test, you get a higher score than you did on their overly difficult material. Your score went up, so the test prep must have worked, right? Never trust a score from a third party’s test unless you have also taken an official practice test and received similar results. Just last year I had a student hire me for tutoring the day after he took an SAT practice test and received a score of around 1000. I had him take an official practice test and he “miraculously” scored in the 1200s. I was able to help him improve more from there, but it was not my work that gave him that substantial initial bump. The first score was a lie. Trust experienced tutors If you are seeking outside help for your test preparation, you can have great results with someone experienced with the tests and helping students prepare for them book your private Irvine ACT tutor today. An experienced tutor should have a studying system that is based around a core of taking practice tests regularly (official practice tests ideally) and is tailored to suit your individual needs. There should be an evaluation period where they find your specific problem areas and help you focus on what can be improved. Every student is unique and no secret strategy will be optimal for every student. Having someone who knows the tests inside and out can accelerate your studying and help you achieve the highest score you’re capable of. Michael C. is currently a private math, science, and standardized test tutor with TutorNerds in Irvine and Anaheim. All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us write.

This Aspiring Astronomer is Shooting for the Stars

This Aspiring Astronomer is Shooting for the Stars This Aspiring Astronomer is Shooting for the Stars Arushi, 12-years-old, Level K Math 12-year-old Arushi has her sights set on space, in hopes to one day become an astronomer. She knows that in order to accomplish that dream, she’ll need strong math skills. Something that she has been perfecting in the Kumon Math Program for the past four years. She’s currently studying quadratic equationsâ€"concepts that high schoolers normally tackleâ€"and is determined to complete the entire Kumon Math Program. Arushi credits Kumon for making her a stronger individual, and for motivating her to continually make personal improvements and set goals for herself. She has been in the Gifted and Talented Program at her school since the fourth grade, and has been flourishing ever since. She even took her math skills to the next level at The Calgary Elementary School Math Contest sponsored by Mount Royal University. Arushi has excelled at balancing her academics and busy extracurricular activity schedule. With a natural talent for the performing arts, you can find her on stage playing the clarinet with the school band. She even played the lead in the school opera when she was in the fifth grade. Because of her accomplishments, she was one of 56  Kumon Students from the United States, Canada and Mexico to attend the  2018 Kumon Student Conference. Arushi tells us how Kumon plays a critical role in her life. What keeps you motivated in Kumon? Arushi shakes hands with Kumon North America President Mino Tanabe My main motivation in Kumon is academic success. Kumon has laid a strong foundation down for me in math. This foundation has made my math work easier and has allowed me to devote my time to other academics, as well as my passion for debate. I feel that I have great potential and believe that Kumon will help me live up to that potential. Being a self-directed learner, I am self-motivated to do Kumon because I would like to make a positive contribution globally through my education. How has Kumon helped you outside of the classroom? Kumon has instilled a permanent love for learning in me. I developed many skills including perseverance, time management, and determination. Kumon has taught me that hard work is always intrinsically virtuous or worthy of reward. I know that these skills will help me succeed in future endeavors. How has Kumon helped you in the classroom? Kumon has contributed to my academic success as well as boost my areas of weakness. Describe an “a-ha” moment at Kumon when you got it? Every level in Kumon has brought a new challenge for me. Through my years of Kumon, I have learned that there is nearly a limitless array of methods that can be applied to solving a problem or concept. I often find myself making my own preferred method. For example, I recently have been working with quadratic equations in Kumon. I struggled with memorizing the formulas and how to alter them to easily answer the questions. Through practice, I noticed a pattern between their values, and I am now able to apply the strategy to efficiently answer the questions. What did it mean to you to be invited to the 2018 Kumon Student Conference? I was very excited to have this opportunity because it’s once in a lifetime. What advice do you have for other Kumon Students? Never give up and look at the long-term benefits, rather than how you’re currently feeling in the moment. In the end, the hard work you put into Kumon is always worth the reward! Discover even more student success stories. You might also be interested in: Aspiring Gold Medalists Motivation Keeps Him on Top of His Game This Reading Program Completer is Shooting for the Moon This Aspiring Diplomat Learned to Never Give Up Aspiring Architect Reminds Himself To Never Give Up This Aspiring Astronomer is Shooting for the Stars This Aspiring Astronomer is Shooting for the Stars Arushi, 12-years-old, Level K Math 12-year-old Arushi has her sights set on space, in hopes to one day become an astronomer. She knows that in order to accomplish that dream, she’ll need strong math skills. Something that she has been perfecting in the Kumon Math Program for the past four years. She’s currently studying quadratic equationsâ€"concepts that high schoolers normally tackleâ€"and is determined to complete the entire Kumon Math Program. Arushi credits Kumon for making her a stronger individual, and for motivating her to continually make personal improvements and set goals for herself. She has been in the Gifted and Talented Program at her school since the fourth grade, and has been flourishing ever since. She even took her math skills to the next level at The Calgary Elementary School Math Contest sponsored by Mount Royal University. Arushi has excelled at balancing her academics and busy extracurricular activity schedule. With a natural talent for the performing arts, you can find her on stage playing the clarinet with the school band. She even played the lead in the school opera when she was in the fifth grade. Because of her accomplishments, she was one of 56  Kumon Students from the United States, Canada and Mexico to attend the  2018 Kumon Student Conference. Arushi tells us how Kumon plays a critical role in her life. What keeps you motivated in Kumon? Arushi shakes hands with Kumon North America President Mino Tanabe My main motivation in Kumon is academic success. Kumon has laid a strong foundation down for me in math. This foundation has made my math work easier and has allowed me to devote my time to other academics, as well as my passion for debate. I feel that I have great potential and believe that Kumon will help me live up to that potential. Being a self-directed learner, I am self-motivated to do Kumon because I would like to make a positive contribution globally through my education. How has Kumon helped you outside of the classroom? Kumon has instilled a permanent love for learning in me. I developed many skills including perseverance, time management, and determination. Kumon has taught me that hard work is always intrinsically virtuous or worthy of reward. I know that these skills will help me succeed in future endeavors. How has Kumon helped you in the classroom? Kumon has contributed to my academic success as well as boost my areas of weakness. Describe an “a-ha” moment at Kumon when you got it? Every level in Kumon has brought a new challenge for me. Through my years of Kumon, I have learned that there is nearly a limitless array of methods that can be applied to solving a problem or concept. I often find myself making my own preferred method. For example, I recently have been working with quadratic equations in Kumon. I struggled with memorizing the formulas and how to alter them to easily answer the questions. Through practice, I noticed a pattern between their values, and I am now able to apply the strategy to efficiently answer the questions. What did it mean to you to be invited to the 2018 Kumon Student Conference? I was very excited to have this opportunity because it’s once in a lifetime. What advice do you have for other Kumon Students? Never give up and look at the long-term benefits, rather than how you’re currently feeling in the moment. In the end, the hard work you put into Kumon is always worth the reward! Discover even more student success stories. You might also be interested in: Aspiring Gold Medalists Motivation Keeps Him on Top of His Game This Reading Program Completer is Shooting for the Moon This Aspiring Diplomat Learned to Never Give Up Aspiring Architect Reminds Himself To Never Give Up

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Involve me and I learn

Involve me and I learn Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn. A quote by Benjamin Franklin 1706-1790 Benjamin Franklin is perhaps best known as one of the Founding Fathers who drafted the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States. But Franklin has also been pioneering advances in science, letting us see with bifocals and famously discovered electricity by flying a kite on a wire during storm. Franklin mapped the Gulf Stream, invented swim fins, and musical instruments and established colleges. His self-education earned him honorary degrees from Harvard, Yale, and the Oxford University in England. Benjamin Franklin had a strong moral compass and an unflagging commitment to civic duty, and an overall wit, good humor and integrity. Franklin illumined corners of American life that still have the lingering glow of his attention. He was a true polymath and entrepreneur, which is no doubt why he is often called the First American.

Gamers Turn to Crowdfunding for Financial Support

Gamers Turn to Crowdfunding for Financial Support Crowdfunding is becoming popular among gamers. Crowdfunding is a steady evolving and effective way for entrepreneurs to raise money for just about any endeavor. More creative types, who typically don’t have access to bank loans or angel investments, are taking advantage of crowdfunding. According to Time Magazine,  arts-oriented projects received $3 billion from crowdfunding platforms.   Four strategies you must remember in order to make your campaign a success is to first, build a strong social network. Next, you must make a video to show people that you are genuine about what you are trying to accomplish. Plan perks people want. Additionally, create multiple entry points.   People always want to feel like they are apart of something that is cool, big, and popular. Project Eternity was a crowd-funded event that raised $4.3 million in just one month.   The holder of this project was Obsidian Entertainment, located in Irvine California. Obsidian Entertainment used Kickstarter and PayPal donations as a crowdfunding platform.   Kickstarter is, of course, the world’s largest funding platform for creative projects.   The central idea for Project Eternity was to get enough funding to create the ultimate gameplay experience. The game is said to feature an epic hero with unforgettable friends.   In the game, they will explore unique locations around the world. Users will engage in dialogues that are deep, and offer many choices to determine a fate.  With the wonderful success of crowdfunding for this game, a tremendous amount of work is being put toward completing by its launch date in April 2014. Star Citizen surpassed the Project Eternity mark this past October, bringing in over $7 million in funding.   Star Citizen is a deep space action game that was created by Chris Roberts in Los Angeles. It’s a complete universe where any number of stories can take place. Players will decide their own game experience.  This game has a huge sandbox with a complex and deep lore that allows the players to explore in whatever capacity they want. Crowdfunding platforms for this project included Kickstarter and IgnitionDeck.  Crowdfunding is becoming more and more popular among game creators. Sources: Time thesoholoft.com eternity.obsidian.net

Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry

Current Topics in Medicinal ChemistryThe current topics in medicinal chemistry include the application of it for human health care. Current developments in this field have made it possible to produce important drugs, medicines and chemicals. However, it is also possible to determine the composition of these drugs, medicines and chemicals. These compounds are vital to the human health and well being.These medicines and chemicals are categorized in the following manner. Medicines are produced from natural sources. It is produced through extraction, purification and crystallization. Among all the classes of drugs, they are produced from herbs and plants.Chemotherapy is a series of chemotherapy drugs that are used to treat cancer. Its application is very important to human health care.Therapeutic agents are chemicals that act as a remedy for various disorders. Therapeutic agents can be divided into those that are ingested and those that are injected. There are some therapeutic agents tha t can act directly on the body, through absorption through the skin. When the treatment is done orally, the main objective is to decrease the production of these poisonous agents.There are other types of drug chemistry which are also relevant for human health care. Current topics in medicinal chemistry include the toxicology. This field is concerned with the study of toxic agents. It also includes forensic science, epidemiology, toxicology, pathogenicity, pharmacokinetics, as well as others. You can find a lot of ways to become successful in this field.If you want to become a doctor in forensic science, you can enroll in clinical trials or research. Clinical trials are conducted to test different drugs on different populations. This provides you with the chance to make you ready for the job of a forensic scientist. If you decide to enroll in clinical trials, you will not be given an idea about the results of the trial. It will be very important for you to understand the results. It is important for you to analyze the results after the completion of the clinical trials. This way, you will be able to gain the correct perspective about your work.

Play Online English Learning Quiz Games to Improve Your Skills

Play Online English Learning Quiz Games to Improve Your SkillsEnglish learning quiz games help students in their studies by letting them practice and improve their skills in the language. They are interactive and offer a variety of ways to solve the problems in the tests. If you think that you would not be able to do well in the examinations then this is the perfect solution for you.English learning quiz games can also help you improve your skills. These games are ideal for English beginners who are struggling to get good grades in the exams. If you feel that you are not able to handle the questions in English learning games then there are alternatives available to you.English learning games are especially designed for easy understanding. You do not have to be a professional to play the game because the rules are simple. For every question you have to answer correctly you get a point. To play the game you need to choose the correct answers before the time runs out.There are many diff erent games available for you to choose from. So, it is up to you to find the one that you can enjoy and get the best results.In this game you will have to read some sentences and find the meaning of each and every word in the sentence. You have to also match the words with the corresponding numbers. In some of the English learning games you have to find a match and connect the words. If you understand the entire sentence then you win the game.The games are suitable for both children and adults. Sometimes the games can also help you to forget the miscommunication that is often common in the classroom. If you are confused or you cannot find the right answers then it is better to consult an expert in the field of English learning quiz games.You can choose to play the English learning quiz games in the comfort of your home. You need not worry about your work because you will be providing you with entertainment.

Epithelial Tissue

Epithelial Tissue It is composed of one or more layers of cells which cover the external and internal body surface. The cells lie closely connected with no intercellular spaces, on a thin gelatinous membrane and adhere to each other with considerable force. The free surface of the cells may be smooth or may have hair like cytoplasmic extensions such as cilia or microvilli. Blood vessels are absent in epithelial tissue. Functions: Protection of underlying tissues from injury, microbes and desiccation, Secretion of hormones and enzymes, Sense perception by sensory cells lining sense organs,Respiration,Absorption of digested food and removal of metabolic wastes. There are four types of epithelial tissues: 1. Squamous epithelium: They are compact, flat plate like cells with no intercellular spaces. They are seen on the lining of skin and cavities of ducts. Whenever it forms a lining as that of blood vessels, it is called by the special name endothelium. Functions: They protect underling parts from injury, entry of germs, chemicals and drying up. 2. Columnar epithelium: Cells are taller than broad with nucleus towards the base. Certain cells are adapted for secretion. They occur on the intestinal lining, sweat gland, tear gland, salivary gland and kidney tubules. Function: Gives mechanical strength, concerned with secretions. 3. Cuboidal epithelium: Cube likes cells which are square in section but the free surface appears hexagonal. They occur in kidney tubules, salivaryglands, and inner lining of the cheek. Functions: Give mechanical strength. 4. Ciliated epithelium: Cuboid or columnar cells with protoplasmic outgrowth called cilia. Occur in lining of trachea of vertebrates, kidney tubules and oviduct. Functions: Keeps out unwanted particles.

A Guide To The GCSE Art Sketchbook

A Guide To The GCSE Art Sketchbook Nailing The GCSE Sketchbook Component ChaptersA Guide To Your AQA Art GCSE OptionsHow Will You Be Assessed?Perfecting Your GCSE Art SketchbookSketchbook IdeasSketchbook Cover IdeasMore than half of your final grade in Art Design will be determined according to your portfolio, which is why your sketchbook artwork and research has to be just right. No pressure there! The remaining points will be offered in conjunction with your performance during the ten-hour exam... nobody said that Art was going to be an easy option, did they?!But before we go into what should be in your GCSE sketchbook (in terms of scale of work, written work vs artwork, presentation style, etc...), let's recap what your pre-college GCSE Art course will look like (based primarily on the AQA GCSE Art Design syllabus, one of the most common in the country).Three-dimensional designThis particular section offers those wishing to express themselves artistically with the opportunity to do with varying mediums and within different settings. For example, this module is made up of architectural design, sculpture, ceramics, product design, jewellery and body adornment, interior design, environmental/landscape/garden design, exhibition design, three-dimensional digital design and designs for theatre, and film and television.PhotographyFinally, budding photographers will no doubt be drawn to this area of study because it allows them to develop their skills and experiment with portraiture, location photography, studio photography, experimental imagery, installation, documentary photography, photo-journalism, moving image: film, video and animation, and fashion photography.Are you still wondering about the benefits of studying art at GCSE level?How Will You Be Assessed?When it comes to assessment, this Art Design course is structured as so:There are two compulsory components.  Students must complete both components.Component 1: PortfolioA portfolio that in total shows explicit coverage of the four assessment objectives. It must include a sus tained project evidencing the journey from initial engagement to the realisation of intentions and a selection of further work undertaken during the student’s course of study.See further details below on how this component is assessed:No time limit 96 marks 60% of GCSE Non-exam assessment (NEA) set and marked by the school/college and moderated by AQA during a visit. Moderation will normally take place in June.Component 2: Externally-set assignmentStudents respond to their chosen starting point from an externally set assignment paper relating to their subject title, evidencing coverage of all four assessment objectives.See further details below on how this component is assessed:Preparatory period followed by 10 hours of supervised time 96 marks 40% of GCSE Non-exam assessment (NEA) set by AQA; marked by the school/college and moderated by AQA during a visit. Moderation will normally take place in June.Search for  online art courses  on Superprof now.As you can gather, the majority of your final grade will be given in conjunction with your sketchbook or portfolio (i.e. the work that you complete throughout the two-year period) whilst 40% will be based on how you perform in your final assessment and the final piece of artwork that you produce as a result of those 10 hours of supervised work.Learn more about how to ace your final piece!Search for  art classes near me  now.a place to think.Any ideas that enter your mind should be put down as they all add to your artistic journey. It doesn't all have to be finalised ideas that make an appearance, you can use the space provided to brainstorm, experiment, analyse and refine your ideas. It should, in theory, be deep and personal and provide a backstory to your entire project, leading the examiner to the end product, or the culmination of your journey.Most sketchbooks are A4 or A3 in size and are pre-bound for ease. An A3 book is obviously better because it allows you to fit more on a page whereas A4 ones are often p referred because they fit into a backpack or schoolbag much easier.There are no rules as to how you use the space on the pages (you can use them in portrait or landscape mode ) and you'll find that the pages are made using quality paper so that you can use a multitude of mediums on them (including wet and dry).Don't forget, however, that if you need to use a specific material to make markings on then you can always glue these materials onto the page. Don't worry about your sketchbook not closing properly - some might say that the bigger the inside of the sketchbook then the more diverse its contents are!Your sketchbook will be made up of quality paper on which you can use wet and dry mediums. Photo credit: vavoir on VisualHuntFinally, one disadvantage of using materials like wet paints (for example, watercolours) in a sketchbook is that the other pages are likely to get wet and bumpy too. You can avoid this by either using a separate sheet and sticking it in, or by placing cardboard in between the page in use and the rest of the book and waiting until the piece of art is dry before attempting to close the book.Learn more interesting facts about the GCSE art syllabus...How Should I Display My GCSE Art Projects?Your portfolio should be a good representation of your academic journey in this subject, so the content is as important as the presentation.For instance, you should ensure that it responds in some way to a theme, subject, task or brief set out by your course and that it provides evidence of how you have engaged with this subject matter and how you came to your final piece. Your intentions, therefore, should be made completely visible so the examiner can recognise them.To prove that you have engaged with the subject matter during your course, you should evidence a clear personal connection to the topic in question, and explain the personal context surrounding the work, as this may not always be obvious to an outsider.Secondary materials are vital to show t hat you have learned and been influenced by others but you must also fill the sketchbook with your own visual material which yet again supports the theme of the project in some way. Don't just put drawings in there for the sake of it - everything should link back to the journey you have embarked on during the art curriculum.You may be better at using one particular medium, but don't forget to show a wide range of mediums and materials in your art projects.This may include, textured paper, drawings, papier mache, news cuttings, plastic sheets, old wallpaper, glossy photographic paper and other collages surfaces, for example.Look up for  art classes Edinburgh  now.When it comes to drawing mediums, you might like to experiment with charcoal, colouring pencils, chalks, acrylic paints, dyes, spray paint, wax and other pastes and glazes.One very important thing to remember is that this component is marked as a whole, so every single visual representation should be to the highest of standa rds.There is no use having a few amazing pages in your portfolio followed by an incomplete and bare-looking page, as this will only bring your markdown. The examiner wants to see that you have put in the effort and that you have really engaged with the task at hand rather than just sticking things down unnecessarily to cover blank white spaces or writing things down that have little or no meaning to you or your project.Find  art classes London  now.Be sure to use a range of colour and mediums in your sketchbook. Photo credit: roberthuffstutter on VisualHuntGCSE Art Projects Presentation TipsAs we've mentioned above, the key to a good sketchbook is to keep it consistent.White, empty spaces will just be an eyesore next to those other jam-packed and colourful sheets. That said, more doesn't always mean better.Sometimes, keeping it simple and not over-working it can have more impact and come across more confident than if you were to go crazy and include elaborate decorations on each and every page.Try using a consistent style in your presentation, i.e. keeping writing to a similar size throughout, and attempting where possible to let the pages flow from one to the next. Do feel free to mix things up a bit though and to  vary page layouts to make the observational journey more interesting and appealing. If you have started in portrait orientation, then it would be wise to continue that so that the journey is broken up and made complicated to follow.Finally, try to order your work in a way that it shows a true development of ideas.What options do you have with your AQA art GCSE?Working backward or leaving blank spaces to fill in later isn't recommended as your story won't come across genuine, neither should you attempt to bulk up your portfolio with poor or rushed work right at the end of the course. If you have engaged with your subject matter and put in the effort along the way, then you should have everything you need by the time you come to your final exam and a re ready to submit your art projects to the examiner.How To Annotate Your GCSE ArtworkYou have discovered what your GCSE sketchbook should look like, now here are a few last tips on how best to annotate your work.Show your personal responseWrite clearlyDemonstrate subject-specific knowledgeAnalyse work criticallyCommunicate your intentionsAvoid stating the obviousReference any image, text or idea that is not your ownSketchbook IdeasNow that you have an idea of what is expected of you and how your sketchbook will be appraised, let's take a look at some ideas to refine your artistic expression; to present your talent and ability as an artist in the best possible light.Art is such an all-encompassing concept, especially when one considers the possibility of overlapping media.It is quite possible for the burgeoning artist to become overwhelmed at the prospect of choosing a theme, selecting a medium or two, and then progressing from an ephemeral idea to a fully formed work of art.We now take a look at some of the more popular theme selections to give you some ideas on how to enrich your subject; to make your renderings unique.The Human FormLet's suppose you would choose this most popular subject. How can you populate your sketchbook in such a way to make it outstanding; far superior to other GCSE art candidates' works?You might, for instance, start with pencil sketches of some of the more difficult aspects of drawing life forms: a hand, for example.If you have opted for an A3 sketchbook, you may draw a progressive series of hands: infants' hands unconsciously fisted, a toddler's hands grubby from outdoor play; adults' hands engaged in various tasks and elderly hands, symbolic of a lifetime of work.The eyes have it!Human eyes are a fascinating study of themselves: different colours and shapes, conveying different expressions under brows that could be trimmed, shaped, light or heavy.How about this idea?Divide your page into bands approximately five centimetres wide. Within each band, draw as many pairs of eyes as you can: green and blue and brown and hazel; close-set or wide, almond-shaped or round... even the eyes of somebody afflicted with Waardenburg Syndrome!Besides colouring the eyes - which gives you a chance to adopt another medium be it pastels, chalk, coloured pencils or watercolour, you may consider adding makeup to select pairs: eyeshadows and liners, even mascara.Don’t forget to include a pair of eyes cut out from a magazine advert, just to show you are comfortable using diverse media!As your proficiency at pencil drawings grows, you may highlight the human form in action: a  basketball player leaping for a dunk shot, a twirling ballerina; a fisher reeling in a big catch or a chef, busy in the kitchen.These representations may be rendered alternately in pencil and colours â€" again, the choice of medium is all yours.As you progress through your sketchbook, your work should culminate in representations of a fully formed humans.The latter pages of your sketchbook might be filled with photographs or paintings, portraits and posed subjects, and should display your mastery in representing the human form through a variety of media.Animals can have such soulful expressions; a real challenge for an artist to capture! Source: Pixabay Credit: ivanovgoodMaking Animals Your ThemeFurry, funny, wet and wild; sassy and sly and sluggish and slow: no matter what the creature, these life forms engender in most of us a sense of wonder, awe, and a desire to protect and preserve them. Thus, they make a great theme for your GCSE sketchbook!You may start with your family pet: a tabby or trusting pooch; one who was your constant companion in your younger years.What aspect of this animal do you find most endearing?You may start your sketchbook with an assortment of drawings and/or photos of your family pet in a variety of actions and poses: eating, sleeping, chasing a toy; walking sedately or sitting up to beg - or demand, should yo ur family pet be feline.You could then sketch, draw or paint different breeds of dogs: Maltese and Yorkie - with cute hair bows, of course! Chihuahuas and terriers and Pinschers and Pekinese; Shi Tzu and Shar pei, Dobermans and Dalmatians.On another page, you might display a single breed in all of its sizes; maybe a poodle? Such a breed would indeed be challenging to draw or paint because of its unique, curly coat!Start with a toy poodle and work your way through the sizes: miniature and medium, all the way to a standard poodle.  Your work may show them in repose or active, their coats of many different colours and barbered into many styles.Other categories of expression for dogs may include working dogs such as sheepdogs, service animals, security dogs; short- and long-haired animals; dogs from different regions, shown against a backdrop of their native origins.How about sketching a husky team running the Iditarod?  The Endless Possibilities of LandscapesClaude Monet is undoubtedly one of the most renown impressionist painters, yet he painted the same scene, Grainstacks at Giverny, no fewer than 25 times.He also painted the Houses of Parliament 19 times, all from the same perspective but in different weather conditions and at different times of the day.In a sense, you might say that Andy Warhol replicated Monet’s idea through his repetition of Marylin Monroe likenesses all done in different colour schemes, and his Campbell’s Soup Cans series consisting of 32 canvases.The only change from one to other is the type of soup the tin might contain.Obviously, neither Ms Monroe’s likeness nor tins of soup are in the same thematic field as landscaping but all of these examples set a precedent for the idea of replicating a scene with each rendition presenting minor changes in tone and hue.As you have a fairly large sketchbook to fill, you may consider borrowing that idea.Take a look outside your window: what do you see? Something remarkable? Something mundane?Eit her way, it is a view that is uniquely yours, both from the perspective only you can have on it and for the way you interpret it.You might start your sketchbook drawing your street scene through a four-year-old’s eyes: bold colours and uncertain lines, without much definition at all, rendered in coloured pencils or wax crayons.Remember how, as a child, you drew houses? A façade somewhat resembling a face: the door being a mouth and the windows representing eyes, all under a pitched roof?You could lend such characteristics to your current project.Start with infantile expressions of feeling safe at home and then looking out; marking the passage of years and your growing awareness of the world outside your window in the detail you provide with a maturing of your artistic talent.Naturally, you would graduate to more exacting technique and demanding media; by the end of your sketchbook, you would have presented a complex street scene at any given time of day (don’t forget nighttime, when the streets are empty!).What if you don’t live in a big city? What if the view outside your window is nothing but countryside?In that case, you may invoke your inner Monet, devising impressionistic versions of the same scene, differently lit and through a variety of media.How would you render this explosion of colour? Source: Pixabay Credit: ValiunicSketchbook Cover IdeasNow that you have some ideas on how to fill all those blank pages within your sketchbook, what will you put on the cover?Ideally, your sketchbook cover should give a snapshot of the artistic journey you have undertaken.Just like a person’s first impression of you determines their opinions and attitude towards you, how you preface your artistic journey will influence evaluators’ opinions of your work.In other words, your sketchbook cover should give some clue of your artistic talent and developing abilities but not tell the whole story.You might, for example, place your name in the middle of the page and sketch objects related to your theme all around your name, using different media.If the human form is your theme, you might try doing a self-portrait in pencil or charcoal and then surrounding your likeness with various other faces and/or posed figures.If your chosen medium is paint â€" oils or gouache, a Pointillist cover would certainly attract attention!Not only would Pointillism demonstrate your command of colour and control over your brush but it would lend weight to your sketchbook cover that could be interpreted as a certain gravitas.What if your chosen field is graphic art?Such a sketchbook should be attention-grabbing, perhaps a collage of hand-drawn and computer-generated imagery in bold colours with distinctive lines.You may also include quotes from one or more established artists of the same genre you aspire to make your mark in:I dream my painting and I paint my dream â€" Van GoghI don’t paint dreams or nightmares; I paint my own reality â€" KahloHave no fear of perfe ction; you’ll never reach it â€" DaliThere are no lines in nature; only areas of colour, one against another â€" ManetThere are two ways for a painter: the broad and easy one or the narrow and hard one â€" CassattWhy shouldn’t art be pretty? There are enough unpleasant things in the world - RenoirArt is not what you see but what you make others see - DegasEdgar Degas’ assertion is most on-point when it comes to your GCSE sketchbook.Your work should be an assertion of what you can make others see: in you, in your artistic flair and, mayhap, in the world around them.These suggestions should help you do that.