5 Ways to Practice French Conversation

5 Ways to Practice French Conversation Megan L. For many students, having a conversation in French can be intimidating. Luckily, tutor  Nadia B.  is here with tips to help you get started chatting it up with some new French friends As you learn French, practicing it through conversation can become a regular part of your life, by following these easy tips. Before you know it, you will be practicing and speaking French with fluency! 1. Try a Meetup Photo via The San Diego French Language Meetup Group Monthly Meetup The easiest way to practice conversational French is to find a group of French speakers who have the same goal as you: to practice conversation. You can find groups with this interest through Meetup.com, or also at your local Alliance Française, an organization that aims to promote French culture and language. Most of these groups are free or very inexpensive, and you have the advantage of interacting with a wide variety of French speakers, from native to  multilingual speakers, to everything in between! If you attend the group regularly, you will notice steady progress in your French conversation skills, and you will likely also make long-lasting friendships at the same time. 2. Make a New Friend Photo by  mark sebastian Another excellent and simple way to practice French conversation is to find a single conversation partner: either someone who wants to practice French, too, and is at a similar level to you, or someone who is a native French speaker looking to improve his or her English. Either way you will be making gains on your conversational abilities with other equally interested individuals, which is key. A great way  to ensure progress is to create structured, clear guidelines for your meetings; decide in advance how to split the time between each person and each language. 3. Talk to Yourself! photo via Sarah If youve tried to find other interested individuals to practice with and havent had any luck, you can still converse! Using the exercises in your book, you can read aloud the questions or topics for conversation and then reply. This is an excellent way to target specific topics, vocabulary or grammar concepts since books address these in short, conversational activities. If youre learning French with a tutor, you can record your responses and ask your teacher for feedback. 4. Join a Book Club photo via  The San Diego French Language Meetup Group Monthly Meetup If youve participated in conversational French language groups and are now looking for more intensive, complex conversation, why not start or join a French book club? The conversations you will engage in will provoke you to use a richer vocabulary, more complex structures to express your opinions and reference events, characters and themes in the book. This is a wonderful way to elevate your French language abilities to a more advanced, literary level. 5. Eat Up Photo via Viewminder Lastly, if youre looking for a more casual, social way to practice your conversational skills in French, head to a French, Belgian or West African restaurant (or patisserie), and strike up a conversation with some of the French speakers there. You can discuss their culinary specialties, life in their native country, or the news of the day, either in the Francophone world or in your local area. Going to chat with native speakers is a great test and exercise can you understand them, with unique accents and slang at play? Can you communicate effectively and appropriately? Treat it as a game that leads to friendship and improved French conversational skills! Finding your way around French will become easier and easier as you use these strategies for practice. Before you know it, your free hours will be filled with discussions of books and meetings over coffee with your friends, who also happen to be French speakers! Post Author:  Nadia B. Nadia B. teaches flute and piano in New York, NY, as well as through online lessons. She  acted as principal flutist of the orchestra and wind ensemble at  California State University, Sacramento, and then went on to receive her degree in Music Performance from New York University.  Learn more about Nadia here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

The Time It Takes to Visit Rome

The Time It Takes to Visit Rome How Long Should You Spend Visiting Rome? ChaptersRome at a GlanceVisiting Rome for a WeekendVisiting Rome for a WeekSpending Several Months in Rome“A fool is one who admires other cities without visiting Rome.” - Francesco PetrarcaShould you visit Rome for a couple of days, a week, or two?Rome, also known as the “Eternal City”, covers 1,285.31 km ².  The city benefits from tonnes of open-air museums: from Etruscan to Roman ruins and Baroque and Renaissance architecture, the city welcomes over 10 million tourists every year.To explore the monuments in Rome, you should probably opt for the Roma Pass and plan out exactly what you’re going to see.In this article, we’re looking at how long you’ll need to visit Rome. DanielaItalian Teacher 5.00 (9) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LuciaItalian Teacher 5.00 (4) £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarilùItalian Teacher 5.00 (8) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarcoItalian Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors An tonellaItalian Teacher 5.00 (2) £14/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors GiusyItalian Teacher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EnricoItalian Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FedericaItalian Teacher 5.00 (2) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsRome at a GlanceThe capital of Latium and Italy since 1871, Rome was also the capital of the Roman empire for 357 years. There's so much to see in Rome. How can you visit it all? (Source: SCAPIN)The city was home to 4,356,403 inhabitants in 2016 and a further 2.87 million live in the metro area, making it the third-largest city in Europe after Moscow and London.It’s also home to the smallest sovereign state in the world: the Vatican, the capital of the Holy See. Rome’s history spans 28 centuries; from its foundation by Romulus in 753BCE to the modern-day.Due to its hegemony in the ancient world, it became one of the biggest cradles for European civilisation after Athens.Rome is thought of as one of the most beautiful cities in the world and nicknamed the “Eternal City”. It’s one of the largest archaeological sites in the world with 2,000 bridges and fountains, 900 churches, and plenty of Roman ruins and buildings.The historic centre of Rome is classed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and includes plenty of ancient Roman ruins: the Colosseum (the largest Flavian amphitheatre in the world), the ancient homes of the Palatine Hill, the catacombs and the Domus Aurea, the Pantheon and its dome, the Baths of Caracalla, the Circus Maximus, the ruins of the Stadium of Domitian under the Piazza Navona, etc.We should also add that there are plenty of monuments and Renaissance art galleries: St Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, the Trevi Fountain, the museums, etc.  With so many world-famous monuments and ruins, it’s easy to understand why so many tourists from all over the world choose to visit it.There’s so much to see in Rome that you can’t see it all in just one weekend.  What you visit will depend on the neighbourhood you choose to stay in and how many days you’re spending in Rome.  However, work may mean that you can’t go for more than a weekend and you’ll have to visit Rome several times!Find out more about visiting Rome.Visiting Rome for a WeekendSpending a weekend in Rome won’t be enough to see everything the city has to offer. If you've only a few days, you have to visit the Colosseum! (Source: BanJo_89)If you only have a few days because you’re working during the week, try to get flights on the Friday to Rome Fiumicino airport. You can compare the price of flights on sites like Skyscanner. In two or three days, you can still see a lot of great stuff.Budget between £100 and £200 per day for everything (trips, food and drink, monuments, and accommodation).You can get to Rome for as little as £40 from London, making a three-day stay more economical than staying for a week or longer.You can get the Roma Pass for 48 or 72 hours for €28 or €38.50 to get the most out of your time in Rome as it grants access to museums and unlimited access to the public transport in Rome, and discounted entry to certain attractions. It’ll also allow you queue-jumps for certain attractions.Staying at Rome such a short amount of time will mean that you’ll be running around a lot and you’ll probably need to return if you want to see everything.We recommend you stay in the centre of Rome towards Trastevere; you won’t have enough time to visit the surrounding neighbourhood.So what can you do in Rome in 3 days?Day 1: The Colosseum, Palatine Hill, Monti neighbourhood, Piazza Venezia, the Piazza Navona, Capitoline Hill.Day 2: Trastevere neighbourhood, the Baths of Caracalla, the Catacombs, the Vatican (Vatican Museum, St Peter’s Square, Sistine Chapel).You might not even have the time to do this if some of these attractions are busy and there are still plenty of things that you’ll have missed.Find out more about Rome's different neighbourhoods.Visiting Rome for a WeekA week is long enough to see all the essential sights in Rome. If you're staying in Rome for a week, go to Ostia, a port used by the Romans. (Source: neufal54)To be fair, you should spend at least a week in Rome if you really want to make the most of it.  Of course, this does mean you’ll need a bigger budget.You might want to stay in an Airbnb or somewhere where you can cook for yourself.  If you want to be comfortable during your time in Rome, you probably want a budget of around £2,000 for two people.You might also want to pay for the “Hop On Hop Off” bus so that you don’t have to walk between all the different attractions including the Borghese Gallery, the Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano, and St Peter’s Square, etc.Did you know that the obelisk in St Peter’s Square was brought to Rome by Emperor Augustus in the 1st century after the Battle of Actium in 31BCE?It’s a testimony to the imperial era and is 2,000 years old!Visiting the city at your own pace means you don’t have to do it all at once.  Some monuments need half a day to really visit and you don’t want to be running around and missing everything.You can fully experience the markets in the centre, make the most of Roman life, and head off the beaten path to discover things that don’t feature in the tourist guides.  There are plenty of places you can stroll around in Rome without having to take public transport.If you go to the Vatican to visit the museums, St Peter’s Basilica, and the Sistine Chapel, it’s recommended that you go early in the morning because even in the high season, the queues can be insane.At the top of St Peter’s Basilica, you can enjoy a sublime view of St Peter’s Square and the city of Rome. It’s free to walk up but you’ll have to pay for the lift.Since you have more time to enjoy Rome, you can enjoy an afternoon by the sea at Ostia, which was the port in Rome during the Roman Empire.  It’s since become a holiday spot for those in Rome.Find out more about Rome's most famous monuments.Spending Several Mon ths in RomeWhy spend more than a couple of weeks in Rome?This will give you time to meet locals, do as the Romans do, and learn Italian. If you want to learn Italian, you should spend a few months in Rome. (Source: skeeze)Whether you’re there as a student, working as a freelancer or remotely, you can spend several months abroad to learn the language and more about the culture.  You could do an Erasmus year in Rome and come back to the UK having had an unforgettable experience.  Furthermore, this will give you the time to explore other regions in Italy, Campania, Naples, Apulia, Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, etc.You looking for festivities?Consider renting a flat in the centre of Rome so that you’re nearer the action.  Rome always has something going on and every neighbourhood belongs to a different historic period.Living in Rome also means that you can enjoy each of the seasons throughout the year. You could stroll along the Tiber in spring, summer, or autumn.Find out more about the cost of visiting Rome.Now you know a bit more about the Italian capital and spending some time there. If you want to learn more about the Italian language, consider getting in touch with one of the many talented Italian tutors on Superprof!There are three main types of tutorial available on the platform: face-to-face tutorials, online tutorials, and group tutorials. Each type has advantages and disadvantages and what might be right for one student may not be right another.Face-to-face tutorials are between the tutor and the student and are the most cost-effective type of tutorials available. This is because your tutor spends every minute of the lesson focusing on you and the lessons and course are tailored to you.Online tutorials are similar to face-to-face tutorials but take place remotely thanks to the internet. If you have a webcam, mic, and a decent internet connection, you can learn Italian online. Since the tutor doesn't have to travel and can schedule more tutorials per week, they can charge less per hour.Finally, group tutorials are useful if you're on a budget. Since multiple students are paying for the tutor 's time and expertise, each student tends to pay less per hour. If you and some friends are wanting to learn Italian on a budget, group tutorials might be a perfect choice. Of course, you'll get less individual attention from your tutor.

How to Think About the Stuff in Your Job You Dont Like - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / How to Think About the “Stuff” in Your Job You Don’t Like - Introvert Whisperer How to Think About the “Stuff” in Your Job You Don’t Like Even if you are deeply pursuing “your passion” there will always be things you must do that aren’t your favorite or don’t play to your strengths.   You have to make some choices about what to do with those weak spots.   You can always get training to help improve your abilities and then watch yourself to ensure it doesn’t negatively impact your overall job or business. But, what happens when your job is dominated by tasks that you don’t like to do and really aren’t that good at doing?   It’s not going to be a job you like because you aren’t going to feel good about you.   It’s not nourishing to your soul. You could be in a great work environment, working for the worlds best boss and getting paid well but if your job doesn’t make you feel good about you, then it’s not the right job.   Easy to say, hard to admit.   Even harder to figure out what to do about it. I’ve always been a believer that there is a proportion issue you have to think of when thinking about the content of your job.   The proportion issue is the amount of work you enjoy compared to the work you don’t enjoy.   We all have to be adults and do the stuff we don’t like to do and perform it reasonably well.   But, if the job is too heavily weighted towards unenjoyable tasks, that’s the point where you have to make some hard decisions. There is no “guideline” for the percentage of enjoyable v/s un-enjoyable tasks either.   This kind of decision is yours to make; as only you understand your own tolerance levels. Job fulfillment is composed of many things, not just the work or tasks you perform.   It includes whom you work for, the people you work with and things like the context of the work (like serving others).   But, for today, if you aren’t enjoying your career, think about this mix of tasks to see if it’s working for you. Go to top Do you know what your next career step is?  Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable. Get your copy now and start your action plan today! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

Online Rates And Ratios Tutors

Online Rates And Ratios Tutors Rates ratio is one of the very useful concept in Math. The rate is defined as the ratio between two different quantities. Ratio is the quantitative comparison between the given quantities. Therefore the rate ratio is where two different quantities are compared. Some examples for the rate ratio are centimeter per minute written as cm/min; kilometers per second written as km/sec. Example 1: A vehicle A can cover a distance of 100 miles in 2 hours. Another vehicle B covers 90 miles in 3 hours. Find who travels faster. A travels with the speed (distance per time ratio i.e. miles travelled per hour) = 100 miles/ 2 hours = 50 miles/ hours. B travels with the speed (distance per time ratio i.e. miles travelled per hour) = 90 miles/ 3 hours = 30 miles/ hours. Comparing the speeds, miles / hour ratio for A and B i.e. 50 miles / hour and 30 miles / hours gives A has greater speed. Hence A has greater speed = 50 miles/hour. Example 2: Sam can cycle a distance of 16 miles in 2 hours. Ben can covers 21 miles in 3 hours by cycling. Find who travels faster. Sam travels with the speed (distance per time ratio i.e. miles travelled per hour) = 16 miles/ 2 hours = 8 miles/ hours. Ben travels with the speed (distance per time ratio i.e. miles travelled per hour) = 21 miles/ 3 hours = 7 miles/ hours. Comparing the cycling speeds for Sam and Ben. Hence Sam has greater speed = 8 miles/hour. .

ACT to Offer a Computer-Based Test

ACT to Offer a Computer-Based Test In recent years, the ACT has increasingly proved itself to be a serious competitor to the SAT. The creators of the ACT, however, continue to search for ways to improve the exam; one such strategy is to launch a computer-based version of the test. A paper-and-pencil version of the ACT will still be available for quite some time, but starting in 2015, students will have the opportunity to take a computer-adaptive version. The test-makers hope to move beyond simple multiple-choice questions to a truly interactive experience. Students will be prompted to write answers to certain types of problems and may even be asked to engage in virtual tasks. You may also want to check out how ACT scores will change in 2015. Jon Erickson, President of ACTs Education Division, provided several specific examples of questions that may arise, such as a science-section question that would display four beakers of chemicals and then require students to manipulate the items and mix the chemicals in order to analyze changes in density. Another example question involved students being asked to change the gas pressure of a cylindrical gas tank by adjusting a virtual plunger on the screen. Furthermore, the new test will also ask students to compose a response that describes concepts such as the relationship between distance and pressure or the relationship between temperature and pressure. Students may even have to graph these relationships. The ACT test-makers are attempting to create more than just a basic college admissions test. They hope to develop a full testing scenario that more accurately measures how well students can think and move through problems not just whether they can select the correct answer from a list of choices. In doing so, test-makers intend to make the ACT a better predictor of college success. Here is some great information on how the ACT is scoredthat you may find useful as well.If you are going to take the ACT and find yourself struggling with any section of the test, you may want to consider taking a fewACT practice tests, reviewing anACT prep book,or seekinganACT tutorto help you. Along the same lines, the College Board is releasing a new version of the SAT in 2016. The SAT changes will be more related to content, although the test-makers will be introducing a computer-based option as well, in addition to thepaper-and-pencil test. Yet, overall, the College Board wishes to make the SAT more practical. It will cover material that students will actually need to understand in order to complete college coursework. The ACT has typically been viewed as a curriculum-based test when compared to the SAT, meaning that it is designed to assess the material that students should be learning in high school. In 2015, the SAT may start moving in this direction as well. ACT Inc. also hopes to build a culture of college readiness by reaching even younger students. It plans to release computer-based tests that can track students development over time. The tests will measure how far above or below a grade levels standards each student is learning. These tests could begin as early as the third grade, and ACT Inc. plans to share detailed reports with the students and their parents on the students testing outcomes.

Online organic chemistry tutor helps a student to learn better than others

Online organic chemistry tutor helps a student to learn better than others Students need to be very focused in this hard core competitive world. Without having an aim in life, it is very difficult to live a better future. Those students who do not have any aim or goal in life keep moving from this way to that way. They may land up with jobs but the problem is it never satisfies them Students need to be very focused in this hard core competitive world. Without having an aim in life, it is very difficult to live a better future. Those students who do not have any aim or goal in life keep moving from this way to that way. They may land up with jobs but the problem is it never satisfies them and thus they cannot love the job that they do. Having a concrete background is everything is very important to hold on in this world. From the very beginning you have to be much focused and you have to know what you are actually dealing with. It is one of the prime way through which you can make the process of learning and knowing go in a smooth and easy way. Every year we come across new subjects. Every subject helps us to know something more and something better. This helps in making our knowledge also increase. Schools help us to know the subject, but it is our inner will that helps us to know it from within. Just for example, let’s take up science. Science is a subject that is tough for many but it is interesting for those who understand it well. Science has three basic categories and they are physics, chemistry and biology. Every categorization is far different from the other and this is the reason that it needs some good teachers who can help and support a student to know better. These subjects are further divided into many categories. Chemistry has a category and that is organic chemistry. Organic chemistry deals with a subject that involves the scientific study of the structure, properties, and reactions of organic compounds and organic materials which is the matter in its various forms that contain carbon atoms. It is a tough subject and thus requires regular and proper guidance so that you can deal well with the subject. It is not possible for all students to take up the subject in their undergraduate courses or further. Having a good grip from the very beginning can make a student think about it even. Thus to pursue organic chemistry you need to be under proper guidance of a good teacher who will help you to know the subject well. Private tutors that are available can help you to know the subject well, but cannot help you to go into the roots of the subject and get all information related with the subject.   Online Tutoring can help any student easily Online tutoring is a new way of learning and with the flow of time it is gaining a lot of popularity as well. Today everyone knows how to use internet and how to make internet the best medium through which they can learn a lot. This is only used by the online tutoring institutes who have made internet their way of communication. The process of online tutoring is conducted through online chats, emails, video conferences and tele conferences. This is one of the easy and most accessible way through which learning can be fun and simpler. With passage of time the online tutoring institutes are spreading its wings and are including various subjects in its database. Such a subject is organic chemistry which they are teaching the students with perfection and through expert professionals. The online tutoring services include certain benefits that can help the student to learn better and in a smooth and faster way. Let us go through some of the advantages of online tutoring services so that readers can have an idea about it in details. Features of online tutoring The teachers who are appointed in the online education institute world are very much efficient with the kind of service they provide. The institutes keep in mind to bring in the best teachers for the students who can easily come up with all the help and support that a student want for a subject from a teacher. The education process becomes and much accessible with online tutoring. The teachers who are appointed by the institute have to go through a very tough interview panel and then only things can get easier and faster. Online tutoring institutes do not have any time duration for their classes. This is an easy way through which students can attend the classes as per their wish. There is no boundation or any type of time limitation that can keep the student on his or her toe for attending the classes. This helps the student to concentrate more on the various types of topics and get good learning as well. There is a facility of one on one class as well. In this class the student is accustomed with a single and individual teacher who can help the student anywhere and anytime. This is much effective for those students who are not able to bring in their best in front of many students. Those who are shy and introvert and cannot open up with their problems in front of all. The one on one service includes one teacher and one student, which is highly beneficial. The time and money along with energy is saved with online tutoring. This process of teaching is conducted through the help of online method or through internet and while sitting at your favourite place only you can easily learn and get the classes. This is a great way through which time and energy to go to any place is solved. TutorPace, is an online tutoring institute which can help the students with its best services. All the mentioned services are available under the premises of TutorPace and Tutor Pace can easily come across it with best performance. Some best services under the very best affordable prices that can be easily applied and used by any of the middle class family as well without any tension. It is easy and accessible for any student even.   Online organic chemistry tutor can be available under the premises of TutorPace.

5 Things Your Graduating Senior Needs To Know About College

5 Things Your Graduating Senior Needs To Know About College High school is drawing to a close and your teen is probably feeling excited, nervous and everything in between. College is on the horizoneverything he or she has worked toward. It is indeed a special time of life, but there is so much coming that your teen may not even realize. Yes, your teen likely knows that college is harder and different than high school. Certainly, he or she knows the impact that college can have on his or her future. But what are some of the things your teen might not realize are coming? Here are five things for your teen to expect next year when beginning the college journey: Its all on them! One of the key differences between high school and college is the expectation that studentsnobody elseare responsible for themselves. Professors expect students to listen in class, speak up with questions if they dont understand something, and keep up with reading and homework. Students are given a lot of freedom, which means they are responsible for keeping on top of it all and reaching out for help if they need it. The consequences include academic probation for grades that fall below a certain GPA and forced withdrawal if students dont raise those grades quickly enough. Class sizes vary. Until they are on campus and in a classroom, most students might not fully grasp that the number of students in a college classroom can vary widely. A lot depends on whether a student goes to a large university or smaller college, but even at smaller schools, introductory, general education classes might have upwards of 100 students (and the number could approach 300-400 at a big university). Especially as freshmen, its important that students go to class ready to learn and take thorough notes. Its also a good idea to visit professors during office hours if they need extra help. Critical thinking skills are essential. The whole goal of college is to help students prepare for successful careersand nurturing the development of critical thinking skills is a big part of that. Professors in college want students to analyze information as they learn it, make their own inferences, and make connections about what they learn. They also want students to be self-aware about what they understand well and what they are still learning or struggling with. Now is the time for time management. College offers so many opportunities to socialize, get involved on campus and explore new interests. Its easy for students to become overwhelmed by the volume of homework and studying in addition to everything else. Time management is critical for college success. Students should plan out their weeks to ensure they have time to meet all of their academic commitments, using some sort of system, whether thats a planner, smartphone calendar, homework app or some combination of these tools. Good time managers also embrace a solid organizational system (to minimize wasted time and procrastination) and incorporate sufficient sleep and down time into their schedules. The major matters sooner than later. Teens who go into college without a major declared do have a little time to decide, but many fields of study start steering students toward a certain curriculum as early as sophomore year. Although students shouldnt feel pressured to just pick something, they should take the initiative to discover career interests that would fit their skills and personality. The college career center is a useful resource that every student should visit early and often. Theyll help undecided students explore different fields and majors and get them on the right path sooner than later. Dr. Raymond Huntingtonencourages parents to keep the lines of communication open with their college-bound teens in the months leading up to college. The transition from high school to college is a big one and its understandable that teens want to kick back and relax over summer before they leave home and begin their new adventure, he says. We always tell parents that this summer is a good opportunity to have those important conversations with their teens about the exciting and vastly different experience that is upon them. Teens who understand that change is coming but eagerly embrace a positive, motivated attitude will experience great success. To learn more about how to prepare teens for college-level academics, contact Huntington Learning Center at 1-800-CAN-LEARN. About Huntington Huntington is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntingtons mission is to give every student the best education possible. Learn how Huntington can help at www.huntingtonhelps.com. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. 2017 Huntington Mark, LLC. Huntington Learning Center, the three-leaf logo, and 1 800 CAN LEARN are registered trademarks of Huntington Mark, LLC. Each franchised Huntington Learning Center is operated under a franchise agreement with Huntington Learning Centers, Inc.

Great Family Field Trips for Holiday Break

Great Family Field Trips for Holiday Break Are you looking for new ideas to keep your child entertained and engaged this holiday break? Explore your community for fun and educational outings for the whole family. Here are four fun ways you and your child can spend time togetherand learn or experience something new. Planetariums or Observatories Reach out and touch the stars at a planetarium or observatory. These can be hugely entertaining for your budding astrophysicist or rocket scientist, but even a casual visitor will enjoy taking in the wonders of the universe in a totally different way. Many facilities offer opportunities to view the stars through telescopes with a trained astronomer. Pack some blankets and a thermos of hot cocoa for a night of holiday lights that your family wont soon forget. Visit www.go-astronomy.com/planetariums.htm for a list of planetariums and observatories in your state. Wildlife Parks and Refuges Wildlife parks and refuges often offer special winter programming that highlights how local plants and animals adapt to winter conditions. Whether you brave the outdoors or opt to enjoy the visitors center, one major benefit to visiting these types of attractions in winter is the lack of crowds. Check with your local, state and national parks and wildlife departments for events and programs for families and kids. Theater, Ballet or Orchestra December is a prime month for family-friendly holiday performances of all kinds. Take your family to one of the many known seasonal productions and read the story before or after the performance. Other performances such as The Nutcracker are a perennial family favorite, and orchestras often present programs of holiday music that listeners of any age can enjoy. Look for opportunities to meet the performers so that your child can get a backstage glimpse into how these artists do their work. Factory Tour A tour of a local business, manufacturing facility or other factory is a great way for your child to see and learn how things work. Check with your state or local chamber of commerce to find out what companies in your area offer tours of their production facilitiesretail manufacturers or distributors, food producers or other organizations may offer tours and informational sessions about the steps that go into making their products. Often, these sessions incorporate local history, fun facts, and science and engineering concepts. As an added bonus, these tours are often free. Use a little creativity to explore the many educational outings available in your areabeyond the standard museums and zoos. Look into visiting your local news station or newspaper. Consider taking a self-guided tour of a nearby college. Check independent movie theatres for educational films or documentaries for your older child. Better yet, try a few different options. Your child will be sure to have a wonderful story or two to tell when someone asks, What did you do over holiday break?