Coding

 What is Coding?

Coding, also known as programming, is the process of designing and building an executable computer program to accomplish a specific task or to solve a particular problem. It involves writing sets of instructions that a computer can interpret and execute. The goal of coding is to create software that performs a desired function or set of functions.

Key aspects of coding include:

1. Programming Languages: Code is typically written in programming languages, such as Python, Java, C++, JavaScript, and many others. Each language has its own syntax and rules that dictate how instructions are written.

2. Algorithms and Logic: Coding involves designing algorithms, which are step-by-step procedures or formulas for solving problems. Logical thinking is crucial for constructing algorithms that efficiently solve a given problem.

3. Problem Solving: Coding often revolves around identifying problems and devising solutions. Programmers need to think analytically and logically to break down complex problems into smaller, manageable components.

4. Debugging: Debugging is the process of identifying and fixing errors or bugs in the code. It requires a systematic approach to finding and resolving issues that may arise during the development process.

5. Testing: After writing code, it's essential to test the software to ensure that it functions as intended. Testing involves running the program with various inputs to verify that the output is correct and that the program behaves as expected.

6. Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC): Coding is just one phase of the software development life cycle, which includes planning, analysis, design, coding, testing, deployment, and maintenance. Each phase contributes to the creation and improvement of software.

Coding is used in a wide range of applications, from developing websites and mobile apps to creating complex software systems for industries such as finance, healthcare, and entertainment. It is a fundamental skill in the field of computer science and is utilized by software developers, engineers, data scientists, and various other professionals in the tech industry. Learning to code can empower individuals to create their own software solutions and contribute to the rapidly evolving world of technology.

Stop Motion

 What is Stop Motion?

Stop motion is an animation technique in which objects or puppets are physically manipulated frame by frame to create the illusion of movement when the frames are played in sequence. It involves taking a series of still photographs or frames, with small, incremental changes made between each shot. When these frames are played in rapid succession, the slight movements give the appearance of continuous motion.

There are various forms of stop motion, including:

1. Claymation or Clay Animation: Characters and scenes are created using clay or plasticine. The animator molds the characters and changes their positions slightly for each frame.

2. Puppet Animation: Puppet characters are moved incrementally and photographed frame by frame. Puppet animation can involve various types of puppets, including those made of wood, foam, or other materials.

3. Cutout Animation: Flat characters or objects are cut out of paper or other materials and animated by moving and photographing them frame by frame.

4. Object Animation: Everyday objects are used to create characters or scenes. The objects are moved and photographed to create animation.

5. Pixilation: This involves using real people as stop-motion characters. The people are posed and photographed in a way that simulates animation.

Stop motion can be time-consuming, as it requires careful planning and meticulous attention to detail. However, it has a unique and charming aesthetic that has been used in various films, television shows, and short videos. Famous examples include "Wallace and Gromit," "The Nightmare Before Christmas," and "Chicken Run." Advances in technology have also led to the integration of stop motion with other animation techniques and visual effects in modern filmmaking.

Still Life

 What is a Still Life?

A still life is a genre of art that focuses on depicting inanimate objects, typically arranged in a composed and deliberate manner. The objects chosen for a still life can vary widely and may include everyday items, food, flowers, household items, or other objects. The term "still life" is derived from the Dutch word "still even," which means "still life" or "motionless scene."

Key characteristics of still life art include:

1. Inanimate Objects: Still life paintings or drawings feature objects that are not alive, in contrast to portraits or landscapes which may include living subjects.

2. Composition: Artists carefully arrange the objects in a still-life composition, paying attention to the placement of each item to create a visually interesting and balanced scene.

3. Attention to Detail: Still life art often involves a high level of attention to detail, with artists focusing on accurately rendering the textures, colors, and shapes of the objects.

4. Symbolism: Objects in a still life may carry symbolic meanings or cultural significance. For example, certain flowers or fruits might symbolize life, death, or abundance.

5. Lighting: The play of light and shadow is important in still-life compositions. Artists may use light to highlight certain elements or create a specific mood.

Still -life has been a popular subject in art for centuries and has been explored by artists from various cultures and time periods. It allows artists to showcase their technical skills, experiment with composition, and convey messages or emotions through the arrangement of objects. Still-life art can be found in various mediums, including painting, drawing, photography, and sculpture.

Oratory

 What is Oratory? 

Oratory refers to the art and skill of public speaking, especially in a formal and eloquent manner. An orator is someone who is skilled in the practice of oratory. Oratory involves the effective and persuasive presentation of spoken words to convey a message, influence an audience, or deliver a compelling speech.

Key elements of oratory include:

1. Rhetoric: The use of persuasive and effective language to communicate ideas and arguments. This involves employing figures of speech, rhetorical devices, and a well-structured speech to captivate and persuade the audience.

2. Delivery: The manner in which a speech is presented, including aspects such as tone, pace, gestures, and overall presence. A skilled orator pays attention to both verbal and non-verbal communication.

3. Persuasion: The primary goal of oratory is often to persuade or influence the audience. This can involve appealing to emotions, providing logical arguments, and creating a connection with the listeners.

4. Engagement: Successful oratory engages the audience, holding their attention and making the message memorable. This can be achieved through compelling storytelling, relevant examples, and a dynamic speaking style.

Historically, oratory has played a significant role in politics, law, and public discourse. Famous orators, such as Winston Churchill, Martin Luther King Jr., and Cicero, are celebrated for their ability to use language effectively to inspire, inform, and motivate people. Oratory is not only about conveying information but also about connecting with the audience on an emotional and intellectual level to achieve a desired impact.

Spotek Words

 What is Spoken Words?

"Spoken words" refer to words that are uttered or vocalized by a person as part of oral communication. It involves the use of the voice to convey thoughts, ideas, information, or emotions to others. Unlike written words, which are communicated through written language, spoken words rely on spoken language, intonation, and other vocal elements.

Key characteristics of spoken words include:

1. Oral Expression: Spoken words are articulated through the mouth and vocal cords. The speaker uses their voice to communicate with others.

2. Intonation: The pitch, tone, and rhythm of spoken words contribute to the overall meaning and emotional expression. Changes in intonation can convey nuances, such as excitement, emphasis, or uncertainty.

3. Contextual Cues: In spoken communication, context, body language, and facial expressions often play crucial roles in understanding the intended meaning of the words spoken.

4. Immediate Interaction: Spoken words allow for real-time interaction between speakers and listeners. Feedback, questions, and clarification can be exchanged immediately.

5. Informality: Spoken language can be more informal and spontaneous compared to written language. It often includes elements such as colloquialisms, slang, and conversational style.

Spoken words are a fundamental aspect of human communication and are used in various contexts, including everyday conversations, public speaking, presentations, storytelling, and more. The effectiveness of spoken communication depends not only on the words themselves but also on how they are delivered, the tone used, and the overall context in which they are spoken.

Schnolle Test

 Administering the test

1. Sit the learner at a desk or table in a quiet space.
2. Provide a piece of lined paper and get him to put their name and the date at the top.
3. Choose what will be an appropriate point to start the test. (See below for guidance) 
4. Dictate each word in turn, saying the word individually, then putting it into a sentence, and finally repeating it. e.g. time  Can you tell me the time?  time
5. Dictate slowly and clearly. Never hurry the learner and repeat the word as often as needed.
6. Continue until the learner has made at least 5 consecutive errors. The official guidelines are 10 consecutive errors, but this can be unnecessarily off-putting for a learner. You will generally see when a learner has reached their limit.
7. Score as explained in the scoring instructions.

Deciding where to start

If you know that the learner can spell words like ‘sight’, ‘mouth’, etc, then there is no point

starting right at the beginning. You will just waste time and energy. If you are testing a

group of learners together, you may have to, however.

Choose a starting point where you believe the learner will be able to cope with the words.

Dictate the first line of five words. If there were no problems with that line, just continue.

When scoring, you credit all the words before that line.

If there were problems with that line, complete the line and then work backward until they

get a line with no errors. Credit all spellings until that point.

Scoring

An easier way to think of it: Add 5 to the first digit (i.e. the ‘2’ of ‘25’). See example:

Learner scored 25. Add ‘5’ to the first digit = 75 = 7.5

Conversion table to convert tenths of a year into months (i.e. spelling age)

.1 = 1 month .6 = 7 months

.2 = 2 months .7 = 8 months

.3 = 4 months .8 = 10 months

.4 = 5 months .9 = 11 months

.5 = 6 months

Example: 7.5 = Spelling Age of 7 years 6 months

Note: People comment that ‘portmanteau’ is a highly unusual word nowadays. However, if

your learner gets that far, you don’t really need to worry too much about his spelling

anyway! The Schonell test (although old) is generally considered to be a very useful, reliable

test of spelling ability and it has the advantage of not being used in the classroom

nowadays.

Retesting

Strictly speaking, you should not re-test within a year of the previous test if you are using a

standardized, normed test. Six months is an acceptable time delay, but it is usually unwise

to retest within six months. Re-test using the B version of the test and alternate each

subsequent time.

Spelling Age = (no. of correctly spelled words divided by 10) + 5

for example: SA = (25 divided by 10) + 5 = 7.5 years

Making Planter Box

 Gardening

A planter box is a container used for growing plants, flowers, or herbs. It is typically a rectangular or square-shaped box with an open top and drainage holes at the bottom. Planter boxes can be made from various materials such as wood, metal, plastic, or concrete. They are commonly used in gardening and landscaping to create defined spaces for planting in areas where traditional in-ground gardening may not be feasible or desired.

Planter boxes are versatile and can be used for various purposes, including:

• Decorative Planting: Adding aesthetic appeal to outdoor spaces, such as patios, decks, or balconies.

• Vegetable and Herb Gardens: Growing vegetables and herbs in a controlled environment, especially in urban or limited-space settings.

• Boundary and Privacy Screening: Creating natural barriers or screens using tall plants in planter boxes to define spaces or provide privacy.

• Indoor Gardening: Allowing people to grow plants indoors, bringing greenery into homes or offices.

• Mobility: Easily moving plants around to optimize sunlight exposure or to protect them from harsh weather conditions.

• Accessibility: Raising the planting level can make gardening more accessible for individuals with physical limitations, such as those who use wheelchairs.

Planter boxes come in various sizes, styles, and designs, making them a popular choice for both functional and decorative purposes in landscaping and gardening.