If you are looking for a slightly more redeemable app for the little one’s, CloudBurst has an adorable bunny in their “Talking Rabbit” App. The bunny aims to entertained the smallest tots, and teaches names of basic body parts, letters and numbers. The rabbit reacts when a child touches her ears, tickles her, or touches the scenery. When the child talks to the rabbit, the bun repeats it. While some sound effects become a bit grating to parents, you might begin to love the rabbit when peace temporarily interrupts a long, trying car ride this weekend.

You can try Talking Rabbit on your iPhone, iTouch or iPad. The app is absolutely free from iTunes. If you want to go ad free, pay just .99.

There’s a different type of therapy dog that is hoping to develop the reading skills of readers ages four through eight. Tristan is a Bichon Frise therapy dog who has a series of books chronicling his adventures with humane companion Trudee Lewis. They volunteer as a team with California-based Paws for Healing. The series of nine books feature a single theme or adventure each. There is a title about Tristan’s job as a therapy dog, and a book about getting groomed as well as the latest installment, Tristan Goes to the Store.

The stories, published in paperback form, build a child’s skills of sounding words and phrases out. In a subtle way, readers learn that dogs like Tristan require not just an occasional pat, but love and sometimes specialized care, such as grooming for special coats. Children will also be introduced to the concept of pets helping others.

All volumes are available online, or request them from your favorite independent book store.

According to The College Board (collegeboard.org), the 2009-2010 college school year saw a record number of Pell Grants–both in dollar amount and number of awards. The $28.2 billion in total awards outpaced the prior year by almost $10 billion. Tuition increases may discourage students from pursuing degrees, but before you are soundly daunted, check into scholarships and grants. While state budgets may slash gifts to universities, individual students are receiving more government aid. The more aid a student gets, the smaller the amount of the college loans carried around on their backs after graduation. Not only that, but the door opens for students who would not normally consider a college education in the first place, having desire but no obvious funding source to justify the commitment.

Public universities may cry poverty over diminished funding, but doesn’t an influx in revenue from actual tuition keep schools more competitive to lure students? At the very least, the operating budget coincides with the actual number of students wishing to attend? This works, in principle. In actuality, a university is not merely funding the education of the individual student, class materials and the rent or mortgage on the square footage that the desk their derriere rests on occupies, but other holdings. The whole experience includes archival art and rare books, green spaces and walkways to study and study upon.

Will you go back and finish that degree to have a competitive edge, or have the edge to have more fire power and influence to help others?

The Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellowship is encouraging college graduates in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (“STEM”) to get a Master’s in the field to become a teacher. To qualify, you must have carried a GPA of 3.0 or better in an undergraduate degree and your past or projected graduation date can be no later than June 30, 2012. Selected candidates will receive a $30,000 stipend to start and complete the Master’s degree which will include field experience. While no one can predict what the demand might be in the future, the candidate must commit to teaching in a high school classroom setting for at least three years. Therefore, applicants must be U.S Citizens or legal permanent residents.

Right now, the Fellowship partners with colleges and Universities in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. You may receive your undergraduate degree from any accredited university or college, but the Masters must be completed at select institutions within these three states. For a fellowship teaching opportunity. To apply or for more information, visit “http://www.wwteachingfellowship.org.

Above: Former college professor, and of course, President of the United States, Woodrow Wilson

Vet school was what I had always imagined for myself, but getting there was tougher than I thought it would be. I had to complete four years at an undergraduate university before I could even apply for vet school and classes were harder than I thought. Of course I sailed right through the math and science classes but the English and art subjects really tripped me up. I couldn’t believe Shakespeare was going to keep me from getting into vet school!

Thankfully I went to CLEAR 4G site and found a good English tutor on campus, so I squeaked by with a B and barely saved my GPA. I even started to like reading by the end of it! Right now I’m waiting to hear back regarding my application and though I’m nervous, I think I should get in. I can’t wait to spend my days learning about animal care and finally getting into a real animal hospital to play with the pooches. My dream is almost a reality and I have my English tutor to thank!

There are many groups that gladly accept the donations of complete Children’s Costumes right now. A horse, firefighter or princess costume could stock a “make believe” trunk in a homeless shelter’s children’s play room or in an under funded kindergarten classroom. Summer youth ranches and programs for at-risk kids and teens and summer performing arts groups could use them for productions–both meticulously planned and impromptu.

Skip the trendy characters and scary faces to ensure the longevity of your donation. Far more classic choices last beyond the trick-or-treat season and are relevant for years to come. This year, help some deserving kids start the party early.

One of the objections I have heard about the GI Bill was the reluctance for potential applicant to be attending college as an older student, that they would feel out of touch even being two to six years older than entering freshman. My 30 year old self would shake her head at that, but my 18 year old self would have recoiled in horror about “being that much older.” If you attend online, you won’t be just starting what your friends have finished. You could potentially carry a part- or full-time job while attending, volunteer or even raise the family that you did not want to put off until after graduation. Online classes require similar amounts of study hours, but you can study or attend a bit more flexibly.

If you have served under the GI bill–thank you for serving. If you have been considering it, but did not want to “go away” to school, this could be a valid option.

The following is a guest post by Lokesh B.

Many people struggle to find a fulfilling career that fulfills their interests and needs. To gain direction in finding your desired career path, you may consider undergoing professionally conducted psychological evaluations. One of the most common personality tests used to help people find the right career is the Strong-Campbell Interest Inventory. The Strong-Campbell Interest Inventory is a highly regarded test instrument used frequently by counselors to identify your interests and how they relate to specific occupations.

The Strong-Campbell Interest Inventory consists of lists of various activities and themes. You will be asked whether you like, dislike or are indifferent to each activity or theme. Once your interest in the various themes and activities has been measured, the testing counselor will then review how your responses correlate with the responses of others in various occupations. You’ll be matched with various occupations based on the similarity of your interests with people in the recommended occupations. The Strong-Campbell Interest Inventory operates on the basis of six personality themes. The themes are realistic, investigative, artistic, social, enterprising and conventional. Many people will exhibit characteristics of more than one theme.

The Strong-Campbell Interest Inventory is just one of many highly regarded personality tests that you can use to get to know yourself better and find a career that you will find fulfilling and gratifying. By becoming more self-aware and honestly examining your interests and personality traits with the guidance of a skilled counselor, you’ll find your way to the career that is right for you.

Now, there are broader teen summer community service programs that also provides exposure to travel or another culture. Teens might help build a bridge or rebuild a home, along with experiencing another culture. While I think it is a good thing, what bothered me is that there were never opportunities within our own country, for teens or parents who are reluctant to send then abroad or even to teach that charity begins at home and doesn’t have to be exotic to make a difference. After all, there are so many folks who will send money to causes overseas but will turn their back on a neighbor in need.  Luckily, I have found a few trips that focus on rebuilding homes in the Gulf, or refurbishing structures and playgrounds on tribal lands. Many churches provide missions trips, but there are companies that provide experiences as well.

If you are looking for a bigger experience during the summer than playing video games and you can wait on the babysitting until you get back, you might what to try a week or month long service trip on for size.

Have you recently graduated, or are soon to graduate with a degree in a science or mathematics? Despite the consolidation of school districts and the laying off of teachers that is going on in some areas of the nation, a shortage of high school teachers that specialize in science or mathematics remains. It is not just the current needs, but the projected needs of the next several years.

The Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellowship is seeking a few folks who are interested in a career change, or have yet to set foot into the business world. If you are accepted, you will receive a stipend of $30,000 to complete a Master’s Degree in Education. While life cannot guarantee you will remain a teacher forever, a three year commitment of teaching at the high school level is mandatory. The next application deadline is a few short days away – on September 1st.

To fill out your application, please visit www.wwteachingfellowship.org. Basic requirements, aside from a finished, or soon to be completed (by June 2011), degree are: a 3.0 GPA or higher, be a United States citizen or permanent legal resident and have the willingness to teach in a high-need school for three years. There are 14 participating universities and colleges. You need not be a resident of the state where the chosen school is located.

Did you know that 56% of American Schools are eliminating or deeply curtailing field trips for children 1st through 8th grades? Due to budget cuts, the extras are falling under the knife. There are some field trips that are truly educational and reinforce what is taught in the classroom. Some individuals learn better when they are shown rather than told. It can also create a hands on learning experience.

Lunchables Lunch Combinations is running a Field Trips For All contest, where 50 lucky classrooms will win a field trip for up to 30 students, a teacher, and one parent or guardian per child. The trip should be within an approximate 30 mile radius from the classroom and transportation and a meal is included. Individuals age 6 and up can enter their 1st through 8th grade classroom. Entries may be submitted until June 1, 2010, and the trip will take place before November 30th.

I remember going on several memorable field trips. The best one ever was a night at a museum. Not only did we get to see things we talked about in class, but it gave an appreciation of museums to children whose parents had never taken them. We saw lions, tigers and bears, but no aliens like these children saw.

I wonder if the class the student was in at the time of entry will be reunited, or it will be their new class for the Fall of 2010? I guess it might depend on where they decide to go.

Field Trips For All

Some schools are “anything goes.” Either the teachers are afraid to discipline the students by taking away privileges for fear of retribution, or some simple do not have control. I remember one class in the school I was moved on where the prior teacher left due to a nervous breakdown. In March, basic math was still on simple addition and subtraction as no one could concentrate due to the threats of knifings girls shouted across the classroom. The boys were not that much more stellar. As a contrast, Evangel house increases or decreases a student’s priveleges such as phone use, free time, and other priveleges. For example, girls who exhibit disruptive and dangerous behaviors are not lost, they are accompanied by staff whenever they go outside, etc.

In regular school, sending someone to the principal’s office or taking away their hall pass might be what you think is similar, but there the staff recognizes rescue responses. At regular school, kids can pester the monitor until they let them go back to class. Or, they can just count on the fact that mom or dad will raise Cain with the teachers, or when they get home, they can manipulate them. These are all poor me “rescue responses” that are recognized and girls are taught a better life skill before they lead a future life as a manipulator, or worse. As a girl improves, she is given more and more privileges.

This may sound a lot like playing “Mother, May I?,” but it is reinforced with excellence in academics, the opportunity to grow spiritually, and mentally.

From what I am describing, you may think that this is either a nonprofit or costs a lot of money. There is tuition assistance, such as student loans. You may not think paying for high school is the way to go. However, compared to the cost of ongoing psychological help, tutors, and the like, you are probably ahead.

In Detroit, the school district is in arms over charter schools. While attendence and test scores public at public schools, charter schools are growing and children are thriving. Some credit the actual education, but many others credit the lower staff to student ratio, were the teachers and kids can get to know eachother. Teachers are able to notice when a child is struggling or they are heading towards a destructive life choice. I, for one, was put into a school like that and I thrived rather than dropped out.

I was very intrigued by the idea of this school. It seems like girls can really turn around, which is important to all of us in society, no matter if we physically have children or not.

One of the big expenses about going back for training is the textbooks. Sometimes, the books for a class seemed to cost more than the class! My cousin was even considering renting books to get her through, or sharing them. Sharing doesn’t always work because you don’t get to use them the minute you want to. For most, the alternative is just finding them as cheap as possible. I found that Cheapestextbooks.com has a comparison took to find cheap textbooks on the web. The site doesn’t have every single book that you might need. Universities have a way of publishing a few of their own books for specialized classes that are unique to them. However, I thought of a few titles and most of the supporting or secondary textbooks that I remember having to buy are all there.

Hopefully, someone out there will be helped knowing about this.  Shaving a couple hundred dollars off your books could mean being able to afford an extra credit hour or two.

There is a proven link between aptitude at math and playing a musical instrument, at least in children. Children who are better at math can grasp the concept of sheet music better, but it is also belived that introduction to music at a young age can improve a child’s ability to understand mathmatical concepts naturally, such as fractions. I was woefully inept in math, prompting people who knew my advanced placement in English and History, to question if I had someone else sitting for tests.

Despite all the diversity, I always wondered if as an adult I would “be better.” That includes both math AND the violin.

What intrigues me now is that there is actually a correspondence violin instruction program. More specifically, it is on video (actually, DVD!). Individuals can learn at their leisure, in the comfort of their home. What immediately came to bind is not clumsy fiddlefingers like me, but children with no or little axis to musical instruction. With many schools cutting their arts programs, I don’t think it replaces music in schools, but if a child was interested in trying the instrument and the parents didn’t have access to instructors, nor could afford one on one lessons, this would be an alternative. It would be good therapy for children who have various communication disorders as well.

The disc are from the Academy of Music Performance studio. It may be $94.99 for the set of beginner discs, but the first intro disc is $9.99. So, if you want to find out if a child truly has an interest, you can buy the initial disc and have it percolate for awhile to assess their interest and commitment. You may think the price is steep, but consider that someone can watch them again and again, rather than being dropped off for a 45 minute lesson and if they get it, the get it.

I really think, and it has been proven, that learning an instrument increases a child’s confidence, mathmatical aptitude, and more. It gave me, as a shy child, something to talk about also. If your child has no access to music in schools, or just wants to try something new, this is definitely worth a try!

What companies do need, if I were to get a part time job that was a bit more than a receptionist job, would be to learn microsoft access. It would put me head and shoulders above the rest, as I could actually build and manage databases, and not just input at the desk. it will make a great deal of difference. I found that Brainstorminc.com offers many different online training programs, including for Access.

Admit Advantage is a service that she has looked at. It is group that focuses on helping you mold yourself into a stronger candidate.  Indecision really plagues many potential students. On the one hand, you want to appear to be open minded about the ultimate career path you will take, but if you are not careful, it looks like you are very unfocused and not quite so driven.  There is no way that you will be accepted into the program that is your first selection if you appear that you are willing to blow whichever way the wind takes you, rather than exhibiting the more positive trait of adaptivity.

There is complementary admissions assessment that helps you determine if you are truly ready to send in your application, and if not, how to get there. Often, when you apply to a program, there is only one chance to make a first impression.  One typically does not get to amend their application if they think that it is poor.

If you are pursuing this path in life, I wish you the best of luck, and encourage you to put your best foot forward.