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7 Little Red Riding Hood Fractured Fairy Tales We Love

Once upon a time, there was a popular fairy tale about a girl with a red cape, her grandmother, and a cunning wolf. We all know the story of Little Red Riding Hood, but what if we told you there are contemporary versions of this beloved classic that put a twist on the original? Welcome to the world of fractured fairy tales! Here are seven imaginative and captivating renditions of Little Red Riding Hood that we absolutely adore.

1. “Little Red Gliding Hood” by Tara Lazar

In this delightful take on the traditional story, Little Red needs a new pair of ice skates. To win them, she decides to enter an ice-skating competition with her friend the Gingerbread Man. A whimsical winter adventure ensues as familiar characters from other fairy tales make appearances along their journey.

2. “Ninja Red Riding Hood” by Corey Rosen Schwartz

“Everybody was kung-fu fighting…”- in this amusing spinoff! This martial arts-infused rendition has the Big Bad Wolf learning ninja skills to catch his prey–only to discover that Little Red is also a skilled ninja who has some tricks up her sleeve.

3. “The Little Red Wolf” by Amélie Fléchais

This beautifully illustrated adaptation switches things up by featuring a little red wolf who must steal food from humans while avoiding Grandma’s house. However, when he reaches his destination, he finds kindness and friendship instead of danger in this unique version of the tale.

4. “Little Red Hot” by Eric A. Kimmel

Set in Texas, this spicy twist introduces us to Little Red Hot, who loves nothing more than eating hot peppers. When the sly coyote tries to take advantage of her grandmother’s absence, she challenges him to an epic battle involving chili peppers and plenty of bravado!

5. “Honestly, Red Riding Hood Was Rotten!” by Trisha Speed Shaskan

Told from the wolf’s perspective, this humorous retelling portrays Little Red as an obnoxious little girl who flaunts her beauty. In the end, the wolf wonders if there might be some benefits to eating her after all…

6. “Petite Rouge: A Cajun Red Riding Hood” by Mike Artell

Transported to the bayous of Louisiana, this colorful rendition boasts lively language and plays with local culture. The main character, Petite Rouge, must navigate the swamp while steering clear of the cunning alligator Claude to bring her sick “gran-mere” a batch of gumbo.

7. “Little Red and the Very Hungry Lion” by Alex T. Smith

In this African setting-inspired adaptation, Little Red outwits a very hungry lion intending to devour both her and her auntie who is suffering from a spotted fever. With just wit and courage on her side, Little Red teaches the lion a lesson that he’ll never forget.

These seven fractured fairy tales offer fresh takes on Little Red Riding Hood that will enchant readers of all ages. Ranging from whimsical to humorous, these versions challenge us to rethink familiar stories and introduce new magic into these timeless tales.

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A Green Screen Is the Tech Tool You Didn’t Know You Needed

In today’s fast-paced digital world, technology enthusiasts and media professionals are always searching for innovative ways to create dynamic content. One such game-changing tech tool you may not have realized you needed is the green screen. Also known as chroma keying, green screen technology allows creators to composite different moving images or special effects to produce visually striking results

But what makes a green screen so valuable, and how can it benefit your creative projects? Let’s explore the potential of this often underappreciated yet powerful technology.

1. Seamless Image Compositing

The primary advantage of green screen technology lies in its ability to blend together different layers of visuals seamlessly. By using a distinct color (usually a bright shade of green) as a backdrop, content creators can easily remove the green background from footage and replace it with another visual element. This technique is widely utilized in television, movies, and even live stream applications.

2. Enhancing Production Value

The impact a green screen has on your projects’ production value shouldn’t be underestimated. By incorporating chroma keying into your toolbox, you can virtually transport your subjects to exotic locales, place them within intricate digital environments, or simulate elaborate fantasy worlds—all without ever leaving your studio.

3. Resource Efficiency

Green screens save both time and resources by preventing unnecessary location scouting, permitting historical reenactments or other hard-to-produce scenes within limited budgets. Additionally, post-production processes become simpler and quicker with the proper utilization of green screens.

4. Live Streaming Benefits

In recent years, live streaming has become an increasingly popular method for content creators to interact with their audiences in real-time. The use of green screens during live streams allows for professional image composition that instantly elevates production quality while simultaneously engaging viewers.

5. Versatile Applications

Lastly, once you’ve mastered working with a green screen, the possibilities are endless. Whether you’re working on a short film, creating engaging marketing content, or producing educational videos, chroma keying technology can help make your work stand out. Practical applications span across various industries, including entertainment, education, and advertising.

In conclusion, the green screen is an essential tech tool that often gets overlooked but remains crucial in today’s digital world. Through seamless image compositing, enhanced production value, resource efficiency, and versatile applications across various domains—it’s time to rethink what a green screen can bring to your creative projects. Once you start using it to its full potential, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it.

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Grab These Academic Vocabulary Mini Posters for Your English Learners and Striving Readers

Introduction:

English learners and striving readers often face challenges in building their academic vocabulary, which is essential for fully comprehending texts across various subject matters. To help students overcome this hurdle, incorporating academic vocabulary mini posters in your classroom can be an excellent resource. Let’s explore some key reasons why mini posters are effective tools and provide a sample of mini posters that you can use in your classroom.

The Importance of Academic Vocabulary for English Learners and Striving Readers:

Building academic vocabulary is crucial for all students, especially those who are learning English as a second language or struggling with reading. Academic vocabulary consists of words that are not frequently used in everyday conversation, but appear frequently in written texts. These words are essential for understanding complex ideas and concepts. Developing a strong academic vocabulary not only improves reading comprehension, but also enhances students’ ability to express themselves effectively across different subjects.

Why Choose Mini Posters?

• Visually appealing: Mini posters add color and visual interest to your classroom, making it more inviting for learners.

• Targeted focus: Each poster focuses on one specific word or concept, allowing students to concentrate on that word when observing the poster.

• Accessibility: Posters can be placed at eye level, making them easily accessible and hard to miss.

• Ease of reference: Having the information on the wall allows students to glance at it quickly during class discussions or while working independently.

• Reinforcement over time: By having these mini posters within the classroom setting, students will continuously be exposed to the featured vocabulary, reinforcing their understanding of its meaning and usage over time.

Sample Academic Vocabulary Mini Posters:

Here are five examples of academic vocabulary mini posters that can be added to your collection:

1. Analyze: This poster would feature the word “analyze” in big, bold letters along with its definition – “to examine something in detail to understand its nature or determine its essential features.” The poster could also include a graphic illustrating the process of breaking something down into its components.

2. Synthesize: With the word “synthesize” at the forefront, this poster would define the term as “combining different elements or ideas to form a new, more complex whole.” An accompanying image could depict separate puzzle pieces coming together to create a complete picture.

3. Infer: The infer mini poster would display the definition – “to draw a conclusion based on evidence and reasoning.” It might also show a character piecing clues together like a detective solving a mystery.

4. Evaluate: This poster would define “evaluate” as “to judge or assess the worth, significance, or importance of something.” A graphic of scales weighing pros and cons would serve as a powerful visual aid.

5. Justify: The word “justify” would be defined on this poster as “providing reasons or evidence to support an opinion or action.” A magnifying glass focused on supportive facts could indicate the process of justifying one’s stance.

Conclusion:

Academic vocabulary mini posters provide English learners and striving readers with ongoing visual reminders of essential terms they need for academic success. By incorporating these helpful tools into your teaching strategy, you can create an environment that encourages growth and understanding in key language skills for all students. So, go ahead and grab these academic vocabulary mini posters for your classroom today!

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5 Visual Storytelling Projects That Teach Art and Writing

Visual storytelling is a powerful teaching method that engages students in creative thinking and encourages them to express their ideas through both art and writing. By incorporating visual elements into their stories, students can strengthen their narrative skills, enhance their artistic abilities, and develop a deeper understanding of the storytelling process. Here are five visual storytelling projects that can help teach art and writing in an engaging, interactive way:

1. Picture-Book Creation

In this project, students create their own illustrated storybooks by combining images with written text. They can begin by brainstorming ideas for characters, settings, and conflicts in their stories. Next, they develop a storyline and draft the text for their picture books. Finally, they combine illustrations with the written narrative to create a captivating visual story that can be shared with others.

2. Comic Strip Adventures

Students develop a short comic strip or graphic novel to tell a compelling story while practicing both writing and artistic skills. They start by creating a plot outline and designing characters that will star in their adventures. After the storyline has been finalized, students sketch out each panel of the comic strip or graphic novel and fill it with engaging dialogue that enhances the narrative.

3. Movie Storyboards

In this project, students learn about the movie-making process by creating storyboards for a short film. They begin by brainstorming film ideas and writing a script for their movie. Then they sketch out visual representations of each scene in the form of storyboards, noting camera angles, lighting, and character positioning as they visualize their script coming to life on-screen.

4. Digital Storytelling

Using digital tools such as PowerPoint or multimedia software (like Adobe Spark), students create visually-enticing digital stories that combine images, text, video clips, and audio narration to convey a compelling narrative. This project provides an opportunity for students to practice using various multimedia elements while developing their storytelling abilities in writing.

5. Collaborative Mural Design

In a collaborative mural design project, students work together to create a large-scale visual representation of a shared story. They begin by discussing and agreeing upon the core elements of the story, such as characters, setting, and central plot points. Each student is then responsible for designing and painting a section of the mural that represents a particular scene from the story. Once all sections are complete, they are assembled together to form a cohesive, visually engaging narrative.

Incorporating visual storytelling in the classroom not only supports students’ development in art and writing skills but also fosters creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration. These five projects offer diverse opportunities to engage learners in visual storytelling while enhancing their literacy and artistic abilities.

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Make a Dice Calculator to Help Students Practice Math Facts

Introduction:

In the ever-evolving educational landscape, it is crucial for students to develop a strong foundation in mathematics. One innovative way to help them practice and reinforce math concepts is by creating a dice calculator. A dice calculator is an engaging and interactive tool that turns the act of learning into play. In this article, we will explore the benefits of using a dice calculator for math practice and provide instructions on how to create one for your students.

Benefits of a Dice Calculator:

1. Interactive Learning: The use of dice calculators encourages hands-on and tangible interaction, allowing students to physically manipulate numbers while solving problems.

2. Engaging: Dice-based games are fun and capture the interest of students, making it easier for them to grasp complex mathematical concepts.

3. Customizable: You can adjust the difficulty level or focus on specific operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division) to cater to individual student needs.

4. Collaboration: A dice calculator is an effective platform for group work, cultivating teamwork and communication skills among students.

5. Self-Paced Learning: As students become comfortable with a particular operation, they can progress at their own speed and challenge themselves with more advanced calculations.

Creating a Basic Dice Calculator:

Materials you’ll need:

– Two six-sided dice (preferably with different colors)

– A calculator (optional, but helpful for checking answers quickly)

Instructions:

1. Assign each die a specific arithmetic operation, such as addition with the first die and multiplication with the second die.

2. Have the student roll both dice simultaneously.

3. Based on which operation is facing up on each die, the student will combine the two numbers accordingly – either add or multiply in this example.

4. After calculating the result, have the student check their answer using a calculator if necessary.

As students become comfortable using the dice calculator, additional steps can be introduced to increase difficulty or complexity, such as introducing more dice with different operations, using a timer for added pressure, or even incorporating negative numbers.

Conclusion:

A dice calculator is a versatile tool that can be employed in a variety of educational settings. In addition to math practice for students, it can also be used as a game at family gatherings, or even as an icebreaker during team-building activities. The level of customization and the ability to modify the experience based on individual needs make it an invaluable resource for educators looking to engage students in a fun and effective manner. Try creating your own dice calculator and witness its potential to revolutionize the way your students learn math concepts!

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Yes, Teacher Empathy Has a Breaking Point, And It’s Called Compassion Fatigue

Introduction:

As the world faces unprecedented challenges, teachers’ roles in society have become increasingly demanding. They must be empathetic, caring, and understanding while juggling their personal aspirations and responsibilities. However, this constant need to provide emotional support can sometimes lead to the lesser-known phenomenon called compassion fatigue. In this article, we will explore compassion fatigue as it affects teachers and discuss how to recognize and manage its symptoms.

Understanding Compassion Fatigue:

Compassion fatigue is a kind of emotional burnout experienced by professionals who work in helping roles. This includes nurses, social workers, therapists, and teachers. It occurs when an individual is emotionally drained from responding to others’ needs continuously. Unlike regular workplace exhaustion, compassion fatigue specifically results from the weight of carrying other people’s emotional struggles.

Signs of Compassion Fatigue Among Teachers:

It’s essential for teachers to recognize the signs of compassion fatigue before it reaches a breaking point. Some common symptoms include:

1. Emotional Exhaustion: Feeling overwhelmed and drained by the emotional needs of others.

2. Diminished Empathy: A decrease in the ability or willingness to empathize with students’ problems.

3. Increased Irritability: A propensity to become frustrated or annoyed more quickly than usual.

4. Negative Attitude: Developing a pessimistic or cynical outlook toward work or life.

5. Reduced Work Performance: Difficulty concentrating or staying motivated at work.

Managing Compassion Fatigue:

Here are some strategies that can help teachers manage compassion fatigue and maintain their well-being:

1. Self-Care: Prioritize activities that promote relaxation and rejuvenation, such as exercise, meditation, or spending time with loved ones.

2. Boundaries: Set clear boundaries between work and personal life, allowing yourself to switch off from work-related stressors when not in a professional setting.

3. Emotional Support: Seek emotional support from friends, family, or a mental health professional to share your burdens and gain perspective.

4. Professional Development: Participate in workshops or conferences that address compassion fatigue, helping you learn new strategies and connect with other professionals experiencing similar struggles.

5. Celebrate Success: Acknowledge and celebrate your achievements and milestones, both big and small, to boost morale and combat the negativity that often comes with compassion fatigue.

Conclusion:

Teacher empathy is a vital trait that supports students’ emotional needs and fosters a nurturing learning environment. However, it is important to recognize the breaking point known as compassion fatigue. By doing so, teachers can ensure their well-being while continuing to positively impact the lives of their students.

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Experts Ideas for Teaching Tough Math Concepts in Middle Grades

Introduction:

Math can be a challenging subject for many middle-grade students. Teachers are constantly searching for effective and engaging ways to help their students grasp tough math concepts. In this article, we will explore expert ideas and strategies for teaching challenging mathematical concepts to middle schoolers.

1. Use real-world examples:

By connecting math concepts to real-life situations, students are more likely to understand and retain the information. Shape their learning experience by incorporating relevant examples, such as calculating discounts at a store or measuring ingredients while cooking.

2. Blend traditional methods with technology:

Incorporate digital tools and resources alongside traditional teaching methods to create a dynamic learning experience. The use of multimedia platforms, interactive whiteboards, and online educational games can make math more engaging and enjoyable for middle grade students.

3. Encourage collaboration:

Promote group work and peer discussions to help students learn from one another. By sharing ideas and solving problems together, students can deepen their understanding of complex math concepts.

4. Break down concepts into smaller parts:

Dividing a challenging idea into manageable pieces makes it easier for students to approach the topic. Teaching one aspect at a time ensures that each student has a firm grasp on the concept before moving on to the next level.

5. Use visual aids:

Illustrative materials such as charts, diagrams, and models can greatly help middle graders in grasping complex math concepts. By providing visual representations of abstract ideas, students can better understand the framework of the problem being presented.

6. Build on prior knowledge:

Link new concepts with previous lessons to reinforce learning among students. Connecting new information with what they already know helps them see how disparate concepts are related, ultimately aiding comprehension.

7. Provide hands-on experiences:

Engage learners with tactile activities that will enable them to experience mathematical ideas in action. This might include building geometric models or using manipulatives like fraction tiles or integer rods.

8. Differentiate instruction:

Recognize that each student has different learning styles and preferences. Offer various methods of instruction, such as lectures, hands-on activities, and independent work, to cater to each student’s unique needs.

9. Foster a growth mindset:

Encourage students to view challenges as opportunities for growth. Teach them that persistence and resilience in the face of difficulty are essential qualities for success in mathematics and beyond.

10. Offer frequent feedback:

Provide regular feedback and tailored guidance to help students understand their strengths and areas for improvement. By pinpointing areas that require additional focus, teachers can foster continued growth and development in their students’ mathematical skills.

Conclusion:

Implementing these expert ideas will not only make teaching tough math concepts easier but also more enjoyable for middle-grade students. By utilizing engaging strategies alongside traditional methods, teachers can positively impact their pupils’ understanding of challenging mathematical concepts, setting them up for success both inside and outside of the classroom.

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4 Terrific Books to Help Kick Off Your School Year & Create Classroom Culture

The beginning of a new school year brings a flurry of excitement and anticipation for both teachers and students. As educators, it’s vital to establish a strong classroom culture early on to set the tone for a successful year. One way to achieve this is by incorporating engaging and impactful books in your back-to-school lineup. Here are four terrific books that not only provide enriching content, but also help create a supportive and inclusive classroom culture.

1. Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Fish in a Tree is an empowering story about Ally, a young girl with dyslexia who has successfully managed to hide her struggle with reading from her teachers and peers. With the help of a dedicated teacher, she begins to realize that her learning difference isn’t something to be ashamed of, but rather a unique strength. This book encourages discussions about empathy, understanding, and accepting individual differences, making it an excellent choice for establishing an inclusive classroom environment.

2. Wonder by R.J. Palacio

Wonder is the heartwarming tale of August Pullman, a boy born with facial differences who enters fifth grade at public school for the first time after being homeschooled his entire life. As Auggie navigates his new surroundings, he teaches everyone around him invaluable lessons about kindness, acceptance, friendship, and resilience. Wonder serves as an ideal conversation-starter for promoting empathetic and compassionate behavior in the classroom.

3. The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds

In this beautifully illustrated children’s book, young Vashti believes she cannot draw until her art teacher encourages her to make a simple dot on paper. From that one small dot springs forth an impressive array of creative endeavors, demonstrating the power of self-belief and growth mindset. The Dot promotes confidence and self-expression—essential ingredients for a positive classroom atmosphere where students feel encouraged to explore their talents and passions.

4. The Juice Box Bully by Bob Sornson and Maria Dismondy

The Juice Box Bully centers around Pete, a new student who displays aggressive behavior and lacks kindness. Through thoughtful conversations and the support of his classmates, Pete eventually learns the importance of empathy, respect, and standing up against bullying. This book is a must-read to underscore the significance of teamwork and community-building in fostering a safe and supportive classroom environment.

Incorporating these books into your school year kick-off can help create a strong foundation of trust, acceptance, and camaraderie among your students. As each story unfolds and students engage in meaningful discussions, they’ll learn essential values that will promote a positive classroom culture throughout the entire school year.

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8 Things Teachers Say Should Be in Every Educator’s Contract—and 6 We Can’t Believe Still Exist

Introduction:

Education is the cornerstone of our society. Teachers are tasked with shaping young minds, fostering personal growth, and preparing their students for the world beyond school walls. As such, educators deserve contracts that reflect their tremendous value and hard work. In this article, we will discuss eight things that teachers believe should be included in every educator’s contract while highlighting six outdated and, frankly, unbelievable clauses that persist.

Eight Essential Elements for Every Educator’s Contract:

1. Competitive Salaries: Teachers need fair compensation that can sustain a comfortable lifestyle and commensurate with the importance of their role in society.

2. Mental Health Days: Stress affects everyone – and teachers are no exception. Including mental health days in contracts ensures that educators can recharge when needed without worrying about losing income.

3. Professional Development Opportunities: These opportunities are crucial to keeping teachers current with best practices and engaged in their craft. “Investing” in professional development pays dividends for both the teacher and the students they teach.

4. Smaller Class Sizes: Research has shown that smaller class sizes lead to better learning outcomes for students. By including this mandate in contracts, teachers can focus on individualized instruction and foster meaningful connections with their students.

5. Adequate Planning Time: Teachers must have time within their schedules to plan lessons, grade assignments, and communicate with parents. Including dedicated planning time within contracts ensures they can provide the best educational experience possible.

6. Technology Support: As technology becomes an essential aspect of everyday education, contracts should stipulate that teachers will have access to modern technology resources as well as support to use them effectively.

7. Flexibility in Curriculum Design: Allowing teachers creative freedom to develop a curriculum that caters to their students’ unique needs will cultivate enthusiasm and fulfillment among both parties.

8. Evaluated and Rewarded Based on Performance: Educators’ contracts should include appropriate objective measures of performance, and rewards should be tied to those metrics.

Six Outdated Elements That Should Be Removed From Educator’s Contracts:

1. Tenure-Based Advancement: Today, rewards should be a reflection of teacher performance and the impact they have had on their students.

2. Strict Dress Codes: Teachers should be allowed to express their individuality in a professional manner, without adhering to outdated or overly restrictive dress codes.

3. Limited Sick Days: With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of expanding sick days for teachers has become more apparent than ever. Health and wellness are vital.

4. Policies Discriminating Against LGBTQ+ Educators: There is no place for discrimination in our education system. All educators should be welcomed and valued, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

5. Paddling Permission: Corporal punishment has no place in today’s classrooms – it’s time to remove this archaic practice from teacher’s contracts where it still exists.

6. “Last In, First Out” Firing Policies: Relying on seniority as the main determinant for layoffs can leave high-performing teachers jobless while saving underperforming ones who have served longer.

Conclusion:

Crafting an effective educator’s contract is essential to ensuring long-term success for all parties involved—students, teachers, and institutions alike. Including the eight key elements listed above will help to create contracts that promote collaboration, innovation, and job satisfaction while phasing out problematic and outdated policies. Ultimately, a well-conceived teacher’s contract will translate into better education experiences for students and a more fulfilling career path for educators.

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Calling All History Teachers—This Foundation Wants to Help You Get Your Master’s Degree!

Introduction:

Attention history teachers! Are you passionate about teaching history and looking to take your career to the next level? Then we have great news for you. A new foundation is offering financial assistance specifically dedicated to aiding history teachers in obtaining their Master’s degree.

The Foundation and Its Mission:

The Helping Hands for History Foundation (HHHF) has recently been established with the sole purpose of supporting and nurturing history educators. The founders of HHHF believe that investing in educators can significantly impact the quality of education that students receive. With a generous endowment from donors, the foundation seeks to provide financial aid to history teachers pursuing their Master’s degree in fields related to history education.

Eligibility:

To be eligible for this opportunity, applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. Be a current full-time or part-time history teacher at any K-12 level.

2. Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.

3. Demonstrate a strong passion for teaching and preserving historical knowledge.

4. Have a minimum of two years of teaching experience.

Application Process:

The application process for this unique scholarship opportunity requires applicants to submit the following:

1. A completed application form with relevant personal and professional information.

2. An updated resume detailing teaching experience, education, and professional achievements.

3. A one-page personal statement outlining why you chose to teach history, your educational goals, and how this scholarship will help in achieving those goals.

4. Two letters of recommendation: one from your school’s principal or department head, and another from a colleague who can attest to your dedication and skills as a history teacher.

Once all application materials are submitted, HHHF will review each submission carefully and announce recipients who are chosen by the selection committee.

Benefits of Obtaining a Master’s Degree:

Pursuing and obtaining a Master’s degree in history education or related fields can prove invaluable for history teachers. Besides gaining advanced knowledge and credentials, a Master’s degree provides teachers with:

1. Increased confidence as an educator.

2. Deeper understanding of their subject matter and teaching strategies.

3. Access to a wider network of professionals in their field.

4. Opportunities for professional growth and career advancement.

5. Increased salary potential.

Conclusion:

The HHHF scholarship is a fantastic opportunity for history teachers who are eager to enhance their teaching skills while making a positive impact on the quality of history education in their schools. Don’t miss this amazing chance to further your education and passion for the subject. Start preparing your application today!