Toms Shoes Company

Toms Shoes Company Background of the Company Toms Shoes Company is a profit-oriented business enterprise located in Santa Monica, California. The company runs a subsidiary, Friends of Toms. Blake Mycoskie, a business enthusiast from Arlington, Texas, conceptualized Toms in 2006. Toms is a maker and distributor of shoes based on Alpargata design borrowed from Argentinean style and fashion. For every pair sold by Toms, Friends of Toms gives out a pair to a needy person.Advertising We will write a custom article sample on Toms Shoes Company specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Blake conceived this business idea while on vacation in Argentina. He realized that many people could not afford shoes in poor Argentinean villages. This prompted him to sell his online business to raise funds for this noble cause. The company manufactures shoes in various designs and styles, all inspired by Argentinean traditional fashion. Toms Company also deals with the manufacture, s ale of eye ware and clothing items. Analysis of Internal and External Environment With regard to the internal environment, the company has several valuable assets that help to sustain and propagate continuity of its vision and mission. The most critical asset is their line of footwear being the key driver to the progress of Toms Company. The company has production centres in Ethiopia, China, and Argentina. The company’s strategic location in the United States counts as a dominant influencing factor. However, the most dominant internal advantage is its strategic plan. The company’s strategic plan is visionary, elaborate, and amazingly unique. Their main strength is the decision to donate a pair for every pair of shoes that they sell. This policy of helping the needy has continued to endear the company to millions of consumers around the world. Companies constantly evaluate their external environment to determine changes in the business landscape. The main external threa t to Toms Company is emerging competition from newcomers in the market. These companies have a business strategy and philosophy similar to that of Toms. An example of such competition is Sketchers Company. Sketchers has developed a product similar to Toms; they have also adapted the concept of donating one pair for each pair they sell. However, Toms has a competitive edge because its customers are loyal because Toms Company has an inspirational story behind its business venture. Another threat relates to pricing. The product by Sketchers is cheaper than Toms product. In the meantime, this threat has not affected business operations of the company. Another external consideration is the aspect of production and supply. Their production centres are in Ethiopia, China, and Argentina. This approach is noble because it creates jobs in these localities, thus improving lives of local residents. The cost of producing shoes is relatively fair. Toms Company has rallied support from suppliers a nd other organizations that assist in donating shoes. This effectively neutralizes potential threat of unreasonable prices from suppliers. The company has a loyal customer base because of its philanthropic approach to business.Advertising Looking for article on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Business Level and Corporate Level Strategies Toms business level strategy anchors on its unique and exemplary service that continually attracts customers and partner organizations. The company is unique and unrivalled in service delivery and customer satisfaction. The company provides an opportunity for everyone to participate in changing lives and giving hope to the poor in society. This materializes through its one for one giving policy. Through this business level strategy, the company is creating a sustainable future for posterity. This business strategy guarantees loyal support from customers and partn er organizations. Its corporate level strategy uses internal advancement as a tool for diversification. The company has dedicated employees who actualize its mission of providing shoes to the poor. Toms offers unique products that accord opportunity for charity. The company organizes corporate events that unite all stakeholders. These events help in determining new and progressive market needs. The events also promote the spirit of entrepreneurship. In fact, the company initiated a competition where customers compete to develop new and innovative footwear designs. This corporate level strategy has contributed to popularity of the company. Acquisition and Restructuring Strategies These two strategies are increasingly becoming popular and vital in contemporary business practices. A company must have well articulated acquisition and restructuring strategies. These strategies help companies to counter effects of competition in the market. They also increase confidence of customers in th e company. Toms Company revises its acquisition and restructuring strategies according to customers needs. For example, the company uses new tools and methods to market their products. They rely on social media for their marketing and publicity needs. These strategies enable the company to determine and adapt innovative business tools. International Strategies Toms Company has developed an intricate business network in the international market. Their international influence anchors on philosophy of giving to needy people. The company has an elaborate international strategy that is the hallmark of its expansion plan. The company is easily adaptable to international markets due to its extensive network of influence.Advertising We will write a custom article sample on Toms Shoes Company specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Their international foray thrives on consistency and availability of their products in the market. People in the intern ational market embrace its products because of the noble cause behind them. The international market is favourable to the company because their products are unique and of high quality. Strategic Control and Corporate Governance Toms Shoe Company does not have a functional board of directors. Its founder and Chief Executive Officer control the corporate governance of the company. People support the company because of their corporate image and philosophy that they portray. Developing and maintaining this image is a primary function of corporate governance. In business practice, it is advisable to detach management from ownership. However, the governance model at Toms is different. The founder embodies both aspects of the company. The success of this model is evident in the loyal support from its customers. They participate in company activities through social media. The company has an elaborate strategic control and corporate governance strategy. Strategic Leadership and Organizationa l Structures Organizational structures are practices that embody relations between customers, mode of operation, and application of favourable technological procedures. The company applies a simple organizational structure. In this strategy, the CEO makes key decisions. The staffs are responsible for implementation. The company focuses on fulfilling its vision and mission. This materializes through strategic leadership and appropriate organizational structure. The approach has ensured constant growth of the company. Corporate Social Responsibility Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a form of corporate policy practice constituted in the operation model of an organization. This policy serves as a mechanism through which a business evaluates and propagates sustainable compliance to legal provisions and acceptable business practices. CSR anchors on the desire for responsible actions and ensuring positive impact through interaction with customers, staff, environment, community, ass ociates, and members of the public. Tom’s Shoes Company is a profit-oriented and socially motivated business outfit that understands the intricate relationship between business success and social responsibility. The company has a policy of giving one pair of shoes for every pair sold. Hitherto, they have donated over one million pairs in 23 countries around the world. This CSR model has endeared the company to the social and corporate world

Strategy and Tactics of the Hundred Years War

Strategy and Tactics of the Hundred Years War As it was fought for longer than a hundred years, it’s no surprise that the strategy and tactics used by all sides in the Hundred Years War evolved over time, creating two very different eras. What we see is an early English tactic proving successful, before technology and warfare changed to a French one becoming dominant. In addition, the aims of the English may have stayed focused on the French throne, but the strategy to achieve this was starkly different under two great monarchs. Early English Strategy: Slaughter When Edward III led his first raids into France, he was not aiming to take and hold a series of strongpoints and regions. Instead the English led raid after raid called a ‘chevauchà ©e’. These were missions of pure murder, designed to devastate a region by killing crops, animals, people and destroying buildings, windmills and other structures. Churches and people were plundered then put to the sword and fire. Huge numbers died as a result, and wide areas became depopulated. The aim was to cause such damage that the French wouldn’t have as many resources, and would be forced to negotiate or give battle to stop things. The English did take important sites in Edward’s era, such as Calais, and small lords fought a constant battle against rivals for land, but the strategy of Edward III and leading nobles was dominated by chevauchà ©es. Early French Strategy King Philip VI of France first decided to refuse giving a pitched battle, and allow Edward and his followers to roam, and this caused Edward’s first ‘chevauchà ©e’s to cause great damage, but to drain the English coffers and be declared failures. However, the pressure the English were exerting led to Philip changing strategy to engage Edward and crush him, a strategy his son John followed, and this led to the battles of Crà ©cy and Poitiers were larger French forces were destroyed, John even being captured. When Charles V went back to avoiding battles – a situation his now decimated aristocracy agreed with – Edward went back to wasting money on increasingly unpopular campaigns which led to no titanic victory. Indeed, the Great Chevauchà ©e of 1373 marked an end to large scale raiding for morale. Later English and French Strategy: Conquest When Henry V fired the Hundred Years War back into life, he took a totally different approach to Edward III: he came to conquer towns and fortresses, and slowly take France into his possession. Yes, this led to a great battle at Agincourt when the French stood and were defeated, but in general the tone of the war became siege after siege, continuous progress. The French tactics adapted to fit: they still generally avoided great battles, but had to counter siege to take the land back. Battles tended to result from contested sieges or as troops moved to or from sieges, not on long raids. As we shall see, the tactics affected the victories. Tactics The Hundred Years War began with two large English victories stemming from tactical innovations: they tried to take defensive positions and field lines of archers and dismounted men at arms. They had longbows, which could shoot faster and farther than the French, and many more archers than armoured infantry. At Crà ©cy the French tried their old tactics of cavalry charge after cavalry charge and were cut to pieces. They tried to adapt, such as at Poitiers when the whole French force dismounted, but the English archer proved a battle winning weapon, even to Agincourt when a new generation of Frenchman had forgotten earlier lessons.If the English won key battles earlier in the war with archers, the strategy turned against them. As the Hundred Years War developed into a long series of sieges, so archers became less useful, and another innovation came to dominate: artillery, which could give you benefits in a siege and against packed infantry. Now it was the French who came to the fore, because they had better artillery, and they were in the tactical ascendance and matched the demands of the new strategy, and they won the war.

The Power of Unions in the U.S. Today Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Power of Unions in the U.S. Today - Essay Example Both the organizations play a significant role promoting legislation and policies favorable to workers in US and Canada. When federal and state laws are applicable to public sector unions, National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) regulates private sector unions. While analyzing the labor history of the United States, it is clear that labor unions have played an inevitable role in improving the wages and working conditions of labors. Today labor unions have some political powers and influences to force the government to form and amend labor laws to enhance the welfare of US workers. As Greenhouse points out, union workers earned median weekly income of $943 in 2012 whereas this income was only $742 in case of nonunion workers. According to a federal government evaluation on the pay scale in the country (as reported in Schultz and Schultz), it was identified that members of labor unions earn up to 33% more income than nonunion members. In addition, employees in a labor union enjoy more job security, high quality work environment, and other benefits than their nonunion counterparts (271-272). Although labor unions have been assisting employees to enjoy better wages, working conditions, and other benefits for decades, studies and reports indicate that the power of unions in the US is declining. While analyzing the statistical data on the union membership, it seems that today American unions have only a fraction of the influence they had a few decades ago. To illustrate, as Leves reports in CNN, nearly 20% workers were union members in 1983 and currently it has been dropped to 12%. This decline has been worse in the private sector where union membership fell from 17% in 1983 to only 7% today. The annual summary of the unionization in the United States published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics also comes up with the similar claims. According to this report (as cited in Warner), the union membership of wage and salary

EL's Case Analysis Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

EL's Analysis - Case Study Example The changes included increasing the activities of the group and opening up store in new markets such as Asia and increasing the exposure in Europe (Richard Ivey School of Business, 2012). One main advantages of implementing the new strategies is the fact that the group increased its competitive advantage. Other luxury companies such as Hugo and Armani have in their strategies other activities such as accessorizing their clients. Additionally, these companies have worldwide store and distribution channels. By implementing these strategies, Elie Saab ensured that their clients have a variety of services to choose from. Additionally, increasing their market and distribution stores to Asia and Europe increased their sales significantly (Richard Ivey School of Business, 2012). This was observable in the sales recorded in 2008 in which for the first time Asia recorded percentage sales in its products (Richard Ivey School of Business, 2012). Elie Saab also benefits in the implementation of the new strategies by the fact that their contacted with other organizations before increasing its market exposure. This enabled the organization to share the risks that may be generated in the new markets. Additionally, contracting with other organizations ensures the group generates fresh ideas thus maintaining market relevance. The decision to brand valuable products with the organizations logo was crucial in ensuring the brand retains its originality (Richard Ivey School of Business, 2012). Venturing in to new markets exposed the company to numerous risks that may have long terms effects on the organization. Before implementing the new strategies, Elie Saab focused its attention small and limited stores in the Middle East, America and Europe. Additionally, Saab focused on creating high profiled clothing, Haute Couture. With the new suggestions, the organization seeks to increase its creation of ready to wear clothing which

Combustion of a series of Alcohols Essay Example for Free

Combustion of a series of Alcohols Essay The larger the surface area over which the reaction can occur, and the faster the reaction rate. This is because small particles have a large surface area in relation to their volume more particles are exposed and available for collision this means more collisions take place so the reaction is faster. Oppositely large particles have small surface area in relation to their volume fewer particles are exposed and available for collisions. This means less collisions and a slower reaction. To ensure that my test will be fair I have to keep all these factors the same except for one, the concentration. I will have to control the temperature of the room; the particle size will be same as I will shake the substance so it will be equally diffused. Hypothesis I predict that the higher the concentration of hydrochloric acid the faster the reaction occurs. The lower the concentration the slower the reaction is. Supporting information I base this hypothesis on the collision theory as I know that concentration affects the reaction greatly. This is because when there is a higher concentration the particles are closely packed together and there are more successful collisions occurring, thus making the reaction happen quicker. Preliminary For my preliminary I have used various concentrations of hydrochloric acid and 4cm of magnesium ribbon. The concentrations that I decided to experiment was he reason why I am doing a preliminary experiment is so that I know which concentrations of hydrochloric acid to use that would make my experiment more convenient. For the actual preliminary experiment I reacted hydrochloric acid with magnesium ribbon to see how long it took. I did this by watching when the magnesium ribbon had stopped reacting and disappeared. Although I was just using this method to find out how long a particular concentration took to finish reacting I attached a glass syringe to my conical flask to observe how much hydrogen was being produced, so that I could be prepared when it came to doing my actual experiment. The table below shows the amount of hydrochloric acid and water I used for a certain percent and the time taken for the magnesium ribbon to fully stop reacting. Volume of HCL (ml) Volume of H2O % of concentration Time taken for the mg ribbon to disappear (in seconds). From looking at the information from my preliminary I have decided to use the following concentrations for my actual experiment: 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, 100%. The reason why I have decided to use these percentages of concentrations is because even though it shows a variety it will not be as time consuming as 10% concentration of hydrochloric acid took 1205 seconds which was approximately 20 minutes. 10% concentration took so long that I didnt have enough time, there for I left it anonymous. I also realised that even though I experiment 20% of hydrochloric acid it will still take long, there for I decided to lower the amount of magnesium ribbon so I decided to use 3. 5cm instead of 4cm. From doing my preliminary I have decided to repeat my experiment 3 times because this will give me a more reliable results to choose from and an average. This also will be less time consuming then repeating it 5 times. The preliminary experiment also helped my produce a better plan because I learnt that for 100% of concentration the reaction takes place quite quickly there for watching the stop watch had to be done very quickly but correctly. Plan: The apparatus that I will be needing for experiment and why: 3. 5cm of magnesium ribbons to react with HCL Stop watch to measure how long it took for the magnesium ribbon to stop reacting. Hydrochloric acid (1m) to react with the magnesium ribbon Measuring cylinder to measure the concentration of H20 and HCL Pipette to measure smaller concentrations of H20 and HCL Retort stand to hold the syringe Conical flast for the reaction Thermometer to measure room temperature Syringe to measure the volume of hydrogen produced Ruler to measure 3. 5cm of magnesium ribbon Scissors to cut the magnesium ribbon Distilled water to add with the concentrations of HCL Sand paper to sand the magnesium ribbon 1. I will firstly collect all the equipment needed for my experiment, then measure them to the exact measurement. I will start with 100% concentration of hydrochloric acid which will contain no distilled water and 10ml concentration. I will then measure my magnesium ribbon to 3. 5cm and sand it 8 times on each side making sure it is fair. Using the measuring cylinder and pipette I will put my hydrochloric acid into the conical flask. 2. To ensure that the magnesium ribbon doesnt get stuck I will coil the magnesium ribbon with a clean sterilised ruler. 3. I will then attach the syringe onto the retort stand. Then I will attach my conical flask with the syringe. 4. Because I want this test to be fair I cannot do it on my own so my partner will start the stopwatch as soon as I drop the magnesium ribbon into the hydrochloric acid. Then I will seal the conical flask with the cork. 5. Every 10 seconds my partner will tell my the time on the stop watch and then I will look at the syringe to see what the volume of gas produced is. I will note this down very quickly. 6. After the reaction has fully stopped. I will empty the conical flask, then start the same process again but for 80% concentration which is 8ml of hydrochloric acid and 2ml of distilled water. This process will happen for all 5 concentrations. 7. After experimenting all 5 concentrations I will repeat the same process 3 times to ensure my results are fair and reliable. Keeping my experiment fair: making sure all equipment is clean from unwanted substances. sanding the magnesium ribbon same times on each side. hile my partner starts stop watch, I quickly drop magnesium ribbon so it is done at the same time. Use the same length of magnesium ribbon, checking it is exactly 3. 5cm. Safety issues:aking sure I wear my goggles at all times. Tying hair up. Tuck in stalls, and stand up during experiment. Making sure I handle all the equipment correctly. If there is any spillage, quickly wiping it with paper towels. Obtaining evidence: 100% Time (sec) Volume 1 Volume 2 volume 3 Average 1.To find my average number of hydrogen produced I added the 3 volumes together then divided by 3. The answer most close I decided was my average. Show preview only The above preview is unformatted text This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our GCSE Patterns of Behaviour section.

Motherhood in Barbara Kingsolvers The Bean Trees :: Kingsolver Bean Trees Essays

Motherhood in The Bean Trees In the novel, The Bean Trees, by Barbara Kingsolver, we watch as Taylor grows a great deal. This young woman takes on a huge commitment of caring for a child that doesn't even belong to her. The friends that she acquired along the way help teach her about love and responsibility, and those friends become family to her and Turtle. Having no experience in motherhood, she muddles through the best she can, as all mothers do. Marietta was raised in a small town in Kentucky. When she became an adult, she decided she needed a change. She wanted a different name and a different place to call home. She got in her Volkswagon, started driving, and on this journey she changed her name to Taylor. A stranger gave her a three year old Indian child to take care of, who she names Turtle. The two finally settle down in Tucson, where they live with a single mom who is also from a small town in Kentucky. Taylor works for a woman who hides political refugees in her home, and Taylor becomes good friends with two of them. These two refugees act as Turtle's parents and sign over custody to Taylor, so that Turtle could become her daughter legally. Taylor was very unsure about whether or not she would be a good mom, but in the end she realizes that Turtle belongs with her, and that Tucson is home. The first half of The Bean Trees was hard to stay interested in. Although the book had a lot of action, it could have been spread out more. It wasn't until the middle of the book that we found out what was medically wrong with Turtle, why she was so lethargic. Considering this child was such a major part of Taylor's life, and would change her future completely, she was not talked about as much as she could have been. It's like half the time she forgot Turtle was there. "It's funny how people don't give that much thought to what kids want, as long as they're being quiet"(280). I understand that Turtle was just dropped in Taylor's lap, but I still think Turtle deserved to have more attention given to her than she did. I would have liked Turtle to have been the child that was taken from the refugees, the refugee woman showed her so much love.

‘If’ by Rudyard Kipling Analysis

The poem ‘If’ is directed to Kipling’s son, and is a message to him on his route to manhood. This is seen in the very last line of the poem, when Kipling writes: â€Å"And- which is more- you’ll be a Man, my son! † The poem is about setting goals, taking risks, being a leader and self-belief, but all in moderation. An example in the text is: â€Å"If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you. But make allowance for their doubting too†. Kipling tells his son to believe in himself, but to never be over-confident. Throughout the poem, Kipling writes what it takes to be a man, and what his son should aspire to be.The purpose of the poem is to both inspire and warn the reader. An example in the text is â€Å"If you can dream- and not make dreams your master;†. This phrase inspires readers to dream and set goals in their life, through hardships and failures. However, it also warns readers to never let these dreams consume them, and to be able to detach from these dreams when they need to. This phrase sends a message to keep a balance. You can work towards a dream, but it should not be all you work towards, and you should not be a slave to that dream. Throughout the poem ‘If’, emotion is expressed.At the start of the poem (stanza 1) the emotion is generally quite sad and more depressing then the rest of the poem. This is shown in the second line â€Å"Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;†. However, as the poem progresses the emotion of the poem becomes happier and more inspirational. This is shown in the line â€Å"Or walk with Kings- not lose the common touch†. The poem seeks to make the reader reflect on their own life and to compare the attitudes and feelings to the ones described in the poem. Kipling uses many writing techniques in his poem to help get his message across.A few of these include personal pronouns, repetition and personification. An example of personification in the te xt is: â€Å"Except the Will which says to them†, where Kipling personifies a will. Kipling uses personal pronouns such as â€Å"you† to make the reader feel as if the poem is directed to them, and therefore make it more personalised. This use of personal pronouns could inspire readers, as the feel they are being directly spoken to. Kipling uses repetition to emphasise certain points, an example of this in the text is â€Å"if you can†.This phrase is also repeated to inspire, as readers may think, â€Å"If I can do something, I’ll be able to get this†. The poem is made up of four octaves. Every other line of the poem rhymes with each other (e. g. ABAB rhyming structure). The first line of the poem has eleven syllables and the second has ten syllables this pattern continuous throughout the poem, with every other line having 11 syllables. Throughout the poem there are only two main sentences, from stanza one to three, and the last stanza is its own s entence. In the poem a semi-colon or colon splits the main phrases up.The lack of punctuation throughout the poem makes the poem easier to read, as it is almost one collective thought. Kipling could possibly be showing the confusion in a boy’s head when entering manhood. The poem is almost constructed as an instructional manual, as the language of the poem is quite descriptive and somewhat instructional, yet mainly simple words are used throughout the poem. This is shown in the first two lines, where Kipling writes: â€Å"If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you†.This type of language is quite appropriate as it is supposed to be directed to his son (so simple words are used), and is a guide towards how his son should act (so the instructions in the poem are clear). Using this type of language the instructions are easy to understand. Kipling uses various techniques to get different images in the reader’s head; commonly used techniques include metaphors and personification. An example of personification in the text is â€Å"If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster, and treat those two imposters just the same.†Where Kipling personifies Triumph and Disasters as two people who have betrayed someone. An example of a metaphor in the poem is â€Å"If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds' worth of distance run†, where he uses running as a metaphor for life. In this metaphor Kipling says you must try you’re hardest all the time, even if it leaves you exhausted, which is what running does. These different forms of imagery could have been written in order to make the reader imagine and dream. Therefore, they can get a better understanding of what message the writer may be trying to convey.The poem ‘If’ has a regular rhythm following the pattern of an iambic pentameter. An example in the poem is (where the capitalised words are stressed syllables): â€Å"i f YOU can KEEP your HEAD†. The regular rhythm of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable is quite calming and reassuring. The poem flows very well and it is almost written like a song. This steady rhythm allows readers to be inspired, as they are reassured by the calmness of the poem. Kipling uses alliteration throughout his poem to emphasise key points.An example in the text is when Kipling writes â€Å"Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools†. In this sentence a hard ‘t’ sound starts three different words. The hard ‘t’ sounds could be said to reinforce negativity in the sentence. The last two words of the line have a ‘f’ sound at the start which could be said to reinforce the ‘fools’ sound. The last word of every other line in the poem rhyme with each other (e. g. ABAB) rhyming structure. For example â€Å"not make dreams your master†¦ Meet with Triumph and Disaster†. This structure coul d be implemented to make the poem more interesting.I feel like this poem was written very well as through the use of many techniques it does achieve the poet’s purpose, which is to inspire. The poem is written in a very easy way to understand, as the language is relatively simple, the rhythm is regular, great imagery is used and the poem is structured well. The poem teaches one to be a leader, to have a strong work ethic and to be self-righteous, yet always be able to detach from these things when necessary. Due to the strong message the poem conveys and great craftsmanship, I really enjoyed this poem.

Classroom Activity on Cultural Diversity Essay

Cultural diversity is the diverse culture having people of different races, cultures, religions, nationalities, ethnic groups and backgrounds making up a community. Cultural diversity is a term used to mean that a group or area contains people from many different cultures and backgrounds. These areas are considered diverse because everyone is unique and different.. The phrase cultural diversity can also refer to having different cultures respect each other’s differences. The phrase cultural diversity is also sometimes used to mean the variety of human societies or cultures in a specific region, or in the world as a whole. India is a land of diversity in race, region, caste, language, mate, landform, flora and fauna and so on. From ancient time till day India has repainted this diversity from very ancient time. Mature has shaped the country so. Rightly this land has been termed as â€Å"the epitome of the world. † In our country we will find people from different races. People in each race have their own culture. By culture we mean the characteristics of an individual society or of some subgroups within this society. It includes values, beliefs, notions, acceptable and non acceptable behaviour and other socially constructed ideas that members of the culture are taught as true. We will agree that culture has an impact on socialization process of students. Religion, food habits, festivals,clothing, arts,music etc. play an important role in shaping children during school years. The diversity or individual differences manifest in the works, views, discipline etc. Each element shapes the children through socialization within the families, school and in child’s environment. As a teacher we should know when the racial awareness begin in child. The foundation of self awareness is started around the age of 2-3 years. They learn about themselves, their physical differences, skin colour and begin to apply the skin colour. Around age 4, children learn to identify clearly the differences among people. At the age 5 or 6 years, they started asking questions about their physical differences and also begin to understand these differences. At the age of 7 or 8 years, the children understand that a person’s skin colour will not wash off, rather it will remain same as the person grows up. They learn to understand that how a person can become a member of several different groups like family, classroom, a culture etc. This is the time when the parents and teachers provide them accurate information about cultural diversity. A teacher can take the following activity in the classroom for making his children aware about our cultural diversity. Teacher may asked the students to write their names, nicknames and the names of their Grandmother with which they addressed her at home.

Definitions, Examples, and Discussions of English Grammar

Definitions, Examples, and Discussions of English Grammar The word grammar  comes from Greek, meaning craft of letters, which is an apt description. In any language, grammar is: the systematic study and description of a language. (Compare with usage.)a set of rules and examples dealing with the syntax and word structures (morphology) of a language.   Without grammar, a language wouldnt work, because people couldnt communicate effectively. The speakers and the listeners of any exchange need to both function in the same system in order to understand each other. The grammar of a language includes basic axioms such as the existence of tenses of verbs, articles and adjectives and their proper order, how questions are phrased, and more. We Learn Grammar From Birth Author  David Crystal tells us in The Fight for English that  grammar  is the study of all the contrasts of meaning that it is possible to make within sentences. The rules of grammar tell us how. By one count, there are some 3,500 such rules in English (Oxford University Press, 2006). Intimidating, to be sure, but native speakers dont have to worry about studying them all. Grammar, in fact, its actually something thats begun being learned by every person in their first days and weeks of life, through interaction with others.  All native speakers when theyre born and start learning it as they hear it spoken around them, such as how sentences are put together (syntax), and the pieces that make them up (morphology). A preschoolers tacit knowledge of  grammar  is more sophisticated than the thickest style manual, writes  Steven Pinker in Words and Rules. [Grammar should not] be confused with the guidelines for how one ought to speak (Harper, 1999). Uses of Grammar Understanding the basics of grammar is needed to make us proficient speakers and writers, of course. As Sidney Greenbaum and Gerald Nelson write in An Introduction to English Grammar: There are several applications of grammatical study: (1) A recognition of grammatical structures is often essential for punctuation; (2) A study of ones native grammar is helpful when one studies the grammar of a foreign language; (3) A knowledge of grammar is a help in the interpretation of literary as well as nonliterary texts, since the interpretation of a passage sometimes depends crucially on grammatical analysis; (4) A study of the grammatical resources of English is useful in composition: in particular, it can help you to evaluate the choices available to you when you come to revise an earlier written draft. (2nd ed. Pearson, 2002) Study  beyond the basics increases our skills, and the ability to communicate clearly and effectively is necessary in any profession where theres interaction with other human beings, whether youre giving or receiving directions with other employees, discussing goals of your company on a particular project, or creating marketing materials for a nonprofit- the ability to properly communicate matters. Even if you dont know all the lexicographical terms and pedantic nit-picks involved in the study of grammar, take it from Joan Didion: What I know about  grammar  is its infinite power. To shift the structure of a sentence alters the meaning of that sentence. Types of Grammar Whereas students of English mainly have to deal with just the nuts-and-bolts prescriptive,  traditional  type of grammar, such as making sure verbs and subjects agree and where to put commas, linguists have many more types to examine different aspects of the language, from how different languages compare to each other (comparative grammar) or use grammatical parts (descriptive  grammar) to how the words and their usage interact to create meaning (lexicogrammar). They study how people acquire language and debate whether every child is born with a concept of universal grammar. Teachers instructing English language learners follow a method of  pedagogical grammar  for their students. Other areas of study for linguists include:   Case grammarCognitive grammarConstruction grammarGenerative grammarLexical-functional grammar (LFG)Mental grammarTheoretical grammarTransformational grammar

Profile of Mary Lacey Sr. & Mary Lacey Jr, Salem Trials

Profile of Mary Lacey Sr. & Mary Lacey Jr, Salem Trials The name â€Å"Mary Lacey† belongs to two women involved in the Salem witch trials of 1692: Mary Lacey the mother (referred to here as Mary Lacey Sr.), and her daughter Mary Lacey (referred to here as Mary Lacey Jr.). Mary Lacey Facts Known for:  in the 1692  Salem witch trialsAge at time of Salem witch trials:  Mary Lacey Sr. was about 40, and Mary Lacey Jr. was 15 or 18 (sources differ)Dates: Mary Lacey Sr.:  July 9, 1652- 1707.  Mary Lacey Jr.: 1674? - ?Also known as:  Mary Lacy Family, Background: Mary Lacey Sr. was the daughter of Ann Foster and her husband, Andrew Foster.  Ann Foster emigrated from England in 1635.  Mary Lacey Sr. was born about 1652.  She married Lawrence Lacey on August 5, 1673. Mary Lacey Jr. was born about 1677. Mary Lacey and the Salem Witch Trials When Elizabeth Ballard of Andover fell ill with a fever in 1692, the doctors suspected witchcraft, knowing of the events in nearby Salem.  Ann Putnam Jr. and Mary Wolcott were called to Andover to see if they could identify the witch, and they fell into fits upon seeing Ann Foster, a 70-something widow.  She was arrested and sent to Salem jail on July 15. She was examined on July 16 and 18.  She resisted acknowledging that she had committed any witchcraft. An arrest warrant was issued against Mary Lacey Jr. on July 20th, for â€Å"Committed Sundry acts of witchcraft on Eliz Ballerd, the wife of Jos Ballerd of Andover. to her great hurt.† She was arrested the next day and brought to an examination by John Hathorne, Jonathan Corwin, and John Higginson.  Mary Warren fell into a violent fit at the sight of her.  Mary Lacey Jr. testified that she had seen her mother, grandmother and Martha Carrier flying on poles given by the Devil.  Ann Foster, Mary Lacey Sr. and Mary Lacey Jr. were examined again that same day by Bartholomew Gedney, Hathorne, and Corwin, â€Å"accused of practicing witchcraft upon Goody Ballard.† Mary Lacey Sr. accused her mother of witchcraft, probably to help deflect the charges against herself and her daughter.  Ann Foster had until that time denied the charges; she may have shifted strategies to save her daughter and granddaughter. Mary Lacey Sr. was indicted for bewitching Mercy Lewis in Salem on July 20. On September 14, the testimony of those who charged Mary Lacey Sr. with witchcraft was delivered in writing.  On September 17, the court tried and convicted  Rebecca Eames, Abigail Faulkner, Ann Foster, Abigail Hobbs, Mary Lacey Sr., Mary Parker, Wilmott Redd, Margaret Scott, and Samuel Wardwell, and they were condemned to be executed. Later in September, the last eight convicted of witchcraft were hanged, and at the end of the month, the Court of Oyer and Terminer stopped meeting. Mary Lacey After the Trials Mary Lacey Jr was released from custody on October 6, 1692, on a bond. Ann Foster died in jail in December of 1692; Mary Lacey was eventually released.  Mary Lacey Jr. was indicted on January 13 for â€Å"covenanting.† In 1704, Mary Lacey Jr. married Zerubbabel Kemp. Lawrence Lacey sued for restitution for Mary Lacey in 1710.  In 1711, the  legislature of the Province of Massachusetts Bay  restored all rights to many of those who had been accused in the 1692 witch trials. Included were George Burroughs, John Proctor, George Jacob, John Willard, Giles and  Martha Corey,  Rebecca Nurse,  Sarah Good, Elizabeth How,  Mary Easty, Sarah Wilds, Abigail Hobbs, Samuel Wardell, Mary Parker,  Martha Carrier, Abigail Faulkner, Anne Foster, Rebecca Eames, Mary Post, Mary Lacey, Mary Bradbury and Dorcas Hoar. Mary Lacey Sr. died in 1707.

Issues of Our Times International Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 2

Issues of Our Times International - Essay Example In this paper I will be examining the MDGs in terms of success or progress, success stories and failures with the aim drawing the lessons learnt. In the MDGs the world identified eight major challenges facing nations of the world especially in the developing world and embarked on an ambitious plan to reduce if not eliminate them. Eradicating extreme poverty and hunger across the world, achieving universal primary education and promoting gender equality and empowering women for the f8irst three MDGs. Significant progress has been seen in this area as by 2012 the world targets had been achieved. Reducing the rates of child mortality and improving maternal health care are two goals that still require a lot of effort especially in the poorest nations. The last three goals i.e. ensuring environmental sustainability, fighting diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria and others, and developing global partnerships for development are the other goals on which some remarkable progress has been made but more is required in order to meaningfully influence lives. On a larger perspective and basing on available statistics, there has been some significant progress overall but with the 2015 deadline just around the corner the world may miss on the targets in some of the goals. In the first goal of eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, the goal was set at halving the proportion persons living on $1.25 and below around the world. The target was achieved in 2008 mostly as a result of rapid economic expansion in the emerging economies of Asia. Persons in extreme poverty as well as poverty rates have gone down in all regions and the working poor have reduced significantly. Attaining universal primary education as a target has also seen significant effort, enrollment stood at 90% in 2010 as compared to 82% in 1999. Though encouraging the rate is slow and the goal may not be attained by 2015.over a half of those children out of school are sub-Saharan Africa,

Housing Services Delivery Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Housing Services Delivery - Essay Example The change of social housing organizations was hastened by a number of political, economical, and social factors. The first group of political accelerators comprises of governmental policies and regulations aimed at the increase of private housing in the UK. In the post-WWII period the housing policy of the UK government was focused on rebuilding, and providing new homes for the population. However, three reasons were hindering rebuilding processes: first, the government could only spend on housing what the country could afford; second, governmental investments in housing policy required better targeting on the neediest classes of population; and third, the efficient use of public spending were ought to be achieved through drawing in private funding (Collier and Luther, 2002). Thatcher's conservative policy on housing included two main phases: the extension of home ownership and the privatisation of rented housing. Through the increase of private housing among the population the gove rnment was able to focus on social groups, which could not afford to buy a house. Tax incentives, efficiency agenda, and right to buy policy was the next step to increase home ownership among the population: "The rights of council tenants and, later some housing association tenants, to buy their homes under the Right to Buy and Right to Acquire policies has enabled significant numbers of people (over 2 million) become owner occupiers" (Shelter, 2005). Nevertheless it had a negative impact on the supply of affordable housing for rent in many UK regions, "where the provision of new affordable homes has failed to keep pace with the numbers being lost through sales" (Shelter, 2005). The new problem has arisen: in 2002 Britain saw the lowest number of new houses built(measured in starts) since the end of World War II (Cameron, 2003). The housing supply was short, but moreover it mismatched the demand in the cities and regions. Thus, along with the stimulation of private housing governmental policies have created several obstacles on the development of UK housing marke t. Economic Factors Economical factors that lead to the shift from the welfare to contractual resource management in the housing industry identified in the literature are connected to further development of globalization. The success of Western economy, and the spread of the US way of life has entailed the rapid development of private sector in housing. It also has another effect. World Trade Organisation not only reduces barriers to international trade, but also increases the commercial exploitation of public services, including social housing. Pollock and Price (2000) indicate that market-orientated policies including privatisation of public service infrastructure through public-private partnerships is a part of a larger trend of privatization, and redefining of public goods as private responsibilities. The hopes of WTO are concerned with the commercial exploitation of public funding streams, and promoting the commercial interests of transnational corporations. Promotion of privatisation leads to the increase of competition among housing organisations as transatlantic players enter the housing market of the UK (Pollock and Price, 2000). On the one side it allows government to reduce funding to minimal, allowing private owners