Sunday, March 29, 2020

The Federal Government and Politics Tutor Program

The Federal Government and Politics Tutor ProgramThe Federal Government and Politics Tutor program are an online degree for people interested in learning about government and politics. The Federal Government and Politics Tutor degree program has been offering courses in public administration, governance, and political science for several years now. This program not only prepares students for their future careers, but it also trains them to be more effective communicators on issues that are of great concern to the American public.Although there are several different administration degree programs to choose from, the Federal Government and Politics Tutor program offer both graduate and undergraduate programs. Both the full time and part time programs offer you a Bachelor's degree, along with study abroad opportunities. Full-time degrees cover all the subjects that are taught in the majority of Bachelor's degree programs, while part-time degrees focus on a particular area or set of topi cs.One of the main goals of the Federal Government and Politics Tutor program is to prepare students to work in various levels of government. Students can choose to study in community colleges, in colleges, universities, trade schools, or even work at a career center or in a private consulting firm. Many of the fields that students choose to study in are very important to the functioning of our government.Once you have received your Bachelor's degree, many students get interested in applying for positions in the Federal Government or in the White House. Many even choose to work in the bureaucracy. If you are interested in the Federal Government and Politics Tutor program, the best thing that you can do is apply to an internship program.If you choose to work in the bureaucracy, or on the administration positions in Washington, DC, then you will need to be very serious about your studies. You may not be able to do what you like and work as much as you want to. Therefore, you will need to make sure that you understand everything that you are doing and workingon.You will have to become an expert on the various policies that you are working with, and also on the various administration positions that you have taken. You must be able to communicate effectively, and you must have a good grasp of the bureaucracies that you are working with.As you can see, becoming a Federal Government and Politics Tutor is not difficult to accomplish. However, when you have already completed your degree, you will need to continue studying. As soon as you have gained a few more years of experience, you can move on to an internship and then move on to a more career-focused career.

Friday, March 6, 2020

Charlie Hebdo Killed For a Cartoon

Charlie Hebdo Killed For a Cartoon image courtesy Mirror.co.uk January 7th dawned over Paris 11th district as a grey, rainy Wednesday much like any other. At about noon this illusion was shattered by two men in black balaclavas as they rushed into the offices of the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo, assault rifles drawn. On this particular Wednesday the staff of the paper were having an editorial meeting, the only time that the entire staff is present in the office. The attackers shot as many as they could, before fleeing into the street and letting loose at a police officer. As he lay writhing in agony on the ground, begging for mercy, they shot him again in the head. The attackers then fled the scene, shouting Allah Akbar. Hours later another member of the cell shot a jogger in Fontenay-aux-Roses. This accomplice shot a police officer the following day, while the manhunt for the Charlie Hebdo attackers was ongoing, and concluded his spree on the 9th by taking hostages in a kosher supermarket. Meanwhile the first two terrorists had occupied the offices of a signage production company. The French police forces formed a cordon around both locations. No innocents were harmed during the retaking of the signage offices, but several were killed or wounded when GIGN, RAID, BRI, and other elements of the French police stormed the supermarket. image courtesy Sky News one of the shooters shouts We have killed Charlie Hebdo, God is great! Within France some are calling this event our 9/11. The attack has brought the issue of Islamist extremism to the forefront of the conversation. It also prompts serious questions about how far European societies should go in accommodating the growing Muslim minorities that live within their borders. The United States has a culture of not just welcoming, but assimilating immigrants which reaches back to before the founding of the republic, and even we have trouble with homegrown Islamic terrorists. In Europe on the other hand, Muslims often do not assimilate into their host societies for a variety of reasons, some of which are beyond their control. As a result a great many have become part of the poverty-stricken underclass of Europe. Poverty breeds isolation and anger, emotions which seek an outlet like lightning seeks the tallest building. Occasionally bubbles of violence will rise up from this group and burst in the public consciousness, such as the occasion Michael Rigby, an off-duty soldier and father of a 2-year old child, was hacked to death and then beheaded in broad daylight in London as revenge for the British presence in Afghanistan. It is undeniable that the tremendous upheaval caused by the Bush Administrations ill-planned wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is feeding into the phenomenon of Muslim poverty and disenfranchisement in European countries to create deadly violence. It is also undeniable that racism and an attitude of alienation have contributed to this poverty. I think we can all agree that it is a new age, and that western countries must stick to their values and remain tolerant and welcoming and accepting. Only through welcoming diverse cultures can our nations continue to stay competitive and remain leaders of the world.We must strive to stomp out discrimination and racism as best we can. All human beings have potential for goodness and greatness, regardless of their religion or gender or skin color, and societies that embrace that ideal will do better than societies that do not. But there is another side of the story, and I think that side is best expressed by the mayor of Rotterdam, an ethnically diverse city in South Holland. Mayor Aboutaleb took office in 2008 over protests from the right that he was a Moroccan-born Muslim and had dual citizenship with that country. Despite this he won the election. In the wake of the Charlie Hebdo shooting, he delivered a message to Islamists that closely mirrors my own feelings on the subject: “It is incomprehensible that you can turn against freedom… if you don’t like freedom, for heaven’s sake pack your bags and leave. “There may be a place in the world where you can be yourself, be honest with yourself and do not go and kill innocent journalists. And if you do not like it here because humorists you do not like make a newspaper, may I then say you can fuck off. “This is stupid, this so incomprehensible. Vanish from the Netherlands if you cannot find your place here. All those well-meaning Muslims here will now be stared at.” image courtesy LiveLeak Ahmed Aboutaleb, Mayor of Rotterdam This was not the politically correct thing to say, but it was the correct thing to say. The other side to this story is that when people decide they do not like our societies, to the point that they will commit or encourage others to commit violence against that society, then they should not be allowed to stay. If you disagree with the actions of France or the US or the UK, you can vote to change the government, speak out, or leave. If you decide to pick up a gun and murder people, or chop an innocent persons head off, then there is no place for you in western society, and you made a mistake in coming here. If you think you agree with the moral or religious basis for the shootings, then ask yourself, what have they achieved? Despite losing almost all of its staff, Charlie Hebdo is still in print. In fact, this weeks issue will feature yet another depiction of Muhammad. Instead of the usual circulation of tens of thousands of copies, this newest edition has a print run of millions. We in the west pride ourselves on our progressiveness. On our forward thinking nature. On our tolerance. Our prosperity. Our freedom. But if we take those things to mean we should do nothing in the face of this tribalistic violence, then we will lose all of those things. As a student of history, I do not buy the clash of civilizations model. As romantic as it might be, I think at our core most humans want to live together in peace, and most humans really dont give a damn what god their neighbor prays to as long as he keeps his parties quiet and returns the things he borrows. However I also think that there are certain individuals that will never live in peace with the rest of us, and we should not tolerate them, regardless of the ideology they hide behind. It would be a grave mistake to assume our multicultural values mean that we cannot draw the line somewhere. There is nothing- no legacy of oppression, no religious principle, no amount of suffering, that could ever possibly justify these cold-blooded murders. The killers are the second lowest form of human beings. The worst kind of human beings are the people who find excuses for what they did, because in seeking to defend what they see as persecuted individuals seeking righteous payback, they are undermining the very foundation of what allows us to be a prosperous, thriving, multicultural, free and tolerant society in the first place. These terrorists did not attack soldiers. They did not attack politicians. They did not blow up a weapons factory or a barracks- they shot up an office full of cartoonists, because one of them drew something they thought was insulting. We must insist that freedom of speech take precedence over protecting the feelings of the religious. Why? Because the freedom of speech is definite and concrete and solid. We can easily agree on its definition. Meanwhile, sentiments can change, and if we decide that not offending the religious is more important than free speech, it gives the religious license to decide what they define as offensive, thus giving them legal authority to censor an entire nation. We are not going back to that. Humanity lived that way for thousands of years, and that time is over. UC Santa Cruz seems to nurture, among other things, a particular flavor of leftism that enjoys hearing the victim narrative and sympathizing with the downtrodden, even when that narrative doesnt accurately describe the events it is applying it to. The story of the colonialism is told over and over again like a gospel: oppression against those of color and those who practice non-western traditions, destruction of their societies, rape, pillaging, murder, subjugation and etcetera. This is supposed to justify current terrorist attacks as the west getting its comeuppance for centuries of evil deeds. Ask these same people if they think an eye for an eye is a good creed to live by and most of them will give you an emphatic no without experiencing any sense of irony whatsoever. A friend of mine is taking a course entitled Feminism and the Global South, and recently heard Professor Arondekar make the argument that the reason attacks like these take place is because of the imperialist actions taken by the US and its allies in the wake of 9/11. Once again, the implication is that we deserve these attacks. That they are somehow just repayment. I wonder what the families of the dead would think about that hypothesis. The bottom line is this: if an immigrant comes to the west and finds that he or she cannot handle living in a society that holds freedom of expression as a basic right, the answer is not to maim and murder, the answer is to buy a plane ticket and go home.

3 Ways to Use Social Media to Find Part-Time Jobs

3 Ways to Use Social Media to Find Part-Time Jobs pexels.com Social media can be a much bigger asset than you think for helping you get a  job. The job market is changing how you should do things; normally networking was something like an additional piece to the puzzle, a nice incentive, but if you didn’t have it you could get the job with other handy skills. Nowadays, it still works like that, but with the added factor that simply being friends with someone on Facebook could give you an edge. It could bring you to the front of the line. Using social media to your advantage could give you the inside scoop on many jobs at your disposal, you just have to know how to use it appropriately to achieve what you want. Here are few ways that social media, which as of now has been used for venting venues and gossip, can now be used as a platform for your resume and cover letters. 1. Linkedin: I can actually attest to this. I initially thought LinkedIn was a site to be a distraction from your Facebook. Future employers can look at this like your social media and stay away from all your other online presences. But just the other day, I realized that it is also for job hunting as well. Linkedin is especially helpful, seeing that your resume and skills are all on that site if someone wanted to know what you have done and your potential. You can direct message people and vice versa, and you can also get vouchers from your peers and colleagues saying that you are proficient in what you’ve done and the skills that you have obtained along the way. First and foremost, giving this site the once over should be the first thing on your list of things to do before you set your sights anywhere else. 2. Social Media Jobs: Social media is an actual job if you can believe it. With the world going towards online and social media, companies are increasing their traffic by adding social media accounts and hiring people to maintain them on a daily basis. These are great side jobs for students and may even potentially lead to something bigger, unless what you are doing suits you. So social media can help you get a job but social media can also BE the job. Also, being so involved in a company’s social media can help you get access to other future employers; while you are working you can also be exploring. 3. Friends: Your friends are your friends for a reason. They are there to help you, and their connections may just help you reach your goal. Being friends with the right people can help you get ahead, and making sure you friend the right people on your social media can be the difference between ‘we’ll call you, don’t call us’ and ‘welcome to the team.’ Don’t be a user and take your friends for granted, but make sure you mention them when you speak to your future employer and say some nice things; they would really appreciate it in the long run. Also, knowing the right people will reflect well on you and give you a good first impression without you having to say a single word. Being the friend of a friend has never sounded so sweet. Social media is a crazy concept, but it is a manageable one that can do wonders for your future  if you learn to use it the right way and make it work for you.

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Dalian American International School

Dalian American International School Dalian American International School Dalian American International School opened with a K-8 program in 2006. In 2015-2016, the school serves over 470 students in grades pre-kindergarten through 12. In 2010, the school expanded its educational offerings by adding the Huamei Academy, a secondary school for Chinese national students. The school is committed to developing well-rounded and well-educated young people with a strong sense of personal and social responsibility. DAIS is fully accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Council of International Schools, and the Chinese National Center for School Curriculum and Textbook Development. Teachers benefit from the schools membership in EARCOS and the professional development opportunities it offers. Students participate in sports competitions and arts festivals with other international schools in Asia through its affiliation with ACAMIS. The beautiful campus is located on the Golden Pebble Beach Resort near the Dalian Development Area and offers students and residents a track and field, gymnasium, and pool complex. The newest addition on the campus, a purpose-designed and built elementary school, will begin serving students this fall. Dalian American International School will be hiring for the following positions for the upcoming school year: College, Career and Guidance Counselor Elementary Primary Teaching Position K-12 Physical Education Teaching Position Middle School Humanities Teaching Position Secondary Science Teaching Position

Tutoring Jobs - Easy Ways to Earn Extra Cash

Tutoring Jobs - Easy Ways to Earn Extra CashTo be honest, I am pretty sure that Chapel Hill NC is one of the cities in America which have always been a hot spot for tutoring jobs. Over the years, Chapel Hill has provided enough tutoring jobs for its residents, so if you are considering finding your own tutoring job here, make sure that you do your homework!The first thing you need to do before you can look for tutoring jobs here is to get a resume up to date. You will have to have your resume ready, which can be found on this website. If you are a student and you want to look for tutoring jobs, you need to get your resume ready so that you can be very competitive when you go looking for work.It's not possible to apply to every job here, so it's important that you really have a great job lined up for yourself. Yes, it's very important that you be an excellent tutor. However, it is not as if you can just jump into a tutoring job without any kind of experience. This is a reality that yo u need to know.If you are thinking of getting a job in tutoring, you need to get your skills honed first. If you want to land tutoring jobs in Chapel Hill NC, you need to be very proficient at what you do, but you also need to ensure that you are not just a very good tutor, but you also have the ability to give very good personalized services to your students.This is something that you can do by taking classroom experiences. You can be able to present your classroom experiences in a very professional way, which will put you ahead of other tutors who just put their students through these sorts of classrooms.If you are capable of putting insome time in your home, then you can get yourself one of the wonderful tutoring jobs that Chapel Hill has to offer. These are exciting jobs and a great way to earn money. So, if you're interested in earning some extra cash, make sure that you look into getting some work at home jobs in the near future.There is nothing wrong with starting with a star tup job, but you will need to be really good at what you do. If you're ready to turn your tutoring job into a huge business, make sure that you're willing to put in the extra time.

Chemical Equation Definition

Chemical Equation DefinitionChemical Equation Definition is a science that deals with the systematic study of chemistry. It is basically a field that is characterized by its emphasis on the study of chemical bonds. As it is used in a broader perspective, it is basically applied to chemistry and also other fields that deal with chemistry.There are two major types of Chemical Equations. First is Newton's Equation, which deals with chemical bonds that are unaltered. In this case, the principle is the same as to what we have used in molecular physics. In the second kind, there are many differences from the kind that we have used in physics. This is the Recharge Equation which is actually not a particular substance but it is all chemical bonds that have been made unaltered.Other topics to be dealt with by Chemical Equations includes the substance and its chemistry or the compound and its chemistry. It deals with chemical bonding of different molecules. It also deals with individual bonds between molecules.Chemicals used in chemical equation definition do not need to be atoms. The substances used here do not need to be organic or inorganic and the science deals with it differently. In organic chemistry, there are often molecules with electrons present and these are the charges of atoms.The Recharge Equation is probably the most widely known Chemical Equation and it also deals with individual bonds of atoms in molecules. The idea is the same as that of our atom - this makes a bond between atoms.This type of equation can be applied to an ionic equilibrium where one group of atoms has a specific chemical makeup in a substance and that is at an equilibrium level. For example, the neutralization reaction in a polymer can be explained using this kind of equation.There are many other formulations solutions in the field of Chemistry does not restrict itself to this only. This field can be broadly defined as chemistry and also the different applications used to understand it.

Teacher Tenure Under Scrutiny

Teacher Tenure Under Scrutiny When reports surfaced that the American education system was lagging behind that of other countries, people began pointing fingers and blaming different practices. Now, politicians are blaming teacher tenure, claiming it is one of the reasons for Americas subpar educational system, according to an article the New York Times. This action was motivated by President Barack Obamas call to reward effective teaching, which was restated in this years State of the Union Address. Some Republican politicians have interpreted this as removing the ineffective teachers or removing teacher tenure. Governors in Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Nevada and New Jersey have called for the complete removal of teacher tenure, claiming it will help improve the overall quality of public education. This legislation could pass because many schools are experiencing tighter budgets, which has decreased the authority of teachers unions. Its practically impossible to remove an underperforming teacher under the system we have now, said Gov. Brian Sandoval of Nevada. Nevada has the lowest high school graduation rate in the nation. Sandoval told the New York Times that eliminating teacher tenure would help schools select and use the best teachers. Districts could then remove teachers based on competence, not seniority, claims Sandoval. Others believe that districts should invest more in the hiring process, ensuring that every teacher is competent. Why arent governors standing up and saying, In our state, well devise a system where nobody will ever get into a classroom who isnt competent? Dennis Van Roekel, president of the National Education Association, told the New York Times. Instead they are saying, Lets make it easy to fire teachers. Thats the wrong goal. The current tenure system is not bullet-proof for teachers. Public school teachers usually get tenured after two or three years of teaching and can still be removed if deemed ineffective. However, once teachers are tenured they have a right to a due-process hearing before they can be removed. This process can be time consuming and expensive; so many politicians are calling to end the system, giving districts freedom to remove ineffective teachers without a due-process hearing. Many organizations have been performing studies, attempting to link students achievement directly to teachers performance. These organizations believe that teachers should be compensated based on their students achievements. Politicians are now taking this notion a step further, claiming that if strong student achievements can give teachers a raise, then poor student achievements should be enough to remove a teacher, even if tenured. Many of these politicians are forming their arguments around a student-first mentality, claiming that public school systems need to provide students with the best possible education and resources, rather than catering to teachers wants. Teachers unions are expressing strong concerns, claiming that this system could be abused. They are concerned that if tenure is removed then districts that are facing drastic budget cuts could simply remove expensive teachers with high salaries.

Back-to-School Shopping Deals for College Students

Back-to-School Shopping Deals for College Students While the thought of back-to-school may elicit groans from many, one silver lining of heading back is the great deals for students around this time of year. With a new school year comes new needs (wantsneedssame thing, right?): new school supplies, new planners, and even new technology can serve as helpful motivation to start the school year off right. [RELATED: 5 Things to Do the Summer Before College] Think of back-to-school shopping as a pre-test before the year officially begins; like each test, it comes with a bit of preparation. Dont worry too much, thoughremember how fun back-to-school shopping felt in your elementary school days? It can be just as enjoyable now. Weve complied some great back-to-school shopping deals for your convenience below: Amazon If youre looking for traditional school supplies, this retail giant has got you coveredbut theyre also here for you for some of the other necessities. Looking for Bluetooth headphones? A variety of different brands are on sale day-to-day. Wanting a double-walled, stainless-steel water bottle that will keep your drinks cold for up to 24 hours as you go from class to class? You can find that on Amazon as well. Be sure to keep an eye on the back-to-school section for electronics, clothing, and other bits of old-fashioned school supplies Staples Staples has the Less List which contains items that are up to 85% off and include traditional school items and other necessities, such as disinfecting wipes (great for keeping those dorm rooms tidy!) and ear buds. Staples is so committed to having low prices that theyve implemented the 110% price-match guarantee until mid-September. If you find a lower priced item elsewhere, you can bring it into the store or call the designated number. They can match the lower price and refund you 10% of the difference. Thats extra money for all the other necessities on your list! Vera Bradley If youre going to have to take notes, do it in style. Vera Bradley has a back-to-school section that includes printed backpacks, lunch boxes, and ID cases to store all the printed pens, notepads, and highlighters they also offer. Check out the website to also score dorm room accessories such as blankets and pillows. They even have a section dedicated to college-branded accessories to help you show your school pride. Sales vary from day to day depending on the item, but right now, if you share the deals with a friend, you can receive $15 off your purchase. So, tell a friend and you both benefit! Verizon Back-to-school shopping doesnt have to be all pencils and paper. If you are looking for some new tech items, a great place to look is the Verizon back-to-school section. A new fitbit, for instance, can track how far your walks across campus are and help you work off some of that dorm food. This section is continuously being updated, so check back periodically for new deals. [RELATED: How to Write an Effective Back-to-School Checklist] Your college bookstore Nothing says back-to-school like a new college hoodie, but there are likely more deals than that to snag at your campus bookstore. College bookstores are full of treasures such as school-logo-branded notebooks and folders, designer planners, and tech necessities like phone cases and chargers. Your school spirit will have you looking forward to your first day of classes for sure! Check your bookstores website or social media pages to scope out when the best sales will be. Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

Why is Origami Important to Japanese Culture

Why is Origami Important to Japanese Culture How Important is Origami to Japanese Culture? ChaptersWhy Origami is Attributed to Japanese CultureThe Meaning of OrigamiThe Breadth of Paper Crafts in JapanIf you’ve ever eaten at a Benihana or other Japanese restaurant, you may have been struck by the presentation of the food and of the dining elements â€" specifically how your napkin was folded.Your place setting might have been graced by an origami swan, or maybe the napkin was folded into a cunning pocket for your chopsticks...Did said restaurant have red paper lanterns on display, possibly with ideograms painted on them?Although those lanterns are reinforced with wire, they nevertheless fall under the origami umbrella because they are primarily made of paper.Incidentally, it is not difficult to make such a lantern; you can follow these easy step instructions to make origami paper lanterns of your own...To take the relationship between Japan and origami one step further: it wouldn’t be much of a stretch to conclude that a kimono, the traditional Japanese wrapped garment is akin to making origami.One must wrap the kimono and fold the obi â€" the wide waistband just so; origami must also be precisely folded.It was during Japan’s Edo period (1603-1867) that the kimono became truly stylised; it was also during that time that origami found its place in Japanese culture.These days, while kimono-wearing has been relegated to special occasions, especially weddings, origami remains a pastime for young and old. However, it is quite common to make kimonos out of money.Money origami is a niche art, especially using US currency because a dollar bill does not have the same dimensions as standard origami paper.But we’re not talking about origami in the United States; our topic today is origami in Japan, specifically why that paper art is such an integral part of their culture.Still, if you must know, origami is quite popular in the states; so much so that the Ginter Botanical Garden in Virginia routinely puts Japanese paper creations on display and lets chil dren of all ages float origami boats in their ponds.Enough about that! Our focus is the chain of islands on the other side of the world and what origami represents for them.Let's get on with it! CalumDrama School Entrance Teacher 5.00 (15) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ToriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OliviaSchool support Teacher 5.00 (2) £21/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkESOL (English) Teacher 4.76 (17) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YuweiChinese Teacher 4.33 (6) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JenniferMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LouiseAutoCAD Teacher 5.00 (3) £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RickyPercussion Teacher 5.00 (7) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicolasGuitar Teacher 5.00 (2) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MyriamOrganic chemistry Teacher 5.00 (13) £20/h1st lesson free!D iscover all our tutors JonathanEconomics Teacher 5.00 (9) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Oluwakemi imoleMaths Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlexPhysics Teacher 5.00 (1) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AdamSinging Teacher 5.00 (14) £48/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValentiniMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (2) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MilenaMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RashmiEconomics Teacher 5.00 (1) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhy Origami is Attributed to Japanese Culture A kimono is decidedly harder to fold than an origami flower! Image by Sasin Tipchai from PixabayYou may be disappointed to find that origami did not originate in Japan, nor were/are they the only culture to practise the art of paper folding.If you are a Japanophile, you may already know that the Chinese ‘invented’ paper and had been plying paper as an art form long before Buddhist monks introduced papermaking in Japan.To this day, the ancient art of paper cutting, kirigami in Japanese, is more popular in China than in Japan.Kirigami and kusudama â€" glueing or sewing several origami shapes together used to feature in Japanese origami but, when the Shogun ruled the country (off and on between 1192 and 1867) they standardised origami and made origami folding a part of their training.Are you wondering how sitting for hours, folding origami can train someone to handle a samurai?Even simple origami takes patience and precision to execute; those are two qualities every warrior needs. B esides, the ability to visualise â€" to see shapes in an otherwise unremarkable sheet of paper promotes thinking skills and imagination.Finally, using both hands to make a mountain fold, a valley fold and a multitude of creases improves hand-eye coordination, a quality every soldier needs.These reasons to turn sheets of paper into distinct shapes still hold true today; they are why classes in origami for kids offers so many educational benefits even though they are not being conditioned to swing samurai swords.Meanwhile, before paper made its way to Europe, people there amused themselves with napkin folding but, once paper came along (and became affordable), it was not uncommon for children to amuse themselves by making toys out of paper.For example, the fortune teller has a centuries-long history on the continent and it made its way to our shores almost 100 years ago.All of that still does not explain why the art of folding paper is attributed to Japan exclusively.We need to find m ore reasons... Did you know that protein sequences have been modelled using origami? Image by _Alicja_ from PixabayThe Meaning of OrigamiLet’s say that, for you, a square piece of paper represents unlimited possibilities.You might make an origami rose out of it, or an origami box that, once a few coats of lacquer are applied, will make a wonderful gift.You might make a paper aeroplane to distract a young child or a paper boat s/he can set afloat in the pond.What does origami mean to you? Do you build origami models for the sake of creation? For stress relief? To hone your fine motor skills?What do you want to represent in the origami designs you make?In no way are these questions ambiguous for Japanese origami enthusiasts. Their ancient Japanese traditions speak to them loud and clear as they make their folds.the origami dragon is a symbol of power, wisdom and successby contrast, the dragonfly represents strength, courage and good luckthe origami butterfly is symbolic of a girl growing into a you ng womanan origami frog in the pocketbook means that spent money will returnthe origami cat stands for strength, self-assurance and independenceThese origami animals are all significant in but there is one origami bird that outshines every animal you might make out of folded paper.Cranes have a special significance in Japanese culture.Not only are they thought to live for 1,000 years â€" hence they are a symbol of long life, but they believe that folding a thousand cranes will make their fondest wish come true.You can learn more about the symbolism of origami in our related article.Origami cranes are made more poignant by the story of a young, cancer-stricken girl.In the aftermath of the Hiroshima blast, many were afflicted with life-threatening illnesses. Young Sadako, embroiled in a fight for her life, set out to fold one thousand paper cranes so that her wish to be rid of her cancer might come true.Upon entering the children’s cancer ward she realised the futility of her exerci se but continued to fold every origami crane she could, believing that, if she attained senbazuru â€" literally ‘a thousand cranes’, her wish for lasting peace would come true.She exceeded her goal and, having folded a total of 1,300 such birds, leaving an unrivalled legacy.Touched by her story, after her death, her classmates petitioned for a statue of her to be erected as an eternal plea for hope for peace. To this day, people from all over the world send origami cranes to be laid at her memorial.If you didn’t know the story behind the iconic paper crane until now, surely it will persuade to you pick up a pack of Washi paper and learn how to fold them.If you don’t yet know how to make an origami crane, you can find video tutorials or written folding instructions online.See the different available art courses near me here. Origami boxes such as these are often traded in Japan; usually they contain a sweet or a lucky star Image by Letterblade from PixabayThe Breadth of Paper Crafts in JapanThink back to your school days or, if you’re currently in school, take a moment to review the type of work you do there.Did/does any of it involve paper craft? Do you remember being assigned any origami projects?It is quite common for students in the UK to work with coloured paper and tissue paper, especially up to the first Key Stage but, after that, we get into more ponderous topics like art appreciation or painting and drawing.In our schools, we’re not actually taught how to make origami let alone how to make paper, which is surprisingly easy.Now, let’s take that thought a bit further: were you shown how you can use easy origami to understand geometry and vertices or create tessellations? Have you modelled any complex shapes using 3D origami?Would you be wildly surprised to learn that such learning is commonp lace in Japan primary schools?There, children learn folding technique before they are old enough for school. Parents help their children make easy paper constructions; maybe an origami heart or origami flowers.As little fingers fold and crease, they hear the stories of their culture.  They learn how bokashi â€" the shading or gradation of paper can enhance their designs and how to create kawaii creatures.Kawaii is Japan’s particular brand of ‘cute’.All of this happens before they are enrolled in school so that, by the time the teacher hauls out the square paper, they already know how to fold origami.Even better: they are already endowed with the patience to sit still for long periods, the perseverance to work through frustrations and precision to fold just about any origami model, as long as it is not too complex.From an early age, Japanese children are indoctrinated into the wonders of origami â€" Satoshi Kamiya, the world’s most renown origami artist, avers he started fold ing when he was two years old.There is no doubt that origami is important to the Japanese; possibly more important to their culture than any other â€" even though it is extensively used to model engineering applications all over the world.For their culture of cute, for their traditions and history, even for all of the Japanese words that populate the vocabulary of origami, we could rightly say that origami is Japanese art.Even if people in other countries have long amused themselves by folding paper origami.