Schools are removing analog clocks from exam rooms because kids can’t read them

Modern technology is definitely part of almost all our daily activities. Whether you do your leisure activities, doing homework assignments or conducting a scientific research, digital technology is inseparable component. This made us dependent on sophisticated gadgets and devices. We don’t talk about adults only, but about children as well.

This dependence on digital technology affected even minor things, like telling the time for instance. This problem is explained by Malcolm Trobe, deputy general secretary at the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL). According to him and ASCL, students have difficulties using analogue clocks since they are accustomed to using the digital clocks instead. This is particularly true for students under 18.

This problem, made schools considering to remove the analogue clocks from the classrooms and installing digital clocks instead. Regarding this, Trobe says:

“The current generation aren’t as good at reading the traditional clock face as older generations.”

He adds:

“They are used to seeing a digital representation of time on their phone, on their computer. Nearly everything they’ve got is digital so youngsters are just exposed to time being given digitally everywhere.” 

Trobe justifies this switch from analogue to digital clocks because of the stress factor. Since students can tell the time more easily using the digital clock, they know, for instance, how much time is reserved for a test. This decreases the stress level of the students.

He elaborates:

“You don’t want them to put their hand up to ask how much time is left. Schools will inevitably be doing their best to make young children feel as relaxed as the can be. There is actually a big advantage in using digital clocks in exam rooms because it is much less easy to mistake a time on a digital clock when you are working against time.” 

Similar opinion has Stephanie Keenan, head of English at Ruislip High School in north-west London. Keenan told The Telegraph that her school is also planning to remove the analogue clocks. On her side is Cheryl Quin, a head of department at Cockermouth School and chair of the West Cumbria Network. 

Teaching to read clocks is part of the school curriculum. However, it appears that students do not understand this quite well. Trobe explains:

“It may be a little sad if youngsters coming through aren’t able to tell the time on clock faces.”

He also adds:

“One hopes that we will be teaching youngsters to read clocks, however we can see the benefit of digital clocks in exam rooms.” 

Sally Payne, the head paediatric occupational therapist at the Heart of England foundation NHS Trust, goes even further. According to her, students have problems with proper holding of writing tools as well. She points out that all these things are as a direct result of the overdepandence on technology. She explains:

“To be able to grip a pencil and move it, you need strong control of the fine muscles in your fingers. Children need lots of opportunity to develop those skills.”

“It’s easier to give a child an iPad than encouraging them to do muscle-building play such as building blocks, cutting and sticking, or pulling toys and ropes. Because of this, they’re not developing the underlying foundation skills they need to grip and hold a pencil.” 

8 things you can learn about someone from a single kiss

Finding “the one” is probably one of the hardest things in life, as not everyone is lucky enough to get involved in a relationship with their perfect match. Many times, what we think is an ideal relationship turns into a disastrous one and we find ourselves on the dating scene again. So, how do we know if someone is our soulmate and worth spending the journey called life together?

I guess that first of all, we should be aware of the qualities that we secretly wish our perfect date to possess in order for something more serious to take place. One of those is the way the person kisses. According to Bright Side one can learn a lot about their partner after sharing just one single kiss.

8. Is there chemistry between you and your partner?

I am confident how you’ve heard the term ‘chemistry’ being used to describe what two people have together. So what does this word really stand for? The truth is that the chemistry felt between two people can’t be put into words. The moment the partners’ lips touch, it can’t be felt in the stomach whether that’s IT.

If there are no sparks or the feeling of butterflies flying in your stomach, that’s probably not going to change, as if there’s chemistry, you feel it from the start.

7. Will your partner be good in bed?

You may now wonder what the connection between the first kiss and how good your potential partner would be in bed have in common. The answer is A LOT. While kissing, you should pay attention how they move their hands and what part of your body they prefer to caress. It’s believed that most of the technique used during the first kiss is also applied in the bedroom. So if you don’t feel overwhelmed by your partner’s kissing, you should reconsider your decision about sleeping with them.

6. Is your partner confident enough?

When you are choosing a partner, you probably want to be with someone who’s confident in themselves. Well, that first kiss speaks a lot of whether that other person knows what they are doing or are completely clueless of how to treat you and how to approach you.

The kissing should come natural. If it’s forced, that’s not really a good sign. You should also pay attention of how the other person reacts to your kiss. How they lean towards you, how they keep their head, or whether they put their arms around your waist or your neck is also something worth taking into consideration.

What comes after the kiss is also important. It’s believed that if the person is willing to show emotions after that fist kiss happens, they would probably be that open later in the relationship as well.

5. Does your partner take care of themselves?

If the partner wants to make a good first impression, he or she should mind their hygiene and show up wearing a perfume, being showered, and having fresh breath. You definitely wouldn’t want some stinky guy or girl kissing you, right? Because if they don’t care about the way they look while dating you, it means your opinion of them isn’t something they really care about. And honestly, that’s not a good start of a relationship.

If their teeth aren’t brushed the first time they kiss you, don’t expect from them to brush them later on. They are probably not taking good care of their personal hygiene.

4. Is your partner a good listener?

While kissing, we send dozens of micro-signals and that way alert the other person whether they should push or pull back with what they are doing. If you are not a kind of person who enjoys being kissed using tongue let’s say, and you tell that to the person kissing you, they shouldn’t insist, but adjust to your rhythm.

If the partner is able to understand and accept all those tiny signs your body sends to them, they might be the right person for you. This way you know you are dealing with someone who respects your wishes. When kissing someone for the first time, make sure you pay attention whether they are able to follow your lead or not.

3. How serious will your relationship be?

Just because someone kisses you, that doesn’t necessarily means they would start a relationship with you. He or she may simply find you attractive, but that’s it. If you want to figure out whether they see you as a long-term relationship material or not, you should see how they kiss you. Do they take their time, or are in a rush?

Your feelings are equally important, of course. You may also not be certain whether that person might be your soulmate or not, and kissing them is just one way of imagining whether you can spend your lifetime with them or not. After that kiss, your intentions would probably be more clear.

2. Does your partner rush things?

Being patient and doing things one step at a time could be a sing that your date or what was supposed to be just a flirt could turn into something more serious. On the other hand, if the partner is rushing things out, such as touching you all over your body, sliding up their hands under your shirt, or grabbing your ass, they just want to sleep with you and see you as a one night stand.

The right person would never force you to do something you are not comfortable with and would enjoy every moment of the time they have with you.

1. Is your partner appreciative?

So, you kissed for the first time, and now what? The reaction of your partner after the first kiss reveals a lot about their feelings for you. Are they happy and smiling because they got to kiss you? If the answer is yes, than it means they like you and enjoyed putting their lips on yours.

Do you think the first kiss is really that important? What was yours like? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.

Grandma calls police about missing granddaughter – Cops find age 5 girl locked under stairs

It’s unbelievable how some people treat their kids. There are many cases where kids are facing up with the consequences of domestic violence and the harsh heartless parents’ behaviour. Instead of being taken care of and grow up with parents’ love and support,  many kids are targets of beating, misbehaviour and abuse. The physical and mental health of these kids are under threat by thoughtless and violent parents.

Linda Benskey, grandmother of the five-year old Angel, is aware of all of these possibilities. Her fears about her step-granddaughter appeared after a period of several months of not being able to see her step-granddaughter. Angel lived in North Carolina with Linda’s stepson. Linda’s worries made her call the police and asked them to check on the girl. This led her to shocking discovery.

Linda got the attention of the police. The officers, upon hearing this, immediately started the procedure. Their first contact was Tracy Harrell, the lady that took care of Angel during a local daycare. She agreed to aid the police in finding out what’s going on with Angel.

The police officers and Tracy were stunned and shocked when they discovered Angel. She was locked under the stairs, beaten, burned and bruised. The girl was in a horrible situation.

Regarding this, Tracy said:

“Her little hands were shaky. Her hair was shaved, but what wasn’t shaved was pulled out in knots, so she had bald spots all over her head. Her face was dirty and cut up. She had bruises around her neck.”

Angel couldn’t remember how long she had been locked under the stairs. This little beauty was ruined, starved and abused. The monsters, Angel’s father Adam Byrd and his girlfriend Crystal Carnahan, were arrested and charged with child abuse. They lost the custody of the girl and the family is trying to receive it. They will do anything just to normalize Angel’s life.

Tracy was dear to Angel. She loved her and trusted her more than anyone else in the world. Tracy recalls:

“THERE WAS NEVER A DAY WHEN SHE LEFT, AND SHE WOULDN’T SAY, ‘I LOVE YOU MISS TRACY,’”HARRELL RECALLED FROM HER TIME AS HER CAREGIVER.

She also adds:

“She clung to me and wrapped her arms around me. I had  her laying here and she kept saying ‘please don’t leave me, please don’t leave me.’”

Thanks to Linda, the police and Tracy, Angel’s life is saved. She may feel the emotional consequences of the abuse in the future, but at least the abusers are behind bars and stopped from doing harm to anyone else again.

Breastfeeding baby not invited to destination wedding

Weddings – time for celebration, party, lots of guests and family reunion. Weddings require lots of preparations, including the perfect clothing, interesting decorations and inviting family and friends. Many couples do not mind having a lot of guests, including children. However, some couples want only adult guests, which means no children invited.

Lucy B, a mother of a five-month old baby, experienced this kind of wedding and she got quite frustrated by it. This British lady booked tickets and spent some $5,000 to travel to her cousin’s wedding in Australia, only to find out that her baby was not welcomed to the party.

Lucy’s frustration is even greater since she planned this trip and booked the flights for the family a year in advance. Now, all her costs are for nothing.

Lucy B is the lady’s nickname on Netmums. Lucy used this website to post her story and tell the other members what kind of situation she found herself in. She explained that she was informed by the cousin a year in advance that the wedding will be in Australia. As soon as she found out the date of the wedding, she booked the tickets and paid $5,312.

However, three weeks before the wedding itself her cousin told her that only Lucy and her husband are invited. There was no invitation for the kids. What was even more frustrating for her, there was no one to babysit her baby. 

She says:

“I researched online but couldn’t find anyone (they live in the suburbs). Everyone I knew in Australia, was attending the wedding. Am I being unreasonable to think it’s a joke they can’t make an exception for a breastfeed baby flying from England?”

Many who learnt about her experience justified her frustration and stress.

There are people who think that ‘that’ rule should not be emphasised at the last moment and they had to accept the baby at the wedding.  

Exceptions exist and they had to make some exceptions for this wedding as well, especially having in mind the long distance this family had to travel.

This story shows how some people are making decisions without proper thinking. The couple that was getting married should have thought in advance all the details in order to avoid situation like this. Since it’s their fault, they had to make an exception about Lucy, particularly since this family travelled thousands of miles just to attend this wedding.

This is a good lesson for all future wives and husbands. The big day should be the day of happiness and joy, not just for the main people, but for all who attend such an event. Having situations like this may transform the day into something very non-desirable.

Andrea Bocelli beautifully sings Phantom of the Opera cover

It’s practically impossible for one not to get emotional when the powerful voice of the great Andrea Bocelli fills the air. He’s one of the best tenors in the history of music who never ceases to amaze the crowds while performing his greatest hits like the Italian songs “La Voce Del Silenzio”, “Dare to Live (Vivere)” and “Fall on Me” with son, Matteo.

His fellow friend Celine Dion with whom he performed our all time favorite “The Prayer” has said that “if God would have a singing voice, he must sound a lot like Andrea Bocelli,” and honestly, we can’t agree more. Those who had that unique chance to see Andrea performing live describe the experience as divine. This time, this chart-topping singer has treated the audience with the music of the best musical of all time: The Phantom of the Opera, and he sounds as amazing as ever.

At the age of 12, Bocelli completely lost his ability to see as a result of an accident at a soccer match. However, this never stood on his way to success. He knew his talent had to be shared with the whole world and worked hard to be seen and given the recognition he deserved, thus got on the list of the best singers of all time. He learned how to play the piano and other instruments and let music lead his way to the stars.

People first heard of Bocelli after Luciano Pavarotti himself invited him to be part of the “Miserere.” Ever since, his music career went upwards and he’s still one of the best in the industry. He has received numerous awards throughout the years, as well as a star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The performance you are about to see is just a further proof that Bocelli’s vocal is hard to beat. Or better said, impossible. He performed the song “The Music of the Night” by Andrew Lloyd Webber and enchanted the audience.

The connection Bocelli makes with each piece of music he performs is felt by everyone who gets to listen to him.

Take a look at the video below and enjoy.

Research has now confirmed why the youngest sibling is the funniest

Most families have their own ‘comedian’, or a kid that is responsible for making everyone laugh. These talented kids, with their jokes, pranks or stories, try to provide a good time to all family members. Everyone enjoys with these jokes and everyone likes having a good time in order to forget the everyday problems, at least for a moment.

The general opinion is that this role of jokester is usually attributed to the older kids. People believe that the older kids know more jokes and know how to make everyone laugh. The other kids are the learners and act like an audience. However, the recent research published by YouGov shows something very different.

YouGov published a research that indicates people might be wrong. These unexpected results of the research show that actually the youngest kid in the family is in most cases the funniest one. The research explains that this is due to the fact that the older kids are engaged in more serious every day activities. This means that the older kids have some other matters to work on, while the youngest kids have more time to engage themselves in telling jokes or funny stories.

The research adds:

“Splitting out the first and last born siblings in British families with more than one child (86 per cent of the population), a clear divide in personality traits emerges.”

These claims are supported by the participants’ answers as well. The results show that some 54% of the older children think that they are more responsible than the younger ones. This creates space to the younger kids to show off and entertain the family.

What’s the situation in your family? Is the youngest kid the funniest?

Samaritan sees cop’s bloody body in middle of road, helps save his life until EMT arrives

Police officers are those people who put their life on the line every single day just to make sure everyone else is safe and sound. Many believe how their job is not as significant as that of the members of the military
when it comes to people’s safety, forgetting along the way how the police would be the first to assist if we find ourselves in trouble.

In fact, these people never know what sort of situation they would have to deal with while on the job. KVIA reported the case of Deputy Peter Herrera who was patrolling on March 22 in San Elizario, Texas. At around 1:50 a.m. he pulled a vehicle over and asked for the drivers license and registration, but instead, he got a few shots and was left lying in the street all covered in blood.

Luckily, another driver named Xavier Lira witnessed the incident and rushed to assist the wounded cop. He called 911 and didn’t leave Deputy Peter Herrera’s side until help arrived.

Lira told KTSM how he believed he found himself at the scene that day for a reason, and that was to help the officer in need. He also states how looking at all that blood, he was almost certain the officer wouldn’t make it. The sight was chilling.

Lira adds, “He did ask me to go ahead and take off his shirt because he felt like everything was on top of him.”

“When I took off his shirt he still had the bulletproof vest on and everything. So I was like OK you know for sure he’s OK but being that I had seen all the blood in his face and legs and everything that kind of worried me.”

Herrera was shot in the head and his condition is still critical, but according to KVIA the bullet didn’t reach his brain and doctors are hoping and expecting for him to survive.

Sheriff Richard Wiles confirmed that Deputy Herrera was shot multiple times, but he didn’t have the time to return fire.

“We have video cam from both the car and the officer’s body which are very revealing as to the circumstances and this shooting,” he continued. “Those cameras are very helpful in law enforcement in proving cases and that camera is going to be a solid piece of evidence.”

The person who shot Deputy Herrera was later tracked down and identified as the 27-year-old Facundo Chavez. He faces charges for criminal attempted murder capital murder of a peace officer and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

“Yet another attack on LE while simply serving the community,” the Peace Officers Research Association of California posted. “Today Deputy Peter Herrera with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office – EPCSO was needlessly shot multiple times during a traffic stop. Deputy Herrera at this time is in critical condition. A fundraiser account has been set up on Facebook.”

“Prayers needed for Deputy Peter Herrera an El Paso County Sheriff’s Deputy who was shot overnight and is in critical condition,” the Sheriff Deputies Facebook page shared. “The Deputy made a traffic stop for a minor violation and the occupants of the car immediately opened fire, striking the Deputy numerous times. The suspect were arrested a short time later. Please send your thoughts and prayers for the recovery of this hero.”

We pray for Deputy Herrera and hope he recovers soon.

Teen says first words after head-on car crash left him with traumatic brain injury 2 years ago

2017 was a terrible year for Jackson Gannon, a teenager from South Carolina. This young man, who was an excellent student and star sportsman among his peers, had a terrible accident that completely changed his life.

In 2017, while he was travelling in Georgia, he got very serious brain damage when he was in involved in a car crash. According to WBTV, the accident caused brain damage, pneumonia and staph infection. These drastically changed his life and stopped him from doing the things he was best at.

Having in mind the seriousness of injuries and how the injuries affected his organs, the doctors told the family that they do not expect him to walk or even talk again. This devastated the family.

However, Jackson turned out to be fighter. With lots of exercises, therapy and support from medical staff and the family, Jackson can walk again on his own. It took him some 21 months to make some progress and this recovery encouraged him to fight even more.

However, that’s not all. He has even spoken his first words since the terrible accident. His family posted a video on his Facebook page showing how Jackson said the first words.

He spoke the first words by using the finger. This method facilitated his pronunciation. Initially he places the finger to make the ‘shh’ sound, and then he continues uttering the word ‘she’.

By using this technique, Jackson continues with his second word. Again, with the help of the finger he utters the  word ‘shoe’.

He and his family are overwhelmed by happiness and hope. Jackson did the unexpected. His family’s happiness was evident in the post itself:

“Jackson’s first words!!!!!” the caption read. “Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!!!! Jackson is beginning to speak!!! #toGodbetheglory #hardworkpaysoff #happytears.”

These small steps are huge for Jackson. With proper exercise, therapy and will he may achieve the unexpected and prove that the doctors have been mistaken.

Since he was a star wrestler in his school, Jackson’s personal characteristic as a fighter once again prevail. Now his life’s goals are totally different than those prior to the accident, but the benefits from achieving the current goals are tremendous. Normalizing your life is a priority number one.

Stasea Morris, his mother, believes that God has played his role in this recovery as well. She says:

“This was Jackson’s reaction to spreading hope across the nation! We explained to him that his testimony has reached nearly 600k views. This was his dream before the car wreck and it is being fulfilled, spreading the good news of Jesus Christ and His miraculous restoration.”