Algebra, first developed and written in the 9th century by Muhammed ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi in The Concise Book of Calculation by Restoring and Balancing, is a type of mathematics describing a series of unknown variables, typically “x” and “y,” with “y” being the dependent variable. Along with mathematics, writing goes back to at least the Babylonian Empire and originated with cuneiform. Algebra can represent graphs and, in turn, real-life situations, such as (but certainly not

The pinch behind my scapula transcends, infecting my shoulder, climbing up my neck, and settling in my ear bones, where a post-apocalyptic and dystopian playlist regulates my brain. I’ve been busy. It’s been a month since I’ve sat for hours at my desk, reaching my right arm forward and hunching over. It’s difficult to sit and write for more than one hour, but I’ve written 500 words so far. Adjusting my red pajamas riddled with white poke-a-dots and pulling at the neck of my u

The turquoise night sky is torn apart as it flies, while its wings leave behind a shimmering dust that gently rains down upon the pinkish dunes towering over the Zentrati Desert on planet Iria. With a beak and talons that shine a glossy metallic gold, cream colored scales, and a snowy, feathered head donned with fiercely curled ram horns, the creature owns the heavens with angel-like grace. No one knows how long the beast, referred to as the Thunderer, has been alive. Some sa

Why? Growing your own produce can be rewarding and provide certainty in what is in your produce. It also gives you something to dedicate your time to that has a tangible reward. Plants to Start With A good beginner plant is potato; it will sprout in nearly any environment and is quite hardy. Another is herbs like oregano and mint, which are notoriously hard to kill. Do be warned, never plant them outside of a pot because they will grow out of control. If You Have No Space Sma

Emily:  To me, critical thinking is engaging in a pattern of thought that creates original inferences from preexisting material; if I have at least two variables (such as a scaleless dragon and a frog without vocal cords), then I should be able to find some sort of connection between the two by solely using my own mind instead of just looking up possible answers on the internet. Additionally, critical thinking makes each person unique because when a group of people is asked t

The world can be a confusing place for many young adults. There are hundreds of thousands of perspectives in the world. Education could help the community understand the world and whatever problems it brings. Education is a tool to expand our minds and advance in this world. To expand our minds, we need to be disciplined, committed, and well-rounded. College is one of many ways to further education. Think of college like a car that gets the Individual from point A to point B.

As tutors, we often form a one-sided dynamic with the students we tutor, in that we act as the givers. We give information, advice, and whatever else the student may need to have the best chance of success in their classes, and most often do not expect anything in return from them except for the hope that they are receptive to our advice. What we do not often consider, though, is what our students give back to us. In truth, we gain just as much from the students as they gain

In a land far away from common society, a great wizard spent his days in a dark tower. He was never to be seen, yet only a few knew of his great skills. He specialized in the hidden magical arts of spellcasting, potions, runes, and dueling, among others. He had amassed a great deal of knowledge, which brought him a particular magical foresight, yet he claimed the secret to his success was not a rarity, but was within anyone’s reach who dared venture into learning. This sparke

Howard Gardner, a professor of cognition and education, was the developer of the M.I. theory in 1983. A summary of Gardner’s theory: There are eight different intelligences that each person has, some of them higher than others (Example: someone can be good at math, while struggling at English). And the key point of Gardner’s theory: All intelligences can be nourished and grown. In other words, Gardner challenged the notion that everyone had just one intelligence that could no

Reedley College’s Reading and Writing Center (RWC) is relatively young (22 years of service), but many of its tutors left lasting legacies. One such tutor is Stephanie Duarte. Duarte teaches English C1000 here on Reedley College’s campus and shares some wisdom for current and aspiring tutors of all subjects.       Reflecting on that time, she recalls some struggles. Some students would book her for “a couple of hours,” which felt draining some days. Not because she didn’t lov

This year, we are celebrating a special event at our tutor expo: the 10th anniversary. Therefore, it is a good time to look back on our Reading/Writing Center’s history to find 10 Years of Legacy, Learning, and Success. This research has not only shown the passage of time but, more importantly, highlighted the lessons that, as a tutoring center, we have learned along the way. This research examined how being a tutor can equip you with the tools to follow your path and succeed

“The only thing scarier than leaving a small town is never leaving it at all” (Mitch Albom). Just about one and a half hours away from Fresno County lie three breathtaking national parks. Yet, how many of us have taken the steps to see them? People travel from all over the world to view these historic landmarks that have been standing for generations. Why don't more people step outside their comfort zone and visit these places? I understand how easy it is to grow complacent a

I would like to start by saying that I am not a baker by any means. The only time I ever enter the kitchen is to eat food that someone else has already made or to throw a microwave meal into the microwave. Yet recently, my life was changed (for good) by the movie Wicked. In the spirit of trying new things and seeing that the movie was free for streaming, I decided to put it on and see what all the hype was about. Turns out, I was missing out on one of my favorite movies to da

Drawing is one of my favorite hobbies. It’s an activity I used to indulge in often, when my creative spark was alive and burning. I remember how free and excited I would feel to be able to color a drawing that I sketched the day before, using the new Copic markers my dad bought for me. There is so much freedom in the realm of art, which is one of the things I like so much about drawing. In elementary school, I was inspired to create books with my own characters and little gra

For the longest time, to me, dancing was just movement. It was the idea that there were steps to follow, counts to learn, and, honestly, just making shapes with my body. Through time, somewhere along the way, it became something more. It was no longer just showing up, following the counts, going home, doing it again the next day. It became something that made me realize what I was feeling on the inside could truly live outside for people, for me, and I could do this through m