#online attendance tracker

[universalinfo]

Building Blocks of Learning: The Importance of Print Awareness in Preschoolers

Hello there everyone. Today, I’m thrilled to guide you through an often-overlooked yet incredibly significant aspect of early childhood education: print awareness. Now, you might be thinking, ‘Isn’t print just about recognizing some letters and words?’ Trust me, it’s so much deeper and more crucial than that.

Print awareness, the ability to understand how print works, plays a fundamental role in the learning journey of our little ones. This early understanding of print goes far beyond just identifying A, B, C or 1, 2, 3. It’s about helping children understand that those letters and numbers on their books, toys, and even on their favorite cereal box, carry meaning.

It’s like laying the foundation for a house. When the foundation is solid, you can build on it and everything you add afterwards has a better chance of standing strong. Similarly, a strong understanding of print concepts gives children the building blocks they need to become successful readers and writers in the future. So, let’s jump in and explore some fun activities that can make this learning journey enjoyable and effective.

Defining Print Concepts

Print concepts? What does that mean? Well, in simple terms, print concepts are the rules that govern the use of written language. They’re the unseen guidelines that tell us how to make sense of what’s written on paper, or nowadays, even on digital screens.

In the context of preschool education, print concepts cover a range of understandings. Let’s go through some of these key concepts:

Directionality: This is the understanding that in English, we read and write from left to right and from top to bottom. Recognizing this helps children follow the flow of words and sentences.

Letter and Word Recognition: This involves recognizing that individual letters come together to form words and that these words are separated by spaces in a sentence.

Letters and Sounds: It’s about understanding that each letter or group of letters represents specific sounds. For example, the letter ‘B’ represents the /b/ sound.

Punctuation: Children learn that punctuation marks, like periods and question marks, provide cues on how to read sentences.

Book Handling Skills: This involves knowing how to hold a book, turn the pages, and that words in a book tell a story or give us information.

These are just some of the fundamental print concepts. A mastery of these concepts forms the basis for reading and writing proficiency, setting children up for a smooth transition into formal schooling and beyond. And the best part? There are loads of fun activities to help kids grasp these concepts. But before we jump into those, let’s see why these print concepts are so essential in preschool.

Why Print Concepts Matter in Preschool

In preschool, every experience is an opportunity for learning. From playing with blocks to sharing a meal, children are continuously picking up new skills and understandings. So, why not make the most of this phase to introduce print concepts? The preschool years are not just about preparing for ‘real school’. They are about developing the foundational cognitive and language skills that will last a lifetime.

When children become aware of print, they start to see their environment in a new light. Suddenly, the world is not just an array of colours and shapes, but a place full of symbols that carry meaning. This awareness fosters curiosity and stimulates their natural desire to read and write.

Print concepts also provide the basis for literacy development. They help children understand the mechanics of reading and writing before they dive into the complexities of phonics, grammar, and vocabulary. Think of it as learning to walk before you run. Having a good grasp of print concepts can make the learning journey smoother and more enjoyable for children.

But here’s the real magic. Teaching print concepts doesn’t require a classroom setting or rigorous lessons. It can be incorporated into everyday experiences and activities. And this is where tools like the online attendance tracker can play a surprising role. Let’s explore how next.

10 Fun Activities to Teach Print Concepts

Here we are, ready to explore some engaging and creative activities to make learning print concepts an absolute delight for your little ones. The goal is not just to teach but to spark joy in the process of learning.

Interactive Storytelling: Choose a picture book with large, clear print and vivid illustrations. As you read, point to each word, reinforcing the left-to-right, top-to-bottom rule. Use your finger as a guide to show where sentences start and end.

Fun with Food: Write the names of different foods on flashcards. During mealtime, encourage your child to match the food items with their corresponding flashcards. This helps reinforce word recognition.

Letter Formation in Sand: Fill a tray with sand and encourage your child to trace letters with their finger. This hands-on activity is great for teaching letter shapes and sounds.

Signage Hunt: During a walk or a drive, play a game where your child has to spot and read out different signs and logos. This real-world exercise helps children understand that print is everywhere and carries useful information.

Creating Personalized Storybooks: Encourage your child to draw pictures and help them write simple sentences to create their own storybook. This enhances their understanding of how print tells a story.

Label Reading: Use labels to identify different parts of your home like ‘Door’, ‘Window’, ‘Table’. This activity reinforces the connection between words and their meanings.

Making a Shopping List: Next time you go shopping, ask your child to help you make the list. This simple task teaches them how print helps us remember and organize information.

Play with Punctuation: Use play-doh or pipe cleaners to form punctuation marks and explain their usage. This is a fun, hands-on way to teach the role of punctuation in reading.

Using an Alphabet Puzzle: Alphabet puzzles are great for teaching letter recognition and sounds. Make it a game by asking your child to match items around the house with the beginning letter on the puzzle.

Attendance Tracking: Using the online attendance tracker daily helps children understand the purpose and value of written words, especially their names.

If your child logs into the online attendance tracker everyday, they interact with their own name, and possibly the names of their peers. They’re seeing letters, words, and sentences on the screen. They’re understanding that pressing certain keys forms their name and marks their presence. They’re realizing that this written form — their name — represents them.

This everyday routine can serve as a practical, real-world lesson on print concepts. It’s an opportunity to help children recognize that print carries meaning, to see how letters come together to form words, and to understand that their name — this word — has a purpose.

Common Challenges and Effective Solutions in Teaching Print Concepts

It’s natural to encounter a few bumps along the road. After all, every child is unique, and so is their learning journey. So, let’s take a moment to address some common challenges you might face and discuss potential solutions.

Challenge 1: Lack of Interest

One of the most common challenges is a lack of interest. Maybe your child seems more interested in building a tower with blocks than tracing letters in the sand.

Solution: The key here is to make learning fun. If your child loves building towers, why not incorporate letters into this activity? For example, you could label each block with a different letter. As your child stacks them, encourage them to say the letter out loud. This way, your child is still engaging with print, just in a way that resonates with their interests.

Challenge 2: Difficulty Recognizing Letters or Words

Some children may find it difficult to recognize letters or words, which can make activities like signage hunt or making a shopping list challenging.

Solution: Patience and repetition are crucial. Continue to expose your child to letters and words through everyday experiences. Use different mediums — books, flashcards, even apps on your tablet. Remember, every child learns at their own pace. So, celebrate small wins, like recognizing the first letter of their name or reading a familiar sign.

Challenge 3: Difficulty Understanding the Purpose of Print

Some children might struggle to understand why they need to learn about print. Why do they need to recognize letters or words?

Solution: Here’s where real-world applications come into play. Show your child how print helps them navigate their world. The labels at home, the menu at their favorite restaurant, even the online attendance tracker — these are all practical examples of how print carries meaning and serves a purpose.

Challenge 4: Limited Exposure to Print

In our digital age, children might have limited exposure to print, which can hinder their understanding of print concepts.

Solution: Make a conscious effort to incorporate print into your child’s daily life. Reading a physical book at bedtime, writing a grocery list together, or using the online attendance tracker are all great ways to increase their exposure to print.

Conclusion

Print awareness — it’s a simple term for a concept that has profound implications for our children’s learning journey. By teaching print concepts in preschool, we’re not just preparing our little ones for formal education; we’re giving them the tools they need to navigate the world around them. We’re helping them make sense of the letters, words, and sentences they encounter every day.

Every child learns at their own pace so, don’t rush the process. Instead, enjoy the journey and celebrate every little achievement. With patience, consistency, and a bit of creativity, your child will develop a solid understanding of print concepts and be well on their way to becoming a successful reader and writer.

Website : https://supervisease.com/sblogs/building-blocks-of-learning-the-importance-of-print-awareness-in-preschoolers/

[tasktracker-in]

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[trackhrapp1]

Incorporating TrackHr into your organization’s strategy can significantly impact employee retention and job satisfaction. By providing a transparent, supportive, and growth-oriented work environment, TrackHr helps create a positive workplace culture that attracts and retains top talent. As a comprehensive performance management software and work management app, TrackHr not only improves operational efficiency but also enhances the overall employee experience, making it an invaluable tool for modern businesses.

[yourlocalbreadenthusiast]

Kindly take a break from scrolling to read this, it's important.

Take your time to grieve and come to terms with the election results, but once you've done that, it's time to get to work. We have two months. And a lot to do in that time. We have to prepare, to be ready.

Be careful about what you post or say online. Anything potentially incriminating should be avoided. Threatening language, even if clearly a joke, can be used against you.

Know someone who's trans? Someone who's had an abortion? Someone who's LGBTQIA+? Someone who's an immigrant? Someone who attends protests? Someone who's disabled? Someone who might in any way be at risk due to laws being put into place? No you don't.

Move away from social media platforms and browsers that require you to use your real identity or input a large amount of personal information. Now's a good time to find alternate means of communicating online. Tails, Element, Tor, Mastodon, Firefox, and Lemmy are all decent options.

Find a community. Someone you can talk to, either online or in real life, that you'll have reliable contact with. We need to try and create a network, but one that's as anonymous as possible.

Start scrubbing your trail as much as possible. Get rid of old accounts that can still be traced to you but are no longer used, delete personal data off the internet. There are websites out there that will freely remove your data from the internet, but be careful about which one you use, make sure it's safe and legitimate first.

Change any usernames that you can that contain any personal information. Names, birthdays, anything.

Plan B has a four year shelf life. Stock up, but don't take more than you you'll need. We don't want a COVID repeat where everyone buys an excessive amount of things and leaves none for everybody else.

There are doctors that will sterilize you, if that's the way you want to go.

Stop using online period trackers right now. Delete all data from it if possible first, then delete the app itself. If you must, write it down, but in a subtle manner and on something you keep at home. Don't label it, just put the dates. If you're really worried, discard older records and only keep the most recent few, and label the dates as other random events, like "go to mall" or "chicken salad for dinner this night"

Get your vaccines now.

Save money.

Archive. We have to start collecting records, media, data, books, and articles now. On racism, on fascism, on homophobia, on gender, on self-reliance, on survival, on safe travels routes, on equality, on justice, on anything that may be useful and/or censored soon. We can't let them erase it.

Collect those online resources. Bookmark them, copy files into your storage, Screenshot pages. Create a decentralized library where everyone is working to be part of a whole, storing what they can individually and sharing it between one another. Again, be careful about doing this.

Second-hand bookstores are your best friend. Books are usually very cheap in them, and they often have a decent stock. See what you can find.

When buying ANYTHING I have mentioned above, or anything else that maybe put you in danger, try to use cash to reduce your spending trail.

Check your car information online, many newer models can be remotely tracked.

Turn your phone completely off if you may be at risk due to your location and current activities. Turning off your GPS also helps.

Take note of where you are. Who are your friends? Who's a safe person? Where can you go besides your own home that you know you'll be safe? Establish these connections now.

Who around you is not safe? Who and where do you need to avoid? Do you need to move? If you cannot afford moving but need to, there are fundraisers that can help you. If even that is not an option, at least try to make sure your home is secure. Have someone who can help you. Have a fallback safe place.

And finally, I want anyone with resources to put them in the replies. Flood it with useful links, information, tips, anything. We're in this together. Do not panic. Organize.

[thisapplepielife]

Written for @steddiesongfics.

If He Wanted To, He Would

July Prompt: Any Song Lyrics | Word Count: 2000 | Rating: T | CW: Language | Tags: Eddie POV, Modern Setting, Sports AU, Rockstar Eddie, Baseball Player Steve, Very Public Love Affair, Corroded Coffin, Good Uncle Wayne Munson

I've used lyrics from Take Me Out to the Ball Game & Blank Space.

Even the news is covering it. 

That's fucking ridiculous. There's an animated graphic, a live tracker of where his plane is, a moving dot over the Atlantic, like it's Christmas Eve and he's Santa Claus.

Eddie's gonna make it. He was always gonna make it, even as the press ran the numbers, the miles, and milked every ounce of drama out of it.

He made game one, and game four, and now he's racing back from playing Wembley in London to make it for game seven. The media has tried to sell the idea that Steve wanted the World Series to go to seven, just so Eddie would be able to attend.

Eddie's glad he's getting to see it, of course he is, but if they could have swept it in four, or locked it down in five or six, that would have been fucking awesome. Even if that meant Eddie missed seeing it live, and had to watch on television, in the middle of the night, across the world.

There are a shitton of tiktoks every week, dissecting their every move, looking for easter eggs. Eddie is just living his life, even if a million people are always watching him like a fucking hawk.

Goodie is walking back from the beer garden in the stadium, carrying his plastic cup in his mouth as he fiddles with something in his hands. Not spilling a goddamn drop. Eddie can only see this because he's being broadcast onto the stadium jumbotron.

When he climbs the stairs into the suite, Eddie asks, "Where's Gareth?"

"Got spotted. Now he's taking pictures. I just slipped away unnoticed. Sucker," Goodie says, putting his cup down on the table.

"Unnoticed, huh?" Eddie teases. He won't tell him. He'll just wait until Goodie sees it online for himself. "There's free beer back there you know?" Eddie asks. Neither one of them needed to venture out into the crowd.

Goodie shrugs, "I wanted this kind."

He could have had that kind, could have had any kind, if he'd just asked for it. But no, he wanted to be out among the people. 

None of them are particularly fond of baseball, but they are fond of Steve, so here they are. The whole band doesn't always come, but it's the championship game, so they did.

And the score has been 1-0 forever. 

Wayne is pacing. Unlike them, he loves baseball, even if he's been a little turncoat, switching teams like a lifetime of dedication meant nothing at all. He's gotten a little shit from his friends back home, but Eddie thinks it's honestly very sweet. Eddie loves that Wayne likes Steve enough to put him and his team as his number one with a bullet, now.

It helps that Steve's part of a fucking dynasty. It's fun to win, even Eddie gets that.

Wayne doesn't always hang out in suites. More often than not, he'd rather sit in the stands. Focus on the baseball, not the celebrity that's now surrounding it. But Wayne's been dragged into their highly publicized love affair, and now he's starting to get recognized all on his own, so Eddie worries. 

Plus, he'd rather have him right here, where they can spend time together.

"What's the count?" Eddie asks. 

"3-2," Wayne answers.

Eddie's distracted, filling his plate with the various appetizers that came with the steep price of the private suite. Sliders, pigs in a blanket, and all kinds of other fancified versions of comfort food. He's just scooping some mac & cheese on his plate when he hears his main guitar riff from Buckwild. He puts down his plate, making his way to the big windows just in time to see Steve step towards the batter's box. 

Steve only changes his walk-up music to Corroded Coffin when Eddie's in attendance. He currently walks-up to Milkshake, which is fucking hilarious. He's one of the first openly out players, and he really leans into it, changing up his walk-up music, usually to something a little queer. Eddie knows it's partially to poke fun at himself first, before anyone else can. 

But tonight, it's his song. Eddie's sure he's being broadcast on the jumbotron from some camera he can't even see, and may even be on live television. Eddie watches as Steve briefly points his bat, and at first Eddie thinks Steve's calling his shot, but no. Not unless he's intending to hit a foul ball.

No, he gestured at Eddie. At least where he assumed Eddie would be.

Eddie fiddles with the rings on his hand, moving from finger to finger, twisting them around and around as Steve swings and misses for the second time. Eddie can hardly watch, it makes him so nervous.

"What's the count?" Eddie asks. It's the only question he knows to ask.

"2-2," Wayne says from somewhere behind him. Wayne doesn't stand at the front when it's likely the camera is on them. Eddie gets it, he does, but he'd like him at his side. The windows are open tonight, and the fans in the seats in front of the suite have leaned up to talk to them, to get things signed, and Eddie has done it. They all have. Waving off security.

Nobody is being shitty, just excited, and Eddie's grateful he's been accepted by most of Steve's fans. There was always the fear that he'd be seen as a distraction, and sure, that's been a bit of the narrative, but Steve's in the goddamn World Series. His head is obviously still in the game.

Eddie signed a custom Corroded Coffin jersey with Steve's number on the back earlier, and if that wasn't fucking weird and delightful. And Harrington jerseys have been increasingly spotted at their gigs, from one in the crowd, to a dozen or more.

Steve takes the next ball, and Eddie was terrible at baseball as a kid. He swung at everything. He never had the self-control to wait for something good. 

He's glad he grew out of that, at least a little, because he waited, and now he has Steve. A goddamn home run in human form. 

Eddie's relieved when he hears the crack of the bat finally making contact with the ball, and he watches intently until Steve's safely on first, Eddie leaning out of the open box window, hanging onto the frame, screaming.

He rights himself, clapping hard as he spins in a circle, screaming some more.

Then, Eddie watches as Steve steals second on a wild pitch, and the stadium sound system blares to life with Gimme Three Steps.

Steve dusts himself off from his slide in, and Eddie is so fucking smitten. 

And his ass looks damn good in those pants. His milkshake did bring Eddie to the yard.

It's the seventh-inning stretch, and Eddie hears the familiar, "for it's one, two, three strikes, you're out," being sung by the entire stadium.

He's nervous now. More nervous than he ever is going on stage anymore.

They've made it this far, and he wants Steve to win the whole thing. 

They do win. Steve fielded a grounder, whipped it to first base, and with one last out, it was finally over. Gloves being thrown in the air, lots of hugs and jumping up and down.

Steve did it.

And Eddie smiles.

Steve isn't released, not yet. There'll be interviews, and a parade that Eddie unfortunately can't attend, so Eddie only gets a few minutes in the tunnel with him. Some stolen kisses and a silly groped handful, just giving Steve's cup a squeeze, to make him laugh. 

It's all too brief, but he'll see him soon. 

They go from the game straight back to the airport, Goodie and Gareth both pretty drunk after too many celebratory shots, leaving Jeff and him to babysit as they get wheels up, to head back across the pond. Their world tour, waiting.

They'll make it. 

Steve swears jet-lag is a choice, and Eddie's choosing to believe him.

Another city, and his turn on the big stage, as Eddie looks out towards the VIP tent. Steve waves with both hands over his head, making himself larger, more easily seen.

Steve attended a few Monday shows with Robin, when their schedules lined up enough to allow it. But now his season is over. He's a fucking world champion, and it's the offseason, which is Eddie's new favorite word.

If he'd known he'd fall in love with a sportsball guy, he would have made sure their tour had a lengthy break during this magical offseason.

Next year.

And Eddie is confident that next year is a given. That's how in he is with their relationship, with Steve. They both have their own lives, their own fame, their own increasingly busy schedules. But they make it work, because they want it to work.

The fans have dubbed all their crisscrossing travel as "if he wanted to, he would" and have been straight up swooning. 

Eddie likes that thought, because he does want to, and he knows Steve wants to, too.

He's committed to this thing, and so is Steve. And if that means flying for hours to be there for the important shit, even if you have to turn around and fly right back, well fuck, you do it. And you don't even think about it.

Eddie slips in a pop cover, mid-set, just being silly, because he wants to shout out Steve a little bit extra tonight. He sings and when he gets to "'cause you know I love the players, and you love the game" and the crowd gets behind it. Steve, too, if his hands in the air are any indication. 

He's a pop girlie at heart, and Eddie loves him for it.

Steve is comfortable in his own skin, and he likes what he likes. He's supportive of Eddie, of Corroded Coffin, and very demonstrative with his affection and admiration. The love is always free-flowing. But, heavy metal isn't his thing. Not really. And that's okay.

So, a little pop is injected for his benefit, Eddie saying 'I love you for who you are' right back.

Buckwild is last, is always last, and Steve's here, so that means a subtle lyric change. He only does it when Steve's in attendance, and it makes the crowd go wild. Changing one word is enough to send them into a frenzy, like they're part of something special and sacred.

They are.

When he approaches the lyric, Steve has moved closer, right at the stage, in front of the barricade, and puts his hand up to his ear, hyping the crowd, getting ready for it, and Eddie can hardly sing through his fucking smile.

When they exit the stage, the first face he sees is Steve's, and Steve opens his arms and Eddie hugs him, pulling back and kissing him, over and over.

He's the one. 

The one he loves.

The one he'll marry.

The one. Period.

Steve waves to the crowd that's gathered to watch, and then he puts his arm around Eddie's waist, ushering him away, one more show over.

In bed, Eddie rests his head against Steve's bare chest. These last few weeks have been different, brand new, and exciting. It's the first time they've really gotten to feel like they're coming home to each other. Getting to be in the same place for an extended period of time, Steve following the tour.

Steve brushes Eddie's bangs off his face, and kisses his forehead.

"You were amazing tonight," Steve whispers, and Eddie grins. 

"So were you, working the crowd," Eddie says.

Steve laughs, and Eddie loves it. Steve's not shy. He's had all the media training, probably more than Eddie, because he's got a brand, a team, to protect. Eddie just runs his mouth at-will, always has.

Steve doesn't hide backstage where Eddie can't see him, no, he always makes sure he's supporting Eddie out loud and with his whole goddamn chest.

So, because he wants to, he does.

If you want to write your own, or see more entries for this challenge, pop on over to @steddiesongfics and follow along with the fun! 🎶

Notes: Obviously inspired by the very public relationship of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce. Goodie carrying the beer in his teeth is straight up a shoutout to Jason Kelce doing that at the Eras tour. 🍺

This one was so hard to stop writing for at the 2k max word count, lol.

[yandere-kokeshi]

Yandere Platonic Dad Ghost Headcanons

Warnings: yandere behavior. Talks about alcohol and pot. Another reminder: This is pointed at the platonic audience. Nothing romantic.

A/N: The ghost icon belongs to @/yumethefrostypanda; does not belong to me.

I got this idea from my dream. Idk why, but dad ghost makes me feral. Do y'all have daddy issues too?

As a father, his yandere traits are a bit higher; he’s stricter, always stalking you, and terribly protective. He’s in your shoes most of the time, watching what you’re doing and who and where you’re at; not to the point he’s breathing down your neck, but needing to see if you’re in a safe area with/or without him.

High chance with Simon, since he stalks a lot, he will put multiple trackers and microphones on you: your phone, the backpack you carry, your wallet, and your shoes. He's pretty secretive about it; not only does he put these on. But also there are a bunch of cameras in the home in case of any danger.

Because of how much he worries, high chance Simon will never get back into a romantic relationship. His main focus is on you. He prefers that way as he can watch you more closely than worry about another person. Plus, the relationship between you two is more special than the others.

With him being your dad, he’s always prepared for everything, including teaching you how to protect yourself. By your teenage years, you know how to use self-defense, how to handle guns, and take down men (and women!) twice your size, communicate with Morse code/radios, and know your way around a map. At best, how to drive a car and start it in the movies with the wires.

His work style makes it incredibly hard to pinpoint where and when he will be home, which at times, can be upsetting. Though, as one of your best supports, Simon will always come to your important events, even if you didn’t tell him or remind him (ex. Graduation, going to college, homecoming/prom, etc). But when he does arrive, he’s there in the crowd, possibly on the furthest bottom-left, clapping quietly while Soap is possibly yelling for you beside him (poor Ghost).

Speaking of Uncle Soap or any other member of TF-141, they often visit, if not stay for a few days after a long mission. You probably know all of them and Laswell pretty well; all of them are as protective as Ghost. They also try to attend important events, but because of Ghost’s privacy and his thing about keeping to himself, it’s rare.

Ghost is surprisingly open about everything, except for his past and possibly your mother (depending on the outcome). Other than that, he’s truthful about questions about how it’s asked and if you decide to ask about his work — likely he’ll ask you not to speak about that.

Being a single parent is hard. Ghost takes the space of a mother’s place, teaching and supporting you with certain issues you have in your teenage life or possibly pubescent years. If you ever have your period or insecurities, he's right beside you comforting you and reassuring you when you need it.

Trust issues are a big thing with Ghost. The only people who know about your existence are the team and Laswell. Anybody else he comes into contact with is immediately deemed as a threat to him. This includes him practically web searching and going deep diving into seeing if your friends are your ‘friends’. Don’t be surprised if one day, they decide to not talk to you anymore or ‘suddenly’ disappear one night.

With the talk of friends, It’s a high chance that you’re homeschooled or at least online schooling; which leads to the internet. While he tries his best to make your life as sociable as he can, his paranoia and anxiety gets the best of him. He still does try to let you be a teenager: experiencing friendship outside the house (with his permission), doing dumb shit that may or may not lead you to jail, and getting grounded for a month or two. Hell, he allows you to try pot or alcohol under his supervision. Ghost just has a hard time trusting people and he needs you to understand that.

With the topic of being a teenager, Simon lets you hang out of the house if you want, but you have a strict curfew he expects you to follow. As well as update him every hour, and if you change locations, you need to tell him. And yes, he may do the embarrassing thing where he picks you up late at night in front of your friends or ruffles your hair while kissing the side of your head.

His way of spending time with you is being in your space, or in other words: quality time. He likes having you by himself, and will say no if you ask him to leave the house; an “Because I said so,” Type of parental act.

His way of affection towards you is a bit uncomfortable but fatherly. He’ll occasionally pat your back, ruffle your hair, or kiss you on the side of the head; sometimes letting you hug him. However, he likes his personal space. But! If you need a hug or in the need of comfort, he’d shuffle around and let you cuddle him for as long as you need/of want.

When he does get the chance to catch up with things, he will ask hows school going, how are you feeling that day, and if you two could watch TV together; possibly ordering your favorite food and allowing you to pick the channel, even if it is MLP or TAWOG. Rarely does he judge or care, as long as he gets to spend time with you.

He also loves going outside with you. While he's a homebody, your home is likely in a huge cabin; which means you two can hike, go for walks to rivers or simply go see a waterfall.

While he's extremely protective of you - Ghost won't fully baby you. He’s not the type of platonic yandere who locks you up the minute you scrape your knee or because someone tried to flirt with you. He expects you, or more so, allows you to do things your way, and figure out and express yourself.

However, if he does see/or sense you are ever uncomfortable, extremely hurt (crying type of hurt), or scared, he will step in and take care of it; his dad-mode taking over immediately, which is not a pretty sight.

No romantic partners in the house. He doesn't care if you fight him with it, Simon will not allow you to date.

Though, one of the things he will let you have is having your own privacy. He’s not the type to breathe down your neck and ask if you need anything every 5 minutes. He knows you will come to him if you need it.

He allows you to play with your phone, not asking who you’re laughing at because again, he knows you will come to him if something is/or was bothering you. And if he does see something wrong, he’s gonna get worried and get to the bottom of it. Always reminding you that you can come to him, no matter the issue.

Everything about your life is taken very seriously by him. If you are crying over something ‘small’, he won’t see it as small, because to him and you, it’s rather a big issue because you’re crying over it and it’s making you upset. With this said, Simon is pretty good at helping you with solutions or coming up with plans to help you calm down.

Ghost spoils you rotten; not to the point where you believe you get everything but to an appreciation type of spoiling. On the days he returns from his missions, he comes home with a few gifts he saw that he thought you’d like. Some books and video games that had caught his eye (if you’re into that), and maybe grabbed an animal plushie as big as his forearm to sleep with.

Whatever you want, you immediately get. All he asks in return is for you to follow his rules and spend time with him when he gets off work. He loves being around you, even if on days he doesn't show it.

However, if you do decide to break his rules, you will get treated like a full child; everything all electronic is taken away (besides your phone to communicate with him but he will download Life 360), you have a bedtime, and expects you to talk to him when he asks you a question. Worst case scenario, he will cut off all your friends and tell you that you can't hang out with them till you behave.

He's always worrying. Even if the two of you are at a restaurant, going shopping, or decided to head to the ice cream truck. He's always looking around his shoulder, expecting the worst. The minute it does? Expect him to go ballistic, making sure the danger is obliterated and gone. Simon is immediately grabbing you, calls in Price, and shooting at anyone (or anything) to get you to safety.

Surprise surprise, you will see Simon’s face frequently, if not every minute of the days he’s home. Rarely will he put a mask on, unless he has a nightmare or when he expects company from the other team members. And yes, you are allowed to boop his nose or smoosh it jokingly.

Definitely the type of dad who he allows you to paint his nails, dress his hair in goodies, or put makeup on him; the only request is that you don't do lipstick (but we all know that's a lie :P)

—

Masterlist || Please support me as a writer by reblogging or commenting. It helps a bunch!

© yandere-kokeshi 2023 — Do not copy, modify, edit, repost, or use my works for ASMR readings, tiktoks, or other content.

[ynscrazylife]

His Agent

Summary: When the Avengers save a team of kidnapped S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents, they discover something new about their Captain.

A/N: I’ve been working on this fic for a little while and I’m proud of this idea/plot so I really hope you enjoy!

Masterlist

The first clue that something was off was the change in Natasha and Clint’s behavior. They could usually hide it, being master spies, but it became difficult to constantly put on a mask around the people you live with, people you saved the world with. Steve, Tony, Bruce, and Thor all noticed how the pair retreated into themselves like turtles would into their shells. They had always been reserved - Natasha especially - but it went to a deeper level now. They would talk in hushed whispers to each other, were always hunched over something, their backs to the rest of the team, and were distracted when it came to Avengers business. 

The next clue was when Director Fury postponed his meeting with the Avengers. Since establishing the initiative, he had made a point to have monthly meetings with the team to discuss any recent updates, missions and threats. Fury was adamant that these meetings were very crucial to the Avengers’ success, so to hear that he was pushing it back right as they were gathering around the conference table was a surprise. Still, not enough for them to think it might be related to Natasha and Clint’s behavior. Fury said the meeting would be in a few days, that was all. 

Then, things went from being off to being wrong. They all sat at the table, ready to see Fury’s face come up on screen, but he never appeared – Deputy Director Maria Hill did. 

“What happened?” Natasha asked almost immediately, not even letting Maria get a word in as she leaned forward in her chair. It was clear that she knew more than what she was letting on. 

“Director Fury cannot make it today, he’s dealing with a crucial issue, one that we hope we can call on you, Avengers, to help us with,” Hill said, her words flowing calmly, but there was still a spark of urgency, almost desperation, in her eyes. 

“What’s going on?” Steve asked, wearing a puzzled look. If S.H.I.E.L.D. was coming to them for help when they had the best agents around the globe, and the Director was attending to it, they must be in some sort of crisis. 

“A week ago, we lost contact with a six person team that had gone undercover to investigate an uprising organization who’s been trying to create their own superhumans. We received intel that they had been torturing people and creating illegal serums and devices for their superhuman projects. After being unable to contact any of them, we also found that none of their trackers were online,” Hill explained. 

“So you think their cover was blown?” Tony guessed. 

“We do, yes. We had a team scout the building the agents had gone undercover in a few days ago and found no sign of them. We think that they’ve moved them somewhere else,” Hill answered. 

“Who’s missing?” Bruce asked. 

A file flashed onto the screen, a list of names with pictures. Everyone leaned forward in their seats to get a better look, their eyes skimming the document. The sound of wheels rolling back caught their attention as Steve suddenly stood up, spun around on his heels and walked out of the room. The door slammed shut behind him.

“What the hell was that?” Clint asked, utterly confused - like everyone else. 

Hill sighed. “It may have something to do with one of the Agents on the list – Y/L/N. She helped Steve a lot after he came out of the ice, they were good friends,” she said. 

//

One, two. One, two. One, two. One, two. One, two. One, two. One– 

Steve panted as he stared down at the punching bag which clattered to the ground, sweat coating his raised biceps. 

“You know, if you really want to get your frustrations out, you should spar with someone,” a voice floated into his ear and Steve glanced up, only to see you lifting some weights. 

He straightened his arched back, dropping his arms. “Oh, yeah? How do you reckon that?” He asked, curious. 

You smirked. “You’re not the only one who’s broken the bag,” you said, shrugging. “Though, it took me a lot longer without the super strength.” 

Steve raised his eyebrows, wondering what got you so mad, but not commenting on it. Then, he couldn’t help but fix you with a confused gaze. 

“What?” You asked, still smiling at him. 

“You’re not, uh, gawking at me,” he said. 

You chuckled, asking, “Am I supposed to?” Before he could answer, you made a silly, dramatic jaw-dropped, eyes wide face, causing Steve’s laughter to mix with yours. 

“Ever since I woke up, everyone’s kinda been . . . gawking at me. Except for Director Fury, that is,” Steve said. 

“Well, I’ll admit, I kinda gawked at you at first when I heard about you . . . But I saw you one time, in the medbay . . . I don’t know how to explain it, ‘cause you weren’t just Captain America, you know? When I saw you, with all the blankets and the wires and stuff . . . I just thought about a guy who had been something traumatic. I thought about the Steve that your war buddies always described you as,” you said. 

From that day on, you were a light in Steve’s life. You two became fast friends and, at least on Steve’s part, his attraction for you grew exponentially, and you even spent some time with him at the Retreat. After joining the Avengers, he had been so busy that he hadn’t seen you and now . . . Your name was on a list of MIA Agents. 

He paced up and down the hallway outside the conference room, hand tangled in his hair. All logical and rational thoughts jumped out the window as panic seized his body, twisting his heart into a knot. His mind was filled with you: your name, your image, your memory. He couldn’t stop his thoughts from giving him horrible scenes of you being tortured or experimented on by these freaks. Hurt. Kidnapped. Scared.

The only way to get you back was to return to the conference room and face it, so that’s what he did. Thankfully, no one called out his abrupt departure, they were all focussed on Hill’s debrief. She was saying something about how she thought they were close to finding another base of the group’s, where they might have the captured agents, but could use Natasha’s hacking and cyber skills to decode their intel. She readily agreed. 

“Can you guys suit up and meet us at headquarters?” Maria asked, to which they all nodded. She ended the call and the Avengers all spurred into action, splitting up to change into their suits and arm themselves. 

On the way out, Natasha patted Steve’s arm. “We’ll save them,” she assured her friend, but he picked up on what she was really saying: “We’ll find Y/N.” 

// 

Steve realized pretty quickly, as he changed into his suit that if he wanted to get through this without falling apart, he’d have to switch to his Captain mode. He had to think strategically - they were saving a team of agents, not just you (even if you were the most important agent to him). He’d put Natasha, Clint, and Tony on fighting the kidnappers, Bruce would standby with the medical team in case they needed the Hulk, and Steve himself and Thor would recover the hostages. He also assumed they’d have S.H.I.E.L.D. agents to secure the base and to back them up. It was a solid plan, Steve told himself, and it was going to work. It had to work. 

When they got to S.H.I.E.L.D.’s headquarters, Steve relayed this plan to the team. Everyone was on board and now it was a waiting game as S.H.I.E.L.D. agents to crack the location. Steve was about to wear a hole into the floor with all the pacing he was doing, his heart hammering in his chest. Every second that passed felt like a decade. 

After the location was found, it was all a blur. Coordinating with the agents, talking with Hill and Fury, and getting to the base seemed to just all pass by. The moment he woke up was when he was entering the base alongside Thor, the agents and Avengers ahead of them to take care of their enemies.

“I can handle the rescue, Captain. You can focus on your agent,” Thor chimed in as they walked down the hallway, towards the cells they were told the hostages were in. 

Steve paused for a second to look at his friend. “Are-are you sure?” He asked – for once the mighty soldier was taken aback. He wanted nothing more than to devote all his attention to you, but he also knew he had a job to do as an Avenger and a leader. He owed it to all the hostages to give them his best self. 

“He has me, of course he’s sure,” Tony’s voice came from behind them as he approached. Steve could practically hear the snark in his voice (Tony Snark, he should be named, but he’d have to save that quip for another time). “They’ve got it handled up there so don’t worry, Cap.” 

Steve looked from him to Thor, who gave him an encouraging nod. “Okay,” he agreed, emitting an unspoken word of gratitude which both men received. For the first time in a long time, he felt a weight being lifted on his shoulders. For once, he got to abandon Captain America for a second and walk in there as Steve. For you. 

The three Avengers walked down the rest of the hallway and turned, finding a row of cells. Thor and Tony took charge, allowing for Steve to glance through all the cells until he found you. Finding you was what he wanted but the sight he was met with when he actually laid his eyes on you shattered him. The urge to vomit and also send every person responsible for this to hell hit him in one fell swoop. You were sitting, slumped back against a dirty metal pole that your wrists and ankles were chained to. You were still wearing your S.H.I.E.L.D. uniform, though it was dirtied, bloodied, and torn in places. So was your skin, Steve realized. He ached at knowing you went through pain. Your eyes were closed and Steve hoped to God that you were simply sleeping.  

Steve quickly bent to his knees and used his shield to break the chains, the harsh clang rousing you from your sleep. You mumbled something he couldn’t understand and he hushed you softly. “It’s alright, I’m here. It’s Steve, can you open your eyes?” He asked. 

It took you a couple tries, but eventually you got there. “S’ve?” You tried to say, struggling to talk. 

“Yep, it’s me,” he affirmed, feeling a pang at the fact that you could barely even speak. When he had thought about when he’d see you again, this was never in the realm of possibilities. “I’m getting you out of here.” 

True to his word, he hoisted you up in his arms. He had to put you over his shoulder like a Fireman’s carry in case there were any lingering enemies that escaped the team. Being upside down was surely uncomfortable for you, but he wouldn’t risk not being able to defend you. With long strides and quick glances, Steve got you out of there. 

Stepping outside into the world, he slowly lowered you down and maneuvered you into a princess carry, not going fast so as to not dizzy you. In the distance, he could see your other teammates getting loaded onto ambulances, with some of the Avengers assisting. 

“Hey, you with me?” Steve checked in, returning his attention to you. You were definitely out of it, eyes glazed over as you looked at him. You didn’t seem to really get what was going on, but you didn’t look panicked, so you must’ve known you were safe. With him. 

For a second - Steve was taken back. The tired look in your eyes reminded him of the aftermath of the first time the two of you had sparred together. 

“Are you sure you want to spar together, Y/N?” 

“What? You don’t think I can take you? Prepare to have your ass beat, Rogers!” 

With the super soldier serum running through his veins, it was actually you who had your ass beat by the blond man. You had probably known that would happen when you said it, too. Still, Steve needed to train and you were determined not to let his superior strength intimidate you like it had done with the other S.H.I.E.L.D. agents. Afterwards, you had insisted you were fine, but Steve knew that the many rounds you guys went through had exhausted you. He tried to apologize, but you refused to hear it. You knew what the terms were and you agreed to it - he won fair and square. You had fallen asleep on his shoulder that night, much like how you looked like you’d fall asleep in his arms now, and Steve swore in that moment that you were the most precious thing ever. 

“Steve,” you mumbled, blinking slowly at him like a cat. His heart thumped with such force in his chest - oh how he regretted drifting apart from you after he became an Avenger. 

“Hang on a little longer. We’ve gotta get you to S.H.I.E.L.D. medical,” he said, shifting you up a little higher in his arms before heading over to the ambulances. 

“S.H.I.E.L.D.?” You echoed grumpily, eyes half-closed. 

Steve bit back an amused chuckle at the way you scrunched up your nose. Truly like a cat (or a kitten, but he knew you’d raise hell if he called you that). You never much appreciated the medical agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s. You knew they meant well, but something about the whole thing made you uneasy. Steve was well aware of that and he thought about it as you walked. The Avengers had a pretty good medical facility . . . Not to mention, the thought of leaving you again and walking away like he had done with the Avengers felt like a knife twisting in his gut. He couldn’t do that. 

“Would you rather recover at the Avengers’ tower? I’m sure I can make the arrangements and I’ll, um, I’ll be around much more,” he offered, his eyes finding you again. He could never look away from you for too long. 

Steve was still a little nervous about this. You had every right to say no, to be mad at him for abandoning you. If you did make the decision to go to S.H.I.E.LD., he’d show up in your room with flowers as much as you’d let him, he decided. 

“Mhm,” you hummed, nestling your head against his bicep and closing your eyes. 

That was like music to his ears. He knew that things between you weren’t 100% back to normal, but this felt better than what he had ever expected. With a newfound purpose and his feelings for you blossoming, he marched towards the other Avengers to tell them about their new addition to the compound. 

[ominous-horse-noises]

my last couple of fhjy posts have been popping off (by my blog's standards) so now i present to you: serious + unserious finale pt 2 predictions

Squeem makes a final heroic sacrifice for the bad kids. it is very emotional. Gorgug almost gets rage starred over it.

Gertie cameo in the post-fight epilogue + Kristen letting her down easy (I think Kristen's going to realise she's kind of been taking their flirtationship less seriously than Gertie and end it) -> also a possibility Kristen is going to see online/get a call from Tracker that Nara and Tracker have broken up but decides against trying to rebound back

The Rat Grinders (including Lucy) are resurrected by Ankarna and Fabian immediately gets an alert from his bank that he's gained 5 new nemesises: he is miffed that Mary Ann isnt one of them

The FBI agent shows up mid-battle trying to arrest Fig and all the bad kids yell at him to fuck off simultaneously. Adaine pushes him into lava.

Buddy pulls a Kristen and creates his version of Yes! out of Baccarath

Newly revived Yolanda boots Bobby Dawn out of her office and it's extremely satisfying

I dont think Brennan is going to reuse the deus ex machina of fhfy so Ayda and Aguefort are definitely only showing up post-fight, but Fig tells Ayda on the spot that she's dropping out to go travelling with her OR Fig very excitedly introduces Ayda to an uncorrupted Ankarna ("My girlfriend's back in town!!!")

K2 uncorrupts Cassandra in a move that makes Brennan leave the dome again. Zac once again has to narrate it.

Either Aelwyn or Ragh/Lydia show up during the battle as back up allies. Personally I hope it's Lydia because I'd love to see her confront Porter on the correct use of rage

Turns out TRGs they're fighting are simulacrums bc of their disproportionately small hp- ngl I'd hate this outcome, bc TRGs having shit coordination and hp feels like a justified consequence for them cheating the system, but it would make sense since Porter needs followers to become a god of rage and war, and he has to know these kids don't stand a chance considering TBKs obliterated the Last Stand

Adaine smug callback to resurrected Oisin's oracle taunt/killing his grandma but she fumbles the execution and hits him with an Adaine's Furious Fist instead. Bonus if Riz threatens to eat him

Mary Ann is revealed to have never been rage starred she's just here bc she was told by Porter that it was mandatory to attend

Bucky asks Kristen to meet Cassandra and very clearly begins to want to convert

Hallariel drops that she's actually pregnant during a tirade about Fabian crashing the house

Aguefort tells TRGs that they're being held back a year

'hey girlieeee' callback during climatic moment

Ecaf cameo

[universalinfo]

17 Exciting After-School Activities to Keep Your Middle Schoolers Engaged

Who says learning only happens during the school day? After-school activities are a great way for middle schoolers to explore their interests, boost their academic performance, and develop crucial social skills. In this blog post, we will give you 17 exciting after-school activities that promise to keep your students or children engaged, interested, and inspired. And you’ll find out how an online attendance tracker can make a big difference in keeping everything organized.

The Role of After-School Activities in Middle Schoolers’ Development

After-school activities aren’t just for fun (although they certainly are that, too). These extracurriculars also play a significant role in a middle schooler’s development. Joining a club, participating in sports, or attending workshops can strengthen students’ academic achievement, foster their social skills, enhance their emotional well-being, and promote their overall growth.

Imagine a student gaining a deeper love for science while in Science Club or learning about teamwork and strategy during their Chess Club sessions. That’s the magic of after-school activities — they take education beyond textbooks and classrooms.

17 Exciting After-School Activities to Keep Your Middle-Schoolers Engaged

Science Club: Science Club can be an exciting way to bring the wonders of science to life. It can involve hands-on experiments, visits to local science museums, or even small science fairs. Implementing it involves creating a curriculum that aligns with their science lessons and encourages curiosity and exploration. Utilize an online attendance tracker to ensure active participation and to monitor progress.

Drama/Theater Group: A Drama/Theater group helps students tap into their creative side and express themselves freely. It can involve skits, mimes, and plays that reflect various themes. Starting this group consists in finding a dedicated space for practice, sourcing props and costumes, and maybe getting an enthusiastic teacher or parent to guide the sessions.

Sports Teams: The thrill of team sports teaches collaboration and communication. Implementing it involves finding a suitable outdoor space or gym, gathering the necessary sports equipment, and appointing a coach. An online attendance tracker can be invaluable here, helping monitor practice sessions and keeping track of team members’ participation.

Coding/Robotics Club: In this tech-driven world, a Coding/Robotics Club equips students with invaluable skills. Implementing it involves getting the necessary coding software or robotics kit and finding a tech-savvy mentor. Regular sessions with project-based learning would be ideal, helping students grasp the concepts better.

Art Workshop: An Art Workshop can encourage creativity and provide an outlet for emotions. Implementing it involves setting up a creative space with art supplies and possibly engaging a local artist to teach various techniques.

Homework/Study Group: A Homework/Study Group provides academic support in a non-intimidating environment. It involves setting up a quiet, well-lit room and pairing up students so they can help each other understand challenging concepts or complete homework.

Music Band: Music-related activities improve discipline and foster an appreciation for the arts. Forming a band involves finding a suitable practice room, sourcing instruments, and finding a music teacher or experienced band member to guide sessions.

Environmental Club: An Environmental Club can cultivate eco-conscious citizens. Implementing this involves planning activities like tree planting, trash pickup days, recycling drives, and climate change discussions. Use an online attendance tracker to monitor participation and reward active members.

Chess or Board Games Club: Strategic games like chess can develop critical thinking skills and strategic planning. To start a club, find a comfortable space, procure various board games, and maybe even organize weekly or monthly tournaments to increase engagement.

Creative Writing Workshop: This is an excellent platform to express thoughts and improve writing skills. Implementing this involves creating a comfortable environment, encouraging students to maintain a journal, and inviting local authors for guest sessions.

Volunteer/Community Service Group: Volunteering can instil responsibility and empathy. This could involve collaborations with local NGOs, setting up charity drives, or volunteering at community centres. Track participation with an online attendance tracker to ensure regular involvement.

Language Club: A Language Club can enhance linguistic skills and cultural understanding. It involves choosing a language to focus on, sourcing learning materials, and creating fun language-learning activities, such as themed days or film screenings.

DIY Crafts Club: A DIY Crafts Club nurtures creativity and develops fine motor skills. Implementing this involves sourcing various craft materials and teaching students to create various items, from jewellery to home decor.

Cooking Class: Cooking is not only a vital life skill but also an enjoyable activity that can teach middle-schoolers about nutrition, following instructions, and even subjects like mathematics and science through practical application. It also encourages creativity when students start experimenting with recipes on their own. Setting up a cooking class for middle-schoolers can be done in various ways, depending on the resources you have at your disposal. Here are some steps to consider:

Cooking Space: You need a place where the cooking class can take place. If the school has a home economics department with a kitchen, this would be the perfect venue. If not, an alternative could be to use a local community center kitchen. In a more informal setting, the class could rotate through parents’ homes, with each parent supervising a session.

Safety First: Cooking involves dealing with sharp utensils and hot surfaces, so it’s important to ensure safety rules are in place and strictly adhered to. Ensure that all students are aware of these rules. Also, make sure to accommodate any food allergies or dietary restrictions students may have.

Hire a Professional or DIY: Depending on your budget, you could hire a professional chef to teach the class. However, if that is not an option, a parent, teacher, or older student with a passion for cooking can lead the sessions. There are also numerous online cooking classes designed for kids that you could utilize.

Curriculum: Plan your curriculum. This should include a range of skills — from basic ones like reading a recipe, chopping vegetables, or making a simple sandwich, to more complex ones like baking or preparing a full meal. Also, remember to incorporate lessons about nutrition and healthy eating.

Cooking Equipment and Ingredients: You’ll need to have cooking utensils and ingredients for each class. This could be funded by the school, donations, or a small fee charged to the participants to cover costs.

Book Club: A Book Club is a fantastic way to cultivate a love for reading among middle schoolers. It helps to improve vocabulary, enhances critical thinking skills, nurtures empathy by understanding different characters, and fosters a sense of community among members. A book club can be an engaging platform for students to share thoughts, learn to respect others’ opinions, and, most importantly, develop lifelong reading habit.

First, you’ll need to create a comfortable and cozy reading space. It could be a quiet corner of a classroom, a school library, or even an outdoor space under a tree, weather permitting. Add cushions, bean bags, or comfortable chairs to make it inviting.

Choosing age-appropriate books is crucial. You could include a variety of genres — classics, fantasy, mystery, historical fiction, biographies, or science fiction. It’s also a good idea to include diverse books that reflect different cultures, experiences, and perspectives. Involve the students in the book selection process — this gives them a sense of ownership and makes them more likely to engage.

Once everyone has read the book, schedule a discussion session. This is where critical thinking comes into play. Ask open-ended questions that provoke thought and encourage students to share their perspectives. Discuss the characters, plot, themes, and the students’ favorite or least favorite parts.

Yoga/Meditation Class: Yoga and meditation can enhance physical fitness and mental health. It involves finding a peaceful space, hiring a qualified instructor or using online resources, and promoting a routine for regular practice.

Photography Class: A Photography Class can hone a valuable skill while promoting creative expression. It involves sourcing cameras or encouraging the use of smartphones, teaching basic photography techniques, and possibly organizing photo walks or exhibitions to showcase students’ work. An online attendance tracker can be used to ensure regular participation and monitor student’s progress in mastering the skills.

Remember, the success of these activities relies heavily on consistent attendance and active participation. The use of an online attendance tracker can significantly streamline this process, making it easier for educators and parents to monitor and encourage student engagement.

Conclusion

There you have it — 17 exciting after-school activities that are sure to keep your middle schoolers engaged, excited, and eager to learn beyond the confines of their classrooms. Each activity offers a unique blend of education, skill-building, fun, and personal development. And with the help of an online attendance tracker, keeping track of participation and commitment becomes a breeze, letting educators and parents stay connected with the progress being made.

The goal of these activities is not just to occupy students’ time after school, but to help them discover new interests, develop invaluable skills, and enhance their academic and social growth. As we have seen, after-school activities are the perfect platforms to ignite curiosity, foster creativity, and build character. Hopefully, you can explore these options, and make after-school hours a time for growth, learning, and fun for our middle schoolers.

Website : https://supervisease.com/sblogs/17-exciting-after-school-activities-to-keep-your-middle-schoolers-engaged/

[tasktracker-in]

Are you tired of handling paper logs and manual attendance records? Don't worry, Task Tracker is here. We offer you an online attendance management system that will help you optimize your attendance process and streamline your workflow. Connect with us and quickly track and manage your employees' attendance with their location.

[trackhrapp1]

In today’s fast-paced, tech-driven work environment, employees need tools that simplify tasks, enhance productivity, and foster personal growth. The TrackHr app is designed with these needs in mind, offering a comprehensive suite of features to support employees in their daily work routines. Here’s how TrackHr can empower employees to work smarter, stay organized, and achieve their professional goals.

The TrackHr app is more than just a performance management tool; it’s an all-in-one platform that empowers employees to take control of their workday, manage their time effectively, and grow professionally. By offering real-time feedback, facilitating collaboration, and promoting work-life balance, TrackHr helps employees thrive in modern workplaces.

Whether you’re working from home, in the office, or in a hybrid setup, TrackHr offers the flexibility and tools needed to succeed in today’s competitive work environment.

[csuitebitches]

January 2023 Recap

Goals Post

Hits:

Career

- I attended that really prestigious networking conference I wanted to.

- I launched my start-up event and it went well.

- I’ve committed to my newsletter (1x week = 4x month), Uncultured.

- I’m working on a local mentoring business with my friend, to be launched in March.

Charity

- I found a tiny underprivileged school that I’m going to be working with. I’m still debating what I can offer to them and where I can help.

Personal growth

- I read 3 books

- I did an online course on Vastu, the ancient science of architecture, as I’m intrigued by Vedic sciences. I was initially going to do a course on emotional intelligence, but I’ve decided to renovate my room completely and I felt that the Vastu course would be more relevant. I’m going to be delving deeper in ancient sciences as well - I want to sign up for Ayurveda (herbal medicine) courses next, and then Vedic Maths.

- I have been consistent with my brain games (I play this short mental math game everyday)

Beauty

- Got the spa day I needed

Health

- I’ve limited my junk food intake to almost zero this month (just one night, but I chose aglio olio pasta with lots of veggies), despite socialising nearly every weekend. I also managed to stop myself at the exact amount of drinks I wanted to - 2 to be precise - and I’m glad I did that. I’ve been drinking green juices and soups religiously. Weirdly enough, even though I barely worked out this month, my weight dropped by a kilo, and so did my waist measurement, by like an inch.

Misses:

Health

- Working out. I fell sick majority of this month with a bad flu, then just as I got better, I got the most excruciatingly painful period. 10/10 to my body. I only managed to work out towards the end of the month.

Career

- I missed 2 virtual seminars I wanted to attend so badly because of the flu. They were scheduled at 3:30 am for me because it was an international event, so I literally couldn’t attend it. This was, unfortunately, unavoidable.

Personal Growth

- Meditation consistently and consecutively. The only excuse here is the lack of discipline. I hate that I fell off the track.

Lessons Learnt:

1. Stick to my schedule. I can plan well, but I need to be more consistent.

2. Waking up early has been a boon.

3. Double check everything that I write/ receive at work. I can be careless at times.

4. I tend to forget things if I don’t note it down. I still forget to note down 30% of the things I have to do and then I recall it at a time when it’s not appropriate.

5. The habit tracker helps a LOT.

6. Meditating in the morning after showering but before my breakfast is the most convenient way to stack that habit.

[mainichi-nihongoal]

📝日本語ログ ー 2/2/23-5/2/23 (木曜日ー日曜日)

Once again, doing a batch update because I apparently (read: truly) suck at noting down daily updates. The consolation, though, is that I actually haven't missed a single day of Japanese since I started the No Zero Days Langblr Challenge, though I wish I could be equally active with tracking my progress (since I'm not using any progress tracker at the moment). Anyway, here's the update for the last few days -

🦉Duolingo

Unit 36 contd. (Talk about school)

5x+ lessons

💜Drops

Completed Theme: Fruits

Current Theme: Vegetables

📖Reading

Read 4x Tadoku Books on Ask Online

Attended a Book Donation Fair organised by the Japan Foundation on 2nd & 3rd February. There were mostly Japanese books there, so I spent a considerable amount of time trying to figure out which books to get by reading the titles and synopsis (with some help from Google Lens😅). It led to some very surprising yet good discoveries – along with ample amounts of reading practice🤓

🎧Listening (+ Speaking)

My current favourite part of Japanese immersion! Continued with more podcast episodes while also watching jdorama and anime!

Started watching the anime The Case Files of Jeweler Richard/宝石商リチャード氏の謎鑑定 on YouTube – it's available on the official channel of Muse Asia! I have only watched the first episode but I'm loving the story so far, especially the main characters Richard & Seigi. The conversations around the precious gems are also very illuminating. It's based on a light novel, so I'd love to read it in Japanese someday. (2nd Feb)

Continued watching the jdorama Kounodori. Finished the 5th episode. Each and every episode of the drama is honestly so heartfelt and emotional. I'm so glad that I gave it a shot🥹

Attended an online Tadoku club meeting where we silently read short Tadoku stories and then discussed them with other members in the meeting. These meetings lend a very good opportunity for speaking practice😀

Podcast episode link:

🎶song stuck in my head:

[phonenumberlocationtracker]

Phone Number Tracker

Phone Number Tracker: A Modern Tool for Safety and Connectivity

Phone Number Tracker In today's digitally connected world, tracking a phone number can serve multiple purposes. From ensuring the safety of loved ones to managing work-related communications, phone number trackers have evolved to become an essential tool. Whether it's finding a lost device or identifying an unknown caller, the ability to track phone numbers brings a sense of security and peace of mind.

However, it's important to understand how these services work, their legal boundaries, and how to use them responsibly. Here's a deep dive into how phone number trackers operate, the technology behind them, and their practical applications.

What is a Phone Number Tracker?

A phone number tracker is a tool that uses GPS, cellular tower triangulation, or Wi-Fi signals to determine the exact location of a mobile device. These tools are commonly used by individuals to find lost or stolen phones, monitor the location of family members for safety reasons, or identify the source of unwanted or suspicious calls.

Some tracking tools are built into smartphones, such as Apple’s “Find My” app or Google’s “Find My Device,” while others come as standalone applications or online services. The key difference between them is how they access location data—some use internal GPS data, while others rely on mobile network information.

How Do Phone Number Trackers Work?

Phone number trackers utilize a combination of technologies:

GPS (Global Positioning System): Many apps use GPS satellites to pinpoint the location of a device. The accuracy is usually within a few meters, making it one of the most reliable methods.

Cellular Tower Triangulation: This method calculates the position of a phone based on the signal strength from nearby cell towers. It’s less accurate than GPS but still effective in providing a general location.

Wi-Fi Signals: In urban areas, trackers can use Wi-Fi networks to enhance location accuracy. This is particularly useful indoors or when GPS signals are weak.

IP Address Tracking: Some services may also use the device’s IP address to locate the general area. However, this method is less precise and more commonly used for desktop or laptop tracking.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

While phone number tracking can offer significant benefits, it is crucial to understand the legal implications. Tracking someone without their knowledge or consent can be illegal in many jurisdictions. It's always important to respect privacy laws and ensure that tracking is done with the full consent of the person being tracked, except in cases where parental control or emergency services are involved.

For businesses, employee tracking must adhere to workplace laws and policies. Employers are advised to clearly communicate tracking practices and ensure they are only used for legitimate reasons like safety or work-related activities.

Practical Applications of Phone Number Tracking

Finding Lost or Stolen Phones: With the rise of phone theft or loss, tracking apps provide an easy way to locate and possibly recover devices.

Parental Control: Parents can monitor their children’s whereabouts using phone tracking tools to ensure their safety, especially when they’re traveling alone or attending events.

Business Use: Employers can use phone tracking to monitor company phones, ensuring the devices are used appropriately and to track field employees' location for logistical reasons.

Verifying Unknown Callers: With phone number trackers, you can determine if an unknown caller is from a legitimate source or if it’s a potential scam.

How to Choose a Phone Number Tracker

When selecting a phone number tracker, consider the following factors:

Ease of Use: Opt for a tracker that’s user-friendly, with a clear interface and easy setup process.

Compatibility: Make sure the app or service is compatible with the operating system of the device you want to track—iOS, Android, or others.

Accuracy: Look for a tool that provides precise location data, preferably using a combination of GPS and Wi-Fi signals for the best results.

Security: Ensure that the service you choose has strong privacy protocols in place to protect your data.

Cost: Some tracking services are free, but they might have limitations. Consider whether a paid service might offer better features, reliability, or support.

Conclusion

Phone number trackers have become a versatile tool for personal safety, device management, and business operations. While they offer significant benefits, it is crucial to use them responsibly and within legal boundaries. As technology continues to evolve, phone tracking tools are likely to become even more sophisticated, offering greater accuracy and additional features.

FAQs

1. Can I track a phone number without the owner's consent?

No, tracking someone's phone without their knowledge or consent is illegal in many jurisdictions. Always ensure that tracking is done with the owner's permission, unless you're using parental controls or in cases of emergencies.

2. How accurate are phone number tracking tools?

The accuracy depends on the technology used. GPS-based trackers are the most accurate, often within a few meters, while cellular tower triangulation or IP address tracking offers less precise results.

3. Are free phone number tracking apps reliable?

Free apps can be useful but may come with limitations, such as less accurate tracking or fewer features. Consider using a paid service if you need more reliability, better accuracy, or customer support.

4. What should I consider when choosing a phone number tracker?

Look for ease of use, compatibility with your device, accuracy, security, and whether the cost of the service fits your budget. Make sure the tracker respects privacy laws and safeguards your data effectively.

[azeez-unv]

Twenty tools a teacher may need to become an online educator:

1. Learning Management System (LMS) like Canvas, Blackboard, or Moodle

2. Video conferencing software like Zoom, Google Meet, or Skype

3. Screen recording software like Camtasia, OBS Studio, or Screencast-O-Matic

4. Virtual whiteboard tools like SMART Boards or Google Jamboard

5. Online course creation platforms like Udemy, Teachable, or Kajabi

6. Quiz and assessment tools like Quizlet, Kahoot, or ProProfs

7. Communication and collaboration tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Asana

8. File sharing and storage solutions like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive

9. Digital calendar and scheduling tools like Google Calendar or Calendly

10. Online gradebook and attendance tracking tools like Gradekeeper or Attendance Tracker

11. Virtual classroom decor and customization tools like Bitmoji or Canva

12. Student engagement and feedback tools like PollEverywhere or SurveyMonkey

13. Online resource libraries like Khan Academy, Coursera, or edX

14. Digital citizenship and online safety resources like Common Sense Education

15. Webinar and live streaming software like Webex or YouTube Live

16. Audio and video editing software like Audacity or Adobe Premiere

17. Online community building and discussion forum tools like Discord or Piazza

18. Gamification and game-based learning tools like Classcraft or ClassDojo

19. Accessibility and accommodations tools like ClaroRead or TextAid

20. Analytics and performance tracking tools like Google Analytics or Learning Analytics

Additionally, online educators should also possess skills like:

- Familiarity with online pedagogy and instructional design

- Technical troubleshooting and support skills

- Ability to create engaging multimedia content

- Effective communication and feedback strategies

- Flexibility and adaptability in a rapidly changing online environment

[futuristicmakerpeanut]

David Sacks Net Worth: How Did PayPal Co-Founder and ‘All-In’ Podcast Host Make His Fortune?

An accomplished entrepreneur and angel investor, David Sacks doesn’t disclose the exact figures of his wealth. Despite him being a member of the “PayPal Mafia” and one of the most affluent Silicon Valley tech moguls, Sacks’ net worth feels like it’s a closely guarded secret, as none of the known billionaire trackers seem to list his name. Various sources estimate his net worth in quite a broad range, suggesting that it could be anywhere from hundreds of millions to potentially a couple billion dollars. 

That being said, the secrecy of Sacks’ wealth won't preclude us from scrutinizing closely his entrepreneurial journey, possible income streams, political affiliation, and controversies. So if you’re curious to learn more about the member of the “All-In” crew, one of the richest podcast groups out there, read on!

Early life and Education

David Oliver Sacks was born on May 25, 1972, in Cape Town, South Africa, to a Jewish family. He emigrated to Tennessee, United States, with his parents when he was five years old and attended an all-boy Memphis University School. After high school, he went to get his BA in Economics at Stanford University, graduating in 1994. Four years later, he scored another academic achievement, obtaining a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Chicago Law School. 

Sacks’ family has always been reasonably affluent thanks to his father’s career as an endocrinologist, but the future entrepreneur didn’t want to follow in his footsteps. Instead, David Sacks took inspiration from his grandfather’s entrepreneurial journey as a candy factory owner in the 1920s, envisioning a similar path for himself. The solid groundwork for such pursuits has already been laid by his prestigious degrees, opening to the young entrepreneur-hopeful the doors to the most lucrative networking opportunities and business deals. 

Co-founding PayPal

Fresh out of law school, David Sacks took an offer as a management consultant from McKinsey & Company but quit after just one year to join a newly founded e-commerce startup Confinity as the product leader, working alongside Peter Thiel, Luke Nosek, and Max Levchin. The company was initially conceived as a security software provider for hand-held devices such as Palm Pilots, the predecessors of modern smartphones. However, this business model failed to take off, so Confinity instead went to create an email money framework, which later became known internationally as PayPal. 

As a product leader, Sacks was the driving force behind the pivot, persuading reluctant Levchin to give “email money” a try. After being promoted to the role of COO, Sacks oversaw the company's product management and design, business development, sales and marketing, customer service, and human resources, as PayPal bulldozered its way through competition, positioning itself as a major player in the online payments industry. In 2002, after a successful merger with Elon Musk’s online payments company X.com, PayPal went public through an IPO under the ticker PYPL at $13 per share. 

The group of PayPal’s founders and early employees has remained connected as a tight-knit social and business community, earning them the title of “PayPal Mafia.” The moniker gained traction as many members readily embraced it (David Sacks currently has “PayPal Mafia” listed as a job description on LinkedIn under his years at the company). The bonds fostered between young entrepreneurs during their formative years at PayPal later led to numerous business collaborations and joint ventures, setting for life virtually all members and probably their descendants for several generations ahead.

Other notable ventures

As mentioned, most PayPal alumni later went on to found other successful companies, and David Sacks is no exception from the rule. In 2008, Sacks launched enterprise collaboration startup Yammer together with Adam Pisoni, a fellow co-founder from another successful venture, a genealogy website Geni.com. Having started as an internal feature for Geni.com, Yammer soon became one of the fastest-growing SaaS startups in history, hitting 8 million users in the first four years and seeing its rapid success acknowledged with the grand prize at the TechCrunch50 conference. In 2012, the company was acquired by Microsoft for $1.2 billion, making it one of the fastest unicorn exits in SaaS.

In 2017, Sacks co-founded Craft Ventures, a VC firm that makes investments in early-stage SaaS and marketplace startups. The company raised $1.32 billion in fresh capital across its two funds, bringing its total assets under management to $3.3 billion. According to Sacks, the rise of generative AI opens new horizons for SaaS companies, which are actively using cutting-edge tech to build new products and enhance user experience. 

Besides being a co-founder at the above companies, Sacks had a brief stint as an interim CEO of Zenefits, the human resources SaaS platform, where the tech mogul has previously served as a COO. Under his leadership, the startup has successfully handled the internal compliance crisis. In May 2024, Sacks officially launched his other venture, Glue, an AI-powered competitor to Slack. 

Since David Sacks’ name almost exclusively pops up in the context of Silicon Valley’s bubbling world of tech and entrepreneurship, it may be quite a surprise to learn that the PayPal Mafia’s Don is also a moderately successful film producer. After Paypal’s acquisition by eBay in 2002, he financed and produced a satirical comedy Thank You for Smoking that got nominated for the two Golden Globes and was subsequently bought by Twentieth Century Fox. Sacks also produced a biopic Daliland about surrealist artist Salvador Dali, acquired by Magnolia Pictures in 2023. 

Finally, David Sacks is also known as a prolific angel investor, having poured his funds into more than 20 tech unicorns, which include Affirm, AirBnB, ClickUp, Eventbrite, Facebook, Gusto, Houzz, Lyft, OpenDoor, Palantir, Postmates, ResearchGate, Reddit, Rumble, Slack, SpaceX, Twitter, Uber, and Wish.

All In Podcast

To the non-SV circles orbiters, David Sacks is primarily known as one of the four co-hosts, aka ‘Besties,’ of the tech and politics-focused podcast ‘All-In.’ Alongside fellow venture capitalists Jason Calacanis, Chamath Palihapitiya, and David Friedberg, Sacks shares his takes on pressing issues in tech and business with around 100,000 monthly listeners (as per Muck Rack data). 

Since the launch episode that discussed the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on businesses in March 2020, the All-In podcast has built a dedicated fanbase among tech professionals and amateur investors. So far, the quartet of entrepreneurs has worked up over 175 episodes of the podcast, each lasting one to two hours. 

Controversies and Political Affiliations

As a close associate of Peter Thiel, whose money gave rise to the new brand of radical techno libertarianism that postulates freedom's incompatibility with democracy, David Sacks appears to hold similar views, which started to gain him more critical mainstream coverage after he ramped up his backing of Donald Trump for president in 2024. 

Sacks' crusade against the “woke” started as early as 1995, when he co-authored with Thiel the book titled The Diversity Myth: Multiculturalism and the Politics of Intolerance at Stanford, which argued that the “multiculturalist ideology” was destroying the Western heritage, pointing to Stanford’s efforts to add more works by women and minorities to the philosophy curriculum as evidence for a sinister plot against the West. 

Another controversy Sacks found himself marred in was him seemingly losing the plot over the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Initially standing by the contrarian albeit still rational position that the US has no interests in Ukraine, over time Sacks evolved to express what seemed to many as an open support for Russia’s actions, going as far as to accuse Ukraine of perpetrating the ISIS-claimed terrorist attack in the Moscow shopping mall that took the lives of 145 civilians. 

After the bank run that caused the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, Sacks urged the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to step in and bail out SVB depositors, drawing criticism for the apparent mismatch between his calls for government intervention and his libertarian penchant for minimal regulation. A significant part of SVB customers were Bay Area startups that had put in more than the $250,000 covered by federal insurance. 

Personal life

On July 7, 2007, David Sacks married Jacqueline Tortorice, with whom he fathered two daughters and one son. For the combined celebration of his 40th birthday and their fifth anniversary, Sacks threw a lavish 18th-century-themed party at the $125 million Fleur de Lys mansion in Los Angeles, with Snoop Dogg as entertainment. This extravaganza, which gathered the A-listers of the Silicon Valley tech scene, also marked the end of Yammer’s acquisition talks with Microsoft, boosting Sacks’ net worth to a new high at the time. 

As a billionaire’s wife and Silicon Valley socialite, Jacqueline Tortorice is a largely unfamiliar name to the broader public. From her LinkedIn profile, however, it becomes evident that she played a big part in preserving and expanding her family’s wealth: for more than 10 years, she has been the CEO of Sacks Family Office, managing her family’s assets and philanthropic endeavors.

Besides her role at the family office, Jacqueline is also listed as a founder and CEO of San Francisco-based skin-safe homewear brand Saint Heaven and a host of the Blindspot podcast. 

What is David Sacks’ net worth in 2024?

At the time of writing, David Sacks’ net worth is estimated to be somewhere between $250 million to $2 billion. Such a broad range can be attributed to Sacks keeping the exact figure of his wealth private, so any educated guess about the actual state of his finances can diverge pretty widely from reality depending on the timing of his equity exits.  

Sacks’ wealth accumulation began with his early role at PayPal, so it’s almost certain he got a handsome equity deal as an insider. His next successful venture was Yammer, which sold to Microsoft for $1.2 billion, but how much Sacks got from it again remains unknown to the public. His other companies such as Craft Ventures and Glue most likely contributed a non-negligible amount to his net worth as well. 

As an angel investor in many successful businesses, Sacks must have profited from the sale of his equity stake after the companies went public. His involvement in the cryptocurrency space can be thought of as another contributing factor to his wealth, as Sacks is known to have invested in digital asset manager BitGo and Bitcoin’s Lightning Labs. It’s unclear whether the venture capitalist holds crypto himself, but given his favorable outlook on it suggests that he may have some direct or indirect exposure.

Overall, David Sacks’ net worth seems to be an eclectic mix of cash, equity, digital assets, and other financial instruments, reflecting his versatility and business savvy in the tough world of venture capital. 

This article was originally posted on Coinpaper.