SMART Board – Pros and Cons of Using a Digital, Interactive Whiteboard (In the Classroom)
February 22, 2012 | 
Author 
We used a smart board to teach with in the computer lab at school. Essentially, a SMART board turns your digital projector / LCD Projector image into an interactive whiteboard that you can write on.
The SMART Board itself is a touch-sensitive giant screen that is connected to your computer. You use your digital projector to display your computer screen onto the SMART board and the software allows you to touch and interact with your computer.
As more and more school boards and teachers are investing in data projectors, it begs the question whether SMART Boards are a good investment. After all, an intuitive touch interface plus the ability to write on digital documents (with digital ink) would help us to move beyond blackboards, flip chart paper, and overhead projectors.
Pros
With the SMART Board, you can control any application through the touch board. So instead of working from behind the computer keyboard, you (or your students) can be at the front of the classroom physically interacting with the display. You can use any of the 4 colours of markers or the eraser to write in digital ink over applications, web pages, or moving video. The SMART board still works if you lose the pens. (There are 4 coloured pen holders and one eraser. When you lift the pen out of the slot, it selects the colour or the eraser. When you touch the screen, it uses the selected color or the eraser.) Like other digital ink software applications, you can save your work into a notebook file, and you can convert handwriting into text.
Cons
Hard to write. The biggest disappointment with the digital ink comes from the fact that a SMART Board is a front-mounted projection screen. This means that your data projector is set up in front of the screen (like an overhead projector). Which means that when you stand in between the projector and the screen, you cast a shadow on the screen… right where you are trying to write. Sure, it was cool to interact with programs by touching the screen, but, it was hard to write notes because you were constantly blocking the image. Hard to write neatly. To be perfectly honest, it was a little disappointing how our handwriting turned out on the SMART Board. Better than our experiences with the other digital pens (i.e. the i-pen), but the handwriting was still large, blocky, and messy. One of the things you have to train yourself to do is to not lean up against the SMART Board. When you write on a blackboard or white board, you typically rest the edge of your palm on the board. If you do that on a touch screen, the cursor jumps to your palm and it doesn’t work out. You have to train yourself to just write using the tip of the pen. The marker worked fine if we wanted to underline or circle key ideas, but if you wanted to edit or revise a 12 point, double-spaced Word Document, you’d have a hard time getting the control required. You still have to move back and forth from the keyboard to the screen. We could start up our web browser by touching the SMART board, but when it came time to enter in the website address, we had to go back to the desk to type in the URL. Expensive. The Total Cost of Ownership of a SMART Board can be prohibitive for the classroom teacher. Retail cost of a 77? (195.6cm) front-projection SMART Board Interactive whiteboard is $1399 (USD) with a grant from the SMARTer Kids Foundation of Canada. (www.SmarterKids.org) You need to supply your own data projector. A new, decent projector will cost around $500 – $1000. The SMART Board is just a giant touch pad. Your need to provide your own projector to display the image onto the smart board. (Software, connection cables, and stand are included.) You may want to upgrade to a wireless connection ($199 USD) to eliminate the cables and the tripping hazards in the classroom. The screen image and the SMART Board touch screen may get knocked out of alignment. This means that when you try to click a button, the mouse pointer appears a few inches to the side. You’ll have to realign your hardware which would interrupt the lesson.
Visual Merchandising
ABSTRACT
Visual merchandising is a comparatively new career field in which has sprung up with the growing popularity of window and floor displays. Visual merchandisers main area of work is to create impossible window displays. They can find employment with fashion boutiques, shopping malls, euphoria etc. They are also engaged as shop floor mangers. They can also do freelancing on contract basis for windows displays in exhibitions, fares, and other places. Other career options under this head are production coordinator, quality control supervisor, fashion retailer, export manger etc. This paper discusses importance and potential for visual merchandising professionals.
Contents
INTRODUCTION
CRITICAL ISSUES OF VISUAL MERCHANDISING
ROLE OF VISUAL MERCHANDISING
SCOPE FOR CAREER DEVELOPMENT
INTRODUCTION
Selling a product (convenient/shopping/specialty) is incomplete without communicating its image. To build long term brand loyalty, in addition to the quality of the product, right image is very much needed. To attain this, many companies invest huge money the promotions. But many businesses neglect the retail front which is the face of the brands. In other words, the way the products are displayed at the retail shelves, the way the sales people communicate to the consumer etc. are the some of the issues, which if not handles well can be a great threat to the brands image. Visual merchandising is the art of presentation, which puts the merchandiser in focus. It educates the customers, creates desire and finally augments the selling process. This is an area where the Indian business people lack adequate knowledge and expertise. This inadequacy is best reflected in poor presentation/display and communication the various national and international exhibitions with phasing out of quantitative restrictions after the year 2004, the textile industry will have to compete purely on the competitive edge of the products and visual merchandising will be helpful for the projecting the uniqueness of the products and thereby increasing the market access and sales. It is high time that the Indian textile and clothing industry should understand and adopts the scientific and professional system of visual merchandising rather than the traditional practices of display of products and communication.
CRITICAL ISSUES OF VISUAL MERCHANDISING
Retailing them itself has transformed the way business is done and the so called merchandisers of disposition of store inventory. There are many ways and standard procedures to ignite sales, increase profits and maximize the net worth of the business. Visual merchandising helps in this respect. This calls for a concerted industry efforts to approximately value the importance of quality retail coverage such as self-integrity in store advertising, price verification, stock rotations, new item-cut and other related activities. To make effective the retail business one has to focus on the following critical issues of visual merchandising.
a) Graphics and signage: attention grabbing yet clear graphics by way to visually communicate the brand and these graphics when compiled with the right signage become the stalls complete instruction manual.
b) Trends and moot boards: This is misunderstood by many as mere decorations for the stall. The brand sources and moot boards convey the source, in fact the mere need of the product for the consumer to the buyer. A good trend story board display can exhibit a thought process nursing for the inspirations (research, to swatch development of the final usage of the product.
c) Space management: Most displays concentrate on the floor management of space. In order to create a complete desired ambience the ceiling space should also be given enough attention. Walls are not elastic space should be allocated to the available products as per the expectation of the customers to deliver best results. The major issues of space management are:
1. How do we want our ranges to look?
2. Hanging/stocked/customers etc.
3. What stock density do you want to achieve?
Generally, the more options/units you can hold for a given amount of space, the higher the potential returns. Space landing systems can be split into two types
Numeric and visuals: Numeric planning system simply allow users to account of space available and to calculate the ratios like returns on space. Visual systems allow users to create three dimensional walk through models of the stores and to preview the look of a store once ranging decisions have been made.
d) Dresiforms and mannequins: The dresiforms communicate the 3 dimensional form of the product. Along with the fit a good mannequin can also be customized to communicate a character, for example, special kids wear mannequins with caricatured faces convey the playful mood of the collections.
e) Synergy among the different stalls: A stall look should compliment the mood the whole fair too. So some visual elements from the fair, be it a color scheme or some material used should also be incorporated in the stall.
f) Out of the box thinking: With so many stalls around, it sometimes focus some stock value to grab the attention of the buyers. Innovative ideas in displaying the mannequins, swatches etc can invite many more people to the stall.
g) Merchandise planning: The first function of merchandising planning is making a strategic plan, which is normally for a five years or more and is used to set the critical success factors for merchandising in terms of sales, margins and stocks. Next in a channel sales budget to take into account the effect of the new channels, new stores, closures, and refits. In simple words merchandising planning is a systematic approach and aiming at maximizing return on investment, through planning sales and inventory in order to increase profitability. It does think by maximization sales potential and minimizing losses from marked down and stock cuts.
h) Range planning: Begin with assortment plan. In assortment plan, the goal of merchandise plan are divided into specific lines and such a way that the division results in the increase of overall marginal mix. Then a distributions planning in done. The link between available physical space and ranging done here is a key determinant of merchandising performance.
ROLE OF VISUAL MERCHANDISING
Visual merchandising is an artistic method to ensure that retailers merchandise moves off the shelves faster. It’s a tool to appeal to the visual sensory elements of the customer. Visual merchandising is an unknown skill which is fastly becoming popular nowadays with the introduction of self service in retail stores in recent years and the number of changes taking place in super market merchandising methods, there has been increased emphasis on the kind of store layout, store building, fixtures, and equipment, color displays, silent communication tools, window display and finally opinion building through in store displays which has taken the art of retailing the higher applications frames.
Customer expects to spend less time for shopping and prefers one step multi brand retail formats and hence significance of visual merchandising is on increase. As per the opinion of Hemendra Mathur, senior consultant of KSA technopark based on the third annual consumer outlook study that the consumer is getting time saved and the time spent on shoppin (both grocery and non grocery) has come down. Further the study reveals that are increase in the impulse and unplanned purchases in the certain categories. Visual merchandising helps in the increase of impulse buying.
The practice of a visual merchandising is negligible in durables and home textiles and in the apparel and foot wear it is 20%. Many people experience in organized retailing are of the opinion that innovative application for effective retail presents and brand buildings are being used aggressively by companies in retail merchandising. Brands like Reebok spent 25% of their advertising spent on point of sale merchandising. The brand managers of Reebok feel that 80% of the buyers are influenced by the 3 feet experience i.e, point of sales material and visual merchandising are more effective than outdoor displays and advertising.
Market analysis feel that most companies are unfortunately not spending as much time and money as they should on POS (point of sales) visual merchandising as a strategic tool for brand building, indiscriminately “displaying everything rather than displaying selectively and effectively to assist consumer in taking decisions.
Visual merchandising helps in:
a) Establishing a creative medium to present merchandise in 3 D environment, with which a long lasting impact and recall value.
b) Combining the creative, technical, and operational aspects of a product and the business.
c) Educating the customers about the product/services in an effective and creative or innovative manners.
d) Drawing the attention of the customer to enable him to purchase decisions in the short space of time and this augmenting the selling process.
SCOPE FOR CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Retail business analysts feel that the average spending on POS and merchandising displays is RS. 1000 per square foot in the organized retailing whole size is Rs. 14,000 crores of the total (both organized and unorganized is Rs. 11,00,000 crore. Further analysis reveal that the multi brand retail formats (hypermarket) are storing 35% growth rate per annum which is the storing indicator for the bright and huge scope. For the visual merchandising professionals who have experience in designing effective store layouts, color displays, the use of creative silent communication skill tools, creative window display, and in store displays. The curriculum of visual merchandising includes generally the following fields:
a). Creative art.
b). Specific application to retail.
c). Techno commercial planning and execution.
Students of management looking for employment can find opportunities in departmental stores, super markets, malls, and hyper markets as visual merchandiser. Further those who have entrepreneurial streak can look for event managers or interior designers professionals.
8th Grade Science Fair Project
Any topic can be selected for 8th grade science fair project provided it uses scientific process. It is better to take the simple one, which is experimental in nature and not designing a model. The topic selected for an 8th grade science fair project should not be a replica of an already tried experiment. The original experiment should not be represented as such with out any change. The individual, who works on the topic, should have complete knowledge about the topic undertaken. The project or experiment, even if it is small should be focused and the demonstration should be complete and easily understandable.
The data and variables should be represented in the graph in a neat and appealing way. Equations can be used to show the relation between the variables. And vague expression of ideas by waving hands should be avoided. Unlike the middle school projects finding resources in encyclopedias or web resources will not be sufficient. Further references need to be done in the recent publications, high school texts etc in order to cover the adult audience. The 8th grade science fair project should be unswerving from the topic given. Display boards need to be used to display the data. The project should include the interview by the judges and one should be prepared for that too.
The general fields from which one can select topics for 8th grade science fair project are anatomy, astronomy, biology, botany, chemistry, geology, mathematics, microbiology, physics, physiology, zoology and so on. The 8th grade science fair project should not be a report submitted on any of the given field. It should involve some experimental research, concept development, some inventions or designing some thing new and so on.
The basic processes involved in an 8th grade science fair project can be explained in different stages. It involves selection of an appropriate topic, collecting the information, preparing the plan on how to proceed, preparing the project based on the plan, trying out the experiment, finding out the implications by analyzing the data, writing the report, making the display of the project, rehearsing for the actual presentation, carrying out the actual presentation. When all these processes are properly carried out then the result will be really amazing.
The presentation of report for 8th grade science fair project should be handled with proper care. Since it is the one which is going to be a record for the work one has done in the 8th grade science fair project. The report should consist of table of contents with list and page numbers, abstract of the project, research report, purpose, hypothesis, materials, procedure, results, conclusions, acknowledgments and bibliography. Care and involvement in the work is essential throughout the working of the project.
Caribbean Food – A Little History
The Arawak, Carib, and Taino Indians were the first inhabitants of the Caribbean islands. These first inhabitants occupied the present day islands of British Virgin Islands, Cuba, Dominica, Grenada, Haiti, Trinidad, and Jamaica. Their daily diet consisted of vegetables and fruits such as papaw, yams, guavas, and cassava. The Taino started the process of cooking meat and fish in large clay pots.
The Arawaks are the first people known to make a grate of thin green wood strips on which they slowly cooked meat, allowing it to be enhanced by the flavor of the wood. This grate was called a barbacoa, and the word we know today as barbeque is taken from this early Indian cooking method.
The Carib Indians added more spice to their food with hot pepper sauces, and also added lemon and lime juice to their meat and fish recipes. The Caribs are said to have made the first pepper pot stew. No recipes exist since every time the Indians made the dish, they would always add new ingredients. The Carib had a big impact on early Caribbean history, and the Caribbean sea was named after this tribe.
Then the Caribbean became a crossroads for the world . . .
Once the Europeans brought Africans slaves into the region, the slaves diet consisted mostly of food the slave owners did not want to eat. So the slaves had to be inventive, and they blended their traditional African foods with staples found on the islands. The Africans introduced okra, callaloo, fish cakes, saltfish, ackee, pudding and souse, mangos, and the list goes on.
Most present day Caribbean island locals eat a present diet that is reflective of the main ingredients of original early African dishes, and includes cassava, sweet potatoes, yams, plantains, bananas and corn meal.
African men were hunters in their homeland, and often away from home for long periods of time. They would cook spicy pork over hot coals, and this tradition was refined by the early slaves in Jamaica. The technique is known today as “jerk” cooking , and the secret involves a slow meat cooking process. Jamaica is famous for jerk chicken and pork, and you’ll find jerk all over the island.
After slavery was abolished, the Europeans went to India and China for labor, and more cooking styles were introduced. Much of the Indian cooking culture remains alive and well in the Caribbean of today with the introduction of curried meats and curry powder. Indians call it kari podi, and we have come to know this pungent flavor as curry.
The Chinese introduced rice, which is always a staple in home cooked island meals. The Chinese also introduced mustard, and the early Portuguese sailors introduced the popular codfish.
Most visitors to the Caribbean have no idea that the fruit trees and fruits so familiar to the islands were introduced by the early Spanish explorers. The fruit trees and fruits brought from Spain include orange, lime, ginger, plantains, figs, date palms, sugar cane, grapes, tamarinds and coconuts.
Even the Polynesian islands play an important role in Caribbean cooking. Most of us remember the movie “Mutiny on the Bounty”, but do not know that particular ship carried breadfruit, which was loaded on board from the islands of Tahiti and Timor. In the movie the crew took over the ship, forced the captain into a small boat to fend on his own, and they threw the breadfruit, which they considered “strange fruit” overboard. Another ship was more successful in bringing breadfruit from Polynesia to Jamaica and the St Vincent and the Grenadines. Breadfruit is a staple diet in the current day Caribbean
America is responsible for introducing beans, corn, squash, potatoes, tomatoes, and chili pepper to the Caribbean. In fact these particular foods had never been seen in Asia, Europe or Africa, so America actually introduced these foods the rest of the world via the Caribbean.
So it’s no wonder Caribbean cooking is so rich and creative with the flavors of Africa, India, and China, along with Spanish, Danish, Portuguese, French and British influences. Food served in the Caribbean islands have been influenced by the cultures of the world, but each island adds its own special flavor and cooking technique.
So You Want to Own and Operate an "Alarm Company" – What is Your Plan of Attack?
There are an immense amount of things to consider once you choose to enter the electronic security and alarm field as your next business. In my experience, the people who take this endeavor on, are coming from careers as alarm installers or have a great amount of engineering experience. What attracts a person to the alarm industry and makes them want to run their own alarm company are usually the recurring revenues from monitoring. There is a great amount of money to be made in the monitoring side of the business. Many also find the industry to be somewhat recession proof as it is a product that is both needed and accessible to all, no matter what their financial status might be.
Alarm installers have an advantage over many that open an alarm company. I equate it to opening a restaurant, you can have the nicest dining room in town and the best service in place as well, but if the chef is no good, your restaurant will fail. Installation is the one side of the business that controls the quality of all other aspects. As with most things, when you sub work out, you will sacrifice quality unless the owner of the company comes from an alarm installation background and can supervise and train other installers, to maintain the highest standards of the industry. Many municipalities and state governments have extensive licensing and background check requirements to operate or even work for an alarm company. Other states require minimum experience and their licensing is as informal as getting a permit. A good starting point to research these requirements would be to contact the (national) NBFAA or (your state) burglar and fire alarm association.
When you decide to build an Alarm Company from the ground up, there are many considerations that one must take into account. As there are few places to turn where all the needed information is under one roof, you may find yourself speaking to many experts in individual aspects of business and alarm company operations. After a great amount of information is gathered, you can then begin to put the puzzle together.
The inherent problem with this approach is that the information taught by one was not designed to flow with the information taught by another, and you end up putting out many fires, at a time that you should be learning how to prevent them.
Here are just a few of the questions you should be asking yourself at the beginning stages of starting your alarm company:
*Do I join an alarm dealership program or run an independent alarm company?
*How will I set up administration for the daily operations of my alarm company?
*What should I pay all the crucial positions?
*How does the paperwork flow from sales, to alarm install, to administration?
*What numbers should I target and expect?
*How is my alarm sales department structured?
*How is my alarm installation department structured?
*How do all of these positions get managed productively?
*What equipment should I sell and install?
*What is normal industry pricing?
*How do I find potential customers?
*How do I efficiently convert these people into clients?
*Who does the monitoring of these alarms?
*How do I hire for all the necessary departments?
*How do I train them and make them accountable to success?
In order to fully understand your options and be able to make decisions that will be both financially beneficial and easily assimilated, you should seek expert advice and training from a singular source if at all possible. This way the programs you learn are designed to interact with each other. Below is a list of the training modules that you will need to learn in order to complete the picture and compete in our field.
Hiring- A sales manager is only as good as their ability to hire new employees. Learning to hire quality employees is multi- faceted endeavor with an emphasis on time management. Seek out the best concepts in ad writing, ad placement, cost controls, ad calls, interview process, time management and employee retention.
Training- Buildings that last the longest are built on the most solid foundations. New hires are evaluating their future with the company on their ability to learn the job as quickly as possible, and to make themselves productive members of a team. Experts will teach you methods of training, and help you add structure and accountability to your in house training programs.
Scheduling- Understanding time management and scheduling, allows you to get the most out of each day without sacrificing or delaying other tasks. A manager must be able to perform all necessary roles without the sinking feeling of never being able to catch up. An employee must be able to attend training and meetings and still be able to use the available workday productively.
Pay Plan- Experts will introduce you to some of the most cutting edge and motivating pay-plans in the industry. If your pay and commission structure is not consistently benefiting the company and its employees equally, it is time to learn about alternative concepts.
Time Management- Explore how all the necessary growth in your Management, Sales and Marketing divisions can be accomplished, taught and maintained on a daily basis, while affecting your bottom line positively from day one.
Accountability- Accountability programs are controlled by both supervisors and the employees that are holding themselves accountable to the highest standards. Learn how to make these programs work for all parties involved. When accountability programs are administered improperly they will create the perception of baby-sitting. When done properly they will provide pride in workmanship, a feeling of accomplishment, and job security.
Reports- Accurate and comprehensive daily record keeping and periodic reports to teammates and officers of the company will keep all players on the same page. Experts can help you design a custom database that will take minimal time for a team manager to maintain. Experts will teach you how to share this information with your superiors and employees alike. A comprehensive daily report is a “Crystal Ball” and will guide your individual training needs.
Forms- There is no need to reinvent the wheel. Experts have a complete database of the forms necessary to maintaining daily training and record keeping in our industry.
Motivation- Learn the methods for team motivation which include employee acknowledgment programs, bonus programs, team display boards and most important, earning genuine loyalty and respect as a manager.
Bonus Programs- Explore new concepts for employee bonus programs that work in conjunction with production growth, without becoming expected and repetitive. Learn how to create the budget for these programs and manage them from request for funding to distribution of bonus awards.
Meetings- Productive team meetings are a privilege and something to look forward to. Are your employees seeing the opportunity to get together with teammates and grow as positive? If your answer is anything less than an exuberant YES, you should be looking for methods of creating positive and constructive team meetings.
Goal Setting- Individual goal setting is the most important tool a quality sales manager has at their disposal, for growing a consistent and loyal employee. It allows you to get to know an individual’s hopes and dreams on a personal level, while helping them to accomplish the steps necessary to success. Experts can review any existing goal setting programs or concepts that you have in place and suggest alternative ways to manage this program.
Lead Production- Explore field proven programs that have been created to increase your dealerships lead production. Residential Referral Programs, Canvas Lead Production, Exhibition Lead Production and Preferred Partner Programs are a few of the methods that should be learned.
Protocol-Consistent handling of each possible situation creates accountability. Learn to teach employees how to report in on all aspects of daily work. Teach employees how any breach in protocol will be recognized and addressed in a constructive manner.
Lead Runners- Develop your lead runners as specialists in the art of the first visit close. All aspects of lead runner’s daily requirements are taught, from time management to the actual processes of:
Rapport, Body Language, Equipment Presentation, Product Knowledge, Cost Analysis, Creating the Greed, Creating the Need,
Assumption, Walk Through, Creating Possession, Take-Away’s,
System Design, Parts Sales, Pre-Pays, Paperwork, Cancel Killers, Self-Generating. (Sales without leads)
Canvasser’s- Masters of the doorstep with proficiency in all the modules above. Teach your canvasser’s not to burn doors, and to stop turning their jobs into door to door sales. An effective canvasser should speak to only four homeowners to put two on paper. This is taught through constant roll playing and attitude adjustment in the arena of creating opportunity. Explore field proven methods of converting your canvasser’s into an elite team of productive experts with a high quality of life as a reward.
Telemarketing- Time tables, concepts and controls for development of an in house telemarketing department for creation of sales and promotion leads.
I have only begun to scratch the surface of all the things that need to be considered when opening an Alarm Company. Set yourself a consultation with an industry expert that can help you decide on the complete structure. This way your chosen path will have continuity and flow, while saving you time getting to where you are going as a
competitor in a complicated but lucrative venture.
Redevelopment Of Co-Operative Housing Societies
With the real estate prices touching a new high, residents in old buildings are now discovering that they have an opportunity to unlock immense value from their property by offering it to a builder/developer for redevelopment. Developers, on their part, are also on the lookout for properties with unused development rights where they can build a new structure of a few storeys higher and sell those additional flats for a tidy profit for them. While it may sound like a typical ‘win-win’ situation, the process of redevelopment isn’t as easy as it sounds. It comes with a set of rules, procedures and implications which you need to understand.
It is needless to mention here that the Redevelopment of housing societies is usually burdened with bitterness and complaints of high-handedness and corruption against the Managing Committee. Hence, with a view to ensure transparency in societies seeking to undertake redevelopment projects, the State Co-Operative Department has, for the first time, issued guidelines for societies to follow under section 79 (A) of the Maharashtra Co-operatives act, 1960.
The recent guidelines are issued by a committee comprising the co-operatives commissioner and CIDCO chairman pursuant to a deep study of complaints by members of Housing Societies undertaking the redevelopment of their property. According to an important feature in the guidelines, a redevelopment scheme has to be approved by the general body only if three-fourths of the society members are present at the meeting.
The subject of redevelopment has assumed great significance because in Mumbai, majority of the buildings owned by the Co-Operative Housing Societies are quite old and in a dilapidated state. In case of redevelopment of old buildings which have completed 30 years or are beyond repairs as certified by the Govt. approved architect on the basis of his “Structural Audit”.
The first and the foremost step before going in for redevelopment would be a structural audit of the building. The structural audit report will determine whether the building should go in for redevelopment or for major repairs. In the absence of the technical report it would not be legally permissible to pass a resolution in the general body meeting. However, it is a fact that many co-operative societies suddenly call for General Body meeting and decide to go in for redevelopment in the absence of a structural audit report.
There are two important things in a Resident/Developer arrangement. One is from the commercial angle and another is from the technical angle. A Developer usually assures a certain amount of cash by way of corpus, an additional area or a mix of both. He may give an alternative accommodation for your temporary stay, foot your rentals or give you a monthly compensation within which you have to find your temporary accommodation.
Before you negotiate with a Developer, you need to establish the market value of the property you will receive on completion of redevelopment. This is a better approach than quoting a random figure to the builder that would make them feel short-changed or the high amount would make the builder shy on the new project.
The technical angle refers to the finished good. Does it match the quality and terms and conditions assured by the builder? In fact, at the agreement stage itself, the society residents should appoint a lawyer to draft and finalize the agreement. It usually takes a year for a builder to convince the society members and take an in-principle approval. The society members should ensure the timely completion of the project which is the most important detail to be mentioned in the agreement.
The main parties involved in the any redevelopment project are Society and Developer. Committee Members dealing on behalf of cooperative housing society are mostly non-technical and are laymen.
Therefore it is very important that the drafting of the Tender / agreement is done meticulously so that there is no chance of dispute and/or difference between both the parties. Excellent skills and vast Legal & Technical knowledge is required to draft such an important document. It is very important to avail the services of a professional, who is legally as well as technically qualified and a person who has the vision to anticipate future problems and requirements.
In any scheme of redevelopment, the primary objective is to ensure guarantee of performance. Performance is principally in the area of timely construction, quality control and adherence to rules, and regulations.
The best way to select the builder is to invite sealed tenders through a public notice and such tenders should have the basic eligibility criteria mentioned. This will bring in more transparency in selecting the developer. Brief details and advantages of the tendering process are given below.
BRIEF DETAIL OF TENDERING
- Preparation of Tender Document including Technical, Commercial and Legal conditions, detailed Specifications and offer etc
- Advertisement in 3 local News paper
- Selling Tender documents
- Identification of Developer and evaluation of offers and Recommendation
- Guidance in Negotiation
- Formation of suitable agreement
ADVANTAGES OF TENDERING
- As advertisement is given in 3 prominent newspapers society will get good offers from reputed developers.
- As offers are invited in a sealed tender form, there is a severe competition among the bidders.
- As all the specifications and terms and conditions are same for all the bidders, it becomes easy for comparison and evaluation.
- Earnest Money Deposit in the form of PAY ORDER payable to the society is taken from each and every bidder so that unwanted or non interested parties do not bid for the work
- Mode of measurement of carpet area and person who will certify the same is clearly defined.
- Entire redevelopment proposal to be done in society’s name making it safer for society in case of any problems faced by developer.
- Right to change and or remove developer stays with the society.
- As all the details pertaining to commercial terms such as Bank Guarantee, temporary accommodation, cost of additional area etc is clearly defined the chances of ambiguity and disputes are virtually non-existent.
- Detailed technical methodology of work is laid out in the tender document under the head of technical specification.
- Basic rates are mentioned in the tender document enabling members to change any specification for their individual uses.
- Right to check amendments of plans during the progress of work is kept with the society.
- Material to be used is spelt out with brand names to avoid any confusion.
- As all the items are defined clearly the chances of getting realistic offer are excellent.
- Consequences of delay are defined in tender document.
- Tender is a legally binding document.
- Bye Law No 158 recommends need of tender document for construction of building.
After a proper feasibility report is submitted, the next step in the process of Redevelopment of any society is the most important one, viz: Selection of the PERFECT DEVELOPER, who will meet all the needs of the society, and at the same time be financially stable, and having a lot of experience of Redevelopment because unrealistic offers can often lead to redevelopment projects being stalled and leave residents in a fix.
This is achieved by the process of tendering, wherein the PROJECT MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT will float a tender document containing all the Legal, Technical, and Commercial & Other important Terms & Conditions, whereby maximum safety of the society members is ensured, as they are parting with their life’s most valuable possession…. their house, in the hands of a perfect stranger.
Before we agree to re-development plan, please read carefully, the procedural aspects are strictly followed as per the Govt. guidelines at the Meetings of the Society.
The Government of Maharashtra has issued a Circular bearing No. CHS 2007/CR554/14-C, Co-operation, Marketing and Textiles Department Date: 3rd January 2009 which contains a Directive under Section 79(A) of Maharashtra Co-operative Societies Act 1960 for all the Co-operative Housing Societies in the State of Maharashtra regarding the Redevelopment of Buildings of Co-operative Housing Societies that wherever, the buildings of Co-operative Housing Societies in the State of Maharashtra are being redeveloped on a large scale, a number of complaints were received from members against managements of Co-operative Societies in which redevelopment is taking place. In respect of most of the Co-operative Housing societies, nature of complaints relating to redevelopment is as under:-
1. Not taking the members in confidence in the process of redevelopment.
2. There is no transparency in tender process.
3. Appointing contractors arbitrarily.
4. To work by violating provisions of Co-operative Act, Rules and Bye-Laws.
5. No orderliness in the work of Architect and Project Consultant.
6. Not planning Redevelopment Project Report.
7. Not adopting proper procedure in finalizing tenders.
Whereas there is no concrete policy in respect of all above points of complaint and therefore Co-operation Commissioner and Registrar, Co-operative Societies, Maharashtra State, Pune had appointed a Study Group under the Chairmanship of Joint Registrar, Co-operative Societies (CIDCO) to study the complaints received at various levels and for consultations with all constituents working in the relevant fields. The said Study Group has expressed the opinion that it is essential to frame regulations for redevelopment of buildings of Co-operative Housing Societies after consultation with all the constituents in the field of Co-operative Housing.
Directive for Redevelopment of Building of Co-operative Housing Society
1. Requisition for convening Special General Body Meeting for Redevelopment of Society’s Building:-
Not less that ¼ members of the Society the building of which is to be redeveloped should submit a requisition to Secretary on the Managing Committee elected as per provisions of Bye-Laws and lawfully formed along with their scheme and suggestions for redevelopment of the Society’s building for convening Special General Body Meeting to finalize the policy on redevelopment of the building.
2. Convening Special General Body Meeting:-
On receipt of an application as per Directive No. 1 above, Managing Committee should take a note thereof within 8 days and Secretary of the society should convene General Body Meeting of all the members of the society, Agenda of the Meeting should be furnished to each member 14 days prior to the day of meeting and acknowledgement thereof should be kept on record of the society.
Before convening the said meeting, Society should obtain list of Architects / Project Management Consultants on the panel of Government / Local Authority and obtain quotations from minimum 5 experienced and expert persons for preparing project report for redevelopment work of the building and one expert person from among them will be selected in the Special General Body Meeting.
Following business will be transacted in the said Special General Body Meeting:-
1. To take preliminary decision by taking into consideration demand of the members for redevelopment of society’s building and suggestions received in respect of the same.
2. To select expert and experienced Architect / Project Management Consultant on the panel of the Government / Local Authority for work of redevelopment of the building and to finalize items of work to be done by them and terms and conditions of work.
3. To submit outline of the program for redevelopment of the building.
3. To accept written suggestions from members relating to redevelopment of the building:-
Members of the Society will be entitled to submit in writing to the committee eight days prior to the meeting their realistic scheme, Suggestions and recommendations for redevelopment of the building in the name of experienced and expert Architect / Project Management Consultant known to them. However, that Architect / Project Management Consultant should submit a letter that he is desirous of doing work of redevelopment.
4. Decisions to be taken in the Special General Body Meeting:-
Quorum for the Special General Body Meeting convened for redevelopment of building of the Co-operative Housing Society will be ¾ of the total members of the society. If quorum is not formed, meeting will be adjourned for eight days and if there is no quorum for the adjourned meeting, it will be deemed that members are not interested in redevelopment of the building and meeting will be cancelled.
On formation of quorum for the meeting, Suggestions, recommendations and objections from all the members with regard to redevelopment of the society’s building will be taken into consideration and opinions expressed by all the members will be recorded in the minutes book with names of concerned members. Therefore a preliminary decision will be taken whether to redevelop society’s building or not. Such decision must be taken with majority vote of more than ¾ of the members. On preliminary resolution about doing the work of redevelopment getting passed, following business will be transacted in the meeting.
a) To selected expert and experienced Architect / Project Management Consultant
from the panel of the Government / Local Authority for work of redevelopment of the building and to finalize items of work to be done by them and terms and conditions for the same.
b) To submit an outline of the program for redevelopment of building.
5. Providing minutes of Meeting to all members:-
Secretary of the Society should prepare minutes of Special General Body Meeting as above within ten days and a copy thereof should be furnished to all members and acknowledgement therefore be kept on record of the society. Also one copy should be forwarded to the office of the Registrar.
6. Issuing Appointment Letter to the Architect / Project Management Consultant:-
Secretary of the society will within 15 days of the meeting issue Appointment Letter to the Architect / Project Management Consultant selected in Special General Body Meeting and Society will enter into an agreement with Architect / Project Management Consultant incorporating therein terms and conditions approved in Special General Body Meeting.
7. Work to be done in the initial stage by Architect / Project management consultant:-
a) To survey Society’s building and land.
b) To obtain information about conveyance of land to the society.
c) To take into consideration prevailing policy of the Government and the regulations applicable from time to time depending on ownership of the land (MHADA/SRA/Municipal Corporation) and to obtain information about FSI and TDR, which would be available in relation to building and land of the society.
d) To take into consideration suggestions and recommendations from the members for redevelopment of the building as also the residential area to be made available to the members, commercial area, vacant area, garden, parking, building specifications etc. and to prepare a realistic project report.
e) Architect / Project Management Consultant should prepare the project report within two months of date of his appointment and to submit the same to committee of the society.
8. Action to be taken on receipt of redevelopment Project Report:-
a) On receipt of Redevelopment Project Report as above, Secretary of the society will convene a joint meeting to approve the Project Report with majority vote by taking into consideration suggestions received from Committee Members and Architect / Project Management Consultant. Notice in that behalf will be published on the Notice Board of the Society mentioning time venue etc. of the meeting.
b) It should be mentioned in the notice that a copy of the Project Report is available in the society’s office for members to see and the notice should be served on all the members that they should submit their suggestions eight days prior to the next Committee Meeting and acknowledgement of such notice should be kept on record of the Society.
c) Seven days prior to joint meeting, suggestions received from the members will be forwarded by Society’s Secretary to the Architect / Project Management Consultant for his Information.
d) There will be a detailed discussion in the Joint meeting on the suggestions / recommendations from members and opinion thereon of the Architect / Project Management Consultant and project report will be approved with necessary changes. Thereafter draft of tender from will be prepared and date of next joint meeting will be fixed for discussion on draft tender form and finalizing the same.
e) While preparing draft tender form, in order to get competitive quotations from renowned experts and experienced Developer, either carpet area or corpus fund fixed (not to be changed) and by finalizing other technical matters, the Architect / Project Management Consultant will invite tenders. Society’s members will be entitled to furnish information about it to the reputed and experienced Developer known to them.
9. Preparing List of Bids Received:-
a) On the Last day for receiving quotations, Secretary of the Society will prepare a list of offers received and display the same on the notice board of the society.
After 15 days of the last day for receiving quotations, Secretary of the society will convene special meeting of Managing Committee of the society. Authorized representatives of bidders and members of the society desirous of remaining present can remain present for the meeting as observers.
Tenders so received will be opened in the presence of all and the Architect / Project management consultant will scrutinize all tenders and prepare a comparative chart and after checking merit, reputation, experience and comparative rate etc. and select minimum 5 bids and if the bids received are less than 5, all the bids for putting up before Special General Meeting and concerned bidders will be informed about it immediately.
10. Selection of Developer:-
a) Office of the Registrar to appoint Authorized officer for attending General Body Meeting:-
An application with list of the members should be sent within eight days to the registrar for appointment of Authorized officer to attend the Special General Meeting of the Society for selecting a Developer out of those selected by committee of the Society with the help of the consultant, by taking into consideration his experience, merit, financial capacity, technical capacity and competitive rate etc.
b) Convening Special General Body Meeting for finalizing tender:-
After appointment of authorized officer, with his prior permission Secretary of the Society will fix the time and venue convene Special General Body Meeting for appointment of Developer and Agenda of this meeting will be sent to all the members 14 days prior to the meeting by hand delivery and by registered post and keep acknowledgement thereof on record of the Society. Also, office of the Registrar will make arrangement to keep his authorized representative present for the meeting.
Also arrangement will be made for video shooting of the meeting at the cost of the Society. Any person other than formal members will not be entitled to attend this meeting. Therefore members will be required to present at the venue of the meeting with their Identity Cards. At the time of submitting redevelopment proposal to the concerned authority for sanctioning, selection of Developer and other work should have been done in the presence of authorized officer from Registrar’s office.
c) If there is no quorum for Special General Body Meeting:-
If the quorum of ¾ members out of total members is not formed for Special General Body Meeting, the meeting will be adjourned for eight days. If quorum does not get formed for adjourned meeting, it will be deemed that the members have no interest in redevelopment of the building and the meeting will be cancelled and thereafter the said subject will not be taken up before the Special General Body Meeting for approval.
d) In the Special General Body Meeting to be convened for selection of Developer, authorized representative from the office of the Registrar will be present and observe proceedings of the meeting. Also, on concerned representatives and authorized officer remaining present at the venue and at the time of meeting and on quorum of ¾ members getting formed, following business will be transacted in the meeting.
i) Providing comparative information in respect of tenders selected for presentation (for redevelopment work).
ii) Presentation by bidders one by one.
iii) To select Developer for redevelopment of the building, to finalize terms and conditions and finalize the tender.
iv) To obtain consent from the selected Developer.
v) Give information about further work. It will be essential to take written approval by ¾ majority vote of the members present for the meeting for selection of Developer. If the selected Developer of his representative does not remain present for the meeting, further action will be taken by presuming that they have given their consent for the project.
11. Agreement to be entered into with Developer:-
Subject to the terms and conditions approved by General Body Meeting of the Society, an agreement should be entered into with the Developer within one month under guidance from the Architect / Project Management Consultant. Along with the points suggested by the Architect / Project Management Consultant appointed by the Society, following points will also be included in the agreement.
(1) The period for completing redevelopment project of the Society will not exceed more than two years and in exceptional cases, it will not exceed three years.
(2) Developer will give a Bank Guarantee for amount equal to 20% of the project cost.
(3) During the period of redevelopment, the Developer will make available to the members alternative accommodation in the same area as far as possible or arrange to pay monthly rent and deposit as acceptable to members or make available transit camp accommodation.
(4) The said agreement will be registered under Registration Act, 1908.
(5) On completion of redevelopment project, new members will be admitted in the Society only with approval of General Body Meeting of the Society.
(6) Carpet area to be allotted should be clearly mentioned in the agreement.
(7) Development right vested in the Developer will be non-transferable.
(8) Members will vacate their respective premises only after all legal approvals are received for redevelopment of the building.
(9) Rights of those who are in possession of the flats will remain unaffected.
(10) If any dispute arises in the work of redevelopment, provision should be made in the agreement to resolve the same as per provisions of Section 91 of the Act.
(11) After receipt of Occupation Certificate, flats in the redeveloped building should as far as possible be allotted as per present conditions floor-wise and if it becomes necessary to allot flats by drawing lots, on completion of construction, Developer should make arrangement drawing lots, and at that time flats should be allotted in the presence of Registrar’s representative and this process be recorded by video shooting.
(12) Any Committee member or Office Bearer of the Society should not be the Developer or relative of the Developer.
(13) Building plans sanctioned by the Municipal Corporation / Competent Authority should be put up before the General Body Meeting for information and if any member wants copies of approved documents, he should submit application for the same to the Society and it will be binding on the Committee to furnish the information by charging necessary fee.
By order and in the name of the Governor of Maharashtra (Dr. Sudhirkumar Goyal) Principal Secretary (Co-operation and Marketing)
Copy to:
1) Co-operation Commissioner and Registrar, Co-operative Societies, Maharashtra State, Pune.
2) Divisional Joint Registrars, Co-operative Societies (All).
3) District Deputy Registrars, Co-operative Societies (All).
Select File (14-C).
Ref.: Z:00 – 500\2 GOVERNMENT CIRCULARS & COURT JUDGEMENTS 2008\2 GOVT CIRCULARS 2007\142 Directive for Redevelopment of Building of Co-operative Housing Society [English] 03-01-2009.
A well drafted consent of at least 70% the Society members must be obtained in writing during the Society meetings when the subject of redevelopment is discussed. However, the minority members of co-operative housing society cannot obstruct a redevelopment project. On Jun 28, 2010, the Bombay high court has once again ruled that members of a co-operative housing society who are in minority cannot obstruct a redevelopment project and must abide by the majority decision of the society, unless they show that here is some prejudice caused to them or a fraud has been committed.
In a recent ruling, the Bombay High Court has stated that the issue of minority of tenants cannot be an obstacle for redeveloping a property if minimum 70% of the tenants are ready for the same.
The judgment came against a matter of a redevelopment in Dadar where 17 members were opposing the redevelopment of an old Parsi chawl. Based on the writ petition filed by the group of dissenting members, Justice D.B.Bhosale granted the permission to BMC to forcibly evict the families with the police help in case of any opposition from the others against the redevelopment.
It is important to note that as per the section 103B of Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Act, 1976, with the guidelines for redevelopment of old Municipal Properties by the Municipal Tenants Co-Operative Housing Societies on the land owned by the Corporation under regulation 33(7) of the Development Central Regulations for Greater Bombay, 1991, it is necessary that more than 70% of the eligible existing Municipal tenants should give written consent to redevelop the property under the scheme with a formation of a co- operative society / association and an initiative proposal for the redevelopment.
The court has held that once 70% or more occupants /tenants give their consent for redevelopment by forming a co-operative body and if the scheme is approved by the corporation, it is binding to all other occupants. As per the guidelines, the tenants / occupants with separate stand, have no choice but to follow the norms. Being in minority (about 30% or less than that) the only choice for them remains is, to give up their tenancy rights and quit from the scheme.
The special general body has to approve the bid of the successful bidder in a meeting attended by the registrar. The entire proceedings have to be video-recorded. Once the agreement is accepted in terms of area and corpus fund, it cannot be revised. The successful bidder has to give a bank guarantee equivalent to 20% of the total project cost to show his financial strength, and proof that he will not throw away the project midway.
The Developer values the kind of Societies that either have some open plot of land or are willing to demolish the old structures to reconstruct new buildings. Where such redevelopment is possible, Developer normally agree to pay some consideration by way of Corpus Fund including more area in their existing flats to the members and seek permission to construct a building on the open plot of land or to construct a new, bigger building using the Transferable Development Right (TDR), Floor space index (FSI) after demolishing the existing structure.
Depending upon the offer from the Developer and subsequent negotiations him, he either provides alternate residential flats to the members of the Society or pay rent in advance by way of post dated cheques, one month rent as brokerage and transportation charge etc. to secure an alternate accommodation till the new building is constructed and the members are rehabilitated in their new flats. All the demands and negotiations have to be carefully recorded in the ‘Development Agreement’ for successful execution of redevelopment in a housing society and the office bearers and the managing committee members have a strong role to play.
In any process of redevelopment, one must be aware of various documentations that are required and also one must understand the tax implications on redevelopment of immovable property. The principal documents are ‘Development Agreement’ and ‘Power of Attorney’ which are to be registered by paying appropriate stamp duty.
By executing the Development Agreement’ with the Society, the Developer gets the required permission to develop the land and submits the papers to concerned civic authorities. Upon various sanctions available to him, the Developer constructs the buildings at his cost, retains some flats for him to be sold in the open market and earn profit.
It is important for a Society to have a valid conveyance of land and building in its favor for it to be redeveloped at a later date and that includes acquiring marketable title, permission for reconstruction and construction of additional floors by use of TDR and FSI, or else, Society may not get any approval of plan from Municipal Corporation. But due to our ignorance, majority of Builders fail to convey the title to a Co-Operative Society after the flats initially constructed on a plot of land.
In fact, the greater majority of the Co-Operative Housing Societies, formed in Mumbai in the last twenty years, do not have the land conveyed in their favor which results in the Developer or the earlier owner continues to remain the owner of the property. This results in a situation where these Societies have only possessor rights and not the ownership rights over the land, depriving them of the additional TDR FSI that is the main driving force for entering into such redevelopment agreements when required at a later date.
The task of satisfactory completion of redevelopment of any Housing Society and to get back their members in their dream houses is not difficult provided the Office Bearers and the Committee Members are honest and justify their respective posts in the welfare and well being of the members of the Society.
How To Build A Flag Display Case
Decide on which size of flag you will be building a flag display case (fdc) for.
3′x5′, 4′x6′, 5′x9′ (burial)
Measure the folded flag. For this example we will use the 5×9 burial flag.
You will need the bottom (horizontal) measurement,
along with the two diagonal measurements. Also get
the thickness of the folded flag.
* bottom msmt: 24″
* diagonal msmt: 16 3/4 “
* thickness: 2 3/4 “
Decide on the type of wood you will be using, for this example, we will use oak.
A 1×4 piece of oak actually measures 3 1/2 in
width, which is fine. Buy an 8′ length. (for be-
ginners, in case there are mistakes)
Seeing that our flag is triangular in shape, we will
cut the angles on a 45 degree. You can do this with a
circular saw or a chop saw (mitre saw). Chop saws
give a much better cut.
The bottom measurement of our flag is 24″. So our
inside measurement of our 45 degree cuts must be
at least 24″. I recommend cutting the length of board at 24 1/4″
(little play room for glass and flag)
You should have approx. 6′ of board left. As you know,
wood has a grain pattern. These next steps will give your case
a more professional appearance.
Measure off the longest portion of the angled 6′ board
(that’s your long point of that particular angle, the
other is the short point of that particular angle.)
Your angled measurements are 16 3/4″.short point
to short point. However, you will be cutting it 3″
longer than that, (for mistakes). So let’s just cut
our side pieces 20″ long. short to short.
Measure off the 6′ board from long point 20″, using a
speed square or framing square, make a mark and cut
your piece. (set this piece aside)
The longer remaining piece should have a short point.
Your objective now is to turn that piece around 180
degrees, and cut the short point again in order to
make it a long point.
Once you do this, your two 45 degree angles at the top
of the display case will fit and the grain will match.
It will look continuous. (match up all the angled
pieces until you find that grain match)
When you place the bottom piece up to the angled side
pieces to form the triangle you will notice that the
side pieces are too long. Just pencil mark the bottom
where it hangs over the bottom piece. That now is going
to be cut at a 45 degree. Make sure you cut the 45
degree angle the correct way. Your end product should
be a short to short angled piece.
When you are marking the piece to be cut, also mark
the side of the board so you know for sure, which way
the wood should be cut.
Tack the frame together or use a strap to hold it in
position.
Measure the size of glass you will need.
We can measure the glass in two ways:
(1) -The exact size, minus 1/8th inch. (if you are going
to place a wooden corner cover over the glass and
attach it to the frame.) OR
(2) – The glass can be measured 1/4″ larger if it is going to be inserted into the frame.
Buy an 8′ piece of wooden corner board.
(for outside corners of walls) It is 3/4″ long on each
side of the 45 degree angle. Cut this to fit the
outside (facing) of the triangular frame you just made.
You can insert the glass from the back side after the
outside wooden corner’s are nailed on. Then you can cut and place 3
pieces of 1/4 “x 1/4″ molding on the inside to hold
the glass in place.
Inset glass involves using a table saw.
Set your table saw guide to 1/4″ from the inside of the saw blade to the guide itself.
Set the depth of the blade to 1/8th inch.
– If you know at the beginning that you will be insetting the glass, then cut the entire 8′ length of board at one time. It’s very difficult to cut small pieces like this and have it turn out correctly.
– If you have never used a table saw, ask someone with experience to perform this next step.—
Take the piece or pieces and with the table saw in operation, slowly guide the piece along the guide, making sure not too force the cut. Be gentle. It’s wise to use a forked stick to push the wood through the cutting process.
There are jigs that can be purchased for just this job. Call a do-it-yourself place. They can help you
Once you have your cuts made, you are ready to nail it together.
Use small trim nails (1 1/4″) long and nail frame together. With glass inserted into the cut grooves you just made.(Set nails with punch and color putty when done)
This is much easier if you have a brad gun. also place the frame so the glass is face down so it doesn’t break if it falls out during this process.
Take the frame and place it on some 3/16th luon (lew-on or oak paneling)
and trace the outside of your frame. Cut this out for the backing of your display case. (Stain edges with the proper color. For oak, you can use Minwax-Colonial Maple or Early American.)
You can drill about 8 pilot holes through the 3/16″ luon into the wood frame. (On the Back Side) for screws. Insert your burial flag. Insert your screws.
–That’s a rap folks–your project is done.
***Read everything, before you try anything***
Tools & Supplies
* Tape
* Pencil
* Circular Saw
* Speed Square (or)Framing Square.
* Sand Paper.
* Stain,Putty andPolyurethane
* Chop Saw (Mitre Saw)
* Cut Glass
* 2′ x 2′ piece of Oak or Maple paneling 3/16 or 1/4″ thick.
* Sponge or Brush.
* 3/4″ screws (8-10ea)
* Small box of 1 1/4″ trim nails. Or 1 1/2″.
* 8′- 1×4 board. (For your fdc frame.)
* 8′ Wooden (Outside corner board). 3/4″
* Safety Glasses!
***WARNING***
* The 1st time you
disrespect a Power tool, IT WILL disrespect YOU!
* If you have children
around, during the
building and cutting
process be sure to
UNPLUG POWER to all your tools until you use them again. Then, unplug them
again!
TIPS:
Don’t be in a rush. You can do this.
When ever you take a measurement add 1/16″ to it. (20 1/16″ instead of 20″) That way, you cut ON the line and you will always have the true measurement that you need.
Military Flag Display Cases Flag cases, Shadow Boxes and Frames Articles FAQ Copyright 2007 – Military Flag Display Case – Richard Blodgett – All Rights Reserved Site Design SJ
1st Grade Science Fair Projects
A first grade science fair project enables a first grader to learn science in a fun way. Science fair projects plant the seed of interest in science, in a child. It inflames their imagination and arouses their interest in the world around them. The first grade is the ideal time to introduce a child to the amazing world of science and allow the child to explore and satiate his or her curiosity. The child also learns to be methodical and organized as the project follows a scientific method and is based on scientific concepts and principles which children are able to grasp easily.
While a classroom lecture often tends to be one-sided with the teacher giving the maximum amount of inputs, a project focuses on the creativity and initiative of the child. The child is involved in his project a hundred percent. Science fair projects also help in strengthening the bond between parents and children, as the child usually turns to the parent for topic ideas and finally choosing the topic.
For a first grade science fair project to be successful, the following tips should be kept in mind.
1.Allow the child to choose the experiment only if the topic interests the child. If they don’t want to do it, you’ll struggle the whole time.
2.While the teacher or parent can lend a helping hand and guide the child, the child should be allowed to work independently. No adult should ever take complete control of the project. The adult should just keep an eye open to ensure that there are no accidents or mishaps. Suggestions and guidelines can also be given but the child should be allowed to do the experiment and draw his or her own conclusions from it. This way a child learns much more.
3.Allow the child to have fun while doing the project
4.Allow the child to experiment as one project idea can lead to many questions and new ideas.
5.Allow the child to be creative as a child can have an entirely different perspective about the project.
There are thousands of ideas. A few are:
1.To explain the concept of density, put an egg in a bowl of water and see if it floats or sinks. Replace the water with salt water, sugar water, oil and various other liquids of different densities and record the results.
2.Make a simple lever with a pencil and an ice cream stick. Balance coins on both ends and explain the principle.
3.Test the magnetic force of a magnet by covering it with paper, plastic, aluminum foil etc. Check its magnetic power.
4.Make different designs of airplanes and test which ones fly the best.
5.Find out if white or dark objects get heated faster in the sun.
6.Demonstrate how a solar/lunar eclipse occurs.
7.Make a compass with a needle and cork.
8.Plant seeds and watch them grow.
9.Explain the water cycle.
So, a first grade science fair project is a scientific experience and will be one that child will never forget.
100th Day of School Projects and Activities
100th day of school projects and activities can be difficult to come up with. That is why we are providing a list of possible 100th day of school projects and activities that you can do with your students. We do not quite have a list of one hundred 100th day of school projects and activities, but we have enough to start giving you some good ideas!
· Have your kids create an art project using 100 items – the can glue 100 hundred flowers to a piece of poster board, sew 100 sequins onto a t-shirt, or whatever they want to do.
· Donate 100 cans of dog food or cat food to your local animal shelter
· Bring in 100 cans to recycle
· Have your kids list 100 things that they can do
· Have your kids list 100 things that they hate
· Create a drawing out of just 100 dots.
· Write a poem using 100 words
· Write about what it would be like to have lived 100 years.
· Teach about how life was different 100 years ago
· Bring to class 100 of something (100 marbles in a jar, etc.)
· Do 100 jumping jacks.
· Challenge your kids to do 100 cartwheels or summersaults as a class relay
· Have your class come up with 100 things that they could do to change the world
· Do 100 good deeds
· Ask, “what do you wish you had 100 of?”
· Make pictures with 100 pennies (aka $1)
· Try to say the same word 100 times in a row
· Name 100 parts of the body
· Find, cut out, and glue the numbers 1-100 in a newspaper
· Try to name 100 different animals
· Think of 100 different ways to say “I love you” or “hello”
· Pick up 100 pieces of litter
· Have your class come up with 100 questions that you can answer throughout the rest of the year.
There are many possibilities of different 100th day of school projects and activities. You just need to be creative. You can even have your students help you come up with different, fun 100th day of school projects and activities.
Bread Mold Science Fair Projects Ideas
If you’re looking for an interesting science fair project, then you may want to read more about bread mold science fair projects that you can do. They are easy and inexpensive to do but also allow you to follow all the steps of the scientific method.
It helps to first understand a little about mold. Mold is another word for fungi whose bodies gather and congeal together to form cottony vegetative bodies. Not all mold is cottony, however. Types of slimy mold are more like amoeba than their cottony cousins and leave a moister, slicker mass on the molded surface. However when it comes to bread, you will most always see the drier, threadlike mold.
Mold commonly grows on bread faster in warm, dark, moist conditions. However, mold can grow in light, and some molds can even grow on frozen foods. Molds grow in varying conditions, at varying speeds, in every color you can think of.
Not just a disgusting addition to old food, mold can be beneficial in many ways. One of the most common ways mold is used positively is to make antibiotics such as penicillin. In 1928, Alexander Fleming accidentally discovered penicillin when he found mold growing on a discarded petri dish. The mold itself was not the miracle. Fleming discovered that the mold that had grown had killed the Staphylococcus aureus that he’d been growing in that particular petri dish. The rest is history!
Now that you know a little more about bread mold, you can use the ideas below to help you find potential bread mold science fair projects.
Does sodium have an effect on the growth of bread mold?
How and why does mold form on bread?
Is bread mold harmful to the human body if consumed? Why?
What are the optimal conditions for growing bread mold? Why?
Does light have an effect on the growth of bread mold? If so, what kind?
Do certain types of breads mold faster than others?
How to grow bread mold…
Take a cotton swab and collect some dust. Wipe the dust over the bread slices you want to experiment with. Place them in a bag with a few drops of water and seal the bag so the slices don’t dry out.
Now you know a little more about bread mold and the types of experiments you can do. You may have an idea of what you would like to try as a project. Simply by asking questions about things that interest you, you can come up with great bread mold science fair projects that can be fun to do!