Food gives you energy and helps your grow and repair your body. Some food is very good for your body. Other food is not good. Food like potato chips, soda and cake gives you energy but it doesn’t give you much help to grow and repair your body. We call the energy from food “calories.” When you have too many calories your body keeps it as fat.
You need to stay home now. You need to buy food for your home. Read labels on food to find food that is good for you. Practice the
2. This article is friendly and informal. Much of the advice from NUTRITION.ORG uses incomplete sentences and informal words. Practice pronouncing the vocabulary below. Look up the phrases you don’t know.
working from home
Get involved
keep (dietary fats) in check
tempting
unavailable
contribute
stock up
contactless payment
knuckles
right away
a family affair
reconnect
overeat
management strategies
scavenger hunt
don’t hesitate
impulse items
4. Answer these questions about the article. Send me the answers below, or write the answers.
In today’s world, you really should own a computer, you
should have access to the internet and you should learn to type. Quite a few
factory and office jobs require you
to operate a computer. Many companies offer well-paid work online, and more and
more businesses are putting their job applications online as well. In other words, you may or may work on a computer at your next job, but you
most probably will have to work on a
computer to get your next job. The
government offers services you may need online, such as unemployment forms,
immigration information and applications for food or housing assistance. When you have a problem with something you
have bought or that you own you can get accurate information and answers to
your problem more quickly from the seller’s Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) or
chat page than waiting on the phone for a person to talk to you. You and your children need computers for
school. Our Los Angeles schools are committed to offering more work online in
part because we know that it’s the best way to keep teaching you during a
disaster like Covid 19 or other school building shutdowns.
The internet is expensive, but you need it for the disaster
now and to help you find work, education and even entertainment in the
future. At the end of this document,
please read about ways to get free or low-cost internet for your home.
If you own a smartphone (or pad), you already have a tiny,
powerful computer in your pocket or purse.
But it is hard to fill in forms or write long answers to questions using
the little buttons on your phone. In the
notes below in section 2 “KEYBOARD ONLY,” I will tell you about some ways to
get a keyboard and begin typing documents and filling forms online with they
keyboard hooked up to your phone or pad.
Typing will make writing easier and faster. So, at the end of this document you will also
find places to get free typing lessons at home online. It’s easy to learn if
you practice for a few minutes a day. You can practice typing and study English
spelling at the same time!
ASSISTANCE NOT ANSWERS
In the following document, I will reveal some ways you might
get a computer or internet services. But
please understand, I am not recommending
any of these companies and organizations.
I only recommend that you investigate
these companies and organizations. You
should never agree to a contract, loan, payment or accept help for anything
until you have asked many questions by phone or internet and have done your own
research about the product or service.
AFFORDABILITY
I have written this document in the order of cheapest to
most expensive solutions. You might
start out with a cheap or free solution, but later, when you have more
experience and understanding about technology, you could invest in a better
computer or internet service.
NO MONEY AT ALL FOR A COMPUTER?
CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS: What can you do to
find a computer and internet you can afford? First of all, if you have no money
to spare at all, you shouldn’t be ashamed.
Many great, famous people went through hard times just like you are
going through right now.[1] Take advantage all the best free services you
can find for yourself and for your family. You may have to make some phone
calls or visit some websites. You will have to prove you don’t have enough
money to pay for a computer. Do not give
your social security number or passport/work visa to anybody.
TONI P.’S STUDENTS
Send me a remind email with the words “I need a
computer.” The school is trying to find a way to get you a free computer to use
or borrow. I will send a list to my
bosses.
IF YOU ARE A
PARENT WITH A CHILD IN LAUSD SCHOOLS
Call this phone number and ask for a computer
and internet help. LAUSD is trying to
get a computer into every home. Your
family can probably share your child’s computer.
(213) 443-1300
Everyone on. Org
Go to this website on your phone or a friend’s
computer and enter your zip code.
Answer the questions about your financial
life. https://www.everyoneon.org/find-offers
Look under DEVICE OFFERS for a computer that is low cost or free. Then press
the button to find out how to get it.
Look under INTERNET OFFERS for internet service
that is low cost or free. Then press the button to find out how to get it.
The On It Foundation
http://theonitfoundation.org/faqs/
gives families with children kindergarten to high school senior a free computer
if they qualify for free school lunches. You have to fill out a lot of
paperwork and get a note from your child’s school, so it could take some time
to get a computer. Read about the
process “How do I apply for a free computer” at the website.
PCs
for People
PCs for People is a national organization that gives people used,
recycled computers. To be eligible for this program, you must be 200 percent
below the poverty line or enrolled in an assistance program. While you can get
a computer online, you will be required to provide a photo ID and eligibility
document dated within last six months. Go here. https://www.pcsforpeople.org/eligibility/
Computers
With Causes
Computers with Causes . This
organization offers tablets, computers, laptops, etc. to people in need. You
must complete a contact form online and describe your need. Include any special
problems that are making it hard for you to pay for a computer. https://www.computerswithcauses.org/application.htm
YOU HAVE A PHONE OR TABLET, BUT YOU CAN’T TYPE WITH IT
A phone is a little computer, but it’s too small to write
very much on. Here is a cheap, short-term answer.
BUY A LITTLE BLUETOOTH KEYBOARD that you can connect
to your computer with a BLUETOOTH connection. (Bluetooth means you can connect
it without wires to a phone or tablet that also has Bluetooth.) These keyboards
are very cheap. They work very well with
pads, iPads and tablets because the pad screens are large and easy to see. You can also get keyboards for your phone,
which is not are not as good because phone screens are small, but better than
nothing.
Things to remember about keyboards for phones or
computers
The keyboard may need batteries
You must be sure the keyboard works with your
kind of phone or computer
They should be cheap – pay between $15 and $40
You have to turn on you pad/phone and tablet and
“pair” them before you use them together.
Read the instructions. You might have to push a button on the keyboard
to pair. You might have to put “pairing
on” in your phone or pad at the same time. Look under Settings and Bluetooth
and pairing.
You will need a program to type words into. Get
an app like Microsoft® word or adobe acrobat (PDF EXPERT) so you can read and
fill in forms.
To find a keyboard search for “tablet keyboards”
or “phone keyboards” in Google, Safari, Edge, Yahoo, Firefox or any other web
browser on your phone.
YOU WANT TO BUY YOUR FIRST COMPUTER FOR THE LOWEST POSSIBLE COST
There are several ways to buy a computer for between $100
and $300 dollars. But first, what should
you look for?
HOW DO YOU KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR?
When you search for computers, or go to a store to buy a
computer under specifications you
will encounter a lot of numbers and
letters that look very technical and scary.
Don’t worry! Buying your first
computer isn’t difficult! You don’t have
to understand what every number or letter means. Look for the following information:
RAM
is speed and efficiency of doing work. This might also be called DRAM or SDRAM
in the computer description. GB (gigabytes) are how we measure RAM. More GBs are better than fewer. You can live with as low as 2GBs of Ram but 4GBs
is the very least you should start with. 8GB is good. 16GB is very good.[2]
Memory
or Storage is how much space you
have to save documents, pictures and work. This is also measured in GB or TB
(terabytes) which are much, much bigger than GBs. You can do school work with as low as 32GB of
storage, but you may have to take stuff off your computer and save it on a
different storage device very often. Try
to find more GBs or TBs.
Graphics card or GPU processor is the
technology for making good-looking video, pictures and games. Better GPUs are more expensive, and some of
them are built into the heart (core, or CPU) of the computer itself. If you
want to buy an expensive computer for art or gaming, research the graphics card
of the computer you want. Nvidia, Intel
and other graphic card makers have different model numbers for their many GPUs,
and people write reviews about the best ones.
If this is important to you, read about it.
Confusing numbers. Some of the other numbers are confusing and
not important unless you’re shopping for a very expensive computer for a
special purpose. For a low price, you
aren’t going to get much choice in these, and most big name computers provide
good enough quality for your needs, but here’s a little more information for
you to consider. CPU or central processing
unit is the brain of the computer, so to speak.
It might have many Cores as
part of its build, and that will make it “smarter.” You might see names of
famous brands like Intel and Pentium in the computer description. Again, don’t worry too much about these, but
some examples of good, cheap cores are Intel Core i3-8100, AMD Ryzen 3 1300X, Intel Pentium Gold G5600,
AMD Athlon 240GE, AMD Ryzen 3 2200G, AMD Athlon 200GE, Pentium G4560 and AMD
Ryzen 3 1200. You might also see a
number of GHz. This tells you how
fast the picture on the screen can change.
14” or another number with the “sign means how many inches wide the
screen is or how big the computer is.
Your
computer should have an OPERATING SYSTEM installed on it when you buy it. An operating system is an
important program that lets you talk to all the others programs and apps
on your computer and tell them what to do and how to share your computer’s
“brain.” Microsoft Windows is on most
affordable computers. (Older computers have windows 7 or Vista which you
should avoid. They are terrible for working with your school.) Mac
computers most recent operating system is called macOS 10.15. Other devices use Apple iOS, Google’s Android OS, Linux operating. If you don’t see any of these on the
computer you want to buy ask, “What is the operating system on this
computer?” You should not have to
pay extra for this.
If you buy a desktop computer (NOT A LAPTOP OR
NOTEBOOK) be sure it comes with a MONITOR
(the TV) a keyboard, a mouse, speakers and a WEBCAM. Sometimes they sell
just the “tower” which is only the
brain with no way for you to talk to the computer.
You also need some computer apps and programs
for writing and doing work. Many
computers come with Microsoft® Office.
Some companies sell you copies of Microsoft office for a few dollars a
month. One part of Microsoft office is
Microsoft Word® which is the most important program for your English
homework. Ask, “Is Microsoft office
included?” When you sign up for
Schoology from our school, you get a free version of Microsoft® word!
CHEAPEST OPTION 2 AND 1s
One good
alternative is something called a 2-1. This is basically a tablet with a
keyboard already attached. If you buy this, you don’t automatically get the
ability to go to the internet. You need
to pay for internet service separately.
Or you can type and save stuff at home without the internet, then bring
the 2 and 1 to the library to use the internet and print things. To find a good 2 and 1, use your phone
or a friend’s phone to search for 2 and 1
computer and look for deals under $500.
You will find quite a few for around $100. These aren’t going to be the greatest, most
powerful computers in the world, but you get a touch screen, webcam and a
keyboard together, so that is very nice.
ANTOHER CHEAP OPTION: BUY A LAPTOP
A laptop is useful because your camera and screen and
speakers are all together in the device. The screen will not be a touch
screen. With a laptop, you will have to
get the internet to it in your home separately.
One easy way to find a cheap laptop computer
that is right for you is to use the laptop buying guide at Amazon.com. You don’t have to buy the computer at Amazon,
but you can tell the webpage what you want from your computer. Do you want to use it for work? For
school? The Amazon website will give you
suggestions for laptops you might like. Write down the MAKE, BRAND, MODEL
NUMBER and shop around for a better deal if you want to. https://www.amazon.com/gp/vs/buying-guide/hcx_bg_laptop/601434
You don’t have to buy from either of these companies, but
should try to buy from a well-known company that will guarantee to take the
computer back if it doesn’t work correctly.
You will find that computers from Mac are great, but usually more
expensive than other brands like Dell, Lenovo, Acer and Asus.
SAFE PLACES TO BUY A COMPUTER
A REPUTABLE is one that you can trust. It is not a good idea
to buy a cheap used computer online from Ebay or Craig’s list or an unknown
source unless you know all about computers and have a guarantee that you can
get a full refund if the computer malfunctions.
A REFURBISHED
computer is one that has been used, was broken and then was fixed. Below are two refurbishes trusted by computer
makers.
You could call them and ask if there are any free or low cost
computers that you could buy.
Charter Spectrum is providing free internet
service to families of K-12 students. No income or other eligibility required.
Call 844-488-8395 to learn more.
Comcast is offering similar services to
households as an expansion of its Internet Essentials program. Learn more by
calling 855-846-8376.
The non-pro‑t human-I-T helps connect families
and community-based organizations with internet connectivity and affordable
computing devices. Learn more at hitconnect.org or send a text message to (562)
372-6925.
The City of Los Angeles is partnering with the
California Emerging Technology Fund and EveryoneOn to help residents find
options for low-cost internet services, access to computers, and digital
literacy services. Call (877) 947-4321 to learn more.
AT&T is offering two months free for new
customers and lifting data caps on existing customers. Call 844-886-4258.
T Mobile is offering 20GB of hotspot data for
existing customers for the next 60 days. Call 800-937-8997 to learn more.
[1] (J.K.
Rowling, the author of “Harry Potter” books and one of the richest women in the
world was a single working mother living on government checks for a number of
years.)
[2]
(MBs are much smaller. Don’t buy anything with MBs of RAM. But, if someone gives you a free computer
with only MB, just say “Thank you” and save up to buy a better computer
later.)