INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Drawing connections between a reading and something that is familiar to you can also help you to retain more of the information. Try to draw connections between your existing knowledge and new concepts as you read. For example, if you are reading about a new concept in a biology textbook, try to relate it to a concept that you already understand. Another way to improve your reading comprehension is to look up words that are unfamiliar to you. If you do not understand a word, then it can make an entire sentence confusing. Take a moment to look up new words as you read. Try keeping a vocabulary journal where you record and define any words that are unfamiliar to you. You can also improve your reading comprehension by reading a text in smaller chunks and giving yourself breaks. For example, you could follow the Pomodoro system suggestion to take a quick break every 25 minutes. Set a timer for 25 minutes, read until it goes off, and then take a five minute break.  Another option is to set a goal for how many pages you want to read. You could set a goal to read 10 pages and then give yourself a five minute break after you have done that. Try getting up and walking around or stretching for a few minutes during your breaks. You can also check your social media profile, watch a short video, or look up something that has been on your mind. Reading out loud is an effective strategy for teaching literacy skills to children. Children can understand more complex stories and information when they hear it than when they read it silently. Reading out loud is also extremely helpful for editing your writing. Therefore, reading a text out loud may help you to make connections, understand a difficult text, and retain more of what you read. You don’t have to read the entire text out loud, but reading certain passages out loud may be helpful. For example, if a passage is confusing, or if you are having trouble staying focused, then reading out loud for a few paragraphs may help.

SUMMARY: Connect the reading to something familiar. Define new words as you read. Complete the reading in small chunks. Try reading out loud.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Natural sea sponges can work like disposable tampons.  Clean sponges intended for this purpose are sold through various health supply stores.  Cut the sponge to size and then insert like a tampon.  Rinse the sponge daily.  This solution is slightly messier than using a menstrual cup but is an all-natural, reusable product.  Like menstrual cups, sea sponges are safe to use while sleeping. These are typically sold as "moon pads" and are especially good for nighttime use.  Reusable pads are easily washed, dried, and reworn, eliminating waste on the trail, although you will need to use a zippered plastic bag or other solution to store soiled pads between washes.  They also take up space in a pack, so consider your weight and space requirements carefully if you're planning to use reusable pads on a backpacking excursion. This advice applies to both reusable and disposable products, but hygiene becomes especially significant when you are washing and reusing the same equipment multiple times.  Washing before you use a product is just as important as cleaning your hands afterward.  Doing so keeps bacteria away from this sensitive region of your body.  Urinary tract infections and yeast infections are never fun, but they're especially important to avoid when you're out camping and away from medical help.

SUMMARY: Purchase a sea sponge. Invest in reusable pads made from thick flannel. Ensure your hands are clean before and after using any product.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Anything that contains sulfur will cause silver to tarnish. To prevent this from happening, keep your silver away from things like:  Sweat Rubber and latex Food items like mayonnaise, mustard, eggs, and onions Wool Lotions, creams, and beauty products Since there are so many things that can tarnish silver, it’s a good idea to remove your jewelry when you go swimming in chlorinated water or do household chores (to keep the silver away from the chemicals). Sunlight can also have an effect, so take your jewelry off any time you plan on spending time in the sun. Moisture can cause silver to tarnish, so store your silver somewhere that isn’t too hot or too damp. You can also keep camphor, silica gel packs, chalk, or activated charcoal to the storage area to help remove some of the moisture. Store silver away from direct and indirect sunlight to prevent the sun from causing it to tarnish. To store silver, seal individual pieces in sealable plastic bags. Push out as much of the air as you can before closing the seal. This will prevent the other metals in the sterling silver from oxidizing.

SUMMARY: Keep the silver away from substances that will cause tarnish. Take your jewelry off. Store your silver somewhere cool, dark, and dry. Wrap it up.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Breast milk is only good for about 24 hours after thawing, so don’t freeze more than one day’s worth of milk in a single container. You can store your milk in special freezer bags or freezable bottles--two to four ounces is best for each container.  If you're using a container, choose a glass or BPA-free plastic container with a tight-fitting lid. If you're using bags, avoid using normal storage bags or bottle liners. Choose bags designed for freezing breast milk. Even when frozen, breast milk will not last forever. Don’t use breast milk that has been frozen more than three to six months old. Labeling your milk will help you make sure your baby is getting good milk. Store new milk in the back of the freezer where the temperature is more consistent. This will also help ensure that the first portion you use is always the oldest. Make it part of your nightly routine to take the next day’s portion of milk out to thaw. That way you won’t be stuck without milk and you won’t be tempted to thaw the milk too quickly!

SUMMARY:
Store milk in small portions. Label milk with the date. Keep the oldest milk in the front of the freezer. Take milk out to thaw nightly.