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175 pounds
When you introduce competition into the public school system, most studies show that schools start to do better when they are competing for students.
--Bill Cosby
Dictionary definition for Common Core:
Common Core is a rigorous set of standards for the English Language Arts and mathematics curriculum that has been developed based on the best practices of schools and organizations around the country and the world.
While reading about Common Core (of which I knew absolutely nothing) I was (easily) diverted from this dull and seemingly unimportant subject to a more interesting one: "What exactly, is the link between critical thinking and writing?"
This new subject contained the following:
Here is a fairly familiar word problem: A bat and ball cost $1.10. The bat costs one dollar more than the ball. How much does the ball cost?
After immediately answering the question, I read on and found that: A study found that fully 50 percent of undergraduates at Harvard, MIT, and Princeton and 80 percent of students at other colleges answered this problem incorrectly. That's because many of us jump reflexively to the wrong answer: 10 cents. (If we slow down and do the math, we see that the correct answer is 5 cents.)
I was astounded to find that it took me almost a half-hour to reconcile my mind to the correct answer being five cents... even though the answer was provided, and especially since I had previously encountered this cute and tricky little problem a few years ago. And had forgotten about it.
Sometimes it doesn't take much to jerk a fellow down a notch.
Link to the article
Anyone who might be interested in Common Core can find a hellish amount of information HERE
To my consternation I have discovered that I can no longer access at least fifty percent of the correct questions on Jeopardy before the contestants speak them. I used to be able to do that. Now, even though I know the correct answer (question) it takes too long for me to bring it forth. I am lucky now to retrieve, quickly enough, three or four of them per show.
Damn!
Getting old sucks.
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After studying 3,305 people ages 16 to 44, researchers found that the brain’s response time begins to decline at age 24. The descent is a slow, but nonetheless, steady one.
More . . .
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Did You Know . . .?
During World War II, a U.S. soldier was ambushed by 5 Japanese tanks. He single-handedly destroyed all 5 and was eventually awarded the Medal of Honor.
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HISTORICAL EVENT
Today, the Boston Marathon, considered one of the world’s most prestigious road races, attracts professional and amateur runners from around the world. The event’s centennial running, on April 15, 1986, had 38,708 entrants and 35,868 finishers.
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WORD FOR TODAY
competition
noun
1. The act of competing, as for profit or a prize; rivalry.
2. A test of skill or ability; a contest: a skating competition.
3. Rivalry between two or more businesses striving for the same customer or market.
4. A competitor: The competition has cornered the market.
5. Ecology: The simultaneous demand by two or more organisms for limited environmental resources, such as nutrients, living space, or light.
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CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
(born April 19, 1979)
Kate Hudson is an American actress. She came to prominence in 2001 for her role in Almost Famous. She then starred in the hit film How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days in 2003. She has since appeared in films such as Raising Helen (2004), The Skeleton Key (2005), You, Me and Dupree (2006), Fool's Gold (2008), The Reluctant Fundamentalist (2012) and Bride Wars (2009). She has played a recurring role on the musical comedy-drama television series Glee as Cassandra July.
(born 19 April 1946)
Tim Curry is an English actor known for his work in a diverse range of theatre, film and television productions. Curry first rose to prominence with his portrayal of Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the 1975 cult film The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Curry garnered further acclaim for his film and television roles; as Rooster in the 1982 film adaptation of Annie, as Darkness in the 1985 film Legend, as Wadsworth in the film of the same year Clue, and as Pennywise in the 1990 horror miniseries It. Some more comedic roles include Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, and Muppet Treasure Island. Other notable stage roles include Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in the 1980 Broadway production of Amadeus and as King Arthur in Spamalot in 2005.
(born April 19, 1937)
Eleanor Donahue is an American actress. The naturally red-headed Donahue played Robert Young's eldest/popular daughter, Betty Anderson, on the 1950s sitcom, Father Knows Best. Donahue was featured in several episodes of CBS's The Andy Griffith Show as pharmacist Ellie Walker.
(born April 19, 1968)
Ashley Judd is an American television and film actress. She is the daughter of country music singer Naomi Judd and the half-sister of Wynonna Judd. Judd has had leading roles in such films as Ruby in Paradise (1993), Norma Jean & Marilyn (1996), Kiss the Girls (1997), Double Jeopardy (1999), Where the Heart Is (2000), High Crimes (2002), Dolphin Tale (2011), Divergent (2014) and Dolphin Tale 2 (2014). She also starred as Rebecca Winstone in the television series Missing in 2012.
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There are two kinds of people, those who do the work and those who take the credit. Try to be in the first group; there is less competition there.
--Indira Gandhi
NASA TV
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