This holiday weekend will see the great seasonal migration begin to decks, balconies and backyards to fire up our gas or charcoal grills. May is not only National Barbecue Month but also National Hamburger Month. While cooking food outside has occurred throughout history — and prehistory — grilling became a popular recreation in the U.S. in the 1920s. The first charcoal briquettes sold for the purpose were produced by Henry Ford, using scrap wood left over from making Model Ts. More than a third of U.S. adults enjoy grilling out, and some 12.5 million do so at least twice a week. That may help account for the 58 pounds of beef and 56 pounds of chicken that Americans eat on average each year. You can find more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau, online at <www.census.gov>.
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My brain has recovered from yesterday’s end of grade math testing for North Carolina’s 4th graders. I was only a proctor. A proctor who discovered today’s 4th graders know more about mathematics than my generation did at the same time.
As the proctor your role is to observe the process. Did the teacher read the mundane instruction each time the test started and ended? Did the teacher properly handle the test booklets, answer sheets, supplies, and when appropriate the calculator. This proctor wondered to himself how many government appointees were need to write these procedures. I digress to the test itself.
Back in the days before man circled the earth in a space ship your average 4th grader was proud to have memorized the times tables. Any 4th grade C student could complete arithmetic problems in addition, subtraction, multiplication and the dreaded long division. We knew our arithmetic! Today by the end of 4th grade the C student is expected to understand basic mathematics. The C student is expected to have a working understanding of rational numbers, basic algebra and geometry, rudiments of statistical analysis, plus cognitive thinking; and the ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide.