Did you notice the buzz last week about Pi Day? If ever you wanted to know why mathematicians get all mystical about Pi, here’s your chance. Steven Strogatz relates Pi to pulsing hearts, orbiting planets, and the breathing of a baby. Really. Start reading now. 2 The smartest article this week is by Janet Napolitano. She addresses the “college is in crisis” theme that has momentum. In her article, there’s no hype--just facts, analysis, and a clear statement of the issues. 3 New research published this week caused a google trend spike in the use of the word “narcissism.” There are two contradictory theories about how kids grow up narcissistic. Update your knowledge about self-esteem, entitlement, parental warmth, and over-valuing. 1 For some hilarity, check out the Google AutoComplete Family Feud Game! 4
Parenting
1 How Not to Raise a Narcissist - Rebecca Jacobson, PBS Newshour
Millennials Spank Their Kids Just as Much as Their Parents Did - Scott Clement, Washington Post
We Live in an Age of Irrational Parenting - Jennifer Senior, Science of Us
How to Survive the College Admissions Madness - Frank Bruni, New York Times
Despite Progress, Women Bear Heavier Load Than Men in Work-Life Balance - K. Parker, Pew Research
Couples Want to Lean In Together, But Employers Need to Change - Nanette Fondas, Weekly Wonk
Learning
10,000 Hours of Practice Doesn't Guarantee You'll Be an Expert - Fiona Macdonald, Science Alert
The Teenage Brain: Spock Vs. Captain Kirk - Cory Turner, nprEd
How to Get Kids to Read Independently - Valerie Strauss, Washington Post
Education
2 Why Pi Matters - Steven Strogatz, The New Yorker
Why Do American Students Have So Little Power - Amanda Ripley, The Atlantic
College for a New Age - Joe Nocera, New York Times
3 Higher Education Isn’t in Crisis - Janet Napolitano, Washington Post
The Power of Social and Emotional Skills - Andreas Schleicher, Huffington Post
What NCLB Did and Did Not Accomplish as Revealed in Test Scores - Monty Neill, Washington Post
High School Students Across the U.S. Are Fighting for Their Rights - Rebecca Nathanson, Rolling Stone
Despite Opt-Outs, PARCC Testing Numbers Soar - Allie Bidwell, US News
The Numbers Add Up To This: Less And Less Opportunity For Poor Kids - Marilyn Geewax, NPR
How to Ensure and Improve Teacher Quality - Hanushek, Ripley, Henderson..., Room for Debate, NYT
Resources
4 This Game Turns Google Autocomplete Into A Game Of Family Feud - Greg Kumparak, TechCrunch
The Best Card Games for Kids - Melissa Taylor, Imagination Soup
15 Ways People Greet Each Other Around the World - Kathleen Wong, Mashable
50 Top Online Learning Sites - Best College Reviews
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