Learning Network: Has your birth order shaped who you are?

Getting your hands dirty [View in browser](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoChPfP4Q2AWh0dHBzOi8vbWVzc2FnaW5nLWN1c3RvbS1uZXdzbGV0dGVycy5ueXRpbWVzLmNvbS9keW5hbWljL3JlbmRlcj9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01NSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9sbl8yMDI0MDQyMyZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMjEyNjUmaXNWaWV3SW5Ccm93c2VyPXRydWUmbmw9dGhlLWxlYXJuaW5nLW5ldHdvcmsmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE2NDUzMiZ0ZT0xJnVyaT1ueXQlM0ElMkYlMkZuZXdzbGV0dGVyJTJGODYxODkyZTItYTcyMC01YzAwLThiZGItMDlkYTE5Y2UwMGI0JnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZiDfjidmIdYMzVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD)|[nytimes.com](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoChPfP0S4aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTU1JmVtYz1lZGl0X2xuXzIwMjQwNDIzJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTEyMTI2NSZubD10aGUtbGVhcm5pbmctbmV0d29yayZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTY0NTMyJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgpmIN-OJ2Yh1gzNUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~)[Continue reading the main story](#) [Ad](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoChPfP0SfaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9MTYyMDk5JmxpPUxOJm09YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcD1MTl8yMDI0MDQyMyZ0ZT0xJm5sPXRoZS1sZWFybmluZy1uZXR3b3JrJmVtYz1lZGl0X2xuXzIwMjQwNDIzVwNueXRCCmYg344nZiHWDM1SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) [The Learning Network](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoChPfP0TIaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vc2VjdGlvbi9sZWFybmluZz9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01NSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9sbl8yMDI0MDQyMyZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMjEyNjUmbmw9dGhlLWxlYXJuaW5nLW5ldHdvcmsmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE2NDUzMiZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZiDfjidmIdYMzVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) April 23, 2024 Dear Reader, Has your birth order shaped who you are? What’s the greatest gift your parents have given you? What sign, symbol or emoji best represents your generation? What got your attention in the news recently? Do you spend enough time in the dirt? These are just a few of the questions we posed recently in our writing prompts. We’d love to read your students’ answers. Sincerely, The Learning Network WRITING PROMPTS [[A hand placing its palm into dirt. ] Caroline Tompkins for The New York Times](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoChPfP0T1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wNC8yMi9sZWFybmluZy9kby15b3Utc3BlbmQtZW5vdWdoLXRpbWUtaW4tdGhlLWRpcnQuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01NSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9sbl8yMDI0MDQyMyZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMjEyNjUmbmw9dGhlLWxlYXJuaW5nLW5ldHdvcmsmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE2NDUzMiZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZiDfjidmIdYMzVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) [Student Opinion Do You Spend Enough Time in the Dirt? Scientists say that feeling the earth can be good for our bodies and minds. When was the last time you got your hands dirty? By Natalie Proulx](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoChPfP0T1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wNC8yMi9sZWFybmluZy9kby15b3Utc3BlbmQtZW5vdWdoLXRpbWUtaW4tdGhlLWRpcnQuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01NSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9sbl8yMDI0MDQyMyZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMjEyNjUmbmw9dGhlLWxlYXJuaW5nLW5ldHdvcmsmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE2NDUzMiZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZiDfjidmIdYMzVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) [[An illustration of four nesting dolls in a row in a blue background. In descending height from left to right, the dolls have faces descending in age, with the one on the far right in white diapers with hands clasped at the front. Compared with the other dolls’ faces that look happy, the face of the doll on the far left looks sad. It is adorned with medals and a ribbon that says “1.”] Bianca Bagnarelli](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoChPfP0T4aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wNC8xNy9sZWFybmluZy9oYXMteW91ci1iaXJ0aC1vcmRlci1zaGFwZWQtd2hvLXlvdS1hcmUuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01NSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9sbl8yMDI0MDQyMyZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMjEyNjUmbmw9dGhlLWxlYXJuaW5nLW5ldHdvcmsmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE2NDUzMiZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZiDfjidmIdYMzVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) [Student Opinion Has Your Birth Order Shaped Who You Are? Does it matter if you’re the firstborn, the middle child, the youngest or somewhere in between? By Jeremy Engle](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoChPfP0T4aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wNC8xNy9sZWFybmluZy9oYXMteW91ci1iaXJ0aC1vcmRlci1zaGFwZWQtd2hvLXlvdS1hcmUuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01NSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9sbl8yMDI0MDQyMyZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMjEyNjUmbmw9dGhlLWxlYXJuaW5nLW5ldHdvcmsmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE2NDUzMiZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZiDfjidmIdYMzVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) [[An illustration of three women fly-fishing, wearing waders and standing in a river. ] Joey Han](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoChPfP0TkaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wNC8xOS9sZWFybmluZy9maXNoaW5nLWluLWEtc3RyZWFtLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTUmZW1jPWVkaXRfbG5fMjAyNDA0MjMmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTIxMjY1Jm5sPXRoZS1sZWFybmluZy1uZXR3b3JrJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNjQ1MzImdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmYg344nZiHWDM1SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) [Picture Prompts Fishing in a Stream Tell us a story, real or made up, that is inspired by this image. By The Learning Network](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoChPfP0TkaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wNC8xOS9sZWFybmluZy9maXNoaW5nLWluLWEtc3RyZWFtLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTUmZW1jPWVkaXRfbG5fMjAyNDA0MjMmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTIxMjY1Jm5sPXRoZS1sZWFybmluZy1uZXR3b3JrJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNjQ1MzImdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmYg344nZiHWDM1SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) [[The smoke rings are clear against a blue sky.] Giuseppe Di Stefano/Associated Press](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoChPfP0T9aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wNC8xOC9sZWFybmluZy93aGF0LWdvdC15b3VyLWF0dGVudGlvbi1pbi10aGUtbmV3cy1yZWNlbnRseS5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTU1JmVtYz1lZGl0X2xuXzIwMjQwNDIzJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTEyMTI2NSZubD10aGUtbGVhcm5pbmctbmV0d29yayZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTY0NTMyJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgpmIN-OJ2Yh1gzNUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~) [Student Opinion What Got Your Attention in the News Recently? All summer long we’ll be asking a similar question for our Summer Reading Contest. Practice here by posting a comment or a short video about a story that has interested you lately. By The Learning Network](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoChPfP0T9aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wNC8xOC9sZWFybmluZy93aGF0LWdvdC15b3VyLWF0dGVudGlvbi1pbi10aGUtbmV3cy1yZWNlbnRseS5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTU1JmVtYz1lZGl0X2xuXzIwMjQwNDIzJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTEyMTI2NSZubD10aGUtbGVhcm5pbmctbmV0d29yayZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTY0NTMyJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgpmIN-OJ2Yh1gzNUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~) [[An illustration that shows a silhouette of a parent holding a child’s hand against a gray background. There are two-dimensional butterflies flying around them.] Gabriel Zimmer Studio](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoChPfP4QEAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjQvMDQvMTgvbGVhcm5pbmcvd2hhdHMtdGhlLWdyZWF0ZXN0LWdpZnQteW91ci1wYXJlbnRzLWhhdmUtZ2l2ZW4teW91Lmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTUmZW1jPWVkaXRfbG5fMjAyNDA0MjMmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTIxMjY1Jm5sPXRoZS1sZWFybmluZy1uZXR3b3JrJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNjQ1MzImdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmYg344nZiHWDM1SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) [Student Opinion What’s the Greatest Gift Your Parents Have Given You? A Times Opinion essay argues that giving joy to their children is the one thing parents can control in a challenging world. Do you agree? By Jeremy Engle](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoChPfP4QEAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjQvMDQvMTgvbGVhcm5pbmcvd2hhdHMtdGhlLWdyZWF0ZXN0LWdpZnQteW91ci1wYXJlbnRzLWhhdmUtZ2l2ZW4teW91Lmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTUmZW1jPWVkaXRfbG5fMjAyNDA0MjMmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTIxMjY1Jm5sPXRoZS1sZWFybmluZy1uZXR3b3JrJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNjQ1MzImdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmYg344nZiHWDM1SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) [[An illustration showing a man from the back looking into an elevator packed with robots.] Calum Heath](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoChPfP0TvaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wNC8xOC9sZWFybmluZy9hbi1lbGV2YXRvci1maWxsZWQtd2l0aC1yb2JvdHMuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01NSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9sbl8yMDI0MDQyMyZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMjEyNjUmbmw9dGhlLWxlYXJuaW5nLW5ldHdvcmsmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE2NDUzMiZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZiDfjidmIdYMzVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) [Picture Prompts An Elevator Filled With Robots What do you think this image is communicating? By The Learning Network](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoChPfP0TvaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wNC8xOC9sZWFybmluZy9hbi1lbGV2YXRvci1maWxsZWQtd2l0aC1yb2JvdHMuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01NSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9sbl8yMDI0MDQyMyZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMjEyNjUmbmw9dGhlLWxlYXJuaW5nLW5ldHdvcmsmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE2NDUzMiZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZiDfjidmIdYMzVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) [[Pipilotti Rist wears a dark gray suit and scarf, and holds up a woven red bag. Around her, hundreds of bags are displayed on the floor, suspended from tables and on shelves, from oversized carry-alls and plaid tote bags to accordion purses and wicker baskets.] Thibault Montamat](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoChPfP0TaaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wNC8xNy9sZWFybmluZy8yMDAwLWJhZ3MuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01NSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9sbl8yMDI0MDQyMyZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMjEyNjUmbmw9dGhlLWxlYXJuaW5nLW5ldHdvcmsmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE2NDUzMiZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZiDfjidmIdYMzVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) [Picture Prompts 2,000 Bags What’s your favorite bag? Can you ever have too many? By The Learning Network](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoChPfP0TaaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wNC8xNy9sZWFybmluZy8yMDAwLWJhZ3MuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01NSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9sbl8yMDI0MDQyMyZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMjEyNjUmbmw9dGhlLWxlYXJuaW5nLW5ldHdvcmsmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE2NDUzMiZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZiDfjidmIdYMzVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) [[A black-and-white photo shows a sea of students at a graduation ceremony. Most of them are wearing peace signs on their mortarboards.] William E. Sauro/The New York Times](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoChPfP4QKAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjQvMDQvMTYvbGVhcm5pbmcvd2hhdC1zaWduLXN5bWJvbC1vci1lbW9qaS1iZXN0LXJlcHJlc2VudHMteW91ci1nZW5lcmF0aW9uLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTUmZW1jPWVkaXRfbG5fMjAyNDA0MjMmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTIxMjY1Jm5sPXRoZS1sZWFybmluZy1uZXR3b3JrJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNjQ1MzImdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmYg344nZiHWDM1SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) [Student Opinion What Sign, Symbol or Emoji Best Represents Your Generation? And what does it say about you and your peers — your experiences, your interests, your hopes and your worries? By Shannon Doyne](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoChPfP4QKAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjQvMDQvMTYvbGVhcm5pbmcvd2hhdC1zaWduLXN5bWJvbC1vci1lbW9qaS1iZXN0LXJlcHJlc2VudHMteW91ci1nZW5lcmF0aW9uLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTUmZW1jPWVkaXRfbG5fMjAyNDA0MjMmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTIxMjY1Jm5sPXRoZS1sZWFybmluZy1uZXR3b3JrJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNjQ1MzImdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmYg344nZiHWDM1SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) Like this email? Forward it to your friends, and let them know they can sign up [here](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoChPfP0TVaHR0cDovL3d3dy5ueXRpbWVzLmNvbS9uZXdzbGV0dGVycy90aGVsZWFybmluZ25ldHdvcms_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTUmZW1jPWVkaXRfbG5fMjAyNDA0MjMmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTIxMjY1Jm5sPXRoZS1sZWFybmluZy1uZXR3b3JrJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNjQ1MzImdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmYg344nZiHWDM1SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~). VOCABULARY RESOURCES [Word of the day Word of the Day: regale This word has appeared in 10 articles on NYTimes.com in the past year. Can you use it in a sentence? By The Learning Network](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoChPfP0TnaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wNC8yMi9sZWFybmluZy93b3JkLW9mLXRoZS1kYXktcmVnYWxlLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTUmZW1jPWVkaXRfbG5fMjAyNDA0MjMmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTIxMjY1Jm5sPXRoZS1sZWFybmluZy1uZXR3b3JrJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNjQ1MzImdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmYg344nZiHWDM1SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) [An illustration of a teacher saying the word "regale."](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoChPfP0TnaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wNC8yMi9sZWFybmluZy93b3JkLW9mLXRoZS1kYXktcmVnYWxlLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTUmZW1jPWVkaXRfbG5fMjAyNDA0MjMmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTIxMjY1Jm5sPXRoZS1sZWFybmluZy1uZXR3b3JrJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNjQ1MzImdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmYg344nZiHWDM1SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) [Word of the day Word of the Day: mediocre This word has appeared in 96 articles on NYTimes.com in the past year. Can you use it in a sentence? By The Learning Network](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoChPfP0TpaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wNC8xOS9sZWFybmluZy93b3JkLW9mLXRoZS1kYXktbWVkaW9jcmUuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01NSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9sbl8yMDI0MDQyMyZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMjEyNjUmbmw9dGhlLWxlYXJuaW5nLW5ldHdvcmsmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE2NDUzMiZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZiDfjidmIdYMzVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) [An illustration of a student saying the word "mediocre."](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoChPfP0TpaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wNC8xOS9sZWFybmluZy93b3JkLW9mLXRoZS1kYXktbWVkaW9jcmUuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01NSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9sbl8yMDI0MDQyMyZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMjEyNjUmbmw9dGhlLWxlYXJuaW5nLW5ldHdvcmsmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE2NDUzMiZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZiDfjidmIdYMzVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) [Word of the day Word of the Day: erudition This word has appeared in 26 articles on NYTimes.com in the past year. Can you use it in a sentence? By The Learning Network](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoChPfP0TqaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wNC8xOC9sZWFybmluZy93b3JkLW9mLXRoZS1kYXktZXJ1ZGl0aW9uLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTUmZW1jPWVkaXRfbG5fMjAyNDA0MjMmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTIxMjY1Jm5sPXRoZS1sZWFybmluZy1uZXR3b3JrJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNjQ1MzImdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmYg344nZiHWDM1SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) [An illustration of a student saying the word "erudition."](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoChPfP0TqaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wNC8xOC9sZWFybmluZy93b3JkLW9mLXRoZS1kYXktZXJ1ZGl0aW9uLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTUmZW1jPWVkaXRfbG5fMjAyNDA0MjMmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTIxMjY1Jm5sPXRoZS1sZWFybmluZy1uZXR3b3JrJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNjQ1MzImdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmYg344nZiHWDM1SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) [Word of the day Word of the Day: sparse This word has appeared in 194 articles on NYTimes.com in the past year. Can you use it in a sentence? By The Learning Network](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoChPfP0TnaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wNC8xNy9sZWFybmluZy93b3JkLW9mLXRoZS1kYXktc3BhcnNlLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTUmZW1jPWVkaXRfbG5fMjAyNDA0MjMmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTIxMjY1Jm5sPXRoZS1sZWFybmluZy1uZXR3b3JrJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNjQ1MzImdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmYg344nZiHWDM1SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) [An illustration of a student saying the word "sparse."](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoChPfP0TnaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wNC8xNy9sZWFybmluZy93b3JkLW9mLXRoZS1kYXktc3BhcnNlLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTUmZW1jPWVkaXRfbG5fMjAyNDA0MjMmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTIxMjY1Jm5sPXRoZS1sZWFybmluZy1uZXR3b3JrJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNjQ1MzImdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmYg344nZiHWDM1SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) [Word of the day Word of the Day: thoroughfare This word has appeared in 104 articles on NYTimes.com in the past year. Can you use it in a sentence? By The Learning Network](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoChPfP0TtaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wNC8xNi9sZWFybmluZy93b3JkLW9mLXRoZS1kYXktdGhvcm91Z2hmYXJlLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTUmZW1jPWVkaXRfbG5fMjAyNDA0MjMmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTIxMjY1Jm5sPXRoZS1sZWFybmluZy1uZXR3b3JrJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNjQ1MzImdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmYg344nZiHWDM1SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) [An illustration of a teacher saying the word "thoroughfare."](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoChPfP0TtaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wNC8xNi9sZWFybmluZy93b3JkLW9mLXRoZS1kYXktdGhvcm91Z2hmYXJlLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTUmZW1jPWVkaXRfbG5fMjAyNDA0MjMmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTIxMjY1Jm5sPXRoZS1sZWFybmluZy1uZXR3b3JrJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNjQ1MzImdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmYg344nZiHWDM1SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~)[Continue reading the main story](#a11y-skip-universal-0) ADVERTISEMENT [Ad](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoChPfP0SeaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9NjQ5MjQmbGk9TE4mbT1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkNyZwPUxOXzIwMjQwNDIzJnRlPTEmbmw9dGhlLWxlYXJuaW5nLW5ldHdvcmsmZW1jPWVkaXRfbG5fMjAyNDA0MjNXA255dEIKZiDfjidmIdYMzVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) How are we doing? 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