Labeling Materials and Reagents

Labeling Materials and ReagentsToday, there are numerous limiting reagents to utilize in chemistry. They can be labeled in various ways such as glass, gas, liquid, solid, or powder, and many other names. It's important to understand all the possible names of these reagents so that you know what they are intended for.Lab as a noun means a laboratory. Labels are a way of labeling things for scientific purposes. Labels provide details about the substances, including their names, sizes, etc. Labels are also used for identifying chemicals, and, sometimes, objects. Labels are an important component of science and help researchers become more efficient.The lab is also used to refer to a state of preparation in which something is being made in a laboratory. This may include samples or materials being handled for analysis. Another use of the lab is to refer to a group of people working together in a laboratory to do research. A scientist is a person who performs laboratory experiments. The wo rd scientist is often used in combination with another word like physicist, doctor, or doctor of medicine.The limitations of a reagent are determined by two factors. First, how much or how little the substance can absorb is the limiting factor, and the second factor is the maximum or minimum quantity of chemical is capable of being produced. Second, the size of the area needed to handle the reagent is another determining factor.When a reagent is prepared by heating it, the limits of the reagent are very difficult to determine because of how quickly the boiling point of the substance is reached. High temperature and high boiling points are the two elements that contribute most to the limiting factor in most situations. There are some special situations where the limits are determined by the shape of the reagent. For example, some chemicals that react with each other are said to have diffusive limits.In some cases, a reagent will be used as a pre-treatment before experiments are perfo rmed. These pre-treatment reagents are called stoppers, or tris. Another common scenario is a reaction in which one element is an absorber and the other is an exothermic, or heat-generating element. In this situation, one element will be called a catalyst, and the other element will be called an oxidizer. In general, reagents that react with each other are called curators.The limits of a reagent can vary greatly depending on the chemistry involved. Because of this, it's important to have a specific idea of what you're doing before setting out to do experiments. If there's an experiment to be done, make sure that you understand the reagent's use and limits. Understand why you have to use reagents, what conditions they're useful in, and what they will do for you.

The Best Places for Arabic Classes in Edinburgh.

The Best Places for Arabic Classes in Edinburgh. Want to Learn Arabic? Here are Your Top Opportunities for Arabic Lessons in the Capital of Scotland. ChaptersWhy Study Arabic?The Benefits of Arabic Lessons in Edinburgh.Top Places to Learn Arabic in Edinburgh.Besides just being a lovely place, Edinburgh is a great city in which to explore the world of languages. With a huge international population and a selection of first-class educational institutions, you’d do well to conduct your language study in Scotland’s great capital.This applies to the language of the Arab world too: Arabic. In Edinburgh, you have opportunities to join an Arabic studies programme coming out of your ears.You just need to know where to look.That’s why we’ve put together this list of some of the best Arabic language courses in the city. So, whether it is Arabic language and culture classes you want or Arabic language learning for business, whether you are after a deep knowledge of Arabic literatures or a conversational ability in Arabic â€" and whether you want to know the Levantine dialect or Egyptian Arabic â€" you’ll find the class for you in Ed inburgh. Why not join an Arabic course in Edinburgh? HalimaArabic Teacher £13/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KotaibaArabic Teacher 5.00 (3) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SoledadArabic Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NancyArabic Teacher 5.00 (1) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TaouesArabic Teacher £8/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DinaArabic Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AbrarArabic Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors UsamaArabic Teacher 5.00 (1) £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhy Study Arabic?Across the world, around 420 million people speak Arabic â€" from North Africa to the Arabian peninsula and beyond. This makes Arabic the sixth biggest language in the world.The Global Importance of Arabic.It is a hugely important language too. Not only is it spoken by the Arab countries, but it functions as an important lingua franca â€" a second language used to speak acr oss cultures of other different languages â€" across the region and the globe.For those of you in business, Arabic is an important language to have in your linguistic armoury. This is because the economies of the Arab world are slowly coming into their own. If you are intending to do business in the Arabic speaking world, it is important to at least know some Arabic words and Arabic phrases.No-one is asking you to be fluent â€" but having some language skills is important for business.Learn Arabic across the UK or find Arabic courses in London.The Language’s Beauty.There are usually plenty of reasons for people to learn a foreign language. Yet, whilst most of us in the UK go for one of the European languages, there are plenty of reasons to brave the Arabic alphabet and take a dive into Arab culture.Yes, whilst the Arabic script is a little intimidating for the uninitiated, the culture of the Arabs is endlessly fascinating â€" and is worth putting in the hours for. From the wonders of Arabic literature to the rich history of Arab philosophy, learning, and science, learning Arabic will be one of the best things you’ll ever do.And the fact that the language comes from a different language family is important here. Because, whilst in most European languages there is an aspect of familiarity, with words in Arabic there might not be.Learning the language, then, becomes a real intellectual challenge as well as a practical one. But, as we said, the rewards are almost uncountable. Can you read this? Well then, you need an Arabic course.The Benefits of Arabic Lessons in Edinburgh.The thing is that, with the complexities of Arabic writing, and with the unfamiliarity of the language’s pronunciation, it is fairly crucial to enrol on a language course if you want to develop your fluency in the language.Sure, you can dive in and try and read Arabic poetry right off the bat. Or surround yourself with Arabic speakers to try to develop your spoken Arabic. Yet, if you are starting from the very basics of basic Arabic, you might find all this a bit tricky.That’s why a language program of some description â€" and we’re not being didactic about what sort of language course you take â€" is pretty much essential.Because a good Arabic teacher will walk you through all of this. They will give you a good orientation of the ways that you will learn the language best, they will help with your reading and writing, and they will throw in some colloquial phrases too.Sure, you can use Memrise or just watch Al Jazeera, but the difference at this point is going to be overwhelming.Find Arabic classes in Birmingham and Arabic courses in Glasgow.Top Places to Learn Arabic in Edinburgh.So, whether you want one-to-one Arabic tuition with a native speaker, or you want to take group Arabic courses at a language school, there’s no right way to learn a new language.Luckily, in Edinburgh, there are options for almost all types of language learning that you could imagine. Night classes, degree-level courses, or adult education â€" all are catered for in the city.So, now, really, the decision is yours. And maybe your decision will come down purely to issues of practicality: your days of availability, your location â€" and the school’s â€" and the way that you get on with your particular teacher.All are legitimate reasons to choose one class over another. But do your research beforehand and you will find the perfect course for you.Find Arabic courses in Belfast and Arabic courses in Cardiff. Some of the richest states in the world are in the Middle East.Take Arabic Language Classes at The Arabic Academy of Edinburgh.Based just off the Dalry Road on Cathcart Place, Edinburgh’s Arabic Academy is the only Arabic-specific language school in the city. Accredited and funded by the Edinburgh City Council â€" and having been going for nearly fifteen years â€" it is a highly reputed language-learning institution.They offer courses in Classical Arabic as well as in Arabic as a First Language and Arabic as a Second Language â€" and they offer qualifications from pre-GCSE to Advanced Higher.These guys really are experts in Arabic teaching, and their methodology â€" little memorisation, and an emphasis on current events â€" is an important and effective one.Join an Arabic Course at inlingua Edinburgh Language School.Inlingua is a world-renowned language centre with schools across the UK. Their Edinburgh school â€" on Shandwick Place â€" is a hub of linguistic activity and excitemen t, offering everything from Italian to Japanese, Gaelic to Polish.They can organise Arabic lessons for you â€" and can offer a variety of different lesson formats. One-to-one sessions, pairs, groups, or online â€" and they even offer guided tours of Edinburgh in your target language.It’s a great environment in which to learn, so get in touch.Do a Degree in Arabic at the University of Edinburgh.If you are interested in pursuing the Arabic language as something more than just a recreational pastime, you may want to consider enrolling on a language programme at the University of Edinburgh.One of the UK’s â€" if not the world’s â€" leading higher education institutions, the University of Edinburgh has a spectacular languages department.If you study Arabic following school level, you will enrol in a Master’s level qualification straightaway in a four-year course. Part of this will be a year abroad, in which you will spend thirty weeks living and studying in an Arabic-speaking cou ntry of your choice.From Arabic grammar and linguistics to the novels and poetry of the Arab world, this course will cover everything you need to be fluent in Arabic. You’ll also take modules in Middle Eastern culture, Islam, and politics â€" if you choose.Or Study Arabic at the University’s Centre for Open Learning.Whilst you won’t leave with a degree, you may consider doing a short course in Arabic â€" or one of twenty-three other languages â€" at the University of Edinburgh.The university’s Centre for Open Learning offers short courses in pretty much every subject you can imagine. Most courses last for twenty hours and start at three different points across the academic year â€" usually September, January, and April.Arabic classes offered are for beginners and for speakers of elementary Arabic and they are taught by expert language tutors.The classes are fun but professional, social and serious-minded.Study Arabic for Business at Simon Simon.If it’s Business Arabic tha t you are seeking, Simon Simon might be the best place to do this in Edinburgh.They claim to be the number one provider of business language courses in the UK, and they organise their courses on an on-demand basis.Expect to do a ninety-minute class weekly â€" and if you want to take exams in Arabic, you can do that too.Find a Private Arabic Tutor at Superprof.If you are looking for reliable, flexible, and friendly private tuition in Edinburgh, you needn’t look any further than Superprof.We are a platform that connects enthusiastic and knowledge tutors to students across the world â€" in over one thousand different subjects.Superprof has five Arabic tutors operating in Edinburgh, at an average rate of £22 an hour. And the beauty of a private tutor is that you don’t need to fit your schedule around someone else: these guys can come to your house or meet in a place that is convenient for you.Try Arabic lessons in Leeds or Arabic tuition in Manchester.

Songwriting 101 Using the Long-Line Concept

Songwriting 101 Using the Long-Line Concept Megan L. One of the most wonderful and rewarding things about the art of songwriting is that there are many different ways to approach making your own music. Arlington,TX music teacher Ric F. previously shared with us his tips on using rhythm as a guide to writing. Today, Ric would like to add another aspect to your understanding of writing songs, something he calls the long-line concept. Unlike visual art where you can see it all at once, music takes “time” to reveal itself. Today I would like to talk about the “long-line” concept. Long-line does not mean the music has to be “long” or a “line” (melody). Any of the elements of music may be used as your primary element. In songwriting it is usually the melody. The result that you want is to be able to get from here (beginning) to there (end) giving your listener a sense of completeness and natural progression. Many elements go into accomplishing this, but your ability to write horizontally will greatly help you. As a songwriter and teacher, I preach this because I have noticed that many students are no longer taught this concept due to a number of reasons. One is… Technology I use lots of technology and love it! But I learned my craft before the technology we currently use developed so I am a bit old school in my work. Technology allows us to bring up a digital score or get our hands on sounds by way of multiple keyboards and find ourselves in this position… Many students come to me with a digital score (i.e. orchestral) with two or so measures full of notes from the top stave down to the bottom and say something like this: “I love these two measures but I don’t know where to go from here â€" I’m stuck!”  I also have students come with a recording of two or so measures of a song, completely produced and say the same. Answer? They did not conceive the song as best they could from beginning to end. They did not determine an element that could help them get the long-line, thinking “horizontally”. They thought “vertically” and that’s why they’re stuck! Before going further, let me say that what I am talking about is not a rule. How you write your music is totally up to you, and all composer-songwriters have different processes. If you can play your melody with no accompaniment and it holds your listeners interest from beginning to end, you have something! As a teacher I use melody because it is something that anyone can create. You do not have to be an instrumental virtuoso to write a melody. Let’s proceed… As an example, below is the structure of an instrumental song of mine that was recently recorded and released. It has these sections: Intro (A) section: Presentation of the melody in basic “verse” form (B) section: 8 measures. Melody range higher. The 5th measure is the “hook” (higher the melody has been building toward this moment) Vamp Note: The Intro has no melody. The (A) section has melody in a lower range. The (B) section has melody higher in its range leading up to the “hook” where the melody is at its highest point.   The “Vamp” has its melodic element in the accompaniment. It is a motif based on the melody and not essential as a melodic element. If you play the melodies of these sections in succession they will stand up on their own â€" as a song. The “melody” is my long-line. It is what drives the song from beginning to end. Assignment Use this simple song form (simple does NOT equate bad!) to write your own composition. (A) = 8 measures / (A) again, maybe some small changes / (B) something different, yet related / (A) again, perhaps exactly as the first (A) section or slightly different. Write a song with melody as your long-line. Ric F.  teaches songwriting, music recording, and music theory in Arlington, TX. Ric specializes in music composition and can teach anything from arranging and orchestration to film scoring. Learn  more about Ric  or  search for a teacher  near you! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo by Alexcoitus

Guitar Theory Your Secret Weapon

Guitar Theory Your Secret Weapon Sign up successful I learned scales and the names of the notes on the guitar, but I never saw the connection. Learning guitar theory has taught me to know the key Im using to play. When you know the key, you know the appropriate notes. If you know the appropriate notes, you can avoid the sour notes!  This is incredibly useful to improvise a guitar solo. Theory is important for guitarists for many reasons. Im sure youve had moments where youve thought wow that riff sounds great, whats a good bass line to play over that instead of the root notes? Guitar theory can help you in these situations. Knowing the key tells you what type of notes to play, what type of chords to create, and how you can manipulate chords to tailor  your style. How to Use Guitar Theory Take a look at a G major barre chord. Your first, third, and fourth finger play a G power chord, playing the notes of G, D, and an octave G. Continuing with the rest of the chord, your second finger plays a B note. Your first finger then barres the rest of the third fret, covering another set of notes: D and G. *  So collectively, playing a G major chord is simply playing a combination of octaves between the notes of G, B, and D. G,B, and D are the first, major third, and fifth of a G major scale, otherwise known as a major triad. So if G,B, and D are taken care of in a  G major scale, were left with A, C, E, and F#. So, G-1, A-2, B-3, C-4, D-5,E-6, and F#-7th. Not only do we have seven notes to choose from if we want to solo in G major, we can also use these seven notes to see what kind of chords we can make in G major. Every chord we play in G major HAS  to have those exact notes. Not Eb, not C#.. the only sharp note is the sharp F (start looking at the circle of fifths linked with the article). Heres a video to help you understand how to play a G major barre chord: As we go along the G major  scale, lets list the types of chords for each note: G is obviously major, A is minor, A major would have C# as the third, but we need to keep our C natural since were in the key of G major. Next is B minor, again Eb would be the third of B major, but we need to flat that major third to D to stay within G major. Keep applying the rules to each note; eventually, you can list your chords for G major like this: G Major A  Minor B  Minor C Major D Major E Minor F# Can be diminished, augmented (a lesson for another time). Now, within any of these chords, you can manipulate single notes to create different versions of a chord. For example, the G major. G, B, and D. How about we throw in an F# to give it a sweet, major seventh sound? More: Guitar Theory Basics: Understanding Keys  Use Guitar Theory to Learn New Songs Another reason I like guitar theory is because you can use it to learn a song by another artist. When you know the key, you can When you know the key the artist is using, you can see when he or she might step out of a key, or change a melody to activate the rules of theory. I love this because it gives you an opportunity to learn from your favorite guitarists and recognize when they challenge the art of writing music. This is the most valuable part of guitar theory (in my opinion); its such a great tool to use to learn from others. Guitar Theory: Your Secret Weapon Theory is almost like the language of music, and when you know theory while listening to your favorite songs, you can understand the artist  and see what he or she is telling you through melodies and chords. Work with your teacher and ask about guitar theory. Then, its up to you to listen and learn technique, styles, and methods from your favorite songs and artists! Post Author:  Morgan S. Morgan teaches bass guitar, drums, guitar, and music theory in Chicago, IL. He is working towards his Associates Degree in fine arts at the College of DuPage and studying music business at Columbia College Chicago.  Learn more about Morgan here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

How to Get a Better Singing Voice 7 Strategies to Use

How to Get a Better Singing Voice 7 Strategies to Use Sign up successful Another breathing exercise to try: begin by breathing inward for a count of four, then exhale for a count of eight. Keep increasing your exhales by counts of four until you reach 24 or 28 (or as far as you can go). This exercise teaches you how to control air. For more elaborate breathing exercises, consult your vocal coach. Take Private Singing Lessons If youre wondering how to get a better singing voice, the easiest strategy is to work with a professional! Singing lessons are the most effective way to improve your singing voice and maximize your potential. But remember, most students are only as good as their teachers. This means that youll have to find someone who knows the ins and outs of singing. A qualified teacher can teach you exactly how to practice, how to establish proper breathing techniques, as well as the ideal singing posture and healthy singing habits.  Although singing lessons are a financial investment, think of all the time that the experience will save you in the long run. Instead of seeking knowledge and advice by hunting around the Internet and teaching yourself how to sing, youll have an expert guiding you along at the right pace. Find Your Voice One critical mistake that many beginning singers make is to copy other artists styles, which doesnt allow you to build your own singing style. If youve started out by imitating another singer, you should be aware that the habit will have to be dropped at some point. Your own unique style and mindset go a long way in determining what your “normal singing voice” should sound like. Your singing voice will never completely match another persons, so its smart to spend some time figuring out your own style! Find the Drama Good singers convey emotions to their audience. They use their voices to tell dramatic stories and explore feelings. In a way, singing is a form of acting. You have to conjure up feelings and emotions for the performance, even if you arent genuinely feeling those emotions during those specific moments. The best advice is to have fun with it, and your audience will see your passion! Maintain Your Health As a singer, your body is your instrument so take special care of it! Alcohol, for example, can dehydrate you and your voice, so many singers avoid it. If you consume milk or other dairy products, wash them down with water, as dairy leaves a coating on your throat. Avoid overusing your voice, belting without proper technique, or yelling, as all of these can hurt your vocal cords. Conclusion Above all, you have to work hard and work smart. This means practicing effectively and regularly, and never sacrificing proper technique. Also, sing in front of others and ask them for honest feedback. Youll never improve if you arent open to constructive criticism! Use the above strategies for how to get a better singing voice, and keep on practicing. Good luck! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher  Photo  by Incase

Hire Me! - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Hire Me! - Introvert Whisperer Hire Me! Ferd Nerfberfer 123 Confusion Avenue New York, NY 00021 Professional Summary: A major suck up to executives and unable to ferret out even the slightest suggestion of strategic vision as a high level manager.     Continual upward growth at the expense of direct reports, which are generally beaten or abused multiple times per week to motivate and improve productivity.   Generally, a disgusting human by all accounts but, like a cockroach, survives by avoiding real work or results.   Singularly responsible for the loss of millions through fraud, law suits and neglect. Employment History Acme Manufacturing Co. Nov. 2015-March 2016, Currently unemployed, pending lawsuit complaint of missing office equipment, carpet and light fixtures Human Resources VP â€" Responsibilities:   Maintenance of corporate culture, HR policy by maximizing existing and future talent globally.   Detail oriented, people-person bent on perfection from others.   Creative incentive program creation, mostly consisting of waterboarding adaptation to office environment.   Responsible for multi-tiered organization of 2,000 people, although some are part time or having out of body experiences (which don’t receive compensation). Ozone Depletion Management Company Feb. 2014-March 2014 Corporate Safety Assurance Director â€" Responsibilities:   Assure executives that they won’t get caught damaging the earth’s air supply.   Daily affirmations in-person, via email, text and skywriting.   Generally, make these guys feel like they can do no wrong so it doesn’t spoil their concentration while playing golf.   Coined a new safety slogan and printed 497,000 bumper stickers for global distribution:   “It’s ONLY air!” OK Airlines (company filed bankruptcy in 1983) Dec. 1908- current In-flight Management â€" Responsibilities: Hiring, firing and flogging of all employees’ scheduled to work onboard specific flights.   Randomly picked flights to board based on where I wanted to go.   At my discretion, trained and changed rules without notice and held employees responsible for psychically picking up the vibe.   Employees out of compliance to the new rules received punishment up to but not limited to eating the airline food and squeezing into a seat made for a toddler.   Received annual promotions because I refused to quit. Edumaction and Certifiications Paducah High School â€" finished first semester References I have none as most of the people I have worked with are missing.   Law enforcement has been notified and I know nothing about it.   I can tell you that if you hire me, I’ll stick around.   I always do. April Fools Day! From Do you know what your next career step is?  Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable. Get your copy now and start your action plan today! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

How To Do Authentic Self-Promotion Without Being Obnoxious - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / How To Do Authentic Self-Promotion Without Being Obnoxious - Introvert Whisperer How To Do Authentic Self-Promotion Without Being Obnoxious As a rising Introvert Leader, it doesn’t matter where you are in your climb; you have to self-promote or plan to stay put. The very idea of self-promotion is disgusting to most people because the ones you see doing self-promotion aren’t the role models. Those people are obnoxious. In fact, the people you don’t see self-promoting are the ones doing it right. Well-executed self-promotion is subtle, tasteful and yes, (this will blow you away) useful. Do I have your attention now? The first thing you need to know about self-promotion is that we do it all the time. We are constantly promoting our ideas, our agendas and ourselves. If we didn’t, we would never have anything “go our way,” no one would know anything about us, nor would they know our good work. What this means is that you might be in need of an attitude adjustment about self-promotion. How to Pull Off Authentic Self-Promotion To authentically self-promote without negatively impacting your personal brand, try these actions: Engage your boss. Let your boss know your career aspirations and enroll them into an action plan to get you there. Update. Actively keep your boss, your peers and stakeholders up-to-date on key projects and issue resolutions. Ping the big boss. Periodically, update an executive on a pet project of theirs so you gain visibility. “Seed” conversations. “Seeding” means that occasionally you want to inject a comment that lets people know your expertise. Example: “I’ve solved problems like this before…” or “Usually when I solve a problem similar to this….” Take on more. Volunteer to be responsible for a project or task that will help demonstrate your ability to work at the next level up. When you do, let it be known that this is a stretch goal for you. It will also give you visibility, which is important. Compliment others. There’s nothing like other people thinking you’re a wizard than when you publicly let others know someone did something great. What this does is cement in the mind of the other person that you’re smart enough to realize how great they are. They will spread the word. (Tweet this!) Be informative. The difference between a bragger and a subtle self-promoter is that you are being informative by offering up information that might be useful to others. Don’t compete. When you chose to compete with others, it will show and you will be obnoxious. Choose your timing well and don’t compare your accomplishments to others. Pay attention. As I mentioned, there are self-promoters around you that you never realized. Pay attention to those around you who are being promoted and given raises who seem to be doing things right. You can learn just by being aware of what works for others. While it is important to perform well, you must understand that good work is not enough to get you climbing up that ladder of success. You must help the decision makes realize you are a star and the only way that will happen is if you help them. What comes naturally to extroverts can become a great process for you to follow. You don’t need a personality transplant to move your career forward. You simply need “adaptation” strategies. Go to top What are your thoughts on self-promotion? Share in the comments! Image: Photobucket Let me emphasize that Self-Promotion doesn’t have to be obnoxious to be effective.  But, if you don’t Self-Promote you, who will? If you ever want to get ahead, you have to learn how to Self-Promote. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my video that shows you simple, yet effective ways to Self-Promote. Start watching now by clicking here! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

How Children Succeed Part Two

How Children Succeed Part Two Improving Academic Performance In part one of this three-part introduction to How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character we are introduced the main theme of the book, that grit and character, not intelligence, is what drives academic performance and helps children succeed. We left off with the introduction of the cognitive hypothesis. The cognitive hypotheses states that success today depends primarily on cognitive skills (e.g., reading, writing, recognizing patterns, calculating, etc.) the type of intelligence that gets tested on IQ or standardized tests, and that the best way to build these skills is to practice them as early and often as possible. The cognitive hypothesis, according to Tough, is actually somewhat recent, and resulted from a series of studies in the early 1990s, that traced the decline in academic performance of U.S. children on a lack of early exposure to words and numbers. According to the generally accepted principles of the cognitive hypothesis, the more you can stimulate a young child’s brain early on, the stronger their academic skills will be later on in life, and the more successful they will thus become in school. For example, research shows that children born into poverty hear hundreds of thousands of fewer words by age 3 than children born into middle or upper middleclass families. If you follow the cognitive hypothesis, then this can clearly explain socioeconomically disadvantaged students’ lagging performance on tests of reading, writing, and general comprehension years later. The solution is to encourage the parents of these children to talk to, read to, and introduce counting games to their children as early and as often as possible. Interestingly, in the next chapter of the book, Tough spends a significant amount of time exploring a somewhat alternative view of how and why poverty impacts academic performance. It’s not that children born into poverty don’t hear enough words (though perhaps that’s part of it), it’s that they are systematically under significantly more stress from a very young age, and this stress impacts their ability to focus, pay attention, and stay on task. Ultimately, Tough suggests that the cognitive hypothesis, while certainly true in some areas and on some levels, is attractive because it’s so easy to understand. It’s highly linear. Less early exposure to words and numbers equals worse academic outcomes. But, while researchers certainly value simple theories of how the world works, Tough notes that a growing number of academic researchers, from fields as widespread as education, economics, psychology, and neuroscience have been coming togetherand sharing evidence to question the underlying assumptions embedded in the cognitive hypothesis. It is at this point that Tough directly describes the main theme of this book, which is that success doesn’t depend on how much stuff we can fit in our child’s brains early in life (i.e., the cognitive hypothesis). Instead, it depends on the ability to cultivate a set of qualities related to what you might call character or personality attributes, such as: persistence, self-control, curiosity, conscientiousness, grit, and self-confidence. He concedes that for some skills and in some ways, what he calls the stark calculus of the cognitive hypothesis is entirely accurate. The more a 4th grader reads, the better he will become at reading and comprehending, for example. But, his main contention is that academic and general success in life is complex to understand, and character skills (perhaps because when strong, they allow you to be better at buildingcognitive skills) are at the core of what truly allows children to succeed. In part three of our introduction, we’ll explore character in more detail, as well as offer an initial analysis and review of the book.