Do YOU know the difference between a metaphor and a simile? Luckily, I do. But there are other answers of which I am far less sure. For instance, I’m not positive I know what decimal is equal to the fraction 3/5ths. Or which skin pattern is that of the western garter snake. Can I name all seven continents?
What I do know is that I’ll be leaning heavily on my smart, young team of Valley fifth-graders when I go up against my competitors in the first ever “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader,” put on this Sunday, April 25, by the Sonoma Valley Education Foundation (SVEF).
The Sonoma Valley Veterans Memorial Building is the venue and, while ticket sales have been a bit slow, a large turnout is being planned for. The event is very well priced – just $25 for the game show, music and dancing afterwards; $20 gets you into the after party only. Student admission is a mere $10. Doors open at 3 p.m. and the game show starts at 4 p.m. Music from BackTrax and dancing is from 7 to 9 p.m. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. All proceeds will go towards funding SVEF programs in our local schools.
There were, at last count, a total of 20 contestants. I’m familiar with many of my competitors, some I’ve never met. Either way, I’ve never looked around and compared my intellect to theirs. I find myself doing that now.
Kathy Witkowicki, I think? Sure, she toils day in and day out for the benefit of children but maybe she’s not up on the latest fifth-grade curriculum. But then there’s David Pier. Not only does he have his own young children, he’s likely immersed in homework help at the Boys & Girls Club as well. He could be trouble. Jeff Kunde probably knows a lot about wine making but there’s hope that daily thoughts of bloom and brix and bung have crowded his brain to the point that no memory of state capitals remains.
And speaking of the crowded brain, isn’t that the problem when we reach adulthood? There are so many little niggling thoughts that consume valuable brain cells: remember to take out the trash, walk the dog, get the car filled with gas. It seems it takes an act of God to sit down, read an article and LEARN something new. Luckily for me, I do learn new things every day from the people I talk to and interview and the stories I write. It makes me feel like I’m keeping Alzheimer’s at bay just a little bit longer.
Whether you can make it to Sunday’s “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader” or not, we can all learn something from the event. We’re told – admonished – to exercise every day for a healthy body. Exercising the brain is no less important. Take time each day to look around, stretch your mind as you tone your body. All it takes is a walk in the sunshine or a bike ride to the library to do both.
Wish me luck!
— Jody Purdom
