Posted on 03/07/2006 6:56:04 AM PST by ZULU
Math 1950-2005
Last week I purchased a burger at Burger King for $1.58. The counter girl took my $2 and I was digging for my change when I pulled 8 cents from my pocket and gave it to her. She stood there, holding the nickel and 3 pennies, while looking at the screen on her register. I sensed her discomfort and tried to tell her to just give me two quarters, but she hailed the manager for help. While he tried to explain the transaction to her, she stood there and cried. Why do I tell you this?
Because of the evolution in teaching math since the 1950s:
1. Teaching Math In 1950
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price. What is his profit?
2. Teaching Math In 1960
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price, or $80. What is his profit?
3. Teaching Math In 1970
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80. Did he make a profit?
4. Teaching Math In 1980
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80 and his profit is $20. Your assignment: Underline the number 20.
5. Teaching Math In 1990
A logger cuts down a beautiful forest because he is selfish and inconsiderate and cares nothing for the habitat of animals or the preservation of our woodlands. He does this so he can make a profit of $20. What do you think of this way of making a living? Topic for class participation after answering the question: How did the birds and squirrels feel as the logger cut down their homes? (There are no wrong answers.)
6.Teaching Math In 2005
Un hachero vende una carretada de maderapara $100. El costo de la producciones es $80.
I learned grade school math in the 50s, and high school algebra and trigonometry in the early 60s, but what passes for education these days is beyond pitiful.
bump , how true
Now you've done it. You've unleashed scores of 'blame the teacher' posts when in fact the girl probably just wasn't very bright.
Same thing happened to me in a hardware store. The clerk laid the coins on the counter and was adding their values up on paper when I got flustered and barked "Just give me my damn eighty five cents!"
Sad and Funny.
Guess what has happened in the computer science world?
(Programming done by ESL types.)
Three words:
En Eee Ay.
I had an experience recently where I told a person behind a counter to please give me two dimes and a nickel. She had no clue -- she did not understand U.S. currency or coins.
I told the manager of the place that I just could not understand why she would put someone at the counter who did not understand U.S. coinage. All I got in return was a sullen sneer.
I've run across this very same situation several times, including telling the clerk how much to give me back. For some reason, they all trust my assessment of the correct amount of change. Too bad I'm honest because I could make some money there.
Teaching math in 2005, "A hamburger costs $2.43, a customer gives you $5, how much change does the register tell you to give him back"?
Hilarious!
Hilarante! (Did you ever notice that the word for hilarious in espanol sounds suspiciously like the name of the junior Senator from New York?)
No joke...true story...around 16 year old girl new at my dry cleaners....I have three garments 4 dollars each. She asks the woman trainer her how much do I charge?
Needless to say, she was not working at the cleaners very long.
There are certain kids who will having an easy time learning to read (and will come to it early) no matter what method is used to teach them. One of my three children falls into this category. As much as I would like to take credit as a homeschooling mom for her abilities, it doesn't really have very much to do with me. The same may be true for your child; it may not say much for educational fads and methods today.
calculators were taboo in my HS
I was at the local Burger King drive-thru, and my order cost $8.43. I gave the guy a ten, and he gave me back $8.43 in change, having "read" that off the receipt. He was new there and I decided to give him a break. I handed the whole deal back to him and told him how much change to give me.
It is more like "blame the system."
My third-grader started the year off learning long division.
Public school? Why no, actually, how'd you guess?
From what I've been seeing, it's the curriculum, the teachers' colleges, and the teachers' unions that are mostly at fault.
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