Teaching math 1958-2008

[N/A]

1958 - 2008 / 50 years of math:

Last week I purchased a burger at Burger King for $2.58

The counter-girl took my $3. & I was digging for my change

when I pulled 8 cents from my pocket & gave it to her.

She stood there, holding the nickel & 3 pennies, while
looking at the screen on her register. I sensed her dis-

comfort & 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 & cried.



Why do I tell you this? Because of the evolution in

teaching math since 1958:

1. Teaching math In 1958

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 1968

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 1978

A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100.

His cost of production is $80.

Did he make a profit?

4. Teaching Math In 1988

A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100.

His cost of production is $80 & his profit is $20.

Your assignment: Underline the number 20.

5. Teaching Math In 1998

A logger cuts down a beautiful forest because he

is selfish & inconsiderate & cares nothing for the

habitat of animals or the preservation of our wood-

lands. 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 & squirrels feel as the

logger cut down their homes? (There are no wrong

answers, & if you feel like crying, it's okay.


6. Teaching Math In 2008
Un hachero vende una carretada de maderapara $100.

El costo de la producciones es $80.

Cuanto dinero ha hecho?

[ronsii]

if I knew ebonics I would give you the lesson for 2009 ;-)

[Duster.]

So True.

[Akinhand]

i honestly could associate with the girl maybe 3 years ago, like i wouldnt have known why...i know now but it is a truth.
schools dont do a good job, feel sorry for people like that dont hat esome one for being dumb honestly i feel sorry if thats true.

[jrs]

So true N/A. The 'spanish speakers' are winning here in the PRK. They've managed to circumvent the law time after time and have 'spanish' only speaking schools. And if you're not 'latin' and your kid is sent to one, blow the damn place up. It'll be less frustrating.

[bellson]

This is an example of why I am so ruthless and cruel to my children!

When they were in Kindergarten, I actually glued coins to flash cards and wrote down the breakdowns of each coin. I evilly then made them memorize each flash card and it's entire contents until the kids could repeat it in their sleep. I even stooped to bribing them with Candy as an incentive to learn.

The result?
My kids are bored stiff by the math (and science) they are taught in school and hate attending. My son, being a particularly loyal personality type will even dumb down his answers so that his friends will not feel bad.

The solution?
Work harder, make more money, send the kids to private school.

JRS's kid is as smart as a whip. He is evil too.


My kids are not perfect, but they can at least make change.

[GreenBlood10]

....Wow. At least you know your school taxes are going to something worth while.....oh Sh*t I'm funding this?!?! We are in need of serious education reform that's one truth.

[desert fox]

Originally Posted by jrs

blow the damn place up. It'll be less frustrating.

Dude its like you read my mind on a daily basis!!! lol

[jrgrace]

Wow, you hit it on the nose. I had the same thing happen to me the other day. I hate getting change so on a $5.50 bill I gave the girl behind the counter $6.50 to get rid of same change in my pocket. She looked real confused.