Math

[clt_capt]

Teaching Math 1950 - 2010

Last week I purchased a burger at Burger King for $1.58. The counter girl took my $ 2 and rand up the cash register. I then dug through my change and pulled 8 cents from my pocket and gave it to her.

She stood there, holding the nickel and 3 pennies while staring at the screen on her register. I sensed her discomfort and tried to tell her to just give me two quarters, but she panicked and hailed the manager for help. While he tried to explain the transaction to her, she just stood there and cried.

Why do I tell you this?Because it brings to mind the evolution of teaching math since the 1950s, here’s my example:

1. Teaching Math In 1950s
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 1960s
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 1970s
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80. Did he make a profit?

4. Teaching Math In 1980s
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 1990s
A son of a ***** Republican 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?

Extra Credit: email Katie Couric and ask how the birds and squirrels felt as the logger cut down their homes? (There are no wrong answers, and if you feel like crying, it's ok.)

6. Teaching Math In 2009
Un hachero vende una carretada de maderapara $100. El costo de la producciones es $80. Cuanto dinero ha hecho?



7. Teaching Math In 2010
Who cares, just steal the lumber from your rich neighbor's property. He won't have a gun to stop you, and anyway the President says it's OK anyway becauseit’s a redistribution of wealth which we all know is the primary function of the federal government.

And Now You Know –

But don’t worry about the next generation - we have sex education in Kindergarten now so we know they’re getting a proper education.

[Big Jay]

LMFAO! I like that one.

[Hatterized]

hopefully Robinhoods who speak a foreign language and multiply like rabbits will be ran out of Sherwood Forest....(aka America) along with Friar Tuck...(aka Bama)....

[jackdaniels]

When I owned a pharmacy, I had to insist that all cashiers used the amount tendered button so that the register calculated the change. Once they touched that button they were not allowed to deviate from that answer. Nobody could make change.

[Robja]

So true Fred. You might want to add that the neighbor might have a gun but can't get any bullets.

[mvsusaf]

That is to be expected when elementary school kids (my grandchildren) are allowed to use calculators.
God bless those nuns who made sure we could recite the times tables.

[teddyp]

Ha teaching math in 2009 is so true. We'll all be speaking spanish soon. At least it will help when we go down to Isla.