Thursday, September 25, 2014

New Math Thoughts For Thursday...!

Baby Sis sent me this the other day and I thought I might share it. It shows just how far we have slipped in our education process.

New Math....

 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 1960s:

1. Teaching Math In 1960s (when I was in school). 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 1970s, 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 1980s. A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80. Did he make a profit? Yes or No?

4. Teaching Math In 1990s. 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 2000s. 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, and if you feel like crying, it's Okay).

6. Teaching Math In 2014. Un hachero vende una carretada de maderapara $100. El costo de la producciones es $80. Cuanto dinero ha hecho? ANSWER: His profit was $375,000 because his logging business is just a front for his pot farm.

While this was originally meant to be a humorous piece, I feel there is more truth to it than we may want to acknowledge. Makes you wonder what we will be teaching in our schools in the next 10 years, doesn't it?

Coffee out on the patio this morning. Temps in the low 70s and that's good enough for me!

9 comments:

Chickenmom said...

Truth is always stranger than fiction! I've noticed more and more parents are interested in home schooling. Getting ready for some heavy rain today.

linda m said...

Isn't that the truth. This is why I am so glad my daughter-in-law has home schooled my grandson. Kids today couldn't do math in their heads if their life depended on it. Too much reliance on calculators and computers. I actually feel sorry for today's generation of children.

trav4adventures said...

Oh, you are so RIGHT ON! I teach 3rd grade. Nowadays, it isn't enough that the kids know how to add. Now they have to show me which numbers to combine in an addition problem and show their work. I'm basically one lesson ahead of them (most of the time). Oh, and they have to use number lines to show 29+36 and skip count. It is INSANE!!! When will this NONSENSE end?
Cheryl Ann

JO said...

Oh the true behind this. While it still gives you a laugh it is still frightening .
Nice cool weather your having makes the patio much more inviting

Dizzy-Dick said...

I just wonder if 2 plus 2 still makes 4. . .

Mamahen said...

There is just to much truth in this to be very amusing...A bit warmer here this a.m 52...patio sounds good. How about a crumb cake this morning..i'll share :))

HermitJim said...

Hey Phyllis...
Home schooling may be the best for many folks. Public schools are not getting the job done in a lot of cases.

Thanks for coming over today!



Hey Linda M...
In the old days, they would count your change back to ya, but no more. What would happen if the power went out?

Thanks for dropping by today!



Hey Cheryl Ann...
Maybe it only gets worse from here on. That's a scary thought!

Thanks so much for coming by this morning!



Hey Jo...
Sometimes things are so bad that we have to laugh to keep from crying.

Thanks for the visit, sweetie!



Hey Dizzy...
Man, now days who knows?

Thanks for coming by this morning!



Hey Mamahen...
A crumb cake would be greatly appreciated. Like the old saying says...truth hurts!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Sixbears said...

I had 10 shelving brackets, they were something like $4.70 each. So I was prepared to pay $47 dollars. For some reason the clerk could only ring it up as $4.70 for all 10. She insisted she was right. I gave up and paid her $4.70.

. . . that store is out of business today.

deb harvey said...

same thing happens to us,
no tears because the register does all the work
but the young clerks always look bemused and the light partially dawns when the change comes out even.
possibly the young teacher commenting aboe has not yet encountered this situation.
deb h.