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Last week I purchased a burger at a fast food restaurant 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 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 In1970s

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 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 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 2013
Who cares, just steal the lumber from your rich neighbor's property. He won't have a gun to stop you, and it's OK anyway cuz it's redistributing the wealth.

Math could hurt your feelings, we wouldn't want that.

Wodathunkit wrote:Math could hurt your feelings, we wouldn't want that.

[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=NO0cvqT1tAE[/youtube]

Actually, I see the problem a little differently. I see kids everyday solve quadratic equations who can't do simple math without a calculator.
The problem is we don't hold kids back who are missing the basic foundations of reading, writing, and arithmetic. We accommodate their "disabilities" in order to assure that they "succeed".
When I was in school there wasn't technology available to do everything for us. Today students don't need to know the answer, they just need to know how to find the answer. Take away the devices they use to find those answers and they are totally lost. Thus the tears.

RX8er wrote:6. Teaching Math In 2009

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

Que era de risa!

Shoot, my son passed my college level trig his second year of high school. Due to graduate in the summer with a bachelor degree in math, and another in economics.

He has often made me feel dumb.

Jaguar wrote:Shoot, my son passed my college level trig his second year of high school. Due to graduate in the summer with a bachelor degree in math, and another in economics.

He has often made me feel dumb.

Did you know that insanity is hereditary?









You get it from your kids.

(Thanks.! I'm here all week. Be sure to try the veal)

When we owned retail store we would not let our student workers just hand back change. They had to count back to the customer. Interesting sidebar - when oldest granddaughter was in 3rd grade she was having some problems in math. Since she came to the store every afternoon anyway I would take her to cashier station and let her work the register under my supervision. interesting that immediately her math scores started improving and today she is a 3rd grade teacher.