it's only funny because it's true
I received this story from a friend in an email. It's funny because it's sadly true.
Fifty Years of Math 1957 -2007
Last week I purchased a burger at Burger King for $1.58. The countergirl 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's---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's---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's---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's---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's---An evil logger cuts down a beautiful forest because he is a selfish, inconsiderate, greedy capitalist 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 2007--- Un hachero vende una carretada de maderapara $100. El costo de la producciones es $80. Cuanto dinero ha hecho?
Fifty Years of Math 1957 -2007
Last week I purchased a burger at Burger King for $1.58. The countergirl 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's---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's---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's---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's---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's---An evil logger cuts down a beautiful forest because he is a selfish, inconsiderate, greedy capitalist 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 2007--- Un hachero vende una carretada de maderapara $100. El costo de la producciones es $80. Cuanto dinero ha hecho?
posted by hondo at 12:56 PM
2 Comments:
Hondo,
Yet again you have given us a teachable moment in conservative paranoia. You and the english-under-threat brigade have about as much credibility as the war-on-christmas brigde. You are scared and peddling your fear to promote your agenda: a 1950s America where anyone who doesn't think, talk, an look like you has to drink from a different fountain. Guess what hondo? That America ain't coming back. Get over it and move on!
Wow, anonymous, you really stretched on this one! I think that you have completely missed the point of the funny story, which is not too surprising. Liberals are not by nature humorous people, so they typically have trouble comprehending humor.
This story has two points:
1. Public education has been "dumbed down" over the last 50 years. This does a horrible injustice to those students.
2. Public education today doesn't require non-English speaking students to learn English. This does a horrible injustice to those students.
One question--How did you "jump off the tracks" to get to a place where you thought this story supports 1950's-style segregation? Good grief!
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