I just got this from a friend…and thought I would share it with my blogging friends:
Fifty Years of Math 1957 - 2007 (in the USA )
Last week 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 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 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 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.
11 comments:
I love this! So true! And by the way, 1957 (which is the year at the top) was the year I was born. So I know just what you mean. Now you go to Walmart and scanners do everything. Poor people don't even have to think. Just move it across, beep ensues to let them know its done, and throw it in a plastic sack. Isn't this a sad state of affairs?
Brenda
This reminds me of when I was at Hardee's. My total was something like $6.80. I gave the girl a $10. She mistakenly entered $20 for the amount tendered. She stood there puzzled about how much change to give me and and then had to get out a pen and paper to figure it out. I kept telling her to just give me $10 less than the register amount but I don't think she believed me.
We joke, but it's really a shame.
Enjoy your weekend!
So timely!
My goodness how true this is. I guess I never thought of it in this perspective. We are not giving out children the necessary skills to survive in this world. I will be posting a reference to this post on my blog. We need to do better for our children.
Thank you for sharing
Cindy
So so true...and the part of this that really disturbs me is #6. It's terrible here in CA. I feel like I'm living in Mexico.
Good post, Diane ... but so sad because it's true.
Hi Diane...It's good to be back & thanks for your sweet comments. It is alarming how our world is changing...I often comment to my DH that it is good we are in our "golden years"... :-) Bo
Dead on! And we wonder why America isn't the smartest country in the world today. It's really sad!
Oh my gosh that is SOOOO true!!!
So true!!! It's funny, but it's also sad. I want to just reach out and pinch those kids when they can't even make change!!!
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