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 ok).
6. Teaching Math In 2010
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
Funny post. Most cash registers today require the cashier to type in the amount of money you give them and then tell the cashier how much change to give.
A truly gifted teacher would be able to explain to the kids that the logger is a part of the environment and a steward of the land since most logging companies try to replant the land with new trees, much like a farmer who wants to continue having crops to sell. The teacher could also point out the rest of the animals who feed on shrubs will now have more food to eat when there is little in a mature forest with no undergrowth.
A gifted teacher who has God in his/her life would be able to explain that God's creation has naturally occurring forest fires which also provided new growth to sustain the animal life in the forest and that God created the trees for mankind to use and replenish.
The ungifted and unspiritual teacher, however, would just stick to the lesson plan, have a group hug and call for a manager if a student brought money to class and asked for change.
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Jesus Christ--The reason for the season!
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you can read this in English, thank a veteran.
If you're certain you know everything, there's little opportunity to learn anything.
Welcome to the age of gadgets that think for you. I wonder how many of us have forgotten how to spell with spell check and other devices we are so accustomed to; If I lose I lose my cell phone I won't be able to contact anyone in my family, I have everyone on speed dial, I don't even know my wife's cell number.
I'm not surprised to see this post I encounter the very same thing several times a year.
What's really sad is this type of math (giving change back from money) is taught from the 1st grade through the 3rd or 4th grade. Students are learning pre-algebra in the 5th and 6th grade. Rev is right that this does happen often in stores but the occurrence merely demonstrates a former student who didn't pay attention in school and will be at a disadvantage in the job market until/unless they upgrade their job skills.
__________________
Jesus Christ--The reason for the season!
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you can read this in English, thank a veteran.
If you're certain you know everything, there's little opportunity to learn anything.
As the recipient of an education in a high school that would have been termed less than superior, I think I recieved a quality education.
The problem lies in the fact that everyone is expected to graduate, regardless of ability. You can learn at a high level as I did. But if you show up on a more or less reglular basis, and don't do anything to get expelled, you can get "C"s and a high school diploma.
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Proud parents of our own "Daddy's Little Girls"
I heard Jesus He drank wine and I bet we'd get along just fine.
As the recipient of an education in a high school that would have been termed less than superior, I think I recieved a quality education.
The problem lies in the fact that everyone is expected to graduate, regardless of ability. You can learn at a high level as I did. But if you show up on a more or less reglular basis, and don't do anything to get expelled, you can get "C"s and a high school diploma.
Your are so right Step; there are those that only care to graduate not get an education. It's there for the taking; the problem starts at the home, if kids are expected to learn, most do.
It's a sorry testament to the educational system that a person whose livelihood is as the taker of currency and the making of change cannot figure out 158 from 200 in it's head. This is not 'math', it's 'arithmetic' plain and simple. If it's NOT the educational system, then it looks like the 2nd or 3rd generation of brain-damaged crack babies is coming into it's own.......
It's a sorry testament to the educational system that a person whose livelihood is as the taker of currency and the making of change cannot figure out 158 from 200 in it's head. This is not 'math', it's 'arithmetic' plain and simple. If it's NOT the educational system, then it looks like the 2nd or 3rd generation of brain-damaged crack babies is coming into it's own.......
It's the philosophy of education here in this country. Consider, for example, "No Child Left Behind." You can get a good education in our system, especially if you have sound parental support. I did.
But it's impossible to fail. You can get a high school diploma and not be able to read or do arithmetic at a basic level.
The sad thing is that it seems to be reaching the college level. I have had two profs tell me that they encounter students who cannot write a coherent paragraph using acceptable grammar and spelling. Yet these people expect to get a college degree.
Fortunately, the tenure system protects them from being fired for flunking too many students.
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Proud parents of our own "Daddy's Little Girls"
I heard Jesus He drank wine and I bet we'd get along just fine.
Evolution of Math instruction in America
Most cash registers today require the cashier to type in the amount of money you give them and then tell the cashier how much change to give. 
