Teaching Math

[Phelan]

Math 1950-2005

Last week I purchased a burger at Burger King for $1.58. The counter girl took my $2 and 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 2 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 1950's:

1. Teaching Math in 1950

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

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

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

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

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.)

6. Teaching Math in 2005

Un hachero vend una carretada de maderapara $100. El cost de la producciones es $80.

[jayelleseven]

haha pretty funny but ur spanish sucks. even so, hispanic ppl wont be good at math, even in 06 or with simplified 'teachings'

i struggle in my 2nd yr calculus course sometimes even so, ive never seen more than 1 other hispanic classmate n they usually drop the class or do BAD_

that 90s thing was pretty damn funny ha, reminds me of high school_

[Fastforward]

all due to the lack of:

http://216.70.72.232/forum/showthread.php?t=16001

[gammawolf]

Originally Posted by jayelleseven

haha pretty funny but ur spanish sucks. even so, hispanic ppl wont be good at math, even in 06 or with simplified 'teachings'

i struggle in my 2nd yr calculus course sometimes even so, ive never seen more than 1 other hispanic classmate n they usually drop the class or do BAD_

that 90s thing was pretty damn funny ha, reminds me of high school_

Dude, your wrong about your generalization about hispanics and math. Even though my own math sucks, what can I say, not my skill, I know plenty of Latinos who are brilliant at math.

The guy who runs that little roach coach truck I rave about and go to all the time. Dude could work at IBM if he wanted to. That dude knows numbers like an IRS accountant. He doesn't have a calculator, he doesn't have pictures on a screen with graphix and the tax figured out for him. This dude does it all in his head for one customer at a time when he's got a line of 20 people waiting to place their orders. I'm not exaggerating, this guys the shit.

Don't forget that the Aztecs came up with the 365 day calendar while Europeans were still living in trees. C'mon man, do I have to even tell you about Jaime Escalante and calculus?

Don't be so general. People are soft now and those people, whatever color, who can do quick math in their head are rare.

[Phelan]

Originally Posted by jayelleseven

haha pretty funny but ur spanish sucks. even so, hispanic ppl wont be good at math, even in 06 or with simplified 'teachings'

Heh, I just copied and pasted out of an email that got nabbed by our anti-spam system at work. I don't remember enough spanish to have been able to fix it anyways.

[jayelleseven]

Originally Posted by gammawolf

Dude, your wrong about your generalization about hispanics and math. Even though my own math sucks, what can I say, not my skill, I know plenty of Latinos who are brilliant at math.

The guy who runs that little roach coach truck I rave about and go to all the time. Dude could work at IBM if he wanted to. That dude knows numbers like an IRS accountant. He doesn't have a calculator, he doesn't have pictures on a screen with graphix and the tax figured out for him. This dude does it all in his head for one customer at a time when he's got a line of 20 people waiting to place their orders. I'm not exaggerating, this guys the shit.

Don't forget that the Aztecs came up with the 365 day calendar while Europeans were still living in trees. C'mon man, do I have to even tell you about Jaime Escalante and calculus?

Don't be so general. People are soft now and those people, whatever color, who can do quick math in their head are rare.

youre right, i should generlize so much and yes ppl who are quick for calculations like that are rare

i guess its where i was brought up, there either arent enough hispanic ppl 2 fill up some math classes or they have a mentality where they jus dont give a damn, living in a fairly nice neighborhood and all thinkin life after hs or duing is cake_

i guess what i really mean is that the majority pf hispanic ppl dont have the committment n determination 2 do well in difficult subjects ( i know blacks and hispanics are the lowest scoring ethnic groups on standardized testing like SATs so u know that from hs they jus never wake up) yes there are many factors like family n income yet its basic

do u wanna try n do well in class or jus kick it wit the homies?? my hispanic friend in my calc course hasnt been 2 class in wks.. i know he can do it too but jus wont try...

N Im JUS TOO AMBITIOUS