Math Through The Ages

[Cleonard19]

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 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 2007

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

 

[Mr. Blonde]

priceless

 

[bosox144]

thats hilarious...and true

 

[wiseguy04]

Repost:
http://www.airwarriors.com/forum/showthread.php?t=134199

Sad, but very true today. Oh well, people reap what they sow. See also OBESITY.

 

[illinijoe05]

Im curious, would you tell this joke in the workplace in front of your multi-ethinic/racial co-workers?

 

[MasterBates]

Why the hell not?

 

[Mr. Blonde]

Yeah, it's not a race joke it's a reflection on how things have become and the direction they're going in a hurry. I live here in Texas and my fiance is in school to become a teacher. Yesterday she went to a school in a predominantly hispanic community to do student teaching and the group of 5-6 year olds they gave her spoke NO english. And they don't even try to teach them english, the principal and teachers all spoke to the kids in spanish, and everything like the doors, bathrooms, etc. were all labeled in spanish. Not english and spanish but JUST SPANISH. How the hell do they expect the kids to learn english when they make NO attempt to teach it? I know, we'll just start printing and making all signs in english and spanish!!! (our hard earned tax dollars at work) Fortunately my fiance speaks spanish but the other student teachers were lost. :icon_rage

 

[Cleonard19]

Even here in suburban atlanta, my little brother goes to a public school where everything is labeled in both english and spanish. So yes, I would tell that joke in mixed company. It is by no means racist, its just pointing out a serious flaw in the system.

 

[nugget81]

Im curious, would you tell this joke in the workplace in front of your multi-ethinic/racial co-workers?

I'm hispanic and I approve!

 

[flysupertomcat]

Even here in suburban atlanta, my little brother goes to a public school where everything is labeled in both english and spanish. So yes, I would tell that joke in mixed company. It is by no means racist, its just pointing out a serious flaw in the system.

I'm Hispanic and I don't necessarily approve. What exactly is the flaw in the system? I would consider labeling things in both English and Spanish as educational vs. a flaw in the system. Kids see that the "bano" is called a bathroom or restroom, or little things like that, they learn that way.

 

[flysupertomcat]

Yeah, it's not a race joke it's a reflection on how things have become and the direction they're going in a hurry. I live here in Texas and my fiance is in school to become a teacher. Yesterday she went to a school in a predominantly hispanic community to do student teaching and the group of 5-6 year olds they gave her spoke NO english. And they don't even try to teach them english, the principal and teachers all spoke to the kids in spanish, and everything like the doors, bathrooms, etc. were all labeled in spanish. Not english and spanish but JUST SPANISH. How the hell do they expect the kids to learn english when they make NO attempt to teach it? I know, we'll just start printing and making all signs in english and spanish!!! (our hard earned tax dollars at work) Fortunately my fiance speaks spanish but the other student teachers were lost. :icon_rage

I agree, I don't know what programs Texas has but in VA we have ESL (English as a Second Language) that is available to students. Granted it is not Texas, but there is a large population of Hispanics in N.Va as well. It sounds like they are catering to the students rather than educating them and of course that does need to change, but the right programs need to be in place to do that. I guess that's the flaw in the system, but I'm pretty sure it's not nearly to that extent in every state, at least not in VA.

 

[Cleonard19]

The flaw in the system is that in this day and age, the school system insists on mandatory second language classes even though most students understanding of their primary language is laughable at best. I'm saying that the school system needs to get its priorities straight around here and give students a strong foundation in their primary language in the earlier grades and leave the secondary languages to the middle schools and high schools.

It all comes down education programs that focus on the ability of a student to do well on the test, even if they don't necessarily understand the material. As long as the student passes the test, the school looks good, and gets more money. In this specific case, the school teaches all students spanish (despite a lack of a strong foundation in english first) because it makes the school look better on paper to the powers that be, despite the fact that the students end up failing both their english class and their spanish class.

My mother is a Special Needs teacher at the local middle school, and instead of helping the special needs kids adapt and do well in class, she's ordered to "teach to the test" instead of teach the subjects in a way that the students may actually learn from and be ready for the next class in the curriculum.

 

[snake020]

6. Teaching Math In 2007

Un hachero vende una hamburguesa para $1.25. El costo de la producciones es 80¢. Cuanto dinero ha hecho??

Fixed it for you.

 

[Goober]

It sounds like they are catering to the students rather than educating them and of course that does need to change...

Which was the point of the joke in the first place. Not sure how it related to "Aviation and Military Humor" to start, but it was a humorous moment of levity that has since had any humor sucked right out of it.

Can we try not to crush any future potential laughs with social commentary? That's what AOM's are for.

 

[mustang_wife]

Yeah, it's not a race joke it's a reflection on how things have become and the direction they're going in a hurry. I live here in Texas and my fiance is in school to become a teacher. Yesterday she went to a school in a predominantly hispanic community to do student teaching and the group of 5-6 year olds they gave her spoke NO english. And they don't even try to teach them english, the principal and teachers all spoke to the kids in spanish, and everything like the doors, bathrooms, etc. were all labeled in spanish. Not english and spanish but JUST SPANISH. How the hell do they expect the kids to learn english when they make NO attempt to teach it? I know, we'll just start printing and making all signs in english and spanish!!! (our hard earned tax dollars at work) Fortunately my fiance speaks spanish but the other student teachers were lost. :icon_rage

Primarily because most spanish children don't even know proper spanish to begin with..let alone their alphabet/numbers/or proper names for certain items...so how can you teach them proper english when they don't even know proper spanish? Teachers face more of a difficulty because they're trying to teach these children 3 languages.... Tex-mex generally what the children in Texas speak at home, Proper spanish, and then transfer it to english. It's a slower process but eventually it is picked up with a better success rate.