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 2010
Un hachero vende una carretada de maderapara $100. El costo de la producciones es $80. Cuanto dinero ha hecho?
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Great Orators of the Democratic Party
‘One man with courage makes a majority.’
- Andrew Jackson
‘The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.’
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
‘The buck stops here.’
- Harry S. Truman
‘Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.’
- John F. Kennedy
And for today’s Democrats...
‘It depends what your definition of ‘IS’ is?’’
- Bill Clinton
‘That Obama - I would like to cut his NUTS off.’
- Jesse Jackson
‘Those rumors are false .... I believe in the sanctity of marriage.’
- John Edwards
‘I invented the Internet’
- Al Gore
‘The next Person that tells me I’m not religious, I’m going to shove my rosary beads up their ASS.’
- Joe Biden
’ America is—is no longer, uh, what it—it, uh, could be, uh what it was once was...uh, and I say to myself, ‘uh, I don’t want that future, uh, uh for my children.’
- Barack Obama (without teleprompter)
‘I have campaigned in all 57 states.
- Barack Obama
‘You don’t need God anymore, you have us democrats.’
- Nancy Pelosi (said back in 2006)
‘Paying taxes is voluntary.’
- Sen. Harry Reid
‘Bill is the greatest husband and father I know. No one is more faithful, true, and honest than he.’
- Hillary Clinton (said back in 1998)
HOW LUCKY CAN WE BE TO HAVE SUCH BRILLIANT MINDS IN CHARGE OF OUR ONCE GREAT COUNTRY!!!
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