[quote]nephorm wrote:
harris447 wrote:
They now want the kids to “understand” why 7 times 5 equals 35.
They should. Understanding that will help them understand abstract concepts in algebra a few years later.
We could argue back and forth over whether or not they should be taught the “reasons why” before they learn the tables rote, but I think we will agree that they SHOULD learn both.[/quote]
I know you’re an engineer, so I’ll take your math word for it, but I don’t recall ever learning ANY ‘why’ in math and now I teach it…
(terrifying, I know.)
My main point was the elimination of rote learning is not a step forward. I certainly don’t think we should turn all the George Washington Elementarys into Japanese Juku schools, but for some things, the chant just works.
[quote]FightinIrish26 wrote:
harris447 wrote:
nephorm wrote:
harris447 wrote:
They now want the kids to “understand” why 7 times 5 equals 35.
They should. Understanding that will help them understand abstract concepts in algebra a few years later.
We could argue back and forth over whether or not they should be taught the “reasons why” before they learn the tables rote, but I think we will agree that they SHOULD learn both.
I know you’re an engineer, so I’ll take your math word for it, but I don’t recall ever learning ANY ‘why’ in math and now I teach it…
(terrifying, I know.)
My main point was the elimination of rote learning is not a step forward. I certainly don’t think we should turn all the George Washington Elementarys into Japanese Juku schools, but for some things, the chant just works.
I agree. Teach them why, but still teach the chart. [/quote]
The why is much easier to teach once they have the what memorized. I think trying to teach the theory before they have the tables memorized is actually worse for the kids.
It’s not rocket science - it’s just basic math.
[quote]rainjack wrote:
The why is much easier to teach once they have the what memorized. I think trying to teach the theory before they have the tables memorized is actually worse for the kids.
It’s not rocket science - it’s just basic math.
[/quote]
This is true to a certain point. It doesn’t make much sense to explain the ‘whys’ befor the ‘whats’ if the what’s are fundamental; for example, artithemetics verses algebra.
I’ve been following the threads example of the multiplication tables and these are actually a great learning tool for the ‘whys’ while also teaching the ‘whats’. This is because it is a geometric representation of how multiplication works as well as a great
[quote]nephorm wrote:
LIFTICVSMAXIMVS wrote:
Why do kids need to pray in school, let alone be afforded the opportunity to pray at school?
If I hadn’t been allowed to pray at school, I never would’ve gotten my engineering degree.
[/quote]
I never prayed in college and I got my engineering degree.
[quote]Marmadogg wrote:
I never prayed in college and I got my engineering degree.
[/quote]
Well, whoopdee doo!
[quote]Zap Branigan wrote:
LIFTICVSMAXIMVS wrote:
…
It all comes down to how one answers this question: Is it ones job as a parent to indoctrinate their child to particular beliefs or to give them the tools necessary to make these value based assumptions on their own?
There are lots of shitty families out there.[/quote]
How liberal of you to think that the public school system should teach childern moral values and strengthen the family.
BS!
That was pathetic.
[quote]rainjack wrote:
If there was less admin and overhead, there would be plenty for the teachers. I know a bunch of teachers, and everyone of them have a goal of getting their masters and moving to administration.
That’s where the waste is - and the good pay. Go figure. [/quote]
RJ hit the nail right on the head.
At the end of the day real estate taxes pay for education and in the state I live in there is very little more you can squeeze out of home owners and tax payers.
So where does the additional money come from?
Get rid of the administrators.
[quote]rainjack wrote:
LIFTICVSMAXIMVS wrote:
One question I have is, is it weird that our budget for defense is so much more than all other sectors of the government combined? Seems to me if we could just allot a little more to education (one days expense in Iraq for example) per year we could really change how education works in this country.
Education should not be a federal issue. It should be a state issue like it was before the Dept of Education was formed.
Defense spending is about the only thing the fed really needs to do. Everything else is a power trip for the politicians.
So, no - it’s not weird.
[/quote]
I must be in the Twilight Zone as I totally agree with RJ again.
It is to bad the GOP pays lip service too this.
What happened to the contract of america?
[quote]Zap Branigan wrote:
BostonBarrister wrote:
LIFTICVSMAXIMVS wrote:
I don’t know why schools with a higher tax-base get paid more than those in the inner cities and blue-coller suburbs. This is where the problem comes from. Schools are treated differently including the children within those schools.
The answer is that most states have a system pursuant to which the bulk of school funding comes from locally generated taxes – property taxes, to be specific. Thus, higher property values = higher tax base = more money for those schools.
I am not rich but I pay higher taxes so my kids can go to a better school system.
There are quite a few blue collar people that do the same in my area.
This is my choice. If they took my tax dollar away from my school system and sent it to another I would be royally pissed off.
I would probably sell my house and move to an area that has lower taxes.
[/quote]
That is what Prop 13 in CA did.
[quote]nephorm wrote:
Marmadogg wrote:
I never prayed in college and I got my engineering degree.
Well, whoopdee doo![/quote]
I am glad you can read between the lines because that is exactly what I inferred.
[quote]Marmadogg wrote:
I am glad you can read between the lines because that is exactly what I inferred.[/quote]
Inferred or implied?
[quote]nephorm wrote:
rainjack wrote:
Only after the necessities are met does it matter what your IQ is.
Oh, come on.
Does it really matter ever?[/quote]
Not if it doesn’t help you pass on your genetic code.
Sorry buddy.
[quote]Zap Branigan wrote:
Not if it doesn’t help you pass on your genetic code.
Sorry buddy.[/quote]
I’m smart enough to know that I don’t have to be able to attract women to donate at the sperm bank…
[quote]nephorm wrote:
Zap Branigan wrote:
Not if it doesn’t help you pass on your genetic code.
Sorry buddy.
I’m smart enough to know that I don’t have to be able to attract women to donate at the sperm bank…[/quote]
Unless you are switching samples they still have to pick you.
[quote]Zap Branigan wrote:
Unless you are switching samples they still have to pick you.[/quote]
I’m a tricky one.