Why Dick and Jane Can't Divide: The Video

YouTube | January 15, 2007 | M.J. McDermott

[achilles2000]

"Reform math", sometimes called "fuzzy math" or "rainforest math",is taught in the vast majority of public schools even though it is a demonstrable failure.

While those of us who follow k-12 education can tell you that these curricula cripple children and are a threat to our economy and national security, this brief, lucid video by an appalled mom who also has a local TV job makes the point very effectively by showing a small part of what the problem is.

Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tr1qee-bTZI

By the way, note that McDermott fails to point out that the even the alternative approaches require facility with math facts, which neither the children or nor the (under 40)teachers (typically) have. Consequently, calculator dependence is worse than even she admitss.

Send the video around to friends - because friends don't let friends send their children to public school ;-)

[achilles2000]

One last word. No beating up on Freeper public school teachers. They don't have any control over curriculum or the quality of their colleagues. They do the best they can with the hand they are dealt.

You public schoolers out there, on the other hand, need to give it up. The math instruction failure is epidemic and is the least of the profound failures of the government schools. The history, english, and science situations are even worse - and that doesn't even begin to touch upon what the public school "teaching" regarding sexuality or public school peer pressure do to children. Don't try to defend the indefensible.

[achilles2000]

Bump

[brivette]

Where's the link?

[proxy_user]

Well, just remember the NYT article I posted about elite students at top public and private schools. There's still a bunch of kids who get a 5 on the Calculus Advanced Placement exam.

It can be done.

[Mr. Jeeves]

Math is a brutal reminder that different people have different IQ's - and it isn't possible to make everyone the same by wishing it so.

So of course liberals hate it, and prefer to teach something else in its place. ;)

[dalereed]

They can't subtract or divide either but they know how to multiply, that being taught in sex ed.

[Parley Baer]

It should say "why Jose and Ruby can't read."

[achilles2000]

Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tr1qee-bTZI

(from the text of the post)

[achilles2000]

You are right, it can be done, but not with reform math. Elite schools don't use it.

[bboop]

What I was taught -- as a Jr Hi math TEACHER -- by some fancy University's Math-for-Teachers program near here (Los Angeles) was the WORST. Fuzzy math, non-linear, 'There are many different ways to get an answer.' The true mathematicians in our class were going NUTS. The Drama Teacher who was teaching the class was an idiot. I had to drop the class to preserve my sanity and hold on to my very linear/ right-and-wrong/ way of tutoring math.

The kids I tutor are all confused by the fuzzy math in their schools, too. I consider it a calling to teach them how to think clearly by teaching them math. Makes for good citizens, good voters.

I think you could get around the curriculum and teach it clearly if YOU understand it.

[achilles2000]

Liberals hate anything that has right and wrong answers and that demonstrates that abilities differ. Nevertheless, with a sound curriculum - Saxon or Singapore - just about child with some sweat can get through anything up to calculus.

[Covenantor]

And here's the link to Ma and Pa Kettle's new math from the middle 20th century. It's a stitch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-Gp337eWtE

[napscoordinator]

One last word. No beating up on Freeper public school teachers.



I agree. However if any of my beloved FRiends are on the board of the NEA that deal is off.....lol.

[VOA]

bump

[brivette]

Thanks. I was able to use the thread link, however. Appreciate your effort.

[knarf]

IIRC ... Asians are way up there in the Math and Sciences departments. Middle Easterners are in the Medical fields and any illegal is working every job ... clerk, painter, picker, maid ... name it, they're it.

If my grossly simplified statement carrys ANY weight, About the only thing we redneck Americans are good for is to be the recipients of all the psycho blah blah blah that puts puts socialists into office that give and get the bj's needed to destroy this nation.

Oh, one other thing ... we're really good at getting pissed off enough to want to do something about it.

Want to? you might ask .... Where there's a will, there's a way.

[Professional Engineer]

But I'll never use this again ping

[yoe]

This in part may be a publish or perish activity which winds up as something closer to playing games rather than teaching a fact. Mathematics are, if not the only pure ‘thing’ in our universe. Why mess up learning with someone's idea of a better mouse trap when it really isn't? Because it helps authors and publishers garner a lot of $$$$$$$.

This video is excellent.

[pabianice]

What about Feminist Math, which teaches the student to arrive at the answer she feels good about?

[nmh]

Homeschool or private school, that is IF you really care about your kids ... in the old days, parents would practically move mountains for their kids ... not so sure about that today ... people are rather narcissistic and selfish ... .