If Children Are Our Future, We Are In A Lot Of Trouble

Those of us who were fortunate enough to have gone to school in the 50’s and 60’s, I think, without a doubt, can see the difference between going to school then and going to school now. I’m gonna break it down one by one as I see the differences.

SCHOOL – – 1957 VS 2012
Scenario:
Jack goes quail hunting before school, pulls into school parking lot with shotgun in gun rack.
1957- Vice principal comes over, looks at Jacks shotgun, goes to his car and gets his shotgun to show Jack.
2012 – School goes into lock down, FBI called, Jack hauled off to jail and never
sees his truck or gun again. Counselors called in for traumatized students and teachers.

Scenario:
Johnny and Mark get into a fistfight after school.
1957 – Crowd gathers, Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up
buddies.
2012 – Police called, SWAT team arrives, arrests Johnny and Mark. Charge them with assault, both expelled even though Johnny started it.

Scenario:
Jeffery won’t be still in class, disrupts other students.
1957 – Jeffery sent to office and given a good paddling by the principal. Returns to class, sits
still and does not disrupt class again.
2012 – Jeffery given huge dose of Ritalin. Becomes a zombie. Tested for ADD. School gets extra money from state because Jeffery has a disability.

Scenario:
Billy breaks a window in his neighbors car, and dad gives him a whipping with his belt.
1957 – Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college, and becomes a successful businessman.
2012 – Billy’s dad is arrested for child abuse. Billy removed to foster care and joins a gang. State psychologist tells Billy’s sister that she remembers being abused herself and their dad goes to prison.
Billy’s mom has an affair with psychologist.

Scenario:
Mark gets a headache and takes aspirin to school.
1957 – Mark shares aspirin with principal out on the smoking dock.
2012 – Police called, Mark expelled from school for drug violation. Car searched for drugs and weapons.

Scenario:
Pedro fails high school English.
1957 – Pedro goes to summer school, passes English and goes to college.
2012 – Pedro’s cause is taken up by the state. Newspaper articles appear
nationally explaining that knowing English as a requirement for graduating is racist. ACLU files class action lawsuit against state school system and Pedro’s English teacher. English banned from core curriculum. Pedro given diploma anyway, but ends up mowing lawns for a living because he cannot speak English.

Scenario:
Johnny takes apart leftover firecrackers from 4th of July, puts them in a model airplane paint bottle, blows up a red ant bed.
1957 – Ants die.
2012 – BATF, Homeland Security, FBI called Johnny charged with domestic terrorism, FBI investigates parents. Siblings removed from home, computers confiscated. Johnny’s dad goes on a terror watch list, and is never allowed to fly again.

Scenario:
Johnny falls while running during recess and scrapes his knee. He is found crying by his teacher, Mary. Mary hugs him to comfort him.
1957 – In a short time, Johnny feels better and goes on playing.
2012 – Mary is accused of being a sexual predator, and loses her job. She faces 3 years in state prison. Johnny under goes 5 years of therapy.

SIXTY YEARS OF MATH IN OUR SCHOOLS:
Last week I purchased a burger at Burger King for $2.58. the counter girl took my $3.00 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 three 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 1950’s.
TEACHING MATH IN THE 1950s:
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price. What is his profit?
TEACHING MATH IN THE 1960’s
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?
TEACHING MATH IN THE 1970’s
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80. Did he make a profit?
TEACHING MATH IN THE 1980’s
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.
TEACHING MATH IN THE 1990’s
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 o.k.)
TEACHING MATH IN 2012
Write your name on the top left hand sheet of paper. If you spelled it right, you passed. If not you will pass anyway.
This is one man’s opinion