• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Teacher resigns after 'slavery' math problems fallout

SandEagle

SandEagle

Lifer
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/18/slavery-math-problems-pro_n_1214028.html

"Each tree has 56 oranges. If eight slaves pick them equally, then how much would each slave pick?"

"If Frederick got two beatings each day, how many beatings did he get in one week?"


INAT (i'm not a teacher), but i think the requirements to get a teaching license in this country should include a psychiatric eval. this teacher sounds like a regular poster on PN, OT. How could he possibly have thought this was a good idea? 😵


😱

The answer to the first question is probably 7, but i think it can also be 56, right?
 
SandEagle said:
"Each tree has 56 oranges. If eight slaves pick them equally, then how much would each slave pick?"

"If Frederick got two beatings each day, how many beatings did he get in one week?"



😱
Click to expand...

Easy answers.

1. Not enough, beat the slaves extra.

2. Not enough beatings, beat them some more.
 
Am I the only one who thinks this whole thing is ridiculous ?

It's not like the questions in any way promoted slavery. They simply refered to things that did in fact happen during slavery, like regular beatings or forced labor in fruit plantations.

Have we gotten to the point where even mentioning an uncomfortable truth is a problem ?
 
khon said:
Am I the only one who thinks this whole thing is ridiculous ?

It's not like the questions in any way promoted slavery. They simply refered to things that did in fact happen during slavery, like regular beatings or forced labor in fruit plantations.

Have we gotten to the point where even mentioning an uncomfortable truth is a problem ?
Click to expand...
Its one thing to mention it in a historical context. Its another thing to put it into a math problem. Imagine if a German teacher had a math problem about Jews and gas chambers.
 
While it doesn't mention or infer race, there is absolutely NO place for "slave" or "beatings" in a math problem.
You can pick ANY story you want for the math problem. Why would you pick something that has a major negative connotation?
 
edro said:
While it doesn't mention or infer race, there is absolutely NO place for "slave" or "beatings" in a math problem.
You can pick ANY story you want for the math problem. Why would you pick something that has a major negative connotation?
Click to expand...

The inference is that white teachers made up the questions, which might not be the case, given the stated reasons for the wording.
 
SandEagle said:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/18/slavery-math-problems-pro_n_1214028.html

"Each tree has 56 oranges. If eight slaves pick them equally, then how much would each slave pick?"

"If Frederick got two beatings each day, how many beatings did he get in one week?"


INAT (i'm not a teacher), but i think the requirements to get a teaching license in this country should include a psychiatric eval. this teacher sounds like a regular poster on PN, OT. How could he possibly have thought this was a good idea? 😵


😱

The answer to the first question is probably 7, but i think it can also be 56, right?
Click to expand...

Having doubts about a 3rd grade math question? lol

7t where t is the number of trees. Considering it's 3rd grade math though yes they are probably looking for just 7.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top