Should Algebra/Geometry be part of the high school... - Page 11

raven-blackbird · ‎06-03-2010

algebra is like chemistry..........it's abstract thought..........geometry is concrete thought like basic math.............with algebra and chemistry there are always exceptions, those exceptions become part of the outcome .........in geometry, physics and basic math there is always a rule for every outcome and every action....................................raven

We're not in Kansas anymore ToTo

LTT1 · ‎03-09-2010

@fortune wrote:
@LTT1 wrote:
This follows the discussions we have been having regarding the relevance of required classes that should or should not be included in the educational curriculum for a student.
Would you please share your thoughts and opinions pertaining to this topic?
If not Algebra/Geometry and beyond, what should then be included?
My answer was formulated after numerous students would say "I don't see why I have to learn this... I will never use it."
I would like to read what your responses are before I tell you what my observation and reply was.
Thank you.
I think both should be taught but only if each and every lesson shows how both can be used in real life. No theoretical stuff. We'd have to get rid of most of the current textbooks and write new ones! It should be more of a hands-on learning lab with students coming up with their own applications to their daily activities as part of the lesson!

@fortune

the newer critical thinking assessment testing requires not only that a student know and apply the basic a squared +b squared = c squared (Pythagorean theorem). They must also know how to solve given a squared and given c squared how long is b?

Word problems, I agree, are the most evolved format and describe the most RL situations.

My my students had difficulty with multi-step problems.

~Have a Kind Heart, Fierce Mind, Brave Spirit~

Noel7 · ‎03-09-2010

@LTT1 wrote:
@sfnative... Hi! How are you? I will mention here that agreeing with your point, I instilled some math self-confidence in my students by mentioning that they were proficient in car engines and football plays... Examples of interest areas that develop spatial concepts.

**************************

@LTT1

In third grade, my teacher would line us up by gender for a math quiz. I've told this sad story here before She quickly threw multiplication tables at us. Anyone who missed got a hard slap on the back of their bare calves with a yardstick.

And that was a private school where I was in classes with children of diplomats both foreign and domestic.

Bless you, loves, for instilling self-confidence in your students.

Sooner · ‎03-10-2010

I don't think they should be a mandate. For students not going to college and not anticipating a career than needs it, it is a waste of time. Concentrate rather on math skills to get through life and understand insurance, money accounting, etc. Teach them government and history and civics instead. That will do them far more good!

ECBG · ‎01-08-2011

@hckynutjohn wrote:
They should not be required classes. Unless a person chooses a certain field or trade, who uses them regularly? I've never used or needed it, nor has my wife.

Instead, how about general math? Adding/subtracting etc. without needing a calculator. Maybe even how to tell the time of day on a regular old clock?

I didn't graduate high school in the 1950's, but I knew what classes would help me when I was 14, and to this very day. I concentrated on: General Math/Bookkeeping/General Business and typing. Got "1's" in all those classes. World History/Social Studies/ Biology? I couldn't have cared less, and I have not needed any of them in my lines of employment.

hckynut(john)

***********************************************************

I just wonder how many people made their life's living with a career they considered after the age of fourteen. Not being educated puts you in a very small box where escape is very unlikely because life, responsibilities, and bills continue.

I taught over 20,000 juniors and seniors.

Noel7 · ‎03-09-2010

Numerous people on this board have called for dropping classes in cursive writing.

A few told me teaching history should only be modern history, not anything as far back as WW2 or the Civil War and why it was fought.

Now we have a call for dropping algebra and geometry.

This would mean America would not be able to keep up with other countries, we are already falling behind, and we can't be bothered teaching the arts or even gym/sports in many schools any longer.

We are in a sad, sad state when those against education call the shots.

blackhole99 · ‎08-22-2013

My husband who teaches high level math courses certainly agrees with most of what people have said here about alebra 2 and geometry helping students to develope higher levels of thinking and better organizational skills, etc. That being said, not everyone's brain is wired for higher level mathmetics in highschool or maybe never. I think it's more important for kids to graduate highschool than become frustrated and quit over not being able to pass the math. Basic math skills should be taught in grade school and accounting and keeping books in high school. I don't believe everyone should graduate college, but everyone needs to graduate from highschool. The kids should be encouraged to go into the technical and vocational fields where they can actually get jobs when they graduate. It just galls me when a young person tells me they are working 3 part time jobs they didn't need a degree for, because they can't get a job in their field. We better stop listening to these politicians and colleges who just want to relieve us of our hard earned money.

Hooty · ‎03-09-2010

@ECBG wrote:

***********************************************************
I just wonder how many people made their life's living with a career they considered after the age of fourteen. Not being educated puts you in a very small box where escape is very unlikely because life, responsibilities, and bills continue.

I taught over 20,000 juniors and seniors.

@ECBG

It's interesting that you mention this, at the age of 14, my 9th grade math class took a trip to a branch bank which was within walking distance of our school, little did I know at that time after HS I would be working for that main branch of that bank for 17 yrs, plus doing accounting work as well as taxes!

Noel7 · ‎03-09-2010

@Noel7 wrote:
Numerous people on this board have called for dropping classes in cursive writing.

A few told me teaching history should only be modern history, not anything as far back as WW2 or the Civil War and why it was fought.

Now we have a call for dropping algebra and geometry.

This would mean America would not be able to keep up with other countries, we are already falling behind, and we can't be bothered teaching the arts or even gym/sports in many schools any longer.

We are in a sad, sad state when those against education call the shots.

******************************

I forgot to mention the science deniers. All those who think science is nothing but a "theory."