Sprinklerman
Platinum Member
I have a 4th grader and a first grader , we do math homework my way , no calculator , pencil , paper and show the work .
Today's high school seniors.....ouch.
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farmer2009
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Yea. Mostly in kindergarten and 1st grade. But once they get held back they can't be retained again in grade school. Makes them to old for high school. Atleast that's what my wife says is policy for here.
Norm W
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Teachers are not able to "Teach" they are told what to teach by the state and then the students are tested by the state. Life skills are not part of the equation anymore. Look at the way "Common Core Math" is supposed to be taught. My old math teacher would have quit in disgust. In a local city only 40% of the students graduate. They blame the teachers for the other 60% failing. If 40% are graduating the teachers have presented the information. Look at the 60% and find out why they didn't learn the material. Could it be they didn't show up for class or do the home-work? Maybe they are teaching the math wrong. Maybe the word problems should be, "If your dealer has a key of "H" and steps on it 22 times, how much will he increase his profit?" But then they would have to be able to read!
Looking4new
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I liked the material so much that I did 2,7 and 9 twice.
Back in my day we had 16 year olds driving to public school (Gr. 8).
OP
Richard
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As a side note... my comment wasn't really directed towards them understanding or being excited about the 401K conversation.
It was my shock & surprise that with only a couple exceptions, they all had to be told how to calculate 10% of a number. Most of them got the calculator out and started tapping on it. More than one actually screwed it up and I/we had to tell them "enter your (fake) monthly income, multiply it by .1" "OR!!! you can simply move the decimal over!" (once that failed) we went on to say "you can just drop the last number" They didn't seem to grasp the idea of moving the decimal or dropping the last number. I really was astounded.
Now, for a moment of sunshine..... I did talk to one fine chap who's working at a pizza place and is already participating in their 401K program!
You could see the light having gone off deep in his eyes.... unfortunately, his light was almost completely blanked out by the rest of the class who struggled to calculate 10% of a number.
It was my shock & surprise that with only a couple exceptions, they all had to be told how to calculate 10% of a number. Most of them got the calculator out and started tapping on it. More than one actually screwed it up and I/we had to tell them "enter your (fake) monthly income, multiply it by .1" "OR!!! you can simply move the decimal over!" (once that failed) we went on to say "you can just drop the last number" They didn't seem to grasp the idea of moving the decimal or dropping the last number. I really was astounded.
Now, for a moment of sunshine..... I did talk to one fine chap who's working at a pizza place and is already participating in their 401K program!
You could see the light having gone off deep in his eyes.... unfortunately, his light was almost completely blanked out by the rest of the class who struggled to calculate 10% of a number.
ovrszd
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You're response is much gentler than mine would have been. So, if you don't mind, I'll just second yours.
Wonder what the OP knew about "it all" when he/she was that age??
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Richard
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When the OP was in the 8th grade, he took a class. Don't recall if it was called 'business class' or what.... Taught by Mr. Cotten.
He had us bring a newspaper in and we picked a stock and charted its progress over the course of the class.
I found it very interesting and thought I'd like to get into the stock broker business (though I didn't really have a clue what they did at that time)
A number of years later, I had the chance to do just that....and did. I've been in the investment business for the last 28 years.
So this particular OP had a clue and a high interest when he was in school and has maxed out his 401K plan in any job he had from the start.
He had us bring a newspaper in and we picked a stock and charted its progress over the course of the class.
I found it very interesting and thought I'd like to get into the stock broker business (though I didn't really have a clue what they did at that time)
A number of years later, I had the chance to do just that....and did. I've been in the investment business for the last 28 years.
So this particular OP had a clue and a high interest when he was in school and has maxed out his 401K plan in any job he had from the start.
OP
Richard
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Again, I reiterate your misguided attitude....
I "get" that they might not have a clue about 401's and retirement. Geez....they're still pooping in their diapers.
I can say however, with resolute conviction that when I was a senior in high school, probably 90% of the student body could be asked "what is 10% of 10,000" and would have nailed the answer WITHOUT having to use a calculator.....and....be told what numbers to put into it at that.
Don't misconstrue my purpose for being there with my shock & awe at their complete & total confusion of simply taking 10% of a number. (I'd bet most everyone reading this thread could have done it as a senior in high school)
I "get" that they might not have a clue about 401's and retirement. Geez....they're still pooping in their diapers.
I can say however, with resolute conviction that when I was a senior in high school, probably 90% of the student body could be asked "what is 10% of 10,000" and would have nailed the answer WITHOUT having to use a calculator.....and....be told what numbers to put into it at that.
Don't misconstrue my purpose for being there with my shock & awe at their complete & total confusion of simply taking 10% of a number. (I'd bet most everyone reading this thread could have done it as a senior in high school)
Citydude
Elite Member
According to my calculations, taking out the OP's posts, 1.2% of the posts on this thread are from guys who had a lot of fun in high school....
