You’re soaking in it!

Look at this site to discover an apparently new and exciting way to pray. While you’re there, you can sign up for their “Soaking Prayer” week-long training sessions!
(I wonder what one does after this mental marinating.)

Math Instruction in the U.S.

1950:
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100.
His cost of production is 4/5 of the price.
What is his profit?
1960:
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?
1970:
A logger exchanges a set “L” of lumber for a set “M” of money. The cardinality of set “M” is 100. Each element is worth one dollar. Make 100 dots representing the elements of the set “M.” The set “C”, the cost of production, contains 20 fewer points than set “M.” Represent the set “C” as the subset of set M and answer this question: What is the cardinality of the set “P” of profits?
1980:
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.
1990:
By cutting down beautiful forest trees, the logger makes $20. What do you think of this way of making a living? Topic for class participation after answering the question: How did the forest birds and squirrels “feel” as the logger cuts down the trees? There are no wrong answers.
2000:
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $120. How does Arthur Andersen determine that his profit margin is $60?

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Categorized as Amusements

We’re Here to Pump You Up!

There is an interesting article in yesterday’s Washington Times about the effects of too much praise on children.
In the past several decades, the effort to respect, protect and even puff up children’s self-esteem has resulted in a generation of children who expect to win, whose feelings are never hurt and who believe they are the best.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is most commonly known as the Middle School Model, and it’s ubiquitous in the public schools of this country. The idea is to find something good to say to each individual each day, even if it’s something like, “That surely is a nice pair of eyebrow rings you’ve got, Maribeth!” in hopes of increasing students’ self-esteem.
(There’s nothing wrong with being civil (even pleasant, although I have yet to try it) to students, but it should not be mandated.)
I believe that self-esteem is raised through true accomplishment, don’t you?

Published
Categorized as Education

Social Condescension

Some time ago, I posted an account of several teachers looking for music for various holidays, including Ramadan. I sneered about that. Well, one of them found a song for Ramadan here. This is most amusing. Here’s why:
1. It is written in a Western key (A Major).
2. The text is concerned with only the outward appearances of the holiday.
3. A committed Moslem would probably have the same reaction to this as a committed Catholic to “As a Fire is Meant for Burning.” Haugen-Daaz for Muslims! Ecumenical pain! Something in common!