It's my fault....

muley

that my grandson is in trouble in summer school. At least that's what my son says. My grandson refuses to put the little line across the number 7 when doing math. He told the teacher that his grandpa says that this isn't Mexico or Europe and we don't make the little "backwards F's" in America. Now, they are telling my son that if he remains stubborn, he probably won't pass summer school. He is an excellant student and consistently scores above 85 on all his math tests. I'm proud of the little f**t. When I went to school we didn't substitute little "backwards F's" for 7's and I think it's just another small step in making our kids conform to world order. Am I wrong? Should I keep my big nose out of it, or should I go down to the school and raise hell?

**I love the smell of Hoppes #9 in the morning**

Rembrandt

....maybe ask the teacher and school why computers and typewritten "sevens" don't have the hash mark? looks like a whole lot of Newspapers, text books, and businesses are in need of remedial training....

Gordian Blade

muley, you are absolutely right. I teach college physics and if there is any problem with math for a student, it is never misreading between a 1 and a 7, it is always either carelessness in the calculation or basic concept misunderstanding. We have students from all over the world and we don't care if they cross their 7s or not.

You might ask the teacher if she writes the number seven thousand five hundred forty-three and eighty-seven hundredths as 7,543.87 (the good old American way) or 7.543,87 (the European way). I bet it's the American way. Also ask if she would write Independence Day as 7/4/76 (American) or 4/7/76 (European), I bet it's American. In which case she's just being a controlling b|tch.

BUT this is your grandkid, not your kid, so you'd better let the parents fight this battle or not. It may not be a hill worth defending.

bullelk

I think it's more confusing with that line thru it. I've seen some with a line, and it looks more like a 4 than a 7.
Find out how the teachers in other schools in your district are teaching it and go from there. I would clear it with your son first.
I give the kid credit for speaking his piece.


"If All Else Fails, Read The Directions"



Edited by - bullelk on 06/15/2002 15:36:51

robsguns

I never understood the idea of the line in the 7, but the line in the 0 makes a lot of sense to me when using numerical and alphabetical symbols at the same time, (isnt that called alphnumeric?) I know with some typed documents its quite hard to discern the diff. between a 0 and a O, see how close they are? Its virtually impossible to read some people's hand writing, let alone tell the diff. between their 0 and O. This especially is true when looking up stock numbers and NSNs and item numbers. What I wonder is, is it in her lesson plan that she must teach this, and is it ok with the principle and school board members that she be such a *rick about a little line? Good luck.

SSgt Ryan E. Roberts, USMC

Edited by - robsguns on 06/15/2002 15:44:23

muley

Thanks fellas. As usual, if words were bullets, your reloads are better then my factory loads. Your advice was right on. My son is going to handle the problem, as he should. But, if he doesn't, I'm going to put on my Lone Ranger outfit and go remind Ms Santa Anna what country she is teaching in.
BTW...we're talking about Kalifornia. Big surprise, huh?

**I love the smell of Hoppes #9 in the morning**

gruntled

But then who makes their 4s like this either? I also remember in grade school that the teachers couldn't agree on how to make a fraction. Half wanted one number over the other with a straight line between & the others wanted both numbers on the same plane with a slanted line between them.
If you want real fault consider that the entire Vietnam War was my fault. They warned me if I voted for Goldwater we would have a bigger war in Vietnam but would I listen? No, so it's all my fault.

Edited by - gruntled on 06/15/2002 21:31:16