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Reader comment on:
Do Social Issues Belong in Math Class?
in response to reader comment: "real world" examples

Submitted by Haim, Feb 8, 2007 20:43

Originally, I wrote, "...if your goal is to teach math..." then you will use real world examples that are meaningful to the students and "If you goal is something else then you will do something else."

In response, Shasa Ward wonders why are students interested in Nikes, Barbie dolls, and Cocoa Frosted Flakes, and expresses his concern about "values, health, and identity". I.e., he is a high school math teacher curiously unconcerned about math.

I understand that the theory is we can do both: teach math and teach values, but given the shameful performance of American students on international comparisons of math and science achievement (TIMS Study, eg.), I do not believe it. I think if Mr. Ward wants to teach values he should become a minister, otherwise let's pay more attention to the math and let someone else (parents? clergy?) worry about values.

Or, to put it another way, considering the awful job the public schools are doing in teaching something simple like school mathematics, why would anyone trust them to teach things ever so much more complicated, like "values, health, and identity"? In math class, let's stick to the math.

Note: Comments are screened, and in some cases edited, before posting. We reserve the right to reject anything we find objectionable.

Other reader comments on this article

Comment By Date

In a journalistic attempt to polarize the discussion around integrating social issues and mathematics, the author makes a gross error... [MORE]

Ben Markunas

Jan 27, 2007 18:16

Gary Shapiro, I am one of the organizers of this upcoming mathematics education conference and a long time teacher of college... [MORE]

S E Anderson

Jan 24, 2007 17:06

S E Anderson writes on Jan 24, 2007 17:06 "However, if we accept the latter, then there is something fundamentally wrong... [MORE]

Haim

Jan 25, 2007 11:28

Re: Do Social Issues Belong in Math Class? by Gary Shapiro Professor Gutstein raises some important questions that none of the... [MORE]

Kathleen Kesson

Jan 24, 2007 09:54

Kathleen Kesson writes on Jan 24, 2007 09:54 "Why is there an assumption that people who wish to bring real world... [MORE]

Haim

Jan 25, 2007 12:43

"Students are not empty vessels when they enter a classroom; they already know and care about things like Nike shoes,... [MORE]

Shasa Ward

Feb 6, 2007 06:28

Originally, I wrote, "...if your goal is to teach math..." then you will use real world examples that are...

Haim

Feb 8, 2007 20:43

Respondent Haim, as we all do, speaks from an ideology. His, as does Dr. Ravitch's, proposes that (1) our public... [MORE]

Brian R. Lawler

Mar 1, 2007 09:54

My thanks to the several correspondents and their revealing comments. So far, in this discussion, we have learned that... [MORE]

Haim

Mar 5, 2007 08:57

"Let us make other parts of our lives and the world in which we live 'MEANINGFUL to the students.'" -... [MORE]

Shasa Ward

Jul 2, 2007 11:30

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