High school math class. The district has done away with algebra and now has the students take a course called "integrated math". Which is basically algebra with elements of geometry both taught at the same time. I think. Same topics, different label. Anyway...
The kiddos had a worksheet. These worksheets are all the same. The title is some riddle. They have to work a bunch of problems (this time having to deal with domain, range, and functions). Then they "solve" the riddle with a really, really bad pun. I mean, these puns are awful.
So, I was dealing with the usual squirreliness amplified by it being a really hot day outside. (Over 100°. But the air conditioner worked like a dream.) They were keeping it down to a dull roar, with only one group of boys doing little to nothing.
"It's going to get me. It can't get me. I'm allergic."
The "it" in question was a wasp. And it was flying along the ceiling, landing on the hanging lights.
The room had a very high ceiling. A normal ceiling is up like ten feet. These ceilings were easily twelve feet up. So, the wasp was very, very far away. Practically out of our time zone.
But the boys weren't having it. They watched the wasp. Way above their heads.
I explained that the wasp had no interest in getting close to any of us. It was a lone wasp, carried in by the cool room, I imagine. I promised the boys I wouldn't let it get them.
They didn't believe me.
In the end, I was right. It didn't get any nearer to them than being on the ceiling above their heads. But still, they didn't get a whole lot of math done.
They couldn't accept your logic, which I think seemed totally reasonable. Why would that wasp single out the allergic kid out of all the other kids in the room? Any excuse I guess for them not to want to do their work.
ReplyDeletebetty
If it had gotten any closer to them, someone would have taken it out. As it was, a couple of them offered to throw their shoes at it.
DeleteAnything to disrupt class time! I didn't know about "Algebra" being integrated with other math concepts. That would explain what's going on in my daughter's class.
ReplyDeleteYes, they're trying to show that math is applicable to the real world. Which it is. But kiddos don't believe that.
DeleteThey should be scared. Wasps can sting as many times as they want and often do. They are the most evil insect in existence. Screw math. I'd be keeping my eye on it.
ReplyDeleteI understand the fear but also think they would look for any reason to stop whatever class work must be done. Kids ...
ReplyDeleteYeah, it was more a reason not to work than a fear of the wasp. I've seen this many times.
DeleteMy grandson's take on Algebra: "Why do I have to learn something I will never again use in my lifetime?" Trying logic with him never worked. He hated math and I would never change his mind!
ReplyDeleteWhen someone tells me they'll never use algebra, I ask them what they plan on doing with the rest of their lives. Most of the time, I can find some topic that will come up again and again for them.
DeleteSorry but i would be looking at that wasp too. I have been stung by them in the past and it is not a nice experience so all my thoughts would be on that wasp too:)
ReplyDelete