More so now with all the PEDs in school, you need to know if they know how to do it or just punched in the numbers. When we used slide rule math we wanted to write down the steps so we could backtrack when needed.
WHY? the question BAD teachers fear, and GOOD teachers embrace. WHY? because it indicates an active, questioning mind that actually CARES about the subject matter. Not just a drone wanting to “get enough to get through this.”
Why is it no one has thought about why Mrs. Olsen might say such a thing to CAUFIELD, though it takes away the irony in the “funny.” Undoubtedly she has previously explained repeatedly the “why” of “show your work.” Every teacher of math would repeatedly make that part of her instructions and so she knew Caufield was trying to lead her down a path of side argument that was completely a Caufield ploy. Instead, she took the short cut this time. And so it became, out of that context, a “funny.”
My daughter is in 4th grade and does this kind of math. In order to make variables less scary, they are introduced in first grade with problems like 2+4=n and 1+n=7.
When I was back in 3rd or 4th grade, I figured out how to do subtraction without writing the borrowing steps. Some moron next to me (probably trying to copy) stuck his hand up and tattled on me. Teacher said words to the effect of “who cares, so long as she gets the right answer.” I really hope she kept an eye on him thereafter for potential cheating!
A purring cat is the best tranquilizer over 10 years ago
But it’s a teachers JOB to explain things!!
Randy B Premium Member over 10 years ago
Agent54 over 10 years ago
More so now with all the PEDs in school, you need to know if they know how to do it or just punched in the numbers. When we used slide rule math we wanted to write down the steps so we could backtrack when needed.
LeoAutodidact over 10 years ago
WHY? the question BAD teachers fear, and GOOD teachers embrace. WHY? because it indicates an active, questioning mind that actually CARES about the subject matter. Not just a drone wanting to “get enough to get through this.”
DaveBNM over 10 years ago
Because you have to prove that you didn’t copy from your neighbor.
gmforde over 10 years ago
Because of the evil common core. What a joke.
RussHeim over 10 years ago
In a few more years, you’ll graduate to “huh?”
karanne over 10 years ago
I’ve got a WWI Heer slipstick around here somewhere … along with Uncle’s k98 rifle and Dad’s Garand.
kzturtlegirl over 10 years ago
As my kids have been immersed in studying for their pre-algebra and algebra mid-terms this week, I really appreciate today’s strip.
gcarlson over 10 years ago
At least one of my physics professors would give partial credit for a wrong answer if enough of the process of finding it was correct.
Karel Juhl Premium Member over 10 years ago
Okay, I just gotta say Mrs. Olsen reminds me a lot of Maryland Senator Barbara Mikulski.
holmswedeholm over 10 years ago
Why is it no one has thought about why Mrs. Olsen might say such a thing to CAUFIELD, though it takes away the irony in the “funny.” Undoubtedly she has previously explained repeatedly the “why” of “show your work.” Every teacher of math would repeatedly make that part of her instructions and so she knew Caufield was trying to lead her down a path of side argument that was completely a Caufield ploy. Instead, she took the short cut this time. And so it became, out of that context, a “funny.”
jbarnes over 10 years ago
My daughter is in 4th grade and does this kind of math. In order to make variables less scary, they are introduced in first grade with problems like 2+4=n and 1+n=7.
dawnsfire over 10 years ago
When I was back in 3rd or 4th grade, I figured out how to do subtraction without writing the borrowing steps. Some moron next to me (probably trying to copy) stuck his hand up and tattled on me. Teacher said words to the effect of “who cares, so long as she gets the right answer.” I really hope she kept an eye on him thereafter for potential cheating!
todyoung over 10 years ago
Huh?