an educated person
Annette Naake
Did anyone catch the Sunday New York Times op-ed piece Jan. 16 on what it
means to be an educated person?
The author argued that an educated person is one who is capable of the
logical thought required of a jury member in a modern-day trial.
He said that today's citizens need deductive reasoning, the ability to
comprehend complicated laws, and the mathematical ability to understand
large money transactions, compound interest, DNA evidence, and probability.
Obviously the public schools often fall short of equipping kids with these
kinds of mental resources. I wonder if my family and I are doing much
better, though, without a structured program that attempts to address them.
I do feel that our democracy needs thinking citizens that are capable of
figuring out what the politicians, ad people and CEOs are really up to.
I think where we tend to fall short (schools and, possibly, homeschoolers)
is in the mathematics area. Too many people can't "do that math" for
themselve and they end up hoodwinked.
Does anyone else worry about equipping their kids to be capable citizens,
and what do you do to address it?
Annette
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means to be an educated person?
The author argued that an educated person is one who is capable of the
logical thought required of a jury member in a modern-day trial.
He said that today's citizens need deductive reasoning, the ability to
comprehend complicated laws, and the mathematical ability to understand
large money transactions, compound interest, DNA evidence, and probability.
Obviously the public schools often fall short of equipping kids with these
kinds of mental resources. I wonder if my family and I are doing much
better, though, without a structured program that attempts to address them.
I do feel that our democracy needs thinking citizens that are capable of
figuring out what the politicians, ad people and CEOs are really up to.
I think where we tend to fall short (schools and, possibly, homeschoolers)
is in the mathematics area. Too many people can't "do that math" for
themselve and they end up hoodwinked.
Does anyone else worry about equipping their kids to be capable citizens,
and what do you do to address it?
Annette
_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com
[email protected]
In a message dated 2/1/2001 11:35:53 AM Pacific Standard Time,
naake1999@... writes:
Yes, every day I worry about it! We are taking one day at a time basically.
My oldest is 8 and thankfully he loves math so not only is it easy to teach
him the basics but I have also begun teaching him in "real life" instances as
well.
The one that comes to mind is figuring out a tip. We will go together, just
my ds8, to a luncheonette while his sister is in dance and I will let him
figure the tip. 10% of the total bill times 2.
I think teaching good calculator skills (to older kids) is important too.
This way even if they can't figure it out on paper themselves they have a way
to check bank interest etc. Exposure to everyday math needs is the important
thing I guess.
I guess the fact that we worry about it will help make sure we prepare them
better than we were prepared by our parents!
Well, that's just my 2 cents!
Dawn
naake1999@... writes:
Does anyone else worry about equipping their kids to be capable citizens,
and what do you do to address it?
Annette
Yes, every day I worry about it! We are taking one day at a time basically.
My oldest is 8 and thankfully he loves math so not only is it easy to teach
him the basics but I have also begun teaching him in "real life" instances as
well.
The one that comes to mind is figuring out a tip. We will go together, just
my ds8, to a luncheonette while his sister is in dance and I will let him
figure the tip. 10% of the total bill times 2.
I think teaching good calculator skills (to older kids) is important too.
This way even if they can't figure it out on paper themselves they have a way
to check bank interest etc. Exposure to everyday math needs is the important
thing I guess.
I guess the fact that we worry about it will help make sure we prepare them
better than we were prepared by our parents!
Well, that's just my 2 cents!
Dawn
LisaKK
> Does anyone else worry about equipping their kids to be capable citizens,You know what, these days I worry about being a capable citizen. Some
> and what do you do to address it?
>
issues are so intricate that it's hard to unravel what the priority should
be. Some of the most important information we need to be capable citizens
are kept from us and we are intentionally distracted by a complict media
industry. My frustration level on certain topics is reaching an all time
high. I'm becoming cynical enough that I'm really no help in devising
solutions, or even just holding discussions on those topics. My children
ask me about voting and I tell them what? How do I explain a Jewish enclave
in Florida somehow voting for Buchanan?
I'm not even sure I can define capable citizen. <sort of a grin>
Lisa
[email protected]
In a message dated 02/01/2001 7:35:34 PM !!!First Boot!!!,
naake1999@... writes:
Well, I think about it. I think that my kids see/hear their parents talking
about things in the news and they have gotten/will get our take on politics,
etc. I also watch the news. I know half the stuff would be "inappropriate"
in any other setting -- but things come up and get discussed -- earthquakes
and wars and criminals, etc. Then we spin things our way -- I think we all
do that -- maybe that's a good thing. The Presidential election was actually
educational in our house.
My 6 yo daughter explained to me: "Mom, I know you always tell us to pay
attention to what's going on in the world but I know you've also told us this
is not how elections usually end up." Something got through. At least she's
thinking.
Money-- they get some -- they spend it. Then they don't have it anymore.
Then they have to decide if the thing they bought was worth it. We talk
about it beforehand but some things seem to be learned best by actually
buying the piece of junk and seeing it break.
Wide horizons -- a world view and not just a sense that all there is to the
world is our little town in Florida. That people are extremely diverse.
That money isn't everything. But it helps pay the bills.
Etc.
I hope some of these things and others will get through but I don't know how
you could sit down and "teach" these important life lessons.
Rambling done . . .
Nance
naake1999@... writes:
Does anyone else worry about equipping their kids to be capable citizens,
and what do you do to address it?
Annette
Well, I think about it. I think that my kids see/hear their parents talking
about things in the news and they have gotten/will get our take on politics,
etc. I also watch the news. I know half the stuff would be "inappropriate"
in any other setting -- but things come up and get discussed -- earthquakes
and wars and criminals, etc. Then we spin things our way -- I think we all
do that -- maybe that's a good thing. The Presidential election was actually
educational in our house.
My 6 yo daughter explained to me: "Mom, I know you always tell us to pay
attention to what's going on in the world but I know you've also told us this
is not how elections usually end up." Something got through. At least she's
thinking.
Money-- they get some -- they spend it. Then they don't have it anymore.
Then they have to decide if the thing they bought was worth it. We talk
about it beforehand but some things seem to be learned best by actually
buying the piece of junk and seeing it break.
Wide horizons -- a world view and not just a sense that all there is to the
world is our little town in Florida. That people are extremely diverse.
That money isn't everything. But it helps pay the bills.
Etc.
I hope some of these things and others will get through but I don't know how
you could sit down and "teach" these important life lessons.
Rambling done . . .
Nance
[email protected]
In a message dated 2/2/2001 9:47:34 AM Pacific Standard Time,
LisaBugg@... writes:
LOL, even tho it really isnt funny when you really think about it! Dawn
LisaBugg@... writes:
. My children
ask me about voting and I tell them what? How do I explain a Jewish enclave
in Florida somehow voting for Buchanan?
I'm not even sure I can define capable citizen. <sort of a grin>
Lisa
LOL, even tho it really isnt funny when you really think about it! Dawn