The evolution of teaching math since the 1950s

Last week I made a purchase at Wal*Mart for $3.58. The girl at the counter took my $4.00 and I pulled eight cents from my pocket and gave it to her. She stood there, holding the nickel and three pennies. While looking at the screen on her register, I sensed her discomfort and tried to tell her to just give me two quarters, but she called the manager over for help. While he tried to explain the transaction to her, she stood there and cried. Why? Why do I tell you this? This event brought me to a startling realization about our education system here in America. I present to you:

The Evolution of Teaching Math Since the 1950s (as completely stolen from an email I received)

Teaching Math In 1950:

A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price. What is his profit?

Teaching Math In 1960:

A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price, or $80. What is his profit?

Teaching Math In 1970:

A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80. Did he make a profit?

Teaching Math In 1980:

A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80 and his profit is $20. Your assignment: Underline the number 20 (You may use a calculator).

Teaching Math In 1990:

A logger cuts down a beautiful forest because he is selfish and inconsiderate and cares nothing for the habitat of animals or the preservation of our woodlands. He does this so he can make a profit of $20. What do you think of this way of making a living? Topic for class participation after answering the question: How did the birds and squirrels feel as the logger cut down their homes (There are no wrong answers)?

Teaching Math In 2006:

Un ranchero vende una carreta de madera por $100. El costo de la produccion era $80. Cuantas tortillas se puede comprar?

I'll end this post with one final thought (which was actually the original thought behind this entire thing). It deals with the fun topic of those pesky Mexicans that feel the need to sneak across the American border and mooch off of hard working American men and women. So listen up Julio! This one's for you and all of your other illegal friends. Pay taxes because nobody likes a leech. Learn to speak English because if you're being paid in American money, you should be able to speak the language printed on it. And for the love of all that is good and sacred, learn to count! Numbers don't really change much around this big blue world of ours. It's a language I'm pretty sure is universal. How do I know this? Because when I'm looking at the instructions for my new surround sound speakers, the words may be duplicated twelve times, but the numbers always look the same.