Thread: Do you use math in your (previous or a second) job?

I didn't see that but, before teaching, I spend many years in it as did my father.
To build a house, it would be impossible without a working knowledge of basic math and Geometry.
1: Start by laying out the foundation - must understand 3/4/5 to square it
2: To pour concrete, you must be able to calculate volume
3: To layout outside walls, you must be able to understand 16" centers and "inside" versus "outside" 4 foot spacing.
4: To calculate rafters, one must be able to understand Pythagarean ...

etc, etc, etc...

I suggest you get a guest contractor to give your class a visit - he will impress them in the need of this math.

tell them, they don't have to see the importance now and then quit entertaining such questions only asked to get you off topic (hence, they aren't working)

No, all my students do the work. They're asking out of curiosity. Some of them would really benefit from seeing how math is used by professionals.

there's a fine line between question asked for curiousity and question that sound legit used to 'not do work'

It would do more harm to take time to explain than to just push on through. I don't understand why we have CAT testing, but I do it anyways. Kids need to learn that fact of life too. Doing stuff they might not like or understand because they were told to.

My kids ask the same questions and I (like you) encourage it. They need to know how the lessons apply to them. I'll do the survey for you!

Great work. Don't let people like chocolate discourage you from good teaching technique!

My two cents:
[url="http://www.learner.org/exhibits/dailymath/"]http://www.learner.org/exhibits/dailymath/[/url]

Lucy

I didn't see automotive technician in the list- auto mechanics need to be able to do a number of math-related tasks...

Sorry JohnBoy, there're some jobs that have already been filled but I could add any comments that you may have.

Thanks for the link, curiousmind.

Originally Posted by proudliberaldem

My kids ask the same questions and I (like you) encourage it. They need to know how the lessons apply to them. I'll do the survey for you!

Great work. Don't let people like chocolate discourage you from good teaching technique!

if I taught a Social personal class like I did in my ESE job previously, I would encourage it too, but I have standards I have to achieve and those are questions that parents need to deal with so I can deal with Geog. In a mainstream class, they are questions designed only to get the teacher from putting up on the board (pg 111 1-10)