On Thu, 31 Aug 2006 16:17:05 -0400, Gene Kearns wrote:

On Thu, 31 Aug 2006 10:44:05 -0400, JohnH wrote:


It's my experience that the ones constantly asking the 'why' question are
simply trying to disrupt and start an argument. When provided a reasonable
answer, their response is invariably, "Well, I'm never going to be doing
that."

In 32 years in the classroom, both public and corporate, I haven't
found this to be the case.... In fact, I tell my students that if I
can't explain why they should learn something, we probably should move
on to the next subject.... I've never had to do that.


Wouldn't it be nice if every math teacher could provide the perfect answer
to every 'why' question for ever topic in all thirteen chapters of every
high school math book!

If a math teacher can't show the reason for using math, they shouldn't
be teaching math.

I do think, however, that if a student has no interest in school and
is a repetitive troublemaker, there should be an option available for
them.... something that would make the teachers job a lot easier and
the would be student a lot wiser.....
--


Grady-White Gulfstream, out of Southport, NC. http://myworkshop.idleplay.net/
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I didn't use the phrase 'teaching math', I referred to each of the 120 or
so topics in a typical Algebra text. "Why do I need to know how to solve
simultaneous equations in two variables?"

Yes, I can provide an answer. Then the student says, "Well, I'll never do
that." The student won. I'm glad you've never had that situation presented.
You're probably just a superb teacher who had all the answers at your
fingertips and could afford the time to go off on a tangent every time some
smartass asked the 'why' question.
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John