How do you tell time?
08-20-2012, 04:39 AM
#21
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Horse Country, FL
Posts: 7,341
Originally Posted by MattieMae
Kids today aren’t expected to learn to read an analog clock, or an actual map, or do arithmetic, spell correctly, use proper grammar, or write cursive. Many students graduate high school without the skills an eighth grader used to have. They aren’t required because of calculators, computers, and political correctness.
I always thought that practicing grammar, arithmetic and writing cursive was a good way to teach persistence and discipline. I was recently told that participating in sports does the same thing.
I always thought that practicing grammar, arithmetic and writing cursive was a good way to teach persistence and discipline. I was recently told that participating in sports does the same thing.
This isn't true everywhere. I retired just two years ago and my school district had a current math system which taught second graders to tell time both with analog and digital readings. They were tested on it, and we teachers covered the digital part of our clocks and used the analog whenever possible. Like, "How many minutes is it before we go to music," or whatever.What time will that be? If you're there 1/2 hour, when will I come to get you? We also taught grammar, parts of speech, how to write a paragraph, and how to compute without a calculator. We taught the continents, what town the students lived in, their state and their country. This was second grade.
After I left, cursive was taken out of the curriculum and I'm not privy to the reasoning on that. My second graders were eager to learn it, as they saw it as a symbol of growing up. A rite of passage.
Also, parents can teach their children how to tell time. Not everything has to be done in school. If you really want to know what goes on, volunteer or go to PTA meetings. But, please, don't make sweeping generalizations.
08-20-2012, 06:24 AM
#24
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 114
>
IMO, "sports" are the "be all and end all" for people.
My nephew, now 30 years old, was a "3 season sports player" and academically excellent. He has all sorts of skills, but cannot fix anything around the house. He has an excellent career and a beautiful condo. OTOH, his Father (my brother) can fix almost anything. The kid was busy with sports and never worked side by side with his Father on household projects.
My husband did one sport and worked with his Father around the house. He can fix almost anything, too. If not, at age 64, he is still willing to learn. We have spent many happy hours working side by side on projects in our 37 years of marriage. Our home is in great shape and we can do nearly anything we need to- together.
Some people call us "talented"- to drive a nail or fix is not "talent". It is having a useful skill. Talent is being able to paint a mural, not just paint a wall!
IMO, "sports" are the "be all and end all" for people.
My nephew, now 30 years old, was a "3 season sports player" and academically excellent. He has all sorts of skills, but cannot fix anything around the house. He has an excellent career and a beautiful condo. OTOH, his Father (my brother) can fix almost anything. The kid was busy with sports and never worked side by side with his Father on household projects.
My husband did one sport and worked with his Father around the house. He can fix almost anything, too. If not, at age 64, he is still willing to learn. We have spent many happy hours working side by side on projects in our 37 years of marriage. Our home is in great shape and we can do nearly anything we need to- together.
Some people call us "talented"- to drive a nail or fix is not "talent". It is having a useful skill. Talent is being able to paint a mural, not just paint a wall!
08-20-2012, 07:24 AM
#25
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Northern California, Sonoma Co.
Posts: 2,814
Originally Posted by quiltmom04
My mother couldn't drive a horse and buggy - but my grandmother could. I can't waltz or swing dance, but my mother could. She never did get a MAC machine or pumping her own gas. Is any of us stupid? No, of course not. Times are changing and we don't have to learn things we can do another way - like telling time. You wouldn't say 20 cents less than $2, would you? You'd say $1.80. Same thing.
08-20-2012, 08:07 AM
#27
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Grants Pass, OR
Posts: 2,071
I beg to differ. These things are all taught in school. Whether the student wishes to use these skills is up to them. Just because they use their own version of short hand or use these other tools does not mean that they are ignorant. You would be pleasantly surprised at how insightful and intelligent this new generation is. Not to mention, a lot kinder and civic minded.
PS Political correctness is sometimes a blessing because some people do not know how to act in public (or private for that matter) or say whatever falls our of their mouths without considering the effect of their words or fully engaging their brain. Helps to keep some people out of the dentist office and others out of jail.
Just saying.
PS Political correctness is sometimes a blessing because some people do not know how to act in public (or private for that matter) or say whatever falls our of their mouths without considering the effect of their words or fully engaging their brain. Helps to keep some people out of the dentist office and others out of jail.
Just saying.
Originally Posted by MattieMae
Kids today aren’t expected to learn to read an analog clock, or an actual map, or do arithmetic, spell correctly, use proper grammar, or write cursive. Many students graduate high school without the skills an eighth grader used to have. They aren’t required because of calculators, computers, and political correctness.
I always thought that practicing grammar, arithmetic and writing cursive was a good way to teach persistence and discipline. I was recently told that participating in sports does the same thing.
I always thought that practicing grammar, arithmetic and writing cursive was a good way to teach persistence and discipline. I was recently told that participating in sports does the same thing.
Last edited by Iraxy; 08-20-2012 at 08:10 AM. Reason: misspellings
08-20-2012, 08:58 AM
#28
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Stony Brook, NY
Posts: 1,225
And to think, when I was a child - over 50 years ago, my parents had a digital clock. There were little tags that flipped down when the minute and/or hour changed. I understood 12:45, not quarter to 1. Because I could tell time with that, but couldn't read a regular clock, my 1st grade teacher was concerned about my intellect. Just think! I was ahead of my time
08-20-2012, 11:32 AM
#29
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Centerville, WA
Posts: 1,254
It is true that "most" schools don't teach some of the old ways of doing things. Like telling time, cursive writing, & counting change. They are more into the new tec stuff. Parents need to step up & teach these things to them if they want them to learn their way. It is the same with cooking & sewing. The parents responsibility is also to teach their own kids. Not leave it all up to others to do. It really upsets me to hear parents say, "I will be glad when school starts". I hated when school started cause it took my kids away from me during the day. I always loved being with, doing with & teaching my kids. After all, that is the reason I had them. Not to push them off for someone else to raise & learn everything from.
08-20-2012, 02:03 PM
#30
Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Southeastern Pennsylvania
Posts: 27
When I look at an analog clock, I'm not looking for the actual time. I look at where the minute hand is in relation to where I want or need it to be. If I have to leave my house at 12:40 or "twenty minutes before one", all I need to know is how close the minute hand is to the "8". Of course, I first verify that twelve o'clock has passed and it's not actually 11:40 or, worse yet, twenty minutes before two!! 
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