make change?? they can't even spell "change"? along with about 95 other common words, because of texting on cell phones.

I don't see anything wrong with computers and calulators after they have learned the basic concepts. By learning the basics in every subject, they have been taught how to think, the "why' and "how". In Texas, the students have to take a TAKS test, schools are graded on how many students pass. And Seniors have to pass to graduate. So what do our schools do, they take 2 to 3 weeks out of the school year to teach the test, negates what the test is supposed to show.

Cursive should be taught because it uses both sides of the brain which is a good thing. It has been proven that boys and girls learn in different ways and that they learn better in all girls or all boy classes. But segregation covers that, so instead of making the classroom a better place to learn, they rather use laws that are not good for education.

Also in some homes, the parents are not supportive. That includes the poor to the rich. Some don't care, some do, but don't have time. That can make a big difference in the attitude toward an education.

Also some schools treat the students like cattle. I think each child is entitled to respect as a human being. If they are treated with respect, they will do better.

My youngest 3 grands have had their curiousity encouraged since they were infants. They all love school and are very bright. Before they started school, I would buy them workbooks that exposed them to learning numbers, words, etc.

You hear of kids getting thru school with out learning to read, they just keep passing them instead of taking the time to help them.

I think times have gotten a little better and I know there are some excellent teachers and schools, but there are still to many missing the point.

We have one district that all schools have been rated the highest score and the district spends less per child than most of the other school districts, so it's not the money.
I would never have moved to where I am now, if my children were still in school, their reputation has been terrible for 30 yr or more and they spend a lot of money per child, go figure.

Sorry this is so long, but bad schools and bad teachers are really a subject that gets my goat. I hate to think of a child not getting the education they deserve. What is the answer or answers? I am not sure, but we need to start somewhere. We are not ranked at the top in the world, and with all our advantages, we should be.

yes..that happened to my daughter recently....at a well known fabric store....but I won't say any more 'cause the moderators deleted my topic and told me to take it up with the management of the store(which we already had, and I posted the topic as a warning reminder to others)....I guess it's ok to talk about generic situations but not specific ones!!

Thank you for posting this....I am a homeschooling mom too. And yesterday, explaining place value to my daughter was the topic of her math. When it was all said and done, I learned as much as she did....and while I am older, I do enjoy teaching things to my kids, as you never really understand something until you have to teach it!!

We have had some of our kids try to skip this process of showing all their work....and I count the problem wrong (even if they have the right answer) if they don't show every step. In my mind, there is value in showing the process. Helps them develop their "logical" side of their brains!!

I understand what you are saying...though I don't think the original poster was "insulting an entire generation...." But you have to agree that when, as a nation, our math scores on basic skills tests, ACT, PSAT, and the SAT tests continue to fall way below the numbers of nations like Japan, something is wrong. When teachers are allowed to teach our grade school children that 2 + 2 = whatever number you want it to equal instead of 4....something has gone terribly wrong. When you have 3rd graders doing algebra problems and they do not even know their basic math facts...ie: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division....well, no wonder so many children use calculators. Their little brains are just overwhelmed as they have never been given the opportunity to have their minds trained to think in the logical sequencing that math teaches.

IMHO children need many, many months and years on training in the basic math facts. If they get this, "higher" math is much easier, as they understand the logic of that process. Not to mention the fact that they discover that 2 + 2 always = 4....always.

The teaching of math has gone way off course in this country....and if the schools won't correct the problem...let me encourage all you parents to turn off the tv, sit with your children in the evening, and teach them basic math....you will be doing them a huge favor for their futures. And sharpening your own skills in the process!!

I think a great test would be to turn off the electricity and then see how much any of us know or could do...........lots of adults would be struggling as much as the children. Great area for a terrorist organization to dwell on!

My girlfriend was once charged $34-50 for a packet of biscuits,they made her go through all the bags till she found the biscuits,then they gave her the money back.
Just goes to show, you should always look at your dockets.

just curious....why didn't you tell her? Lol.

You would be surprised how easy it is to hit that extra zero on the newer cash registers, so when entering $10, you may get $100 instead. BUT, there is no excuse for not being able to make the correct change. I have done it, and laughingly said to the customers, Sorry about the fumble fingers...as much as I like you, I can't give you the change for the $100, but I CAN MAKE THE CORRECT CHANGE, and did it. People enjoy seeing that someone can still do it, even if they can't "type" properly on the register, lol.

It is such a simple skill, no kid should get out of grade school without being able to make change, or count backwards.

I work part-time in retail and found that most people don't check their change as long as it is close to what they think they should get back.

I always tell the person the total for the sale, the amount of money they give me, the amount of the change, and then count the change for them. This works very well.

Most people are confused or impatient when I go that extra step start counting from the transaction total up to the amount of money they paid me, so I don't do it anymore.

Last week I had a 50ish mother ask me what 25% off of $80 was.

For the average person, if you don't use it (practice) you lose it. I assumed she doesn't work with percentages very often.

I count back the change like you do, but today's "modern" day people depend too much on the computer to do it for them.

"Last year, after 12 years as a media specialist in my district, I went back into the classroom to teach 4th grade math and science after the district did away with school librarians. I was stunned that the district's math program (adopted by our curriculum dept. and school board) did not advocate memorization of basic math facts and kids were encouraged to count on fingers and/or use calculators. I know not every child can memorize math facts easily, but all can memorize some! I encourage it, but am told I am not teaching the curriculum the way it is written. I really worry about what will happen when these kids are adults. When I give a quiz on basic facts, you can almost feel a breeze in the classroom from so many kids counting on their fingers. But by the time I get them in 4th grade, their habits are set. They can't add 6 plus 6 yet and I have to teach them multiplication, division, and long division!"

This is exactly what I mean! who the heck is making the rules that good teachers have to follow! Why aren't parents/communities given a talk on these before some board inpliments them - I think it comes down to what saleman is the slickest in conning a board into paying for the plan!
Even way back in the dark ages in the 70s I decided NOT to go into teaching because I couldnt do it my way - I can remember, when in grade school, Dick/Jane books for reading. You cannot read if you do not memorize site words. These words were the ones in the Dick/Jane series. You just have to. You cannot do math if you do not memorize very basic math rules. 3+3 = 6, 3X2 = 6, very basic here. Yes, we all have different ways of how we learn, and a teacher has to teach to the average way in a classroom, but this still does not excuse having children not try. So, a parent has to do flashcard drills in math with their child every night, so a parent has to sit and do reading with a child every night. This is not a bad thing. When did it change that a part of parenting is helping your child learn. This is how we learn to become a literate society. All the stupid convoluted ways the "experts" have twisted learning does not alter the fact that 2 3s end up becoming 6. I really do see a point in home schooling! Once a child grasps the fact of 1+1 = 2, it doesnt matter how they try to "teach" this - even counting on your fingers is valid if its a memory tool - the child has the concept memorized and is ok.

and, not we are not painting every child/ school system in America with the same brush, but (big BUT here) even without any "test scores" sadly, also dumbed down! it is very plain to see we have been dumping down our society to the point we are going to be fit for nothing, as a group, but certain slavery - we are barely literate. In some areas, 50% of children starting kindergarden never graduate HS, and not because they were too bright for it. It only takes 1 generation to halve our abilities; when you lose the basics, grow have kids, you are not capable of passing on that basic information to your own offspring. This is the shame of it.
Take all your interactions with clerks/ assistants/ gov't officials, all the people hired to do a job anywhere you do any kind of transaction for one week; then, count up all those who couldnt do something so basic it should have been learned in grade school. Also, check their ages - the ones who can help you are over 45 to be sure. The younger they get the more inept they become. tsk, tsk, tsk. sharet

And God forbid if your total is $8.10 and you the cashier a 10 dollar bill and a dime it screws them all up. Well, you get the picture.

It takes someone to teach them how to count the change!! When I worked at the grocery store I was amazed at how many needed to be showed how to count back change and how to properly hand people their change! Change first then bills! It just makes sense, atleast to me!

There is a new scam going around here where if you pay by credit or cash card the cashier puts in a cash advance of $20 even though you did not ask for it and you never get that money. so it is best to check your dockets before leaving the counter and report it straight away. I was send an email about this so I thought if I let you know you can all be on your guard.

There is a new scam going around here where if you pay by credit or cash card the cashier puts in a cash advance of $20 even though you did not ask for it and you never get that money. so it is best to check your dockets before leaving the counter and report it straight away. I was send an email about this so I thought if I let you know you can all be on your guard.[/quote]

This is not a new scam but you are correct, always check your receipts before you leave the store. Yes, even if you hold up the line!

My husband hates it when the cashier hands him his bills then dumps the change on top

I deal with the public every day using public transportation. You would not believe how many people do not know what an address is, let alone their own address!

One of our progects as a senior in high school, in Home economics we had to make a baby's dress by hand and also had french seams..and smocking on yoke.That was 1960 and I still have the dress. Love to do handwork still..

I also count mine and always count my money when I cash a check at the bank before leaving the window even in the drive through!! Once in the drive through while I was sitting there counting my money, the young lady ask me if something was wrong Duh, I said no, I always count it before I leave!!

I always count mine at the efpos machine as well as the counter too.

33.49
67.51
101.00 Right?????

YOU are correct. But who am I to talk; I make $100 mistakes in my checkbook!

NO it is not101 - the correct answer is 100

9 plus 1 is 10, put down the 0, carry the 1
4 plus 5 is 9 plus the one carried equals 10; put down the 0 carry the 1
3 plus 7 is 10 PLUS the 1 carried is 11, carry the one
101
Correct?

Yep!

I was taught that was back with the old ka-ching registers too - if is foolproof to start from the price and count up to the amount tendered.

Ever been in a restaurant where the computer went down and servers couldn't order or total the checks ???LOL

Yes! I had to help the waitress add it up. Good thing I was honest!