Long Division

Long Division

I feel sorry for the 7th grade. Their math is a bit dull. Today was really LOOONNGG division and a lot of it. I thought about crossing out some of the problems but then I realized I wanted them to be working hard all period, so I made them do it all. Meany. It builds character. Or makes them hate math. Whatever, it’s math class. I wonder if I will post about anything else ever again?

22 Responses to “Long Division”

  1. dr. stryker Says:

    should i tell my story about how my 7th grade math teacher changed my life, taught me a love for math and all it’s potential, and inspired me to want to teach math myself? oh wait, that was my 9th grade math teacher, nevermind!

  2. kristi Says:

    I didn’t like my 7th grade algebra teacher all that much. She (seriously) would beat her head on the chalkboard if someone said some wrong answer. One time a kid in our class exclaimed “Jesus!” and she made him stand up and told him to finish his prayer in front of the whole class. He did, quite embarrassingly.

    I’ll always remember her.

  3. kristi Says:

    Of course, that was before prayer was outlawed in public school.

  4. crazysox Says:

    My 7th grade math teacher took a “sabatacle” after he had our class. He came back a new man, we did him in. Not me of coarse, I was an angel… yep, me an angel.

  5. Kristen Says:

    Did I even have math in 7th grade?

  6. michel Says:

    Sam’s math is already too much. What’s with the overkill? Nathan’s comment gives me a smidgeon of hope.

  7. ma ma j Says:

    how old is sam?

  8. Martha Says:

    Sam is in 6th. What is the overkill?

  9. Martha Says:

    And a hearty HA HA to Kristen. Now that is funny.

  10. ma ma j Says:

    Kristen? I’m shocked! Wasn’t it Mrs. Guzman who tried to dance you through Algebra? That’s the way, Uh-Hu Uh-Hu, I like it, Uh-Hu Uh-Hu! Remember?

  11. Kristen Says:

    Ok its coming back to me slowly!

  12. JaredB Says:

    What? Using long division all the time in your daily life doesn’t keep it fresh in your mind? Oh yeah, I forgot that they have these things called calculators now.

    (I hope none of Martha’s students read this!) Actually, it is valuable to be able to work through it manually, and I even support the seemingly vast amounts of problems they have to do that’s designed to drill it into their heads. (We won’t get into whether I did all that homework when I was in school…)

  13. dr. stryker Says:

    it’s also good for paturn recognition so that later work can be done in your head.

  14. Martha Says:

    Well, I try to do most of the new work in class and i only pick review work that seems relevant. And, actually when we corrected it today it wasn’t as much division as I thought. There was other stuff thrown in.

  15. ma ma j Says:

    yeah. four long division problems can take the same time as the whole rest of the page, huh? i know of one teacher who made them do the long division first, then they were rewarded by being allowed to do all the rest. and then you could give them candy for each problem that they do right. i feel that candy is the key to true learning.

  16. Martha Says:

    These days it’s extra credit. Most kids will take advantage of it.

  17. crazysox Says:

    Jolly Ranchers

  18. ma ma j Says:

    amen, sister. jolly ranchers are the key! extrinsic rewards work. we want kids to transfer to the “intrinsic reward” concept, but I’m not sure they ever do.

    “honey, could you please paint the family room? pleeeeeeeees! i promise to ……”

    yeah. extrinsic rewards always work.

  19. kristi Says:

    My friend at school just informed me that she told her step daughter she would get $50 for each ‘A’ on her report card. That beats Jolly Ranchers, if you ask me. ;-)

  20. mama j Says:

    i told kenny that i would give him a new car for every B. and i’ll throw in a trip around the world if he get’s an A.

  21. Martha Says:

    Ha ha …kiss ups. so far no candy required.

  22. Nate & Kristen's Weblog Says:

    (long-division): Computers In Education

    You think you know when you learn, are more sure when you can write, even
    more when you can teach, but certain when you can program.
    –Alan Perlis
    If I can help Levi write just the important parts of the following program by the time he’s…

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