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CAT Tracks for September 8, 2012
DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT HISTORY? |
Chemistry?
English?
Biology?
Economics?
Physics?
French?
That's okay...
From the Washington Post...
Why kids hate school — subject by subject
CAT Tracks Editor's Note:
If I were a betting man...
I'd put money down that Roger C. Schank is a huge Pink Floyd fan:
As long as you know your basic biological mathematics, that "1 + 1 = 3", you'll be okay in life.
CAT Tracks Editor's Note:
Actually, "biological mathematics" provides a wonderful example of the "good math" favored by today's education reformers!
I mean...
There is more than one possible correct answer to our basic coupling equation. The result of "1 + 1" could be two, three, etc. Hell, there was that one lady awhile back that grabbed her 15 minutes of fame by giving birth to eight children!
Then, there's this intriguing variation:
What if one of the "1's" is a sperm donor?
I suppose we could stick with the simple equation in elementary school, but once the students get to the secondary level (where they are getting into the hands-on activities), maybe our "guide on the side" (voyeur?) could get into the more advanced manipulation of equations!
For example, we could write a follow-up equation...
...subtracting out the donor to reflect that he is not part of the "permanent equation"!
Ya know, it's really too bad that Algebra is banned in Roger's curriculum...the X's and Y's were perfect for discussing the chromosome thingy.
However...
One thing that will make Roger exceedingly happy:
"Biological Mathematics" is all about doing...
...doing it!
POSTSCRIPT:
With all this talk of basic ignorance and "biological mathematics", I would be remiss if I did not close with the lyrics to the song featured in the title to this post:
We don't need no education
We don't need no thought control
No dark sarcasm in the classroom
Teachers leave them kids alone
Hey! teachers! leave the kids alone!
All in all you're just another brick in the wall.
All in all you're just another brick in the wall.
Songwriters: Lou Adler, Herb Alpert, Sam Cooke
Artist: Sam Cooke
Don't know much about history
Don't know much biology
Don't know much about a science book
Don't know much about the French I took
But I do know that I love you
And I know that if you love me too
What a wonderful world this would be
Don't know much about geography
Don't know much trigonometry
Don't know much about algebra
Don't know what a slide rule is for
But I do know that one and one is two
And if this one could be with you
What a wonderful world this would be
Now I don't claim to be an "A" student
But I'm trying to be
So maybe by being an "A" student baby
I can win your love for me
Don't know much about history
Don't know much biology
Don't know much about a science book
Don't know much about the French I took
But I do know that I love you
And I know that if you love me too
What a wonderful world this would be
La ta ta ta ta ta ta
(History)
Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh
(Biology)
La ta ta ta ta ta ta
(Science book)
Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh
(French I took)
But I do know that I love you
And I know that if you love me too
What a wonderful world this would be
FOOTNOTE I:
Yeah, yeah, yeah...
There's that "one and one is two" thing, along with "love" making for a "wonderful world" that might give us pause.
However...
...still thy palpitating heart!
Have no fear, Romney/Ryan will soon be here!
With abstinence only sex education, everything will be all right!
FOOTNOTE II:
If that black guy who was born in Africa wins...
Plan Bee will be a little ditty made famous by Jewel Akens (and covered by the likes of Dean Martin):
(Written by Herb Newman)
Let me tell you 'bout the birds and the bees
And the flowers and the trees
And the moon up above
And a thing called "Love"
Let me tell you 'bout the stars in the sky
And a girl and a guy
And the way they could kiss
On a night like this
When I look into your big brown eyes
It's so very plain to see
That it's time you learned about the facts of life
Starting from A to Z
Let me tell you 'bout the birds and the bees
And the flowers and the trees
And the moon up above
And a thing called "Love"
When I look into your big brown eyes
It's so very plain to see
That it's time you learned about the facts of life
Starting from A to Z
Let me tell you 'bout the birds and the bees
And the flowers and the trees
And the moon up above
And a thing called "Love"
Let me tell you 'bout the birds and the bees
And the flowers and the trees
And the birds and the bees
And the flowers and the trees
'bout the birds and the bees ..... FADE
