Third graders in a Georgia elementary school were given a worksheet with some cross curricular examples in math class. It seems relatively harmless. The problem is that these examples involved slavery. The worksheet contains examples such as "Each tree had 56 oranges. If 8 slaves pick them equally, then how much would each slave pick?" and "If Frederick got two beatings per day, how many beatings did he get in 1 week?." Many parents are outraged by this and claim that these math problems are racist. I personally believe that these problems are not racist, but the fact that a elementary school teacher made problems about slavery says that teacher takes the topic of slavery in America a bit too lightheartedly. I am not saying that these parents shouldn't be outraged, but I am saying that these parents are outraged for false reasons. These questions are in no way racist. In fact, race is never mentioned in these problems. The questions given to these third graders were just a little insensitive to the topic of slavery in America. I would like to think that if the teacher had followed protocol like he should have and had these questions examined, that they would have never reached the hands of these third graders, but who knows. How do you feel about this?
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Slavery Examples in Georgia School
Third graders in a Georgia elementary school were given a worksheet with some cross curricular examples in math class. It seems relatively harmless. The problem is that these examples involved slavery. The worksheet contains examples such as "Each tree had 56 oranges. If 8 slaves pick them equally, then how much would each slave pick?" and "If Frederick got two beatings per day, how many beatings did he get in 1 week?." Many parents are outraged by this and claim that these math problems are racist. I personally believe that these problems are not racist, but the fact that a elementary school teacher made problems about slavery says that teacher takes the topic of slavery in America a bit too lightheartedly. I am not saying that these parents shouldn't be outraged, but I am saying that these parents are outraged for false reasons. These questions are in no way racist. In fact, race is never mentioned in these problems. The questions given to these third graders were just a little insensitive to the topic of slavery in America. I would like to think that if the teacher had followed protocol like he should have and had these questions examined, that they would have never reached the hands of these third graders, but who knows. How do you feel about this?
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I personally feel that yes, the questions were never racist, but I as well don't feel that the topic of slavery was too light. I feel that they were just trying to do their best to incorporate multiple subjects together for a cross subjects teaching. Therefore, I believe they should have just received a light warning and given a apology.
ReplyDeleteI agree Olasoji! Read my post! I also think the teacher should have a course in cultural sensitivity. Honestly, we all need it. Teaching students from different cultures other than my own has truly shown me to never assume and always respect different ways of life.
ReplyDeletei compeletely agree with your point of view.
ReplyDeleteYour point is very true, there was no point in the math problems to make fun of, or show harshness towards African Americans. Very good post! ^o^
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