Just to expose myself (erm) to the flaming of resident fantasists...

I went to staples *LAST NIGHT*

I picked up a Maths book. It was British, CURRENT, and authorised curriculum material.

I checked the index for "measurements".

I flicked to the pages involved.

The only test question about speed and distance was in mph and miles (although it did say that km/h is worked out in the same way).

It had two sections beside - Entitled "Metric measures" and "Imperial Measures".

In the "imperial bit" it said (something like) "learn by heart that there are 12 inches in a foot and 3 feet in a mile". I scanned for other measures and got gallons, stone etc.

There was a "Teacher hotspot" bit - It said "Children will need to know how metric measures work, how imperial measures work and how to convert between the two".

I did not buy the book and what I have said here is from memory. However it is true, accurate, and factual.

Do some of the metric side (admittedly a small portion) *STILL* think that imperial measures are not taught in regards to their workings? And do they *STILL* think that examples won't use imperial figures.

Let me state one last time.

When I (and Andy - from what I've learned) were at school imperial measures were dropped (probably due to the idea of a brave new metric world).

They are now RE-INSTATED.

They are *not* the defacto unit in science but they ARE TAUGHT IN MATHS.

I even mentioned to my Wife (who was peering over my shoulder) that "they never taught me that when I was at school").


Whilst the resident fantasist will only be able to say that I am wrong, most others will be able to got to their local "Staples".

For those who are still in denial. Go there. Pick up book. Read.



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FOOTNOTE:

This posting appears to be pro-imperial, so I hope it does not get deleted in the same way as my other posts are *still* getting deleted!

Before you look at the "main board" (don't you dare!) See if you can find the obvious (!) mistake.

We are unable to point it out. A "proper pro-met" must profess to be COMPLETELY unable to remember any of those arcane ratios between Imperial units and limit himself to conversions of 10X and 0.1X.

(I read the answer in the other thread befire I knew there was a quiz)

:-)

Next time you are in Staples or you see a book you claim as evidence of what is being taught in school try making a note of the actual publication details. The words "curriculum authorised" don't mean much.

There are numerous books on shelves in book shops that parents buy for their kids but they are not used in school. In fact teachers warn against them.

<<They are now RE-INSTATED.

They are *not* the defacto unit in science but they ARE TAUGHT IN MATHS.>>

You have no idea of the issues involved in trying to teach kids mathematics.

Teachers have enough on their hands getting them to understand how to calculate in metric never mind imperial. I've said before that there are concessions to working out problems in speed in mph and distance in miles for obvious reasons. But they are not subjected to working out area and volume for example, or calculating averages etc in imperial measures. If any teachers do this they are going beyond the requirements of the NC and will likely be doing it only with the mosts able top teir kids.

I'm not sure what you are trying to tell me here.

Are you saying "yes - you did see imperial being taught" or "no - you didn't see imperial being taught"?

If its the former then that was the biggest "but..." I've ever seen (sorry J-Lo)

If its the latter then why not just simply say that "I'm seeing things", or that "I'm blocking out the metric", or something like that?

FACT: Kids are taught things that they WILL be using in everday life. They WILL be taught to understand what other people, outside the school gates, are TALKING about. To claim otherwise means that somehow there is a conspiracy to censor imperial from school in the hope that they won't experience it in life. And that's plain daft.

I wish there was a facility to post jpg files to these boards! Having said that I'd probably getting accused of "touching up" the image or having the book shipped from Burma (considering if you listen to some people, the US has actually recently "gone metric")

"Bah! You can prove anything with facts!"

Stan
Teachers have enough on their hands getting them to understand how to calculate in metric never mind imperial. I've said before that there are concessions to working out problems in speed in mph and distance in miles for obvious reasons. But they are not subjected to working out area and volume for example, or calculating averages etc in imperial measures. If any teachers do this they are going beyond the requirements of the NC and will likely be doing it only with the mosts able top teir kids.


metre
Amazing, the inch brigade steadfastly denies that hours of precious teaching time is wasted on imperial, or god forbid on both systems. In the sane breath, they tell us that learning both is vital for children to understand what happens in real life. Just shows how muddleheaded they are.

<<Are you saying "yes - you did see imperial being taught" or "no - you didn't see imperial being taught"?

If its the former then that was the biggest "but..." I've ever seen (sorry J-Lo)>>

I'm saying you aren't seeing *anything* being taught.

If you really want't to know go visit a school. Talk to the teachers and ask to see some lessons. They are usually quite open to these things. I know because I've done it.

I agree with you there (and I have kids in my [extended] family). But every text book I've picked up now (without fail) has taught imperial measures in enough detail to make me happy that it covers what kids need to know ('happy' as I will prob have kids soon before my shelf life "down there" runs out!)

Do you honestly have an issue with kids being taught what is required in every day life as well as all the science stuff etc?

I'm sure that most ('proper') pro-metrics see no harm in teaching practical day to day flipping measuring units to kids.