I'm trying to figure something out about my son's teacher. This is one of those foibles about the public school system I wasn't really ready for. Teaching techniques have changed a LOT, apparently. I've heard complaints about the emphasis on phonics leading to an increase in an inability to spell among students, but thought that was something I could head off at the pass. But MATH?!

My son was working on some homework for first grade. Okay, he's pretty good at the stuff already. Until...

7 + 3 = 5

I asked my son how he came by that answer. He said his teacher taught his class to count the points on the numbers. For some numbers, I guess I can see how that would actually work. And according to that logic: two points on the seven; three points on the three. 2+3=5, therefore 7+3=5.

WTF???!!!

Is this another new math I wasn't told about? Are they teaching algebra in first grade now? Or is this math taking from the example given by Wall Street and the current stock market?

I can't imagine how this poor teacher could avoid being inundated with the calls from parents who get involved by "helping" their children with their homework. But how can we effectively help our children learn anything using these backward techniques? How can we support and back up a teacher who gives the wrong method for finding the answer to a simple math problem?

Now I have friends who are teachers. My MIL is a teacher. I'm bound to piss of somebody with my rant. And I know this is only the tip of the iceberg. I've got years of this ahead of me. Our financial situation is not ideal for homeschooling, nor do I have the temperament for it. But it seems first grade is a bit early to be having to deal with this stuff. And his school has the best reputation in town!

And to top it off, my DH is SERIOUSLY considering dropping school and going back to work. I'm of two minds on this. I want him to stay in school, because it's taken him so long to get a degree. I also wonder how long it would take, in today's world, to get a job.

But at the same time, with another baby on the way, we could use the money. And I could use an extra pair of hands at the end of the day. If he wasn't tied up on homework, he'd be a huge help.

I know how conflicted he is on this, because I'm certain he's feeling all of this, and more. Poor guy. Rocks and hard places, my ass!

Sigh. Someone get me a chocolate milkshake!

When it rains it pours, right? This week in the news has been something else! And with our own little dramas on top of it all (fridge delivery delayed by two weeks, hubby's session finals, and the beginning of flu season, etc) are making life pretty interesting right now. As far as the snoring, that would be my husband, currently sawing logs. Since I can't sleep through that, I'm blogging.

I've obviously been paying a lot more attention to the news than usual. I'm still no genius on the financial or political fronts, but I can't help but wonder what a depression would be like in our digital age? Bill Gates and other tech-types say that the tech industry will not have any problems from the financial situation. How can that be, if no one can afford to buy software or hardware? Would the flow of information stop in a depression? I can't imagine how it would.

My folks (being older than most of my friends' parents) grew up in the depression and its aftermath. I didn't hear a whole lot of stories from that time, but heard more stories about the rationing during WWII. But what I recall of my history lessons, the country basically came to a standstill during the depression. I just cannot wrap my head around the concept of that happening again. I imagine our society as being so fast-paced, our own momentum will keep us moving, even if we are broke while doing it. That could just be ignorance talking, I don't know. I already said I was no whiz at this sort of thing.

So just to be clear, I'm not saying a depression is going to happen. But what would it be like in our day and age? I doubt the Cohen brothers are going to do a hyped-up futuristic remake of "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?" to give us an idea. (Although the soundtrack has been in my head a lot lately since watching the news). Levar Burton, in his sci-fi novel "Aftermath", does set his story during a contemporary depression, where there is a huge divide between the haves and have-nots, including some incredible social commentary. It's a good read. I also keep thinking of old sci-fi movies like "Johnny Mnemonic" and "Freejack" that also exhibited huge financial divides. See why my financial futuristic imaginings are so bizarre?

That ramble must mean that it's time to try to sleep.