Also: I agree, that's totally the way to do it. Although... part of the point of my theoretical lesson plan involves the fact that those teachers aren't actually lying. What they're saying is true for that system. But it would be better, especially if you have students who already know (often from the incontrovertible supreme authority of their parents, siblings, or Books) that you can so do that, would be to explain about the systems. I don't know much about elementary education, so I'm not sure what the best way to go about it would be, but pretty much any explanation is better than "no you can't."

Oh, also I'm kind of having trouble finding Web pages which talk about the whole idea of "different number systems" aside from just defining them. If anyone comes up with a good, not-too-complicated page about it, could you let me know? Or, for that matter, if you've got something you think should be said about the topic, also let me know!

HOCKEY!

Oh gawd - an animated .gif that had me laughing outloud: Love your job

Heh. This has been me, like, every day this week!

Signed,
Yesterday Was Monday In A Tuesday Suit And Today Is The Day That Never Ends It Goes On And On My Friend

Hmm. I'm trying to think of a situation in which a child would have one set of rules for one thing and another for something else.

Like maybe bedtime during school days, and bedtime on weekends.

What time is your bedtime? It depends on whether we are using weekday rules or weekend rules. The set of numbers we're using are like weekday rules, stricter so that we can play with the weekend numbers.

Or a doll with bendy knees versus one without. They're both dolls, but you can't bend the knees of one. You can break them, but you can't make them be bendy. And besides, the doll doesn't owe you that much money.

NYC Subway Google map!

Children just learning about addition and subtraction are often told that they can't subtract a larger number from a smaller one. Why? Sometimes these children have already learned outside of class about negative numbers. How would you explain, as simply as possible, to these children why their teacher is apparently lying to them?

Isn't that why we have whachamacallit...uh, natural (counting) numbers? It's an opportunity to discuss sets!

reminds self to find a copy of Lies My Teacher Taught Me for Emily....

HOCKEY!

Don't count your poutine before it's hatched - there's still a week in which both the Board of Governors and the membership of the NHLPA have to vote the agreement through, and Jeremy Roenick is still publicly griping that the players (namely, him) aren't getting what they deserve with this deal.

NYC Subway Google map!

I just saw that. SO COOL. Although it does nothing to clear up for me which R stop is closer to my house. I will continue to base my choice on time of day and where I'm going, I guess.