On 2007 Mar 13 , at 11:43 AM, STANLEY DOORE wrote: The test example ... They should have questions using the SI in science applications.
----- Original Message ----- From: "Howard Ressel" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For example, Sally walked 200 m Bill walked 2 km, how far did they walk together.
I disagree with Stanley's criticism of the New York test Howard described. We need to introduce children to the perfectly normal way in which metric units are used in ordinary affairs. Using metric distances instead of Ye Olde English feet for a simple question in addition, with necessary unit conversion (2 km to 2000 m), is just what is needed at an elementary level.
It is not the sophisticate power of a fully rationalized system that is necessary for the average student or adult consumer. It is plain and simple situations like "how far did they walk together" or how many 200 mL glasses of milk can we fill from a 2 L milk jug" etc. that are needed. These give the necessary practice at using the simple, common metric units and also show how large these units are on a human scale by describing realistic situations where they are used. (Thus, students learn that either 200 m or 2 km are reasonable distance to walk, and that a couple hundred millilitres is a reasonable size for a glass or a cup and two litres is one appropriate size for serving containers for drinks.)
Sure, when the are studying science, the use of newtons of force and kilograms of mass would be necessary to calculate an acceleration in metres per second squared in a physics class, but that's not something we should be doing in 3rd grade arithmetic.
Regards, Bill Hooper Fernandina Beach, Florida, USA ========================== Make It Simple; Make It Metric! ==========================
