'Slavery' Math Problems Fallout Prompts Ga. Teacher To Resign

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. -- A spokeswoman says a suburban Atlanta teacher has resigned after an investigation over third-grade students being assigned math homework with word problems about slavery.

One of the problems read: "Each tree has 56 oranges. If eight slaves pick them equally, then how much would each slave pick?"

Another was: "If Frederick got two beatings each day, how many beatings did he get in one week?"

Gwinnett County schools spokeswoman Sloan Roach said Wednesday an investigation has concluded into four teachers who gave out the assignments at Beaver Ridge Elementary. She says the school system accepted the resignation of one teacher but declined to elaborate on the rest.

Parents were angered by the math problems, and the NAACP had called for teachers to be fired.

Comments

[NiceLuckyLady]

03:44 PM on 03/21/2012

Teachers are dropping controversial subjects such as the Slavery, Holocaust and the Crusades from lessons because they do not want to offend children from certain races or religions, a report claims. Should history be censured to avoid offending kids?

Those who forget history (or are not taught history) are doomed to repeat it. If you study history each and every one of us could be offended at something that has transpired. History is what it is and you cannot change the facts. How many years after the fact that Indian culture and their demise, was finally added to the text book? If it isn't taught at school where the children could return home with questions asked of their parents, then think of the brutal and rude awakening they would have when they see it discussed on the TV, or in movies, or hearing about it in conversations?

Ddo we have another word that we have to refer to as the “S” word. The ”S” word is a fact of US history. Does this parent who was offended want to pretend like “S” never happened?? Please note that many parents wish the schools were more open instead of sheltering the truths but obviously some prefer cover up and ignorance vice further information and insight.

Controversial aspects of human history should raise the opportunity for children to debate on them, to think about the outcome of such events, so instead of dropping these historical lessons, they should promote reflection, discussion and understanding.

[proudnative]

02:19 AM on 02/06/2012

I think that was a pretty insensitive worksheet, but it still sucks that the teacher lost his/her job. (well, resigned, but I'm sure after a lot of pressure.) That seems pretty extreme, and I wonder if they'll have trouble finding a new job. Also, how exactly does the teacher resigning make things right? If anything, it hurts the kids. They're halfway through the school year, and now they've got to get acquainted with a new teacher and learn to how adapt to the new teacher's teaching style.

[whizzleme]

03:40 PM on 01/22/2012

More information on whether the teacher felt the children were having difficulties understanding math, and whether this was a method to get the children' focus to succeed, it was more a mistake in judgment. As I read these questions in the article which were asked on the assignments, it was interesting to try to figure out the answers. As a child, math was my most challenging subject and I could not always understand it. I used many different resources and methods to grasp math and as having taught school, each child learns differently and it is very important for a teacher to connect with the children as collectively as possible. We should not be so "touchy", slavery was and continues to be albeit unpleasant fact in history!

[Tony Younger]

12:51 PM on 01/27/2012

You obviously fail to see the point...would it have "made math more interesting" if the problem read Hitler kills 1 holocaust victim every hour...how many holocaust victims would he have killed at the end of 8 hours? There are ways of making a subject more interesting without making ANY of the students (and their parents) feel belittled, embarassed, or otherwise "uncomfortable". A classroom is to foster learning, not to practice insensitivity. I, for one, am very glad that you are not responsible for educating the young minds of our nation, as your ideals have been compromised somewhere along the way if you do not see anything wrong with what these teachers have done...

[jagrmeister721]

02:21 PM on 01/22/2012

One down, three to go.

[vtrob77]

12:11 PM on 01/22/2012

This is such a non-issue, I don't see why people were up in arms. It's a math problem. Slavery isn't a U.S. only issue, it still happens in the world. People just want to get angry about something. I'd be more concerned with the kids learning math and being able to read. The teacher should apologize for a poor decision. Maybe have a lesson why slavery is wrong. Then move on. Why does every always want blood, it's like society has lost it's civility and understanding that (1) people aren't perfect and (2) people make mistakes. Learn from them and move on.

[cris robin]

01:29 PM on 01/22/2012

yes.. we could count ovens in a concentration camp ..what's the big deal?

[djsmoothie]

01:58 PM on 01/22/2012

All this was poor judgement. The teacher created this question after teaching about slavery to the very same kids taken the test.

It was a stupid thing to do but the teacher was not racist

[LYRichardson]

03:07 PM on 01/26/2012

I don't believe that it is a "NON-ISSUE" however, I do believe that as a society we over react to everything people say or do.Is everyone is just one poor decision or insensitive response away from losing their job? What a shame! We need to teach students and obviously their parents to verbally confront conflict and differences. Was the issue ethically and/or legally indefensible? Compromise and move on.

[Ceesmom]

10:58 AM on 01/27/2012

I don't believe that your black and I think your photo is fake. Blacks/Israelites have been moving on for years. It's stuff like this that reminds us of the hurt, pain and afflictions from society. Move on? Wow! Have you ever been in an earthquake, a storm, a tornado, in snow or icy weather? There's an after math! After an earthquake there are small tremors that mimic that there's another earthquake, but there really isn't. It's an effect (reaction) that happened from a cause. If the earth can't settle from hazardous weather or something foreign? Why would you think years of brutal bondage will allow a human being to move so swiftly ? Even Job, Moses, David, Issac, Jacob, and "Jesus" had emotions! So why is compromise is okay? I compromise with my clothes, what food to eat, what I may read etc. But making a statement for someone to compromise for something like this is not ethically and/or legally indefensible! It's inconceivable and if society tends to keep "moving on". The aftermath of generations to come will be unimaginable! We can see that the world is in a bad place, but thank The Almighty for Jesus that there is repentance! Jesus said to put the lamp on the table and not under it, so that you may see (Matthew 5:15). Prayer changes things, but one has to acknowledge to know what they are praying for!

[bradyhull]

04:29 PM on 01/20/2012

THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY TO HANDLE THIS BEHAVIOR......

SHUN THESE PEOPLE....................HOW?................When they venture OUT OF THE STATE and go to other States for services, vacation, what have you...THEY ARE DENIED!!!!

EVERY ONE OF THEM FROM THE STATE!!!! Now you may say...hey "that is cruel, not everyone is guilty for the acts of the few!"

WELL...IF YOU PUNISH ALL OF THEM...The ones that are good will get enough of it and take action TO CHANGE THEIR STATE....FROM THESE SLIMEY VIPERS!!!!

The ONLY way to change these types of States is to get the people in those States to make the change by EMBASSING THEM into change and if not CLOSE THE DOOR on them enough that THEY WILL BE FORCED TO CHANGE!!!

NO CHANGE............NO BUSINESS...........NO THANKS..........NOT WELCOMED...PERIOD!!!

[Bolder Than Boulder]

06:24 PM on 01/20/2012

Let me first say that these teachers should be fired and this behavior should never be tolerated.

Now that I said that the rest of this message is to bradyhull.

I don't think that being prejudice to stop racism really makes sense... I think proper education is the only productive way to fight prejudice of any kind. Can you not see how you are acting exactly like a racist would? The only difference between the way you are acting and the way a racist acts is that you are prejudice against people from a certain state as opposed to people of a certain skin color. So maybe you should work the prejudice in your own heart before trying to fix that of others.

[dlee090245]

07:00 PM on 01/20/2012

With this thinking should we place all blacks in prison since most of the prison population is black.

[writingoutloud]

10:45 AM on 01/21/2012

I'm not sure I'd call that thinking, dlee. I'd call it a lot of things...but "thinking" wouldn't be one of those things.

[Adonijah]

02:03 PM on 01/20/2012

Any teacher that could (in their right mind) come up with these test questions...should not be teaching!!! Oh my badd,,,maybe they can get a job at the the three K's elementary/middle/high schools.

[djsmoothie]

02:00 PM on 01/22/2012

Get the whole story. She created these test after teaching about slavery in the classroom.

All this was poor judgement. The teacher had no intention to be racist.

It's all about intent

[Adonijah]

06:23 PM on 01/22/2012

If you choose to believe that....that's your prerogative.


@All this was poor judgement. The teacher had no intention to be racist.

[WarriorLemming]

11:46 AM on 01/20/2012

I wanna see those freaking teacher's faces plastered all over the news so that we can see what sweet, white faces that harbor such hate and bigotry in their hearts look like.

[Getting it right]

03:46 PM on 01/20/2012

You do realize those teachers were black and latino, yes?

[bradyhull]

04:43 PM on 01/20/2012

ARE YOU SURE ABOUT THAT?...I HAVE NEVER HEARD THAT BEFORE. Latinos in Lawrenceville, GEORGIA? Hmmm, that is very interesting too. Is it the Mexican invasion that has the State of Arizona so very terrified washed up in the towns of Georgia? Hmmm. I see passing the buck here. Oh yeah...the word BUCK...hmmm....do not get carried away please!!! ha ha ha

[cris robin]

01:42 PM on 01/22/2012

baggers are liars, that's what they do ..

[Bolder Than Boulder]

07:53 PM on 01/20/2012

Where did it say they were white?

[gfe]

09:48 AM on 01/20/2012

another example of govt schools

[Bolder Than Boulder]

06:41 PM on 01/20/2012

But you aren't hateful at all... Practice what you preach.

[golions]

01:27 PM on 01/22/2012

Is that post supposed to be an example of home schooling?

[kterico]

09:38 AM on 01/20/2012

Not very bright, I would agree. However as a parent I would be even more concerned about the grammar used in the sentences as well as the shift in tense.

[WarriorLemming]

11:51 AM on 01/20/2012

Hurray! Good for you! Spoken like a true Repug/bagger, congratulation for staying true-to-form. ;)

[Bolder Than Boulder]

06:52 PM on 01/20/2012

Dear WarriorLemming,
Spreading hatred for those with opposing views has never swayed anyone from their beliefs. If you truly want change in this world you must obey the golden rule and treat others as you would wish to be treated. Your combative attitude and disrespect for other people will never sway them from their opinions and more likely just reinforces their beliefs. Why would anyone listen to someone claiming to be stopping hate but acts like such a callus and uncaring individual?

[marpel]

10:45 AM on 01/27/2012

huh? 1 fan... go figure.

[jpfmtka]

09:24 AM on 01/20/2012

The fact that this happened in Georgia should come as no surprise. This state has not progressed beyond 1865. So very backward in so many ways although the teachers here were smart enough to organize "cheating parties" to ensure their students received passing grades. It worked, right up to the time they were caught.

[Adonijah]

02:05 PM on 01/20/2012

Cosign!

[missiontango]

08:33 AM on 01/20/2012

There are a number of States in our Union that I wish would just secede. South Carolina, Arizona and Florida come to mind. Now I guess I would want to throw Georgia into the mix.

[maid3marian]

05:50 PM on 02/05/2012

I think our nation has at least six distinct regions, maybe more. A lot of it has to do with the ethnic groups that settled in each of them and became the majority. The ancestral customs and traditions, including religious affiliations-and language- are all traceable back to origins. As humans we are tribal. The decision about which tribe used to be local, what you learned from your family and neighborhood. Assimilate in public, return to tradition at home. When we became more mobile and moved for careers, as an example, and travel was easier people were confronted with differences they never had to cope with before. We haven't learned good skills for interacting with other tribes, to say the least. Time to call people on their unkind, narrow-minded behavior and accept others, racial/ethnic origin notwithstanding.

[proudnative]

02:28 AM on 02/06/2012

What's your deal with Florida?

[taj72]

09:25 PM on 03/20/2012

Uhmmm, the Sanford Police Department and the Trayvon Martin murder to name one thing! If you don't know the story, read up on it and then see if you want to ask that question again.

[philliplojek]

08:18 AM on 01/20/2012

He was probably fired for making the questions too tough.

[WarriorLemming]

12:00 PM on 01/20/2012

The Repug/baggers are out in force for this thread--if it's about bigotry and hatred they love it. ;)

[philliplojek]

12:45 PM on 01/20/2012

The teacher did this in a public school, right? Guess home-schooling and private schools are not as bad as the liberals say they are.

[Bolder Than Boulder]

07:54 PM on 01/20/2012

Every post you make has some sort of hatred in it... Look in a mirror sometime.

[Jab Allen]

08:11 AM on 01/20/2012

This is called a teachable moment. Teachers call it that, anyway. Now we have to ask, What do they know?

[Jab Allen]

08:08 AM on 01/20/2012

I doubt that anyone other than the teacher okayed these questions. Teachers make up their own tests. I am shocked also. I didn't know they still had slaves down there, other than the fact that we are all becoming slaves the way things are going. Where is Stokely Carmichael when you need him?