Making it relevant

I was emailed this article from the Tappedin group I’m a part of and it seemed perfect for what we are discussing.  You can read the whole article here.  The article is about a different way of teaching math.  Some teachers are teaching  Social Justice Math.  The teachers are relating all their material to the world around them and what is going on currently in the news. On several occations the students took more action like marching in the “take back the night” march and providing mathematical facts to why an incineration plant shouldn’t come to their town.  This article also talks about how some people feel that it is an unacceptable way to teach math.  I think that it is a wonderful way for students to become successful members of society and learn about math at the same time.  I feel that students today don’t have the same mindset as we did as children.  The students now only think about how they can get what they want.  It seems that they are only interested in doing anything if it will benefit them in some way.  I am surprised daily at the lack of respect students have for each other, me, and themselves.  I happened to mention it the other day with another teacher in my classroom who chimed it to agree that students are very disrespectful toward teachers now.  I would like to think that I am respectful towards them and have earned their respect, but it is hard to tell if I have or not by the students actions. But I have gotten away from the point.  The article seems to have a firm grasp on a class that could not only teach math, but could allow the students to feel connected to their community and America.  I feel we could really use a good dose of American Spirit in our schools today.