Is it really not important or is it just me?

I have a friend who taught 9th/10th grade algebra 1 and most of her students did not know how to read a clock!

I find both skills very necessary.

My dc are in situations all the time that require both of those skills (have no idea who the kids are that fall in the category of the ones that will not need it…do they have credit/debit cards, iphones??!!). I found out the hard way when my dc were in music class and were given “play money” to buy prizes at the end of the year and my 7yo had not quite mastered the skill (or acted like he hadn’t) of counting money and the teacher was kind of surprised that he hadn’t learned it yet. I was a bit embarrassed, even though I plan to teach it, complete with counting back change, as well. And, telling time is akin to math (skip counting, rounding, fractions) and a lot of our older friends have analog clocks (grandfather clocks) and we prefer them over digital for decorative purposes. Also, our dc receive cash for their birthdays/Christmas are required to put it in the bank, but, they have to count it out and work with the bank teller themselves.

What a bunch of idiots. I know that wasn’t very nice, but come on!

We recently ordered food at a college sporting event.  It was run by college students who couldn’t add simple numbers and give correct change.    We’re talking giving change from a $10 bill for a total of $6.50!  (He tried to give back $4.50 and also struggled to add the totals)

Needless to say, I think it’s still very important!  My DC will go to a different room with a digital clock instead of reading the regular one…we apparently still need to work on time.  

I, too think they are very important. I agree with the sentiments above.

What if a strong EMP hits and knocks out the electronics?

What about war; especially on our soil? It has a tendency to interfere with conveniences – like electricity.

Good grief…and they won’ t know how to read cursive either! Which means they won’t be able to read our Founder’s documents or old letters from their ancestors.

This post makes me think of the book Diary of An Early American Boy.  There are several things in there that were relatively common knowlege that we have lost in our world.  The information about different woods swelling when others contract explains why much of the furniture made now does not hold up like the antiques which were hand crafted with love and care to LAST.  I know that’s a bit of a rabbit trail, but I wonder if someone will be reading a book of similar ilk in 50 years in reference to money, time, map reading, home phones, etc.

The scariest for us homeschoolers is this Common Core Curriculum. We should all be praying about this and calling your State Senators asking them to defund this curriculum in your state. I am worried about the GED’s and SAT’s being rewritten to align with the Core. Also, HSLDA said the Iowa and CAt are already rewriting their tests. Please pray! Also, do any of you test with Iowa or CAT at the end of your year or in the spring?