Every month, I say thanks to the folks who keep the conversation going here on Beyond the Rhetoric. If it were not for the comments left by site visitors, I’d feel like I was talking in a vacuum. Many of the top thinkers for August look familiar, but it’s good to see at least one new face among the bunch. Let’s see what’s going on with their own sites.
Perennial top thinker Ray Ebersole tops the list for August 2011. He approaches the educational system in a recent post, questioning what they are teaching our children. Yes, a square is still considered a rectangle. It also makes you wonder at what age would you introduce the concept of negative numbers to kids? As a young one, I was taught negatives were “impossible” until I was taught differently later on.
Meanwhile, Betshopboy is continuing with his running ways, documenting his participation in the Adidas King of the Road 2011 run at Padang. The race itself was 16.8 kilometres and everyone’s favorite marathon runner finished the course in 1:17.05. Way to go! It’s also good to see that the race was well organized and fun was had by all the participants.
Coming in third place for August is Colocation, though it appears that his site is temporarily down for whatever reason. I hope the issue gets resolved soon!
Next, we have Used Tires. The blog usually talks about where you can source used tires and what you need to know about buying them, but the post on running correct tire pressures applies to anyone who drives a car. If the pressure is too high, you could make for some dangerous handling. If it’s too low, you could be unnecessarily wasting gas. Check those tires at least once a month!
And finally, newcomer Recipes with Twist rounds out the top five for August. I’m not particularly useful in the kitchen, but I do love to eat a good meal. That’s why a recipe like the healthy fried rice in three steps sounds like the kind of thing I can handle. It helps that there are photos documenting every step too, particularly for cooking novices like me.
Thanks Michael and to answer your question, negative numbers are 2nd grade. But, they only teach that there are such things. They don’t teach the concepts that go with them until 4th grade.
Also, I wanted to shout out the great job our friend Ng Chee Wee, better known as betshopboy for his latest running effort! I wish I had his will power to run.
Negative numbers are almost like the square and rectangle thing. I vaguely remember asking (around grade one, I believe) what would be the answer to two minus five (or something similar). The teacher told me it was impossible, rather than telling me about negative numbers and how we’d be learning about that later on. That’s misleading.
I agree. You need to give an answer that fits the level of the student. Nothing is impossible and to say that to a student knowing that they will learn differently later just puts a negative (no pun intended) feeling in the students mind about education when they learn the truth.
Thanks for the mention again Michael! Im getting back into the groove of blogging and writing again thanks to a friend. More similar articles coming soon, looking to really add more unique and original articles to the site.
-Jean
I am glad to be mentioned in your blog as the top thinkers and also thankful for considering one of my recipe.
i will do it next time . was busy all month to comeback and comment here 🙁
Thanks for the shoutout!
Since when have I become “everyone’s favorite marathon runner”? LOL!
I was worried I would bored your readers with posts of my crappy running events.
Ok, then you’re my favorite marathon runner? 😉
Well, considering I only know 1 marathon runner personally….. That would make you my favorite. Of course you would get that honor just because you are a great dad and nice person.