Should High Schools teach Numismatics?

@gumby1234 said:
I went to get a coffee the other day. The young woman behind the counter ( probably 19 or 20 yrs old ). The coffee came to $3.10 so I handed her a 5 dollar bill and a dime. She stood there with the most puzzled look on her face for about 3 mins, Then I explained to her that she owed me $2 in change. That shows how well the schools are doing with Math class.

You should have gave her a $2, an Ike and a dime. Your coffee would have been cold by the time she figured that one out!

Mark

@mark_dak said:

@gumby1234 said:
I went to get a coffee the other day. The young woman behind the counter ( probably 19 or 20 yrs old ). The coffee came to $3.10 so I handed her a 5 dollar bill and a dime. She stood there with the most puzzled look on her face for about 3 mins, Then I explained to her that she owed me $2 in change. That shows how well the schools are doing with Math class.

You should have gave her a $2, an Ike and a dime. Your coffee would have been cold by the time she figured that one out!

Mark

I'm not sure how this new Core math works but I'm pretty sure an equation such as this would require a full college rule page. Try doing that one in your head.

@pmh1nic said:
I could see it being incorporated into a history, art and even science lesson because it has a connection with all three. I'm not sure about it being a stand alone subject for the reasons many have already expressed. Unfortunately the U.S. is lagging behind in the basics so the time and dollars would probably better spent on emphasizing the three "R's"

This

Especially World History, and even U.S. History could be taught incorporating the subject of numismatics. Greek, Roman, and Byzantine coins would be great visual aids.

@ErrorsOnCoins said:
Old farts bashing the smart kids of today... How ironic.

About 25% of this nation Adults need to get an eduction in hygiene, science, charts, and math.

AND civics and American History

no but they should teach personal finances

Lots of really smart kids today (remember, we created the gene pool, so don’t be too harsh).
A big problem I see is the application side. What will work even look like for my kids? How do we teach to an uncertain future?
The biggest thing for me, as a dad of kids who just went back into the public school system (from 4yrs of homeschool) is this: teach work ethic, inquisitiveness and morality. If they get that by the time they’re 18-22, things will work out.
Maybe they’ll even want to keep collecting coins with me.

@ErrorsOnCoins
That’s what I intended in my post “for me, as a dad…”
Public school has always been a crap shoot. If I teach them those things, they’ll be able to get what they need out whatever situation they’re in.

I tried to start a Numismatics Club at my middle school a few years ago.

Zero interest; most of the kids nowadays don't even use coins.

No

Kids know how to utilize technology... they simply are behind the curve in connection with analyzing data and appreciating historical context. There is a disconnect and kids today need to recognize that the yardstick of today does not work for what transpired in the past. While covid is horrible, it still does not match the destruction of WWI and the influenza that followed after the war and well into 1919. And the same can be said of the Depression of the 1930s. History tells us were we have been... mistakes that were made... And yet few seem to acknowledge its importance going forward in terms of creating a more perfect union or the work in progress that is required to make a better world in general. And it is truly sad that words such as this have to be written.

@ErrorsOnCoins said:

@telephoto1 said:
Trying to understand how a kid is "extremely smart" but can't make change, read above a 6th grade level, speak proper non- F-word laced English and can't think for himself so he has to use the internet as a crutch rather than actually learn things. But hey, he can play the heck out of video games...

Really???

A one-off that works in a convince store is your data point for a generation who can't make change?

Smart kids know how to make change and read.

Free thinking is a trait today among our youth, which is a good thing.

The internet is just a tool not a crutch.

I've unfortunately seen too many "one-offs", as has my girlfriend, who has been a teacher for the last quarter century. That said, there are some bright kids who come into our shop that make me feel at least a little better about our future.
My internet remark stands. The preponderance of youth today could not function without their electronic brains.