YESTERDAY’S COMMENTS Some folk were frustrated about not getting yesterday’s cartoon. Upon reading the comments, including Mallet’s clarification, I |figured out the problem. There is a core bit of pedagogical trivia that is the pivot of the joke. One tiny bit is what makes Malket’s messing with the timeline work as humor:
“Show and Tell” is much easier and quicker than “Demonstration Speech”.
Show and Tell, used in grades K-2, starts kids out on speaking publicly. They bring something to hold up (Show) and say something about it (Tell). What they show and what they tell are not at important as their bringing something and talking about it. Preparation time is basically zero; I once had a 2nd grade boy who didn’t remember to bring a “show” improvise about his hair needing to be cut.
Demonstration Speech, used in grades 3-10, teaches older students to organize procedures into logical, discrete steps, to compose clearly phrased instructions for each step, and to explain and demonstrate the procedure by following the instruction in front of the class. Starting with simple, three step procedures in 3rd grade and progressing to complex procedures involving steps and substeps by grade 10, Demo Speeches are much mire difficult and time consuming.
So the joke hinges on the student’s assumption that the assignment is only Show and Tell, basically bringing a juggling set to class. Easy-peasy and no prep, i.e., getting a juggling set, that she likely already has done at home. Then she finds that it’s a Demonstration Speech, meaning she must start by learning to juggle. She’ll need to keep notes along the way: how she actually earned, what was confusing, how she overcame problems, etc., and then compose the instructions. She’ll need to practice the demonstration, and then finally do the presentation in class. Obviously, that involves much, much more prep, and the project is much more intellectually challenging a proposition.
The DT on Frazz’s shirt is homage to the news editor at the capital bureau that was my last job before I fully committed to the Frazz Factory. Dennis was one of my favorite people, and not just because he put up with so many of my practical jokes. And also not because we had a lot in common. Indeed, we had bupkis in common recreationally. He didn’t get what I did for fun, and I sure didn’t get what he did for fun. But we shared an appetite for news and work, and we were open to listening to each other’s idea of fun, albeit with a ton of head-scratching.
Dennis’ idea of fun included a lot of gambling and even more horse racing, and while that Venn diagram certainly intersected, it wasn’t like one circle inside a bigger circle. I think Dennis would have loved the ponies even if he couldn’t bet on them at all. And between Dennis’ enthusiasm and the book Seabiscuit, I developed a pretty big appreciation for the sport, too, if much more from the jockey’s perspective than the railbird’s. Lord, the strategy, the speed, the danger, the unimaginable power. It reminded me of bicycle racing, which was of course my thing then. I don’t know if Dennis ever got bike racing. I should have told him people bet like crazy on that, too.
Bilan about 7 years ago
Don’t talk about horses, problems and things that are spread around.
danketaz Premium Member about 7 years ago
He just wanted to nag someone.
The Brooklyn Accent Premium Member about 7 years ago
Feetlebaum!
whiteheron about 7 years ago
If you had 12 piles of road apples, and Frazz picked up 5 of them, how many piles would be left to push Caulfield in?
sandpiper about 7 years ago
How many time can you repeat the same point and still be considered original?
Ignatz Premium Member about 7 years ago
Story problems are often serious math, and therefore the OPPOSITE of “pointless busy-work.”
chuckbowen1 about 7 years ago
YESTERDAY’S COMMENTS Some folk were frustrated about not getting yesterday’s cartoon. Upon reading the comments, including Mallet’s clarification, I |figured out the problem. There is a core bit of pedagogical trivia that is the pivot of the joke. One tiny bit is what makes Malket’s messing with the timeline work as humor:
“Show and Tell” is much easier and quicker than “Demonstration Speech”.
Show and Tell, used in grades K-2, starts kids out on speaking publicly. They bring something to hold up (Show) and say something about it (Tell). What they show and what they tell are not at important as their bringing something and talking about it. Preparation time is basically zero; I once had a 2nd grade boy who didn’t remember to bring a “show” improvise about his hair needing to be cut.
Demonstration Speech, used in grades 3-10, teaches older students to organize procedures into logical, discrete steps, to compose clearly phrased instructions for each step, and to explain and demonstrate the procedure by following the instruction in front of the class. Starting with simple, three step procedures in 3rd grade and progressing to complex procedures involving steps and substeps by grade 10, Demo Speeches are much mire difficult and time consuming.
So the joke hinges on the student’s assumption that the assignment is only Show and Tell, basically bringing a juggling set to class. Easy-peasy and no prep, i.e., getting a juggling set, that she likely already has done at home. Then she finds that it’s a Demonstration Speech, meaning she must start by learning to juggle. She’ll need to keep notes along the way: how she actually earned, what was confusing, how she overcame problems, etc., and then compose the instructions. She’ll need to practice the demonstration, and then finally do the presentation in class. Obviously, that involves much, much more prep, and the project is much more intellectually challenging a proposition.
I posting this both here in yesterday’s
whiteheron about 7 years ago
I just discovered that if you have had people “like” your comment you can click on it and see who liked it. Cool.
Night-Gaunt49[Bozo is Boffo] about 7 years ago
Frazz
10 hrs ·
The DT on Frazz’s shirt is homage to the news editor at the capital bureau that was my last job before I fully committed to the Frazz Factory. Dennis was one of my favorite people, and not just because he put up with so many of my practical jokes. And also not because we had a lot in common. Indeed, we had bupkis in common recreationally. He didn’t get what I did for fun, and I sure didn’t get what he did for fun. But we shared an appetite for news and work, and we were open to listening to each other’s idea of fun, albeit with a ton of head-scratching.
Dennis’ idea of fun included a lot of gambling and even more horse racing, and while that Venn diagram certainly intersected, it wasn’t like one circle inside a bigger circle. I think Dennis would have loved the ponies even if he couldn’t bet on them at all. And between Dennis’ enthusiasm and the book Seabiscuit, I developed a pretty big appreciation for the sport, too, if much more from the jockey’s perspective than the railbird’s. Lord, the strategy, the speed, the danger, the unimaginable power. It reminded me of bicycle racing, which was of course my thing then. I don’t know if Dennis ever got bike racing. I should have told him people bet like crazy on that, too.
rgcviper about 7 years ago
Some of the comments today reminded me of a (fictitious) math problem and answer I’ve seen online …
If you have four pencils and seven apples, how many pancakes will fit on the roof?
Purple, because aliens don’t wear hats.
Goofy, I know, but kinda fun, too.