I agree with all your statments above. It wholeheartedly agree that teachers should only teach classes in which they have displayed college level knowledge (either through testing, minoring in that subject, or through real-life experience).
I also agree with you about the High School text vs. sixth grade text.
However, it was very likely that they were recycling the sixth grade books because they simply couldn't afford to buy new books for the High School level students. Once again, that doesn't make it right or good, but that's likely what happened.
Also, the teachers who were untrained to teach particular subjects were also likely being farmed out to cover classes where there simply weren't any teachers available to teach (keep in mind that there is a nation-wide teacher shortage and has been for years). That also doesn't make it right, but given the circumstances it likely couldn't be helped.
Now, this isn't exactly directed at you, but frankly I've seen a lot of people complaining about the lack of education of American students. Of teachers being untrained and books and tools being out-of-date. Well there are two simple ways you can combat this problem by being active instead of reactive:
1) Donate money to your local schools or push for greater school-funding legislation. All you have to do is contact your local government office and they'll direct you to the right people.
Hence the reason I said "condensed water molecules", but that may not have been 100% clear.
As for the different angles... that was mentioned in my previous answer.
I didn't mention the second rainbow because I didn't think it was necessary to the direct answer to the question.
Keep in mind that, due to the nature of the original inquiry, I phrased my answers as if I was explaining them to an elementary level child.
I was trying to keep it fairly simple and straightforward. "Gas molecules" and "molecules in a gas phase", will mean the same thing to a seven year old, even if you try to explain otherwise.
As for the sun's positioning, it has to be behind the rainbow, but it's a small detail, and although not directly stated, is implied in my answer.
Do I need to find a child to ask me this or can I go ahead and answer it?:)
1) The atmosphere is filled with gas molecules. Because gas molecules are smaller than the wavelength of invisible light, when light hits them, some of that light is absorbed and then reflected. Because the "warmer" colors have longer wavelengths, the colors with the shorter wavelengths (the blues) are the ones absorbed and then reflected in greater quantity. Thus the reflected light seen is blue.
2) Rainbows are created when condensed water molecules form in the atmosphere. Because light and its corresponding wavelengths and colors is present via the sun, the condensed water molecules (at various angles) act as prisms, bending the light to where the entire spectrum of colors can be seen.
-Whipsmartkitten
"Teacher in training."
Where exactly/are/ these "feel good" methods being used? As a college student working toward a degree in early childhood education, I tend to spend a lot of time in and around various schools. I keep hearing people talk about teachers not being able to fail students, or teaching them that "whatever feels right to you is the right answer", but I swear I've never seen it being actively practiced. I know, it must a secret they'll let me in on after I've actually gotten my degree.;)
Local and state governments are consistantly being pushed for more educational funding. Books are expensive and are not freely given by the companies that print them. They have to be paid for, each and every one, and the majority of the time the state does not have the money to do so.
What ends up happening is the re-use of older books because teachers have a lack of available mediums with which to educate. They have to use what's available, even if what's available isn't the newest, most accurate tool.
Slashdot Mirror
I also agree with you about the High School text vs. sixth grade text.
However, it was very likely that they were recycling the sixth grade books because they simply couldn't afford to buy new books for the High School level students. Once again, that doesn't make it right or good, but that's likely what happened.
Also, the teachers who were untrained to teach particular subjects were also likely being farmed out to cover classes where there simply weren't any teachers available to teach (keep in mind that there is a nation-wide teacher shortage and has been for years). That also doesn't make it right, but given the circumstances it likely couldn't be helped.
Now, this isn't exactly directed at you, but frankly I've seen a lot of people complaining about the lack of education of American students. Of teachers being untrained and books and tools being out-of-date. Well there are two simple ways you can combat this problem by being active instead of reactive:
1) Donate money to your local schools or push for greater school-funding legislation. All you have to do is contact your local government office and they'll direct you to the right people.
or
2) Do what I did and become a teacher.
Hence the reason I said "condensed water molecules", but that may not have been 100% clear. As for the different angles... that was mentioned in my previous answer. I didn't mention the second rainbow because I didn't think it was necessary to the direct answer to the question. Keep in mind that, due to the nature of the original inquiry, I phrased my answers as if I was explaining them to an elementary level child.
I was trying to keep it fairly simple and straightforward. "Gas molecules" and "molecules in a gas phase", will mean the same thing to a seven year old, even if you try to explain otherwise. As for the sun's positioning, it has to be behind the rainbow, but it's a small detail, and although not directly stated, is implied in my answer.
Do I need to find a child to ask me this or can I go ahead and answer it? :)
1) The atmosphere is filled with gas molecules. Because gas molecules are smaller than the wavelength of invisible light, when light hits them, some of that light is absorbed and then reflected. Because the "warmer" colors have longer wavelengths, the colors with the shorter wavelengths (the blues) are the ones absorbed and then reflected in greater quantity. Thus the reflected light seen is blue.
2) Rainbows are created when condensed water molecules form in the atmosphere. Because light and its corresponding wavelengths and colors is present via the sun, the condensed water molecules (at various angles) act as prisms, bending the light to where the entire spectrum of colors can be seen.
-Whipsmartkitten
"Teacher in training."
As someone who is trying to put themselves through college to become an elementary school teacher, thank you for understanding.
Where exactly /are/ these "feel good" methods being used? As a college student working toward a degree in early childhood education, I tend to spend a lot of time in and around various schools. I keep hearing people talk about teachers not being able to fail students, or teaching them that "whatever feels right to you is the right answer", but I swear I've never seen it being actively practiced. I know, it must a secret they'll let me in on after I've actually gotten my degree. ;)
Local and state governments are consistantly being pushed for more educational funding. Books are expensive and are not freely given by the companies that print them. They have to be paid for, each and every one, and the majority of the time the state does not have the money to do so. What ends up happening is the re-use of older books because teachers have a lack of available mediums with which to educate. They have to use what's available, even if what's available isn't the newest, most accurate tool.