Li'l Johnny and His Clever A Teacher's Tale

  • Context: MHB 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Wilmer
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a humorous exchange between a teacher and a student named Li'l Johnny, focusing on a playful interpretation of arithmetic involving cats and apples. The scope includes conceptual understanding of addition and the implications of prior knowledge in problem-solving.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Li'l Johnny consistently answers that he has seven cats based on the assumption that he already owns one cat, which introduces a layer of reasoning beyond simple arithmetic.
  • The teacher attempts to clarify the question by changing the objects from cats to apples, which leads to a different response from Li'l Johnny, indicating a potential misunderstanding or playful manipulation of the scenario.
  • Li'l Johnny's responses suggest a humorous take on the question, emphasizing the importance of context and prior knowledge in mathematical reasoning.
  • There is a repeated assertion about the teacher's eligibility for parole, which seems to play on the humorous nature of the conversation and may imply a deeper narrative about the teacher's frustration.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants appear to engage in a light-hearted debate about the nature of the responses given by Li'l Johnny, with no clear consensus on the appropriateness of the teacher's reactions or the logic behind Li'l Johnny's answers.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the playful nature of the exchange but does not resolve the underlying assumptions about the arithmetic presented or the implications of Li'l Johnny's prior knowledge.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in humor in educational contexts, the role of prior knowledge in learning, or the dynamics of teacher-student interactions may find this discussion engaging.

Wilmer
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Teacher : If I gave you 2 cats and another 2 cats and another 2, how many cats will you have?

Li'l Johnny : Seven, Sir.

Teacher : No, listen carefully... If I gave you 2 cats, and another 2 cats and another 2, how many will you have?

Li'l Johnny : Seven, Sir.

Teacher : Let me put it to you differently. If I gave you 2 apples, and another 2 apples and another 2, how many would you have?

Li'l Johnny : Six.

Teacher : Good. Now if I gave you 2 cats, and another 2 cats and another 2, how many would you have?

Li'l Johnny : Seven! SIR!

A very angry Teacher : Where in the **** do you get seven from?

A smiling Li'l Johnny : Because,... I've already got a cat, Sir!​
 
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The teacher will be eligible for parole in three years.
 
soroban said:
The teacher will be eligible for parole in three years.

A smiling Li'l Johnny : That would be two years because... he already did a year! Sir!
 
I like Serena said:
A smiling Li'l Johnny : That would be two years because... he already did a year! Sir!

(Emo)
 

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