10-year-old wins internet after refusing to answer 'offensive' math problem
What's the story
A fourth-grader has been winning hearts online after she sent her math homework back with feedback on her questions. Rhythm Pacheco, a resident of Salt Lake City (Utah, United States), recently refused to answer a question on her math homework which compared the bodyweight of young girls. Rhythm felt the question was rude and could make young girls feel insecure about their bodies.
Details
'Sorry, I won't write this. It's rude'
Rhythm's mom, Naomi, said her daughter called her one night to check her homework. To Naomi's surprise, her 10-year-old daughter said, "Mom, come and read this question! I am not answering this, this is so wrong," according to TODAY. Naomi said that her daughter had circled the question and written, "What!!!! This is offensive. Sorry, I won't write this. It's rude."
Information
Here's what the question was
The 'offensive' question actually read, "The table to the right shows the weight of three Grade 4 students. How much heavier is Isabell than the lightest student?" Rhythm did the math, however, refused to answer how much heavier Isabell was than the lightest student.
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Rhythm also attached a note for her teacher
Fearing repercussions- since the homework would be graded- Rhythm attached a note for her teacher, explaining why she left the question incomplete. Rhythm wrote, "Dear Mrs. Shaw, I don't want to be rude, but I don't think that math problem was very nice because that's judging people's weight. Also, the reason I didn't do the sentence is cause I just don't think that's nice. Love, Rhythm."
Teacher’s reaction
Here's how Rhythm's teacher responded
To her surprise, Rhythm's math teacher at Grant Elementary School in Murray, Utah, understood and supported her. Naomi said Rhythm's teacher told the 10-year-old she understands how she would be upset and that she didn't have to write the answer. Naomi said, "She even responded to her note with such love, correcting her grammar and told Rhythm, 'I love you too!'"
Authorities
'Parent is putting the value judgment on question'
The question was part of the Common Core math curriculum, which is provided to Murray City School District by Eureka Math, a curriculum program created in 2013. Eureka Math's Director of Marketing Communications Chad Colby told Fox13, "There is no value judgment in the question, it's merely a comparison. It sounds like the parent is putting the value judgment on it, not the question."
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Eureka Math later changed their stance
However, Colby later said, "User feedback is a vital part of our culture. We are grateful to receive constructive feedback from students, teachers and parents alike. We apologize for any discomfort or offense caused by the question." He added, "Please know that we'll replace this question in all future reprints, and suggest that teachers supply students with an appropriate replacement question in the interim."
Parents' reaction
Rhythm's parents are extremely proud of their daughter
Meanwhile, Naomi couldn't be prouder. She told TODAY, "Rhythm's dad and I were extremely proud of Rhythm for listening to her gut instincts and standing up for what is right." Naomi said that questions and comparisons like these "do more harm than good for self-esteem and body image" adding, "We are all beautifully made to be different shapes and sizes."