-
Hello!
Either you have not registered on this site yet, or you are registered but have not logged in. In either case, you will not be able to use the full functionality of this site until you have registered, and then logged in after your registration has been approved.
Registration is FREE, so please register so you can participate instead of remaining a lurker....
Please be certain that the location field is correctly filled out when you register. All registrations that appear to be bogus will be rejected. Which means that if your location field does NOT match the actual location of your registration IP address, then your registration will be rejected.
Sorry about the strictness of this requirement, but it is necessary to block spammers and scammers at the door as much as possible.
schools teaching wrong stuff
- Thread starter harry&snaky
- Start date
harry&snaky
New member
we have bus's here but they aren't specaly for schools and a lorry here is basicly a giant van
Pal-O-Mine
New member
I have a friend who homeschools both her kids. Her daughter is BRILLANT! Speaks Japanese at 14. But she also is careful to socialize her kids with other homeschooled kids.
I have another friend who finally switched to homeschooling his 2 girls because the young one was getting passed over because the parents were poor. ( His youngest steals her older sister's math homework because she's not being challenged enough. This kid is going to be a rocket scientist someday! ) This parent in question missed his calling in life. He SHOULD have been a teacher.
As far as the reading list goes, I think the Harry Potter books are popcorn. Good, but popcorn. I am constantly amazed by the age of kids reading LOTR. That is some really deep reading that I only expect an older reader to get and yet here are all these kids under 10 devouring it! It gives me hope for the future.
I am purposely not letting my hubby, the elementary school teacher, get involved in
this conversation because a flame war might start!
Devon
I have another friend who finally switched to homeschooling his 2 girls because the young one was getting passed over because the parents were poor. ( His youngest steals her older sister's math homework because she's not being challenged enough. This kid is going to be a rocket scientist someday! ) This parent in question missed his calling in life. He SHOULD have been a teacher.
As far as the reading list goes, I think the Harry Potter books are popcorn. Good, but popcorn. I am constantly amazed by the age of kids reading LOTR. That is some really deep reading that I only expect an older reader to get and yet here are all these kids under 10 devouring it! It gives me hope for the future.
I am purposely not letting my hubby, the elementary school teacher, get involved in
this conversation because a flame war might start!
Devon
harry&snaky
New member
elementary school? is that how you say primary school in america
Pal-O-Mine
New member
Yes. Elementary school is grades kindergarden thru 5. Middle school, 6 thru 8. High school, 9 thru 12.
I'm so glad I watch a lot of BBC! Now I actually know what it is when you blokes say "going to the loo". ( spelling? ) Love some of the BBC shows. Especially Dr. Who! But let's just agree not to talk about British politics.
Devon
Devon
I'm so glad I watch a lot of BBC! Now I actually know what it is when you blokes say "going to the loo". ( spelling? ) Love some of the BBC shows. Especially Dr. Who! But let's just agree not to talk about British politics.
Devon
Devon
wade
Save The Humans
I don’t know if I agree with that Eric. The classics are wonderful but I think it is more important to teach the kids to enjoy reading. There is nothing on earth less interesting to a high school kid than Shakespeare. If you want to make sure he learns to hate reading make him read that. Really. The Old Testament would be right up there too. If you can get a kid to enjoy reading by giving him Harry Potter or Louie L'Amour then you have opened the door for the classics.
When I was in school, long ago, they thought that studying Latin would make you smarter. They would argue that all the kids in the Latin Classes were straight A students. It must be making them smarter. Finally some really smart guy figured out that Latin was a tough class and only smart kids signed up for it.
To be honest, I don't think it is all that important, but that is not to say it shouldn't be taught. I think its an important thing to learn, if only to let kids choice how they prefer to write. Still, the one and only time I have used cursive since I was taught it is to fill out a certain section of the SAT's which ask for you to copy some legal honesty document in cursive before signing.
Now this I hate. Why would you ever take points off because someone is doing something more ADVANCED??? Shouldn't that be encouraged??? The same thing happened to me in elementary school. I can't stand it.
And Dr. Who is such a good show! I'm glad that got mentioned!
TrpnBils
22 is not enough snakes
Some of you people need to calm down.
Do you honestly think that the only reason teachers become teachers is to push their own agendas on students? Grow up, or at the very least go back to school and get certified to teach and get yourself into a classroom rather than just complaining about how somebody else does their job.
Do you honestly think that the only reason teachers become teachers is to push their own agendas on students? Grow up, or at the very least go back to school and get certified to teach and get yourself into a classroom rather than just complaining about how somebody else does their job.
danielle
New member
Uh o.k last time I checked this was a shared thread of opinions on the things taught in school which by the way should in some places be complained about. There are many counties and some entire states below the "national average" which is unexceptable. Maybe those teachers should go back to school and recertify themselves and fewer people would complain. Just a thought
TrpnBils
22 is not enough snakes
Yes, so you agree with me....good.
There ARE many places that are below the national average. Part of that is because of the very EXISTENCE of a "national average". By definition, an average has just as many scores below it as above it, so by arguing that there are so many below the average, you're also helping to validate the same number that are ABOVE the national average.
Are teachers always right about everything? No, we're human, we're not God. Are parents always right about everything? No, they're also human. I saw a shirt recently that said "Kids aren't born racist", implying that it's learned at home...tell me that's OK to teach?
My point here is this: I am a teacher in a Catholic school. I am considered "Highly Qualified" based on my state's criteria. I don't teach in a private school for the $15,000/yr salary (yes, that's right...I can scan a paycheck if you want). I teach there because I haven't been able to get my foot in the door at a public school yet. I admit that I don't know everything about everything, but I am not going to just say "Yep, that's right" when somebody makes a blanket statement about how all teachers and schools are a complete waste of time. I can think of plenty of cases where kids learned inappropriate and just plain wrong things at home from their parents too...
This whole thread started because somebody claims they learned that "snakes are slimy" from somebody at school and immediately people got fired up because they assume it was something a teacher said. It could have just as easily been another student who said that... and hell, how many PARENTS tell their kids that snakes are slimy??? I don't know how many times I've had my animals out at outreach programs both at my school, other schools, or the zoo, where I've had people take their obviously excited kids away from me or my animals because "No, honey, reptiles are gross" or "snakes are slimy." This is a two way street here and teachers are NOT to blame for all of the misinformation being thrown around out there.
One thing I keep thinking about - about three weeks ago, I caught two students cheating (very obviously) on a test. I sent a letter home to the parents, and got a reply from one of the moms saying that "I don't believe <girl> was cheating - she was simply asking the other student for directions on the test because she was in the restroom when you passed the test out"...that's complete BS because the girl never even left my room. It's so frustrating to see this, because not everything that comes home from the school is accurate when it goes through that fancy little "keep myself out of trouble if I can" filter that some kids seem to have. They're all capable of it, but some parents just don't seem to think that their kids can do any wrong. They're also the same parents that are never pleased about anything.
The bottom line: Nobody is perfect, and if you don't like what you're child's teachers are doing and you think you can do better, then do so. With regards to the "doesn't anyone teach spelling or grammar anymore" comment - you as a parent are not exempt from teaching your child just because you send them to school. It's okay for you to teach them some of these things at home too...especially if you don't think it's being done well enough at school.
There ARE many places that are below the national average. Part of that is because of the very EXISTENCE of a "national average". By definition, an average has just as many scores below it as above it, so by arguing that there are so many below the average, you're also helping to validate the same number that are ABOVE the national average.
Are teachers always right about everything? No, we're human, we're not God. Are parents always right about everything? No, they're also human. I saw a shirt recently that said "Kids aren't born racist", implying that it's learned at home...tell me that's OK to teach?
My point here is this: I am a teacher in a Catholic school. I am considered "Highly Qualified" based on my state's criteria. I don't teach in a private school for the $15,000/yr salary (yes, that's right...I can scan a paycheck if you want). I teach there because I haven't been able to get my foot in the door at a public school yet. I admit that I don't know everything about everything, but I am not going to just say "Yep, that's right" when somebody makes a blanket statement about how all teachers and schools are a complete waste of time. I can think of plenty of cases where kids learned inappropriate and just plain wrong things at home from their parents too...
This whole thread started because somebody claims they learned that "snakes are slimy" from somebody at school and immediately people got fired up because they assume it was something a teacher said. It could have just as easily been another student who said that... and hell, how many PARENTS tell their kids that snakes are slimy??? I don't know how many times I've had my animals out at outreach programs both at my school, other schools, or the zoo, where I've had people take their obviously excited kids away from me or my animals because "No, honey, reptiles are gross" or "snakes are slimy." This is a two way street here and teachers are NOT to blame for all of the misinformation being thrown around out there.
One thing I keep thinking about - about three weeks ago, I caught two students cheating (very obviously) on a test. I sent a letter home to the parents, and got a reply from one of the moms saying that "I don't believe <girl> was cheating - she was simply asking the other student for directions on the test because she was in the restroom when you passed the test out"...that's complete BS because the girl never even left my room. It's so frustrating to see this, because not everything that comes home from the school is accurate when it goes through that fancy little "keep myself out of trouble if I can" filter that some kids seem to have. They're all capable of it, but some parents just don't seem to think that their kids can do any wrong. They're also the same parents that are never pleased about anything.
The bottom line: Nobody is perfect, and if you don't like what you're child's teachers are doing and you think you can do better, then do so. With regards to the "doesn't anyone teach spelling or grammar anymore" comment - you as a parent are not exempt from teaching your child just because you send them to school. It's okay for you to teach them some of these things at home too...especially if you don't think it's being done well enough at school.
MinLynn
What blonde chick?!
Just gonna make a remark about your last paragraph there because I agree with everything else you said:
I DID and DO teach my kids things at home everyday. However, it's kind of a determent when my child uses those things he's being taught at home by me,the parent,and he actually recieves points off of a paper because it's not what the TEACHER taught him!
I DID and DO teach my kids things at home everyday. However, it's kind of a determent when my child uses those things he's being taught at home by me,the parent,and he actually recieves points off of a paper because it's not what the TEACHER taught him!
wade
Save The Humans
Very good post Jeff. I taught in the public school system for 10 years and I hear what you are saying. College level is much better, by the time the kids get there they understand that they are there to learn and it's up to them.
No question there are school systems that are not doing the job and there are teachers out there who should be greeters are Wal-Mart. Absolutely so. But that is not the entire problem. I really liked your “keep myself out of trouble filter”. It was amazing to hear what parents thought was going on at the school. Even more amazing was that the parents believed it. Kids can really put a spin on a story when they need to.
What I found when I was teaching and any teacher will tell you this, when the parents are really involved with the kid’s education, the kid does well. When the parents don’t care, the kids don’t care. It’s a simple fact. Parents don’t what to hear that because it’s easier to blame the teacher or the system than it is to parent your children.
On back to school night, I will guarantee that I will see the parents of all my A students and none of my F students. Every year. I have had parents call me and ball me out because I failed their children. Never heard a word for that parent until the kid couldn’t graduate and all of a sudden it was my fault.
I would spell better if I had had better teachers. My GPA is low because that dumb teacher failed me. The teacher didn’t explain the assignment very well. I couldn’t take the test because I lost my pencil. They didn’t tell me I had to be in class every day. My mother didn’t wake me up in time for the bus. The dog ate my assignment. I would have a better job if my teachers had taught me better.
ceduke
Female Wiccan Heretic!!
The teachers are screwed by the system in many cases. I know a third grade teacher who tells me that her kids have to (state mandated) be ready to pass certain tests at certain times throughout the year. So...she's teaching them how to put together an essay so they can pass some state exam while the kids still don't know how to structure a sentence correctly.
She's an excellent teacher who is screwed out of doing the best she can by a broken system.
She's an excellent teacher who is screwed out of doing the best she can by a broken system.
danielle
New member
I agree with your post though there are as many bad parents as bad teachers out there. I live in a county with a great educational system and am very lucky. My 7 year old daughter is in a centers program for the gifted and talented and then theres my 4 year old son- god help him!! My daughter read at 3 because she wanted to learn and I am here to teach her, but my son is not exactly what you would call a willing student. My two best girlfriends are teachers and I hear and agree with the parent complaints it is our job first to educate our children we did give birth to them afterall, but I have traveled quite a bit and can tell you education is not equal acrosss our country by any means. I live right outside D.C- talk about a system in a shambles and yes I know aside from parent involvement, funding, state regulation, and other factors beside the teacher play into the quality or lack of quality within a school; but why so much variation state to state? On the parent who said "not my daughter" I know and loathe those parents as well and feel sorry for teachers that they have to put up with this- my kid would have taken the big fat zero and been grounded for a week. On a side note I never knew Wade was a teacher- what did you teach Wade? I wish you were one of my teachers back in the day On the grammar and spelling comment, and I'll add mathematics as well children and adults a like seem to lack very basic skills in many parts of the country so is it individual state systems or teachers failing them? A parent after the age of 5 spends less time with their kids then the childs teacher and in many cases it seems teachers just pass them along whether the child is reasonably proficient in a subject or not.
On the grammar and spelling comment, and I'll add mathematics as well children and adults a like seem to lack very basic skills in many parts of the country so is it individual state systems or teachers failing them? A parent after the age of 5 spends less time with their kids then the childs teacher and in many cases it seems teachers just pass them along whether the child is reasonably proficient in a subject or not.
danielle
New member
Wade don't get me started on pi,lol I think its great you were a teacher not that I've pondered what your profession was, but if I had to guess teacher wouldn't have been at the top of my list and math to boot. Math junkies usually lack personality and character- narrow opinion, yes, but seriously that is way cool!!
Silvergrin
New member
You know it's funny because I first learned in a NJ PUBLIC SCHOOL that snakes weren't slimy XD
(note, I've been to a... lot of schools. 10 so far? And I actually like public schools better than private schools - but anyway)
Don't get me wrong, it was 1st or 2nd grade and I'd *heard* from various places that snakes weren't slimy but they just *looked* so slimy it was hard for me to really believe it. (now, I didn't mind slimy things, I loved digging for worms! I just found it hard to believe they didn't feel like a worm too)
So at some point the school had one of those demos where people come in with tons of different animals including a huge burmese python we got to pet. And I touched it and felt for myself it wasn't slimy at all, so it finally became "real" to me that they weren't slimy.
Feeling is believing!
(note, I've been to a... lot of schools. 10 so far? And I actually like public schools better than private schools - but anyway)
Don't get me wrong, it was 1st or 2nd grade and I'd *heard* from various places that snakes weren't slimy but they just *looked* so slimy it was hard for me to really believe it. (now, I didn't mind slimy things, I loved digging for worms! I just found it hard to believe they didn't feel like a worm too)
So at some point the school had one of those demos where people come in with tons of different animals including a huge burmese python we got to pet. And I touched it and felt for myself it wasn't slimy at all, so it finally became "real" to me that they weren't slimy.
Feeling is believing!
Michael823
New member
I think the education system itself is flawed, and teachers are now expected to be babysitters, counselors, etc... and the salaries don't balance the work expected of them. I'm speaking strictly from the area I live, and the school I went to, but I'm sure it's a fairly common story all across America.
Parents as a whole aren't quite as involved either, more households consist of two working parents, or single parent families, so not as much effort can be put into the children. I think it's relatively rare for parents to check their child's schoolwork, and teach them what they might be having trouble learning at school. I think the knowledge is their at school for children to learn, I just think children are often not prepared enough at home, and if they are, they still have to deal with the ongoing distractions of other misbehaved children at school.
How many times do you see on the news or read in a paper that some poor student was suspended unjustly, and the parents are in an uproar with a teacher. Yet you never see the constantly disrespectful students, and parents who let their kids get away with anything they want.
It's an equal blame for the children, parents, and the system. I just feel sorry for a lot of teachers, and when I was in school the best teachers were either under paid, or forced to be babysitters of the kids that weren't taught proper behavior, or other skills at home. This is just my opinion, but I put blame mostly on the parents and system, the teachers do the best they can for what they're given.
Parents as a whole aren't quite as involved either, more households consist of two working parents, or single parent families, so not as much effort can be put into the children. I think it's relatively rare for parents to check their child's schoolwork, and teach them what they might be having trouble learning at school. I think the knowledge is their at school for children to learn, I just think children are often not prepared enough at home, and if they are, they still have to deal with the ongoing distractions of other misbehaved children at school.
How many times do you see on the news or read in a paper that some poor student was suspended unjustly, and the parents are in an uproar with a teacher. Yet you never see the constantly disrespectful students, and parents who let their kids get away with anything they want.
It's an equal blame for the children, parents, and the system. I just feel sorry for a lot of teachers, and when I was in school the best teachers were either under paid, or forced to be babysitters of the kids that weren't taught proper behavior, or other skills at home. This is just my opinion, but I put blame mostly on the parents and system, the teachers do the best they can for what they're given.
TrpnBils
22 is not enough snakes
Then yes, that's absolutely a problem with the teacher!! I had a similar experience in 7th grade in a computer programming class (public school). My mom is a programmer by profession, so I already knew a lot of the stuff that we were learning. I got yelled at in class because I changed my font color and the teacher hadn't shown us that feature yet...