Creative Teaching Or Irresponible Prank?

[kvalidir]

Something which I consider to be wonderful , creative teaching has taken place at Trinity School, however some children's parents appear to have taken umbridge about it saying their children are 'scared', 'terrified' and 'having nightmares'. Is this a case of the school not having thought things through or of poor parenting in the sense that the parents seem unwilling or unable to adequately explain to their kids that there really is nothing to worry about and happily jumping on the bandwagon of criticising the school?



http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2685677/Teacher-apologises-parents-alien-egg-project-leaves-children-tears-scared-school.html

[roopower]

These projects do involve the three rs, but in a far more interesting way than in the 'good old days'. The childrens imaginations are fired up as well, much better than sitting behind a desk all day.

[Old_Geezer]

Lying to the kids is "creative teaching" ? it must be. Were I one if the kids it would have taught me that teachers were a lying bunch of %$$&s and never to be trusted.

[naomi24]

Projects are fine - but the sensible thing to do when it's something that has the potential of worrying little children is to tell them before you start that it's only pretend. They can then give their imagination free rein and be as creative as they like. Anything else is not only irresponsible - it's stupid.

[DrFilth]

do you think they may have hidden a walrus in the bushes ?

[ludwig]

I think it's a good idea. I guess at some point the school would have explained to the children that it was all a learning excercise intended as a fun activity.

Contrast that with some schools that tell kids that devils and demons are real, and that people can get tortured for eternity after they die. The worst thing is they never let on it's not true. Now that really is irresponsible.

[ummmm]

My son goes to a Catholic school and he has a whole day mass next week!!

[rockyracoon]

Ooh, unlucky sod, mine would go nuts. Mind you there's mass every morning which they try to avoid like the plague, praying the bus will get stuck in traffic.

[ummmm]

I know. He wants the day off. I said no :-)

[Zeuhl]

Blimey ummm - poor little sod

I hope there's nothing weird and scarey involved; like bleeding hearts pierced by thorns; or naked men nailed to pieces of tree :-)

[ummmm]

Lol....Exactly. He's an Atheist, luckily.

[ludwig]

// I hope there's nothing weird and scarey involved; like bleeding hearts pierced by thorns; or naked men nailed to pieces of tree :-) //

There was at my school zeuhl, and it wasn't even religious. Just situated on a rough council estate. That was a while ago of course. Nowadays it's one of the best infants schools in the area.

[pixie373]

I agree with Naomi. Good idea, but not thought through well. They must realise that some children are more sensitive than others. There has been mention of "children without any other problems". What about those that do? My son, being autistic, would have taken it all quite literally. I think he would have either loved or hated it when younger. Just a letter to parents beforehand, so they can judge whether their child needs pre-warning would have solved it.

[woofgang]

Good idea pixie, to write to parents. I did mean problems such as being on the autistic spectrum, also children who are particularly nervous or sensitive.

[Zeuhl]

I know what you mean ludwig

in our street, people either had a 'bleeding heart' picture in the hall or a statue of King Billy on his horse over the front door.

[ummmm]

I have a picture of Pope JP above my bed :-)

[sherrardk]

My kids would love something like this. Even the one who I have to reassure, every night, that 'ghosts and zombies don't exist' would have the wit to realise it wasn't real.

[Mamyalynne]

When my Mother died, I inherited the family Crucifix, one hot summers day as I was dusting I caught it and it tumbled to the floor.

Loudly I cried out 'I've killed Jesus' - a voice floated in on the ther 'You are forgiven my child'.

I hadn't noticed the fisherman sat on the bank outside my open balcony door.

[Mamyalynne]

By the way have you also heard , they plan to outlaw 'Peek a Boo' for Babies - just in case you understand.


My Grandchildren, some autistic would have loved this project - sciense,maths, creative thinking and writing all in one, a splendid idea.

[Mamyalynne]

They would have been shocked at my typo too - 'science'

[Zeuhl]

/I have a picture of Pope JP above my bed :-) /

ummmm LOL

there must be an 'O god I'm coming' joke in there somewhere ...