grammar mistakes on school newsletters

[DevaMajka]

how much would it bother you? Nearly every newsletter that has come home from ds1's school has some sort of grammar, spelling, or punctuation mistake. Now, I will admit that I am quick to notice such mistakes, and dp doesn't usually notice until I point them out.

Also, ds's teacher refers to students as either "kindergartens" or "grade ones" (as opposed to kindergarteners or first graders, which is what I say). Am I being really nit-picky, or is what she says, incorrect?

We like the school a lot, so it's not a matter of considering changing. lol. Just curious. I'm also wondering if I could offer to proofread newsletters for them.

eta- I'm pretty sure I have a misplaced comma or two. But I'm pretty lax when it comes to message board postings. lol

[A_Random_Phrase]

It would and does drive me totally insane anywhere I come across this kind of thing, but I don't say anything to the perpetrators. The book, "Eats, Shoots, and Leaves" is a humorous yet accurate portrayal/complaint about this type of thing.

[f&p'smama]

That would bother me a bit, too. Do you think it's sloppy proofreading, or genuine grammar mistakes? The way the teacher refers to the kids wouldn't bother me, I'd just assume that was a cutesy way of referring to the student's grade level.

My girls' Kindergarten teacher uses serial commas and that drives me nuts. I know it's acceptable, but she's used them in sentences where it affects the way you read the sentences. I figure they're not going to learn the use of commas in Kindergarten, though.

I'm not sure I would do anything about it if we planned to stay at the school.

[GuildJenn]

I think it depends. If we're talking about basically stylistic issues then I tend to frame it as my problem.

I also totally get the need for copy editing from someone not the writer and that schools don't really have the resources to do that, so the odd typo or misspelling doesn't bother me. (I've seen copy from writers you would have heard of AND editors and trust me, we all make mistakes, even consistent errors.)

Straight out basic grammatical errors (like it's instead of its) do really erk me if they're repeated. I use that example because I once sat in on a grade 5 class where the teacher taught the kids...backwards. I thought I was going to implode from biting my tongue. I've also seen "would of" instead of "would have" from a teacher and that gave me a headache. (However I've seen worse outside the schools, to be fair.)

I've sort of decided that if my own child's teacher made one of those core grammatical errors on something he could read (he's only 5, so not there yet) then I would point it out to her as nicely as possible. Because at that point it's about my son's education.

But it's also not my job to patrol the world's grammar.

I do worry that this will be increasingly common as teachers don't to my knowledge have to pass a grammar or copy editing course anywhere, and since formal grammar instruction has been out of vogue for a while I suspect there will be a cohort of teachers who have not received any.

[katelove]

The grammar errors would bother me enormously, whether they were true errors or editing ones. Either way it is sloppy.

Referring to the children as "kindergartens" would also annoy me but "Year ones" is common in Australia so it doesn't worry me.

Not sure what you can do about it though. I know I would probably just rant to my husband which isn't very productive

[nwatt]

I am going to play devil's advocate here....

The teacher most likely has very limited planning time. What would you rather have her commit that time to, planning excellent lessons or repeatedly proofreading her newsletter? Writing a newsletter every week can be stressful and time consuming. As long as they are mistakes that are obviously from rushing/not proofreading rather than overall lack of knowledge or ability then I would let it slide.

[WantRice]

Originally Posted by DevaMajka

Also, ds's teacher refers to students as either "kindergartens" or "grade ones" (as opposed to kindergarteners or first graders, which is what I say). Am I being really nit-picky, or is what she says, incorrect?

I can't really comment on the other stuff, but it looks like you're in Canada and those are the terms we use here. We don't say "First Grade" or "First Graders." We say "Grade One" and "Grade Ones" and I have never really paid attention to it before but "kindergartens" is also used over "kindergarteners".

[Alyantavid]

Obvious spelling mistakes or wrong words drive me batty. I get that they're busy, but we all are and it takes minutes to proof read.

[Annie Mac]

Originally Posted by DevaMajka

h

Also, ds's teacher refers to students as either "kindergartens" or "grade ones" (as opposed to kindergarteners or first graders, which is what I say). Am I being really nit-picky, or is what she says, incorrect?

We like the school a lot, so it's not a matter of considering changing. lol. Just curious. I'm also wondering if I could offer to proofread newsletters for them.

eta- I'm pretty sure I have a misplaced comma or two. But I'm pretty lax when it comes to message board postings. lol

The grammar and punctuation mistakes, especially considering the source, would drive me crazy too. They'd probably be happy for you to proofread; they might even be happy for you to write them! However, if a parent volunteer is already doing that, you might be hurting someone's feelings.

As far one "grade ones" go, I notice you are in Burnaby. Are you native to BC? I think this is a BC phrase, or maybe even a Canadian phrase. I grew up here and when I went elsewhere to teach and was surrounded by American teachers, I was the only one who referred to my classes that way. The American teachers all said "first graders." "Kindergarteners" is a mouthful. I've more than once heard them referred to as "kindies." This doesn't bother me.

[Irishmommy]

Originally Posted by DevaMajka

Also, ds's teacher refers to students as either "kindergartens" or "grade ones" (as opposed to kindergarteners or first graders, which is what I say). Am I being really nit-picky, or is what she says, incorrect?

Grade ones wouldn't bother me, depends on what she says. Some people say first grade/second grade, some say grade one/grade two. As long as she's not saying "grade oners", I'm cool with that.

And yes, I notice typos big time, and yes, it bothers me in a school newsletter!

[CarrieMF]

I can't really comment on the other stuff, but it looks like you're in Canada and those are the terms we use here. We don't say "First Grade" or "First Graders." We say "Grade One" and "Grade Ones" and I have never really paid attention to it before but "kindergartens" is also used over "kindergarteners".

yeah this is a Canadian thing. It's always been Grade x. They use the term Kindergartens here too, or just Kindergarten without the s to describe the entire classes(usually 2-3 classes) of kindergarten.

We had a letter come home the other day. It said "we will except $ until Fri the 24th). Obviously the word was supposed to be "accept" not "except". However this was also done as a project by the Grade 6 leadership group so the error did not bother me.

Sometimes automatic spellcheckers will "correct" a word based on pre-set grammer that may not be the same as the language actually used.

I see this alot with any spellchecker & grammar checkers that are based out of the USA. In Canada we have different rules. Common ones are the words - colour, labour, cheque. It always tries to correct them to color, labor, check.

In the letter that came home the other day they may have used the correct work Accept & the spellcheck thought it was supposed to be Except.

I don't see mistakes in a newsletter to be reflective of the school's teaching abiliites.

[eepster]

Originally Posted by DevaMajka

Also, ds's teacher refers to students as either "kindergartens" or "grade ones" (as opposed to kindergarteners or first graders, which is what I say). Am I being really nit-picky, or is what she says, incorrect?

This varies regionally. (Amusingly, my spell checker is saying "kindergartens" is OK, but "kindergarteners" is getting the red squiggle.)

Minor typos, technicalities (as in common expressions that are technically incorrect but make what is being said clearer than the fully proper way does, IYKWIM) and such would not bother me. I'm certainly guilty of making those mistakes/choices (yes, I actually sometime deliberately choose to say grammatically incorrect things b/c I find it easier to get my point across.)

However, mistakes that showed a fundamental lack of understanding of grammar would bother me. Not that I would actually do anything beyond gritting my teeth while reading it. One that really gets under my skin is when people use "of" instead of "have." (As in: She should of/have known better than to use "of" there, when trying to type "should've".)

[c'est moi]

Originally Posted by nwatt

I am going to play devil's advocate here....

The teacher most likely has very limited planning time. What would you rather have her commit that time to, planning excellent lessons or repeatedly proofreading her newsletter? Writing a newsletter every week can be stressful and time consuming. As long as they are mistakes that are obviously from rushing/not proofreading rather than overall lack of knowledge or ability then I would let it slide.

i totally agree.

[Tigerchild]

Grammatical and spelling errors on "official" documents make my right eyelid twitch, but in all honesty it doesn't ruin my day. Newsletters are often put together by school volunteers/hurried staff. As other people have mentioned, while you may indeed be Suzy Perfect of grammatical prowess not everyone has your natural gifts. (It took me a long time to believe that other people did not "see" the errors I did--even people just as educated and smart as me.) If you have someone who is underconfident and utilizes the grammar check software recommendations, some very amusing mistakes will happen.

For me, I allow myself a set amount of Freak Out Time for school issues. Then I prioritize. Right now I'm choosing to use my Freak Out Time for worrying about the craptastical math instruction in the district. A misplaced comma will just have to wait to draw much ire from me. As much as it shames me, I have been known to miscaluculate basic addition or money on occasion (and even to FORGET some facts from the multiplication table momentarily)--so perhaps I don't have the moral authority to freak out over other people's shoddily written math curriculum. But to that I say neener neener, I'll use my Freak Out Time as I wish. If other people choose to spend their time on school newsletter mistakes, fine by me.

I'd be careful about extrapolating misplaced punctuation to "horrible stupid teacher who is incompetant and will destroy my child's mind"; but if you're not doing that, then it's all good. We all have our pet peeves.

[DevaMajka]

Originally Posted by nwatt

I am going to play devil's advocate here....

The teacher most likely has very limited planning time. What would you rather have her commit that time to, planning excellent lessons or repeatedly proofreading her newsletter? Writing a newsletter every week can be stressful and time consuming. As long as they are mistakes that are obviously from rushing/not proofreading rather than overall lack of knowledge or ability then I would let it slide.

These are newletters coming from the office, for the most part.

Originally Posted by WantRice

I can't really comment on the other stuff, but it looks like you're in Canada and those are the terms we use here. We don't say "First Grade" or "First Graders." We say "Grade One" and "Grade Ones" and I have never really paid attention to it before but "kindergartens" is also used over "kindergarteners".

ohhhh, very interesting. I'm from the States, so I've never heard this before. That changes how I feel about it. lol.

And btw, I know it's fine to refer to the WHOLE CLASS as "kindergarten" or "Grade one." It just seems improper to refer to individuals in the class as "kindergartens" or "grade ones". (and see, I can never remember where the period goes when there are quotation marks on the last word. lol)

Originally Posted by Irishmommy

Grade ones wouldn't bother me, depends on what she says. Some people say first grade/second grade, some say grade one/grade two. As long as she's not saying "first graders", I'm cool with that.

And yes, I notice typos big time, and yes, it bothers me in a school newsletter!

So are you saying that "first graders" is improper? That's what I thought was the right way. As in "The first graders need their planners today."

Originally Posted by Tigerchild

I'd be careful about extrapolating misplaced punctuation to "horrible stupid teacher who is incompetant and will destroy my child's mind"; but if you're not doing that, then it's all good. We all have our pet peeves.

Nope, not doing that. hehe. It's just a pet peeve, and I was curious if others cared or not. Like I said, we really like the school, and I think it's a good atmosphere for the kids

[Turtlecouple]

It's a pet peeve for me as well, but I just chalk it up to being busy. We get weekly newsletters from the teacher to update us on what they're working on during the week and reminders (tuesday is picture day!). The first newsletter said "Thanks you" signed by teacher. Didn't bother me, but def noticed it.

DS school give out "School name Kudos" which is basically a piece of paper that teacher hand out for kids who go above and beyond. DS is only in first grade, so they get them for mostly behavior stuff. Anyway, last year (Kindergarten), his teacher send home a newsletter explaining "School name Cudoze"!!!!!!

[A&A]

Originally Posted by nwatt

I am going to play devil's advocate here....

The teacher most likely has very limited planning time. What would you rather have her commit that time to, planning excellent lessons or repeatedly proofreading her newsletter?

A teacher should be smart enough to do both (and yes, I am a teacher.)

[A&A]

Originally Posted by Turtlecouple

DS school give out "School name Kudos" which is basically a piece of paper that teacher hand out for kids who go above and beyond. DS is only in first grade, so they get them for mostly behavior stuff. Anyway, last year (Kindergarten), his teacher send home a newsletter explaining "School name Cudoze"!!!!!!

LOL!!

That reminds me of the time I got a note home that read, "I am going to exploit your children's talents." (She meant they were having a talent show!)

[A&A]

Originally Posted by DevaMajka

(and see, I can never remember where the period goes when there are quotation marks on the last word. lol)

Depends on whether you are British (period after quotation marks) or American (period inside quotation marks).

[Irishmommy]

Originally Posted by Irishmommy

As long as she's not saying "grade oners", I'm cool with that.

Originally Posted by DevaMajka

So are you saying that "first graders" is improper? That's what I thought was the right way. As in "The first graders need their planners today."

No, I'm saying I'm an idiot and put the wrong words in. I fixed what I meant in my post, and in this post.