How irked would you be if your child's teacher.... - Page 2

[Geofizz]

I can think of a wide variety of topics to bring to 5th graders to make them think that don't require giving scientifically faulty information as fact and challenging students to think and research on their own, particularly without those research skills or tools.  Anything from a debate on paper towels vs washing cloth rags (paper generation and transport but providing timber jobs vs water use and personal labor) to War on Terror ( wades into politics, but kids at that age can consider the risks of traveling vs TSA privacy issues vs fighting wars abroad for security here). 

Suggesting topics that are not scientifically defensible is not making them think.  It's giving kids faulty information and hoping they'll figure it out.  Honestly, given the conversation you related, it sounds like he's covering for himself in response to getting caught.

[LynnS6]

Originally Posted by Geofizz 

I can think of a wide variety of topics to bring to 5th graders to make them think that don't require giving scientifically faulty information as fact and challenging students to think and research on their own, particularly without those research skills or tools.  Anything from a debate on paper towels vs washing cloth rags (paper generation and transport but providing timber jobs vs water use and personal labor) to War on Terror ( wades into politics, but kids at that age can consider the risks of traveling vs TSA privacy issues vs fighting wars abroad for security here). 

Suggesting topics that are not scientifically defensible is not making them think.  It's giving kids faulty information and hoping they'll figure it out.  Honestly, given the conversation you related, it sounds like he's covering for himself in response to getting caught.

yep, I agree totally. From what ds has been reporting, the teacher's been a bit more factual lately. They talked about an asteroid that's going to pass near earth tomorrow, but there was no hype. They talked about the earthquake in Oklahoma, and the fact that even some people in Wisconsin could feel it.

I like your ideas about giving the students issues to discuss that can be researched and may well suggest it to the teacher. But if I hear another story like they spun for Cairo, I'm going to blow my top.

[carmel23]

If the teacher does want to introduce more extreme ideas, *he* shouldn't be doing it, but with unreliable sources. The kids can evaluate a credible source vs. one that is questionable, but that doesn't sound like what they are doing. 

We spend a lot of time talking about sources of information, and my 5th grader really digs it.  But the teachers should be referring to sources, not interjecting his own ideas/ or having the ideas coming from him.

[cameragirl]

As far as the earthquakes, there has been some what of an uptick in activity. That is pretty easily backed up with geological info. That being said, the science has shown that the weather and geological activity are cyclical. If you look at cores taken from large ice bergs, there is evidence that the planet has warmed up and cooled down many times. We know from historical records that there have been other periods of high volcanic activity.

I'd be ticked by the religious comment. Unless you are in a private religious school, the discussion about religion should remain a sensitive thing. I am fine with religion being discussed in world history and social studies classes, but political views being thrown in isn't okay.

[stik]

My concern about the Pope comment is that not only is it objectively untrue, it could contribute to the creation of a hostile atmosphere for Catholic students at the school.  I would absolutely take that to the administration.

[Spirit Dancer]

Actually I think what the teacher is doing is fine. Even at 5yr old I am exposing him to  opinion vs. fact, illogical vs, logical thinking, how to sift through ideas to find sound reason and fact. One of my biggest beefs with public school is they tend to cultivate one way of looking at things. It is very good for children to learn to think outside the box. IMO, 10 yr olds more then old enough to start developing more critial thinking skills. But I do agree that the children should be given the resources to be able to research the topics. Neither the earthquake, Mars or Pope topic would bother me.