Should teachers be required to tell their students the same lies their parents do (Santa, etc)? (1 Viewer)

[Henry Ford]

What about substitutes?

https://www.nj.com/expo/news/erry-2018/11/f1622d938f477/substitute-teacher-didnt-stop.html

 

[rockaction]

I think it's a generally agreed-upon social contract that you do indulge in myth and wonder when it comes to children, but I'm not sure that it's legally or morally a fireable offense. Bad facts make bad law at times. Ruining myth and wonder is a serious thing that should be thought about and indulged in seriously; especially for first-graders. That's just wrong. I question her judgment, frankly, but I'm still not sure. Sometimes wisdom trumps a bit of truth. These are little white lies that get forgotten about in time and everyone pretty much just goes about life instead of being traumatized.  

 

[shadyridr]

Required? No. But it's an unwritten rule imo and what kind of **** likes to ruin kids fantasy and imagination?

 

[Henry Ford]

Yeah, I’m torn on the answers to direct questions about leprechauns, but when a kid writes something saying Santa is real flat out telling the class Santa isn’t real seems a touch... odd for a first grade teacher. 

 

[Henry Ford]

But then, like, what if you have a Jewish kid in the class and everyone’s saying Santa doesn’t visit Jews because they’re all naughty or something?

This is why I don’t teach first grade. 

 

[Insein]

Required? No. But it's an unwritten rule imo and what kind of **** likes to ruin kids fantasy and imagination?

Someone that shouldn't be teaching first grade even as a substitute.

 

[Insein]

But then, like, what if you have a Jewish kid in the class and everyone’s saying Santa doesn’t visit Jews because they’re all naughty or something?

This is why I don’t teach first grade. 

No one would ever say that unless they're an #######.

 

[Henry Ford]

No one would ever say that unless they're an #######.

That was pulled from my own childhood.  Actually said by kids to a Jewish kid on the playground. 

 

[Insein]

That was pulled from my own childhood.  Actually said by kids to a Jewish kid on the playground. 

I'd like to think things have changed a bit in the more recent decades.

 

[OrtonToOlsen]

Someone that shouldn't be teaching first grade even as a substitute.

Easy there. We’ve only heard one side of this story.  These kids might have (probably) had it coming.

 

[AcerFC]

No one would ever say that unless they're an #######.

You would be surprised by what kids say about others who are different than them

Having said that, I teach 8th grade. By the time they get to me, I was under the impression they all knew. One year I said something and immediately regretted it afterwards on the iff chance anyone in there still believed. 

 

[Henry Ford]

I'd like to think things have changed a bit in the more recent decades.

Kind of a mean time to make an age joke. 

 

[Henry Ford]

You would be surprised by what kids say about others who are different than them

Having said that, I teach 8th grade. By the time they get to me, I was under the impression they all knew. One year I said something and immediately regretted it afterwards on the iff chance anyone in there still believed. 

 in eighth grade?

 

[Insein]

Kind of a mean time to make an age joke. 

It's been decades since I was in school and I'm in my 30's. I figured that covered the range.

 

[Binky The Doormat]

That was pulled from my own childhood.  Actually said by kids to a Jewish kid on the playground. 

Kids are vicious little animals. Except our own.  

 

[Leroy Hoard]

This is why I don’t teach first grade. 

Seeing Foghorn Leghorn in a business suit would freak them out pretty good.

 

[Henry Ford]

Kids are vicious little animals. Except our own.  

Even your own. 

 

[Henry Ford]

Seeing Foghorn Leghorn in a business suit would freak them out pretty good.

“No, kids, Santa isn’t real but there’s a chicken in a suit in front of you.”

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Welcome to the real world, kiddos. Prepare for your fantasy’s to get destroyed and #### on.

Reason most people like the littler kids is just that. They have not yet been ruined by general society.

 

[[scooter]]

Required? No. But it's an unwritten rule imo and what kind of **** likes to ruin kids fantasy and imagination?

I think the only exception to this would be if the whole class was already questioning it, or if some kids were bullying the one kid who believed. But even then, a good teacher would find a way to address the situation without actually saying "SANTA ISN'T REAL!"

 

[GroveDiesel]

Reason most people like the littler kids is just that. They have not yet been ruined by general society.

Also, if they get too lippy, they're way easier to bodyslam.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Can't really expect the teacher to know daddy wins at bedwrestling when mommy screams the Lord's name. But otherwise, seems reasonable.

 

[Capella]

Of course. How is this even a question?

 

[Henry Ford]

Of course. How is this even a question?

Well, partially because we have a crisis of people thinking teachers and other experts are unreliable liars in this country and partially because lots of people tell their kids lots of different lies. 

 

[tommyboy]

I told my daughter when she was like 6. My wife has hated me ever since

 

[Henry Ford]

Can't really expect the teacher to know daddy wins at bedwrestling when mommy screams the Lord's name. But otherwise, seems reasonable.

What about religion? 

 

[-fish-]

But then, like, what if you have a Jewish kid in the class and everyone’s saying Santa doesn’t visit Jews because they’re all naughty or something?

This is why I don’t teach first grade. 

Then you tell him don't worry about being Jewish because there is no God, either.

 

[Capella]

Well, partially because we have a crisis of people thinking teachers and other experts are unreliable liars in this country and partially because lots of people tell their kids lots of different lies. 

Leave it to the parents. It’s being a creep to tell any kid that isn’t yours anything. 

 

[Henry Ford]

Then you tell him don't worry about being Jewish because there is no God, either.

Right, that’s kind of my point. 

 

[Henry Ford]

Leave it to the parents. It’s being a creep to tell any kid that isn’t yours anything. 

“Anything”? They’re teachers.  It’s their job to answer lots of types of questions. 

 

[Capella]

“Anything”? They’re teachers.  It’s their job to answer lots of types of questions. 

I’m discussing the point of the thread. You know what I meant. 

 

[-fish-]

Creationist teacher tried telling my kid that the earth was 6000 years old and that people lived at the same time as dinosaurs.   

 

[Henry Ford]

Creationist teacher tried telling my kid that the earth was 6000 years old and that people lived at the same time as dinosaurs.   

Right.  And was that teacher fired?

 

[Henry Ford]

I’m discussing the point of the thread. You know what I meant. 

Okay, and I’m on board with that.  Where’s the line, though? Easter bunny? 1/4 of the class doesn’t believe in Easter. Earth is only 6000 years old? Interferes a touch with science class. Medicine is the tool of the devil? Vaccines are unnatural?

Just trying to figure out where the line should be.  

 

[PIK95]

 in eighth grade?

My kid in 8th still plays along and maybe actually believes.

 

[bigmarc27]

But then, like, what if you have a Jewish kid in the class and everyone’s saying Santa doesn’t visit Jews because they’re all naughty or something?

This is why I don’t teach first grade. 

My wife is a speech language pathologist and does some work in the mornings with daycares. If they ask, the answer is “what have your parents told you” followed by more conversation about what they said. You talk to a kid that young for more than 10 seconds and they’ll forget the original question soon enough. 

This lady was just being a jerk for the sake of being a jerk. 

 

[Henry Ford]

My kid in 8th still plays along and maybe actually believes.

I don’t know how you expect me to respond to that. 

 

[PIK95]

I don’t know how you expect me to respond to that. 

I didn't expect anything because I don't believe.  These new emoji suxor btw.

 

[bigmarc27]

Also this story really angers me. Everyone is so angstsy all the time about everything, why can’t you let kid be kids just for a little bit before they learn about all the f’ed up stuff they’re going to deal with in the future. I don’t even have kids, but there’s something endearing about having and innocent and curious view about the world. 

 

[Cowboysfan8]

That was pulled from my own childhood.  Actually said by kids to a Jewish kid on the playground. 

Kids can be total #######s

 

[Da Guru]

Required? No. But it's an unwritten rule imo and what kind of **** likes to ruin kids fantasy and imagination?

There are plenty.

 

[Da Guru]

My kid in 8th still plays along and maybe actually believes.

Probably is faking for your benefit.   I did that for my mom for a couple of years because she loved Christmas so much.

 

[GregR]

My wife is a speech language pathologist and does some work in the mornings with daycares. If they ask, the answer is “what have your parents told you” followed by more conversation about what they said. You talk to a kid that young for more than 10 seconds and they’ll forget the original question soon enough. 

This lady was just being a jerk for the sake of being a jerk. 

 

[tommyboy]

Relevant

http://ace.mu.nu/archives/Santa Babies.png

 

[Otis]

People are so crazy. 

 

[rockaction]

People are so crazy. 

Yes, individual people are crazy, but our civilization is a pretty remarkable feat, all things considered. It's tame compared to the past. Teleology. Live it. Love it.  

 

[UncleZen]

Wait! Santa's not real????? Holy Crap, spoiler alert!

 

[Zow]

But then, like, what if you have a Jewish kid in the class and everyone’s saying Santa doesn’t visit Jews because they’re all naughty or something?

This is why I don’t teach first grade. 

I don’t think it’s that hard. Generally acknowledge Santa Claus and politely just steer any conversation away from exclusivity and religion. Obviously be positive about Santa but be positive if a child doesn’t get a visit from Santa as well. 

 

[Henry Ford]

I don’t think it’s that hard. Generally acknowledge Santa Claus and politely just steer any conversation away from exclusivity and religion. Obviously be positive about Santa but be positive if a child doesn’t get a visit from Santa as well. 

Don’t be silly.  How can you make not getting a visit from Santa a positive? I want a visit from Santa. 

 

[-fish-]

Right.  And was that teacher fired?

Nope.  Just told it was inappropriate.