To be annoyed my DD watched The Croods at school?

[PavlovtheCat]

She is 7.5, yr 3. Yr 4 teacher was not available to teach her class so they put both classes together and put on a film. The Whole Film.

Now. It's not that I don't want my DD watching The Croods particularly. I don't want her watching any film at school tbh. Unless it's a special occasion, or a relevant film to something they are learning.

If I don't take her to school so she can go to the aquarium, or any other fun thing i feel is appropriate before school, or took her out for an event, I would get into trouble, it would not be 'authorised' or appropriate. So why is it ok to put on a DVD for 60 children so the teacher can do something else (more important than teaching 60 children?) for over an hour?

I get that sometimes events beyond the teacher's control happen, and in those situations, things need to be juggled, but this was not staff sickness, and surely there were other things they could do - reading, PE, art? Or at the very leaf watching something a bit more bloody educational than The Croods?

it's not like it's a rare occasion. It happens relatively regularly.

[Mrsjayy]

I was going to tut you but you said it happens a lot, thats not right is it, I wonder if any of the other parents feel like you, maybe band together and approach the school about it ,I think as a one off or end of term its fine but not like you have said,

[NeedsAsockamnesty]

Life is a education no matter what is happening even if that's watching the croods

[EverythingsDozy]

We used to watch films if the teachers were doing parents evening. In 2000 we were allowed to watch the majority of the Sydney Olympic opening ceremony, it was brilliant. Other times we were forced to watch the miracle maker, which was not brilliant.
I was going to suggest that if it was a rare occurrence then YABU, like for a parents evening or something. But if it's regular, that's a bit weird.

[whatchatalkinboutwillis]

Well if 2 year groups are together due to one teacher being unavailable then the other teacher cant be expected to teach 60 children, especially when they're at different stages in their learning. Most 7 year olds would get bored reading for an hour all at once, it's impossible for one teacher to teach pe to 60 7/8 year olds , and how is watching a movie any different to drawing? YABU

[Bowlersarm]

You need to trust the school a bit, don't you? The teachers presumably know what needs to be done in a day/week/term/year, and act accordingly.

[PavlovtheCat]

I would be fine if it were something like the olympics, or similar and she has seen the croods a million times.

I don't even mind too much at the end of term as a treat. They work towards house points and if they get over a certain amount they watch DVD and have popcorn (they can 'choose' a fun activity, they always chose DVD and popcorn!) and I fine with that. But, regularly she will tell me about the film she watched at school.

90 mins might not be long but a school day is not hugely long. I do know that teachers are run ragged and have to juggle a million things, so I don't want to appear unsympathetic. But, I would prefer it if I had the option to just take her out for the morning if I am not at work/DH is not at work and do something else for that time.

[LauraChant]

When I was five the whole of my infant school got to watch The Wizard of Oz on the massive TV. Apart from me. Because the reason they had to get the whole school together was that I had run away from school and all the teachers were out in their cars combing the estate for me.

Anyway, I do think YANBU if it is a regular thing, I think it is OK as a one-time thing.

[PavlovtheCat]

every in fact, actually, if they had even shown them the eurovision song contest that would have been good, being a national thing. But, I can't imagine for a moment DD will go 'i remember the time we watched the croods at school! it was so much fun!'

I remember my teacher once having the flu or something in secondary school. She was so sick she stuck on a UB40 film for us. That was awesome! But it was only once, so a treat. We didn't even really like UB40!

[PavlovtheCat]

laura oops! I don't think it was a reason like that. DD said she was 'in some meeting' but she is 7.5 so don't actually know what the teacher was doing but as it's a small school I would most likely know if it were an absconded child

[ProfessorBranestawm]

Love that film. Always get a bit misty at the end where Eep says "I love you too!"

[LaBelleDameSansPatience]

Two classes put together with no notice, maybe no time to gather materials for art, etc for 60 children and probably no room to do that in either ... unlikely year 3 children would get much out of reading for a whole hour ... teacher probably had no time to think up activities of which the more involved parent would approve ... I think a film is fine. It is a great film; good story line, lots of stuff to discuss. I could think of several learning intentions which I would link to it. The fact that you cannot take your child out for a similar out-of-the-ordinary event is nothing to do with the school; it is the government which has decided this for no good educational reason at all. Give the school and teachers a break!

[backwardpossom]

I think as a one off it's fine, but you've said it's something that happens regularly and as a teacher, I don't think that's good enough. I'd be complaining.

[PavlovtheCat]

LaBelle A critique of The Croods? I shall ask if that happened when I go in tomorrow. I suspect not but I get your point.

[CrohnicallyHungry]

YAB a bit U- presumably it was an unplanned, short absence by the regular teacher (maybe something like needing an emergency dentist appointment, we have had that occur before, or childcare problem). Firstly, supply teachers are mostly booked up/unavailable by about 9am. Secondly it costs the school for a full supply session for a 90 minute absence. So if the school can manage by putting 2 classes together, it makes sense. Of course, 60 children in a single class can't do anything meaningful, there won't be enough space and the noise is dreadful. So a DVD makes sense. The time wasted will probably be caught up later in the week as the teacher will have pre planned the week's work and will try and fit it in elsewhere.

Of course, if the absence was planned or for a full morning/afternoon then YANBU.

[Asleeponasunbeam]

Our headteacher would have the our heads on a stick if we did this.

If my DD's teacher put on a film, I wouldn't be bothered in the slightest. Except she's mostly terrified of all films, so poor teacher would have a great deal of screaming to endure.

I don't know what The Croobs is. Off to google.

[Asleeponasunbeam]

It looks great! Maybe a precursor to some topic or other...?

[grocklebox]

Shes seven. Are you afraid shes missing trigonometry and mandarin?
Chill out.

[ClashCityRocker]

Fine as a one-off, not so good if it's happening regularly.

I remember watching Aliens once at thirteen in class....that ruffled a few feathers. We were supposed to be comparing the use of film noir to some old film noir detective film, but spent most of the time hiding behind our hands. I think the teacher did get a bollocking though.

[PavlovtheCat]

grockle not bothered that she is missing out on applied maths or whatever, but her handwriting is shocking, so a bit of time practising that would not be disapproved of.

[PavlovtheCat]

clash I bet that teacher did

[grocklebox]

Presumably the other 59 kids didnt need the handwriting practice. Do that at home.

[FTS123]

at LauraChant!!

[ThinkIveBeenHacked]

YABU.

If my LO came home and said she watched a movie at a school I trusted and think do a good job overall, my response would be "oooh what a nice treat!! was it good?"