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Original poster

Teacher asking pupils to be her slaves.

32 replies

AWimbaWay · 07/11/2011 09:24

So, Dd1 announced at the table this morning she needs to practice being a slave Hmm. I presumed it was a game they'd been playing in the playground and so explained it's not very nice to make someone a slave and told her where the term originated.

She then explained that it wasn't a game, but her teacher had asked who wanted to be her slave and had told them to practice being slaves at home with their toys Confused.

I questioned whether she meant helper but dd1 said that no, to begin with the teacher had said little helpers but then changed it to slaves.

Now, I've explained to Dd1 that I don't like the term being used so flippantly and that I'd rather she didn't use it. I've also said it's fine if she wants to help the teacher do jobs.

I would leave it at that but Dh who was also there this morning thinks I should talk to the teacher about it being inappropriate. Personally I feel that would be an over reaction and make me look a bit odd.

Would you bring it up or not?

OP posts:
Original poster
AWimbaWay · 07/11/2011 12:15

Knew I should have put this in AIBU.

OP posts:
AitchTwoOh · 07/11/2011 12:16

is it to do with a lesson about slavery?

HeresTheThingBooyhoo · 07/11/2011 12:18

is this a class project where the teacher is trying to role play out how slaves were treated or has she actually just decided to call her class helpers 'slaves'? if it is the latter i would certainly be speaking to her. i dont think it is appropriate at all to use that term in that way. if it is the former then it is a lesson and not inappropriate.

ragged · 07/11/2011 12:20

DD is studying Latin, would fit in with that.
I think just ask the teacher "Er, what did DD mean when..."

Original poster
AWimbaWay · 07/11/2011 12:21

It's the latter, Dd1 is only in year 1 (aged 5).

OP posts:
crazynanna · 07/11/2011 12:22

DD had a lesson the other week where they had to sit with windows shut,blazers' on and do menial work all lesson...to depict children in sweatshops.
She was livid...and I said "Imagine the real kids' who do this"

She then cried.....I am impressed with that teacher.

MrFawkesMan · 07/11/2011 12:22

Are you serious? I would go ballistic. And if there are any ethnic minorities in the class there is going to be hell to pay.

I would check with the teacher to get their side, and then go to the head if it is as you say.

piprabbit · 07/11/2011 12:23

Don't assume it is inappropriate until you have spoken to the teacher and have worked out if it was a throw away remark or a deliberate idea to teach some topic related to slavery (Roman or otherwise).

OrmIrian · 07/11/2011 12:24

I think you need more information.

Original poster
AWimbaWay · 07/11/2011 12:25

There are ethnic minorities in her class.

Think I will check details with the teacher to ensure Dd has her story right. It really did sound as if instead of "Who wants to be my helper this week" it was "Who wants to be my slave?".

OP posts:
worldgonecrazy · 07/11/2011 12:31

Very inappropriate regardless of the skin colour of her class. After all the last slaves in this country were those kidnapped from Cornwall, though of course, we still have many people in the UK in modern-day slavery too. Slavery isn't just about black people.

MrFawkesMan · 07/11/2011 12:35

wgs --

I am a person of colour and I can tell you I would have some very choice words that probably extend beyond how white parents would react

StewieGriffinsMom · 07/11/2011 12:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MumblingAndBloodyRagDoll · 07/11/2011 12:42

It's a VERY sensitie subject to teach 5 year olds about! I can't see it somehow! DD could have got the word wrong? My3 year old came home the ther day singin about "Fine Golly" and I was a bit Confused turns out i was something to do with Diwali and she'd misheard it!

Original poster
AWimbaWay · 07/11/2011 12:50

I think she probably is correct, she's fairly good at understanding situations. The eager look on her face at wanting to be a slave was awful. Poor thing looked really awkward when I questioned her, I think she's worried she's got her teacher in trouble, she's quite shy and hates any kind of fuss.

I'm desperately trying to think of an non confrontational way of asking a teacher if she's asking her pupils to be slaves now!

OP posts:
Original poster
AWimbaWay · 07/11/2011 12:52

"Hi Mrs teacher, Dd mentioned something about slaves this morning and I was wondering if it's a topic you're discussing in class at the moment? She seemed confused as to it's meaning."

How does that sound?

OP posts:
MrFawkesMan · 07/11/2011 13:10

I would probably be saying "is it true that you are a shallow fool who thinks it is amusing to mock centuries of racism?"

But your version is probably better

LoopyLoopsRootyFroots · 07/11/2011 13:14
Shock

Whatever the context, the teacher needs to be spoken with. At best she is flippantly disregarding centuries of cruelty. I dread to think what it is at worst.

LoopyLoopsRootyFroots · 07/11/2011 13:16

No, your question is too loose and gives her far too much leeway to wriggle out of it.

Something along the lines of "DD told me that she is practising being a 'slave'. What exactly is this for?"

LaurieFairyCake · 07/11/2011 13:20

Inappropriate? Really?

There is plenty of slavery in Britain today - people brought in as 'domestic' help and not allowed out/work for very little pay/100 hr weeks.

Learning about slavery might encompass all methods - frankly right now we don't know what the teacher intended.

It is very likely that she is trying to introduce them gently to slavery - this may mean at 5 they don't get all the facts and figures - it may just be an age appropriate way of introducing the topic

bnm · 07/11/2011 13:22

Agree with loopyloops plus I'd actually go in and try to ask in front of other staff. For a child to come out with something like that it seems unlikely, they are unlikely to have come up with the word themselves.

MrFawkesMan · 07/11/2011 13:27

LFC

I am all for kids learning about the terrible history of slavery and I really hope this is the case here. However OP is suggesting that the teacher may just be doing this for a giggle, "oh isn't it funny to pretend to be slaves" in which case I would be raising hell. What's coming next week - let's have a laugh pretending to be Jews in a concentration camp?

Original poster
AWimbaWay · 07/11/2011 13:33

Yes MrFawkesMan, I fear the 'for a giggle' version is the correct one, I will ask at pick up today.

OP posts:
Original poster
AWimbaWay · 07/11/2011 15:48

I asked and apparently it was first brought up because they had read a story about ancient Egyptians that mentioned slaves, but it sounds like it was then turned into a fun, 'who'll be my slave for the day'.

I said it might be an idea to reiterate that being a slave is and was not a 'fun' thing as the point seems to have been lost somewhere.

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MumblingAndBloodyRagDoll · 07/11/2011 17:56

Good idea Wimba! I am Shock at the teacher tbh.