to think the teacher should at least attempt to teach my DD something

[xmasmeltdown]

.... on the last day of school?
DD 14 went to school yesterday and said in many classes they were left to watch a film, and in her English class he told them just to 'do their own thing' and listen to ipods, whatever while he sat there. She said she actually wished that he would do some sort of lesson as sitting around seemed pointless.

I may be flamed for this but presumably her teacher was paid to come in to work yesterday and do his job. I accept it's the last day and maybe a more light hearted lesson such as reading Xmas story or writing about Xmas holidays, but to not even make a pretence of doing his job seems a bit much, I don't send my child to school to be babysat and sit around but to learn!

i AGREE.
i have deduced that my 12 year old watched nine dvds this week as well as having a hundred weght of crappy sweets pushed on her.
I'll probably keep her and my other child home for this week next year.
I am so angry about it.

Blimry, on another thread a parent was complaining that her kid hadn't been given any sweets. Can't win.

moondog Ah, I take it you will be home schooling for the week before Christmas then? Good for you.

Well I taught 3x2 hour lessons (sixth form). They were working until the bitter end. When I was young and foolish (and less knackered) I used to put on Christmas quizzes or a film or music. Now I'm an old cynic I just make them work. Some of our students travel for an hour to get to us and I'm sure they'd rather work than waste time and I find it easier TBH. I think I let the last lot go 10 minutes early.

Yes Kitty.
As indeed I have since my children started school to make up for the gaping holes in the education they receive.

moondog Very virtuous. All teachers are rubbish aren't they? I'm sure you are excellent.

I have no idea what DS| has done in his last week at school, other than going swimming, having a party, Christmas lunch and church.
Other than that we haven't talked about it.
Possibly I'll feel differently when he is at secondary school.

I do try to ask what he has learned but by the last week of term we are both past caring.

To be honest, doing absolutely NOTHING is a waste of an opportunity, but I do think this is pretty rare. Please remember that teachers are human too, and try to be a little less judgy, especially if they are being taught well the rest of the time.

I teach right up to the last day, but I'll do games, quizzes and debates to recap what they've learnt for the last lesson. Our last day tends to be assembly, panto and cleanup. Possibly a waste of time in your eyes as well? Having fun, god forbid!

DS2's English teacher would please some of you on this thread. He was at home ill on Monday and Tuesday (they finished Tuesday), she sent his homework by first class post so he doesn't miss out!

MsElleToe

I suspect that the anti Hwk brigade would be out in force on here.
Hwk during the holidays all teachers are scrooges :)

Sounds like an extrememly conscientious woman Ell. Hats off to her and her ilk.

In my day we played hangman and watched a weepie film in the hall while the teachers drank and smoked in the staffroom. No learning should take place on the last day, thems the rules.

I used to teach and there was nothing I hated more than the lazy put on a video culprit. It's so easy to come up with fun and festive activities which are curriculum relevant. There are loads of websites with resources too so you don't even have to spend time creating them. YANBU!

From a class of 18, I had six pupils on Friday. We finished at noon, so no I didn't bother teaching them anything.

I did educate them by showing them Tom and Jerry: The Night Before Christmas, though.

I found you irritating OP, not because, as I said, you wanted more educational activities - or any activities - but because of your attitude of "he must do his job". You know nothing about that teacher at all. He may be struggling. He may have been up all night with a baby and is exhausted but came to school without calling in sick because to do so would cost the school money. In an ideal world we would all be excellent teachers and educate every minute of every day. But then in an ideal world, our students would all have excellent parents and not judgy ones.

If learning matters to YOUR daughter she would have taken an opportunity to do what she wants and read a book, done some writing or done some research. It is up to her what she gets from school and taking your cue from a bored / knackered / ill / incompetent teacher is just making excuses, not taking responsibility for your OWN education.

Hey sanity clause, DD's school did 6 th form review on Friday, and all the teachers did gangnam style.

Mass hysteria ensued, hilarious, it's on you tube already

(Usually very stiff all girls Grammar school)

OP do you treat everyone like this?

OP, stop saying that the teacher isn't doing their job because they aren't actively teaching. The teacher was probably sorting out the heap of paperwork that teachers have at the end of term, or sorting out things in the classroom, or getting resources ready for next term.

My ds had two ordinary lessons, and then his other two teachers let them watch a movie (these are the best two teachers he has this term by far). Unfortunately it was the same movie, and it was also slightly too long for the session, so ds watched almost all of Tintin twice! He doesn't seem particularly scarred though.

dd went to school in PJs, had a class breakfast (sausages and pancakes), went sledging and then after lunch they watched a movie before going home (dd disapproved on the movie and buggered off to the library instead).

I've no objections to either to these itineraries. My last day of work is Christmas Eve. There will be a large staff breakfast, and then we will play indoor golf. I am bringing both kids, and a large number of staff spent yesterday afternoon setting up the holes for the golf (one involved a number of servers and a lot of wire!). It will be fun and very very little work is likely.

The teacher was probably sorting out the heap of paperwork that teachers have at the end of term, or sorting out things in the classroom

I disagree very strongly with this comment. A teacher's job has many facets, but it is very unprofessional (imo) to put the admin side ahead of the fundemental role of educating and engaging children and young adults.

You don't do paperwork while there is a class awaiting your input.

Thank you.

And yes, I spelt fundamental incorrectly. Cringing.

when i was at high school, out teacher tried to get us all to take an afternoon nap as apparent we weren't allowed to do nothing and sleep is beneficial so we were to sleep!

complexnumber.

I was getting a bit over involved in a thread once and posted that surely the OP had the 'intelligince' to see what she was doing was wrong.
I hid the thread.