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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not have corrected teacher?

155 replies

Snowyelephantshavewrinkles · 01/07/2013 17:51

I sat in a KS1 Geography lesson today.
We were looking at the country Spain.
Teacher told the children that never snowed there and that the only way to get there was to fly.
What about the Pyrenees?

Have you heard of a ferry?
Hmm

OP posts:
AmIthatSpringy · 01/07/2013 23:15

I was giving the benefit of the doubt, as I didn't think anyone from the UK would NOT know that NI is part of the UK and the Republic of Ireland is a separate country.

Gruntfuttock · 01/07/2013 23:29

givemeaboost how can you not know that Northern Ireland is connected to the Republic of Ireland? Confused

Acantha · 02/07/2013 06:13

Not from the UK (US), but my year 6 teacher told us that there wasn't any difference between Mexicans and Spaniards. They all speak Spanish, you see. He's an anti-semitic bastard too.

Jaynebxl · 02/07/2013 06:44

I think givemeaboost was confused, thinking that people were suggesting that NI and GB are connected by land, rather than that Ireland is connected to the UK by being attached to NI, which is part of the UK. I think!

Picturepuncture · 02/07/2013 06:56

The original mistake is just bizarre- how can you possible think that it is impossible to get a ferry/drive/train to Spain?

Not knowing the NI/Ireland this is, frankly, baffling.

LindyHemming · 02/07/2013 07:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Thatssofunny · 02/07/2013 07:06

boost It's a difference in terminology. GB (Great Britain) doesn't have land borders. The UK (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) certainly does. However, there are lots of people, who do not know what UK stands for and therefore don't know that there is a difference. Same as using "fewer" and "less" correctly.

WidowWadman · 02/07/2013 07:17

waikiki "I don't think that age needs to know about the possibility going by ferry. tbh."

So from what age are they ok to learn about ferries? Confused

Eyesunderarock · 02/07/2013 07:18

I've seen and heard this sort of thing happen a lot over the years in Primary in particular. I rarely make mistakes, but if and when I do, there are merit marks on offer for the person that picks me up on it and there is encouragement for those who challenge me and are wrong, because they must explain why they thought it was an error. Politely, as part of a discussion.
My class see me use dictionaries and reference books, and they use them to check up information too. To me that's part of getting an education.
I have no tolerance, understanding or patience with adults who can't deal with finding out they were wrong and get huffy.
You need to know your stuff, research if you are not sure and be confident enough to say 'I have no idea, I'm not sure, what can we do to find out?'

ripsishere · 02/07/2013 07:19

I feel sorry for early years teachers (pre secondary). They have to know so much stuff and it's hard when you get a smart arse (that'll be you I'm looking at DD) who corrects you.
Some of the examples given though are quite extraordinary. AND I've learned something. I was unaware of the US involvement in WWI

Eyesunderarock · 02/07/2013 07:25

If you have a smart arse in your class, then they need to learn how to disagree and argue in an appropriate manner. Even in reception.
And how to conclude!
It is very frustrating to know that you are being taught something that is wrong, and if you aren't allowed to say or ask, then you may ignore or become disrespectful of other things that individual is trying to teach you.

2712 · 02/07/2013 07:31

During a YR6 presentation to all the parents, I wanted to shout out "You do not spell centre CENTER". This was displayed on a huge powerpoint. I get really angry about this spell check stuff as it's just so lazy.

RedHelenB · 02/07/2013 07:44

You do simplify things for KS! so maybe the gist of what she wanted to say was that it was hotter than England & the best way to get there was by plane. And maybe the teacher had Irish leanings & views Ireland as one country!!

MrsMelons · 02/07/2013 08:35

My DS (2) corrected his pre school teacher in front of everyone when she was telling the class abput an octopuses 'legs' Grin

Our school sends homework for the dcs with so many mistakes in its embarrassing, often they are work sheets so should have come from a reliable source.

I think it is obvious primary teachers cannot possibly know everything but my expectation would be that they are up together on basic grammar and prepare properly for lessons - unlike my friend who taught her Y1s there were 100m in a KM!

MiaowTheCat · 02/07/2013 08:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Crinkle77 · 02/07/2013 15:17

givemeaboost I think the teacher may have been getting confused between Great Britain and the UK

MrsMelons · 02/07/2013 16:42

quote - I don't think DS went into quite that much detail ha ha (I can't remember as was a while ago) but he told them they did not have 8 legs!!!

quoteunquote · 02/07/2013 16:44

I only know as I had a detailed lecture from DS (He is on the A spectrum and is fascinated by such things, and tends to over share)

YouTheCat · 02/07/2013 16:47

I know a year 5 teacher who had no idea where Norway was or that they speak Norwegian. Confused

I see huge gaps in very simple general knowledge on a weekly basis.

If I don't know something, I look it up. It's even easier these days using google.

WorraLiberty · 02/07/2013 16:49

hmm, I took a ferry to spain.

But how did you get it on the plane? Grin

neontetra · 02/07/2013 17:01

OP, I think your decision on whether to mention it to the teacher should depend on the context in which you were observing her lesson. If you were in supporting her as a colleague, or were observing to give her feedback as part of appraisal, or coaching or something, or if you are ofsted or something, then you should mention it. If you.are a governor in for a visit, don't (you could tell the head if you are.really concerned, and let her decide what to do). Also be really careful - in all of these.contexts I reckon you'd be in trouble if it somehow got back to the teacher that you'd posted critically about the lesson on here - and it is a small world!

ICantRememberWhatSheSaid · 02/07/2013 17:08

I didn't correct the first grade teacher who told my DC and the rest of the class about the healing powers of pyramids.

...But I did tell my DCs that I though she was bonkers.

EllenJanesthickerknickers · 02/07/2013 17:17

I had to correct a teacher (quietly) once who was telling Y2 DC that Russia was our enemy in WW2 (I don't think the anti aggression pact with Germany counts) and that Spain was also on the same side as Germany. Hmm She was obviously unsure, but was getting the class to colour a European map for the Allies vs the Axis.

SneezySnatcher · 02/07/2013 17:26

I am a teacher. My colleague (who is also a friend) was teaching her (Y2) class about Hinduism. On her whiteboard she had written lots of facts about Hindu people. Unfortunately, she had written Hindus as Hindu's in each sentence.

I corrected her (privately) but even when I explained that plurals do not need apostrophes she was still confused.

I am not perfect. This, however, is a very major error.