To be surprised at DS's English lessons?

[chocolateflakecake]

Have been looking through DS's English book.

The teacher has been completing a unit on tabloid and broadsheet journalism. The teacher has had them write 'don't believe everything you read' in big letters which surprised me since it's a church school.

They have been studying articles such as one from the daily mirror about overweight people claiming benefits, and an article about josie cunningham wanting to abort her baby to go on big brother. They had to detect bias in these as well as guardian and telegraph articles.

AIBU to think these topics are a bit mature (he is in year 9.)

Should include "just because it's on the internet (including Wikipedia ) it isn't true". Glad to see Y9 being asked to reflect on this stuff.

I remember learning exactly this is year 9 English... Mostly about the Bush campaign. Very useful and interesting.

I know quite a few journalists and I can tell you, they don't believe everything they WRITE. Tell your son that!

Really smart people who are writing rubbish about foreigners ruining the country etc for the Mail and the Sun especially.

I was that age when we learnt about propaganda in history class so I don't think he's too young.

Don't believe everything you read is a really good lesson. As is don't believe everything you see re:media/sleb images.

As for maturity I would guess most year 9 would come across this type of story, if not now then soon.

I remember reading Piers Morgan's autobiography when I was a teenager (I was weird, alright, and interested in journalism). The two things I learned from it and stick with me despite Piers glossing over some of his own mishaps:

Politicians sit down with editors and journalists more than you would ever think, and the relationship grows closer over time

and

Journalists work for any paper that will have them, regardless of personal view, if the money is good.

I suppose because the Christian faith is based on believing what you read - the bible, in other words

say what? Are you comparing the bible to the Daily Mail ?

That's a great thing for them to learn. They should feel free to disbelieve or challenge or question things they read- including their own religion.

Ever since ds was tiny we've said things like 'do you think what you just heard is true, or are they trying to make you buy something?' - granted, mostly about adverts, but I am starting to extend this now as he is beginning to notice other media. He's 9.

I suppose because the Christian faith is based on believing what you read - the bible, in other words smile

The Christian faith is most definitely not about believing everything you read, especially if what you are reading comes from a newspaper. I'm a Christian and the biggest cynic going.

I don't see what it being a faith school has to do with this? Your son is being taught a fundamental GCSE English skill, something that will be even more apparent in the new GCSE he will have to take (the system is changing for the current Y9) and you are complaining? I've heard everything now.

If your son can't infer and deduce them he won't pass. But that's fine, tell him that because the bible is true then so is everything else. Then he won't be able to critically analyse anything in terms of purpose and audience but at least he won't question the bible.

I teach in a faith school btw. There are enough boundaries to work around without fussy parents saying ridiculous things like this.

Trust the teacher!

I also think that not believing everything you read in a newspaper is an excellent lesson in life. More people should try it.

This isn't a "first" post by a certain poster is it?

YANBU.

If your son is taught to think for himself, he might grow horns and become and athiest.

Don't they do this in KS2? I mean learning to distinguish between fact and opinion. I used to do a similar thing with Y5 and Y6 - looking at how different newspapers covered the same story. Obviously I chose appropriate topics, also we looked at claims in advertisements.

There's so much bias and misinformation in newspapers and the internet, I often wonder how our children will be able to tell what is real history and what is made up. For example: so much shite at the moment about people who are 'too fat to walk' using mobility scooters. In the future is that what people will think mobility scooters were for? Bty I don't believe that bullshit but am just using it as an example.

Your son's teacher has taught a neccessary skill in an interesting and thorough way. I'd be grateful!

I just tried to stop my post at the last minute as I realised I'd spelled necessary wrong but it was too late (blush).