Teacher throwing stuff in class

[MrsDe]

My DD (8) said that her teacher threw a board rubber at two boys in the class as they were talking and not paying attention. I want to ask the teacher what on earth happened but my DD doesn’t want me to say anything as she doesn’t want to get the teacher in trouble. Frankly, I think she got herself in trouble the moment she threw a board rubber at two boys in class.

My DH doesn’t necessarily want to say anything either or get to the bottom of it and thinks it’s just one of those things. This makes it tricky as I don’t do school drop offs or pick-ups and so if he doesn’t speak with the teacher face to face then I will have to send an email about it – which I don’t mind doing but you can’t always judge the tone in emails and this might be something best done face to face. Anyway, I just wanted to gather opinions to see whether I’m being unreasonable in wanting to get to the bottom of this or should I just leave it!?

The board rubber wasn’t aimed at my DD but this is an experienced teacher and so I'm quite surprised...

I am NOT condoning the teachers actions... However, board rubbers are no longer massive heavy wooden things - they are tiny little bits of foamy stuff. I'm amazed the teacher could get it to travel any distance!
I'd be more concerned about how stressed the teacher is to be driven to do that than any potential injury from a board rubber!

Thanks Mumtomaxwell, yes I'm also concerned about the stress of the teacher rather than any possible injury - especially given that she is an experienced/older teacher.

In two minds here ...

It suggests a lack of or loss of control on the teachers part which is obviously not a good thing...

However when I were a nipper, we had chalk, board rubbers (and no, not lightweight foam things, lumps of wood with a chunk of felt nailed to them), rulers, pens thrown at us.. backsides caught with a plimsoll, threatened with being suspended upside down from the ceiling... I was once dragged out of my seat by my tie which acted like a noose and another kid had to point out to my teacher that I was going a colour people shouldn't go... (I was 11)..

This was the mid 80s and early 90s so not exactly the dark ages either...

I think given your DD is concerned about getting the teacher into trouble suggests that the teacher is generally a nice person not someone to be scared of - so just keep an ear out for any other incidents and if there IS another.. then say something?

Maybe contact one of the governors instead off the record?

maybe just carry on with your day?

What exactły was dds reaction when you said you'd need to speak to school? Could she be exaggerating/even lying?

Leave it. No harm done.

I had a Spanish teacher with a hot temper, a strong throwing arm and an endless supply of squash balls. Those things really sting AND have a powerful rebound....

Great, thanks all. You've put things into perspective for me. Yes, generally she is a lovely teacher and my DD is very fond of her. I don't think she was exaggerating or lying about it but was keen to point out that the boys deserved it as they were messing about and not listening.

I won't say anything on this occasion but keep a ear out.

Yes, I recall my French teacher throwing a chalk board rubber to one of the boys in secondary...and it going straight through the window! Possibly I'm projecting as that teacher was hopeless and had no control over the class at all and was dreadful in so many way.

I'm willing to bet it was well aimed to gain their attention, without actually hitting anyone!

Better in future teacher does nothing and allows constant disruption so your DD s education is lacking as in many uk schools

Do they still have board rubbers. I retired a few years ago and even then in a poor ares it was white interactive touch screens etc

Blimey

I would be unhappy about this.

It doesn't matter what board rubbers are made of, or how badly children behave, things have, thankfully, moved on from the 80s.

Is she sure it's a board rubber? I'm a teacher and involved in primary school liaison (so I visit a lot of schools) and I've not seen a board rubber for about 7 years. Everything is done via electronic whiteboards or touch screens.

If all these board rubbers are redundant can someone throw one my way - I can never find mine! Possibly missing the point of the thread...

I would definitely report this.

The white board presumably has an electronic board rubber but I can't imagine any teacher throwing that at somebody!
When I was at school it was commonplace for the German teacher to throw board rubbers at people.

Personally I'd leave this.

It happened to someone else's children and you are hearing it as third party gossip...It is up to the parents of the boys concerned to take issue, if there is one.
Move on with your day

MissMargie

Well said!

I don't think it's good classroom management, but neither would I be moved to report it.

It's half way through half term and you're posting about it now?

If true it's not even your child, your DD doesn't want you to get involved, just move on!

Do they still have board rubbers. I retired a few years ago and even then in a poor ares it was white interactive touch screens etc

^ this.

Does anybody here throw objects at their child in the home? Do people's partners throw objects at the min the home? I don't think it's acceptable and even more worrying when a teacher is throwing things around in class. They are children not a funfair stall.

Teacher lost control and thankfully nobody got hurt. Just because it's a teacher though doesn't suddenly make the action excusable or justifiable.

I've thrown things in my classroom before. Never at children only to them and yes that has included mini whiteboard rubbers which are foam and don't fly very far. Someone else looking on might think I've cracked and was hurling missiles at my class but in reality the class know they're coming and either try to catch them or let them fall to the table.