To think it's not necessarily rude to correct the teacher?

[cherrycrumblecustard]

DS is nearly ten, he's always been well behaved for the most part and very polite. But lately he has had a bit of an edge to him. He's told me today he's been told off and had to lose his break for correcting the teachers spelling. I know it depends on how he did it. From what he's said he wasn't that rude but is it the correcting that's rude, full stop?

That's awful Crumbs, and more than unfair. What an awful attitude from the teacher.

I do remember when I was at primary school there was a clever girl in our class who often noticed mistakes on the board, and would point them out. The teacher was a cow about it, even though the girl said it nicely. The girl then took to queuing at her desk to say it quietly, which said teacher still didn't appreciate and would sarcastically correct it.

I only remember it because of her attitude. If the teacher just corrected it, it wouldn't still be a memory of mine years later that she spelt things wrong all the time.

I would just ask the teacher why did she do it. YANBU

"ilovesooty

I'd like to know what Rainmaker1 does for a living and what kind of professional feedback she gets.

Anything else I want to say to challenge her appalling comments would have me deleted and probably banned."

Haha! Professional feedback? Do you really think she is a professional?

"Rixera

Good job her DD wasn't looking wink"

Yeah. Think the proud mummy is overegging the old pudding just a bit.

GlitterNails that girl in your class sounds an absolute pain.

I'm an MFL teacher too (there seem to be about four of us on this thread ) and I would much rather a student point out a mistake than all of the students copy it down wrong. I can spell - in French at least - but my handwriting is a bit weird so students do sometimes tell me "that S looks like a D" and I'll correct it.

I do think you need to ask the teacher about it, but not in a confrontational way as you're not sure exactly how your DC said it.

Wow. Those who think that a child should never correct an adult or a teacher have no business living in a democracy. School should not be about teaching blind subservience to authority even when the authority is in the wrong.

As others have said, the issue of tone is another matter. Children also need to learn to interact with others respectfully and with tact. But respecting your teacher IMO is a completely different thing from switching off your critical thinking or having to pretend that falsehoods are truth.

What a lesson to teach: don't speak the truth to authority or you'll get punished!

I had learnt to read at an early age and was a voracious reader. I once corrected the spelling of my first grade teacher (when my classmates were only learning to read). She was fabulous and praised me for it, and also quickly realised that I was bored to tears and not learning anything new from the curriculum so allowed me to read books or draw pictures quietly at my desk. That was a great teacher and I still remember her fondly.

I teach and I find that most teachers really don't mind being corrected (as pp have said, it's better than having 30 kids copy something down a typo incorrectly, and none of us are perfect) unless it is under the following circumstances:

1. Student says in a snotty voice: "Miss, you can't say/write that - you have to say/write [inserts wildly incorrect fact/spelling/grammar]."
2. There is a typo on a worksheet or in a book. I have pointed this out at the beginning or it has already been found and corrected by another student and SHOWN TO THE CLASS (so they can correct it). It is then pointed out by LOADS of other students during the rest of the lesson as if it is the first time they have seen it.

In the case of #1, I feel compelled to make sure, in the kindest possible way, that the child doesn't take that tone with other adults and also that he/she doesn't pass the misinformation on, which some children can take as "my teacher told me I was wrong, so I am being told off".

In the case of #2, by the time the 4th child has decided to make the same correction I am mentally pulling my hair out and wondering if I hallucinated the bit of the class where the mistake was corrected!

I have now RTFT with interest. Firstly, to PO, someone should nicely ask the teacher what chain of events led tot he sanction. It is so unlikely to just have been subtle and kind insight from your son. Secondly, all teacher bashing aside, I am alarmed that a teacher of 9 and 10 year olds, who should have passed a basic literacy test at some point, is making spelling mistakes that a 9 year old can spot - but hey ho! So, congrats on having a son with good spelling , and for this he should receive praise (as poor spelling is too often excused away like the 'I can't do maths' type comments), but it definitely sounds like he needs lessons in 'scripting'! Don't know about anyone else but I am writing my post, terrified that I have made a misteak!

I think I've was polite in a rude way, if that makes sense? Anyway DH went in.

ptang Teachers do have to pass a basic literacy test, but sometimes you just happen to misspell something because you were in a hurry to finish your powerpoint before going on to a pile of marking or you got distracted by something (wasp in the classroom/dog in the playground/little Jimmy trying to slice finger off with safety scissors etc etc).

I am alarmed that a teacher of 9 and 10 year olds, who should have passed a basic literacy test at some point, is making spelling mistakes that a 9 year old can spot - but hey ho!

I'm a qualified English teacher with an excellent degree (not boasting - just pointing out the reality that I am not stupid and my school would be hard pushed to find someone more qualified). Occasionally, I make a spelling mistake. Everyone does. My last error was 'ricochet' - just put an extra 'h' in it on the board. It really does happen to everyone.

And then I didn't spot PO instead of OP!! Oops.

Like others have said I don't think 'equiptment' is that kind of error. But the last thing I want to do is join in any bashing of a beleaguered profession.

If the teacher has made a genuine mistake it's fine to correct. If it's a typo, it's rude to correct - the teacher would normally do it as soon as they notice. It can be hard trying to type things up on the board whilst keeping an eye on 30 children! Also was he correct? I had a child 'correct' my spelling of wobble. He was adamant it didn't have an e on the end.

ps also an English teacher ! :)

Am obsessed with spelling tests and always have equipment in when I get to the letter e!
I once did report writing training and did a spelling test. It was fun. Honest. And quite enlightening!

And, oh my good Lord, my typing is awful. I make 1000s of typos. It's a standing joke and kids love spotting them. I would never be offended nor punish any child for doing that. Unless they were ruse. tbh , I would then have words rather than punish with co clarification as to the actual crime. Your son sounds confused about what exactly eh did wrong and that needs clarifying. How did it go for DH?

And there you have it : I meant RUDE. D'oh.

Just noticed more typos. I give up.

Nothing was really resolved but DH went in with an attitude so I'm not surprised really. Sigh.

Agree with the majority of PP - I'd imagine it was the manner used.

As the sanctimonious posters re a teacher's ability to spell - I'm highly educated and sometimes make typos that I don't notice until a student points it out - if they are not rude about it then it's a fun thing "I was writing this whilst watching..." which actually helps relationships as they can see you are actually human.

There are also a couple of subject specific words that I have used numerous times whilst I was studying/training and have to use now within my subject that I just have word blindness on (I'm not dyslexic) but when handwriting I just can't get the correct spelling (I do admit this straight away to my classes before we even do the learning about it!)

But did you find out exactly what the detention was for OP??????

Of course it's not rude if done politely. And the teacher should be teaching him how to do it politely, not telling him not to. I am a university lecturer and my students are always correcting me, as they should. They've go to get to that stage at some point and it's better if it starts early in my opinion.

Though my students will not correct spelling mistakes on the board. Only mistakes that might confuse others if left. A 9 year old won't have that judgement - but at that age any spelling mistake could confuse others.

Interrupting. What's with the question marks? :)

it's very easy to write things incorrectly when you are saying something else at the same time. I do it all the time. maybe I should give up talking and writing at the same time!