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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would I be unreasonable to correct the teacher?

374 replies

Horthnangerabbey · 12/12/2017 17:17

It is a minor thing really but if the teacher had told the class something that you knew was wrong, would you tell her? Or would you just explain to your own child the correct info and keep quiet?

OP posts:
Nuffaluff · 12/12/2017 20:34

Incidentally I am one of those teachers who are high academic achievers themselves. I could have gone into any career - much better paid ones like medicine or law. I do it because I have a passion for it. Well, it's almost been beaten out of me but there's still a glimmer!
Knowing your stuff is important, but The most important qualities for a teacher are compassion and empathy imo.

Pengggwn · 12/12/2017 20:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SpareASquare · 12/12/2017 20:35

The gold copper thing wasn’t me!! Grr grin

I knew that! I just figured the poster meant the 'other poster' and went with it Grin

Pengggwn · 12/12/2017 20:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Piggywaspushed · 12/12/2017 20:37

rose the teacher won't mind!

Original poster
Horthnangerabbey · 12/12/2017 20:38

Fair enough Spare! I didn’t want people thinking I was a rude cow!

OP posts:
Bloopbleep · 12/12/2017 20:40

My then 7yo daughter was asked in front of the class what one of the smallest bones in the body was and she replied ossicles (I’ve no idea how she knew about ossicles but I’ve learned to trust her judgement). Teacher’s response was to laugh at her (potential tinkley laugh alert) and say ‘no I don’t think so’ - I didn’t feel it was my place to correct the teacher but my daughter was convinced so found and printed off information to show her teacher. She never received an apology. Instead she was told not to be a smartalec. At that point we intervened.

I find persistent bad spelling and grammar is endemic among primary school teachers, so much so that we thought her p1 teacher may have been dyslexic. That didn’t make sense when p2,3 and 4 were all the same.

Nuffaluff · 12/12/2017 20:41

pengggwn
Yes you are right.
A deputy head of mine asked our table at a training day: 'What is a penguin anyway? Is it an animal?'
Um yep, it's a bird.
She is super intelligent in other ways though. Extremely good with data, which is all that's needed these days eh?
I sound so horrible. I actually really like her and she's really good at her job. She just has a shocking hole of knowledge about nature.

RoseWhiteTips · 12/12/2017 20:41

Piggywaspushed

rose the teacher won't mind!

Thank you for the clarification. Everyone must be on her/his toes on such a thread as this.

Xmas Wink
Piggywaspushed · 12/12/2017 20:44

Yeah, I knew you were correcting my grammar.

Nuffaluff · 12/12/2017 20:45

pengggwyn
Have just realised you might be personally offended by my deputy head's lack of knowledge. Sorry.

Piggywaspushed · 12/12/2017 20:45

I honestly thought everyone knew

In 1665 , hardly anyone was left alive
In 1666 London burnt like rotten sticks

It seems not.

Pengggwn · 12/12/2017 20:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SpareASquare · 12/12/2017 20:45

Fair enough Spare! I didn’t want people thinking I was a rude cow!

Just don't go in on Parents night, in front of the headteacher and all, with a Powerpoint presentation on where the teacher went wrong and you should be fine.

But if you do choose to do that, make sure you are right Grin

Nuffaluff · 12/12/2017 20:45

Because of your username!

RoseWhiteTips · 12/12/2017 20:47

Instead she was told not to be a smartalec. At that point we intervened.

Oh for heaven’s sake, that is hardly a crime! Your child was being a smart alec. (Two words...)

Iwanttobe8stoneagain · 12/12/2017 20:48

I’m still smiling at the face off between a badger and a squirrel. Like any profession some people are amazing others are shit most sit happily in the middle.

SirSidneyRuffDiamond · 12/12/2017 20:48

Gwenhwyfar - duckbilled platypuses are mammals, but lay eggs. I believe mammals are so-called because they have mammary glands.

Pengggwn · 12/12/2017 20:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Mumof56 · 12/12/2017 20:53

what one of the smallest bones in the body was and she replied ossicles

The ossicles is made up of 3 bones the malleus, incus, and stapes (hammer, anvil, and stirrup). As your daughter was only asked for one of the smallest bones, your daughter was incorrect.

Piggywaspushed · 12/12/2017 21:06

rose you are behaving a little as if slightly pedantic grammar corrections are in the same league as accusing JA of being Victorian!

Sasbel · 12/12/2017 21:18

I appreciate the correction Grin

InfiniteCurve · 12/12/2017 21:20

Well if my child knew about ossicles I would expect the teacher to be saying - almost,the smallest bones are part of this - or some such.
And I wouldn't expect keenness to learn and get the right answer to be denigrated as " being a smart alec" unless it was very much said in fun and the child knew that.

SirGawain · 12/12/2017 21:24

Bloopbleep
I find persistent bad spelling and grammar is endemic among primary school teachers, so much so that we thought her p1 teacher may have been dyslexic. That didn’t make sense when p2,3 and 4 were all the same.

Social media is appalling for this,It's painful to see.

RoseWhiteTips · 12/12/2017 21:26

Mumof56

what one of the smallest bones in the body was and she replied ossicles

The ossicles is made up of 3 bones the malleus, incus, and stapes (hammer, anvil, and stirrup). As your daughter was only asked for one of the smallest bones, your daughter was incorrect.

Hoist etc