Should I correct a teacher?

[Sadgirlonatrain]

In my son's recent geography homework, one of the questions on the sheet referred to the decline of coal mining in the North East.

"How would this of effected the area?"

No wonder the use of 'would of' is so widespread now, never mind the incorrect use of 'effected.'

Would you say anything to the school?

I would encourage your son to politely let the teacher know there are a couple of 'typos' on the sheet. The chances are that is exactly what they are. I know full well the difference between 'their', 'there' and 'they're' but if I'm typing quickly/tired then I definitely make these kind of mistakes (e.g. on here!)

Presuming this is secondary level it seems a bit heavy handed for a parent to get involved or 'the school' to be contacted rather than the teacher directly.

I've told a teacher (primary school) about a spelling mistake before but only when I noticed it hadn't been corrected a year later - it was the words to a song projected up to the entire school, all staff and lots of parent with 'lose' spelt 'loose'. The first year I just winced, the second year I had to say something...

I am a headteacher and would hit the roof if one of my teachers sent this out. I don't say this often but speak to the headteacher and ask them to address it with the teacher so you are not 'that parent' from the teacher's perspective.
Only today I rejected a job applicant because they wrote that they 'should of' completed a placement by the end of this week. Typos happen but in your case it is not a typo for either mistake.

Yabu. Just explain to your child why it's incorrect and how to write it properly and explain that not everyone is good at everything (he/she is a geography teacher not an English teacher) and it doesn't affect their ability to teach the subject they are employed to teach.

Unfortunately it seems that as much as us old enough to be parents don’t like it, could of and would of are becoming the norm now. They will be used more and more until they are deemed ‘correct’ By the time your kids are working adults should have will seem as old fashioned as calling someone gay when they are happy.
effected if plain wrong.
i think I would let it go this time but take a photo and keep a keen eye out for future errors.

If this is a secodary school, I'd send a copy to the head of the English department.

secondary - keyboard playing up, don't know where the missing 'n' went.

Given the subject matter your child is old enough to have been in school for some time. I’m surprised this is your first encounter with a grammatical mistake. They happen often in school materials.

Simply point the error out to your child, correct it on the page, and move on. The teacher will likely see the correction when the paper is returned. Your child will learn the correct information.

I save contacting the teacher for significant problems with assignments. It should be done sparingly.

The most common issue is instructions that are too confusing to follow and we need clarification. I don’t say the instructions are poorly written, I blame my own poor comprehension no matter how badly done the assignment.

Occasionally there are real content errors. For those issues,I make sure that my correction is absolutely certain and well-documented and send the information via email.

I think you need to address it with the teacher not a head of year.

I'd drop a note to him/her and point out the error.

You won't be the most popular parent but it's that or ignore it.

No way would I bring this up unless it's a constant stream of mistakes. Tell your child it's 'have' etc and leave it at that. Don't be spiteful.

I wonder whether she'd typed it into her laptop? I've tried typing "I would of done this" in my email app and it instantly corrected itself to "I would have".

A head teacher with to go onto MN at this time of day?

Not exactly a good role model for hard working teaches.

*time to go

My point is that you'd be better off investing your time in equipping your child to navigate a world full of imperfect spelling and grammar.

I actually like this. I think I'd be amused rather than angry to see this for homework.

As someone who has to proofread the documents in a school before they are sent out by teachers, PLEASE MAKE A POLITE COMPLAINT! It is terrifying how many teachers can not use basic English correctly.

Me too! That was clearly not a sign of ignorance, but an attempt to engage the kids and bring a bit of humour into the task.

Just make sure your child knows what's correct.

I mean, it's not great but just let it go. Everyone makes mistakes and it's clear what is actually meant.

If it happened again and again then I would maybe mention it but as a once off? Absolutely not.

Thank you @Butteredtoast55 - I was looking for feedback from a teacher to see how this would be received. If I was the teacher, I would take it as well-meant, not an attack.

To those saying SPAG isn't as important in geography, the school make a point of regularly reminding the children that all their work in school and homework should be presented well and correctly, including making sure all SPAG is correct, so I don't think a teacher of any subject should be excused from making the same effort. That said, she is a really good teacher and knows her subject, so I wouldn't want her to feel discouraged in any way. Crikey, it's a minefield/mindfield.....

Hmm, that's tough

I would definitely bring it to my child's attention and show them the correct way, but probably wouldn't contact the school over one incident as wouldn't want to create bad feeling. Maybe if it were every time.

DS is in reception and there are often obvious spelling/grammar errors in emails/homework but I hope he's too young for it to make a difference!

And I remember correcting my teacher on spelling and grammar as a child until she got annoyed and snapped at me to stop, so of course I did and felt really embarrassed (I wasn't meaning to be cheeky, just pointing out what I saw).

You'd "hit the roof?"

Really? Over what is basically a typo?

Get a grip.

It all goes way back when, to GCSEs being changed.
The marking criteria used to be heavily weighted towards correct grammar and spelling. You could pass or fail on those alone, regardless of the content.

It also became worse when humanity subjects were no longer graded on grammar and spelling, only content.

So there was no incentive other than to spell correctly, or use correct grammar, except in English exams.

Sadly, we now have at least 2 generations of teachers, lecturers, and students, who can't spell or use grammar. There are even shockers on websites like the BBC News site.

I would just kindly directly point out the ‘typos’ on the sheet .. if I did anything at all

I am aghast at how @Butteredtoast55 has the time as a head teacher to use mumsnet during a working day. Especially as they are striking soon about poor pay and being overstretched.

@Frabbits , it isn't a typo. It's using a preposition as a verb and using the wrong verb.