to tell dd NOT to do this homework if its freaking her out

[mamas12]

DD just told me she has pamphlet to do by tommorrow on anorexia. She said doesn't want to do it because her friends have told her don't google it because it's horrible. One of them got onto a site which supports anorexics and even gives them tips on how not to eat. Her freinds are freaking out and there are a few of them not doing it. They didn't discuss the topic before the request for homework and is not really sure what the teacher wants.
Should I ring the school in the morning for clarification and let them know that the kids are all freaked out by this or should I make her do it? btw the class subject is welsh, so not even a science related subject.

I would say to not do it and then find out from the teacher what exactly is going on
does sound weird

I agree with trinityrhino. Def not the sort of thing you want teenage girls researching for Welsh lessons surely.

Would ask the teacher just how is this topic related to welsh?????

Does she HAVE to do internet research on it? If so, can you work with her (& exercise caution on google images)?

If she's unclear what the teacher actually wants, I think a note from you explaining this & asking for clarification.

If you do want her to do it, you could produce something like this: publisher brochure wizard. Do a title page, a 'what is anorexia?' page using wikipedia info, a 'who is at risk' page, 'famous people with eating disorders' page & 'helpful links' page.

Thankyou for your replies
Yes it is a funny link welsh - anorexia
I have googled myself and found some factual stuff that is not too graphic and no pics. but for some reason she is adament she does not want to do it.
Thanks ravenak good titles there.
Think I will leave it her for tommorrow and if the teacher insists will intervene and ask for more clarification.
Thanks again it's good to have mn as a lone parent you are my sounding board.

As a teacher, I would NEVER set a h/w like this without a class discussion first and certainly wouldn't ask kids to do independent internet research on it either. Echoing others, I'd send her with a note explaing that the two of you were a bit confused by it.
The teacher in me would also add that it's helpful if kids come to me earlier than the day that h/w is due if they have a problem (assuming this particular teacher gave a reasonable length of time in which to do the task).

Feralgirl thanks for that. They were given it on Wed but she's only brought it up now. She's normally good with schoolwork geeky kid . but so glad to hear I'm not out of order with supposrting her in this.

they couldn't have misunderstood the teacher? There isn't a welsh word that could sound similar to anorexia?

Ha ha no it sounds the same even if it's a different spelling

Id be livid. theres no reason whatsoever that the school should be either discussing this or setting research of it as homework. Id contact the teacher and voice your concerns. how bizarre

lol...well, you can tell I am a non-welsh-speaker...

definitely ask at school what it is all about, what they are meant to learn, etc...

YANBU

Speak to the teacher and reassure your dd.

What a peculiar subject! I think others are right - you should send a note asking for clarification of the assignment and stating that you don't think it is an appropriate subject for a Welsh Language class UNLESS the teacher has excellent justification for it!

The only slight I have about it is that she said some of her friends are refusing to do it - so even though you have found a way of her doing it without it being too upsetting, she is still refusing to do it - is that because she doesn't see why she should if her friends are getting out of doing it? I still wouldn't force her to do it though - it's still a most uncomfortable/ disturbing subject at that age.

This sounds very bizarre. It's well known that there is all sorts of dangerous information on the internet about anorexia, why on earth would a teacher encourage a load of children to come into contact with that information?

I would be pretty angry and would definitely be discussing it with the teacher.

YANBU. Sounds like they have not been properly prepared for this and should have recommended websites, etc.

Alibaba that was my concern that of all the unregulated stuff out there with no guidance it has disturbed her friends. Think I will ring school anyway. Maybe she has got it wrong but not likely so am clutching at straws there. Dd is 14 so is THE age for this impressionable subject. Curiouser and curiouser.

Studentmadwife, "theres no reason whatsoever that the school should be ... discussing this"

Of COURSE school should discuss anorexia. It's part of the PSHE curriculum (although I'm guessing not the Welsh language curriculum as in this case) and not all kids have parents who are able to talk about things like this at home. It's a teacher's job to ensure that it's done in a responsible and balanced way though (which it clearly hasn't been here). We are trained to do it and the vast majority of us take it VERY seriously, as we do our discussions on sex, race, religion, politics and other major issues.

It would be very hard for me to do my job as an English teacher if there were subjects that were taboo and subject to censorship.