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Original poster

Spelling homework for 10yr old- anus!

37 replies

sammac · 04/11/2004 20:28

I kid you not. One of my daughters spelling words this week. I was not happy, luckily it was parent's evening tonight and I expressed my concern (!) to both the teacher and the Head. Her jaw dropped when I showed her the homework jotter. Explanation was it is part of our health topic. Surely there should be a different word used?

OP posts:
zebra · 04/11/2004 20:30

is there a different but not slang word to use? Sphincter? Rectum? Not really improvements, are they?

hercules · 04/11/2004 20:30

Is that not the actual word though for it?

popsycal · 04/11/2004 20:31

i have given topic specific spellings out as science homework in the past.....

isnt anus a technical term?

I do see what you are saying, sammac.

Original poster
sammac · 04/11/2004 20:32

Other words were molar, incisor, gullet etc Teacher said he did think about not including it- but he did it anyway.

OP posts:
jiggy · 04/11/2004 20:32

What word did you have in mind sammac?

hercules · 04/11/2004 20:33

I see what you are saying as well sammac but I've just checked and anus is the technical word for a part of the body and is not the same as rectum.

Original poster
sammac · 04/11/2004 20:34

I just felt it was inappropriate as a spelling word for homework.

OP posts:
hercules · 04/11/2004 20:36

I guess the alternative is they dont learn it at this age. I guess if you dont make a big deal of it your dd will just see it for what it is rather than how it is often used as a "rude" word.

Mum2girls · 04/11/2004 20:51

Agree with hercules it'a proper word - I'd be concerned if it was 'arse'

hmb · 04/11/2004 20:57

It is the actual word for it, trust me I'm a biology teacher! And I'm delighted that kids in primary are given the correct words for parts of their anatomy. I have lost count of the boys who think it is sooooo funny to call it a bum hole.

Let's hear it for the anus, it is the proper word for that part of the body. It is no more offensive than stomach or mouth and, like them, is a vital part of human life.

hmb · 04/11/2004 20:59

Oh and the rectum is the part of the large intestine (or bowel) that is just before the anus. It stores the faeces before they are egested from the body.

Twiglett · 04/11/2004 21:02

I never thought I'd ever read the phrase 'lets hear it for the anus'

all hail hmb

.. almost deserves a thread of its own

hmb · 04/11/2004 21:08

Essential part of the anatomy Twiglett, we'd be damn uncomfortable without one!

It is my down to earth biology training coming out. Trust me if you have said the words, penis, erectile dysfunction to a class of kids, or as I did once teach a class of 16 year olds about arificial insemination in bulls last two lessons on a Friday you are totaly shock proof!!

To be serious though, I do think it is a very good idea to be as matter of fact about these things as possible. It is natural and it isn't rude or shameful in any way. It is just hell getting them to call it deficating and they will insist on talking about having a dump

Shimmy21 · 04/11/2004 21:10

i'm all for calling an anus an anus and agree I'd like the next generation of small people to be able to discuss their anatomies without giggling and rude words. But perhaps the point here is how useful the word anus is as a spelling to learn. How often do you need to spell it in everyday life (job applications letters or CVs?). Is it likely to be in next year's SATs tests?
Perhaps Sammac junior's teacher may have spent his time better teaching his class to spell something more useful like cystitis or diarrhoea???

hana · 04/11/2004 21:11

all forms at our school have a class spelling book and subject teachers add in topic words......I have put anus down myself when we've been 'doing' the body!! Of course always elicits lots of laughs......and that's just from the other teachers!

codswallop · 04/11/2004 21:12

lol

Ghosty · 04/11/2004 21:14

mum2girls and hmb!

hmb · 04/11/2004 21:14

If the other words were incisor and gullet then the teacher is obviously working on the digestive system. Telling them how to spell anus is quite in context. Children do study this at KS2.

If they were doing breathing they would learn lungs, again it is not a word that comes up that much in everyday life but they are being taught science and they need to know how to spell the words.

popsycal · 04/11/2004 21:16

I am totally with HMb on this one
it is totally relevant and shouldnt be a rude word

i have been known to give spekkings such as: reproduction, germination, etc, when doing plants,,,,

velcrobott · 04/11/2004 21:18

I am with HMB... I don't see what the fuss is about

popsycal · 04/11/2004 21:18

i give spellings obviusly
just cant type"

hercules · 04/11/2004 21:21

Lol at this thread.

hmb · 04/11/2004 21:22

And in Y7 they will get the whole set of human reproduction terms, penis, vagina, ejaculation, the works (so to speak).

popsycal · 04/11/2004 21:24

it is not only about spelling the word (obviously anus is quite a simple word to spell for most children) but also to familiarise with technical terms

hmb · 04/11/2004 21:25

Quite! I have just taught this to Y8 and far too many of them do call it a bum hole! Awful word! It will be front bottoms next and tears before bedtime!