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Original poster

8yo DD's homework based on Bond films - WIBU to complain?

142 replies

QueenOfFeckingEverything · 23/05/2011 19:51

DD's class are basing this term's work on 'Spies'.

She has come home today saying she doesn't know how to do her homework because she doesn't know who James Bond is. Apparently the homework is to find out about a villain from a Bond film and then write about them - she's left the sheet at school so is unsure of the details though.

Now I am Not Happy with that. Bond films are not suitable for 8yo children - aren't most of them 12 or 15 rated? Surely the school should not be basing homework round films the children should not have seen - obviously I am aware that most of them will have done but it shouldn't be assumed.

Plus as far as I am aware (not a film watcher myself really) they are somewhat sexist, or at least Bond's treatment of women is, and I don't really want the films and their messages given tacit approval by school tbh.

So I am thinking I might write and state my objections...

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Daughteroflilith · 26/05/2011 18:24

I'm not saying that it's the best subject for research, but I wouldn't think there would be too many 8 year olds who would have much of a problem with James Bond in terms of content. I remember them being standard Saturday afternoon viewing at that age (mind you, we only had five channels Grin). It might be a way of motivating male pupils especially. I'm not sure the female protagonists were entirely supine, either. Ursula Andress with her knife in her bikini, and wasn't there some woman who did martial arts? They were as up for it as he was, and weren't simpering Jane Austen types.

Interesting that not many of us would have a problem with DCs being given Shakespeare as a topic, when it's far more violent.

As for Clockwork Orange at 11, I read it when I was 13 and was blown away. It has very difficult themes, but an intelligent child will see it has some interesting arguments about the role of the state and the nature of redemption. If I had an 11 year old, I would be delighted that they had been given something so challenging.

mrz · 26/05/2011 18:25

I did a spy topic in reception (horror with 5 year olds!) we wore dark glasses and wrote in invisible ink that was only visible under UV light and worked out the code to the safe by following clues and generating the correct 4 digit number investigating place value) and created a Mind Map of knowledge Interestingly most of the class knew who James Bond was likewise Nathan Hunt but we went with Spy Kids and Dangermouse (which is a rough parody of Bond)

Hulababy · 26/05/2011 18:33

I work in a Y1 class. This term's theme has been Dinosaurs. Next half term is Rainforests, and we have a whole school creative curriculum week first week back - the children have voted and have chosen magic and Magical Creatures. I am really looking forward to it tbh!

You'd be suprised how much of the curriculum can be covered through these themes, even if only loosely. Obviously some parts of the curriculum are done outside of the topic too.

WeirdAcronymNotKnown · 26/05/2011 19:11

Ooh, tricky one. I have to admit my first reaction at the OP was Shock - basically because I really doubt I'd want my 8yo watching Bond films. Partly because they are boring unimaginative shite Wink

However I wouldn't complain about it. There are so many ways of doing the HW without watching it. Admittedly that's not using primary sources, so not ideal. I think in your case OP it shouldn't be a problem - what I would be concerned about is the possibility of a parent seeing that the HW involved Bond, and unthinkingly renting a 15 rated movie and sitting the child in front of it while they wander off to cook dinner.

Anyway, I think a spy topic is brilliant. I am really keen on cross-curricular learning - there should be more of it IMO (I'm sure many schools do more of it than the schools I've had experience of) and I also believe DCs should have some autonomy in the topic choice. I bet spies is one that would come up if DCs were given free choice!

TheCowardlyLion · 26/05/2011 19:20

Daughteroflilith - you would really be happy with a Yr7/8 student studying a novel which has a scene where the protagonist picks up two girls, gets them very drunk, and shoots up before raping them both, as well as a brutal gang rape of a woman in front of her husband? Confused

Original poster
QueenOfFeckingEverything · 26/05/2011 20:02

i get cross-curricular learning

and i get that children need to learn how to do independent research

i really do

but i question the sense in making them research characters from films they are not old enough to watch! there's all sorts of research they could be doing on subjects related to spies - why pick bond films?

OP posts:
maypole1 · 26/05/2011 20:16

They play bound films at christmas the later price ones might be a bit racy but the early one are family fun

Jaws is a good one or mr scramander lol

PanelMember · 26/05/2011 20:30

i question the sense in making them research characters from films they are not old enough to watch! there's all sorts of research they could be doing on subjects related to spies - why pick bond films?

Because, as has been pointed out numerous times,

(a) Your insistence that all the films are unsuitable for 8 year olds is simply false. There are plenty which have a PG rating, defined by the BBFC as:

Unaccompanied children of any age may watch. A ?PG? film should not disturb a child aged around eight or older. However, parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset younger or more sensitive children.

(b) it isn't essential to watch an entire film in order to be able to describe one character from it - there are clips a-plenty on YouTube.

(c) it isn't even essential to watch a film clip - there are secondary sources available online. C&P from wikipedia may not be independent research, but the apprropriate use and appreciation of online sources is.

(d) likewise, it isn't essential to read an entire book - I'm sure a paragraph describing (say) Rosa Klebb could easily be found online if one doesn't want to sully one's hands with the book

(e) Bond is a huge part of popular culture. That certainly doesn't place him or it above criticism, but surely it's better to engage critically than to run away from it.

DilysPrice · 26/05/2011 20:32

Verging off topic I quite agree with Queen about tables. DD also recites 4,8,12,16,20,24,28..... and gets very cross if I tell her that that is Not Tables. She then can't tell me what 9x4 is (or indeed 36 / 4). Angry

Guttersnipe · 26/05/2011 20:45

My credentials: former primary school teacher, current mother of an 8 yo ds, also got 3 older children.

I can't get over what an inappropriate topic "spies" is for 8 year olds, let alone getting children to do some research on a James Bond villain. I didn't lead a sheltered childhood, but I didn't watch a JB film until I was about 14 - simply because I had no interest in spy films.

I don't think 8 year olds would understand properly about spies, and I don't think my 8 yo ds would be interested in any aspect of a JB film apart from some of the sillier chase sequences.

I am with you OP. I have been trying to think what I would do if my ds came home with this homework, and I actually think, contrary to everything I believe in, I would actually tell him not to bother doing anything and would send him in with a covering letter explaining why he wasn't doing anything.

Totally inappropriate imo.

Mum2be79 · 26/05/2011 21:04

I'm a Primary teacher and I wouldn't give a Y3/4 class homework on the Bond theme - not because I don't think it's suitable (many ARE PG rating) but because it's the sort of film many would not have watched and wouldn't even understand. To properly research a character you would have to watch all scenes in which they appeared - some may be unsuitable and it would take a lot of fast forwarding, probably through, unsuitable parts to get to the scenes that are applicable. We use Rigby Star for our guided reading scheme and in one of the Y1 phonic books, it mentioned different types of cars and had a photo and caption about James Bond's cars. My 6-year-olds didn't have a clue who he was!
It would be interesting to find out what the school have said. Is this a new topic? Did the previous year group cover it and what was their response?

maypole1 · 26/05/2011 21:07

Mum2be79 would you go on my thread a give me a hand its confused hmmm

As your a teacher you might be able to answer my thread very well

southeastastra · 26/05/2011 21:08

i said earlier that my son would have loved it so i really don't find it as totally inappropriate as some posters! most 8 year olds can get the gist of films, most of it goes over their heads!

Original poster
QueenOfFeckingEverything · 26/05/2011 21:11

Dilys - it is infuriating isn't it? And she won't listen to what I say, because her teacher has told her she knows her tables and given her a sticker in assembly for learning them.

Guttersnipe - thanks Smile

OP posts:
southeastastra · 26/05/2011 21:13

we should swap schools queen, ds needs to learn his tables! Grin

DilysPrice · 26/05/2011 21:26

Baffled by Guttersnipe's view - regardless of the suitability of James Bond per se, my 8 yr old DD and her mates are all spy/detective mad ATM. I've been buying Alex Rider novels, and see-behind-you specs for birthday presents for the last year, have tracked down multiple copies of the Usborne Book of Spies and can recite every episode of MI High because I've seen the repeats so often.

WeirdAcronymNotKnown · 27/05/2011 06:38

QOFE - from what you've posted there is clearly so much more that's bothering you about the school, and this is just a drop in the ocean. I totally sympathise - both my DSCs' primary and secondary school have been constant sources of upset for me and DH. The times table thing?! I'd be livid Angry I mean how basic is that mistake? FFS!

Could you explain a little more about what's going on at school? You said you'd consider not sending her - why's it so bad? :(

Guttersnipe · 27/05/2011 09:04

It must just not be my children's thing then Dilys. None of them have ever shown any interest in spy stuff. And I think espionage is quite a difficult thing for young children to understand - the whole political thing behind it. Or maybe it is just me who found it hard as a child! Wink

mrz · 27/05/2011 09:17

I think some people are looking at this from an adult's perspective which is much more sophisticated level than that of a child. For a child in school the who "spy" thing is really a problem solving activity and if the teacher plans carefully could incorporate the need for quick recall of multiplication facts (and might encourage children to learn 7x6 or 9x5 ).
I clearly remember my daughter doing a forensic science topic in primary entitled CSI which she had obviously not seen but non the less really fired her imagination and taught her a huge range of skills.

montmartre · 27/05/2011 11:58

Oh Dilys- the Usborne Spy book! It was fantastic... I was obsessed with it in J3 and J4.

pointydog · 27/05/2011 18:09

Spies, for 8 year olds, are more like members of Secret Seven than Spy WHo Came in from the Cold.

You're thinking as an adult, gutter. A political aspect wouldn;t come into it.

Original poster
QueenOfFeckingEverything · 27/05/2011 19:52

So why not base the work on the Secret Seven then?!

Anyway. The teacher caught me today and explained at great length that of course they didn't expect the children to do any research into Bond films Hmm just to 'find some pictures of their favourite Bond villain to talk about'.

Funny, 'cos the homework sheet is here in front of me now and it says 'Choose a Bond villain to research'...

OP posts:
mrz · 27/05/2011 20:10

it says 'Choose a Bond villain to research

so it doesn't say research a Bond villain just choose one ... Hmm funny really

Original poster
QueenOfFeckingEverything · 27/05/2011 20:38

Yes, it says '...to research'.

Therefore, presumably, intending that they will, um, research said villain.

What other possible interpretation is there?

OP posts:
PanelMember · 27/05/2011 22:55

This goes back to the earlier point about thinking as an adult, doesn't it? The teacher has (belatedly, maybe) explained that, for this homework, research = find a picture. Some of the comments pontificating about the need to go back to primary sources and go nowhere near wikipedia etc etc would make one think that we were talking about a PhD thesis.

OP - Did your child do her homework about Emil and the Detectives? And are you sure that if the homework had been about the Secret Seven, you wouldn't have posted a near-identical thread about the racism, snobbery and outdated social attitudes in Enid Blyton?