I should just drop this, shouldn't I? Given brush-off by teacher.

[AnnieLobeseder]

Apologies in advance for drip-feeding this, but I just want to give you the very bare facts first, so you can hear this from what is probably the teacher's perspective.

DD1 (6yo, in Y2) had show and tell on Friday. She took in a plastic ring, just a bit of old tat, that she got in another country. Some children in her class started to tease her and told her that this country doesn't exist. DD says the teacher (who is new and only started this term) didn't back her up and she was quite upset about it.

I picked DD up today (she usually goes to after school club), and mentioned to the teacher how upset DD was, and felt she hadn't been backed up. Teacher just said something along the lines of, "Well, that country means nothing to these kids anyway, I could tell them about Wolverhampton being a place and they wouldn't know about it. I probably just told them that there are lots of places in the world".

I said okay and left. But I feel I was very much given the brush-off. It seems that the teacher never told the class that DD was right, this country does exist. And she's at the age when it really matters to her that she is believed to be telling the truth.

There's more to it as well, but I guess the teacher doesn't know the rest so I'll keep that back for now....

I want to go back to the teacher and explain the rest to her, so she'll understand just how upset DD was, and why, but I suppose that's just causing more trouble than necessary. DD is over it now. I should let it go, shouldn't I?

But Israel! Its not like it was some teensy principality that few people have heard of! I probably wouldn't be able to go into a whole historical lecture about it but can at least point to it on a map! And since she is fully aware that half of the family is jewish, it shouldn't have come as a huge surprise that some live in the 'mythical land of Israel'.

The teacher didn't need to do an impromptu geography lesson - she could have simply said, Anniesdd isn't making it up - XX is a real country!

Of course, but what a lovely opportunity for making something relevant. I love the impromptu lessons and so do the children

Arghh - pressed enter too soon. The teacher should be told how her careless comment really upset your dd.

Israel?? Ive never heard such a load of rubbish, my 7 year old dn knows all about Israel and the historical landmarks there. I think its appalling that the teacher didnt correct the children. Its not exactly a place that no-one wouldve heard of.

anti-semitism gorn mad

I am shocked that a teacher would let children believe that Israel is an imaginary country. Even though some people believe that Jesus was born in Israel, or that he wasnt born there, or at all, it does not make the country any less real. You'd think it would be classified at least as important as Greece and Rome, from a historical, mythological and archaeological perspective, as well as political.

Not sure I could let this drop, personally....

Just to clear a couple of points up:

1. teacher is not young, when I said new, I meant new at the school. She's my age or older (ie ancient!)
2. she has only been DD's teacher this term, so is not yet aware that DD is either half-Israeli or Jewish.

Even so, is that the issue? Im more annoyed at her lack of geography.

or history, for that matter. As someone else said, its like saying Rome doesnt exist.

She didn't say Israel didn't exist. She just failed to point out that it did.

Ah, I see she didn't pass the test......

I always give new teachers the fir cone test.

Child takes in fir cone to show the teacher. (My favorite is a very large one I bought back from the US - a piece of monkey puzzle tree also works well) A teacher who is interested in the fir cone passes the test (some have passed with absolutely flying colours, including one teacher I was initially a bit about). Others have fallen flat on their faces.

Teachers who aren't interested in the fir cone, tend not to be nurturing or interested in small children, which is sad, but at least I know where we stand.

Quite right Lynette. It's all about nurturing and interest. I remember in high school, we were doing acids and bases and the litmus test in science. I mopped up some spilled liquid with a pink tissue, which promptly turned blue (or vice versa), so of course I was amazed and impressed and showed my teacher. Who made a 'meh' face at me and dismissed me with a disinterested wave. I was rather surprised that science teacher would show so little interest in science. Luckily it didn't put me off, I am a scientist now.

lynette that is a fab idea.

annie the teacher sounds a tad lazy. If it were me, I would have said "Actually Israel IS a real country" - that's all she had to say, no big song and dance or geography lesson needed.

I just asked my DD if she had heard of a country called Israel, she said yes, Jesus was born there. But then she went to a Cof E School until last September.

Lynette - I need to develop a fir cone test, DS1 starts primary in September

daisymaybe - I don't believe that your day could be soooo full, that rather than saying 'there are lots of places in the world', you could say 'of course Israel exists, we will learn something about it another day'. If you can't manage that, then how on earth do you cope with the barrage of questions from 30 6 year olds all day?

Anyway, thanks for all the input folks. I'm relieved to hear I'm not being totally unreasonable to be somewhat narked by this. But I'm not going to take it any further. She'll probably be as baffled by why it's an issue as that crazy teacher with no sense of boundaries on the other thread.

It's unbelievably odd that the teacher didn't correct them, and that they were allowed to get so rowdy during your DDs show-and-tell to cause the upset in the first place.

More importantly, in my opinion, it's pretty worrying that a class has done a topic on Judaism, and have no idea that Israel is a country.

My point is that she's human, we all have off days. Its very easy to criticize. If she shows no interest AGAIN when your daughter takes in some photos or a bit of info about Israel then that is rude, yes. Just don't hold a grudge on one incident.

I'd pass the fir cone test, I'm the teacher that children save random bits of interesting stuff for, they pounce when I'm on duty and wave it at me so I can be amazed!
I also have a world map on the wall and markers for the countries relevant to the children, and we say good morning for register in different languages gleaned from their experiences. I think it is one of the more interesting aspects of being a teacher.

I think it was disrespectful for the teacher to dismiss the country as less important. That is rude. I vividly rmbr having a lesson in primary school where everyone bought in something from their country. It was great & good for all the kids. I would complain. That should not be acceptable to the school.

Could it be that your DD's perception is not quite right? Did the teacher actually say it didn't exist, or was your DD expecting her to say so? I'd be really surprised if she hadn't heard of Israel, so perhaps it was a question of time/chaotic show and tell moment/mis-hearing.
I'd put together something for another show and tell time and make sure you tell the teacher what you're sending and why. I'd give her a chance.

I'd pass the fir cone test, too. But not because I care about the child.
Pinecones are a legitimately awesome way of spreading seeds!

Shavuot is coming up isn't it? I would offer to come in (if you have the time) and show the class some stuff, slip the concept of Israel in a number of times too. Assuming that your dd isn't withdrawn from RE you can explain it as a good compromise that you are happy for her to study the predominantly Christian syllabus, but that you do like to do some things for the Jewish festivals too. Gives the chance for the teacher to mark some work learn something, and you have neatly addressed both the ignorance of pupils and her insensitivity.