Watching DVD's in school time

[Givemepatience]

My dd (yr2) has come home a couple of times and said that they have watched a DVD - not at wet playtime either, but during class when they have done good work.

Today she said it again, that she finished first and could watch the film and told me the film name.

Apparently if they finish their work, they can watch the film. I then asked where it was and she told me in the classroom on the carpet. I asked what about the other children finishing their work and she said, they have to not look at the film, but when they have finished they can.

AIBU to think this isn't right, fine having a reward for working fast, but what about those still trying to concentrate? Should they be watching a DVD atall? Not sure quite what I think and whether I should query this, as only started the school in September.

Any thoughts?

Could it be part of the lesson? E.g. I have been doing Barnaby bear in geography in my class and there is a 15 min video to go with each lesson. So my chn could go home and say 'we watched a DVD' but in reality it was all part of the lesson and had a purpose! :)

Hi

Thanks for replying. No it isn't part of a lesson, the film isn't at all educational, I am reluctant to name it in case someone recognises it, but it basically is a story about some kids having an advenutre.

They do use Barnaby for their Geography as part of lessons and I have no problem with that, or DVDs on last day of term and wet play, but as a reward for finishing work quickly and watching it while others are still working, just seems wrong and I feel the teacher may be using it to keep the other kids occupied, when they would be better getting a picture book, or doing a puzzle.

Maybe I am being unreasonable!

I can't speak for all schools, but in ours any DVD's are related to work that is being done...e.g Ferngully, when we did about rainforests, Toy story 3 when we did about recycling.(This may sound like a very tenuous connection,but was actually quite relevant!) . They very rarely get to see one all the way through in one go! They also act as an incentive to get children to finish work, but they have to finish properly, otherwise they have to go back and do it right. It will usually be a spare 10-15 mins,maybe before lunch or at the end of the day, and certainly not all the time.

Sounds a bit odd to me too - it may well encorage children to 'rush through' their work in order to watch DVD. And yes, I would have thought having a DVD playing while others were still trying to work would be very disruptive.

Totally different situation than if they are all watching together as part of a project.

Sounds odd? Could you ask the teacher to clarify/explain?

I couldn't trust my Y2 DS to get the facts right.

If your DD did get it right you could ask your other questions ... about concentrating or whether it is fair to let the fastest watch a film - the work might be rushed and not great either, and what about stretching them a bit...

My DS has only watched a film just before Xmas and the summer hols, I think they watched 2 in 3 years at that school. I am fine with that, but wouldn't want it to become a habit.