If your primary school child';s class did a display about Pirates would you be bothered

[saltire]

DS2's class (and all the infant classes)have a thing once a month where the parents can go into the class for half an hour, called Soft Start. Iwas in today along with one or two other mother's. In one corner is "Pirates corner", with books about Pirates, maps of the world with the oceans highlighted, boats etc.
The teacher said she had put it up as some of the children - boys and girls - had been talking about Pirates of the carribean film, and asking questions about Pirates, treasure etc. One of the mums complained to the teacher, in front of all the children that
"My children don't get to see films or DVDs or television and why should they be subjected to things like this when they can't join in with the talk, and don't know the characters". The teacher pointed out that the display was "Pirates" in general not the film,the children were taking a genuine interest then she was happy to let them do so.
On the way out the aprent was on her way to see head teacher to complain. Would you
haveoblem with it if it was your Dc's class.

i have a 2yr old pirate atm. she has been tattoed, has a pirate hat, eye patch and keeps going 'yarhar'.

she has never seen a pirates of the caribean film.

Goodness! what a nutter! Neither of my 2 have seen Pirates of the Carribean (ds is 8 and dd is 3) but both play at pirates, making treasure maps, parrots on shoulders, x marks the spot etc etc.

My ds had a school party at the end of year 1 when all the children had to dress up as pirates for the day, none of the children at that age had seen any pirate film but all of them knew what to wear and say!

This woman would hate my sons school! He is going on a school trip next week to the smugglers caves in Hastings, where they will look at the role of smugglers and pirates in Hastings' history!

Just because there is a new pirate film out with Johnny Depp (swoon ) doesn't mean that pirates are not part of our history!!!

She must be one of these people that you would just hate having to spend Christmas with!

I wouldn't be in the least bit bothered. My 5 year old hasn't seen any of the Mr Depp movies as he's too young but knows they're out there. He's also interested in pirates atm, so if there was a themed corner for a while about them I'd be prefectly happy.

It's a great way to start up talking about history, geography, could even go a bit science with shapes of boats, sails, how sails and rudders work.

I'm quite sure another term they'd be a different theme that wasn't of interest to my child. But it'd open up new things to them.

I can't believe her children have no idea what a pirate is and couldn't possibly join in. How strange. My son has always been happy to join in with games and talk even if he hasn't had previous exposure to it. He loved playing Power Rangers games and had a power rangers lunch box a year before he ever saw an episode.

We don't have a TV but I'm not in the least bothered about my children playing Star Wars etc. games in the playground. If the staff were leading the games and positively promoting the television programmes or films, I could vaguely see the objection, but I can't see why the children should be banned from making up their own imaginative games based on television themes. And if you ban light sabres, what on earth do you do with wrapping paper tubes?

no, my kids haven't seen the films, but they are really into the whole pirate, treasure, sailing thing. Fires their imagination IMHO

Saltire this woman's reaction is bizarre.

DS2 has never seen Pirates of the C as he is only just 4, but he had a pirate party and has books about pirates (and knights too).

TBH anything that catches my child's interest (esp unwilling reader DS1) is fin eby me. I agree with th eposter who said it was responsive teaching.

You have to capture the children's interest and yes, lots of them are "into" P of the C, tho I bet not many in infant school have seen it.

As for halting Star Wars play ...words fail me! Again, imaginative play by boys esp is surely to be encouraged.

eh?
Since when was PotC responsible for reception-aged children's obsession with pirates? DS was interested in pirates from about 2 - and certainly hasn't seen any of the films. Does she not realise that numerous wooden toy companies sell pirate ships?

And they are banned from mentioning Luke Skywalker in their free time in the playground? I think that woman has the school under her censoring thumb and the school should stop subjecting other children to her total loon-ness. Seriously.

My boys had Pirates Lego probably at least 20 yrs ago. A while back someone sent dh an old photo via Friends Reunited where they were all drerssed as pirates. This must have been in the 1950's - children have always played at pirates.

The nutty woman has clearly not read 'Swallows and Amazons' (published 1929 I think)

She might have a point if she had been complaining about the glorification of immoral, violent, pox-ridden sea-faring robbers, especially as so many were tacitally supported by the English crown....

However she'd be p*ssing in the wind as I don't know a single little boy who doesn't love everything piratical. And most girls too.

If she is worried about influences of TV and media, maybe she should look for a school with like minded parents. I know the Plymouth Brethren don't watch TV so a school which takes their children would give her kids an appropriate peer group. (Or the Amish, although that might be a bit far away). Perhaps you could suggest it?

By PissyGalore on Wed 30-May-07 18:27:50
"maybe it was the whole rape and pillage aspect? "
Well The Vikings is in the NC for history... and I very much doubt the teacher would discuss that aspect.
Pirates are really popular with my class.

How on earth could she get things like Star Wars games banned. Unless the teacher's hover over every child they won't know what the children are playing. DS2 and Ds3 playing Star Wars (ds3 hasn't seen it btw- he just copies ds2) look just like ds2 and ds3 playing running around madly.

Weird woman. Perhaps you could complain to the head that you don't want your child in the vicinity of controlling nutter freaks and get her banned as a bad influence

The mums a muppet and needs to lighten up

Maybe a bit if Johnny Depp would help

DS is pirate crazy and has been sicne he was 2. Nothing to do with POTC - hasn't seen it nor has dd and nor will they till of an appropirate age (I thought it was a bit scary in parts).

I would be interested to know the head's reaction .

I think it is fab that the teachers in the class have used the children's interest to set the theme. It is such a useful way to engage them and stimulate their learning.

We don't have TV and I have absolutely no problem with pirates, etc etc. My two DDs love pirates in fact. And fairies. And Disney Princess (which I hate personally however, and Bratz is definitely banned). We're going to see 'barney' next week and 'CBeebies' in June.
We don't have TV because that me and Dh don't like it and we download stuff if we wantt to watch something specific. The kids see plenty, either downloaded from the BBC, or on DVD or at friends' houses.

That lady soudns like she has some control issues...

loon - pirates brilliant boy friendly topic..infact i have done it with my class.

'THings that this mother might want to ban'

Volcanos.....all those greenhouse gases....the poor little cherubs will be traumatised

Victorians....My children haven't read The water Babies and I don't want them getting ideas

Excellent book for kids who like maps/making treasure maps etc

Did I just see Mozhe on this thread - is that the same poster who had a baby in special care baby unit in France?

I had a little boy who was really worried about having to wear a patch to strengthen weak eye muscles so we all dressed as pirates for a week and everyone wore patches Great Fun!

good grief it's almost a year since I started this thread!

The Heads probable response (Unspoken thoughts in brackets)

'I can see that you are concerned. (god knows why, you must have too much time on your hands). I can understand that you don't want your children to feel excluded (though heaven knows you are setting them up for it, over reacting in this way). I will have a word with the teacher. ( Again. And the poor bloody teacher will tell me, again that she will work with the class from hell next year to avoid you). Thank you for letting me know of your concerns ( Have I remember to take my high Blood Pressure meds?)'

Puts phone down. Sighs heavily