Bad grammar on year 1 newsletter

[MumNWLondon]

Slightly shocked that DDs year one teacher wrote in the year 1 newsletter "in math's we have been...." surely maths does not have an apostrophe - slightly worrying that someone who is teaching my daughter grammar isn't aware of basic rules herself.

Is this common (ie primary teachers making grammatical mistakes? Do I mention it at parent's night on Tuesday? DH joked that I should send it back to school with DDs homework on Monday with red circle around the mistake!

Actually, technically it isn't a mistake, since the apostrophe could be replacing the 'ematic' in 'mathematics', when it's abbreviated.

I doubt it though - but you'll have to wait for the next mistake before you point it out!

I did think of that - and looked it up in the dictionary and also on online grammar guide but maths is a recognised word in its own right - and the apostrophe only used when a shortening is not very common. I have never seen "math's" written like that before.

Neither have I, but technically it would have to be correct - any abbreviation is allowed an apostrophe. Photo's, for example, is perfectly acceptable.

Of course teachers make mistakes - they are human after all.
By the way, it's parents' evening, not parent's evening. Unless only one parent will be attending.
Sorry, couldn't resist!

Of course it's common it's rare for our primary to send out any communication without at least one superfluous apostrophe ... however, I did point out to the headteacher a letter from the literacy co-ordinator asking parents to make sure that children 'practice their spellings' ...

but it's nothing new - I remember correcting my teacher's spelling when I was in infants. I still remember squirming in my seat, wondering whether or not I should say anything, but watching all my classmates dutifully write the wrong spelling down was enough to make me speak up!

" a letter from the literacy co-ordinator asking parents to make sure that children 'practice their spellings' "

Wait and see if there are any other mistakes before mentioning anything. I know that is a terrible mistake to make, one that would set my teeth on edge too, but it could have just been a rush typing job done during a busy lunch hour.

Some primary teachers can't spell and use incorrect grammar, most primary teachers will make the odd mistake.

As anyone who has worked as an office drone and has had to read or revise reports and documents could tell you, most people are not only unable to write correct English, but make mistakes of the sort that ought to see one as a target for the blackboard rubber in primary school.

I don't see how you can expect primary school teachers (or perhaps the woman in the office as this is a newsletter) to be any better.

I remember my father correcting my English teacher's spelling mistakes when I was in grammar school and how mortified I felt at the time.

The one that always used to get me was the regular spelling mistake on the spelling list sent home for dcs to learn. The spellings were set by one teacher for the whole year, rather than by the individual teacher for his or her class, and for some reason the poorest speller in the school always seemed to get lumbered with the job.

It's quite likely that the letter wasn't typed by the teacher anyway, but by the TA or someone in the office.

I wouldn't say anything. I don't think it would achieve anything - do you want the author to be sent on a literacy course or similar? Best to just keep quiet IMO, although I do sometimes read similar things in our school communications so I understand how you feel.

Wait until the spellings that they come home with on a Friday are wrong ! That happened to my son a few times - then you know you have got trouble

I suppose the practice could be using the American spelling (clutches at straws).

There were a lot of unfortunate apostrophes in a recent letter home that DS got. I can't help noticing them but there are worse things that could happen.

I would certainly mention an incorrect spelling on a spelling list.

DD had "frightless" to spell the other week, which I am fairly sure is not even a word...(the dictionary says it is, but obsolete!)

But on a newsletter - no - may indeed have been typed by the TA or the admin bod and while it would be ideal if it was error-free, it ain't gonna happen in practice.

Primary school teachers aren't exactly the sharpest knives in the box, so shouldn't be that surprised.

at intercourse! You're joking right? I'm a primary school teacher, and also have two masters degrees.

How unbelievably patronising!

Oh, and btw, some teachers' spellings are appalling and it makes me weep .

teacher leaving to go and live in 'Austrailia' recently.

How unnecessarily inflammatory and damn rude, intercoursethepenguin.

whaaaaaaaaaaaaaat - penguin/?? what a ridiculously ill informed comment to make!

Blimey, everyone makes mistakes, commits typos and who knows who actually typed the letter.

Raise it if you want and you're that bothered but for what reason? I'm sure the teacher will be ever so grateful - er, not!

Seriously, it can be difficult enough raising something important with teachers, don't waste time with minor gripes. Life is too short and you'll just make her feel unappreciated and hounded.

Just posted this in Pendant's Corner, but may be better here:

---

Was at DC's school for a meeting, in a Reception classroom.

There is a display on the wall with a mistake in the title, let's say it's along the lines of "Kangaroo's enjoy jumping.."

Some of the Mums (from another school) were also at the meeting and were commenting on it .

It's not my child's classroom, and I don't know the teacher. However the school has an open day soon, and this makes an awful first impresssion.

What should I do? It will be cringeworthy to have to point it out....BUT awful to leave it there...

I would point it out. I would be horrified if this was up in our school, and would make sure it was amended! As you say, it gives a dreadful first impression.

I am resurrecting this thread as my daughter (aged 6) came home this week with a list of spellings. The heading asked her to 'practice' them for the test next week.
My issue is that this is obviously a standard template that is used every week, only the actual spellings are changed.
Do I really have to look at this until next summer ?
Would it be unreasonable of me to say something (discreetly) to someone ?