My child's teacher in middle school has rules about what they aren't allowed to say in class

[Anonymous]

Perhaps it's being misinterpreted and he's just got an odd sense of humor? What do other (previous) parents say about him?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Oh yes, not what you mention it, he told the class that they should say "Oh my goodness gracious" instead of the others. If they are heard saying "OMG" or "Oh my gosh" or "Oh My God" then they will be given two warnings, then he will call the parents or something like that. Looking forward to meeting this guy on Back to School night...

I wonder what he thinks "oh my goodness" is a euphemism for. (Hint: the same thing that "oh my gosh" is a euphemism for.)

[Anonymous]

Maybe he just wants them to express themselves better. My child had a teacher who wouldn't let them use the word "thing:" they had to use a more specific word for whatever they were referring to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Oh yes, not what you mention it, he told the class that they should say "Oh my goodness gracious" instead of the others. If they are heard saying "OMG" or "Oh my gosh" or "Oh My God" then they will be given two warnings, then he will call the parents or something like that. Looking forward to meeting this guy on Back to School night...

I wonder what he thinks "oh my goodness" is a euphemism for. (Hint: the same thing that "oh my gosh" is a euphemism for.)

Don't be silly - it's an accepted fact that goodness is less offensive than gosh, because it's a positive word, and gosh doesn't mean anything and is more obviously a place-holder for God.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Oh yes, not what you mention it, he told the class that they should say "Oh my goodness gracious" instead of the others. If they are heard saying "OMG" or "Oh my gosh" or "Oh My God" then they will be given two warnings, then he will call the parents or something like that. Looking forward to meeting this guy on Back to School night...

I wonder what he thinks "oh my goodness" is a euphemism for. (Hint: the same thing that "oh my gosh" is a euphemism for.)

Don't be silly - it's an accepted fact that goodness is less offensive than gosh, because it's a positive word, and gosh doesn't mean anything and is more obviously a place-holder for God.

It is? Who says? I didn't know that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One week into school and the teacher is already disciplining multiple kids for something that inane seems like a teacher that doesn't know how to pick their battles.

Yes, I am getting a bad vibe from him based on what my daughter has been telling me. But I'm trying to remain open minded as I'm only hearing one side. He handed out a quiz a few days into school that's all about "My Teacher"

1. Where is Mr. Jay (name changed) from? Big City, USA
2. What's his favorite food? chocolate bar
3. What's the ONLY way to suck up to Mr. Jay? Give him a chocolate bar

My daughter told me that he has already received 30 chocolate bars from students. I REFUSE to participate in those shenanigans.

So don't give him any chocolate bars. But I think that you should let your daughter decide whether or not to participate in those shenanigans for herself.

Here is what I would tell my daughter, "I think it's a silly rule. But it's his rule. As you have found out, if you don't follow his rule, you get in trouble. Is saying "Oh my gosh" important enough to you to justify getting in trouble for it?" And not as a rhetorical question either. As a sincere question. Maybe it is important enough to your daughter.

Now, if he were doing something really serious, like abusing or bullying students in his class, or insulting whole groups of people, then I would bring it to the attention of the principal. But I don't think that banning "Oh my gosh" and asking for chocolate bars rises to that level.

It's not that saying "Oh my gosh" is important to her. It's that it's a phrase that comes out easily, so it's hard for her to stop herself. She is trying to follow his rules but has already slipped up as did a few others. Well, I guess I'll just wait it out and see if I get a call in a few days after her second or third infraction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

It's not that saying "Oh my gosh" is important to her. It's that it's a phrase that comes out easily, so it's hard for her to stop herself. She is trying to follow his rules but has already slipped up as did a few others. Well, I guess I'll just wait it out and see if I get a call in a few days after her second or third infraction.

Well, in that case, it's a good lesson for a middle-schooler to mind their tongue. Unless the punishment is extreme compared to the infraction, I would let her work this out on her own.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, this is a dumb rule. The teacher should have more important things to worry about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe he just wants them to express themselves better. My child had a teacher who wouldn't let them use the word "thing:" they had to use a more specific word for whatever they were referring to.

This. I had a teacher who didn't allow the word "nice". You had to find better quality words. Maybe the teacher thinks OMG (and variations within) is offensive, but there's nothing wrong with encouraging students to be more creative in how they express themselves. This seems like a proper middle school lesson.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Perhaps it's being misinterpreted and he's just got an odd sense of humor? What do other (previous) parents say about him?

I wish! This is defintely not the case. I don't know anyone who has had him. I'll have to ask around. I don't know many parents with older kids in this school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One week into school and the teacher is already disciplining multiple kids for something that inane seems like a teacher that doesn't know how to pick their battles.

Yes, I am getting a bad vibe from him based on what my daughter has been telling me. But I'm trying to remain open minded as I'm only hearing one side. He handed out a quiz a few days into school that's all about "My Teacher"

1. Where is Mr. Jay (name changed) from? Big City, USA
2. What's his favorite food? chocolate bar
3. What's the ONLY way to suck up to Mr. Jay? Give him a chocolate bar

My daughter told me that he has already received 30 chocolate bars from students. I REFUSE to participate in those shenanigans.

Sounds like a silly joke and an exaggeration. In my experience, including teaching middle school, teachers with dry senses of humor and strict rules like this are often disliked at the beginning of the school year but become beloved by mid-year. There is something about that combo that the age group responds to

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe he just wants them to express themselves better. My child had a teacher who wouldn't let them use the word "thing:" they had to use a more specific word for whatever they were referring to.

This. I had a teacher who didn't allow the word "nice". You had to find better quality words. Maybe the teacher thinks OMG (and variations within) is offensive, but there's nothing wrong with encouraging students to be more creative in how they express themselves. This seems like a proper middle school lesson.

Yes, I can see encouraging a student to not say certain things but if he's going to take it up a notch by calling parents after sayin git two times, taking points away or something else, then I have a problem with it. He might just be trying to come off as tough in the beginning of the year. I'll just have to wait and see.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Teacher sounds like a narcissistic ass.

From someone who never ever had to teach middle schoolers. Teacher sounds humorous and on the level of kids with humor they understand. He really did not expect 25 candy bars.

OH MY GOD.


Parents are super scary these days...it' a wonder how anyone would want to teach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One week into school and the teacher is already disciplining multiple kids for something that inane seems like a teacher that doesn't know how to pick their battles.

Yes, I am getting a bad vibe from him based on what my daughter has been telling me. But I'm trying to remain open minded as I'm only hearing one side. He handed out a quiz a few days into school that's all about "My Teacher"

1. Where is Mr. Jay (name changed) from? Big City, USA
2. What's his favorite food? chocolate bar
3. What's the ONLY way to suck up to Mr. Jay? Give him a chocolate bar

My daughter told me that he has already received 30 chocolate bars from students. I REFUSE to participate in those shenanigans.

Sounds like a silly joke and an exaggeration. In my experience, including teaching middle school, teachers with dry senses of humor and strict rules like this are often disliked at the beginning of the school year but become beloved by mid-year. There is something about that combo that the age group responds to

+1
This is very typical for a middle school teacher. He's quizzing them on their listening skills. If he told them where he was from, they should be able to repeat it on a quiz. The fact that he's received a ton of chocolate bars indicates he is beloved. Nobody gives candy to the teachers they don't like. Trust me, nobody actually thinks the candy will improve their grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sorry, this is a dumb rule. The teacher should have more important things to worry about.

Yes, it is a dumb rule, but on the other hand, the OP and the OP's child presumably also have more important things to worry about.