Is it worth saying something to the teacher?

[Anonymous]

My child was in a "Patriotic" class play today. Many different children had different roles. It was lovely and I appreciate the hard work the teacher must have put into it.

I was disappointed that only boys were in the group where the children pretended to be President and sang/talked about how the President is the boss of our country.

I realize it's historically accurate. But what does it tell the kids that the boys were in the boss group and the girls, instead, were dressed up and sang a song about Betsy Ross and sewing flags? How are little girls supposed to begin to think about the real possibility of being President if they get this message as early as Kindergarten?

[Anonymous]

I agree with you. I would say something.

[Anonymous]

No

[Anonymous]

Absolutely.

I'm a teacher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No

Can you explain why you think so?

[Anonymous]

Say something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No

Can you explain why you think so?

Because I'm a teacher and if I get an email from you about this issue, I will roll my eyes, tell all my colleagues at lunch how sensitive you are, and not change a thing.

Unless your kid is hurt, being bullied, struggling with the material, anxious or otherwise in need of help, I don't need to hear from you.

Have you ever contacted the teacher when you thought a lesson was well done? Or when your DD came home and told you about an awesome lesson that day? So don't bother critiquing a lesson like this that hasn't harmed your child in the slightest.

[Anonymous]

Just wait. You'll get your PC turn when your child gets to AP US History. The book spends at least 25% of the time on sociology of women and minorities rather than teaching history.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No

Can you explain why you think so?

Because I'm a teacher and if I get an email from you about this issue, I will roll my eyes, tell all my colleagues at lunch how sensitive you are, and not change a thing.

Unless your kid is hurt, being bullied, struggling with the material, anxious or otherwise in need of help, I don't need to hear from you.

Have you ever contacted the teacher when you thought a lesson was well done? Or when your DD came home and told you about an awesome lesson that day? So don't bother critiquing a lesson like this that hasn't harmed your child in the slightest.

+1000

[Anonymous]

If the play was about US history thus far, then it's accurate. If the play was called "hopeful visions for the future of our country" then sure, you can complain.

[Anonymous]

Sure, say something, if you want to be that neurotic mother that the teaches laugh about.

[Anonymous]

Were the boys each representing a past president? If so, then it's accurate.

Maybe they talked about that in class and have already talked about how life is different now.
Sometimes, reenacting the past can be a powerful tool to show how things have changed or should change.

If you have questions, talk to the teacher. But do it in a way that is respectful, and shows that you want to understand. Not just say that there should be girls in the president group. All us girls would like to have a real girl in the real president group, but the fact is - it hasn't happened yet. Maybe that's what the teacher wants the kids to think about.

There may be a lot more to the entire unit than just that performance-which is a snapshot of what they learned.

[Anonymous]

I'm the first teacher that posted and think there's no harm in saying something. I agree with the PP above that you do it respectfully, and after acknowledging how much you enjoyed it all, just making suggestions for the future, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Were the boys each representing a past president? If so, then it's accurate.

Maybe they talked about that in class and have already talked about how life is different now.
Sometimes, reenacting the past can be a powerful tool to show how things have changed or should change.

If you have questions, talk to the teacher. But do it in a way that is respectful, and shows that you want to understand. Not just say that there should be girls in the president group. All us girls would like to have a real girl in the real president group, but the fact is - it hasn't happened yet. Maybe that's what the teacher wants the kids to think about.

There may be a lot more to the entire unit than just that performance-which is a snapshot of what they learned.

No,. there were not representing particular Presidents.

[Anonymous]

Even if they were, what if only the white boys were allow to play presidents? That's historically accurate as well.