I really hope students don't discuss the Paria attack at school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Has your Husband or kids denounced the attacks? Do they speak up and say that they do not believe the same things as the radicals? I have yet to see anything from the greater Muslim community that says "these attacks do not represent what I believe"

The silence speaks loudly. If you don't want to be associated with them, speak up. Until then, I will just assume you approve.

So unless my kid's Muslim friend tells everybody, "I denounce the attacks and do not believe the same thing as the radicals!", it's ok for them to call her a terrorist? I disagree. And I have told my kid that it will be a good thing if she speaks up if she hears anything of this sort in school. I hope that she will speak up.

(In the meantime, since I haven't heard you denounce any of the attacks made by [people who look like/believe like/come from the same place as you], I will assume you approve.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I teach SS to seventh graders in MCPS. The other WS 7 teacher and I spent a couple hours at Starbucks this weekend planning a mini-lesson on the attacks in Paris, Kenya, and Beirut. The main focus is how terrorism relates to the 10 characteristics of culture (from the MCPS curriculum), but obviously we know that students hunger for facts and a framework for these current events. We consulted the Resource Counselor and her guidelines were no graphic photos or descriptions, no religious stereotyping, and no more than 20 minutes. We have Media Center passes for any student who doesn't want to participate in the discussion. They can work on their medieval African culture research project instead. I doubt many will opt out. Most 12 year olds realize on some level that this is the world they are inheriting and they want to understand it.

This, in a nutshell, is exactly why my kids will only set foot in a public school over my cold, dead body.

Terrorism as part of "10 characteristics of culture???" Are you freaking kidding me?

Please reread. Terrorism as it RELATES to the 10 characteristics of culture. Which is meaningfully different from "terrorism is one of the ten characteristics of culture".

Oh, I read it. And I stand by my earlier comment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I teach SS to seventh graders in MCPS. The other WS 7 teacher and I spent a couple hours at Starbucks this weekend planning a mini-lesson on the attacks in Paris, Kenya, and Beirut. The main focus is how terrorism relates to the 10 characteristics of culture (from the MCPS curriculum), but obviously we know that students hunger for facts and a framework for these current events. We consulted the Resource Counselor and her guidelines were no graphic photos or descriptions, no religious stereotyping, and no more than 20 minutes. We have Media Center passes for any student who doesn't want to participate in the discussion. They can work on their medieval African culture research project instead. I doubt many will opt out. Most 12 year olds realize on some level that this is the world they are inheriting and they want to understand it.

This, in a nutshell, is exactly why my kids will only set foot in a public school over my cold, dead body.

Terrorism as part of "10 characteristics of culture???" Are you freaking kidding me?

Please reread. Terrorism as it RELATES to the 10 characteristics of culture. Which is meaningfully different from "terrorism is one of the ten characteristics of culture".

Oh, I read it. And I stand by my earlier comment.

Then I honestly don't understand. Do you think that terrorism has no relationship whatsoever to human culture and society? It's spontaneously generated out of nothing and carried out by non-human extraterrestrials? Or do you just not want your children to learn about that relationship?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I teach SS to seventh graders in MCPS. The other WS 7 teacher and I spent a couple hours at Starbucks this weekend planning a mini-lesson on the attacks in Paris, Kenya, and Beirut. The main focus is how terrorism relates to the 10 characteristics of culture (from the MCPS curriculum), but obviously we know that students hunger for facts and a framework for these current events. We consulted the Resource Counselor and her guidelines were no graphic photos or descriptions, no religious stereotyping, and no more than 20 minutes. We have Media Center passes for any student who doesn't want to participate in the discussion. They can work on their medieval African culture research project instead. I doubt many will opt out. Most 12 year olds realize on some level that this is the world they are inheriting and they want to understand it.

This, in a nutshell, is exactly why my kids will only set foot in a public school over my cold, dead body.

Terrorism as part of "10 characteristics of culture???" Are you freaking kidding me?

Please reread. Terrorism as it RELATES to the 10 characteristics of culture. Which is meaningfully different from "terrorism is one of the ten characteristics of culture".

Oh, I read it. And I stand by my earlier comment.

I'm the teacher who taught this lesson and my 12 year old students "got it". Sad that an adult like PP can't or won't.

[Anonymous]

Bravo to the teachers taking time out of their weekend to craft a lesson. I'm appalled by the narrow-minded, antagonistic responses you've received. Guess I should be glad these people's kids go to school so they can learn about our complex world, since they clearly won't get it from home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I teach SS to seventh graders in MCPS. The other WS 7 teacher and I spent a couple hours at Starbucks this weekend planning a mini-lesson on the attacks in Paris, Kenya, and Beirut. The main focus is how terrorism relates to the 10 characteristics of culture (from the MCPS curriculum), but obviously we know that students hunger for facts and a framework for these current events. We consulted the Resource Counselor and her guidelines were no graphic photos or descriptions, no religious stereotyping, and no more than 20 minutes. We have Media Center passes for any student who doesn't want to participate in the discussion. They can work on their medieval African culture research project instead. I doubt many will opt out. Most 12 year olds realize on some level that this is the world they are inheriting and they want to understand it.

This, in a nutshell, is exactly why my kids will only set foot in a public school over my cold, dead body.

Terrorism as part of "10 characteristics of culture???" Are you freaking kidding me?

Please reread. Terrorism as it RELATES to the 10 characteristics of culture. Which is meaningfully different from "terrorism is one of the ten characteristics of culture".

Ah, well. We shouldn't expect much from a person who uses the word "freaking" in serious adult conversation.

Oh, I read it. And I stand by my earlier comment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I teach SS to seventh graders in MCPS. The other WS 7 teacher and I spent a couple hours at Starbucks this weekend planning a mini-lesson on the attacks in Paris, Kenya, and Beirut. The main focus is how terrorism relates to the 10 characteristics of culture (from the MCPS curriculum), but obviously we know that students hunger for facts and a framework for these current events. We consulted the Resource Counselor and her guidelines were no graphic photos or descriptions, no religious stereotyping, and no more than 20 minutes. We have Media Center passes for any student who doesn't want to participate in the discussion. They can work on their medieval African culture research project instead. I doubt many will opt out. Most 12 year olds realize on some level that this is the world they are inheriting and they want to understand it.

This, in a nutshell, is exactly why my kids will only set foot in a public school over my cold, dead body.

Terrorism as part of "10 characteristics of culture???" Are you freaking kidding me?

Please reread. Terrorism as it RELATES to the 10 characteristics of culture. Which is meaningfully different from "terrorism is one of the ten characteristics of culture".

Oh, I read it. And I stand by my earlier comment.

I'm the teacher who taught this lesson and my 12 year old students "got it". Sad that an adult like PP can't or won't.

NP. ISIS isn't exactly understood right now by adults. How can you casually explain it? I do think it's something that schools should address, it's a relevant current event. But relating the various acts in Paris, masterminded by a radicalized Belgian and carried out by various nationals, to characteristics of culture? Lost me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't have the luxury of not telling my kids. Their father is Muslim and they have the most horrible things said to them at school. Most of the time kids repeat things that their parents have said at home.

Yesterday DD (12) and I were talking about it while at the supermarket. She asked something about Muslim terrorists and I had to very clearly explain that there are millions of peaceful Muslims and very few ISIS terrorists, and it's just like there are millions of Christians but only a few KKK. So awkward when the lady standing behind me put her hand on my shoulder - I turned to see she was Muslim and said "Thank you." DD always picks the worst times for sensitive conversations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't have the luxury of not telling my kids. Their father is Muslim and they have the most horrible things said to them at school. Most of the time kids repeat things that their parents have said at home.

Yesterday DD (12) and I were talking about it while at the supermarket. She asked something about Muslim terrorists and I had to very clearly explain that there are millions of peaceful Muslims and very few ISIS terrorists, and it's just like there are millions of Christians but only a few KKK. So awkward when the lady standing behind me put her hand on my shoulder - I turned to see she was Muslim and said "Thank you." DD always picks the worst times for sensitive conversations.

Awesome job, PP. I think you handled that beautifully, and I'm actually glad that Muslim woman got to witness a rational person, at a time when she must feel very vulnerable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't have the luxury of not telling my kids. Their father is Muslim and they have the most horrible things said to them at school. Most of the time kids repeat things that their parents have said at home.

Yesterday DD (12) and I were talking about it while at the supermarket. She asked something about Muslim terrorists and I had to very clearly explain that there are millions of peaceful Muslims and very few ISIS terrorists, and it's just like there are millions of Christians but only a few KKK. So awkward when the lady standing behind me put her hand on my shoulder - I turned to see she was Muslim and said "Thank you." DD always picks the worst times for sensitive conversations.

This brought tears to my eyes; I am not Muslim but my husband and many family members are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I teach SS to seventh graders in MCPS. The other WS 7 teacher and I spent a couple hours at Starbucks this weekend planning a mini-lesson on the attacks in Paris, Kenya, and Beirut. The main focus is how terrorism relates to the 10 characteristics of culture (from the MCPS curriculum), but obviously we know that students hunger for facts and a framework for these current events. We consulted the Resource Counselor and her guidelines were no graphic photos or descriptions, no religious stereotyping, and no more than 20 minutes. We have Media Center passes for any student who doesn't want to participate in the discussion. They can work on their medieval African culture research project instead. I doubt many will opt out. Most 12 year olds realize on some level that this is the world they are inheriting and they want to understand it.

This, in a nutshell, is exactly why my kids will only set foot in a public school over my cold, dead body.

Terrorism as part of "10 characteristics of culture???" Are you freaking kidding me?

Please reread. Terrorism as it RELATES to the 10 characteristics of culture. Which is meaningfully different from "terrorism is one of the ten characteristics of culture".

Oh, I read it. And I stand by my earlier comment.

I'm the teacher who taught this lesson and my 12 year old students "got it". Sad that an adult like PP can't or won't.

NP. ISIS isn't exactly understood right now by adults. How can you casually explain it? I do think it's something that schools should address, it's a relevant current event. But relating the various acts in Paris, masterminded by a radicalized Belgian and carried out by various nationals, to characteristics of culture? Lost me.

Have you ever even looked at the 10 characteristics of culture? Ever tried relating ANY event or trend to them?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

NP. ISIS isn't exactly understood right now by adults. How can you casually explain it? I do think it's something that schools should address, it's a relevant current event. But relating the various acts in Paris, masterminded by a radicalized Belgian and carried out by various nationals, to characteristics of culture? Lost me.

"Culture" as in human culture, not culture as in music and the arts. How people live, how they organize themselves, what they believe, what they value...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I teach SS to seventh graders in MCPS. The other WS 7 teacher and I spent a couple hours at Starbucks this weekend planning a mini-lesson on the attacks in Paris, Kenya, and Beirut. The main focus is how terrorism relates to the 10 characteristics of culture (from the MCPS curriculum), but obviously we know that students hunger for facts and a framework for these current events. We consulted the Resource Counselor and her guidelines were no graphic photos or descriptions, no religious stereotyping, and no more than 20 minutes. We have Media Center passes for any student who doesn't want to participate in the discussion. They can work on their medieval African culture research project instead. I doubt many will opt out. Most 12 year olds realize on some level that this is the world they are inheriting and they want to understand it.

This, in a nutshell, is exactly why my kids will only set foot in a public school over my cold, dead body.

Terrorism as part of "10 characteristics of culture???" Are you freaking kidding me?

Please reread. Terrorism as it RELATES to the 10 characteristics of culture. Which is meaningfully different from "terrorism is one of the ten characteristics of culture".

Ah, well. We shouldn't expect much from a person who uses the word "freaking" in serious adult conversation.

Oh, I read it. And I stand by my earlier comment.

Since when is DCUM "serious" adult conversation?

[Anonymous]

NP. ISIS isn't exactly understood right now by adults. How can you casually explain it? I do think it's something that schools should address, it's a relevant current event. But relating the various acts in Paris, masterminded by a radicalized Belgian and carried out by various nationals, to characteristics of culture? Lost me.

Of course it's not totally understood, but most current events are not fully understood yet we discuss them in the context that we have. I applaud the teachers who spent part of their weekend discussing this and how to present it within a wider context. It's not easy, but it serves to try to put some perspective on events. Not talking about these things can be even scarier. The people of France are not giving in to fear and neither should we.

[Anonymous]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/schools-grapple-with-how-to-teach-about-paris-attacks/2015/11/16/08857eca-8c74-11e5-acff-673ae92ddd2b_story.html?hpid=hp_hp-cards_no-name%3Ahomepage%2Fcard