NationStates

Posted: **Sat Mar 06, 2010 5:21 pm**

In Kindergarten I was told that Japan was in Canada.

In 7th Grade Civics I was told that Hitler was a Communist.

Posted: **Sat Mar 06, 2010 5:22 pm**

Grave_n_idle wrote:
Greater Americania wrote:
Dyakovo wrote:reality disagrees...

I'm from Texas, man. You can't fool me. I know the outside world still likes to think that we're a backwards bunch of rednecks that still use horses as our primary means of transportation, but believe it or not, that's not the case.

Did you forget what it was you were arguing?

That's because he had to fend off a velociraptor attack

Posted: **Sat Mar 06, 2010 5:33 pm**

Czardas wrote:Then there was an English teacher with the attitude of "there is only one correct way to interpret this text, and it's mine." Any interpretations that differed from hers (which were often from a fundamentalist Christan viewpoint) were wrong and would receive poor grades. (She also had a tendency to round down the grades of students she didn't like, such as me, but that veers into different territory.)

There are a lot of teachers like that, I always found the best way to get marks was to agree with them and follow their interpretation of text, though none of the ones who did that to me had a Christian view. As for better marks for ones they liked and poorer ones for students they dislike yep plenty teachers like that too. I remember a couple of my friends wanted to test this out so they did their essay but swapped it around. So that the one who always got top marks handed in the essay done by the student who always got low marks and vice versa. It just so happened that the one who always got top marks still got a high grade for the essay despite it being written by the student who always got low marks. As for the student who always got low marks? Yep he got a low mark despite the essay he handed in being done by the student who always got top marks.

Posted: **Sat Mar 06, 2010 5:34 pm**

Natapoc wrote:
Dazchan wrote:You overestimate the intelligence of kids who skip school and yet again fail to give any good reason why "school uniforms are stupid".

You wouldn't last a minute in my class. My fourth graders have stronger reasoning skills than you've demonstrated here.

You really have a demeaning attitude for other people who choose to not attend your classes. It is so sad how the institution of compulsory public education warps the minds of educators in such a way as to turn them against students.

Many teachers of course recognize the shared humanity of children and treat them as equals.

I perceive it as a statement of fact. I have taught some incredibly intelligent, articulate 13 year olds who were willing and able to make eloquent arguments about a range of rules they felt were unfair, and were able to recognise that being a smart-arse truant was probably not the best way to win their case. I have also taught students who when given an opportunity to do the same, either refuse, or cannot string enough words together to make a coherent sentence (something they may have been able to do had they attended my English class and actually completed the work).

Compulsory public education does not warp the minds of educators against students. What it does is prepare students for a world in which they have to survive, and in which the consequences for truancy, or doing a shitty job on your assigned work are far worse than a detention. Something which you would be aware of had you experienced the real world.

Posted: **Sat Mar 06, 2010 5:35 pm**

Parivrtta Niraamaya wrote:Oh, and I almost forgot; this was what was at the end of our birth control lecture:

Abstinence is the only 100% birth control method.

Is there another way that is 100% guaranteed?

And let's just leave it at sex that without said birth control could result in pregnancy. Let's not be smart here fellas.

Posted: **Sat Mar 06, 2010 5:36 pm**

that "What do you think?" questions have a correct answer

Posted: **Sat Mar 06, 2010 5:40 pm**

Blouman Empire wrote:Is there another way that is 100% guaranteed?

Castration and hysterectomy seem to work pretty well. Hard to make a baby when you lack the equipment to do so.

Posted: **Sat Mar 06, 2010 5:40 pm**

Nobel Hobos wrote:(note for young players: if you mean to challenge the teacher, stand. Stay behind you desk, don't gesture or make exaggerated expressions. Stand, as one who has the floor, and when you have put your point, sit back down without being told.)

I second this and also as an aside where it didn't work out for me though the changes that everyone in the class wanted occured, don't tell the teacher that she is a fucking bitch.

Or send her "death threats", no it wasn't a death threat she just took it as one.

Posted: **Sat Mar 06, 2010 5:42 pm**

Blouman Empire wrote:
The Rich Port wrote:
OMGeverynameistaken wrote:My 4th grade teacher sent me to the principals office for correcting her statement that Mt. Everest is the tallest in the world. I pointed out that it was actually Mauna Kea. I argued the point, got the class encyclopedia out to prove her wrong and she sent me to the office for insubordination and 'back talk'. As I left the class she was saying that underwater mountains didn't count.

Well, that was just a pointless argument. That would be like me insisting o my teacher the moon doesn't have a face: DOES IT REALLY MATTER?

Also it can be shown to be incorrect as it isn't the highest from sea level.

Tallest =/= highest above sea level. You measure how tall something is from its base. You measure how high it is from sea level.

Tungookska wrote:that "What do you think?" questions have a correct answer

They do, what you think. An incorrect answer would be writing something you don't think.

Posted: **Sat Mar 06, 2010 5:44 pm**

UnhealthyTruthseeker wrote:
Chazicaria wrote:that i should care about the environment.

You do realize that the environment includes the places you live, right? You also realize that, if the environment gets too bad, it will negatively impact humans, don't you?

But then that only applies if you care about humans.

Posted: **Sat Mar 06, 2010 5:46 pm**

Tretskivucia wrote:In my Geography class (year 9) we got a map of the world and were asked to label where Australia is (This is in an Australian school).
Later, we got a map of Australia (with state boundaries marked but no names on it) and were asked to label the states and their capitals AND our teacher said: "If you're having trouble in labelling the states just ask me"

And what stupid crap did she teach you?

Posted: **Sat Mar 06, 2010 5:46 pm**

Blouman Empire wrote:Is there another way that is 100% guaranteed?

Regularly playing World of Warcraft.

Posted: **Sat Mar 06, 2010 5:47 pm**

Tretskivucia wrote:
Grave_n_idle wrote:
Tretskivucia wrote:My school teachers tell you:
Communism = dictatorship
Communism = evil and undemocratic

My little girl came home from school just a few weeks ago having learned that valuable lesson.

American schools are so ridiculously partisan and insular it's almost comical.

Australia = SO much American Influence

Unfortunately that is true.

It appears people know more about the US Consitution then the Australian one.

Posted: **Sat Mar 06, 2010 5:51 pm**

Blouman Empire wrote:
Tretskivucia wrote:In my Geography class (year 9) we got a map of the world and were asked to label where Australia is (This is in an Australian school).
Later, we got a map of Australia (with state boundaries marked but no names on it) and were asked to label the states and their capitals AND our teacher said: "If you're having trouble in labelling the states just ask me"

And what stupid crap did she teach you?

Yeah, I see no problem with that. It may be important to know name the states of Australia, especially if you live there.

Posted: **Sat Mar 06, 2010 5:52 pm**

Marcurix wrote:Im a R.E class of mine.

Teacher: Freedoms are important, none should be held above the other, freedom of speech, religion, life, they are all important and must not be repressed, its not something we do in this country.
Student: Ok. I disagree with Islam
Teacher: Why?
Student: Because it represses females, children and gives excuse for people to murder.
Teacher: Get out.
Me: Why did you send him out?
Teacher: I wont have comments like that im my classroom.
Me: But you just said freedom of speech was important.
Teacher: Yes
Me: The why send him out?
Teacher: He insulted someone’s religion
Me: But you just repressed his speech, for that matter shouldn’t someone be punished if they kill in the name of their religion?
Teacher: Get out.

I would have refused to leave.

Posted: **Sat Mar 06, 2010 5:52 pm**

Grave_n_idle wrote:
Tretskivucia wrote:My school teachers tell you:
Communism = dictatorship
Communism = evil and undemocratic

My little girl came home from school just a few weeks ago having learned that valuable lesson.

American schools are so ridiculously partisan and insular it's almost comical.

Is it true there are such things as Coca-Cola sponsored schools in the US?

Posted: **Sat Mar 06, 2010 5:53 pm**

Neo Art wrote:
Natapoc wrote:
Tiesa wrote:
Zeppy wrote:
Natapoc wrote:
Tiesa wrote:Another good one... the first year I came to the United States my Biology Teacher went out of his way to explain how Communism is evil, he then had the balls to call me "Commie" throughout that year.

That is mean. Where did you go in the US?

Depends. "Commie" can be used as a term of endearment.

I was living in Chicago at the time. And trust me, this teacher wasn't pleased to know I had recently come here from Russian SFSR...

What a hostile school environment I would have recommended you start calling him comrade, sing the Internationale (english lyrics so he would understand) during the pledge, and drawing hammers and sickle on all the work you turned in but it would probably have been dangerous for you to do so.

because nothing shows maturity like childish rebellion

If you are going to be treated like a child you might as well act like one.

Posted: **Sat Mar 06, 2010 5:54 pm**

Dazchan wrote:
Natapoc wrote:You really have a demeaning attitude for other people who choose to not attend your classes.

No, i just recognise that those who skip school are routinely caught because they're in uniform. I speak from experience.

Further, if the best he can come up with is "Nuh-uh, uniforms are stupid", then he's demeaning himself without my help.

Natapoc wrote:It is so sad how the institution of compulsory public education warps the minds of educators in such a way as to turn them against students.

So by holding a belief (backed up by evidence) that uniforms are a good thing I'm "against students"? Or is it my expectation that students obey rules that shows that I'm "against students"? No really, I'm honestly curious how I'm "against students", given that I've dedicated almost a decade of my life to them.

Natapoc wrote:Many teachers of course recognize the shared humanity of children and treat them as equals.

Yeah, they're the ones who resign early in their careers, unable to cope with the students who walk all over them. Students are not and can not be equal to teachers.

Yet you really never did read my posts. There's no REAL reason to have school uniforms other than to just have kids wear them. Also lol. Bullshit. A decade yet you claim to be 25? Quit being a fucking liar.

Posted: **Sat Mar 06, 2010 5:55 pm**

My German teacher told us she thinks Germany is gearing up for another World War.
My Speech teacher thinks that Vaccinations are really the Government experimenting on us or whatever.

Posted: **Sat Mar 06, 2010 5:55 pm**

Blouman Empire wrote:
Venetoland wrote:
2nd PLT wrote:My history teacher once said that "When America was created, the founding fathers were thinking of switching the national language to German...

When the nation was founded, German WAS a contender for national language!

I think the section that was crap was the if the US spoke German they would've been on the side of the Axis.

Oh no, it was all complete crap. German was never a contender for the national language of the United States.

http://snopes.com/language/apocryph/german.asp

Posted: **Sat Mar 06, 2010 5:56 pm**

Natapoc wrote:
Dazchan wrote:You overestimate the intelligence of kids who skip school and yet again fail to give any good reason why "school uniforms are stupid".

You wouldn't last a minute in my class. My fourth graders have stronger reasoning skills than you've demonstrated here.

You really have a demeaning attitude for other people who choose to not attend your classes. It is so sad how the institution of compulsory public education warps the minds of educators in such a way as to turn them against students.

Many teachers of course recognize the shared humanity of children and treat them as equals.

My students are equal to me on a human, living being level. I would never call my students stupid, or demean them, or treat them in any way that puts my own frustration ahead of their education.

That said, my class is not a democracy. If it was a democracy, there would be no homework, no teaching, day-long recess and candy for lunch every day.

Your refusal to acknowledge the disparity in executive functioning between adults and children makes it impossible for me to take your arguments seriously.

Posted: **Sat Mar 06, 2010 5:56 pm**

Wiztopia wrote:
Marcurix wrote:snip

I would have refused to leave.

That would've only made it worse. Just take your punishment and let the teacher be wrong.

Posted: **Sat Mar 06, 2010 5:57 pm**

Chetssaland wrote:
Blouman Empire wrote:
Tretskivucia wrote:In my Geography class (year 9) we got a map of the world and were asked to label where Australia is (This is in an Australian school).
Later, we got a map of Australia (with state boundaries marked but no names on it) and were asked to label the states and their capitals AND our teacher said: "If you're having trouble in labelling the states just ask me"

And what stupid crap did she teach you?

Yeah, I see no problem with that. It may be important to know name the states of Australia, especially if you live there.

I think he's referring to the fact that he's in 9th grade and being made to do the exact same task I gave my fourth graders last week.

Posted: **Sat Mar 06, 2010 5:59 pm**

Czardas wrote:Different kinds of stupid: a math teacher who once took points off a homework assignment because I had put down the answer to 7 - (-4) as 11. He said it was 3. I imagine he had misread the problem, though. Then there was an English teacher with the attitude of "there is only one correct way to interpret this text, and it's mine." Any interpretations that differed from hers (which were often from a fundamentalist Christan viewpoint) were wrong and would receive poor grades. (She also had a tendency to round down the grades of students she didn't like, such as me, but that veers into different territory.) Later on, I had a composition teacher who informed me that the music I wrote was worthless rubbish (although in fancier words). He was emulating his old music teacher, it turned out, who'd done exactly the same thing (to the point of tearing up manuscripts if they displeased him), but still, not exactly the best teaching strategy.

And of course there were teachers who told me that people are pleasant, nice, or trustworthy, or teachers who told me that everyone's opinion is equally valuable and worthy of consideration, and the like. But considering those statements "stupid" would probably send me careening into Internet Tough Guy territory. <.<

This is something that really bothers me. It comes up a lot when I grade reading tests. If a child writes a short response that is very different from the manual's suggested response and every other child's response, but is technically correct or defensible, I give them the credit. Of course, in order to make this decision I have to actually think and interpret, which some people can't be bothered to do.

Posted: **Sat Mar 06, 2010 6:01 pm**

Dazchan wrote:
Chetssaland wrote:
Blouman Empire wrote:
Tretskivucia wrote:In my Geography class (year 9) we got a map of the world and were asked to label where Australia is (This is in an Australian school).
Later, we got a map of Australia (with state boundaries marked but no names on it) and were asked to label the states and their capitals AND our teacher said: "If you're having trouble in labelling the states just ask me"

And what stupid crap did she teach you?

Yeah, I see no problem with that. It may be important to know name the states of Australia, especially if you live there.

I think he's referring to the fact that he's in 9th grade and being made to do the exact same task I gave my fourth graders last week.

...Oops, my mistake. I'm not sure what year 9 is in Australia but I'm sure its close to eight grade or high school. Yeah if you didn't know that by then, wow. I had all 50 states memorized with capitals and abbreviations in the fourth grade. I forgot some of the exact abbreviations but other than that...

NationStates

Stupid Crap Teachers Told You