Appropriate homework for a 10 year old...............???
Discussion
MG CHRIS said:
GroundEffect said:
rash_decision said:
Hi guys,
I'm looking for some genuine opinions on this please.
My 10 year old niece came home from school tonight with some homework. One of the questions is as follows.
"Research an inspirational LGBT person, and create a fact file about them, and why you find them inspirational".
Now is it just me that feels this is inappropriate to ask a class of 10 year olds? I actually had to ask my sister what the acronym stood for, and my sister tells me that my niece has no idea about the meaning of the question.
I'm genuinely miffed what to make of it!! My niece and I am sure most of, if not all, of the class are most likely completely oblivious to the meaning, as they are too caught up in their dolls, computers, skateboards, whatever else that typical 10 year old kids get up to! On the flip side, why should they expect a class of kids of any age single someone out for their sexuality or gender, when we're all meant to 'live and let live'.
If you don't know what LGBT stands for, and it's 2018, I think you might be a little backwards...I'm looking for some genuine opinions on this please.
My 10 year old niece came home from school tonight with some homework. One of the questions is as follows.
"Research an inspirational LGBT person, and create a fact file about them, and why you find them inspirational".
Now is it just me that feels this is inappropriate to ask a class of 10 year olds? I actually had to ask my sister what the acronym stood for, and my sister tells me that my niece has no idea about the meaning of the question.
I'm genuinely miffed what to make of it!! My niece and I am sure most of, if not all, of the class are most likely completely oblivious to the meaning, as they are too caught up in their dolls, computers, skateboards, whatever else that typical 10 year old kids get up to! On the flip side, why should they expect a class of kids of any age single someone out for their sexuality or gender, when we're all meant to 'live and let live'.
GroundEffect said:
Ari said:
GroundEffect said:
If you don't know what LGBT stands for, and it's 2018, I think you might be a little backwards...
Or perhaps doesn't hang around with right on uni types. Most of us just get on with our lives without obsessing about this sort of stuff. Let people be what they want to be without making a fuss about it.
When these things are ignored you get the issues we had from the majority of the 20th century - horrific persecution.
And lo-and-behold, my generation (millennial) and whatever the new generation is called are generally positive around people being LGBT or fundamentally themselves. Correlation, maybe, but the continued education isn't harming anyone.
This will be some young right on 'just call me Steve' type who fist bumps the kids as they come into the classroom trying to be all 'inclusive' but actually achieving the opposite.
Because what's he's subconsciously saying is 'Hey kids, these LGBT types are different. But it's okay, some of them are quite nice, now go away and see if you can find one that you like'
Making a big deal out of it, and singling them out (find someone from THIS group) is simply highlighting to the kids that they're different.
Like I said, far better not to make a huge deal out of it and try an pigeonhole people into groups. We're all the same.
Wiccan of Darkness said:
Remove the LGBT part and you have a perfectly reasonable assignment.
10 year olds, who have yet to hit puberty will have no concept of sexual orientation, not in a real world sense so the inclusion of the LGBT part is wholly inappropriate. Is this saying that non LGBT people can't also be inspirational?
My gut instinct is this is indicative of the insidious infliction of left wing politics within the education system and the need to insert the LGBT part to satisfy a pro-equality agenda.
Education has to be 'age appropriate' and introducing LGBT to 10 year olds is not age appropriate; this would be acceptable for someone age 15/16. Not 10. The mere fact she is clueless about the acronym is evidence in itself; does she even know what transgenderism actually is, let alone understand it? I can think of dozens of inspirational people, yet I wouldn't have the first idea which camp they belonged to. Nor, to that extent, would I even care. There's more to being an inspirational person than simple sexual orientation.
Ignore the LGBT part and do the assignment anyway. Then have a quiet word with the teacher who set the work and ask them if the age inappropriate indiscretion was a mere slip of professional standards, or whether the teacher has an ulterior motive in promoting left wing ideologies and deliberately included age inappropriate concepts in to the assignment.
That will put the cat among the pigeons
See how this one pans out. The teacher might have simply used material from an educational aids service without even bothering to read it; alternatively the school is trying to breed mini communists and you've opened the lid on the can of worms and about to visited by state controlled agents to cart you off to a siberian gulag. Now here's your hammer and sickle, go and harvest some turnips for dinner.
Getting back to a serious note though, what do the other parents think about the inclusion of the LGBT part? Or don't they care?
In total agreement10 year olds, who have yet to hit puberty will have no concept of sexual orientation, not in a real world sense so the inclusion of the LGBT part is wholly inappropriate. Is this saying that non LGBT people can't also be inspirational?
My gut instinct is this is indicative of the insidious infliction of left wing politics within the education system and the need to insert the LGBT part to satisfy a pro-equality agenda.
Education has to be 'age appropriate' and introducing LGBT to 10 year olds is not age appropriate; this would be acceptable for someone age 15/16. Not 10. The mere fact she is clueless about the acronym is evidence in itself; does she even know what transgenderism actually is, let alone understand it? I can think of dozens of inspirational people, yet I wouldn't have the first idea which camp they belonged to. Nor, to that extent, would I even care. There's more to being an inspirational person than simple sexual orientation.
Ignore the LGBT part and do the assignment anyway. Then have a quiet word with the teacher who set the work and ask them if the age inappropriate indiscretion was a mere slip of professional standards, or whether the teacher has an ulterior motive in promoting left wing ideologies and deliberately included age inappropriate concepts in to the assignment.
That will put the cat among the pigeons
See how this one pans out. The teacher might have simply used material from an educational aids service without even bothering to read it; alternatively the school is trying to breed mini communists and you've opened the lid on the can of worms and about to visited by state controlled agents to cart you off to a siberian gulag. Now here's your hammer and sickle, go and harvest some turnips for dinner.
Getting back to a serious note though, what do the other parents think about the inclusion of the LGBT part? Or don't they care?
andyxxx said:
Wiccan of Darkness said:
Remove the LGBT part and you have a perfectly reasonable assignment.
10 year olds, who have yet to hit puberty will have no concept of sexual orientation, not in a real world sense so the inclusion of the LGBT part is wholly inappropriate. Is this saying that non LGBT people can't also be inspirational?
My gut instinct is this is indicative of the insidious infliction of left wing politics within the education system and the need to insert the LGBT part to satisfy a pro-equality agenda.
Education has to be 'age appropriate' and introducing LGBT to 10 year olds is not age appropriate; this would be acceptable for someone age 15/16. Not 10. The mere fact she is clueless about the acronym is evidence in itself; does she even know what transgenderism actually is, let alone understand it? I can think of dozens of inspirational people, yet I wouldn't have the first idea which camp they belonged to. Nor, to that extent, would I even care. There's more to being an inspirational person than simple sexual orientation.
Ignore the LGBT part and do the assignment anyway. Then have a quiet word with the teacher who set the work and ask them if the age inappropriate indiscretion was a mere slip of professional standards, or whether the teacher has an ulterior motive in promoting left wing ideologies and deliberately included age inappropriate concepts in to the assignment.
That will put the cat among the pigeons
See how this one pans out. The teacher might have simply used material from an educational aids service without even bothering to read it; alternatively the school is trying to breed mini communists and you've opened the lid on the can of worms and about to visited by state controlled agents to cart you off to a siberian gulag. Now here's your hammer and sickle, go and harvest some turnips for dinner.
Getting back to a serious note though, what do the other parents think about the inclusion of the LGBT part? Or don't they care?
In total agreement10 year olds, who have yet to hit puberty will have no concept of sexual orientation, not in a real world sense so the inclusion of the LGBT part is wholly inappropriate. Is this saying that non LGBT people can't also be inspirational?
My gut instinct is this is indicative of the insidious infliction of left wing politics within the education system and the need to insert the LGBT part to satisfy a pro-equality agenda.
Education has to be 'age appropriate' and introducing LGBT to 10 year olds is not age appropriate; this would be acceptable for someone age 15/16. Not 10. The mere fact she is clueless about the acronym is evidence in itself; does she even know what transgenderism actually is, let alone understand it? I can think of dozens of inspirational people, yet I wouldn't have the first idea which camp they belonged to. Nor, to that extent, would I even care. There's more to being an inspirational person than simple sexual orientation.
Ignore the LGBT part and do the assignment anyway. Then have a quiet word with the teacher who set the work and ask them if the age inappropriate indiscretion was a mere slip of professional standards, or whether the teacher has an ulterior motive in promoting left wing ideologies and deliberately included age inappropriate concepts in to the assignment.
That will put the cat among the pigeons
See how this one pans out. The teacher might have simply used material from an educational aids service without even bothering to read it; alternatively the school is trying to breed mini communists and you've opened the lid on the can of worms and about to visited by state controlled agents to cart you off to a siberian gulag. Now here's your hammer and sickle, go and harvest some turnips for dinner.
Getting back to a serious note though, what do the other parents think about the inclusion of the LGBT part? Or don't they care?
GroundEffect said:
And totally ignoring the fact that people get discriminated against generally due to ignorance. If you can explain to people from a reasonable age that fancying someone/anyone is alright and explain that positively (e.g. positive LGBT influences) then it goes a long way. Sometimes you DO need to talk about something to explain that it's alright to be "X".
When these things are ignored you get the issues we had from the majority of the 20th century - horrific persecution.
And lo-and-behold, my generation (millennial) and whatever the new generation is called are generally positive around people being LGBT or fundamentally themselves. Correlation, maybe, but the continued education isn't harming anyone.
This is all very admirable so well done you.When these things are ignored you get the issues we had from the majority of the 20th century - horrific persecution.
And lo-and-behold, my generation (millennial) and whatever the new generation is called are generally positive around people being LGBT or fundamentally themselves. Correlation, maybe, but the continued education isn't harming anyone.
The child being discussed is 10 and while my two (8 and 11) know what gay means, that is literally all they know.
Kids are wonderfully naive at this age and should remain so, high school can teach them what they need to know and primary school kids can keep a grip on the incredibly short childhood they get!
The Vambo said:
MG CHRIS said:
GroundEffect said:
rash_decision said:
Hi guys,
I'm looking for some genuine opinions on this please.
My 10 year old niece came home from school tonight with some homework. One of the questions is as follows.
"Research an inspirational LGBT person, and create a fact file about them, and why you find them inspirational".
Now is it just me that feels this is inappropriate to ask a class of 10 year olds? I actually had to ask my sister what the acronym stood for, and my sister tells me that my niece has no idea about the meaning of the question.
I'm genuinely miffed what to make of it!! My niece and I am sure most of, if not all, of the class are most likely completely oblivious to the meaning, as they are too caught up in their dolls, computers, skateboards, whatever else that typical 10 year old kids get up to! On the flip side, why should they expect a class of kids of any age single someone out for their sexuality or gender, when we're all meant to 'live and let live'.
If you don't know what LGBT stands for, and it's 2018, I think you might be a little backwards...I'm looking for some genuine opinions on this please.
My 10 year old niece came home from school tonight with some homework. One of the questions is as follows.
"Research an inspirational LGBT person, and create a fact file about them, and why you find them inspirational".
Now is it just me that feels this is inappropriate to ask a class of 10 year olds? I actually had to ask my sister what the acronym stood for, and my sister tells me that my niece has no idea about the meaning of the question.
I'm genuinely miffed what to make of it!! My niece and I am sure most of, if not all, of the class are most likely completely oblivious to the meaning, as they are too caught up in their dolls, computers, skateboards, whatever else that typical 10 year old kids get up to! On the flip side, why should they expect a class of kids of any age single someone out for their sexuality or gender, when we're all meant to 'live and let live'.
I'm with the OP. This would get returned to the school with a thanks but no thanks note from me.
It's totally inappropriate for the age group. Life is complicated enough for them at this age so seeding further confusion is not good.
12 ish I think these things can be gently introduced. If as a parent you feel the need to introduce the topic that's up to you but in a primary school I don't think there is a need.
It's totally inappropriate for the age group. Life is complicated enough for them at this age so seeding further confusion is not good.
12 ish I think these things can be gently introduced. If as a parent you feel the need to introduce the topic that's up to you but in a primary school I don't think there is a need.
Sort of agree. But perhaps it's just a way of educating kids in the right direction. I think humans are wired up to be territorial over people that are different to themselves. Think neighbouring tribes at war. Racism. Etc. So educating kids at a young age will get them in the right mind set early on so people who are LGBT don't have to suffer for just being themselves.
Maybe I'm talking b
ks anyway.
Maybe I'm talking b
ks anyway.Rick101 said:
"Research an inspirational LGBT person, and create a fact file about them, and why you find them inspirational".
If asked why not an LGBT person, simply ask them why should LGBT people be singled out.
To me It doesn't seam necessary to be teaching 10 year olds about the confusing world of LGBT groups when British kids are lagging behind in the key areas of maths, science & literacy. If asked why not an LGBT person, simply ask them why should LGBT people be singled out.
1, Ask child to make a list of all the inspirational people they know and why they are inspirational.
2, From said list, ask the child to identify the LGBT individuals.*
3, From the sub set, they can choose who they want.
Present the workings to the teacher and ask, "why did you narrow down my child's options for completing this homework by including a minority group (which most 10yr olds won't be able to identify) within an already small group of people"?
"Are you trying to make a point, eh EH? fking Lefty wker!"
OK, maybe not the last bit.
2, From said list, ask the child to identify the LGBT individuals.*
3, From the sub set, they can choose who they want.
- If they say "what is LGBT", just tell them in basic terms. If child can then identify the LGBT individuals then good, back to step 3.
Present the workings to the teacher and ask, "why did you narrow down my child's options for completing this homework by including a minority group (which most 10yr olds won't be able to identify) within an already small group of people"?
"Are you trying to make a point, eh EH? f
king Lefty wker!"OK, maybe not the last bit.
It's been said, but to me too this is not primary school level. Just write about an inspirational person, why bring sexuality into it, unless it's already in the context of lessons about such things? (which I imagine at primary level it isn't - at least it wasn't when mine went through a few years ago as far as I know).
If said inspirational person happens to be LGBT or whatever, and that's why or partly why kiddo finds them extra inspirational then fine - but forcing kids to find someone from the category inspirational just because (which is, in effect, what this is if you have no other reason to select someone) is just the wrong way to go about it.
Sounds like just a case of right on teacher choosing the wrong age group to push diversity and inclusivity. Agenda overruling common sense - @ OP how old is the teacher? Just curious if recent to the profession or experienced.
If said inspirational person happens to be LGBT or whatever, and that's why or partly why kiddo finds them extra inspirational then fine - but forcing kids to find someone from the category inspirational just because (which is, in effect, what this is if you have no other reason to select someone) is just the wrong way to go about it.
Sounds like just a case of right on teacher choosing the wrong age group to push diversity and inclusivity. Agenda overruling common sense - @ OP how old is the teacher? Just curious if recent to the profession or experienced.
Or it could be that the teacher/school is trying to fulfil the requirements imposed on them by the government?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/12/19/childre...
Now I’m not saying that this question is necessarily correct. It does depend on the context of the teaching prior to this. However as primary schools are required to teach about relationships, it could be that the teacher is trying to break down the idea that homosexuality/homosexual relationships or transgender issues are wrong but encouraging students to research LGBT individuals in order to establish that it is also possible for them to be inspirational too. It might be similar to, for instance, teaching students about Emeline Pankhurst and the Suffragette movement and setting them the homework to research inspirational women today, whose successes could be attributed to Pankhurst’s work. Would that too be inappropriate?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/12/19/childre...
Now I’m not saying that this question is necessarily correct. It does depend on the context of the teaching prior to this. However as primary schools are required to teach about relationships, it could be that the teacher is trying to break down the idea that homosexuality/homosexual relationships or transgender issues are wrong but encouraging students to research LGBT individuals in order to establish that it is also possible for them to be inspirational too. It might be similar to, for instance, teaching students about Emeline Pankhurst and the Suffragette movement and setting them the homework to research inspirational women today, whose successes could be attributed to Pankhurst’s work. Would that too be inappropriate?
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