Coaches Round Table

Is it ok for a 5th grade teacher to tell students to watch tea party activity?

This teacher has previously said that President Obama should not be president because he was born in Kenya. She also said even if he was born in Hawaii it wouldn't count because it wasn't a state when he was born (HI state 1959, Obama born 1961). These were said in the context of teaching about the executive branch. The tea party suggestion wasn't.

Public Comments

1. I don't see why not. Children in fifth grade can appreciate comedy.
2. Why not watch it. People expressing, in an orderly manner, their freedom of speech rights. I realize that you may not enjoy people redressing government. The tea party is about freedom and liberty.
3. I think it's okay if it's for extra credit. Some parents might have a hard time getting their child to an actual tea party, unless she lets them watch it on TV. If you are concerned about the accuracy of what she is teaching, you should talk to the principal about it. When she gives the students incorrect information she should go back and explain that she was mistaken and give them the facts. Also, she should not be expressing her political views in the classroom. She should be respectful of the president whether she agrees with him or not. She can save her opinions for the teachers' lunchroom.
4. I think you have something wrong in your question- if Obama was born in 1961 (I'm not sure) and Hawaii became a state in 1959, then he was born when it was a state. 1961 comes AFTER 1959.
5. It's not a big deal, people are expressing their right to free speech, even if it goes against your political beliefs, you shouldn't hvae a problem watching it. Funny thing is they supposedly based it off the Boston Tea Party, but that event was based on taxation without representation. However in yesterday's event, they were represented...they just lost. But that doesn't matter, it's freedom of speech, they have every right to protest. About the Obama thing, he was born AFTER Hawaii became part of the U.S., so that argument falls flat. What' funny is that all these people who cry out that Obama isn't really a citizen seem to forget that McCain was, literally, born in central america, in Panama. So these people who thing Obama is ineligible, how could they support Mccain?
6. Yes, if your teacher isn't a meathead. Unfortunately this one is. First she uses the classroom as her soapbox, then she either speaks without knowing what the facts are at best, and lies at the worst. That is the definition of a bad teacher. The problem isn't watching the tea party, since that has relevance as a current event, its that she is pushing them to treat an opinion-based field (politics) with a slant to one answer As a teacher you want to encourage your students to expand their understandings, and realize that they are players in the world if they want to be. What you can't do as a teacher is spout your propaganda. The teacher is doing a disservice to the students by her anti-Obama rhetoric, because it is not her role to make them in her image, but to give them the tools to think about what makes sense for themselves. My students always want to nail me down on controversial subjects: drugs, abortion, politics, sox vs. cubs, you know - important stuff. I always say this: This class is not about what I think, but tell me what you think first, and I will tell you the arguments you need to address. If they push me I sometimes tell them what I feel, but I make it clear that this is a personal opinion and only right for me. You can (and in my opinion should) keep talking to your child about this, but try to ask as many questions as you can. Ex. What do you think about the lying, the mischaracterization, the bias etc. Ask him(her) if he thinks it helps the class understand, or prevents the students from thinking for themselves. Ask how he thinks the topic should be addressed, and what the teacher should do more of, or not. Then point out the things he is missing to help him see the big picture Your longterm goal has to be (opinion again) making an independent thinker. It's a lot harder than you think with this generation since everywhere they go they are plugged-in to somebody else's message. I see too many high school students that don't know how to think or can't take initiative to ask for help, and part of that is because they are used to being told how to think, taken everywhere and constantly guided from place to place. They don't understand that they need to do more than just show up and have the adult tell them what, when and how to do everything. They also need to know how to speak truth to power, and how to do so respectfully. Finally, I would find a way to make people aware of this teacher's proclivities. Be careful that it doesn't impact your child's relationship with this teacher. (but if it did, you would have a great teachable moment). Whether you start with parents, the principal, or the superintendent is up to you, but this teacher needs a pedigogical 2x4 upside the head.
7. Sure, its cool to have them watch it. Although I hope that she does not let her obvious biases influence the kids' way of thinking. She is obviously a right wing nut because she is still moping on the Obama's citizenship lie which has obviously been proven false several times. With that said, the kids should be allowed to witness American partisan politics and watch these people communicate their free speech & right to protest. It is a part of the American history and culture and they should be allowed to see.
8. Why would she want you to have a tea party? My class made boats and we did a play where the men dressed as Indians and then threw tea bags at the audience Seems like your teacher is trying to be creative but isn't suceeding..