Tuesday, 11 November 2008
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Should I Be Worried About My Child's Teacher?
by Mama Pig
W has been having some health issues lately and because it has left her quite weak, I decided to write her an excuse for PE. She was not able to get in to see the doctor until next week, and I just didn't want her having to run the two miles that the class was scheduled to undertake this week.
I apparently have the tendency to use what W describes as "big words". It is not something I do purposely, it is just how I speak. Well, perhaps I do it intentionally around the children because I feel it is important that they have a well-rounded vocabulary.
Anyway, back to my story. I wrote a quick note to the PE teacher letting him know the situation. In my note I used the word "strenuous". I really thought nothing of it, I was corresponding with an adult and that was just the word I chose. W came home that afternoon laughing about the note. It seems that her PE teacher asked her if she knew what that word meant. W said no and then asked him what it meant. He gave her a blank look and said that he had no idea and would need to look it up so that he was sure that she would not be doing anything "strenuous".
This man is a teacher responsible for teaching my children and he is unaware of the meaning of a rather common word. W reassured him that her mom often liked to use "big words" because I wanted her to learn, but I hardly consider that word "big".
Okay, am I way off base? I asked Hubby when he got home if he knew the meaning of the word and he did, but maybe that is because I use it often enough around him.
Poll time: would you know what I meant if I wrote the following: I do not wish W to be involved in any strenuous activity this week.
I look forward to hearing from you guys.
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Comments (108)
I don't consider strenuous a big word either. Maybe the teacher should start carrying a dictionary around with him in case other mums decided to use 'big' words in their notes to him....Ridiculous.
Wow... just wow.
They're a PE teacher and they don't know what the work "strenuous" means? Isn't that in ALL the health-related textbooks on physical health? That's... wow. haha
oh wow, I'm 17 and I know what the word strenuous means...
you should be concerned...what to do though I have no idea, sorry "/
that is not a big word. The teacher really should know it.
He should re-take English I. That's just bloody sad...
yes i know what the word strenuous means. i don't know if you should be too worried though. i mean, after it all, it is a gym teacher who does not know the word. if it were an english teacher or history or something, i think it would be more important for him or her to know the word.
Ha! Yet another testament to the sorry shape of this country's education system. I think everyone needs to sit down and have a good time reading the dictionary.
How pathetic! It amazes me sometimes how little folks, especially many teachers, know.
Yes, Worry! My main concern would be: Does this person teach other classes in addition to P.E.? I would also wonder how this person got to be a teacher in the first place.
That really isn't a big word. He should know what it means especially if he's gonna work in PE. I actually remember my Kines professor using that word to describe activity/exercise. Maybe he's gotten one too many dodgeballs to the head.
I agree with everyone else - that is NOT a big word and I DO know what it means.
I think he was winding her up (as we say in Belfast!!!) or having a laugh - I'm sure he knew what the word meant!
Yes, any teacher should know what the word strenuous means, for Heaven's sake. I'm appalled.
I know what it means! I learned that word in like 4th grade lol
Thats sad. But I have a teacher like that this year. It baffles me that some people can get their teaching degree without knowing basic vocabulary, or in my case proper english tenses (and hes a native speaker) lol.
Just be glad that he is the PE teacher, he doesnt really need that skill I guess.
OMG and people wonder why children are not meeting the expectations of the rest of the world as far as education goes. Ummm my suggestion would be to give him a dictionary and a thesaurus for Christmas. He obviously needs it!!!!
Strenuous is not a big word. Although it might take some time to make sure it's spelled correctly, understanding it shouldn't be an issue. It is used a lot in the english language. Hopefully the PE teacher has a degree. If so, he should know that word....I'm sure it came up at least once in his classes. Wow....
I assume this man has a college degree... that is sad.
It's a common word, and even if you don't know the meaning you should be able to guesstimate it.
Yes I know what the word means and I don't think it is a big word.
i'm a high school student, but i've known the meaning of the word strenuous for years.
and i, like you, enjoy using big words. it feels nice to be superior in vocabulary.That is absolutely shocking.
I have a degree in education (Music Education, K-12), and your story just makes me mad. We all made fun of the physical education majors for not being too bright, but it was all un-founded - just a laugh. They were all very intelligent and added to classroom discussion. I would inquire as to where he earned his degree. There are many tests one must pass in order to earn a teaching certificate. I am quite surprised someone with this little grasp of the English Language could pass the C-BASE or the PRAXIS. Check with your child's principal to see if this 'educator' really has a teaching certificate. BIG red flag.
I agree with all of the above including the person who thought just maybe the teacher was "teasing" your daughter. I would send another note, asking if he was serious or teasing?
ha, when I was taking englihs honors (the english class for the 'elite') I used to use really big words randomly. I miss those days...
yes, I know what strenuous means.