The random political thoughts thread (Part Deux)

[katiesue]

I don't get the paranoia about exposing your kids to other ideas, values, cultures, religions, other than my own. Maddie's Algebra teacher is Muslim (and I only know this because she wears the full headscarf etc). I have no issue with her being in her class. Maybe she will learn something about another country and religion. If her teachers were to tell her something I don't belive in, then we have a discussion about that's one way to look at it but here's how I see it.

[scaeagles]

Originally Posted by katiesue

I don't get the paranoia about exposing your kids to other ideas, values, cultures, religions, other than my own. Maddie's Algebra teacher is Muslim (and I only know this because she wears the full headscarf etc). I have no issue with her being in her class. Maybe she will learn something about another country and religion. If her teachers were to tell her something I don't belive in, then we have a discussion about that's one way to look at it but here's how I see it.

How old is Maddie? 8th grade (I guess that because of algebra)? I have no problem at that age level either.

I wouldn't have a problem if, in 3rd as my youngest is, a teacher said "Muslims worship a God called Allah and study a book called the Quran". OK - that's factual. I think it might be different if the teacher said "Allah is great. In fact, he is the true God and all infidels should be killed" - that might be different.

GC, again, once my kids are old enough and mature enough to consider, debate, and reasonably approach ideas vs. fact, I'm cool with it. My 8 and 10 years olds haven't reached that point yet. My 8 year old might be there before my 10 year old.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

GC, again, once my kids are old enough and mature enough to consider, debate, and reasonably approach ideas vs. fact, I'm cool with it. My 8 and 10 years olds haven't reached that point yet. My 8 year old might be there before my 10 year old.

If you make the decision to exclude your 8 year old from the accompanying lesson plan, and she (she, right?) asks, "Dad, why am I not doing the same homework as everyone else in my class?" would yuo answer honsetly with, "Because the assignment might include opinions that we don't agree with and don't think you should be learning about right now." If so, what do you think that teaches her about hearing opposing opinions?

[Strangler Lewis]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

If you make the decision to exclude your 8 year old from the accompanying lesson plan, and she (she, right?) asks, "Dad, why am I not doing the same homework as everyone else in my class?" would yuo answer honsetly with, "Because the assignment might include opinions that we don't agree with and don't think you should be learning about right now." If so, what do you think that teaches her about hearing opposing opinions?

We have discussions like that all the time about entertainment choices. I hope I wouldn't ever have to have one about a school project, but I wouldn't rule it out.

[scaeagles]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

If you make the decision to exclude your 8 year old from the accompanying lesson plan, and she (she, right?) asks, "Dad, why am I not doing the same homework as everyone else in my class?" would yuo answer honsetly with, "Because the assignment might include opinions that we don't agree with and don't think you should be learning about right now." If so, what do you think that teaches her about hearing opposing opinions?

It is a she. My kids are Heather (15), Jake (10), and Megan (8 on the 17th).

My answer would be "Because it was an assignment on some stuff I was concerned about and the parents were excluded from the process. We can look at the stuff and talk about it together, though.". That is honest.

What that would teach her is opposing opinions are fine and I'm interested in what she's doing (already do homework with her nightly, so that's not really an issue), and some things are important enough that I want to do it with her 100%.