My daughter's class was given this article in science class

[Anjaffm]

@WarHawk:

OMG!!!!

Maybe someone from CASAA would know how to handle it so that you and your daughter don't get identified by the teacher. It would be professional in nature and might just get the teachers attention more than a one on one with a students parent.

I like that idea!
After all, indoctrinating children with junk science nonsense - AND introducing them to an interesting thingy with interesting flavors, at an age where kids will try anything that sounds interesting - is not what a school should be doing. And in science class, no less

 

[AgentAnia]

The more I think about this, the angrier I become. This is nothing less than fanatics indoctrinating children into their ideology, and it is unconscionable. And these particular children are going to come away from this exercise believing that that article is scientifically sound. Why? Because their science teacher assigned it. I am disgusted.

(Somewhat to this point, I read a recent article about a local hearing on a ban-ecigs ordinance. The tobacco control lobby actually recruited *children* to appear at the hearing and testify that they wanted ecigs to be banned. A new and beyond contemptible "save the chiiiildren" tactic.)

 

[winemermaid]

Oh, I enjoy my daughter only being three sometimes. I can't even imagine what I would do if this happened to me. It makes me want to homeschool my kids so my kids aren't being spoon fed such ridiculousness. I'd love to keep up with this thread to see what the outcome is. I understand why your daughter is concerned about the reaction - that could be so "embarrassing" to her. I hope you find a way to politely correct the "teacher" and also educate those kids that it's not herion, it's a safer alternative to a life threatening habit.

Sent from my SCH-S960L using Tapatalk 2

 

[DC2]

I am such a non-confrontational person. And I tend to burst into tears when I am emotional.

You sound like my wife.


She called me awhile back and she was crying so much she couldn't get any words out for a few minutes.
I thought one of her parents died or our dog got hit by a car or something.

Turns out some lady had made her really, really mad.

She's not much for confrontation either.
I handle all the confrontations.


It makes me very angry that this teacher has upset both you and your daughter.
I wish I could do something about it.

 

[Mrs C]

My children were taught to respect their teachers. They were also taught that teachers are not infallible. That the respectful and mature way of dealing with such assignments is to do what the teacher asks, BUT to go the extra and include the correct information with sources. I've had to go in for meetings a few times. I keep it simple and ask

1. Did my child do the assignment? "Yes, but..." (then grade on the assignment)

2. Did he/she provide the sources to back up the disagreement? "Yes, but..."

3. Was he/she disrespectful? "No, but ..."

4. So you called me in because you have a problem with the fact my child went above and beyond, doing additional research and as a result, is respectfully offering you additional information that does not rely questionable, outdated or inaccurate information on the subject?

That usually ends it right there.

 

[cmknight]

I am such a non-confrontational person. And I tend to burst into tears when I am emotional. This is a super hard thing for *me* due to this. My daughter does not want me to send this information to her teacher in any way that would connect it to her. So, I'm kind of chewing over what I can handle emotionally and professionally in regards to this. The RAWR part of me thinks I should meet face to face with her and talk about it. However, I know I would totally loose my .... and get all emotional. Because really, this is an incredibly emotional topic for me.

So, give your daughter all of the information, let her write her report, and then you "proofread" it to make sure she has all of the relevant information in it.

 

[7sixtwo]

I'm so shocked.

"Public" schools are now nothing more than Statist indoctrination centers.

Ever seen "Common Core" curriculum? It's downright chilling.

 

[UntamedRose]

Sounds like a wonderful learning opportunity to me...have your daughter do that research and paperwork...dispute the bad science and turn that in instead.

Not saying it's right..but it is a chance for your kid to learn a huge life lesson most adults dont even know.

 

[Linden]

So, give your daughter all of the information, let her write her report, and then you "proofread" it to make sure she has all of the relevant information in it.

This was an in-class assignment in which they needed to write a prompt summary of the assigned article. It is a state/federal common-core standard that every subject a student attends has an attached writing assignment. This is the first of such in this particular class but she did say she even has to fulfill this requirement in her band class. My child is an honor society student and very much concerned with her grades and how her teachers perceive her. I have to respect her wishes to not be singled out on this issue and address it just as a parent to teacher conversation.

 

[Kent C]

Some help here... these may be part of other links....

CDC Belatedly Reveals That Smoking by Teenagers Dropped While Vaping Rose - Hit & Run : Reason.com

CDC lies about kids using e-cigarettes | Anti-THR Lies and related topics

Carl Phillips hits on a point that give 'statistics' a bad name:

"You are with me there right? An 11th grader, in 2011, who tried an ecigarette in the 10th grade is still part of the "ever tried" group when he is in the 12th grade in 2012. If one of his classmates tried one for the first time in the 11th grade, he joins his friend in the "ever tried" group in 2012. Though the rate of trying was the same for this two person population each year, the "ever tried" statistic DOUBLED!!!!" (my emphasis)

If they would compare just the 'first tried' of 2011 and 2012, the statistic remains the same. If another person tries in 2012 and they all go to the same college in 2013 the statistic would triple

This reminds me of some of the gymnastics that went into the 'smoking related deaths' statistic by the CDC. Basically, if you tried cigarettes when you were a kid and smoked at least one pack at 17*, and never smoked again but if you died at 90 yrs old of a 'smoking related illness', say lung cancer or heart disease, they would count you as a 'smoking related death'. (*it's been a while since I reviewed that material so the 'one pack' may not be quite right, but that it is close. Seems like it may have been 100 cigs total...)

 

[Linden]

I also want to say that I am very thankful for all of the responses here. I feel at times that I overreact to some things (I think we all feel that way sometimes!). It is comforting to know that I am not alone in my outrage. For some background information: my husband is a principal at a local highschool and just this past week had to suspend a child for vaping in school per school rules. The juice DID have nicotine and it was an Ego model, not a cig-a-like. Now, back on point...in general my husband will take care of these kinds of thing for me. He is very gentle-natured and people tend to like him instantly. I, on the other hand, am somewhat neurotic and not-good-with-words (but in my head later, I think of all of the awesome things I could have said!). So really, this is MY battle. He can't do this for me, as he is already an administrator and in a high position. Gosh, I am meandering. I think what I'm trying to get at is that I think this is MY thing to do. And if I cry and get emotional, its only a teacher in a po-dunk town that will see it. I don't think this was some kind of conspiracy, I think it was laziness on the part of the teacher. You know, medical journal synopsis are not THAT hard to read and certainly within the age range of 12-13 year olds. I also EXPECT that a science teacher would produce SCIENCE and not opinion. It is a basic rule of science that we question hypothesis until it is proven. These kids trust their teachers and a science teacher, of all teachers, should have higher standards as to content.

 

[Kent C]

I remember when my niece (5th or 6th grader at the time) at Thanksgiving, told all the smokers in the family - me, my mom, sister and a few others that 'she loved them and didn't want to see them die'. It was a gov't sponsored program that was enforced through the gov't public schools. I figured it was nationwide but never bothered to check into it that much.

I told her (letting her know that I didn't blame her) ... to tell her teacher that it is none of her business what I do. My mom and sister (her mother) 'hid' their smoking from her for years.... I didn't.

 

[Nunnster]

I see these lines "In addition, e-cigarettes are sold with cartridges that give them enticing flavors such as mint or chocolate, and health advocates fear they have the potential to turn teens on to regular cigarettes." and "When you see cotton candy, bubble gum and atomic fireball flavors, there's no question these products are being marketed directly at kids," over and over again, and every time I do it makes me so furious I want to rip my hair out and scream. Its like, adults couldn't possibly enjoy good tasting things, cuz you know, adults only like onions, vodka, beer, meat, and burned tobacco flavors. *sarcasm*

As for the rest of their arguments, I smoked as a teen, and many I know who smoke started as a teen. You are not going to stop it. I would much rather them try an ecig than an analog. Rather I wouldn't want them to do either, but I know that is an impossible request. Analogs are not only addicting in nature due to the nicotine (which is just a stimulant like caffeine, but kids can still get soda) but all the other chemicals in tobacco as well.

If a science teacher (which is one of my plans maybe for when I finish out my degree) gave this to MY kid, I would ask if he at least had the counter viewpoint with actual science and if he planed on sharing with the students after or during the assignment. I would assume not beforehand, and say something to him/her along the lines of "propaganda helps no one, especially in science". Not only would I be absolutely livid at his lack of scientific creditability and integrity, I would also submit my own report to him formatted real nicely in APA with more actual scientific backing in one sentence then this "report" has in its entirety.

 

[Plumes.91]

Makes me very angry. Glad to see you wanted to stand up to that teacher. I went to a public high school not too long ago. If your daughter goes to one anything like the ones in my area she could easily tell off the teacher and get into little to no "trouble" in fact, she could probably throw a wet wad of toilette paper at the board, get caught, get 3 days of in school suspension, walk out, and get a 3 day vacation if she'd like. Pretty cool system huh?

 

[Uma]

Linden, this is so outrageous! I wish I could help. Can you do both? Have your daughter turn in hers, while you turn in yours, not only to her but to the local media as well?

Jeez... "science" class feeding junk science to 7th graders

Thank you for providing the correct articles, dears!

Bah... next they'll be teaching children that Oreo Cookies are as addictive as illegal substances

Well, if they do, we can refute that nonsense quite easily too

That is a newspaper headline. I wish I were a journalist, this would make a perfect story, not only about political warfare, but about pathetic reporting as well.

The Oreo cookies being more addictive than crack makes me furious the more I think about it. They are tricking kids into believing that hard core drugs are no more harder to quit than eating Oreos.

I think it's pretty awful that ejuice dealers would market flavors such as cotton candy, bubble gum and atomic fireball that adults would never buy -- I mean what "adult" in their right mind would want to vape chocolate flavored juice. Absolutely these are only being marketed to "children" --

And how great that a 7th grade science teacher would choose to introduce her students to e-cigs by making them read and write a report on e-cigs -- definitely introducing them to cotton candy, bubble gum and atomic fireball ejuice will ensure they are not curious and will not try e-cigs.

I absolutely hope the next article assigned is the Oreo article noted by Anjaffm!!!

Well said! Very true.

Sounds like a wonderful learning opportunity to me...have your daughter do that research and paperwork...dispute the bad science and turn that in instead.

Not saying it's right..but it is a chance for your kid to learn a huge life lesson most adults dont even know.

+1 or at least turn it in to the media.

 

[Linden]

Ok, just got done with a full convo with my (school administrator) husband. He fully supports me talking to the teacher. He also warned me that I may not have satisfactory results and that it will probably go to the principal. At that point, he will help out.

 

[Sane Asylum]

Hi Linden,

I think you should absolutely let the teacher know that the facts presented in this article are not true. And you can do it in an 'innocent' way, not involve your daughter and you don't have to personally confront the teacher to do this. You can simply send the teacher an email saying that your daughter told you about this article and what it was saying. You had read in Forbes recently that what the CDC director was false and you feel that the teacher should be aware of it. You can also include some other references about how the CDC director was presenting false information. You can conclude that, as a parent, you understand that 'smoking cigarettes' is a problem but students should be given correct information, etc. Don't mention anything about you personally and vaping.

Yeah, you're not expressing the outrage you really feel but you will be making a point and at the same time, not putting your daughter in what she feels is an uncomfortable position. You're just being a concerned parent.

Good luck!

 

[Anjaffm]

I remember when my niece (5th or 6th grader at the time) at Thanksgiving, told all the smokers in the family - me, my mom, sister and a few others that 'she loved them and didn't want to see them die'. It was a gov't sponsored program that was enforced through the gov't public schools. I figured it was nationwide but never bothered to check into it that much.

I told her (letting her know that I didn't blame her) ... to tell her teacher that it is none of her business what I do. My mom and sister (her mother) 'hid' their smoking from her for years.... I didn't.

Jeez! Indoctrinating children and instrumentalizing them to serve the goals of those in power.
Now, what does that remind me of?

I remember in about 1979, my little sister acquired the habit of hectically waving her hand in front of her face as soon as somebody lit up a cigarette. She did that in my house once. I told her to stop this nonsense or leave my house. As I was having none of that. That put a stop to it right there and then. At least in my company and in my house. Period.

My children were taught to respect their teachers. They were also taught that teachers are not infallible. That the respectful and mature way of dealing with such assignments is to do what the teacher asks, BUT to go the extra and include the correct information with sources. I've had to go in for meetings a few times. I keep it simple and ask
1. Did my child do the assignment? "Yes, but..." (then grade on the assignment)

2. Did he/she provide the sources to back up the disagreement? "Yes, but..."
3. Was he/she disrespectful? "No, but ..."
4. So you called me in because you have a problem with the fact my child went above and beyond, doing additional research and as a result, is respectfully offering you additional information that does not rely questionable, outdated or inaccurate information on the subject?
That usually ends it right there.

Great! I love it!

Hi Linden,

I think you should absolutely let the teacher know that the facts presented in this article are not true. And you can do it in an 'innocent' way, not involve your daughter and you don't have to personally confront the teacher to do this. You can simply send the teacher an email saying that your daughter told you about this article and what it was saying. You had read in Forbes recently that what the CDC director was false and you feel that the teacher should be aware of it. You can also include some other references about how the CDC director was presenting false information. You can conclude that, as a parent, you understand that 'smoking cigarettes' is a problem but students should be given correct information, etc. Don't mention anything about you personally and vaping.

Yeah, you're not expressing the outrage you really feel but you will be making a point and at the same time, not putting your daughter in what she feels is an uncomfortable position. You're just being a concerned parent.

Good luck!

now, that is a lovely idea!
And if the teacher gets uppity, a complaint can always go to the principal then. After all, science class should teach scientific facts, should it not? *innocent face*

 

[Linden]

Hi Linden,

I think you should absolutely let the teacher know that the facts presented in this article are not true. And you can do it in an 'innocent' way, not involve your daughter and you don't have to personally confront the teacher to do this. You can simply send the teacher an email saying that your daughter told you about this article and what it was saying. You had read in Forbes recently that what the CDC director was false and you feel that the teacher should be aware of it. You can also include some other references about how the CDC director was presenting false information. You can conclude that, as a parent, you understand that 'smoking cigarettes' is a problem but students should be given correct information, etc. Don't mention anything about you personally and vaping.

Yeah, you're not expressing the outrage you really feel but you will be making a point and at the same time, not putting your daughter in what she feels is an uncomfortable position. You're just being a concerned parent.

Good luck!

THIS is a wonderful solution!

 

[LaraC]

Hi Linden,

I think you should absolutely let the teacher know that the facts presented in this article are not true. And you can do it in an 'innocent' way, not involve your daughter and you don't have to personally confront the teacher to do this. You can simply send the teacher an email saying that your daughter told you about this article and what it was saying. You had read in Forbes recently that what the CDC director was false and you feel that the teacher should be aware of it. You can also include some other references about how the CDC director was presenting false information. You can conclude that, as a parent, you understand that 'smoking cigarettes' is a problem but students should be given correct information, etc. Don't mention anything about you personally and vaping.

Yeah, you're not expressing the outrage you really feel but you will be making a point and at the same time, not putting your daughter in what she feels is an uncomfortable position. You're just being a concerned parent.

Good luck!

THIS is a wonderful solution!

I think so too, Linden! If I could have given Sane Asylum's suggestion a hundred "like"s, I would have!!

That's a very diplomatic way of handling it. No confrontation at all. Just some information about statistical conclusions that the CDC director (not the teacher) got wrong.