What do you think of this?

Sam914 · #1 November 17th, 2011, 07:01 AM

We just got a note about my step daughters Christmas concert at school this year... and the note said that if the kids dont know all the words to the songs they dont get to participate in the concert! Am i the only one that thinks this is really mean? M (her name starts with m also

) loves to sing so i'm sure she knows all the words but still, to work on the songs all year then not get to at least stand up there and act like you know the words? not cool!

mylene169 · #2 November 17th, 2011, 07:05 AM

That does seem pretty harsh! I wonder what the reasoning for that is?

Sam914 · #3 November 17th, 2011, 07:19 AM

i'm not sure... possible space maybe? They usually do two grades at the same time and the high school's auditorium is pretty packed and its kind of hard to fit all the kids on the stage....? But thats about all i can think of. They're also saying its "different" this year but the only real difference there is that the kids are wearing casual clothes instead of dress clothes and that they're excluding half the kids!

LisaBrown · #4 November 17th, 2011, 07:29 AM

I see it from the teacher's side of it too and wonder if it's because many of the kids aren't taking it seriously? I know that there's nothing that irks me more than when my students bug me to do something and then I end up doing all the work because they get bored half way and don't feel like putting the effort or time in to get it finished. Maybe it's more of an incentive for the kids who don't take it seriously and aren't trying to learn the words. Plus, it would probably make the other kids look like they didn't practice if they are all up there together and half of them don't know the words while the other half worked really hard all year to learn the songs and can't wait to perform them.

What age are they? I think age also makes a difference...if they are old enough to learn the song by themselves, then I'd say it's their responsability if they want to be in the show. It does sound like the note may have been a bit harshly worded, but I have to say that depending on the circumstances, I could see the reasoning behind it.

Sam914 · #5 November 17th, 2011, 07:42 AM

i guess that makes sense... shes in second grade and her concert is for 2&3. i'm not sure if they do it for k and 1 also (they didnt last year, maybe it something they do for the slightly older kids?, i dunno) my problem is i wonder if there is some sort of test or if the teacher just pays attention to see who knows the words?i have extreme fear of public speaking but i am okay in a group so, if i was put through some sort of audition at that age i would have frozen up and not been able to participate probably

QueenCrafty · #6 November 17th, 2011, 08:02 AM

That seems a bit harsh given the age of the kids

amf4976 · #7 November 17th, 2011, 11:11 AM

I think it's a bit harsh as well and I'm generally pretty strict. I can also see it from the teacher's perspective if they are working hard to put on a nice show and some kids just want to goof around and not try but again, we are talking about 7 years olds. It's normal that they might forget a few words. Maybe the teacher could just privately talk to the parents of kids who are "slackers" and not really trying. But otherise I think it's pretty harsh to say that 7 year olds have to know all the words or they can't participate.

QueenCrafty · #8 November 17th, 2011, 11:28 AM

I'm of the opinion that if you are going to exclude some students for a class presentation, then you shouldn't have one at all. These kids aren't professional performers

Twhylite21 · #9 November 17th, 2011, 11:42 AM

I think it's a bit harsh. I agree with Courtney about not having a performance if they expect that. Kids are going to forget words anyway, even if they've been practicing for months. It should be a fun event for the students and not something that makes them stressed at this age.

Sam914 · #10 November 17th, 2011, 12:01 PM

okay good, i thought i was crazy. She usually knows all the words so i think she'll be okay but i guess we'll see!

amf4976 · #11 November 17th, 2011, 07:13 PM

Hopefully it's one of those situations where the teacher makes a strong statement like that in hopes that the kids would take it seriously and try really hard but in reality she would not really exclude kids for messing up a few words...that's my hope at least!

Amanda C · #12 November 19th, 2011, 07:39 AM

I agree with Courtney completely! That's a bit harsh and they shouldn't exclude any of the kids.

LisaBrown · #13 November 19th, 2011, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amf4976

Hopefully it's one of those situations where the teacher makes a strong statement like that in hopes that the kids would take it seriously and try really hard but in reality she would not really exclude kids for messing up a few words...that's my hope at least!

You'll have to let us know afterwards if they excluded any of them...I'm curious now.