Should 10yrs old Be Deciding if "Killing" is Okay?

Question

I might be over reacting however my gut tells me that I'm not this is how the story unfolded:

Yesterday I sent this email to my 4th grade daughter's Teacher:

"M" was a little upset Friday night and I am not sure what

specifically took place as her translations are not always accurate...

She reported that those believing "Killing" is ok were told to go to one room--Those who do not believe "killing" is ok were to go to the other room... She said she spoke about Abortion? and that some kids laughed at her--and that her teachers stood up and said she was right????

Not sure about what happend?

Adoptive Parents are encouraced not to associate Abortion and Adoption to the child as Abortion is a Choice to Give Birth and Adoption is a Choice to Parent.... So Not sure where she is getting her ideas.....?

Teachers Answer continued below:

Answer 1

Not everyone who graduates from college and has a teaching certificate is qualified to be around impressionable kids, especially one with an "agenda."  The exercise sounds grossly inappropriate and the teacher's competence should certainly be investigated by the school board.

Answer 2

Well..

That is kind of heavy.

I think it would give a very good insight into the children's minds.

It might also be a very dangerous thing to mess with.

I think something this serious should be held off until more maturity.

But I don't really understand in the point of the assignment anyway.

If they are going to give it they should make it more specific i.e. Abortion, Capital Punishment, Mercy Killing, etc.

Answer 3

Actually I will take up with the teacher on this one.

It is a normal course of study for 4th graders to have to write a paper defending an argument.

In this case the argument was a bit touchy, "Is killing wrong?"

To most adults, the answer is obvious buy yet the proof, the writing of the document defending the argument will vary from individual to individual.  Some will claim a religious stance, Or a moral stance.  

An entire oriental philosophy was based on a book rationalizing killing.

So we pose the question to a 4th grader.  Now kids are known for coming up with wild rationalizations anyhow, and it would be a lot of fun to see what the arguments were on both sides of the fence.

It is because it "should" be a simple answer, that makes it a tough assignment.

It is probably a better assignment for a 4th grader in fact then a college grad student, as the poor college grad student could spend the rest of their life rationalizing their argument, while the 4th grader can simply confess, "Killing is wrong because Mommy says it is", or "Killing is Ok because Daddy is in Iraq and he might have to kill someone"

(By the way, I get the impression the problem you have with this whole thing is more based on the exposures of your special needs child, which I can not fault you on, but for the average 4th grader, its a great assignment)

Answer 4

WHAT??????

Whatever your position on the topic of abortion, I don't think I want my child to have to consider abortion  at age 10!!!!! That is just sad to be honest, why should kids have to think about that. Why not the topic of segregation which I can get a whole lot of great lesson plans on that which wouldn't be as disturbing as abortion. That teacher over stepped the boundaries big time.

I really didn't live a sheltered life, but I seriously didn't know about abortion till i got out of high school...I know, crazy huh? Having to consider this at age 10 is taking a part of her innocence away in a slight way, but that's my opinion...

Answer 5

OMG.. i do not think that is an appropriate discussion for school at all.. especialy not for a 10 year old class.. what where they thinking...

Answer 6

I think you're doing your daughter a disservice to try and protect her from the realities of life.  The fact of the matter is that 10 year olds DO think about issues like this, and writing can be a very positive and healthy way to work out their feelings about them.  The only issue I see here is the fact that students were asked to separate into different rooms based on their beliefs.  If the writing is personal, there's no need to be placed in different settings to write.  I also think that this project is really interesting and is real teaching.  The 4th graders in my school were "taught" to produce one really good piece of writing that could be adapted to whatever writing prompt they were given by the state for the writing test.  All that taught them was how to take a test.  The teachers at your daughter's school are teaching them how to express themselves logically and coherently, DESPITE any sort of issues or shortcomings they may have.  Your daughter's teacher still has high expectations for her, whereas other teachers might have chosen to exclude her.  Your daughter's teacher thinks she's capable of thinking and writing for herself.  Perhaps it's time you recognize your daughter's abilities as well....AND, talk about the issues with your daughter.  That's what the emails were sent out for in the first place- to discuss important issues and create a dialog between parents and their children.

Answer 7

I would hope that by 10yrs of age my child was well aware that killing for any reason is extremely wrong and unforgivable. I would also expect him to be capable of standing up for that belief. There are too many children not being taught what beliefs are and how to stand for them in this society which would be why the prison system is literally overflowing. I see nothing wrong with this assignment.

Answer 8

I can't see the teacher's answer.  Try to Edit and I will come back, this sounds very interesting!

Edit:  I can see it now.

I can understand  the project about defending your beliefs but I really think that using killing as an example was a bit too much.

Answer 9

This is highly inappropriate to be discussing on this level. Their brain development at this stage is not able to rationalize this....all they need to know at 10 years old is "Killing is wrong" not making persuasive arguments on the matter either way.

I would contact the superintendent.

Answer 10

The concept of defending beliefs is appropriate. The subject of killing however is not acceptable to me for a 10 year old.

Answer 11

I do not think you are over-reacting.  If it was my son's class, I would definitely be going in and having discussions with the teacher and administration.  

Maybe I am personally over-reacting, but I would tell the administration that I felt as though they were segregating kids almost as if they were profiling them.  Those who felt killing was okay would be monitored more closely than those who didn't.  Obviously, this would disturb me.

I'd also be concerned that children are being forced into defending their belief system at the age of 10.  At a time when peer pressure is so strong, aren't the teachers setting these kids up for problems with other students, especially if the less popular kids vote differently than the popular ones?  How does that help the children?  

I'd also be annoyed that a teacher felt as though he/she had the education and resources that a child would need if the questions brought up more indepth issues - such as adoption with your child.  Shouldn't a guidance counselor be there to help discuss these things in class if necessary or at least pull the child aside to discuss further if necessary?  

Again, I personally may be over-reacting, but I would be upset too.

Answer 12

Wow...that is a lot for a 10 year old. I feel as if a 10 year old should be ready for life's realistic issues but should be discussed with a parent based on whether you feel your child is ready. I would have a fit if my 6 yr old had a discussion about that in school.

I would meet with the teacher for a better understanding because it doesn't seem right to me. You could always call another school and ask about what their 4th graders are learning...I think that you should push this. I feel as if "beliefs" could have been discussed through something else...some other topics..I think that Killing and Abortions and Adoptions are big issues.

Answer 13

Definitely not.

Those issues are much to old for 10 year olds

I hope you send our answers to that teacher

Answer 14

Uhm this is sorta a wierd quiestion....