A lesson in respect gone wrong :(

[Verve]

Hi,

Okay, I'm not a parent. I just really thought this post would fit better in this section.

I went to volunteer at a public school today. I was running the projector for their end of year projects. Parents were invited, but very few showed.

The 5th graders made a movie about respect.
It was all going pretty well for me, seemed a bit dry and about basics that parents should have taught their kids by the age of 5-6.

Then one of the teachers in the video says to the kids "What do we do when someone is talking about something we're not interested in?"
They all said in chorus
"Fake interest."
The teacher in the video then praised the children.
"That's right, fake interest."

I just about died. This is what they're teaching children?

I'm still in shock and am pretty much sure that if I ever have children I want them to be home schooled.

 

[mina]

Hi. I'm a teacher. And it's not what "they're" teaching children. At least it's not something that would be even joked about at my school. This is one particular incident in a specific school. Did you ask anyone why this was in the video? I don't agree with it and it sounds very weird to me. It's sad if it's for real.

 

[Verve]

Hi. I'm a teacher. And it's not what "they're" teaching children. At least it's not something that would be even joked about at my school. This is one particular incident in a specific school. Did you ask anyone why this was in the video? I don't agree with it and it sounds very weird to me. It's sad if it's for real.

Nobody asked about it, I'm not a parent so obviously they weren't going to take what I said for anything. The parents in the audience seemed just fine with that section of the movie.

I'm glad this isn't happening in your school. It's very for real where I live.

 

[Incariol]

What is so shocking about it? That is the polite thing to do if someone is rambling on about something boring. As opposed to just rudely zoning out and ignoring them, you at least present a facade of being engaged and caring.

 

[lucypevensie]

What is the correct answer then? I don't think it's wrong advice, but maybe I am missing something. What is the right thing to do when you are in the situation of having to listen to something dull?

 

[Diane_Windsor]

What is so shocking about it? That is the polite thing to do if someone is rambling on about something boring. As opposed to just rudely zoning out and ignoring them, you at least present a facade of being engaged and caring.

That is what I was taught as well. However, having ADD meant that practicing what I was taught was almost a Sisyphean task

 

[EphesiaNZ]

Then one of the teachers in the video says to the kids "What do we do when someone is talking about something we're not interested in?"
They all said in chorus
"Fake interest."
The teacher in the video then praised the children.
"That's right, fake interest."

Perhaps they weren't interested in what that teacher was saying...

 

[Lena75]

Perhaps they weren't interested in what that teacher was saying...

What? Were you talking to me? Hey, why is my GRADE SO LOW? But I'm not "interested" in THAT subject so I was told to FAKE an interest!! And WHY on Earth should I study for a TEST that I'M not interested in?! I DON'T WANNNAAAA!!! *cue your inner Nellie Oleson*

That's what the OP is saying says to me. Teachers are getting lazy yet they are supposed to be the "professionals" with a piece of paper who are supposedly qualified to teach our kids.

When I was in school, there was NOOO such thing as a fake interest because that would call for a pull on the ear, detention and punishment at home. MY job was to sit up, pay attention, like the subject or not do your best to pass on your grades and respect all your teachers!!

No wonder there's so many problems in school. Thank God for homeschool!

 

[lucypevensie]

What? Were you talking to me? Hey, why is my GRADE SO LOW? But I'm not "interested" in THAT subject so I was told to FAKE an interest!! And WHY on Earth should I study for a TEST that I'M not interested in?! I DON'T WANNNAAAA!!! *cue your inner Nellie Oleson*

That's what the OP is saying says to me. Teachers are getting lazy yet they are supposed to be the "professionals" with a piece of paper who are supposedly qualified to teach our kids.

When I was in school, there was NOOO such thing as a fake interest because that would call for a pull on the ear, detention and punishment at home. MY job was to sit up, pay attention, like the subject or not do your best to pass on your grades and respect all your teachers!!

No wonder there's so many problems in school. Thank God for homeschool!

I see it differently. To me, ^that^ is not faking interest, it's being blatantly rude and obnoxious about your disinterest.

You simply can't be interested in everything someone is talking to you about or every subject in school. When this situation arrises, you have some choices how you're going to deal with it.

If you find history class boring, for example, you could do like was mentioned ^above^ and gripe and moan, do sloppy work, and act up in class - or you can sit quietly, listen to the best of your ability, and do a decent job on the schoolwork despite your disinterest. In other works, you fake interest.

Uncle Bob is telling you for the 30th time the fiasco at his latest doctor's appointment. You could butt in and say, "Good grief, Uncle Bob, I've heard ths story a million times already, sheesh!", or you could sit quietly, listen to the story (again), and offer a sympathetic comment. In other works, fake interest.

Even if your heart's not in it, you still should act correctly. Yes, ideally, it would be wonderful if our hearts and actions are all in the same place, but I don't see how that is humanly possible. The message I got from what the teacher said in the video - If you're not interested in whatever the talk is, behave with polite manners anyway.

 

[EphesiaNZ]

That's what the OP is saying says to me. Teachers are getting lazy yet they are supposed to be the "professionals" with a piece of paper who are supposedly qualified to teach our kids.

When I was in school, there was NOOO such thing as a fake interest because that would call for a pull on the ear, detention and punishment at home. MY job was to sit up, pay attention, like the subject or not do your best to pass on your grades and respect all your teachers!!

No wonder there's so many problems in school. Thank God for homeschool!

Like any profession there are good and bad but, the latter appear to be better represented as I see it. Lack of respect and discipline have come about from politically correct dogma and teachers that do not have any real life experience and/or parenting abilities.

Homeschooling has its problems too.

 

[EmilyF]

What? Were you talking to me? Hey, why is my GRADE SO LOW? But I'm not "interested" in THAT subject so I was told to FAKE an interest!! And WHY on Earth should I study for a TEST that I'M not interested in?! I DON'T WANNNAAAA!!! *cue your inner Nellie Oleson*

That's what the OP is saying says to me. Teachers are getting lazy yet they are supposed to be the "professionals" with a piece of paper who are supposedly qualified to teach our kids.

When I was in school, there was NOOO such thing as a fake interest because that would call for a pull on the ear, detention and punishment at home. MY job was to sit up, pay attention, like the subject or not do your best to pass on your grades and respect all your teachers!!

No wonder there's so many problems in school. Thank God for homeschool!

There are problems in schools not there is problems in schools. Poor grammar can be found in schools and in homes, and so can problems. It's very off-putting to come to a board of Christians and see my schooling choice insulted.

Now, as to the OP: I think that "fake interest" is poorly expressed, but the general idea is to pay attention and put yourself aside and express some interest.