Just a little tale. I was inspired on face book when someone posted a pik of my English teacher from boarding school, she was harsh and even 25 years on her face still stirs up negatives. She obviously had never heard the term dyslexia!
In classroom at school
Where the pupils, all small
were practising counting in ones
A teacher appears
Quite old for his years
And says "I shall be teaching you sums"
He produces a sheet
that he lays by their feet
Filled with writing that they cannot read
He asks them to learn
And he comes across stern
So they grab at that paper with speed
Every 4 year old there
feels a kind of despair
they wonder why they are not bright
The numbers and signs
And wiggly lines
Just conjure up all sorts of fright
Every day
taught in this way
Those children would learn to be thick
When the truth is that man
That they don't understand
Is a bullying ,ignorant ,prick
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Written by Veronica_Milvus (768 comments posted) 15th August 2008 |
oooh. A bit political there. ladies and gentlemen, yes indeed! A really pleasant form you chose for this, almost like a children's playground rhyme, but obviously some bad experiences coming to the surface here.
I did like this one!
V |
Agree with V
Written by Brett (1001 comments posted) 15th August 2008 |
There is something reminiscient of playground rhyme her, and it works perfectly. Love that final pay off.
Don't you just hate bullies!
Enjoyed this, Paula.
Cheers |
Written by Josie (2849 comments posted) 15th August 2008 |
| You have chosen the rhythm from Gilbert & Sullivan's "Lying Awake with an Awful Headache" etc. I know this rhythm well and recognized it immediately. I've used it for my poem "The Insomniac Poet". What you have said is absolutely right. A child cannot learn a particular thing if they are not ready for it. Nowadays children are taught the letters of the alphabet and numbers in nursery school. My little granddaughter, just 4 years old, can tell you the name of each letter of the alphabet and can recognize numbers. As far as I am concerned, they are pushing them too early. Amen. |
Written by punchy (535 comments posted) 15th August 2008 |
Amen? You do make me smile Josie.
My 4 year old is about to start school in 3 weeks, in this area they only teach them the numbers 1 to 5 and to recognose their name and possibly write it.
Mind you this is Essex, they have far more important things to learn like how to dance around a handbag and put so much blusher on they look bruised.  |
Nice poem, punchy!
Written by beatricelouise (215 comments posted) 15th August 2008 |
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Nice poem, punchy!
Written by beatricelouise (215 comments posted) 15th August 2008 |
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Slow speed is a pain you know where.
Written by beatricelouise (215 comments posted) 15th August 2008 |
Sorry about that Punchy. I thought you wrote a great piece. Sounds like you had issues with that so and so. My grand-daughter will be seven in October. Believe it or not, she is already reading chapter books, like Anne of Green Gables. I am so proud, but it does seem a tad early. My other grandson could read the newspaper at the same age.  |
Hey, Paula!
Written by Katanga (1537 comments posted) 15th August 2008 |
Give your four-year-old some poetry, or better still. a guitar,
There's more mathematics in poetry and music than in all the 'SATS' tests . . . in Life peut etre?
I mean that!
Loads of love . . .
John X PS Great poem! |
Written by Josie (2849 comments posted) 16th August 2008 |
| We miss you on the children's section. You used to enjoy writing there. You don't seem to visit us with poems or reviews just lately. We miss you - - - (Amen = so be it. I expect you knew that). Amen can also be used for "end of subject". Keep laughing. Amen |
Some
Written by patterjack (1435 comments posted) 16th August 2008 |
but not allteachers are bullies . As an ex teacher I tend to react against criticisms of the profession , but on this occasion will only say that there are those parents who attempt to bully teachers !!!
My own children and grandchildren , especially one handicapped grandchild , have had a lot of care from teachers.
I too recognised the rhythm , as I have run productions of Iolanthe , and you have done a good job with it technically.
patterjack |
Written by punchy (535 comments posted) 16th August 2008 |
Thankyou Patterjack, I agree most teachers are fantastic and I admire them hugely. personally I wouldn't bully a teacher because between you and me even at 38 I still get very nervous around them and I reckon they can sense it 
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Patterjack
Written by punchy (535 comments posted) 16th August 2008 |
| I think Phil and John are also teachers? 3 teachers on one site,I wonder if any one else is also. maybe it should help elliminate(sp?) my fear. |
Written by Phil (7001 comments posted) 16th August 2008 |
I'm a teacher - yes - but you don't teach much by bullying anyone.
Shame your teacher was such a waste of space.
Phil |
me too
Written by fellpony (1751 comments posted) 16th August 2008 |
I'm another teacher - didn't mean to be but it seems to have crept up on me over the years. Josie is also a teacher (and she's not quite right about your metre, which isn't exactly the same as WS Gilbert's famous piece - nor does it need to be.)
Shame your teachers have been so awful - because this one wasn't the only one, was he?
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Written by punchy (535 comments posted) 16th August 2008 |
Nope, there were far worse, but I won't expand on that!
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Teacher also!
Written by Katanga (1537 comments posted) 16th August 2008 |
I'll put my hand up to this!
Small difference - I learn more than I teach . . .
and am humbly enjoying the experience.
John X  |
Our men!
Written by Katanga (1537 comments posted) 16th August 2008 |
Our men, what arrogant pricks they are indeed, when they've failed in another profession and turned to teaching instead . . .
What's that common-or-garden quote? "Those that can, do. Those that can't, teach. Those that can't teach, . . .?"
I really rate your poem!
Cheers!
John XXX |
Progression
Written by patterjack (1435 comments posted) 16th August 2008 |
As an ex lecturer also I can add to the mantra ... Those that can't teach.... by commenting that many of them lecture in teachers' colleges
Particularly in the subject Education
patterjack |
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