Movies and More

I received many responses about last nights blog.
I am not surprised that many parent objected to the movie. I was actually glad to hear it because my decision was not popular. I also received notes supporting my zero vote on video games. Sometimes being the mean evil advisor is what I get paid the big bucks to do.

The overview of the conversation we had today in class was:
How to arrange to use shared spaces in advance. Selecting options are not enough. MS students need to help plan and arrange their activities.

Video games have, and will continue to receive a zero vote from me. I have the right in our constitution based on the Teacher Judgement call.

My movie policy is as follows:
For student selected movies:
1. Students have to provide me with written explanation of how the movie has educational value.

2. If there is any question of content (i.e. not a youth movie even if it is PG, subjects which may be controversial not directly related to a class), then permission slips must be written (by them). They must be collected and organized.

3. Any movie not PG must have a permission slip. I may provide a general permission slip to keep on record.

4. Alternative activities of equal fun/worth/educational value must be provided. Students SHOULD NOT have to miss school due to the content of a movie.

Finally, I should not have assumed only 6th grade parents would object. I actually thought most would, but I heard responses from more 7th and 8th grade parents!

Part of this arose from having to have another teacher in class during this process. I was out meeting with a student/family. Most of Friday was planned (see other post).

It has turned into a productive class/family discussion on choosing events, planning for use of shared spaces, and appropriate use of school time. Hopefully students have a better understanding of the planning process and expectations, and families can support my mean, evil and terrible limits. I am pleased to report no student died today as a result of not seeing their movie. We actually didn't even have time for it given our buddy activity.