Support NeoGAF

[XiaNaphryz]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs...dents-to-write-about-how-they-would-kill-her/

A Montgomery County, Md., middle school teacher assigned her English students in four separate classes a story in which they had to describe how they would kill her — and the description had to include at least three gerunds, three infinitives and three participles.

The Kingsview Middle School teacher, Patricia Lorenzen, sent an apology late last year to parents and guardians of students in four of her English classes, saying that she thought the assignment would “be an engaging way to review grammar concepts,” but later, after complaints by parents, she realized that it was inappropriate. By then, however, some of the students had actually completed the assignment, though others did not. No student was penalized for failing to complete the assignment.

Lorenzen did not respond to e-mails or phone calls requesting comment. Kingsview principal James D’Andrea said in an e-mail:

"The teacher stated in the letter to parents that she was trying to engage students in reviewing some grammar concepts. However, she has acknowledged that she used poor judgment with this assignment, and it absolutely should not have occurred. She has apologized to parents and there have been no further issues regarding her assignments. Since this is a personnel matter, I can’t say more at this time. When this occurred more than two months ago, I personally apologized on behalf of the school to the parents who contacted me. The matter has settled down since that time."

 

[hipbabboom]

Thankfully kids can't play Metal Gear Ground Zeros

 

[Fusebox]

Seems like a valid English exercise, unlike those ridiculous common core math question.

 

[freenudemacusers]

I dunno, I'd think it would be kind of fun exercise but there is probably some

kid who would just take it waaay too far.

 

[JohnCYQ]

Sounds like the teacher got inspired by Assassination Classroom

 

[Sting]

THIS was the best idea she could come up with for an exercise?

It's original at least....

 

[ffdgh]

There are other less...crazy ways to engage students.

 

[Fusebox]

If the teacher has 4 limbs how can you leave her with 2 limbs by ripping off 3 limbs?

 

[Delta Assault]

Hey, at least she's not sleeping with them.

 

[trinest]

I'd be more concerned about her mental state, maybe she was thinking of sucide when she wrote it?

 

[Hidden One]

If the teacher has 4 limbs how can you leave her with 2 limbs by ripping off 3 limbs?

No.

 

[M0nochromatic]

If the teacher has 4 limbs how can you leave her with 2 limbs by ripping off 3 limbs?

I understood the reference.

 

[Lord Ghirahim]

No.

Yes you can. Rip off 3 limbs and stitch 1 back on (4 - 3 + 1 = 2)

 

[Item Box]

Yes you can. Rip off 3 limbs and stitch 1 back on (4 - 3 + 1 = 2)

then stitch the other 2 back on

 

[Hexa]

She seems cool. Unfortunate parents are so touchy though.

 

[_Ryo_]

Maybe it's just me but this doesn't really seem to be that big of a deal?

I mean, in creative writing in HS we got all kinds of weird assignments... I wrote a story about suffering and contemplating suicide, and that was far from the darkest of stories handed in. And in AP English we read and discussed Poe and Lovecraft.

 

[Saintguine]

She could have stepped it the fuck up and have a fake gunman fake-kill her for the class to see.

 

[peanutbutterlatte]

And there's your problem: middle school. If they were upper high school or A level kids this would have been absolutely fine. Know your audience is the lesson here.

 

[unknownstranger]

And there's your problem: middle school. If they were upper high school or A level kids this would have been absolutely fine. Know your audience is the lesson here.

This would have NEVER been fine anywhere. There was a shooting at my middle school (well before I was old enough) where a student brought a gun to class and killed 2 students and a teacher. While I went there, every year I went there, one of my teachers would take us outside to the memorial of the shooting on the day it happened for a moment of silence. My mom is a school teacher. What would you think if you read the responses students gave your mother on how they would kill her? This is something that should NEVER be joked about.

 

[plasmawave]

 

[subrock]

If the teacher has 4 limbs how can you leave her with 2 limbs by ripping off 3 limbs?

You cannot make 2 withe 4-3

 

[_Ryo_]

This would have NEVER been fine anywhere. There was a shooting at my middle school (well before I was old enough) where a student brought a gun to class and killed 2 students and a teacher. While I went there, every year I went there, one of my teachers would take us outside to the memorial of the shooting on the day it happened for a moment of silence. My mom is a school teacher. What would you think if you read the responses students gave your mother on how they would kill her? This is something that should NEVER be joked about.

It was a critical writing assignment, not a joke?

 

[CadetMahoney]

Tasteless for middle school regardless of "oh but it's critical thinking".

 

[Rembrandt]

Maybe it's just me but this doesn't really seem to be that big of a deal?

I mean, in creative writing in HS we got all kinds of weird assignments... I wrote a story about suffering and contemplating suicide, and that was far from the darkest of stories handed in. And in AP English we read and discussed Poe and Lovecraft.

You're comparing AP English to middle school English. Not a real apt comparison.

 

[Soriku]

"I would do unspeakable things."

*turns in homework*

 

[Marvel]

There are other less...crazy ways to engage students.

Twister.

 

[Drazgul]

Bet she gave A's to the students who wrote they'd choke her to death. Sploosh!

 

[dejay]

I was reading my parent's horror books when I was 10. Big woop.

 

[StayDead]

If the teacher has 4 limbs how can you leave her with 2 limbs by ripping off 3 limbs?

[triggered]

 

[Black Republican]

shoulda been first post

 

[wildfire]

Sounds like the teacher got inspired by Assassination Classroom

Just like the Simpsons. There is a manga for everything. *derps*

 

[BajiBoxer]

No problem with the assignment other than it being a middle school grammar exercise. Seems a bit too dark and tone deaf for a bunch of 13 year olds.

 

[XiaNaphryz]

"I would do unspeakable things."

*turns in homework*

Where are the gerunds???

 

[Epsilon-delta]

If the teacher has 4 limbs how can you leave her with 2 limbs by ripping off 3 limbs?

I like this post.

 

[ItIsOkBro]

"you'll find out tomorrow."

 

[Floridian]

If the teacher has 4 limbs how can you leave her with 2 limbs by ripping off 3 limbs?

Take 3 limbs off, cut 1/3 of a limb from each of those 3, add the 1/3 limb's to each other to form a separate limb, then tape/stitch that limb to the body. 1 + 1 = 2.

 

[pashmilla]

Meh. In Year 9 (so 13-14) we had to plan our own funerals in R.E.

 

[Sub_Level]

Sounds like a fun assignment.

 

[Slayven]

Dumbass

 

[studyguy]

Well at least she didn't have sex with the kids too like some other nutty teachers.
Least she wasn't that crazy. Just fulfill my murder fantasies crazy.

 

[Ivan 3414]

Smiled.

 

[AnAnole]

At least she didn't ask how they would fuck her.

 

[commedieu]

Maybe it's just me but this doesn't really seem to be that big of a deal?

I mean, in creative writing in HS we got all kinds of weird assignments... I wrote a story about suffering and contemplating suicide, and that was far from the darkest of stories handed in. And in AP English we read and discussed Poe and Lovecraft.

and all in all, it was probably a desperate attempt to get the kids engaged.

 

[Huevos de Oro]

Where are the gerunds???

I will doing unspeakabling thingsing.

Turns in homeworking.

I'm all about the gerunds.