Barney’s Bug-Bear
On Friday, after a hard week at school, SnugBoy#1 brought the class bear, Barney, home to stay for the weekend. He brought his own little toiletry bag, with a toothbrush, bedtime stories, and of course, his own teddy bear for bed-time.
On Friday afternoon, SnugBoy#1 took Barney to his friend’s birthday party, where they had a lovely time at soft play, and eating hot dogs. On Saturday they had a bit of a lazy day, but on Sunday we went ten-pin bowling. SnugBoy#2 stayed with his grandparents, so we could spend some “quality time” with SnugBoy#1 (he’s been feeling a bit left out now he’s at school all day, and he has realised that I do things with SnugBoy#2 when he’s not there). Obviously Barney came too, and we had a whale of a time, teaching SnugBoy#1 how to roll the ball down the alley. Barney did remarkably well for such a little bear, and even managed a spare!
It wasn’t until Sunday evening, when I was writing what Barney had done in his diary, that we noticed the front cover, and the missing apostrophe.
I know he’s only in reception class, but surely this is not a great example to set? I am fully aware I am a pedant, but I mentioned it in passing on Twitter last night, and was quite suprised at the level of response it received!
swhittle said, “Ridiculous!”
snowflakeunique added, “just do it – no one will notice, & those that do will be grateful someone else did it for them.”
and CrankParent declared, “Black marker pen at the ready. 
”
So, what’s your opinion? Should I point it out to the teacher? Or just make doubly sure I teach him proper grammar? Is this an indication of the state of our education system? Or is too young to be worrying?
I’d love to hear your thoughts!
September 21st, 2009 at 5:43 pm
Definitely point it out to the teacher, your son may only be in reception class but teachers are meant to know these things. And maybe mark it on with a red marker pen and write ‘see me’ at the bottom?
September 21st, 2009 at 11:05 pm
I agree, definitely point it out.
Maybe you could buy the teacher a copy of ‘Eats, Shoots and Leaves’ by Lynne Truss. This book will explain basic grammar to her. Truss takes a marker pen out with her and corrects ‘greengrocers apple’s’ signs!
September 26th, 2009 at 10:18 am
Hi Claire – thanks for commenting on my similar grumble. I would say that the niggles starting in reception reach a full blown pain in the arse level by Year Six. I don’t think there’s any harm pointing these things out sometimes but I’m not sure they are taken seriously. I suppose the teachers think they have much more serious things to worry about and I suppose they must be right but it would be good to see more attention in this area..
September 26th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
Thanks for your comments. I bottled it, and didn’t mention it. The thing is, it’s a great school, and she is a great teacher. Like Linda said, it would just be great if we could get his right, because it really isn’t all that hard, and it sets the idea that it is unimportant, which is a shame