Laura Corin Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 ... if a teacher sang this comic song at a school concert (pupils present aged 12 to 18)? Poll to follow. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lily_Grace Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 I'd think she had no taste. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer in MI Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Were the parents there? Was it intended to go over the kids' heads and meant as entertainment for the parents? Did she want to spark an interest in poetry? What was she thinking? Honestly, I can see my younger two not really getting it. But, my older one sure would. Yes. Terribly inappropriate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted December 12, 2011 Author Share Posted December 12, 2011 Were the parents there? Was it intended to go over the kids' heads and meant as entertainment for the parents? Did she want to spark an interest in poetry? What was she thinking? Honestly, I can see my younger two not really getting it. But, my older one sure would. Yes. Terribly inappropriate. This was one piece among many performed over the evening, mostly by pupils, a few by teachers. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 1) was it a male teacher or female teacher that sang it? 2) how old was the male teacher? I read the words all the way to the end where she wakes up in bed with the "old" guy after he got her drunk. It was distrubing in it's inappropriateness, (*ESPECIALLY* if this had been sung by a middle age male teacher) and I would be demanding the school to censure the teacher for just how inappropriate it was. If there was no satisfaction, I'd call the newspaper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 They play worse on the radio. and you don't have to listen to those stations. a school concert has a captive audience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted December 12, 2011 Author Share Posted December 12, 2011 1) was it a male teacher or female teacher that sang it?2) how old was the male teacher? I read the words all the way to the end where she wakes up in bed with the "old" guy after he got her drunk. It was distrubing in it's inappropriateness, (*ESPECIALLY* if this had been sung by a middle age male teacher) and I would be demanding the school to censure the teacher for just how inappropriate it was. If there was no satisfaction, I'd call the newspaper. Middle-aged male teacher. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alte Veste Academy Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 (edited) I see it as an older person's version of The Spider and the Fly. I would be OK with this for older kids but I personally think 12-15 is too young. Maybe for 16-18 as a part of a date rape/life skills type presentation? I don' t know... Did people get it as a cautionary tale? It's good as a cautionary tale for the same reason that The Spider and the Fly is (and I read that as a picture book to my kids). ETA: For the record, I voted that I would complain to the school. I wouldn't see it as appropriate due to the younger kids present. I would not like it for anyone, even the older kids, if it was out of the blue with no statement made about the message. ETA2: As part of a concert, with no explanation or deeper meaning for delivering that message? No. Edited December 12, 2011 by Alte Veste Academy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
********* Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 1) was it a male teacher or female teacher that sang it?2) how old was the male teacher? I read the words all the way to the end where she wakes up in bed with the "old" guy after he got her drunk. It was distrubing in it's inappropriateness, (*ESPECIALLY* if this had been sung by a middle age male teacher) and I would be demanding the school to censure the teacher for just how inappropriate it was. If there was no satisfaction, I'd call the newspaper. What.in.the.world. was the teacher thinking?! I agree wholeheartedly with gardenmom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unicorn. Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 In that case, I change my answer from grumbling, to complaining to the school. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DusksAngel Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 The only way this would be okay is if was supposed to encourage the kids to be aware of what people offer them. (And that the male teacher was just playing the part of the older man.) Otherwise this is beyond inappropriate and wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susann Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Inappropriate to the audience especially for a school concert. I would contact the school. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripe Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Yuck. At the very least, it's not jolly. At all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted December 12, 2011 Author Share Posted December 12, 2011 Yuck. At the very least, it's not jolly. At all. Their word play is wonderful. But it was written in a different age. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chepyl Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 The only way this would be okay is if was supposed to encourage the kids to be aware of what people offer them. (And that the male teacher was just playing the part of the older man.)Otherwise this is beyond inappropriate and wrong. I voted other, I had not read the whole thread yet. If it had been done as a part of a lesson on safety, I would be a little less upset by it. It is still not really the best way to approach the subject. But, now that I have read more of a description of the situation....I owuld complain to the school. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeneralMom Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Is it possible that they had talked about the song in whatever class he taught and he thought it would be "fun" to sing it? I think it was inappropriate and I would complain, but I would also give the teacher a chance to explain his (bad) choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QuirkyKapers Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 I would let the school know it was in poor taste. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paige Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Creepy from a male teacher. I read the lyrics and I thought that she didn't end up with the guy. Am I wrong? I thought surely the beard in her earhole must mean something else and I wasn't getting it because I'm American. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted December 12, 2011 Author Share Posted December 12, 2011 .... if he introduced the song by saying, 'You'll have to imagine me in the guise of a dirty old man.' So he made it clear that he was playing a part. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted December 12, 2011 Author Share Posted December 12, 2011 I thought surely the beard in her earhole must mean something else and I wasn't getting it because I'm American. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripe Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Their word play is wonderful. But it was written in a different age. Laura Word play that's appropriate for adult consumption. A book about an elderly man preying on a young, innocent female is not really "entertaining" for young women or their parents. No matter how artful or clever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thescrappyhomeschooler Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Totally inappropriate. I would lodge a complaint with the school. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alte Veste Academy Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 .... if he introduced the song by saying, 'You'll have to imagine me in the guise of a dirty old man.' So he made it clear that he was playing a part. Laura No difference for me. The only thing that would make a difference for me is if it was appropriately explained as a cautionary tale for an audience of an appropriate age. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daisy Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 .... if he introduced the song by saying, 'You'll have to imagine me in the guise of a dirty old man.' So he made it clear that he was playing a part. Laura :svengo: I like the cadence of the song and think it would make a great cautionary tale especially at an age when so many are engaged in under-aged drinking, but no way is it appropriate for that young of an audience or by that teacher. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kathymuggle Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 I would use it as an opportunity to discuss with teens that our inhibitions may become lowered and we may do things we would not normally do while intoxicated - and that yes, you can get intoxicated from wine or beer. I have no idea what the teachers intent was, but that is how I would use it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dustybug Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 I would absolutely call the school up and lodge a complaint. That is completely inappropriate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ailaena Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 I would use it as an opportunity to discuss with teens that our inhibitions may become lowered and we may do things we would not normally do while intoxicated - and that yes, you can get intoxicated from wine or beer. I have no idea what the teachers intent was, but that is how I would use it. ITA, especially since I have a girl. And at 12, kids should certainly be aware of situations like this, both boys AND girls. Laura, I have to imagine that the response from your neck of the woods was vastly different from this one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer3141 Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Please tell me this wasn't a Christmas concert. :001_huh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trez Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 music from Flanders and Swann. I agree that it isn't really appropriate to sing out to kids at that age. Seeing the original song performed it seems completely harmless (you can see it on YouTube). They do have many other songs the teacher could have chosen to sing that would have been much more acceptable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather in Neverland Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 As a parent, I think it is tacky, inappropriate and high on the creep-o-meter. As a principal, he would be in my office first thing the next morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pink Fairy Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 .... if he introduced the song by saying, 'You'll have to imagine me in the guise of a dirty old man.' So he made it clear that he was playing a part. Laura I was just grumbling before, but now I'm complaining to the school. I assume he is just lacking in common sense, and needs a little official slap upside the head to get his attention. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Complain to the school. It was inappropriate, especially with the explanation. If he had said they studied it as a cautionary tale and was recounting it for the parents, maybe acceptable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaffodilDreams Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Middle-aged male teacher. Laura Ick. The song itself is inappropriate for kids of any age in a school setting, but this scenario is sickeningly disturbing to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovin Learnin Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 This would be ok for college but it's inappropriate for middle and high school aged kids. I would complain to the school. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justamouse Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 1) was it a male teacher or female teacher that sang it?2) how old was the male teacher? I read the words all the way to the end where she wakes up in bed with the "old" guy after he got her drunk. It was distrubing in it's inappropriateness, (*ESPECIALLY* if this had been sung by a middle age male teacher) and I would be demanding the school to censure the teacher for just how inappropriate it was. If there was no satisfaction, I'd call the newspaper. .... if he introduced the song by saying, 'You'll have to imagine me in the guise of a dirty old man.' So he made it clear that he was playing a part. Laura Fugheddaboutit. I'd be On The Phone and telling the teacher his Freudian slip fell down way to far for my taste. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SweetMissMagnolia Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 I'd think she had no taste. :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-M- Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 I voted "nothing / somewhat inappropriate," but I am familiar with the show, and I've seen the song performed in mixed company (yes, with youngsters among the audience) to appreciative laughter and applause. Someone else mentioned that it's "from a different age." Ayup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Rat Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Yes, I was going to vote grumble until I read about the teacher. That's not appropriate and he needs to be told so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2scouts Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 It's a clever song, but it's an inappropriate time and place. Please tell me this wasn't a school holiday concert that families would attend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pqr Posted December 13, 2011 Share Posted December 13, 2011 Paper, TV stations and the school. Full broadside! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carrie12345 Posted December 13, 2011 Share Posted December 13, 2011 I am extremely liberal, I cuss around my kids, they watch the unedited Christmas Vacation, and many parents would consider me a terrible influence. And I am shocked and outraged. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted December 13, 2011 Share Posted December 13, 2011 Middle-aged male teacher. Laura WAY out of line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingChris Posted December 13, 2011 Share Posted December 13, 2011 I am sorry I messed up your poll since I voted grumbling but that was before you posted that is was a middle aged male who said you were supposed to imagine him as a dirty old man. Wow- that changes things- now I say complain to the school. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akmommy Posted December 13, 2011 Share Posted December 13, 2011 It's a clever song, but it's an inappropriate time and place. Please tell me this wasn't a school holiday concert that families would attend. :iagree: time and place are the big issues with me. Very poor taste and his preface made it worse. The wordplay would have gone right over the heads of most of the younger audience members. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CountitallJoy Posted December 13, 2011 Share Posted December 13, 2011 Well, I was all set to vote "No big deal" after reading the lyrics, then I made the mistake of reading everybody else's (so far) comments, and now I've decided I can't really determine without knowing the full context/purpose of the performance. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angela in ohio Posted December 13, 2011 Share Posted December 13, 2011 Not to be sung in mixed company, and I would complain to the school. I would expect to be alone in my complaint and looked at as though I was crazy though, as I'm sure this is nothing to most teens comparatively speaking. :glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted December 13, 2011 Share Posted December 13, 2011 What.in.the.world. was the teacher thinking?! I agree wholeheartedly with gardenmom. fantasizing about getting some sweet young thing drunk so he could stick his whiskers in her earhole when she wakes up with a hangover? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whiskeywife Posted December 13, 2011 Share Posted December 13, 2011 I read it through but, honestly I didn't get it. All I got was that he wanted to get her drunk and she realized she was making a mistake. I didn't get the waking up in bed with the guy part. Maybe I'm just an idiot, but I dont' know that younger kids would get it. I suppose if that was the case then what's the point of reading it to them though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted December 13, 2011 Share Posted December 13, 2011 At the very least, it was an extremely poor choice. What was he thinking when he chose that song? :confused: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather in Neverland Posted December 13, 2011 Share Posted December 13, 2011 fantasizing about getting some sweet young thing drunk so he could stick his whiskers in her earhole when she wakes up with a hangover? oh ick. I find the song disturbing. It's about a dirty old man who gets a teenage girl drunk so he can take advantage of her? How is this funny in ANY cultural setting? It's illegal and disgusting. If you read in the newspaper about an older man getting a teen girl drunk and having sex with her you would be horrified. So a cutesy song about it is OK? If he worked for me he would be suspended. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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