03Teacher-8.html

Letter to the M.P.

An irate Dad writes a letter to his MP - Mr Percival Gore. He sets out his point of view in a letter. Read the letter.

42 Garden Close,

Rushford,

RG15 4AE.

Dear Mr Gore,

I am writing to say that I am disgusted by the new timetable at ... which they started at the beginning of the term.

The new head teacher writes that it would be better for children to start school at 10am to ease traffic congestion. Surely, it would be much healthier for all the children to walk to school, because it is essential that they get plenty of exercise. Secondly, why not start school before the rush hour - maybe at 6am. This would be sensible, because all children would be safe in school, when people drive to work. As there would be less traffic on the roads, there would be fewer traffic jams and less incidents at peak times.

The school says that learning should be fun so that children will present their own assemblies and plan their own lessons. I do not agree with this at all. In fact, I have never heard of anything so ridiculous. Children should not be given so much choice. They need to be taught discipline, so when they go out to work, they will be able to follow instructions. Teachers are paid to teach children. In my day, they stood in front of the class writing on the board. Everyone worked at a fast pace or else there was detention, for the whole class. Isn’t it still important for children to learn to sit and listen?

Finally, I’ve heard that the school are going to give the children a chance to learn practical skills, like horse riding and sailing - so they will need to have Wednesday afternoon off. How deplorable! What are weekends for? What’s more, if the children are having so many outings at school, there won’t be anywhere for their parents to take them in the holidays. In my opinion, learning should not be fun, because I think children need to learn to do reading, writing and maths.

I look forward to hearing your response.

Yours sincerely,

George. D. Buckingham

Write a letter of your own.

You are an angry Dad. Write a formal letter to your MP.

1. Write an introduction...

I am writing to say that I am... (disgusted, infuriated, angry, shocked)

2. Write the counter argument sentences...

The head writes that it would be better for children to start at 10am because...

3. Argue against...

I am not convinced this change will work because...
The school say that learning should be fun, so children will plan their own work...
I do not agree with this idea. In fact, I’ve never heard anything so... (ridiculous, outrageous, preposterous)
Finally, I’ve heard that the school are going to give children a chance to learn practical skills like...
This is deplorable! In my opinion...

Ideas from Mr Angry

(note the ideas are not in order)

Learning must not be fun.
Teachers must work harder.
Children need discipline for work later on.
Children who don’t work should get detention.
Teachers should concentrate on reading, writing and maths.
It is not good to have too much choice.
Practical skills can be learnt on the weekend.
Parents organise out of school activities.
Parents take children on outings.
School should start earlier (6am) before the busy rush hour.
An early start would avoid traffic jams and incidents.
It is healthier for children to walk to school.

Now, write some e-mail replies from different parents. Remember: people will see things differently and have their own opinions.