So last night my son is doing homework and I see the earbuds in, so I ask what he's working on. Apparently there's a Social Studies assignment where he has to watch "educational" YouTube videos from some Weird Al wannabe. There was a cover of a Maroon 5 song. Whatever. I think (know) they suck, but it's innocent enough.

But the next one really set me off. It was a parody of "Crack That" by Soulja Boy. I totally remember that song from frat parties in college. The lyrics are typical rap crap - countless references to hoes, imaginative sexual positions to apply to said hoes, and of course ejaculation... because why not, right?

Though the lyrics for the parody were changed to something regarding ancient civilizations, the video starts off with a credit to the original song and artist. Now these 7th graders know precisely how to search for the real song and find the lyrics if they liked the tune.

I feel like I should email the teacher and express my dissatisfaction over the assignment.

1) I think it's lazy to assign YT videos for topics that can be learned w/o YT. Some YT videos are fantastic because they explore things never done before (Mark Rober, Smarter Every Day...etc.), but this was not that. The "lessons" were shoehorned into an existing rhyme scheme with D+ editing to boot.

2) I also think it's F'ing stupid that students are subjected to YT ads before they can view any content. IMHO, that should disqualify it as the preferred avenue to teach a topic purely from an ethical standpoint. My old textbooks didn't have banner ads at tops and bottoms of the pages (see pic below).

3) But I'm mostly really unhappy with the fact that "Crack That" is being used in an assignment and I would've never had known if I didn't check in on him. I don't allow my son on social media or to consume content anywhere close to the original song/artist.

So the poll now is open. I think I want to write the teacher, but in doing so am I being a total Karen? I get teachers have been stressed greatly over the last 2 years and there's probably complaints coming in all the time about their little Jimmy or Susie's issues, but this is the first time I've really felt the need to express dissatisfaction. Many of you are parents, other still may be able to relate. What's your $0.02?

Old man (resized).jpg

It's a school-issued Chromebook he uses, so I'm unable to change the software in any way per the handbook.

We actually got him an iPhone this winter because of his school being evacuated in mid-December from the Tik Tok school threats. The kids were rushed to a church parking lot miles away for parents to pick them up. The school's alert system failed, and I just happened to be driving by, otherwise I wouldn't have known. The phone gives now gives us a direct line of communication, but it stays in the office at night. No screens of any kind are allowed in his bedroom.

The office is also where we have separate workstations, and whiteboard on the wall to work on things together... but I still need to do things like make dinner, walk the dog, and do laundry so although I have a good finger on the pulse of what he does, I can't stand over his shoulder every minute. The earbuds are what tipped me off last night after folding laundry that I should ask what he's doing that required audio.

I joked this morning to have a 3rd option in the poll just for you to call me an Alice

Edit: Oh, and the SW Topper is still junk.

Can I object to both?

But in all seriousness, lots of interesting points in here. I still think a tactful email to the teacher, while understanding that it has not the most enviable profession over the last 24 months, is what I'm probably going to do this evening. I did see a trend of "your kid is exposed to worst" replies, which although I'm sure may be true, I don't know if that translates to a green light for educators to use that as the low threshold for what tools can be used in lessons. In health ed, you don't show softcore porn to the kids, because they took one kid's phone in the woods at recess and went nuts searching through the "Hub". You don't lower the bar based on students' adolescent behaviors, you aim higher, no?

Lol, Gansta's Paradise was referenced between my sister and I. A friend today also mentioned that Like a Surgeon was based on a risque song of the time. So yeah, it's one thing if the source material is questionable, but then another question on top on whether it's appropriate for education. Obviously if the teacher had them watch the actual Soulja Boy video I could just kick back and let the angry mom's do their thing before I finished my morning coffee. It's more the fact that the parody video credits the original song in the beginning.

Original take. Points!

points (resized).jpg

So just to sum up your first paragraph, you barely read it but then was sure I don't have credibility, all while putting words in my mouth. Got it.

If you actually read what I wrote, my issues were 3-fold, one certainly being that the video, which is being used as a learning tool in lieu of anything else to teach about ancient civilizations, starts off with a credit to a song that's questionable to be tied to anything education-related. If the song was Young Girl by Gary Puckett, Rocket Queen by GnR, or any F'ing song by A.C., my WTF meter would still be at a 10. IMHO it's not in the hands of an educator to ever tow the line of exposing a group of impressionable youth to something that could be offensive. Or if there's something in a lesson which could be construed as offensive, controversial, or sensitive, a simple email or note would be nice.

Oh, and if you take the lyrics away from any song, it's easy to call the beat "very innocent" as you removed EVERYTHING that made it offensive.

I totally get that, but growing up I always viewed my teachers primarily as ones who raised the bar instead of trying to stay one step above it. "Well the kids are awful these days, so as long as my tools are "anywhere better than awful" we're good to go" seems to be a validation I'm hearing.

I think this is a bullseye.

Right, a parent who cares and in his original post is contemplating a constructive, and understanding email is the big problem. That's what drives teachers up the walls. Not the ever-changing mandates, remote education, forced changes in technology, or a dozen other things. It's someone who reached out tactfully and expressed an issue over one assignment that may have even been an oversight on their part in the first place. If that brings you to wits end, you're not equipped for any profession.

And for the 14th time, it's not about what my son has been exposed to outside of school. It's about appropriateness in school. Is it that hard to understand?

I totally get that. Kind of why I asked this to begin with. It was a unique position.

Yeah, I really wouldn't start to judge my parenting abilities or fun factor on the basis that I ensure my son gets a quality night's sleep. I could easily say "Wow, you let your kids have their phones next to their beds? Are you trying to be a shitty parent? For one minute in their lives can they disconnect from technology?". I could say that... but I don't, because I don't know enough about you on the whole to make such outlandish judgments behind a keyboard.

Constructive feedback is welcome in almost every industry and aspect of life. Diversity is praised in all aspects of life because people with different backgrounds and ideas can share ideas and bounce thoughts off one another. New perspectives can be made as a result that may have never existed prior. But god forbid someone, who usually is silent on these types of things, sends one constructive email in a tactful manner. I guess not being an educator disqualifies me from bringing up feedback.

This discussion is on an instance that I experienced last night. Some offered some real interesting feedback. Others, like you, try to attack me on parenting, fun, qualifications to have an valid opinion on my son's education...etc. It's Pinside, there's going to be shit talk and you have to have thick enough skin to open a O/T thread because the idiots get an inch of insight into something and take a mile with their ridiculous conclusions. You were one. Good for you having bedtime rules. I have them too. They're different than yours. But I don't question your ability to parent or how fun you must be as a person based on one aspect of your life... because I don't know you, nor have I met you at a show or league. If I ask whether A or B is an appropriate response and you answer C - you suck as a parent, expect a response keyboard warrior.

Oh trust me, before night's end.

Well you must suck at reading then. That's a conclusion I can draw instantly without knowing you.

That, plus we only started to have a stance against drinking during pregnancy in the mid 1970's.

Absolutely not the case. As I was just mentioning in a PM, the replies by bigehrl isJ 1967Firebird Jamesays vdojaq mbeardsley ThatOneDude goingincirclez Frax mbwalker Isochronic_Frost @novacade, plasticbugs @acedanger, among many others (and even your initial post in the thread) offered something I may have not originally considered. If I was only wanting to hear echo's of my opinion, the email to the teacher would've already been sent. Soliciting feedback sometimes offers insight previously not considered.

As a matter of fact, the first reply from bigehrl offered something I hadn't considered at all, and it was the first reply, and he and I have butted heads in a handful of threads over the past few months. But it was great feedback.

Also, the poll was 52%-48% last time I checked with over 120 votes, and I say it's almost locked at 50-50% when I discount a few of my friends that just want to call me Karen. I originally asked 4 people and they had varied opinions from strongly agree to strongly disagree. I just asked over 120 in this thread, and the results are basically the same, which validates my original question of whether it was justifiable or not. Of course I already had an opinion in my mind and played devil's advocate against stances to the contrary. But don't confuse that with being unable to hear other opinions.

I think I'm just going to link the teacher to this thread, pulling a metaphorical grenade pin, and then block her email address immediately thereafter.

Whatever I end up doing, can we please ensure we strictly shift this to politics, race relations, virtue signaling, and maybe get some Olympics & China human rights violations in there too? I just feel like for 125 posts so far we as a Pinside group haven't done enough of it yet.

Also, IBTL.

Pinside leans right? News to me. I think it’s a good cross section of America and the world, with the two areas I’m most involved with (the Northeast US, and Illinois where all our games come from) are mostly blue areas. Do you have any data that suggests Pinside is a right-leaning site or are you just assuming because “pinball is expensive” or “pinball is mostly for a certain demo” and drawing a conclusion from that?

But I guess we can also discredit any poll with a large amount of participation because although the question was apolitical in nature, we can Kevin Bacon everything in the world back to politics. Since no website can be perfectly split even, all polls are invalid because of inherit bias in the sample audience.

Ah, so your point all along was that I just have a reproductive system and thus no valid reason for complaint. I mean you said I wasn’t qualified to question the teachers. Your words, not mine.

I mean, I am a degreed mechanical engineer, am a few weeks away from completing an MBA with over a 3.98 GPA with a concentration in Project Management, will have my PMP cert after that, report directly to an executive in a global company, and have been employed everyday since I was eligible to work at 15… except for the high school years where I volunteered at an animal shelter instead. During the pandemic I took custody of my son as a single father which was no small feat. He’s now bringing home straight A’s, and somehow in all that craziness, I’m up for another promotion. I mean we didn’t get to touch on those bases today, but I’m glad to know I’m unqualified to have a valid opinion on education because I’m reduced to having a reproduction system and assumed to have no other qualifications to question something assigned by a teacher to my child.

Honest question, do one pic of books or an opinion of the books needs to be moderated, or do you simply reply, disagree, make a strong point and move on with your life? If you’re the morally correct point, you’re going to win that battle.

Also, I feel like if this site is crazy right, it would’ve been shut down by now. There’s been some basement threads about masks and vax’s and whatnot, but overall I firmly believe this is a site that allows open discussion, about a good 60% being actually about pinball.

I’m starting to wonder if this perceived “right bias” is because like 3-4 frequent posters get whiskey drunk all the time and go all MAGA on us. Because the inner circles I witness in this hobby I think lean left, are accepting of all, but some want to shut out the right, but others just say STFU and plunge the damn ball.

Use “straw man” in a post again because you haven’t done it enough.

Fact is, I’m fully within my rights to disagree with a middle school teacher’s assignment, even if you think it may be out of “your” line. I have more than a reproductive system and (to your question) my BSME and MBA is proof I have more than just a dick. Again, just spitballing against your ridiculous claims that teachers are untouchable. Constructive criticism should be welcomed and applauded by all.

To think that being a “professional educator” means you have a certain degree that gives you both immunity and also carte blanche to shove whatever you want to the students without recourse over any parents is batshit crazy.

Under that I believe (and I could be wrong) is a MLK book as well as a RBG book. So if the context is about the book on top shouldn’t be allowed to be a book, reply with some obvious reasons as to why it should. Again, the books under it I think many (maybe I’m wrong, hell Pinside is surprising me today) may say are totally warranted. So if someone says the 3rd book is crap, just say why it’s not crap. Just saying this pic or post should be deleted does you no good, and never provides the poster of that pic any ideas as to why they should reconsider their position.

Nah, F-it. Just delete everything you disagree with and let’s just split up the US already. See @forceflow, I just solved all the US problems

Omg, we get your name is Jeff too!

Keep digging yourself in the hole that educated and well-intended parents should shut up and allow their kids to consume whatever their teachers feed them. Also, way to cite your “retired” family members. My dad was hit with a ruler from some retired ass nuns. Times change, and parents should ABSOLUTELY have a voice in the kids’ curriculum… especially when it may not meet the standards of the household they try to uphold.

Funny how you try to shoe me into a CRT position though. Can I yell FAKE NEWS at you to use radical buzz terms too? But you can’t. You’re trying though. Credit where it’s due for trying… but failing… but really you just come off as a self-righteous person who thinks anyone who questions an educator is just a hick with a dick.

This “mountain” you refer to was initially about whether I should engage the teacher in a constructive, tactful conversation over something you consider a “molehill”. And that’s fine you consider those as those two extremes. I beg to differ in my opinion. My main issue (along with 2 other issues… real selective responses here) was the credit at the beginning of the video. The kids like the song, now they know where to get the real version. Ill fall on that sword that the real version isn’t something that should be in any way even tangentially related to a school assignment. That’s all.

I’m so glad this is in the basement. We have like 30 min before the lock.

There are rules to this site. I’m not going to disagree that abject hatred shouldn’t be tolerated. It violates Rule #1, and not from Fight Club. And who wants that at a fundamental level? But if the post is rooted in just a differing POV, engage in conversation. There may be cultural differences between countries as well which I believe you cited.

To some, KH absolutely should have a book because of her background and groundbreaking position in US history. Others may cite approval numbers and perceived lack of action. This is just what I see from both sides. Fuck, now I sound like Kaneda here just facilitating while not saying anything of substance.

Either way, you disliked a post on a private website. Report it and explain your reasoning. If it violates, it’s gone. If not, engage and try to sway someone to your position.

Hey, everything but the last paragraph I agree with. I think I have been receptive to opposing views on this while questioning my own stance. We (respectfully?) disagree and I’m ok with that. In fact, a PM from someone who didn’t want to get caught in all this TOTAL BS unraveling was the reason I didn’t send the email draft and am not going to. So there’s that. If I witness it again, who knows, but cooler heads talked me off a ledge, so there’s that.

You think a bunch kids born circa 2008 know a one hit wonder song from 2007, and I’m naive?

Long day. Probably too much time on this site. Still think my initial question was in inquisitive nature and listened to contrary opinions. Dog walk time. I’ll throw one in a koozie when we go out and cheers you in spirit.

In your first sentence, if you revise “this post” to “this thread” it’s not wrong. Someone poses an honest question about educator boundaries, and since then we’ve touched on the VP of the US, qualifications to have an opinion on a simple topic, the media, total Pinside political bias, international differences, and of course race relations. It’s almost as if when you start a topic like this you read the first handful of sincere responses and then spend the rest of your day battling BS from morons who think they know your entire life story from a few paragraphs’ post.

Just wait until tomorrow when I create the thread and poll about which way Pinside officially leans