Saying 'God bless you' can cost students points

[sjonathan02]

Just another attack on God?


Teacher was taking points off of assignments for students saying 'God bless you'. Teacher believes the statement to be antiquated and unnecessary, and that students were sneezing and saying the phrase as a form of class disruption.

[MissMusic04]

*blank stare*

[LaylaMonroe]

I definitely don't think the teacher was trying to wage an attack on God. Who hasn't had/seen/heard of classmates who sneeze or cough or clear their throats dramatically (or do something similar) to disrupt the class? If this teacher is telling the truth, that's what those students were doing.

Teachers get fed up and do/say dumb stuff all the time. I remember teachers screaming "don't ask me any more questions! No, nobody's going to the bathroom, nobody's getting water, if you don't understand, too bad! Just be quiet!!!" If stuff like that made it to the news out of context, a lottttttt of teachers would be under fire.

I was on the phone w/ my cousin the other day (middle school SS teacher) and she screamed "if you touch me one more time, I'm gonna elbow you in the stomach!!" I told her she needed to be careful. I know she's super cool and her kids love her. She has "that kind" of relationship with them. But all it takes is for one activist student to say something, or one kid to tell their parent (not realizing the implications), and her whole career could be over.

The "God bless you" thing doesn't even have religious implications today. It's a social, cultural tradition that is more of a courtesy than a heart-felt blessing (more often than not).

[MissMusic04]

That's what my blank stare was for. I've seen students do ANYTHING to disrupt class including sneezing. I don't think it's an attack on God. I hope not anyway.

 BUT.....I am that person that says 'God Bless You" to anybody that sneezes. I grew up that way and it would be hard to break out of that habit.

I reeeeaaalllllyyy don't think it takes too much time away from class.

IDK.....I can see it from both sides.

[LaylaMonroe]

That's what my blank stare was for. I've seen students do ANYTHING to disrupt class including sneezing. I don't think it's an attack on God. I hope not anyway.

 BUT.....I am that person that says 'God Bless You" to anybody that sneezes. I grew up that way and it would be hard to break out of that habit.

I reeeeaaalllllyyy don't think it takes too much time away from class.

IDK.....I can see it from both sides.

Same here. Total cosign.

(But while it may not take too much time from class, it could take focus... and it's not always easy to get students focused in the first place. To have them lose focus, catch the giggles, etc., can really throw a teacher off and end up wasting half the class period).

[chevonee]

I guess we have to teach our kids when to say bless you after someone sneezes. It's hard enough to be a parent but now we've got to teach our kids how to discern when to say bless you after someone sneezes. 

[LaylaMonroe]

I guess we have to teach our kids when to say bless you after someone sneezes. It's hard enough to be a parent but now we've got to teach our kids how to discern when to say bless you after someone sneezes. 

You must not have read the article, sis.

[sjonathan02]

That's what my blank stare was for. I've seen students do ANYTHING to disrupt class including sneezing. I don't think it's an attack on God. I hope not anyway.

 BUT.....I am that person that says 'God Bless You" to anybody that sneezes. I grew up that way and it would be hard to break out of that habit.

I reeeeaaalllllyyy don't think it takes too much time away from class.

IDK.....I can see it from both sides.

I agree.  I wouldn't dock points for the 'God bless you', though (which could have religious implications).  I'd dock (if I docked at all) for those who couldn't get themselves together.

[chevonee]

You must not have read the article, sis.

Yes Sis I read the article but evidently I must not have understood it the way you did. 

[phbrown]

I agree.  I wouldn't dock points for the 'God bless you', though (which could have religious implications).  I'd dock (if I docked at all) for those who couldn't get themselves together.

+1