Need help. Time for Kids propaganda problem

[riderinthestorm]

Okay so we're procrastinators but my daughter just finished her homework since I've been canvassing all day. Her homework included a bunch of questions on the latest TFK article:

http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/magazines/story/0,6277,1552177,00.html

Unfortunately the online article isn't the same as her print article so I can't point to "hard evidence" but it's here in my hand, trust me. My daughter's print article includes a sentence that was omitted in the online: "He (Bush) also pointed out that violence is confined to a small section of Iraq".

There are other omissions but this is the biggie for me to (finally) get TFK out of these schools (besides the blatant lying on the online v. print versions). Time/Warner is a notorious rightwing org and I have always been irritated as hell at their infiltration of the schools with this propaganda shit for the kids. I believe this is a blatant case of their propaganda.

So.

The violence is endemic in the Iraq population centers. Unfortunately I am too tired to get the links and my initial google search isn't getting me anywhere.

Help! I know I've read on DU that the polls suggest that more than 70 percent of Iraqis want the US out. I know I've read studies that demonstrate that the majority of the population is in the city centers where the violence is located. Can anyone get me some hard data so I can finally approach the school board with some evidence?

[proud2BlibKansan]

1. Time has merely quoted what el pretzeldente said

No, it is not correct but it doesn't reflect the magazine's opinion, IMO. I think your beef is more with dubya than with this publication.

I am an elementary teacher and these little magazines are so insignificant in the grand scheme of things in education today. Your daughter's class probably spent 15 minutes (if any time at all) on this magazine. There is also a good chance it was just handed out and assigned for homework without the teacher spending any time reviewing it in class.

If I were you I would use it as an opportunity to teach your daughter about media and how bad it can be.

I also wouldn't worry about asking the school board to stop buying this magazine. They are unbelievably expensive and with school funding as inadequate as it has been lately, they probably will cut this magazine out of their budget after this year. :)

Seriously, I think complaining about the expense would go farther than a complaint about the content.

[riderinthestorm]

3. Thanks. I just was struck by the inconsistencies

and the way they are playing down the problems in Iraq. I'm not sure what is important here or not - the questionnaire she had to fill out after reading the article did include a question:
The author wrote this story to:
a. update you on the war in Iraq
b. teach you about the holy month of Ramadan
c. tell you about Iraq's ancient history
d. describe the countryside of Iraq

But downplaying the importance of the Iraqi resistance just seems wrong to me.

Besides, she assigned HOMEWORK on this article. Ouch. There are 5 questions on this article, and only 2 questions on two other articles so I know the focus was on this very skewed presentation.

I know, I know, normally I try to just chuck them in the trash but this teacher is a Navy vet, very fundy as far as I can tell, very gung ho. My hackles are raised. I just need some perspective from others before I do anything rash.

Thanks for the feedback!

[proud2BlibKansan]

6. It's a crummy magazine

So is the Scholastic mag for kids.

I use these to teach kids how to read a magazine - studying the parts, like captions under pictures and bar graphs, etc. I don't focus much on the content.

I would sure keep an eye on that teacher. :crazy:

[riderinthestorm]

7. As you know, this is the first quarter

so I'm trying, (really desperately trying) not to be a jerk here.

I desperately want to work with the teacher instead of pissing them off but so far their whole classroom "context" has been military (ie. the teacher is the captain, the classroom is the ship, the students are the "sailers" and are to maintain the "decorum and utility" of the ship etc. etc. Everything is framed militarily and I was NOT happy from the beginning but willing to set aside my (pacifist) leanings and just watch and wait.

But this blatantly rightwing article, and the blatant ommissions from the online v the print copy??

And homework on TFK???? I mean, come on. We know it's trash. It's Friday pm filler for 10 minutes when kids are distracted and need to just get to 3:30.

This is a first!

[proud2BlibKansan]

12. The teacher does sound kinda odd

That military framing is downright bizarre.

[riderinthestorm]

13. Thanks for the response

She's in 4th grade and I really try to give the teacher a LOT of room to set up a functioning classroom as they see fit so I have just let slide the whole military theme.

But this is the first TFK homework EVER in my daughter's entire history at the school, and on this article???

Hmm.

[roody]

2. As a teacher, I recommend that you ask the teacher

why the Time propaganda is used. Maybe just that teacher uses it. He or she could spend those classroom funds on better materials. Try the site www.antiwar.com I quit spending my classroom dollars on Scholastic mag when someone posted here that an upper grade Scholastic was pro war before the war (the invasion) started.

[riderinthestorm]

4. Many, many thanks!

I will do this. I am just exhausted and fearing I am losing my perspective tonight.

She spent less than 15 minutes on the assignment so it wasn't any kind of big time loss, but after reviewing it (I always review it before it goes into the backpack) I thought WTF??!!

[roody]

5. That multiple choice is so lame.

Your child could offer another answer!! Surprise the teacher.

[tinfoil tiaras]

8. i remember Time For Kids...

I hated that magazine. It always dumbed down everything, which made me mad. I was in 4th grade when we got it and, of course, 9/11 happened when I was in 4th grade so y'all can imagine what Time For Kids was like back then. :crazy:

Uggghh..it just dumbed down everything, like it had pronunciation guides next to every freaking word in the article (e.g. "Afghanistan", "Taliban"...to name a few)

[riderinthestorm]

9. I am sooo relieved. It IS dumb!

I keep reading this magazine and thinking this is such a waste! Are the schools getting money for distributing this? Or are they expending money. At this point, it is propaganda.

I am pissed.

I think it is time for TFK to be taken on!

[tinfoil tiaras]

10. i dont know

my school is pretty "liberal" (meaning we teach evolution instead of creationism in the science class for the most part :P ) , but i dont know if they still distribute TFK. I remember, my friends and i used to make fun of it and I would always tell them that i preferred regular Time or regular Newsweek thankyouverymuch.

[riderinthestorm]

11. Smart kid.

Congrats to your parents (and you!)

:pals:

[roody]

14. The teacher works for you. I would hold him or her accountable. eom.