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How angry would you be?
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Fat Head was a good response to SuperSize me as far as importance of calories and weight management - and making choices even at "bad fast food places" can be done for better nutrition.
Left good room for discussion. Of course, not shown in school and I doubt it would be, wrong idea probably taken home.5 -
My problem with this would be the teacher advocating for a particular way of eating. I think that's inappropriate in a general health class. I absolutely believe that kids should be introduced to the basics of nutrition and healthy eating, and that information should be standard in any health class. However, the focus should be the generic USDA recommendations, not geared toward any particular diet that limits food choices and demonizes food that may be important in the student's household. I think it would be fine to include references to other points of view (and I would stick to resources that present a general description of the diet (including reasons for choosing that way of eating) rather that emotionally charged "documentaries", especially when only one alternative is discussed.
It's important for families to have discussions around food and nutrition, and children should certainly be exposed to different ways of eating, but it's not up to the teacher to push for a particular diet, especially one that could cause impressionable children to develop guilt around the foods their families eat.10 -
SuzySunshine99 wrote: »I think it would be worth bringing it up to the school administration (not the teacher directly). Not accusing the teacher of anything, just expressing concern about the source of the information being shown to your kid. I'm not familiar with that one in particular, but I know a lot of those Netflix "documentaries" are basically propaganda for people with political agendas.
It's also, as you say, a great opportunity to talk to your kid about vetting sources.
Disagree. If you have questions/concerns, discuss them with the teacher. She/he deserves the courtesy of being given the opportunity for open dialogue with you. Then if you're not satisfied, have a conversation with admin. A good administrator will direct you to speak directly with the teacher first anyway. It is customary to follow the proper chain of command.16 -
I would talk to your kid first and then with the teacher. Try to get a sense of what the full cirriculum is. Did the kids have other chapters, movies, etc with good nutritional information about protein, balance diet, etc., and this was just an "add-in" to try to provide impact -- maybe OK. But if this was the bulk of the nutrition teaching, or the only thing your kid remembers about nutrition, then not OK. That movie is mostly sensationalization. Also quite skewed toward veganism, which is ONE option, and fine for you to teach your kids at home if you want, but should not be taught at the only healthy diet in schools.
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No this would not make me angry at all. But I am not an American so I come from a different mindset. I can see how this film would upset cattle farmers and people in certain parts of the USA. You have a right to be upset and maybe mention it to the teacher.4
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I wouldn't be angry, but then I'm a vegetarian and have been vegan at times and may go back. I'm disturbed about the cruelty of factory farms. Another issue: my late husband had cancer for 13 years and was advised to eat a specific no-meat, no-dairy diet that helped some patients, per his oncologist at the Lombardi Cancer Center (Georgetown Hospital, Washington, DC).
I have not seen this film and googled some reviews. Most of the reviews said the film is pro-vegan, makes some good points, and has some serious flaws. I would use the film to open a discussion with my teen about the film's pros and cons and see if you could both learn something new.
Schools often show lopsided material, but even if it isn't perfect -- or doesn't reflect our personal point of view -- it can make us think and ask questions.
If you are angry, by all means talk to the teacher about your concerns.7 -
I think I'd discuss it with your child and expand on the topic with them. If there are specific points that you think were erroneous with the documentary that your child retained and is using as a talking point, then refute them with other factual evidence.
I'd leave the teacher alone unless there's a very concerted and continuing effort to push the wrong info on this specific topic.3 -
I wouldn't be angry at all. I'd be pleased we'd be able to have a discussion on food.8
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Not all Netflix documentaries are bad. There was good information in there. It is good to look at different sources of information and then use your judgement to determine what’s true or not. I would not be mad at all.
But are they approved school curriculum? Teachers cannot just teach whatever they want. Nutrition should be taught at school, but in the right class, with approved curriculum. I would be concerned if this was an authorized lesson - or just the teacher preaching their own subject.4 -
You need more context. Did they discuss the pro/con of the credibility of the video? Was a counter argument discussed? Etc.1
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It sounds fine to me. I'm 100% certain that some of the documentaries we were shown in the 90's were b.s.
It's just a source of information. and it sounds like your kid listened to it and is doing some critical thinking, which is a great opportunity to have some discussion. Maybe both of you will learn something.
Now, if this is a chronic situation where all the teacher does is show netflix docs, then I'd say have a word with the school about the curriculum. But as a on-off, that feels like valid education to me. education should make your child ask questions, not just spoon feed them information. and it sounds like yours is curious based on their experience. good job!2 -
Nah wouldn't be mad. The way to learn correctly is to hear evidence, compare it with other evidence, then go with what you believe would be best for you.
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SuzySunshine99 wrote: »I think it would be worth bringing it up to the school administration (not the teacher directly). Not accusing the teacher of anything, just expressing concern about the source of the information being shown to your kid. I'm not familiar with that one in particular, but I know a lot of those Netflix "documentaries" are basically propaganda for people with political agendas.
It's also, as you say, a great opportunity to talk to your kid about vetting sources.
Disagree. If you have questions/concerns, discuss them with the teacher. She/he deserves the courtesy of being given the opportunity for open dialogue with you. Then if you're not satisfied, have a conversation with admin. A good administrator will direct you to speak directly with the teacher first anyway. It is customary to follow the proper chain of command.
Exactly what I was about to write.0 -
Don’t teachers need to have classroom content be part of an approved curriculum? I don’t believe Netflix anything should be in a classroom. Take it past the teacher.0
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This may be an opportunity to teach your child about evaluating sources, and how to identify reliable sources.
I'm a long time (47+ years) vegetarian, and not a fan of game changers.
If you do an internet search for something like "registered dietitian review of game changers" or "vegan dietitian game changers", you'll see various views. Virtually all of the people with genuine academic credentials - like the sources Banx already mentioned above, have some concerns or criticisms of the (so-called) documentary. They vary from mixed to outraged. Few people with actual expertise/credentials are finding this film fully accurate/informative.
Personally, I like this review, too, from an admitted student dietitian, not fully credentialed yet, who's actually vegan himself.
https://dieteticallyspeaking.com/an-evidence-based-review-of-the-game-changers/
Watch the film. Read the reviews. Point out distortions and bias. Good learning opportunity.
If that teacher's presenting the film as "facts" vs. as an opportunity to evaluate potentially biased sources . . . I'd be angry. But I'd be inclined to speak with the teacher, understand the intent and context straight from his/her mouth, and if necessary share some of the divergent views from sound sources.
I agree and that's why I think the parent needs to talk with the teacher (not the administer). Find out his/her intent. The teacher may well realize the 'one sided' view of this film and will also show their students the reviews/arguments against, etc., for comparison. This creates critical thinking. Perhaps the teacher will then ask their students to write or debate if they agree/disagree with said research.
I would be not impressed, however, if said teacher is advocating this film's dogmatic (I'm assuming) view points only. (and I'm a vegetarian too!)2
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