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Prayin' kid

Chimera

Mind Fetishist
Chimera
Joined
Jan 18, 2005
Messages
394
I teach first grade, and I try to incorporate my skepticism when I can. We have frequent discussions and experiments about whether or not crossing your fingers gets you your wish. My last year's class got broken of that belief pretty quickly.

So, this new school year, I have a boy who prays at the drop of a hat. At the end of the day, I pick 5 student names for a little prize. He prays while I do this. Then, whenever he does get picked, he says, "See? Praying works!" He does this at other times when he wants something too. Other than this little oddity, he's a perfect student: smart, well-behaved, and kind.

I've pretty much already made up my mind that I'm not even going to address it. Anything I do, no matter how well-meaning or gentle, would probably embarrass him, tick off his family, or worse. But, what do you guys think?
 
I see your problem. Crossing fingers and praying have many similarities, but one of them may bring about the wrath of the Religious Right if challenged. I agree, it's probably best to do nothing.
 
Do what most Christian teachers would do. Read him Matthew 6: 5-6. and tell him its not proper for him to make his religious life a public spectacle.

"But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father seess in secret will reward you."
 
Chimera said:
I teach first grade, ...
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Bravo

I've pretty much already made up my mind that I'm not even going to address it. Anything I do, no matter how well-meaning or gentle, would probably embarrass him, tick off his family, or worse. But, what do you guys think?
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To bad you couldn't inadvertently set up an accidental wish comparison between the finger-crosser and prayer-boy. "ooo...I'm sorry...looks like finger-crossing wins."

Other that that - I wouldn't do anything either.
 
In my opinion, you've made the correct decision. It is one thing to promote critical thinking in an impersonal context -- crossing fingers is a great example. However, if you cross the line into personal beliefs (be they in Jesus or in Santa Claus), you are setting yourself up to be jumped by the parents.

I can imagine that it's frustrating; as first graders, your students are not intellectually equipped to make the leap from "I should be skeptical about finger-crossing" to "I should be skeptical about prayer". But if you've demonstrated the value in asking questions and conducting experiments, you've already done them a great service.
 
Yeah, I don't think it is your place to get involved... if he's a good kid and not causing disruptions with the prayer, it isn't anything you need to worry about.
 
"But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father seess in secret will reward you."
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I fear this'd just cause the kid to run out of the classroom whenever he felt the need to pray.
 
Actually this is what Christian parents and teachers resort to when a kid, or an adult for that matter. is being a potential public disruption with prayer.
Pray in secret, is the point made. The boy in question can talk to Jesus all he pleases if he just does it in silence without making it visible.

If you leave it alone, his classmates will take care of it. For better or worse.
 
I think you're right not to specifically bring it up with him at that age, but it should be easy to disabuse him of the idea that praying works. Just don't ever pick him for the prize. (joking)
 
Whatever you do, don't do nothing!

Skepticism makes differences. You will find a way to teach him how, or at least show him the tools how to teach himself. I understand your difficult situation, and not wanting to rock the boat, but I am sure there is some common ground to be found there.

Every bit of skepticism can make a difference!
 
First, let me preface this by saying that I am not suggesting Chimera challenge this first grader's beliefs. It will invite a hailstorm of attention you don't want and could very likely cost you your job.

That being said, it annoys the crap out of me that you have to make that distinction. It's yet another example of religious beliefs getting special deference. Examining finger crossing is okay, but prayer off limits. It just supports the irrational notion that criticizing the belief is attacking the believer. It's crap.

I'd offer more constructive advice, but I'm having a hard time coming up with a possible lesson that won't get you fired.
 
Safe-Keeper said:
I fear this'd just cause the kid to run out of the classroom whenever he felt the need to pray.
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I'd just point out that the kid may pray as often as he likes, but it's impolite to bring attention to the fact.
 
My son had to write a fictional story for school, then read it in class to be evaluated by his peers. Apparently, there is a little Jesus freak in his class that scored him one out of five because The Boy's story had three gods in it instead of just the one.
 
When you say you pick students for a prize, do you mean you do it randomly, or based on their achievements and behavior for the day?

If it's the latter, then I think you could, without disparaging prayer, remind him that it's his hard work and good behavior that got him picked. But that's about the extent of what you can do; I agree with the others in this thread that you can't (and shouldn't) try to "prove" him wrong.
 
Do nothing. If you try to show him prayer doesn't work the parents will be all up on you. Probably with torches and pitchforks.
If you quote the bible to him, you are also behaving inappropriately.

Run far, far away from this one and hope he figures it out himself.
It's a pity, but sometimes we must be practical.
 
I agree you should leave it as it sounds like his parents are very religious people.They wouldn't take lightly to you making anything of this and could cause you trouble.
However the point about letting him know its his hard work that is the reason for picking him and not the praying sounds ok.
 
tsg said:
First, let me preface this by saying that I am not suggesting Chimera challenge this first grader's beliefs. It will invite a hailstorm of attention you don't want and could very likely cost you your job.

That being said, it annoys the crap out of me that you have to make that distinction. It's yet another example of religious beliefs getting special deference. Examining finger crossing is okay, but prayer off limits. It just supports the irrational notion that criticizing the belief is attacking the believer. It's crap.

I'd offer more constructive advice, but I'm having a hard time coming up with a possible lesson that won't get you fired.
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Quoted For Truth.
 
Chimera said:
I teach first grade, and I try to incorporate my skepticism when I can. We have frequent discussions and experiments about whether or not crossing your fingers gets you your wish. My last year's class got broken of that belief pretty quickly.

So, this new school year, I have a boy who prays at the drop of a hat. At the end of the day, I pick 5 student names for a little prize. He prays while I do this. Then, whenever he does get picked, he says, "See? Praying works!" He does this at other times when he wants something too. Other than this little oddity, he's a perfect student: smart, well-behaved, and kind.

I've pretty much already made up my mind that I'm not even going to address it. Anything I do, no matter how well-meaning or gentle, would probably embarrass him, tick off his family, or worse. But, what do you guys think?
Click to expand...

You could teach them a little about basic chance and luck. If your prizes are not based on tests and he is smart he might be impressed with learning that he wins as often as everyone else, without mentioning the prayer part at all.
 
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