Mum sits next to son during maths class to teach him a lesson about behaviour

     A mother has been hailed a hero after she gatecrashed her son’s class to get him to behave. Becky Crandley walked into Sittingbourne Community College in Kent as part of a ‘surprise’ experiment on Friday. She was reacting to reports that her son, Harley, 12, had shown signs of a bad attitude. Becky had warned him that unless he improves his behaviour she would be going to school with him but said little changed. 

So when school returned recently she stuck to her word and when she got emails from the year eight pupil’s teacher about two incidents she triggered Operation Mummy Bear. Becky said: ‘It all started last year with his behaviour change, it’s part of growing up I think, but it’s his rudeness and disrespect I cannot stand. ‘I have had phone call after phone call about his behaviour. He’s had an untold amount of detentions and isolations but nothing seemed to bother him. She had told the school of her plan and they accepted so at 2pm on Friday she went to the school. 

Becky, who has another four children, said: ‘I constantly threatened that I’d sit with him in school if needed, and he always laughed it off. ‘Since they’ve been back this year I’ve had several phone calls already. So when his maths teacher emailed last week and said about an incident, I said to her I would join him. ‘He didn’t have a clue, and he was very embarrassed for sure, I was introduced as his mum.’ 

Speaking about the motive for her actions, Becky said it was necessary as ‘today’s children are getting worse by the second. ‘I think more parents need to act upon their children’s behaviour. It’s scary to think what we will leave behind one day.’ Becky added: ‘Most people know I’m a big softy when it comes to my kids but I’m also straight up and try my hardest to teach them the right way in life. ‘One thing I will not tolerate is disrespect from my sons towards any woman and my eldest has been rude recently in secondary school towards his female teachers. ‘His mummy bear has had enough for sure, my foot is down and I will not lose.

‘If only I got a picture of his face when I walked in and sat down next to him, he went so red there’s nothing I can compare it to.’

By Richard Hartley-Parkins (METRO) 23 Sep 2019 

Question 1: [2 POINTS] Indicate whether the following statements are true or false and write down which part of the text justifies your answer.

a) Many people disagreed with Becky’s plan.
b) Harley had always behaved badly.
c) Harley had been punished several times at school.
d) Becky is quite severe with her children.

Question 3: [1,5 POINTS] Find words or phrases in the text that correspond to the words and definitions given. 

a) activated, detonated (p. 2)
b) annoy, irritate (p. 2)
c) always (p. 3)
d) alarming, frightening (p.4)
e) allow (p. 4)

Question 4: [1,5 POINTS] Choose and write the most suitable answer (a, b or c) according to the text  

1. Becky gets angry when her children are rude ..
a) with old people.
b) with women.
c) with his classmates.
d) with all the teachers.
2. Harly ...
a) had never paid attention to his mother’s threats.
b) was scared to have his mother in class.
c) introduced his mother to the class
d) didn’t like his maths teacher.
3. Becky said: “ If only I got a picture of his face”. So she wishes she...
a) would have a picture of his face.
b) has a photo of his face.
c) had had a picture of his face.
d) had a picture of his face.

Question 5: [3 POINTS] Write a short essay (about 120-150 words) on the following topic: 

“Do you think parents should follow Becky example?'





KEY

Question 1: [2 POINTS] Indicate whether the following statements are true or false and write down which part of the text justifies your answer.
a) False. “A mother has been hailed a hero after she gatecrashed her son’s class”
b) False. “Becky said: ‘It all started last year with his behaviour change”
c) True. “He’s had an untold amount of detentions and isolations”
d) False. “Becky added: ‘Most people know I’m a big softy when it comes to my kids”

Question 3: [1,5 POINTS] Find words or phrases in the text that correspond to the words and definitions given.
a) triggered
b) bother
c) constantly
d) scary
e) tolerate

Question 4: [1,5 POINTS] Choose the most suitable answer (a, b or c) according to the text. 
1. b) with women.
2.    a) had never paid attention to his mother’s threats.
3.    d) had a picture of his face.