Science briefing with parents

He says

Welcome! 
Today we learn about science
What your children will learn

Times have changed
No more rote learning
Syllabus advocates
Inquiry. Based. Learning.
Your kids will ask the questions

Kids will ask
Nonsense
At times
Science! they come in eyes bright
Chemicals!  Explosions!
Ha
Never fear
I teach them to ask
the RIGHT questions

I take my first sip of my tea and watch him perform

See sample question:
State difference between Plant A and Plant B

Observe! Recite!
Plant A has a weak stem.
Plant B has a strong stem.

Easy. He beams.

Excuse me sir. A tentative hand rises. 
What if
(I watch him blink and gulp)
What if...
My child writes
Plant A is a creeper
Plant B is not

He steps forward,
His shoulders squared
That would not be accepted.
Creepers
Aren't even taught
At primary school

I swig my tea now like whiskey

The hand creeps back down.

He proceeds.

See Sample 2. Observe image. State difference between butterfly and bird.

Butterfly has 4  wings and bird has 2 wings.
Easy! He beams ... warily

A hand rises. Sir...what if...
He blinks. 
What if...
My child says the butterfly has 3 wings. 
He blinks harder. 
The image you have here only shows 3 of the butterfly's wings. What if my child says the butterfly has 3 wings and birds have  2.

He steps forward. 
Resolve stiffens his shoulders
I will accept that sir
My image does show the butterfly with only 3 wings .

The Science Teacher
Demostrates scientific enquiry
Make no assumptions
Base deductions on observable data only

I down the tea now like a shot.

His parting shot.
Parents.
Make science relevant to them at home.

I leave enlightened.