GRRR!! Gun Book sent home to read!!

[melissabb]

So, my son is in grade one. Every night he comes home with a new Early Reader book for him to read to us. Then we mark it in a journal. Last night we are reading a book titled BANG. So, we are reading along and suddenly there are little rabbits hiding under a tree. Then there is a hunter with a GUN!!!!!! Yes.....and the word G.U.N. was actually part of the reading!!!!


WTH??????

I was so mad! Look, we are in a city and my son knows nothing of killing rabbits or God Forbid, guns!

Holy Crap!

I took the book to the school VP today and got less than the reaction I was anticipating. She basically just said that if we find it offensive then other families might too. I was looking more for something like, "Oh,my, this is just not appropriate. I am sorry, I don't know why we would ever have a book like this in our school".

I am sooooo peeeved!

[PumpkinSeeds]

Christopher Robin has a gun in Winnie the Pooh. Should they remove that book from the school library as well?

[zinemama]

I guess I don't find it that offensive. If the book had depicted shooting a person with a gun or people fighting, I would have found that more disturbing. But, well, people do hunt for food. With guns.

I know where you're coming from. My tv-free kid knew nothing of guns for a really long time, and while he was little I had a lot invested in keeping it that way. But I knew he was going to learn about them, and I didn't want it to be in the context of playground games about killing people. So when he was 4.5, and we read Little House in the Big Woods I explained what a gun was, why Pa used a gun, that they should only be used for hunting when people need food, etc. I'm glad he learned about guns in this context, and from me.

Maybe it's time to sit down with your son and go over some of this stuff. By first grade, I'm sure he's heard the word "gun" and it would be best for him to get an explanation from you than anyone else.

[fek&fuzz]

I learned about hunters and guns (and mean rabbits) in "The Fierce Bad Rabbit" by Beatrix Potter.

[wildmonkeys]

I would also be upset if it was sent home as assigned reading (which in my opinion is not the same as "having it in the library")

BJ
Barney & Ben

[Ruthla]

I would have used that teachable moment to talk about my own feelings about guns. I wouldn't have complained to the school about that book.

[melissabb]

I see all of your points of view. But, I also think this way...

1. They have to ask for permission to teach your child sex-ed (not that I am against sex -ed). So, they ask permission to teach about something that is natural but they just dole out assigned reading with violent themes?

2. They send home letters at Halloween saying that when the kids dress for the school party their costumes can not depict violence or play weapons of any sort. But, once again...the book with the gun.

3. If I find it offensive then surely other parents out there must. And, I am generally not one of those parents who finds offense in everything.

4. In this day with violence on every network, the front page of every paper, in every news report, there ought to be a public place where it is not tolerated on every level. What if there are children in his school who are not as closely parented as my child? Who discusses the gun in the book with that child? Where does that child get the explanation from parents? Is that child just left to think it is OKAY to have a gun etc?

You see, it is not just the gun issue. It brings up a whole host of things to consider. Yes, perhaps a gun in a book by itself might not be such a big deal. However, the interpretation or the assumed "acceptance" that guns are okay is a big deal. I would think that most of the parents on this board have very close and loving relationships with their child. And, by proxy you are there to explain and clarify situations like these. However, not all children get that opportunity. So, not only am I offended for the sake of my child I am offended that the school is not taking a more proactive approach for all children.

[GearGirl]

I agree with you. Certainly these books should be available if children want them, but sent home as homework? He is too little to be forced to read that.

[momma of monkeys]

I don't see the problem with it really, except that op is in canada...where guns are pretty much banned...I am in Arizona...the last bastion of the 'wild wild west'...and I used to own a firearms business...so it wouldn't offend me... I am offended by other things about school...so, what are ya gonna do???
Did the book have the hunter actually kill the rabbits? That may be a bit disturbing for young children who have not been raised in a culture that (mostly) accepts firearms as part of the culture....
Even though I am totally pro 2nd ammendment, and pro freedom...when ds talks about hunting I tell him, Momma doesn't kill things, so I cannot take you (but my SO or ex will surely take him someday)

the above post is all my personal opinion...:

[Samjm]

The following is all my personal opnion of course...

Is that child just left to think it is OKAY to have a gun etc?

But, really, it IS okay to HAVE a gun. It is NOT okay to use that gun on people for example.

I would not have been offended by this book at all. Guns are part of the society we live in. By making them completely taboo, we actually cause more harm than good - because children never learn how to deal with them responsibly.

There was an interesting study done (sorry I can't find the link) where they put a real unloaded gun in a playroom with some children. They had children who came from completely gun-free homes, as well as children who's parents had taught them about guns. They wanted to see the reactions of the kids to the gun.

Almost to a child, the ones who were raised completely gun-free picked up the gun, started checking it out, playing with it, "shooting" at others. On the other hand, when the children who had been taught about guns saw it lying there, they immediately ran to the supervising adult to tell them there was a gun lying around. They didn't touch it, they didn't play with it etc.

I found it very interesting indeed.

Did you read the article on guns in Mothering in last month's issue?

I agree that it was an excellent teaching moment for you.

[xmysticprincessx]

as a substitute teacher (who has been in elementary schools quite a bit lately), i'm AMAZED that this book was sent home for homework. the kids in my school are not allowed to make guns with their hands and pretend to shoot others. we also remind the children that guns are not allowed in school.

but then again, i'm not surprised that it made it past all the editors before it got published by the reading book company. (i'm assuming it was part of the reading series.) a 3rd grade teacher told me last year that she was thankful she looked at the workbook pages on real vs fantasy before assigning them in class... one of them had a story about the tooth fairy and kids had to determine if the tooth fairy coming to get a character's tooth was real or fantasy!!! the teacher said that in no way was she going to tell the kids the tooth fairy isnt real!

with all the books and other worksheets etc that come with these reading programs, i'm surprised that the teacher didnt give another assignment. it seems like if there is the potential to offend someone with an assignment, the teacher does not use it.