[ktmama]

In my dd's Friday folder was a notice that this Wednesday they will be having a Las Vegas Day to try each other's games of chance that they created to study probability. The day is complete with dressing up (hats, sunglasses or anything "sparkly"), pop and junk food and play MONEY! Yes, gambling is going on at my dd's school!<br><br>
My first reaction was shock and then anger. It seems like such a BAD idea for so many reasons - normalizing gambling as an acceptable activity for 9 and 10 year olds immediately comes to mind - but when I emailed the teacher today, his only response was that they do give the kids the message that games of chance are stacked against the player which is why gambling is a bad idea.<br><br>
Do you find this kind of screwy? I'm pretty set that I think this is the worst kind of idea and now, with his response, I find it worse - a mixed message (come and party in Las Vegas which is a really bad idea), but I'm unclear on how far to take it. Knowing the teacher, I know he's not going to cancel the activity on his own. Should I ask the principal to cancel? Take it to the Superintendent? Is this activity just wrong for my kid or is it pretty much wrong for all kids this age? Would any of you let your kid participate? TIA!

 

[messy mama]

Well, I wouldn't ask him to cancel. You may be the only one that feels it's a horrible thing.<br><br>
I think it's a strange idea and I wouldn't let my child participate. But <b>I</b> don't like gambling. Plenty of other people have no problem w/ it. They actually do it for recreation.<br><br>
Maybe find out when they are doing it and pick your DD up before they start.

 

[hellyaellen]

i'd keep mine home!

 

[chfriend]

Gambling is a tax on people who are bad at math. It seems like that's part of what they are teaching here when they are showing the probability of winning/losing in Vegas style games. To me, it seems like a really fun way to show it. Waaaay more fun than flipping a coin 100 times.<br><br>
Do you have religious objections to gambling?

 

[alegna]

Sounds like a cute, fun math activity to me.<br><br><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/duck.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Duck">:<br><br>
-Angela

 

[kewb]

It sounds like fun to me. I am not a gambler by any means. I can't stand playing games of chance. This sounds like a fun way to show that the odds are stacked against you.

 

[ktmama]

I don't have any particular objection to gambling <i>for adults</i>, just as I don't have any objections to adults drinking, smoking, driving, voting, or whatever is legal for adults to do. But (with the exception of voting maybe <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/winky.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Wink">), I don't think these are appropriate activities for nine and ten year olds, KWIM?<br><br>
Of course, I will be keeping her home - maybe for the rest of the school year!

 

[mommy68]

I wouldn't like it either since we teach our children not to gamble. But the reality is that most people in our extrended families do gamble whether we agree with it or not. I'd probably let it slide and let them have fun that day but be sure and have a talk to them about how I feel on the subject and maybe let the school principal know I don't like it.

 

[kofduke]

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<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>alegna</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7995187"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">Sounds like a cute, fun math activity to me.<br><br><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/duck.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Duck">:<br><br>
-Angela</div>
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Me, too. Great real-life way to learn probability IMHO, especially since the kids themselves designed the games of chance.

 

[ComeOnLetsGo]

I think it sounds like a fun, out-of-the-box way to teach math. It not only teaches about probability, but also addition, subtraction, etc. along with a good life lesson on gambling and the odds of actually winning. They're not being asked to bring in real money to gamble with, right? I think it will be a fun day and the lessons learned will stick in their minds much longer than anything learned from a book. I'd ask if they need any parent volunteers so I could be part of the fun!

 

[LizD]

I think it sounds adorable!<br><br>
I understand your concerns, but remember they are *adult* concerns. The children don't bring those connotations to it, nor are they being encouraged to, I would think. Anyone who grows up to be a Vegas showgirl would have done so anyway. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/winky.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Wink"><br><br>
Our family doesn't gamble, we teach our kids it's kind of stupid if you think you're going to win, but we had very wealthy family members who would go gamble for vacation, since they paid almost nothing to do it (got everything comp'd). They're not compulsive gamblers nor are they whoremongers.<br><br>
I still think this sounds like a great idea and lots of fun. You can gamble with dice or cards for *fun,* too- Renaissance courts hosted gambling all the time, as well as royal courts through history. It's a valid form of entertainment precisely because of understanding probability vs. "luck." It's especially cool that they designed the games themselves.

 

[LizD]

P.S. BTW Vegas has been the new "family vacation spot" for a few years now!

 

[Lil'M]

I don't have a problem with it personally, as it does seem like a fun way to teach probability, especially if the end result is to show that gambling is very risky. To me it doesn't seem that different than playing Monopoly, where you are using play money to speculate on real estate. There are lots of math and money lessons we ultimately want to teach our kids regarding gambling, using credit cards, playing the stock market, watching out for scams (you can't get something for nothing & if something seems too good to be true it probably is, etc.). As long as it isn't glorifying gambling, I would be ok with it. But if it doesn't sit right with you, I think that is a legitimate stance to take as well and you could tell the teacher that you are keeping your child home that day and would like to teach that information yourself.

 

[Britishmum]

I wouldn't have a problem with it, but then I see nothing wrong with gambling for fun, and I want my kids to see things in perspective - gambling is imo fun and harmless if you know that you are going to lose and keep a perspective on it. That's the lesson I'd want my kids to learn from the class.<br><br>
I honestly think that if you have a problem with it, you should tell the teacher nicely that you are keeping your dc at home, but not expect him to alter his plans for the rest of the class, let alone start complaining about him to his superiors for what sounds like innovative and creative teaching!<br><br>
I personally would be cross if the day got cancelled and my own child missed a great learning opportunity because of the values of another family. You have the option to stay home, but if it is cancelled, my child would not have the option of participating and learning what is imo a very valuable lesson.

 

[Meg Murry.]

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<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>LizD</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7996470"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">P.S. BTW Vegas has been the new "family vacation spot" for a few years now!</div>
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Times have changed. Not anymore.

 

[Sharon RN]

I don't know- I learned about probability when I was taught poker in school. I mean, <i>high school.</i> I didn't really think much of it, but I was also 17 YO. Not 9 or 10.<br><br>
This does bother me, but I'm not sure I can put my finger on why. I don't think it's using "gambling" games to teach probability. It does sound like an interactive way to teach a concept. I think it's the "Let's dress up and celebrate Vegas" that would bother me. When we did it, it was very low-key and didn't involve any money- play or otherwise.<br><br>
I just mean the way Vegas is portrayed in the media- "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas," you know, things like that. The drinking, $$$... I don't know.<br><br>
Maybe I'm just an old fogie with my adult hang-ups! LOL<br><br>
PS I really want to go to Vegas, btw. I don't have any desire to gamble, though!

 

[CarrieMF]

I'd have no problem with it. Especially because of this:<br><br><div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
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<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">try each other's games of chance that they created to study probability</td>
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If your dd going to be hurt that she doesn't get a chance to do the experiment(which is really what it is) with the game(s) SHE made up. From the sounds of it they aren't playing poker, roulette, slots, etc.<br><br>
I agree with the pp who said it isn't any different than playing Monopoly. For that matter any game really is gambling even if there isn't money involved. Old Maid is gambling, you are playing the odds of ending up with the Old Maid card.

 

[UUMom]

When you deal with probability-- that is, when odds of something (anything) cannot be fixed-- you show/see the true odds. Which are never on the gambler's side, ftr!<br><br>
I think it's a really fun (and real!) math experience!<br><br>
Unless you have other reasons to think this school bites, and/or is taking your kids straight to hell, I'd attend the event with some glitter slathered across my brows and ask if they needed a hand!<br><br>
PS Of course I think LV (won money) is fun, and I've been to Nice (won money), and the isle of Greece, and I've sipped Champagne on a yacht. I've also moved like Harlow (sort of, kind of) in Monte Carlo (lost money)...

 

[MamaWindmill]

If you have moral or religious objections, keep your child home, but do not call the principal. If you want to be in total control of your child's curricula, homeschool.

 

[secondseconds]

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<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>MamaWindmill</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7998606"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">If you have moral or religious objections, keep your child home, but do not call the principal. If you want to be in total control of your child's curricula, homeschool.</div>
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