S/O: LOF Dogs.....Mr. Schmidt must have listened to the complaints...

[BatmansWife]

I know awhile back there was quite the discussion about the LOF Dogs book. Some said they might end up skipping that book in the set. Well, on the other discussion that was started recently about LOF elementary, there was some discussion about a sticker that Mr. Schmidt has now added to the last page of the Dogs book. I thought I'd post about it here in case some of you missed that discussion. Jennifer (aka: Jay3fer) e-mailed Rainbow Resource to see if their LOF Dogs books have the sticker. She got a reply that they do. The gal from Rainbow told Jennifer, 'I’m happy to say, the sticker does more than just imply that no dogs will be euthanized. It states, Late Breaking News – No Dogs Will Die and goes on to talk about a donation to the shelter that will allow for more pens and cages so all dogs (and kittens, too, I think) can be sheltered until they are adopted. Problem solved.' I hope this information will be helpful, especially if you were undecided about getting the Dogs book. I planned on getting it anyway.....but, I'm happier about the decision now that there's the sticker to make the book have a happier, more positive ending.

[Mommyfaithe]

Where can I get a sticker?? I don't think my boys will be too traumatized...They were able to sit and watch me get me teeth drilled !!!:001_huh: But, I might like the sticker for ME....

 

Faithe

[macpuffins]

:hurray::thumbup:

[Myeightkiddies]

I received my copy of Dogs yesterday. It, too, came with a sticker on the last page. Basically, it states that they received a donation and will expand the shelter. It also states that there is no longer a crowding issue, so every animal can stay until adopted. It specifically states that there is no more euthanasia.

 

Older books purchased or used ones (older ones) will not have the sticker. However, maybe the publisher will send people a sticker if they contact them. It wouldn't hurt to ask.

 

It would be a good idea to talk with the children before approaching that part of the text. This way they understand more of what is happening. It could take some of the shock or sting out of it for the sensitive ones.

 

I'm going to take advantage of this opportunity to share with my children the responsibilities of pet ownership (spay/neuter, adopt from shelters, don't give pets as holiday gifts, etc.). We have pets and are responsible, but I have never shared with them the grim consequences of not doing so. Also, I will schedule some volunteer time at our local no-kill shelter. Every Christmas they take donations of food, blankets, toys, etc.

[BatmansWife]

Where can I get a sticker?? I don't think my boys will be too traumatized...They were able to sit and watch me get me teeth drilled !!!:001_huh: But, I might like the sticker for ME....

 

Faithe

 

So, you already have the book without a sticker, right?? I was wondering about this too.....what about those who already have the book without the sticker? The only thing I can think of is e-mailing Stanley and seeing if he can send you one. If you contact him about it, let us know how it goes.

[BatmansWife]

I received my copy of Dogs yesterday. It, too, came with a sticker on the last page. Basically, it states that they received a donation and will expand the shelter. It also states that there is no longer a crowding issue, so every animal can stay until adopted. It specifically states that there is no more euthanasia.

 

Older books purchased or used ones (older ones) will not have the sticker. However, maybe the publisher will send people a sticker if they contact them. It wouldn't hurt to ask.

 

It would be a good idea to talk with the children before approaching that part of the text. This way they understand more of what is happening. It could take some of the shock or sting out of it for the sensitive ones.

 

I'm going to take advantage of this opportunity to share with my children the responsibilities of pet ownership (spay/neuter, adopt from shelters, don't give pets as holiday gifts, etc.). We have pets and are responsible, but I have never shared with them the grim consequences of not doing so. Also, I will schedule some volunteer time at our local no-kill shelter. Every Christmas they take donations of food, blankets, toys, etc.

 

Thank you for explaining more about the sticker (I think you were the first to mention the sticker on that other discussion). It makes you wonder why he didn't just write the book this way in the first place. :001_huh: Oh well. At least he's done something to try to fix the problem.

[Mommyfaithe]

Hmmmmm...I didn't even look yet. I will...and then maybe e-mail Mr. Schmidt. He has been very gracious i answering my Algebra questions.:D

Faithe

[Myeightkiddies]

It makes you wonder why he didn't just write the book this way in the first place. :001_huh: Oh well. At least he's done something to try to fix the problem.

 

I'm not sure why he didn't write it that way from the beginning. He does a good job everywhere else. Perhaps he thought it was a good way to educate children on shelters. I think he underestimated the sensitivity factor. Perhaps some of the children he is around (or had review the book as I am assuming he had some children look at it..or maybe not) are not that sensitive or are already exposed to the harsh reality of most shelters.

 

I don't think he is death obsessed or insensitive or cold or anything like some may interpret. To me, he just didn't realize how it would affect some children. I'm sure that if he did he would have done it differently (hence the sticker once they realized it bothered children).

 

Thank you for sharing. He does a good job presenting mathematics to children.

[Blueridge]

I had written this to Dr. Schmidt after reading about the dog book here:

Greetings Dr. Schmidt. We are huge fans of you and your fabulous math books. After reading a recent personal review of the Dogs text, however, I have a suggestion. Would you consider a reprint edition in the future, and ending the book in a positive and encouraging way? One idea is... Fred arriving at the animal shelter and seeing that a children's home representative was there inquiring about all 30 of the dogs, to adopt them all for their children? I realize that life isn't usually this positive, but for younger kids who really need some happy endings in today's culture, it would be refreshing. Anything you could add that would allow more sensitive students to have a good ending to an otherwise great experience with your book would be great. Thank you for your time.

Blessings~

 

And this was his response:

Dear Ginger.

 

I like. Your idea makes a lot of sense. I have printed out your email and have it on my desk. Thank you.

 

With my gratitude,

Stan

I like his change much better!

:001_smile::001_smile::001_smile:

[BatmansWife]

I'm not sure why he didn't write it that way from the beginning. He does a good job everywhere else. Perhaps he thought it was a good way to educate children on shelters. I think he underestimated the sensitivity factor. Perhaps some of the children he is around (or had review the book as I am assuming he had some children look at it..or maybe not) are not that sensitive or are already exposed to the harsh reality of most shelters.

 

I don't think he is death obsessed or insensitive or cold or anything like some may interpret. To me, he just didn't realize how it would affect some children. I'm sure that if he did he would have done it differently (hence the sticker once they realized it bothered children).

 

Thank you for sharing. He does a good job presenting mathematics to children.

 

:iagree:

 

I had written this to Dr. Schmidt after reading about the dog book here:

Greetings Dr. Schmidt. We are huge fans of you and your fabulous math books. After reading a recent personal review of the Dogs text, however, I have a suggestion. Would you consider a reprint edition in the future, and ending the book in a positive and encouraging way? One idea is... Fred arriving at the animal shelter and seeing that a children's home representative was there inquiring about all 30 of the dogs, to adopt them all for their children? I realize that life isn't usually this positive, but for younger kids who really need some happy endings in today's culture, it would be refreshing. Anything you could add that would allow more sensitive students to have a good ending to an otherwise great experience with your book would be great. Thank you for your time.

Blessings~

 

And this was his response:

Dear Ginger.

 

I like. Your idea makes a lot of sense. I have printed out your email and have it on my desk. Thank you.

 

With my gratitude,

Stan

I like his change much better!

:001_smile::001_smile::001_smile:

 

Maybe you were his inspriation Ginger. Yay! I really like how you wrote your letter...it was positive and not wrote in an upset way. I believe some who also wrote Mr. Schmidt about the Dogs book probably weren't as nice as you were about it. I've always said basically that if you want someone to do something, or change, etc....you're more likely to have it happen if you ask in kind, polite way and not be confrontational. You can catch more flies with honey.....or was that ginger?? :lol:

[hmschooling]

I am appalled...totally APPALLED that there was so much uproar about the POSSIBLE euthanized animals in the D book when in the B book, which one must read to get to D, there is a PERSON..a man who is killed when a clock tower falls on him. My 10yo DD was reading LOF Butterflies for fun in the truck and suddenly yelled out in anger, (she wasn't hurt or over sensitive) "WHY IN THE WORLD IS THIS IN HERE, MOM?! IT's MATH!" I was shocked to hear that the man was killed in this book and not one. single. person. commented yet there was basically boycott threats over the possibility of animal deaths. I own books A, B, C and am selling them all....they are in brand new condition. I didn't even get to use them with my elementary student after my older reading for pleasure found this. That really doesn't upset me due to it being sensitive topics or what have you, but death of a human and without warning...my DD10 is correct. This is math and I like that other topics and concepts are included, but death is something that just doesn't fit. I could deal with the dogs b/c though I don't like animal cruelty (which isn't what was in LOF), and we have many pets that are like members of the family, it's not as huge as HUMAN death. I am also quite frustrated that human loss of life in such a clearly violent way, invoked nothing while the dogs thing was a massive ordeal. :angry:

 

LOF is NOT for us. At all. If it's for you, and you want the first 3 books in new condition for a good price, please email me at hmschooling at gmail dot com bc I want them outta here!

[LittleIzumi]

I am appalled...totally APPALLED that there was so much uproar about the POSSIBLE euthanized animals in the D book when in the B book, which one must read to get to D, there is a PERSON..a man who is killed when a clock tower falls on him. My 10yo DD was reading LOF Butterflies for fun in the truck and suddenly yelled out in anger, (she wasn't hurt or over sensitive) "WHY IN THE WORLD IS THIS IN HERE, MOM?! IT's MATH!" I was shocked to hear that the man was killed in this book and not one. single. person. commented yet there was basically boycott threats over the possibility of animal deaths. I own books A, B, C and am selling them all....they are in brand new condition. I didn't even get to use them with my elementary student after my older reading for pleasure found this. That really doesn't upset me due to it being sensitive topics or what have you, but death of a human and without warning...my DD10 is correct. This is math and I like that other topics and concepts are included, but death is something that just doesn't fit. I could deal with the dogs b/c though I don't like animal cruelty (which isn't what was in LOF), and we have many pets that are like members of the family, it's not as huge as HUMAN death. I am also quite frustrated that human loss of life in such a clearly violent way, invoked nothing while the dogs thing was a massive ordeal. :angry:

 

:iagree: I was very surprised about the furor over the dogs when I read about the man being killed in our Butterflies, which I have never seen even mentioned here.

[Myeightkiddies]

My LoF books arrived yesterday, so I haven't read them yet (nor was aware of any person dying in any of them). News to me.

 

The dog comments in this thread are a "spin-off" from another thread where it was discussed. We, the people posting in this thread, aren't the "enraged" ones. We are the ones just stating that there was a correction made in one particular text. It wasn't a statement that all texts were fine. It is the addressing of this one issue in this one text.

 

Texts, books, etc. don't suit everyone, and that is perfectly acceptable. Each person has to use or not use items based on what they believe will work or won't work (or is fine or not fine) for their family.

[BatmansWife]

I am appalled...totally APPALLED that there was so much uproar about the POSSIBLE euthanized animals in the D book when in the B book, which one must read to get to D, there is a PERSON..a man who is killed when a clock tower falls on him. My 10yo DD was reading LOF Butterflies for fun in the truck and suddenly yelled out in anger, (she wasn't hurt or over sensitive) "WHY IN THE WORLD IS THIS IN HERE, MOM?! IT's MATH!" I was shocked to hear that the man was killed in this book and not one. single. person. commented yet there was basically boycott threats over the possibility of animal deaths. I own books A, B, C and am selling them all....they are in brand new condition. I didn't even get to use them with my elementary student after my older reading for pleasure found this. That really doesn't upset me due to it being sensitive topics or what have you, but death of a human and without warning...my DD10 is correct. This is math and I like that other topics and concepts are included, but death is something that just doesn't fit. I could deal with the dogs b/c though I don't like animal cruelty (which isn't what was in LOF), and we have many pets that are like members of the family, it's not as huge as HUMAN death. I am also quite frustrated that human loss of life in such a clearly violent way, invoked nothing while the dogs thing was a massive ordeal. :angry:

 

LOF is NOT for us. At all. If it's for you, and you want the first 3 books in new condition for a good price, please email me at hmschooling at gmail dot com bc I want them outta here!

 

I just e-mailed you.

[BatmansWife]

My LoF books arrived yesterday, so I haven't read them yet (nor was aware of any person dying in any of them). News to me.

 

The dog comments in this thread are a "spin-off" from another thread where it was discussed. We, the people posting in this thread, aren't the "enraged" ones. We are the ones just stating that there was a correction made in one particular text. It wasn't a statement that all texts were fine. It is the addressing of this one issue in this one text.

 

Texts, books, etc. don't suit everyone, and that is perfectly acceptable. Each person has to use or not use items based on what they believe will work or won't work (or is fine or not fine) for their family.

 

:iagree:

I'm in no way minimizing the death of the man. I never knew about it. :iagree: also that it's odd this wasn't something people were outraged about. Perhaps more e-mails to Mr. Schmidt are in order...a sticker for the Butterfly book. I guess I'm not sure what to think of it all without actually seeing/reading it myself.

[hmschooling]

My LoF books arrived yesterday, so I haven't read them yet (nor was aware of any person dying in any of them). News to me.

 

The dog comments in this thread are a "spin-off" from another thread where it was discussed. We, the people posting in this thread, aren't the "enraged" ones. We are the ones just stating that there was a correction made in one particular text. It wasn't a statement that all texts were fine. It is the addressing of this one issue in this one text.

 

Texts, books, etc. don't suit everyone, and that is perfectly acceptable. Each person has to use or not use items based on what they believe will work or won't work (or is fine or not fine) for their family.

 

I realize that. I saw the original thread already. That's part of my issue...there should have been a thread of outrage about a MAN dying if the uncertainty of the life of the dogs was so huge, right? Just seems people care more about saving animals, trees, and "stuff" than the life of people...not just from this LoF ordeal...just in general, and this is just another example of mixed up ideals..Not everyone would be bothered by either, but if you're bothered by the dogs, I sure as heck hope the death of a man was more baffling and emotional than Dogs. KWIM? Just seems odd not a single person said anything about the man first.

[Myeightkiddies]

I realize that. I saw the original thread already. That's part of my issue...there should have been a thread of outrage about a MAN dying if the uncertainty of the life of the dogs was so huge, right? Just seems people care more about saving animals, trees, and "stuff" than the life of people...not just from this LoF ordeal...just in general, and this is just another example of mixed up ideals..Not everyone would be bothered by either, but if you're bothered by the dogs, I sure as heck hope the death of a man was more baffling and emotional than Dogs. KWIM? Just seems odd not a single person said anything about the man first.

 

I agree. Until you said something I had no idea that a man died. I do appreciate you sharing that because it will allow me to search for that portion of the text, mark it, and address it with my child before he reads it. Yes, I'm surprised it wasn't addressed sooner. Thank you.

 

Since the publisher (author) acted and made corrections to the dog book when requested by customers, hopefully he will do the same with the Butterfly book.

[mommymilkies]

I realize that. I saw the original thread already. That's part of my issue...there should have been a thread of outrage about a MAN dying if the uncertainty of the life of the dogs was so huge, right? Just seems people care more about saving animals, trees, and "stuff" than the life of people...not just from this LoF ordeal...just in general, and this is just another example of mixed up ideals..Not everyone would be bothered by either, but if you're bothered by the dogs, I sure as heck hope the death of a man was more baffling and emotional than Dogs. KWIM? Just seems odd not a single person said anything about the man first.

 

I only have Apples and know nothing of this. I am upset about the Euthanasia in Dogs because it was brought to my attention. But then again, I'm one of those people who cries when the dog dies in a movie, but the human death usually doesn't phase me as much. I'm weird, though.

[isitnaptime]

Seriously, a person dies in a K'er or 1st grade math book named Butterflys?? We have just started on Apples and that may be as far as we get in the series although Buttereflys is on my shelf.

[hmschooling]

Seriously, a person dies in a K'er or 1st grade math book named Butterflys?? We have just started on Apples and that may be as far as we get in the series although Buttereflys is on my shelf.

 

Yep, after my DD yelled it out, I took the book to never be touched again. It infuriated me b/c although I don't mind that being addressed, it was uncalled for and makes me concerned of future content. I don't want to have to pre-read and it's not worth the trouble for a supplement.

[Myeightkiddies]

I think that I've found it. It's at the top of page 93.

[acurtis75]

I think possibly people were more upset about the dogs because it was a major theme in that book. I don't have the books in front of me but I read it and if I recall the character that died was the one who was supposed to take care of the bell tower but chose to watch tv and drink sluice and eat junk food instead. There was no graphic description of the indicent. When I asked my 6 year old if she remembered what happene she said there were 4 brothers and that after Ned didn't fix it when he was supposed to the book said now there were 2 brothers. I personally wasn't outraged about the dogs or the bell tower falling. It didn't upset my daughter either.

[hmschooling]

I think possibly people were more upset about the dogs because it was a major theme in that book. I don't have the books in front of me but I read it and if I recall the character that died was the one who was supposed to take care of the bell tower but chose to watch tv and drink sluice and eat junk food instead. There was no graphic description of the indicent. When I asked my 6 year old if she remembered what happene she said there were 4 brothers and that after Ned didn't fix it when he was supposed to the book said now there were 2 brothers. I personally wasn't outraged about the dogs or the bell tower falling. It didn't upset my daughter either.

 

Mine totally remember these things. Dogs wouldn't bother us. The guy dying...well, it just doesn't belong in a kids' math book. It's far worse than dogs...and the theme of Dogs wasn't dying dogs, but Dogs in general...who may or may not have been put down at the very end. I'm glad he fixed that part with the sticker. It's just pointless to say then the bell tower fell on this man and killed him. That's graphic if you have a child with a brain that can imagine that means this big tower fell and CRUSHED a man to death. Lovely storytime...and really, really doesn't belong. Put it in Fred's algebra book. But don't put it in early elem levels. I don't have a problem with facts of life being part of math, but there has to be a line. My DD isn't sensitive but this really aggravated her. My DH is an RN in the ICU and we hear of his emotional nights at work with lost patients, but it's in a sense that puts value on life and doesn't just gloss over it. We can deal with death. We can't deal with "a bell tower fell over a man and crushed hiim to death, now let's move on...But OH NO!! THOSE POOR DOGS MIGHT have died. Let's discuss how horrible this is and how valuable a dog's life is and how horrible people who don't get their pets spayed/neutered are and make a life lesson out of this". It seems so wrong. Upside down. Backwards. And obviously, unimportant to anyone else.

 

BTW: The rest of LoF is just peachy. The math is kinda ok. There's no teaching in the elem series to speak of that I've seen so far, but hey...it's otherwise a cute little story.