<p>I think these books are great in that they challenge young readers to think through all kinds of difficult issues. It’s certainly not all “sweetness and light”, and I’d much rather see kids enjoying these books and seeing this movie than, say, ANY of the Twilight series. Now, having this be a school field trip is another issue entirely. My son is a HS english teacher working with “troubled” students (in an alternative school for kids who have been “kicked out” of regular HS, usually for disciplinary reasons), and he has been using this series in his classroom. I know these kids are older, but many of them cannot read and it’s nice to have material that challenges them to think critically about topics of freedom, of individuality, of responsibility, loyalty, etc. </p>
<p>If I had a middle schooler, I would probably let them go to the movie…and probably offer to go with them. I am really excited about seeing it myself!</p>
<p>I completely agree, and honestly I would be upset if my child’s school was spending a school day attending a movie, whatever it is, unless there is no way it would ever be available on video and it had some historic/social significance. </p>
<p>I read the book, which was good, but to me, nothing to waste a school day over. Personally, I think movie versions of books ruin them for the most part anyway. If the children are going to be spending the day on “The Hunger Games,” they ought to be in the library reading it, not watching it on a screen.</p>
<p>I agree that these books have educational potential, but in this case the book has not been read in class or taught first. As with Lord of the Flies, an understanding of the core themes and societal issues would be helpful in processing the death of child characters.</p>
<p>The district has really cut back on spending for field trips. I think each grade is only allowed one trip per year which involves buses. Given that we live near two major metropolitan centers and several smaller ones with a plethora of exhibits and museums, it’s a shame this is what they chose for that one trip.</p>
<p>Back when I was in school, and in my kids’ schools, there were some field trips that were done each year that had fairly minimal educational benefit, but which generally viewed as a treat for the kids. It seems to me that virtually anything that you might pick for something like that might meet disapproval from some parents. Personally, I think they serve a community-building purpose, as long as they’re not overdone. If you don’t like it, keep your kid home. If you try to get the field trip cancelled, or changed to something more “educational,” you may find that your kid suffers much more.</p>
<p>TheGFG,
Is it possible for you to go along with D’s class, or go see the movie on your own on the same day? If so, at least you would be able to discuss the scenes with her and it would give you some peace of mind about what she has seen. The premise of the book is quite unsettling, even for someone of my ripe old age.</p>
<p>I’m listening to the book on audio right now so interesting timing for me. I’m only on Chapter 3 so not much to go on yet. Perhaps we were fortunate that my D’s field trips were to places like Gettsyburg, Mount Vernon, an overnight trip to the Science Center (I made the mistake of chaperoning that one and I’m still haunted by being awakened by the flickering lights and the recorded voices of the science center coming online for the day - " Millions of years ago, this lake bed was home to the Jonas Brothers."</p>
<p>I have not read the books. I only skimmed this thread. I have never heard of a school field trip to see a movie, particularly a fictional commercial movie. Seems unusual to me, no matter what the book is. Even more so as the book is not even part of the curriculum and this seems more like a field trip just for fun.</p>
<p>If you’re that desperate to figure out what is appropriate for your kid you could go to a midnight screening ;)</p>
<p>I did find it weird that this trip was not really curriculum based. Once in awhile kids need some fun to get through the rest of their semester. Also going to the movies isn’t a whole day experience. It will probably take up the morning of the afternoon.</p>
<p>When my mother was in third grade, the entire school lined up by twos one morning and holding hands they walked from the school to the downtown to the local movie theater to see the opening show of the “Wizard of Oz”. It is one of my mother’s favorite childhood memories. In fact she later drew a picture of the scene, (think very grandma mosesy) which I have framed and hanging in my home office.</p>
<p>mdemvizi: As I already said, the permission slip and money is due before the film is released. So yes, I will likely view it before D does, but I stand to lose out on the money, which includes bus and food, if I decide it is inappropriate.</p>
<p>My youngest daughter did go on a field trip to see a movie in 6th grade. ( her school was K-12 & had 6th as part of elementary) they used parent drivers for transportation & it was for fun. I don’t remember permission slips/money, its possible the teacher funded it ( she had a history of funding projects, her H had a well paid career)</p>
<p>I looked at it as a community building exercise & as the bulk of the class had been with my daughter in an awful situation the year before ( where they had rotating subs virtually the whole year), I trusted her judgement. (they saw the first Harry Potter movie in 2001)</p>
<p>While Harry Potter has some emotional elements, we were familiar with the books & I thought it was appropriate for 11-12 yr olds. </p>
<p>I tried to err on the side of caution when selecting movies for my kids to see, particularly as they were 8 years apart. I still remember being traumatized at 16 when my mother took me to see The Exorcist. :eek: ( but the same woman wouldn’t let me see a much anticipated version of Romeo & Juliet when I was 11- cause the nekkid)</p>
<p>Our school takes the kids (the kids pay for their tickets) to the movies at the end of the semester for a reward. Sometimes they take them roller skating or skiing. I don’t see anything wrong with this. If you feel your child can’t handle the movie, then keep them home.</p>
<p>I thought that Lord of the Flies was a much creepier book than the Hunger Games but then I haven’t read Lord of the Flies in years and maybe it is just worse in my imagination.</p>
<p>I’ve heard of field trips to movies, many moons ago my 8th grade class went to see Zeffirelli’s Romeo and Juliet - the one with the shocking nude scene! </p>
<p>The graduating class of the elementary school traditionally takes a field trip to see a Broadway play. It’s usually something pretty innocuous.</p>
<p>^ Lasma-I really enjoyed the books, as did my H. It is not high art, but I was engrossed nonetheless. Dystopian society, politics of wealth, altruism, self-preservation, popular culture and the power of one person to affect a revolution. Good stuff. I didn’t really like the last book as much, but it was a good series. After my H read them, his comment was, “so why is this considered a teen book series?”</p>
I am really excited about seeing it myself!</p>