::: SJS Blog Project :::

Okay, students … let’s get along with our blogging by filling in the blanks for the following. Re-type (copy) the phrases into your posts and add in your own answers:

I am (two special characteristics)
I wonder (something you are actually curious about)
I hear (an imaginary sound)
I see (an imaginary sight)
I want (an actual desire)

I pretend (something you actually pretend to do)
I feel (a feeling about something imaginary)
I touch (an imaginary touch)
I worry (something that really bothers you)
I cry (something that makes you very sad)
I am (the first line of the poem repeated)

I understand (something you know is true)
I say (something you believe in)
I dream (something you actually dream about)
I try (something you really make an effort about)
I hope (something you actually hope for)

My family (something about your family)
My dad (something about your dad)
My mom (something about your mom)
My sister(s) (something about your sister or sisters if you have any)
My brother(s) (something about your brother or brothers if you have any)
My house (something about your house)

I wish (your greatest wish!)
That’s who I am!

After creating your own (fictional) ethical dilemma, browse through your classmates blogs and provide your own answers to their guide questions in the ethical dilemma.

Now that you have come across a few “ETHICAL DILEMMAS” in this blogging project, I’d like you to create your own fictional ethical dilemma!  Guidelines for your ethical dilemma:

• Make sure the ethical dilemma is in good taste and is not at all gross or terribly bad
• DO NOT use names of students in 6th grade.
• After explaining your ethical dilemma, come up with AT LEAST eight (8) guide questions for students to answer.
• Make sure to check your grammar and spelling before publishing!!!
• Once complete, we will have everyone go to different ethical dilemmas and have  everyone provided responses.
• Start!

Here’s another ethical dilemma from http://www.goodcharacter.com. Read it through and answer the questions at the bottom through your blog. Be honest and natural in your answers. Please answer in full, complete sentences.

David is a student in a school district where his mother is on the school board. Recently, three of his classmates posted a web site that openly attacks some of the teachers and students, using explicit and offensive language. They put up very bad information about a lot of teachers and students. They came up with stories of who liked who in their school and a lot of very hurtful lies about students. They also used a lot of bad words against teachers and classmates. The site includes disgusting graphics.

Several weeks ago David learned the identities of the three students who created the website when one of them accidentally said something to him in a conversation. The other two quickly corralled David and pressured him not to reveal their names. He agreed, not thinking much about it at the time. David used to be close to one of the three students, but that friendship has faded.

Now, the school principal has obtained a program that allows him to identify each person who has visited the website. He is asking students to come forward with the names of the creators of the site, and if no one does, he is going to question each student who visited the site. David is one of those who did visit the site. He realizes he may be the only student who knows the names of the three kids who created the site. He can lie and say he doesn’t know, or he can break his promise not to tell.

David has always thought of himself as an ethical person with a pretty clear sense of right and wrong. Right now, however, he feels that either choice will end in disaster.

• What should David do?
• How might David make sense of this situation?
• What do you consider to be David’s responsibility?
• A common definition used to describe an ethical choice is a “choice between two rights.” How might you apply this to David’s situation?
• What would you do if you were in David’s place? How would that choice affect the others in this case?
• How might your decision be affected by whether or not you were close with one of the teachers or students that were humiliated on the site?
• How bound would you feel by the promise you made to the three students?
• Have you or someone you know ever been in a situation where you were expected to turn someone in? Share what that was like.
• Is there ever a point where the good of a community is more important to honor than the good of an individual relationship?

Have you heard of I.Q.? If you have, you probably know that it stands for Intelligence Quotient — it’s a simple measure that shows how well you are able to score on some intelligence test. It doesn’t exactly show what kind of intelligence you have or how intelligent you are. Intelligence is a complicated issue to talk about. We are all wired differently and we all have different kinds of things that we are good in. Some of you are good in writing, some good in math, while some are good in creating things, drawing, painting, and even acting and singing. Some of you are also good in feeling things — like perhaps understanding yourself or others.

You probably have a good sense of how intelligent you are — perhaps even telling others how high your I.Q. is. Together with understnading your intelligence, it is also healthy to understand yourself — your own feelings and emotions. By understanding yourself, you will be more able to understand others. There’s something called an E.Q. – Emotional Quotient. This is a scale of how well you know yourself — how well you are in tune with your own emotions. It can also provide insight on how well you can understand the feelings of other people.
Understanding emotions — your own and others — is quite important at your age because it is something that’s still developing within you. Perhaps you don’t know why you get mad at others so easily or why you blurt out curses when someone bugs you. Perhaps you don’t understand why your classmates get annoyed by your questions. Understanding your reactions to things and your own feelings could eventually make you more understand the feelings of others — and this understanding could be a key to better cooperation and peaceful friendships.

There’s an online “test” that has a few questions about emotions. Go ahead and try it out. It’s a shortened version of a longer test. Go try the short one first. Make sure you’re honest or the results will not be very true.

Click this link to go to the short test: http://discoveryhealth.queendom.com/eiq_abridged_access.html

The following is a link to the longer test. Try it if you have time:

http://www.queendom.com/tests/access/emotional_iq.html

After taking the “EQ”, blog about your experience and results.

1. What did you think of the questions?
2. Do you think you answered truthfully?
3. Are the questions applicable to you at this age?
4. What other questions do you think should have been added?
5. What was your score?  What does this score mean – according to the website?  What does this score mean according to you?
6. After taking the EQ assessment, what do you think of it?  What will you do now?

For those who you who missed Les Miserables 2 weekends ago, here’s an ethical dilemma from the musical.

“Jean Valjean’s Conscience”

In Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables, the hero, Jean Valjean, is an ex-convict, living illegally under an assumed name and wanted for a robbery he committed many years ago. [Actually, no -- he is only wanted for breaking parole.] Although he will be returned to the galleys — probably [in fact, actually] for life — if he is caught, he is a good man who does not deserve to be punished. He has established himself in a town, becoming mayor and a public benefactor. One day, Jean learns that another man, a vagabond, has been arrested for a minor crime and identified as Jean Valjean. Jean is first tempted to remain quiet, reasoning to himself that since he had nothing to do with the false identification of this hapless vagabond, he has no obligation to save him. Perhaps this man’s false identification, Jean reflects, is “an act of Providence meant to save me.” Upon reflection, however, Jean judges such reasoning “monstrous and hypocritical.” He now feels certain that it is his duty to reveal his identity, regardless of the disastrous personal consequences. His resolve is disturbed, however, as he reflects on the irreparable harm his return to the galleys will mean to so many people who depend upon him for their livelihood — especially troubling in the case of a helpless woman and her small child to whom he feels a special obligation. He now reproaches himself for being too selfish, for thinking only of his own conscience and not of others. The right thing to do, he now claims to himself, is to remain quiet, to continue making money and using it to help others. The vagabond, he comforts himself, is not a worthy person, anyway. Still unconvinced and tormented by the need to decide, Jean goes to the trial and confesses.

1. Did he do the right thing?  Why?  Why not?
2. What do you think?

For activity #5 — you will create an online word processing account with WRITELY – www.writely.com.

If you already have an account, then go ahead and help others.

Directions:

1. Open a new TAB – (Ctrl + T) then go to www.writely.com on that other tab. Keep this blog on this tab so you can go back and forth between instructions and work area.
2. If you have a GMail account or a Google account, then enter that information in the upper middle right side of the page.
3. If you DO NOT have a GMail account or a Google account, then sign up for one. Click on the link “Create a Google Account” in the lower right side of the page.
4. You need to enter a current email address (Yahoo Mail, Gaggle, etc.)
5. Then choose a password that YOU WILL REMEMBER and enter it twice.
6. Then type in your FIRST name then LAST name in the spaces.
7. Then you’ll see a graphic image — which is actually a word. Type that word in the space provided — letters are NOT case-sensitive so you can type in upper or lower case.
8. Once everything has been entered, click on the button: “I accept. Create my account.”
9. A new account will be created for you.
10. You then have to go to your current email address (the one you typed in the page above) to check your email. Look for an email from Google and click on the verification link. This will verify that you actually signed up for a Google account. Once you do this, you will be able to login to WRITELY — which is actually owned by Google.
11. Once you successfully sign in, you will see an editing screen that looks like a typical word processing program.
12. Wait for instructions at this point.
13. If you come across problems at any point above, ask your seatmate or me for assistance. Try to solve things on your own first, then ask for help if stuck.

Having an online word processing account is very handy. You can go into the internjet anytime to access your files online. JUST MAKE SURE TO KEEP YOUR USERNAME and PASSWORD SAFE! You don’t want anyone snooping in your account and messing around with your files. Also, LOGOUT once you’re done working on a computer.

With an online word processing service, you can easily create files as if it were a program on a typical computer. The great thing is the ability to save somewhere on the internet! Your files need not be stored in flash drives that could get lost or erased — and you can access your files in whatever computer that has internet access.

Try to use your WRITELY account in school. Then blog about your experiences.

1. As you begin to use this online word processing program, what are the benefits that you can see in such use?
2. What are the challenges in using an online word processing service?
3. What do you like about it?
4. What don’t you like about the idea and service?
5. What could you do to improve on this concept / service?
6. Do you know of any other online word processing service out there? (I’d like you to stick to this one — WRITELY — a.k.a. – Google Docs. But I’d like you to search for other online word processing services. Blog about these services — write a little bit about these, include links to the services.

Here’s an ethical dilemma from http://www.goodcharacter.com.  Read it through and answer the questions at the bottom through your blog.  Be honest and natural in your answers.  Please answer in full, complete sentences.

Sam knew something was weird the second he got to class on Tuesday morning. He saw kids whispering and pointing at him. Some were looking at him funny. He sat down next to his best friend and picked up the graded report the teacher, Mr. Crosby, had graded over the weekend. Sam looked at the ” A-“ and forgot about the rest of the class for a minute. He had worked hard at that report and was thrilled it had paid off. He looked up and saw a bunch of kids staring at him. While the teacher cleaned up the white board, Sam whispered to Dylan, “ What’s going on?” Dylan, looked down and said quietly, “Conner told everyone you copied your report from the internet.” “ But, that’s a lie!” Sam said. “I never cheat and everyone knows it.” He was hurt and angry. He couldn’t focus the rest of the morning in class.

At recess he went up to Conner and asked him if he had really told everyone he had cheated. “ It’s no big deal,” Conner scoffed. “ I only told a few people. Lighten up. It was just a joke.” Sam turned and walked away. He wanted to yell at Conner, or hit him, or something. He just wanted to make Conner feel as bad as Conner had made him feel.

For the next two days, Sam avoided Conner but Sam and Dylan made up as many lies as they could think of about Conner to get back at him. They told kids that he was jealous of anyone who did well in school because he almost failed fourth grade last year. They told the girl Conner liked that he still wet his bed sometimes. But it wasn’t helping. Sam was still just as mad at Conner. In fact, all he thought about now was Conner and what he had done.

On Friday, Mr. Crosby had all three boys stay to talk with him during recess. He told them they had until the end of recess to work out whatever it was that was going on between them. If they had not all forgiven each other by the end of recess, they had to go to the principal’s office. Then Mr. Crosby left the classroom.

The three boys stared angrily at each other waiting for someone to say something. Sam didn’t know what to say. All he knew was that he was tired of being mad and hurt. What could he do to make it stop? And what did Mr. Crosby mean by all forgive each other?

Guide questions:

1. Do you think all three boys need to apologize? Why or why not?
2. Who do you think is the most guilty of doing wrong. Why?
3. Do you think it will improve their friendship if Sam forgives Conner?
4. Have you ever been in a position like this? What happened? Would you make the same choices if you were in the position again?
5. Is there someone in your life right now that you might need to forgive for something?
6. What does it feel like to forgive someone? Why do you think that is?

Here’s an ethical dilemma from http://www.goodcharacter.com.  Read it through and answer the questions at the bottom through your blog.  Be honest and natural in your answers.  Please answer in full, complete sentences.

Maya knew she was busted as soon as she saw the school’s Assistant Principal walking toward her. She was at her friend’s school dance and they had gone to a “pre-party” beforehand. Maya wasn’t a big partier but she had shared a couple of drinks with some of her friends and now was about to be busted. The Assistant Principal approached her and said that she looked like she was unsteady on her feet. Maya tried the think fast and replied that she had played in a soccer game that day and was sore. The Assistant Principal then asked for her name and what school she went to, and commented that she smelled alcohol on Maya’s breath. Maya told her what school she was from and that she had not been drinking. The Assistant Principal began to explain that she would have to call Maya’s school the next day with her suspicions but was interrupted by a group of students. As she turned to answer them, Maya slipped out the door of the school.

Maya was panicked. She was pretty sure the Assistant Principal would have no trouble finding out her name. Her friend came out to find her and told her to stay calm. Her friend explained that the Assistant Principal probably wouldn’t even call and that she couldn’t be busted because she didn’t break any rule on her own school campus. This might have calmed another seventeen year old down but not Maya. Both teachers and peers respected her at her school for her academics and her integrity.  She volunteered every weekend in her neighborhood Head Start program and was captain of the varsity soccer team. She felt like she would let so many people down if they found out what she had done. She already felt like she had let herself down. She had so far to fall. Why did she have to risk it all in such a stupid way?

Maya couldn’t believe this was happening. She felt like she was watching herself. She would do anything to take back those drinks now, but thinking like that was wasting time. If her parents found out, she could kiss her social life good bye. If her teachers found out, they would all look at her differently. Her friend’s advice was to do nothing and hope that Maya’s school wouldn’t get a call from the Assistant Principal. If she did, then she could either deny it, or come clean. But, there was no sense in turning herself in at this point. That seemed like a big gamble to Maya. Still panicked, Maya tried examining her choices and playing them out. For example, if she were to go talk to the Assistant Principal at her own school before she received the phone call, that action would be consistent with the character and integrity she showed her school community. That might lessen the consequences or, at least, alleviate the fear and guilt that was freaking her out. On the other hand, she had broken no school rules on her own campus or school sponsored event. Would she be creating drama where there might never be drama?  Maya was confused and overwhelmed. She needed to come up with an action plan before school tomorrow.

1. If you were Maya’s best friend and had her best interest at heart, what would you suggest she do?
2. If you were her parent, what do you think you would suggest she do?
3. What would she have to lose if she turned herself in?
4. What would she have to lose if she didn’t?
5. Have you or someone you know ever been in a similar situation to this? What happened and how did it turn out? Did you or that person feel regret or pride in the choice made?
6. Do any of you feel Maya is over reacting to this situation? Why or why not?

Here’s an ethical dilemma from http://www.goodcharacter.com.  Read it through and answer the questions at the bottom through your blog.  Be honest and natural in your answers.  Please answer in full, complete sentences.

Maya knew she was busted as soon as she saw the school’s Assistant Principal walking toward her. She was at her friend’s school dance and they had gone to a “pre-party” beforehand. Maya wasn’t a big partier but she had shared a couple of drinks with some of her friends and now was about to be busted. The Assistant Principal approached her and said that she looked like she was unsteady on her feet. Maya tried the think fast and replied that she had played in a soccer game that day and was sore. The Assistant Principal then asked for her name and what school she went to, and commented that she smelled alcohol on Maya’s breath. Maya told her what school she was from and that she had not been drinking. The Assistant Principal began to explain that she would have to call Maya’s school the next day with her suspicions but was interrupted by a group of students. As she turned to answer them, Maya slipped out the door of the school.

Maya was panicked. She was pretty sure the Assistant Principal would have no trouble finding out her name. Her friend came out to find her and told her to stay calm. Her friend explained that the Assistant Principal probably wouldn’t even call and that she couldn’t be busted because she didn’t break any rule on her own school campus. This might have calmed another seventeen year old down but not Maya. Both teachers and peers respected her at her school for her academics and her integrity.  She volunteered every weekend in her neighborhood Head Start program and was captain of the varsity soccer team. She felt like she would let so many people down if they found out what she had done. She already felt like she had let herself down. She had so far to fall. Why did she have to risk it all in such a stupid way?

Maya couldn’t believe this was happening. She felt like she was watching herself. She would do anything to take back those drinks now, but thinking like that was wasting time. If her parents found out, she could kiss her social life good bye. If her teachers found out, they would all look at her differently. Her friend’s advice was to do nothing and hope that Maya’s school wouldn’t get a call from the Assistant Principal. If she did, then she could either deny it, or come clean. But, there was no sense in turning herself in at this point. That seemed like a big gamble to Maya. Still panicked, Maya tried examining her choices and playing them out. For example, if she were to go talk to the Assistant Principal at her own school before she received the phone call, that action would be consistent with the character and integrity she showed her school community. That might lessen the consequences or, at least, alleviate the fear and guilt that was freaking her out. On the other hand, she had broken no school rules on her own campus or school sponsored event. Would she be creating drama where there might never be drama?  Maya was confused and overwhelmed. She needed to come up with an action plan before school tomorrow.

1. If you were Maya’s best friend and had her best interest at heart, what would you suggest she do?
2. If you were her parent, what do you think you would suggest she do?
3. What would she have to lose if she turned herself in?
4. What would she have to lose if she didn’t?
5. Have you or someone you know ever been in a similar situation to this? What happened and how did it turn out? Did you or that person feel regret or pride in the choice made?
6. Do any of you feel Maya is over reacting to this situation? Why or why not?