RYAN IS THE BOMB!…..aren’t I right?….(hint: yes)

As almost teenagers, you’re all at an age when things are changing within your body and your mind. You’re no longer little kids, yet you’re not really teenagers yet. The way people (your teachers, parents, etc.) treat you is also slowly changing. You used to be more pampered and watched over. Now you’re expected to all be independent and responsible. You have projects to complete, assignments to turn in, practices to go to, friends to meet, and so many other deadlines and such to accomplish.
Given these expectations of you, think about the questions below and answer them honestly in your own blogs as a new post.

1. Do you think your parents can / should trust you with things that you do in school, at home, and else where? Truthfully, I think they can trust me sometimes, and sometimes they can’t. Why do you think so? or Why not? They can trust me because I know what I am doing. But sometimes they can’t because sometimes, I get out of control, or crazy, and I follow what people want me to do.
2. Do you think your teachers can / should trust you with things that you do in school (regular schoolwork), at home (assignmentss/projects), and else where? Yes. Why do you think so? or Why not? Because I know I won’t cheat and I bet they know i wont cheat too.
3. What are your main complaints about school at this point in your life? To much homework, some teachers get mean sometimes, so little time for break, little time to get to classes, and many more.
4. What are your main complaints about home at this point in your life? I have a lot of chores and things to do but sometimes, “Home is home, but not in my world”-By Ryan Fisico…Because there are rules, I get grounded easily, and sometimes I need my space but i can’t get it.
5. What can you promise yourself that can make you a better person / a better student? I promise I’ll be myself.
6. Do you think your friends can / should trust you with things (objects, secrets, etc.) Why do you think so? or Why not? I’ll be mean to myself. I think sometimes, they shouldn’t trust me and sometimes I think they should trust me. Shouldn’t trust me because sometimes, i tell things but i dont even know I am telling it.
7. Do you think you need a lot of privacy in school / at home? In school, No not really, but at home, I usually need a lot of privacy. Why or why not? In school, I dont really do anything that I need to hide. But at home, I usually call people or write notes when I am bored and I dont want my brothers to hear or see. But they do.

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? I think he did the right thing confessing because, if he remained quiet, people would continue thinking Jean as unworthy person.
2. What do you think? I think he did the right thing even though he had to go to trial.

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? Well, I think Connor should apologize first for telling that “joke” and then after, Sam and Dylan should apologize for the things they said bad.
2. Who do you think is the most guilty of doing wrong. Why? Connor because cheating is not a joke, and that is SO bad saying that knowing Sam doesn’t cheat.
3. Do you think it will improve their friendship if Sam forgives Conner? Yes. They can probably start from scratch.
4. Have you ever been in a position like this? Yes but it wasn’t the same story. What happened? My best friend was someone I knew I could trust. But later on, he told everyone things I told him but were “secrets”. I found that out but I was too late because almost the whole middle school found out. Would you make the same choices if you were in the position again? Well, I got mad but I didn’t tell other people lies about him.
5. Is there someone in your life right now that you might need to forgive for something? Umm, Yes.
6. What does it feel like to forgive someone? Why do you think that is? It depends on the situation. But sometimes it feels good because you don’t have to think so muh about it but sometimes it doesn’t feel right because you can’t.

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? Tell the truth before she gets in BIGGER trouble.
2. If you were her parent, what do you think you would suggest she do? Again, Tell the truth before she gets in BIGGER trouble.
3. What would she have to lose if she turned herself in? If she told the truth, she’d probably go EMO or something because she regrets what she did and it is a really bad thing, but atleast she told the truth.
4. What would she have to lose if she didn’t?  She’d lose her self confidence or not believe in herself.
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? Yes. My friend in the states was a really cool person. But a trouble maker and loves to make pranks. He loved doing that to everyone. Once he did this prank to the teacher with the whoopie cushion. The teacher got so mad, she blamed someone else. My friend was thinking if he should tell, or not. But since he was such a GOOD friend, he told just so that other guy won’t get introuble.
6. Do any of you feel Maya is over reacting to this situation? Why or why not? No, because everybody panics when they have guilt inside them. Well, I do.

Today, my most inportant subject and hard one too was World History. We had to build a temple out of paper in 45 minutes. It WASN’T ENOUGH! Our group didn’t finish. So I think we failed.

Anyways, that was the fun part of the day!

Today was a boring day. Nothing “interesting” happened. Let me explain.

1st period- English  =This period, I was feeling really sick so I didn’t really have fun. First, we turned in our homework which was SO long, but easy. Then, we had weekend check-in. What we do for weekend check-in is tell everyone what we did on our weekend. In other words, “circle time”. Then we discussed what our homework was. That’s it.

2nd Period- World History = This class, we had debating on whether women should have the same rights aas men should and also a proposition in whether we should surrender to the persians or fight. I am for FIGHTING! YEAH!  I felt so sick in that class I was sent to the nurses offices. There I took tylenol. That’s it.

3rd period- P.E. = This period, i didn’t really play my best because i am sick.

4th period- Honor Choir(Performing Arts Elective) = In this class, my favorite class, we reviewed songs and also learned a new song and finished it. Cna you believe that?!?!?! We finished learning a song in ONE DAY!.. Amazing right?

5th period- Science = This class, we were just talking about grudges and fights.

6th period- Math =This, we first turned in our homework, then discussed the homework and learned more about the topic.

7th Period- Computer = This class, right now, we have a sub. Anyways, we did kturtle, ktouch, the gymp, and blogging. Again.

8th period- Study skills = we haven’t had this class yet. It’s next.

So that was my day. Boring Right?…yup. I agree!

Be honest with your answers for the following:

1. Do you like blogging or not? I like blogging so far. I learned a lot about it.
2. Is blogging for students like you an important thing to do?  Why?  Why not? Yes because we might need this when we continue life.
   1. What would you like to blog about? Friends =).
3. Why should we blog about your suggestions?  Just so everyone knows how much friends mean to us.
4. Do you like our blogging activities?  Why?  Why not? Yes because I learn and learn while I go on.
5. What should we do with our current blogging activities? To learn more about ourselves.
   
6. What else would you like to learn about in this quarter of computer applications?  (Suggest 5 things.) Gimp, typing better, how to fix troublshooting, more about blogs, and more about our classmates.
7. How do you like our LINUX computers so far? They are fast when many people aren’t doing it at the same time and I think its good they made a LINUX lab.

This is what we have to do today! :

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.

It’s midway through the spring semester, and you are taking a math test. You’ve been struggling all semester in this class, and you know that this test will form a big part of your grade. You feel like you are doing quite well on the test until you come to the last problem. It is worth 20 points and you just can’t remember how to solve it. As it happens, the class math whiz is sitting right in front of you and you can see he’s just finished it. You are close enough to see how he solved it, and you know that no teacher can see you if you cheat.

1. What do you do? Well, it is probably very tempting, but I don’t think I should cheat. Because if the teacher saw me, I’d be saying in my head, “I’d rather get a low grade than this! “

2. Would you cheat? No because there is everything to lose, nothing to gain.

3. Whether you respond yes or no, explain your reasoning. I picked no and what I mean by everything to lose and nothing to gain is that you wouldn’t gain anything by cheating. It’ll do more bad things to you than good. Probably the best thing that would happen is you make it through but someday, you are going to regret what you did. ” What comes around goes around”.

4. Think of someone you have a great deal of respect for. Would that person cheat? Why or why not? I don’t think so because I know this person. She would never cheat. If she did, I wouldn’t have so much respect for her.

5. What would you do if you cheated and then a fellow student confronted you and was angry about what you did? I’d regret what I did, and probably hate my life. I wouldn’t like the feeling. And I’d also probably tell the teacher I cheated so it would make the other people feel better.

6. Suppose you cheated. If the teacher asked you the next day whether or not you cheated, would you confess or make something? I would confess because if they found out i made something up…I’d get in more trouble.

7. Have you been in this situation? Would you change anything about your decision now? No. I haven’t been in this situation.

8. Have you ever seen someone cheat in class? What did it feel like? I saw someone it didn’t feel so good because I felt sad for the person who got those answers.

9. If one person cheats in a class, do you think anyone else is affected? Why & how / Why not? I think the person would be affected because he/she took her/his time to get the answers.

10. How big an issue is cheating in your school? Do you think it affects you? Yes because if you get caught, you’ll be sent to the pricipal and be suspended.

Today, we have an assignment to do. It is: You have to come up with your own ethical dilemma situation. It could be a true story that has happened to you or someone else, or a completely fictional story that is still applicable to your situation as a 6th grade, midde school student. Write out your story and ask questions at the end. An ethical dilemma story is one where there are no right or wrong answers outright or at all. It is a situation involving an individual or several people. It is usually the type of story where you are caught in between a rock and a high place. Go ahead and give it a shot — write out an ethical dilemma and invite your classmates to read and comment — answer questions.

This is my ethical dilemma.

But before I get to the story, I am one of the characters but I won’t tell you and this is a real dilemma, but not of me…someone else. And the character’s names are not their real names!
Bob was a new student in this school but he went to this school when he was kindergarten-2nd grade. He didn’t know Ren but he knew Kenny because Kenny went to this school before when Bob was here. They weren’t really friends when they were younger. Now they are in 6th grade.

Bob came and was really nice to everyone. Then Bob and Ren became best friends and since Bob as nice to everyone, Kenny became nice to Bob and they became friends. It was okay for Ren because Ren was friends with Kenny during 5th grade. Anyways, Bob was also friends with Chris.

Chris, Bob, and Ren would always hang with each other and help each other. Kenny was also a friend but t\didn’t hang out with us. In P.E., Ren, Andrew, and Bob are in the same class. And volleyball is the quarter sport.

One day, Bob, Kenny, and Ren had a serve test. Ren went first and hit the ball of over the net. Bob went next. He missed. Then, suddenly, Kenny started laughing at Bob. Bob went back to the line and looked sad. Ren founf out what happened and backed Bob up by laughing at Kenny.

• How did Kenny feel when Ren backed Bob up?
• How do you think Bob felt when Kenny laughed at Bob?
• Do you think Ren did the right thing?