This web site
has been prepared primarily for the benefit of young people in the 12 to 18 age
range. While the concepts are pertinent
to people of all ages, the focus is to reach out to young people. Whenever the site uses the term you or
your, it refers to the reader.
Some people say
that when a young person reaches junior high school, it is too late! They say that if by this time he/she is a dishonest
or violent person, change is not likely to happen. As a teacher and school principal for over thirty years, I know
that is not true. Our young people have
good minds, and, with a little help, are able to make good decisions.
The values explored are
fundamental values that people of quality demonstrate day in and day out
throughout their lives. We will review
the traits that strengthen character, those that weaken character, and the
consequences of the decisions we make.
After you have
reviewed and analyzed the facts, I am confident that you, thinking
for yourself, will consciously begin making good decisions. This, of course, will result in your
becoming a person with high values.
Or, if you already possess high values, this web site will
reinforce your beliefs and help you to continue to grow in this wonderful way.
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Background
We are
fortunate to live in a country where each person has fundamental rights and
protections under the law. Our
forefathers were very wise when they constructed the basic foundation of the
constitution and laws of the United States of America.
While it is
wonderful to have rights and protections, we must remember that our country is
made up of people (men, women, boys and girls) with many different attitudes
and values. Many are people with strong
values, while others are dishonest and have weak values. People with weak values often pose a threat
to the safety and/or property of others.
This is the
world in which we live. Each of us
makes choices in our life, which, in time, adds up to the quality of the person
we become. When you look back upon your
life, how will you answer these questions?
Are you proud of what you accomplished
in life? Do others respect you
as a person with values?
Is the world, or at least your
community, a better place because of your life? Or have you been deceitful and dishonest?
In this web site we will explore values that are generally
accepted and encouraged by the basic foundation of our constitution and laws as
well as religious groups. High quality
values will be contrasted with low quality values that are looked upon with
distaste and scorn by virtuous people throughout the world.
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Learning
Objectives
Those students who review all data on this web site will be
able to:
Distinguish between strong and weak values.
Understand the processes that lead to good decision-making.
Consciously make decisions based upon what is right as
opposed to what is wrong.
Have meaningful and positive relationships with others.
Understand basic school law as it applies to safety, and the
need to take personal responsibility.
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Study
Suggestions
The information is divided into three parts:
Values information in five categories:
CHARACTER, RESPECT, BUILDING TRUSTING RELATIONSHIPS, FULFILLING OBLIGATIONS,
and SAFETY and SCHOOL LAW.
A workbook for in-depth analysis and
review.
A teacher’s guide to enhance
instruction.
At the beginning of each basic
category you will see a section titled VOCABULARY. A glossary is available to assist you in learning the
definition of each term. You should
review the definition of any term that is unclear before reading the material.
After reading about a category,
complete the quiz to test your knowledge.
The answers are provided. The
purpose of the quiz is to help you learn by thinking through a concept and
immediately find out if you have learned correctly. To get the greatest benefit, complete each quiz before looking at
the answers.
The workbook contains assignments
for you to complete and submit to your teacher. These include simulations about students who may have made poor
decisions. Your teacher will give you
additional instructions.
Note to teachers: The teacher
activities section offers ideas and lesson plans that can be used to
enhance and enrich the values curriculum.
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