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BUILDING TRUSTING RELATIONSHIPS
Teachers: The simulations and
exercises in this workbook should be supplemented with a variety of group
activity and role-playing. Students
need to experience a variety of perspectives, and should be placed in roles of
the victim as well as the perpetrator. It would also enrich the lessons to include a variety of artwork
projects, such as storyboards or posters focusing on values themes.
Students: Complete the problems in
this workbook. Depending on instructions
from your teacher, they can be done individually or through group
activity. Most of your responses will
be in a short essay format.
You will be
graded on your ability to complete the following two tasks:
Simulation
#1: James and Irene are brother and sister. Both are in the 10th grade, even
though James is one year older than Irene.
James was retained in the 8th grade, and is still doing
poorly in school.
James is a good talker. He seldom does his homework, but often tells his parents a variety of untruths such as: I already did my homework; I did it at school; the teacher lost it. He has gotten by with this for years, but he did lose one grade level because of his irresponsibility. James has been involved in a good deal of other trouble, but has seldom been caught. Even when questioned, he has usually been able to lie his way out of a situation and not be punished.
Irene
is also a good talker. She is concerned
about her future, and cares a great deal for her friends. Irene is a student leader, involving herself
in many school activities. She is well
liked by students and teachers. She
loves to have fun, but not at the expense of others.
Irene
is using and practicing high values, James is not. If both students continue with the same values they are now
using, in your judgment what will their character be like in 10 years?
1. Describe the character of James in 10 years:
2. Describe the character of Irene in 10 years:
If
you were an employer needing a responsible young man or woman for a particular
job, would you hire James or Irene?
Why?
Think of a person that you know personally or have seen in a movie that you feel is a person of integrity. Remember that the measure of integrity is: honest, trustworthy, respectful, and responsible.
Describe the character of
this person. Change the name and only
use a first name.
Simulation
#2: Carla was a member of a group of girls who called themselves the
“Northside Babes.” Carla said that this
was not a gang, but other students felt otherwise. The Northside Babes liked to hang out with each other; they
pledged that no one was to mess with them because they would protect each
other. Unfortunately, when one member
of the group had a problem, the other girls of the group would give her
support, both verbal and physical if necessary.
Betty,
who is black, is a new student who recently transferred to the school. Betty is pretty and attracts the attention
of several boys. This concerns Carla
who approaches Betty in P.E. class and aggressively begins asking her a lot of
questions and comments. “Where are you
from? Why did you come here? Why do you dress like that? Boys here aren’t interested in someone like
you!” Betty does not like the way that
Carla is interrogating her and responds by saying, “Who are you? I don’t have to answer your questions!”
Carla becomes angry. Her friends crowd around her and Betty. Carla pushes Betty and calls her a name. Carla’s friends begin name-calling and telling Carla to “hit her.” Betty is scared, she yells, “leave me alone!” By this time the teacher comes over and breaks it up. Making sure the teacher doesn’t hear, Carla tells Betty that this isn’t over and that she will get her later.
1.
Carla
thinks of herself as a brave person when she threatens or tries to intimidate
another person. In fact, though, Carla
has her friends supporting her. Would
you consider Carla’s actions to be an act of courage? Why or why not?
2.
In
your opinion, why has Carla confronted Betty?
Is it because she is different? or is there some other reason?
3.
Is
Carla showing respect for Betty’s rights? Describe how she is or is not showing respect.
4.
Are
Carla’s friends being respectful?
Describe how they are or are not being respectful.
Simulation
# 3: Dennis is an 18-year-old high school Senior. He has an old car that he has fixed up, and he
is very proud of the way it looks and drives.
Dennis is becoming a very good mechanic and could have a very good
future in this area. However, Dennis
does have some very bad habits:
He throws trash everywhere.
For years he has been throwing his personal trash on the streets,
sidewalks, wherever. He doesn’t think
much about it; it’s just a habit.
He discards oil from his car into the gutter, or wherever
convenient.
He drives wildly in desert and other off-road areas, which destroys
plant life and animal habitat.
6.
There
are also consequences for Dennis.
Describe some of these consequences:
Simulation
# 4: Rebecca was running for Student Body President. Her main competition came from Roger. Both Rebecca and Roger were well liked and
it appeared to be a close race. Rebecca
was worried. She had a few friends
start spreading rumors that Roger was a liar and could not be trusted. Since Rebecca had no real knowledge about
Roger’s truthfulness, she was careful not to make accusations herself. However, just to be sure that Roger wouldn’t
win, she and her friends went to school at night and destroyed most of Roger’s
posters.
1.
If you
knew what Rebecca had done, would you vote for her? Please explain your answer.
2. How
would you describe Rebecca’s character?
Is she trustworthy?
3.
Some
people say that the end justifies the means. This means that it is okay to do whatever you need to do to get
what you want? How do you feel about
this idea? Explain your answer.
Simulation
# 5: Mike and Jose decided that they were going to have some
fun. Late one Saturday night they
sneaked into the animal pens of the Future Farmers of America. With metal sticks in their hands they began
chasing the pigs. Students belonging to
Future Farmers of America were raising these pigs to enter into the County
Fair. The pigs were running and
squealing while Mike and Jose were hitting them with the metal
sticks. Before long, four pigs were
dead; two others were seriously injured.
Mike and Jose were exhausted and decided to leave.
Attracted by the noise, two security guards arrived. Mike and Jose ran away, but were soon apprehended. In response to the question of why they did it Mike said, “we were just having some fun.” The next day both boys told the principal that they were really sorry for what they did. Some questions that arise include: Why are they sorry? Are they sorry that they killed and injured some innocent animals? Are they sorry that they destroyed the plans and dreams of FFA students who had worked hard, and spent a good deal of money, to prepare the pigs for the County Fair? Or, are they sorry that they got caught? What will happen the next time they have the opportunity to destroy property, terrorize animals, or destroy the hopes and hard work of others?
4.
Mike
and Jose committed this act of cruelty to some defenseless animals because they
just wanted to have some fun.
Describe your feelings about Mike and Jose:
5.
Up
until this incident, Mike and Jose have been well liked by other students. They are from good families and have not
been in a lot of trouble. Perhaps if
they had been sensitive to the rights of others, including the animals,
they would have made better decisions from the beginning. However, now there must be consequences. Describe several of the consequences which
are now likely to happen:
6.
This
is a terrible and insensitive incident, and it is difficult to imagine
anything-good coming of it. This is a
critical time for Mike and Jose.
Undoubtedly, their character had been damaged due to this
incident. Describe how they can make
the best out of a bad situation to develop higher values in the future:
Simulation
# 6: Eddie doesn’t like school, except for being a place to meet his
friends. He is often in trouble and
seldom does his homework. He shows
little concern about his education and does not seem to care if his teachers and
parents are upset with him.
One
day Eddie decided to ditch school and go to the video game store with a couple
of friends who also ditched. Eddie had
one of his friends, posing as a parent, call the school and say that he was
ill. He did the same for his
friend.
Later,
when they were caught, Eddie said, “I didn’t come to school because I didn’t
feel like it!”
1.
List
at least three obligations which Eddie is not fulfilling:
a)
b)
c)
2.
Describe
Eddie’s reputation with teachers and school administrators:
3.
If
Eddie continues with his present attitude, what do you think his life will be
like in 10 years?
Simulation
# 7: Karen is a good student and is very interested in sports. However, Karen has an older friend named Johnny
who is very involved in drugs. Johnny
smokes marijuana and takes illegal pills.
Karen is very concerned about Johnny, and has tried to get him to quit. Johnny just tells her to butt out.
One day at a party Johnny and some of his friends tried to get Karen to take some pills. Karen was scared; she didn’t want to take pills, but she felt pressure to be like her friends. After taking two pills, she began to feel good, but then she got sick.
The next day at school Karen told some of her school friends what had happened. They said that they didn’t believe her. Karen said, “I will show you tomorrow.” On the following day Karen showed her school friends some pills that had been given to her by Johnny. One of the students told the principal about the pills and Karen was caught with the pills.
4.
Karen
had a good reputation. Will this
incident change that reputation?
5.
How
should Karen have handled the situation at the party?
6.
Would you
consider Johnny to be a true friend?
Why, or why not?
7.
What
consequences is Karen now likely to face?
Simulation
# 8: Gus is a 13-year-old 8th grade student, but he was small
and appeared to be much younger. A
group of other students constantly made fun of him, calling him such names as
“pigmy” or “runt.” Gus used to be a
good student, but his problems at school were causing him to become frustrated
and bitter. His grades suffered and he
was getting in trouble with teachers.
One
day during the lunch period Jason purposely brushed against Gus and then
said, “Hey runt, get out of my way!”
For Gus this was the last straw; he became angry and started yelling profanities
at Jason. He then charged into Jason
swinging and kicking. Thus the fight
started, one in which Gus had little chance of winning.
FACTS:
Both Gus and Jason have failed to obey the law on “safety.” Jason did offer “respect” to Gus, and he did
not receive respect from Gus. Jason and
his friends have been bullies with their insensitive behavior. Gus has not used good judgment in his
response to the harassment.
1.
Write
about Gus. Suggest some positive ways
he can improve his relations with other students. Include the following words as a part of your suggestions: trust, consequences, friend, respect,
self-discipline.
2.
Write
about Jason. How do you feel about his
values? What changes in his character
should be made? Include the following words
in your writing: respect, bully,
compassion, self-discipline.
Simulation # 9: Let’s assume that in Simulation # 8 the problem continues and Gus becomes more and more frustrated. Both Jason and Gus were suspended from school as a result of the last fight. The principal has asked Gus to let him know if the harassment continues. However, Gus refuses to ask for help from school officials because he thinks that would be cowardly. Because Jason and his friends don’t want to get into trouble at school again, they are now harassing Gus away from the school grounds, usually on the way home from school. In order to protect himself, Gus begins carrying a knife.
3.
The
situation has now become quite dangerous.
Gus thinks that the weapon will provide him with more protection. Do you believe this is true? or has the situation become more dangerous
for all the boys, including Gus?
Explain your thoughts:
4.
Describe
the consequences that are likely to happen if Gus is caught by school officials
carrying a knife: