I like to begin class with a Q/A. A Q/A is a question or an idea to be explored. Here is an example:
Q/A: In Order To Be A Good Person, You Have To Do Something Good. So, Why Don’t We?
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TEACHER NOTES:
In order to be a “GOOD” person, you have to do something good. It’s a lot easier to do the wrong thing (which many times is to walk or turn away or pretend you didn’t see what you saw). For example, it’s easy to bully or be mean to someone; it’s difficult to stand up for the bullied. It’s easy to ignore the new kid in school; it’s really nice to invite that person to eat lunch with your friends. It’s easy to go along with the crowd. People want to be popular, they don’t want to be too different, or want confrontations or be canceled.
Goodness takes a lot of effort like being unselfish and thoughtful. So, for a lot of people goodness is not a priority. What are your priorities? List the top 5 priorities you have for this year or for your life. Are your priorities selfish or selfless?
People think being “GOOD” means being a “Suck Up”– a person who tries to get the approval of someone in authority by saying and doing helpful and friendly things that are not sincere (other words for suck up: kiss up, brown nose , toady, flatter, sycophant).
Being “GOOD” doesn’t bring an instant feel good that “FUN” can. Some of the bad things we do, feels great right up til the moment of experiencing the consequences. That’s when we decide I will NEVER put myself in that situation again. Anybody want to share an experience? Think of the GOOD things, the unselfish, generous things you have done. You feel good for a very long time. You might even want to repeat the experience. Anybody want to share and experience?
Most of what we do good or bad we do out of habit. What are your habits or shall I say character traits? Life consists of habits. Doing good leads to doing more good, doing bad leads to more bad.
We don’t learn from others. We get to a certain age and we know everything. So, we don’t listen to adult wisdom until we get into a situation. Jason Whitlock sympathetically tells Brianna’s story as he also relates how his teenage foolish decision making could have ended up tragically. Breana Taylor had some bad habits; we all do. We were told she was trying to move forward, leave her past behind. But her past came to her door step because the name on her lease belonged to her ex drug dealing boyfriend. I don’t recommend you showing this to your class; I do recommend you inform parents about this video. My personal opinion is, every parent with teens should show this video and have a discussion. Kids will listen to a stranger many times before their parents (another opinion). Ask the question, do you agree with Jason’s conclusion, “This was tragedy, Breanna was a victim but she wasn’t an innocent victim.”? There were other reasons that brought the police to her door, what were they? Do you see a pattern of habits? How can you live your life so something like this doesn’t happen to you? What did you learn from this video?
This is an article about the grand jury transcripts and pictures. https://www.the-sun.com/news/1599995/breonna-taylor-pictured-boyfriend-holding-gun-fired-cops/