Class Discussions

THE GREATEST TEST OF COURAGE

2011-11-21T06:12:00.001-06:00

Watch the short clip "The Lost Boys of the Sudan". To access it, double click on the address below. If that doesn't work then google youtube and enter the following address at the youtube search www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kQSg0z6vEA

The video portrays the devastation and horrors that the people of the southern Sudan, most notably the Dinka tribe, experienced since 1983. It's estimated that between 27,000 and 30,000 young boys escaped. Although many of the people perished, a good number of the Lost Boys prevailed and survived for 14 years without any parental support, either by trekking through the dangerous terrain or by trying to subsist in the refugee camps in Ethiopia and Kenya. About 10,000 of the Lost Boys made it to the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya. In the early 1990s, the U.S. came to their aid and relocated about 3,800 of the Lost Boys to America. A quote presented in this video says, "The greatest test of courage on earth is to bear defeat without losing heart."

Reflect on your reading of the memoir, They Poured Fire on Us From the Sky, and reflect on your own life. Do you think you or your children would be able to endure and survive the same atrocities and massacres that were experienced by the Lost Boys? What one scene within the book plagues your mind? What do you think accounts for the strength of the Lost Boys? After their ordeal, why would they want to return to the Sudan some day? What do you think the quote presented above means?

TECHNOLOGY: BOON OR CURSE?

2011-11-06T15:34:00.000-06:00

On several occasions in class, we have commented on the prevalence of technoloogy in our present-day world. Ours is a society that relies heavily on computers, cell phones, blackberries, ipads, etc. As such we are part of the information age where data and ideas are so easily retrieved. Just think of how quickly Justin can access news articles that portray "oddity" so vividly. We now can communicate with others effortlessly and continuously. Do you think this is beneficial or detrimental to us as individuals or as a collective group? Have we become misfits who can't carry on face-to-face conversations or think critically about issues that affect our world?

SCHOOLS AND HALLOWEEN - DO THEY BELONG TOGETHER??

2011-10-31T05:22:00.001-05:00

Some Canadian schools have decided to restrict Halloween celebrations by forbidding students from wearing Halloween costumes to school or by specifying what kinds of outfits will be allowed. Read the two articles, Grinch stealing Halloween, too, mom complains and Principal wants more 'caring' costumes, found on page A17 of the Saturday, October 29, 2011, edition of the Winnipeg Free Press. What are your thoughts on these two articles? Is it a good idea that schools are getting more involved by limiting the kinds of things that students wear to school on Halloween? Are schools going too far and interfering with kids' fun?

THE SECRET OF SUCCESS

2011-10-24T05:51:00.001-05:00

This week in class, we discussed Mitch and Morrie's views on marriage and the reasons why we struggle so much with it. Mitch feels that present-day generations have a problem with making a commitment, whereas Morrie believes that we have become so selfish that we can't succeed in a loving relationship. He also feels that we haven't taken the time to discover who we really are as individuals, so how could we possibly know what we want in a partner? Why do you think so many relationships fail today? Is there anything couples could do to lessen their chances of separation?

IS AN INFLATED SENSE OF SELF PRODUCTIVE OR DAMAGING?

2011-10-16T22:30:00.002-05:00

From the Google search engine, google - masking imperfections winnipeg free press - and locate the article entitled "Masking Imperfections" that appeared in the 'detour' section of the Winnipeg Free Press on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2010. In the article, Keilman argues that teens have "...been bathed from the cradle in the affirmations and awards meant to boost their self-esteem--and, by extension, their prospects in life." Should our children be raised to feel good about themselves at all costs? Do you agree with the researchers who contend that this trend eventually will have harmful consequences? Why do you think statistics reveal twice as many high school seniors are receiving 'A' averages while fewer seniors are completing 15 or more hours of homework per week? Who is responsible for these alarming statistics? Does it even matter? Are there any consequences for the individual young person and/or for society as a whole?

ADVICE TO A YOUNG PERSON FINDING HIS WAY

2011-10-10T22:29:00.003-05:00

During this past week, we have been discussing the book, Tuesdays with Morrie, and how Morrie Schwartz consciously decided to leave a lasting legacy with humankind by sharing with us his valuable words to live by before he departed from this world. I would like you to think about what you would want to share with a young person just starting out in life. Pretend that you are writing a letter to some young person. What would you say to her/him? What should they keep foremost in their minds as they embark on their journey of life? Is there advice you received that has served you well? What have you learned that has helped you find happiness, contentment, or fulfillment? What would you do differently if you got the chance to start over again? Begin your response with something like Dear Young Person. (Student Responses are due by Sunday, October 16th at midnight.)

NATURE VERSUS NURTURE

2011-10-03T06:15:00.000-05:00

Last week in class, we read and discussed the article "Listen Up You Parents: You Have No Influence" by Lindor Reynolds. In that article, Reynolds made reference to the author, Judith Rich Harris, who claims that "once egg meets sperm, our job is done. Wolves could raise your child and not make a difference." What do you think? Do you believe that parents do make a difference in a child's life or is it peer pressure, environment, experiences, etc. that shape one's character? Last week in the Winnipeg Free Press, several articles surfaced in light of the recent murders of young men in our city. According to the statistics, teenagers (some as young as 14 years old) are allegedly responsible for many of the 32 killings in Winnipeg this year. Some say "Where are the parents?"; some say our police need more anti-gang training; Dr. Keith Hildahl, the head of the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority's child adolescent mental health program, says "These are poor lost kids." What are your thoughts on this very serious issue? Can anything be done to help curb the violence with our young people or is there nothing that can be done to influence our children's development? (Student Responses are due by Sunday, Oct. 9th, at midnight)

THE URGE TO PURGE

2011-09-25T22:13:00.000-05:00

Last week in class, we read and discussed the article, "Neat People vs. Sloppy People" by Suzanne Brit. In the article, the author interestingly portrayed neat people as insensitive, wasteful, and even vicious whereas the sloppy people were depicted as ethical, sentimental, and detail-oriented. For a completely different view on this theme, retrieve from me the article entitled "The Urge to Purge" that appeared in the September 25, 2010, edition of the Winnipeg Free Press. The article references at least 5 individuals who have decided to completely de-clutter their lives and exist on practically nothing. You are to read this piece of writing and consider the following questions: What was your initial reaction to this phenomenon? Would you be able to join this movement? Would you want to become a part of it? Do you think we live in a wasteful society? Why do you think these professionals are choosing to downsize? Can they still be informed citizens or are they isolating themselves from the real world? Use the above questions to help you formulate your own thoughts and then post your comments to this blog. (Student Responses are due by Sunday, Oct. 2nd, at midnight.)