Ethics is taught throughout the school day. Whenever a dilemma arises in the classroom the teacher will take the opportunity to discuss with the class how to solve the problem. The teacher will not give a right answer, but will help the students explore different ideas for what to do and the reasons why. Eventually, a decision will be made with teacher guidance. When misbehavior occurs, at the same time that the teacher will ensure that the student complies with behavior expectations, he or she also will make sure the students understands the reasons behind the rule. Daily class meetings give the class an opportunity to bring up concerns they may have and to exercise their ethical reasoning.

Using stories, role-plays and examples from their own lives, students will discuss possible solutions and the reasons behind their thinking. An effort is made to challenge the thinking of students so that they become aware of and skilled in the use of an ethical basis for decision-making.

ETHICS NEWSLETTER

March 2011 in Ethics Class: Mr. Geoff

In Ethics this past month, the students finished reading The Tales of Temba. They discussed themes of violence and forgiveness in the final tale - The Snake King - and examples of ethical and unethical behavior throughout the six stories. At the end of March, we started our Cranes for Japan project. The students are folding paper cranes to support relief efforts in post-earthquake and post-tsunami Japan, which will be mailed to the organization Students Rebuild on Friday, April 15.