Phantastic!

What exciting things have happened so far?

Grads

What an honor it was for Ms. Carr and myself to stand with you at graduation last night. We will never forget the wonderful hugs and pictures. You all looked beautiful and distinguished. We shall never forget you because you are the bookend to our great legacy. Rest assured that the final chapter has yet to be written in the Giordano/Carr adventure. Feel free to comment and leave contact information

Exit Poll

Ms. Carr and Mr. G would like you to write a post to Mr. Carroll telling him about your year in our classroom. Explain to him why you think this class is important. Has this class helped you? Will you use some of the lessons taught and discussed throughout your life? Do you think it is important to continue this type of classroom for future students?

“I loved Matt. And I hated him. I hated myself for loving him, but if I wasn’t with him, I wasn’t anyone anymore.”

“I don’t understand…”

“How could you? You’re perfect.” Josie shook her head. “The rest of us, we’re all like Peter. Some of us just do a better job of hiding it. What’s the difference between spending your life trying to be invisible, or pretending to be the person you think everyone wants you to be? Either way, you’re faking.” (pp. 446 – 447)

Do kids “fake” who they are at school? Should they? What happens if they do?

Is your identity determined by whom you hang with? What impact is there socially for choosing to be with some peers over others?

Do all students see themselves as different and not truly a part of the school?

Code

“In Peter’s case, I saw an extreme emotional vulnerability, which, in fact, was the reason he was teased. Peter didn’t play by the codes of boys. He wasn’t a big athlete. He wasn’t tough. He was sensitive. And difference is not always respected – particularly when you’re a teenager. Adolescence is about fitting in, not standing out.”

“How does a child who is emotionally vulnerable wind up one day carrying four guns into a school and shooting twenty-nine people?”

“Part of it is the PTSD – Peter’s response to chronic victimization. But a big part of it, too, is the society that created both Peter and those bullies.” (pp. 408 – 409)

Questions:

Is adolescence really about fitting in and not standing out?

Is there a CODE OF BOYS at your school? And, is there a CODE OF GIRLS? What do these codes allow you to do?

Your peers who do not fit in socially and stand out…Do you have any responsibility to them?

Formal

So, was it fun?

Change

Recall a time in your life when you made a big change. Was the change positive or negative?

Safety

“When he first reached the school and saw a friend in the parking lot, he tried to warn him off, for safety. He lit a pipe bomb in a car before going into the school, to serve as a diversion so that he could enter unimpeded with his guns. He concealed weapons that were preloaded. He targeted areas in the school where he himself had been victimized. These are not the acts of someone who doesn’t know what he’s doing – they’re the hallmarks of a rational, angry – perhaps suffering, but certainly not delusional – young man.” (p. 400)

Are there areas of your school that are more unsafe than others? What should be done?

What areas are "safe" areas? Where do you feel most comfortable?

Bragging

How does it make you feel when people brag about having sex? Does it make you respect them more? Does it make them more cool? Why do you feel that way? Why do you think some people brag about having sex?

Note: What was your opinion of Mrs. Delaney's "talk"? Did she answer your questions? Is there anything you wanted to ask, but never got the chance?

Owed

Some people believe that if a boy wants to have sex, his girlfriend owes it to him. What do you think about that idea? Do you agree or disagree? Why? How does that idea make you feel?

Druggies?

Do you know anybody who has ever benefited from smoking, drinking alcohol, or using other drugs? Do you know anybody who has been harmed by smoking, drinking alcohol, or using other drugs?

PURPOSE

What do believe is your PURPOSE in life?

Too Fast

What things in your life have you missed because you were going to fast?

Wisdom

How is wisdom acquired? Which experiences have you had that have made you wiser (smarter)? Describe what you've learned in 211 this year?

Compliments

What was the last compliment you received? How did it make you feel?