Bullying

Chateauguay Valley Regional High School, NFSB Teacher: Alexander Geukjian Bullying has always been a frightening rite of passage of childhood and adolescence. The students at CVR take a look at bullying in their own unique way, with testimonials from people who were victims of bullying, alarming new stats and a little life lesson in true CVR style.  

Curriculum Links for (QEP) Level Secondary Cycle 1 and 2

Broad Area of Learning Health and Well-Being
ERC Competencies 1 - Reflects on ethical questions 3 - Engages in dialogue    
Program Content Concepts: Ethical issue, ethical question, moral principle, moral rule, norm, value Ethics Themes Cycle 1: Freedom, social order Ethics Themes Cycle 2: Justice, human ambivalence

Avenues for Discussion

Bullying is a touchy but important subject since it is highly likely that there are students in your class who are either bullies or victims of bullying. It is important to highlight that bullying is an ethical issue and link moral principles that might govern our behaviour in a bullying situation. 

Secondary Cycle 1

Defining the problem: 
What is bullying? Who is a bully?  Who is a victim of bullying? 
Posing an ethical question: 
Is it ok to bully someone? Why or why not? 
Discussion: 
Where does my freedom stop and yours begin? (Freedom to bully vs. freedom from bullying) 
What are your rights as students with regards to bullying? (the right to be physically and mentally safe at school and in the streets) 
How should we treat others? (Golden Rule, treat others as you would like to be treated) 
What can you do when you see someone being bullied? (tying in social order) 
 

Secondary Cycle 2

Defining the problem: 
At your age, what does bullying look like? 
Posing an ethical question: 
What should we do when we know someone is a victim of bullying, or someone who is a bully? 
Discussion: 
How can bullies be convinced not to bully? 
How can a bully be so cruel to some people and so nice to others? (human ambivalence) 
Why do so many of us stand by and watch bullying take place without acting? (human ambivalence) 
What are the unspoken rules in your social group about bullies? 
Should bullies be punished? If yes, how? If not, why not? (justice)

Bad reputation

Laurier Macdonald High School, EMSB Teachers: Charles Northey and Alan Taylor How are students in high school stereotyped and how does it affect their reputation during their high school years? The students at Laurier MacDonald look at the consequences of having a bad reputation through interviews and commentary.

Brands

Lake of Two Mountains High School, SWLSB Teacher: Kim White In this split-personality feature, the students at Lake of Two Mountains High School explore the love-hate relationship teenagers have with brands and brand names. While extremely knowledgeable and highly enthusiastic about brands, the teenagers in this feature claim not to be influenced by them. Hmmm.

Brick by Brick

Alexander Galt High School, ETSB Teacher: Kevin Shea Moved by the plight of children in Sierra Leone, the students at Alexander Galt High School join Free the Children in building a school, brick by brick. 

Curriculum Links (QEP)

Level Secondary Cycle  2

ERC Competencies 1 - Reflects on ethical questions 3 - Engages in dialogue    
Program Content Concepts: World-view
Ethics Themes: The future of humanity, Justice, Human ambivalence

Avenues for Discussion

Secondary Cycle 2

Defining the problem: Why can't Sierra Leone build its own schools?
Posing an ethical question: Should people in rich countries help people in poor countries?
Discussion: Why is there so much poverty in some parts of the world? Why don't we do more to help? Why do some people feel compelled to help, while others don't? Is it fair that some countries are so rich, while others are so poor?

One can make links to current events that affect the poorest of the world such as: Earthquake in Haïti Hurricane Katrina & other disasters in poor areas of the world.

Meaning of the Word ‘Gay’

Lakeshore Academy, LBPSB Teachers: Lorne Nathan and Carin Schwartz How are young people using the word ‘gay’? The students from Lakeshore Academy call attention, without judgment, to the controversy surrounding the use of this multipurpose word. Is it wrong? Is it mean? The jury is still out, but most agree that calling someone or something ‘gay’ is never positive.

Curriculum Links (QEP)

Level Secondary Cycle  2

ERC Competencies 1 - Reflects on ethical questions 3 - Engages in dialogue    
Program Content Concepts: Ethical issue, ethical question, moral principle. Ethics Themes: Tolerance, freedom

Avenues for Discussion

Defining the problem: How are people using the word 'gay'? Why is it an issue?
Posing an ethical question: Is calling someone or something 'gay' a form of discrimination?
Discussion: Is it ever ok to call someone or something 'gay'? In the video, one of the teachers compares calling someone 'gay' with discrimination against other groups. What is she talking about? What other words do young people use among themselves that could be considered insensitive? Is it important to be sensitive to people of different ethnicities or sexual orientations? Why or why not? 

Teen Smoking

H.S. Billings High School, NFSB Teacher: Greg Giroux In Quebec, 1 in 3 students admits to smoking occasionally, and 74% of those say they smoke every day. With easy access to cigarettes, even in spite of more stringent laws, it’s a tough habit to break once you’re hooked. So why do it in the first place? The students at H.S. Billings High School ask the hard questions.

Curriculum Links (QEP)

Level Secondary Cycle 1

Broad Area of Learning Health and Well-Being
ERC Competencies 1 - Reflects on ethical questions 3 - Engages in dialogue    
Program Content Concepts: Ethical issue, Reference, Value. Ethics Themes: Freedom, Autonomy, Social Order.

Avenues for Discussion

Defining the problem: What's wrong with smoking when you are a teenager?
Posing an ethical question: Is it ok to buy cigarettes, even if it is against the law? Is it ok to smoke, even if you know it is bad for you? 

Save our Green Space

H.S. Billings High School, NFSB Teacher: Greg Giroux When a small green space in their community is turned into an indoor soccer stadium, the students from H.S. Billings High School start asking questions and looking for answers. What they discover is not so much green, as it is many shades of grey. 

Curriculum Links (QEP)

Level Secondary Cycle 1 and 2

ERC Competencies 1 - Reflects on ethical questions 3 - Engages in dialogue    
Program Content Concepts: Value, World-view.
Ethics Themes: Social order (Cycle 1) Future of humanity (Cycle 2)

Avenues for Discussion

Defining the problem: What is so important about the green space in the video?
Discussion: Can the owners of the land do anything they want with it? Why or why not? Is it our job to take good care of the planet and its natural resources? Why or why not? 

Lunch Time

Laurier MacDonald High School, EMSB Teachers: Charles Northey and Alan Taylor Eating is all about making choices. The students at Laurier MacDonald explore our addiction to fast food by comparing a homemade lunch with cafeteria fare and fast food. There’s even a blind taste test! The results? Watch and find out. It’s lunchtime!

Sex Education in School

Lakeshore Academy, LBPSB Teachers: Lorne Nathan and Carin Schwartz Teenagers find out about sex from older friends and through the media. Some might have parents they can talk to about sex. How accurate are these sources and how high is the embarrassment factor? So where’s the sex education in our schools? At Lakeshore Academy, most students agree that sex education has a place in their school to give all students up to date information on sex and sexuality.