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MAXIMize the Moment Junior Volume 2, Issue 31

MAXIMize the Moment Junior Volume 2, Issue 31

April 28, 2003
Document
Topic: 
MAXIMize the Moment Junior
Ethical Value: 
Cheating
Ethical Value: 
Peer pressure
Ethical Value: 
Friendship
Ethical Value: 
Loyalty
Ethical Value: 
Responsibility
Ethical Value: 
Integrity
Age Range: 
8-10

Story

I'm glad that Jordan's back. He was home sick last week and I really missed him.

"I can't believe all the work that I have to make up!" Jordan says.

"Well, Jordan, let me know if there's anything I can do to help," I offer.

"Actually, there is. I have to take that Language Arts test tomorrow after school. I don't even know what to study since I was absent on the review day. If you let me see the test you just got back, that'd really help."

"I don't know, Jordan. That doesn't seem right. Nobody else got to see the test beforehand. Isn't that sort of cheating?"

"Maybe, but, it's no big deal. You'll never get caught or anything," Jordan says.

It's true. Mrs. Wendell probably wouldn't find out and so we don't have to worry about getting in trouble. But that's not the point. As my dad always says, "The measure of a man's real character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out."

Even if I don't get caught and get in trouble, it feels wrong and it is wrong. "The measure of a man's real character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out." It's hard to say "No" to Jordan, but I have to do the right thing. If we're really friends, then I can be honest with him and with myself-I need to live my values.

Maxim

  • "The measure of a man's real character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out."
    Thomas C. Macaulay

Character points

  • Integrity-I live out my values, so others can trust me and my promises.
  • Honesty-I am a truthful person. I know that honesty acting with integrity, not just avoiding lies.
  • Truthfulness-I am honest in my words and actions.
  • Trustworthiness-I live in an honest way so people can believe in my word.
  • Responsibility - I know what I should and should not do and my actions reflect that.

Homeroom Discussion Information

  • Do you agree with this week's maxim? Why or why not? What other problems might it apply to?
  • In this story, Jordan said that getting a copy of the test is okay because they'd never get caught. Is that a really good way to decide what to do? Why not?
  • What's a better way to decide what is the right thing to do?
  • Is the chance of getting caught the only reason to avoid doing something wrong? List other reasons why it's important to do what is right.
  • Why is this week's story also an issue of fairness? How would you have felt if you were in Jordan's class and found out that he got to see the test questions before taking the test?
  • What do you think constitutes cheating?
  • What do you think your teachers consider cheating?
  • Why do students cheat?
  • What sorts of excuses do you hear for cheating? Is cheating a fair and honest way to deal with those issues? What are better ways to overcome hard situations that might cause you to be tempted to cheat?

Home-Use Information

Five tips for maxim-izing your family time

  • Be real with your child; let him/her know that you, too, face ethical dilemmas and that you recognize that doing the right thing can be hard.
  • Ask your child how you can help him/her to make the right choice, even when it is difficult.
  • Let your child talk. Although it's important that he/she knows what you believe, it's also important that you are aware of how your child is feeling and that you get a sense of what he/she is going through.
  • Use real life examples. Think of people who are examples of integrity as well as people who are examples of a lack of integrity. Talk about how their choices have affected others (in light of recent corporate scandals, this should be pretty meaningful).
  • Be honest with your kids. Tell them about a time that you chose to or not to do something dishonest. Explain how that made you feel about yourself. Remind them that the temptation to do something the easy but dishonest way is something that they will face all their lives.

Discussion starters

  • What did you think of the story that was read at school today?
  • What sorts of struggles with honesty and integrity do you face your life today? How do you deal with them?
  • Do you think that dishonesty in one area of your life (like schoolwork) makes you more likely to be dishonest in other areas of your life? Does one dishonest choice make another dishonest choice easier or more likely?
  • How does lack of honesty affect your relationships with others? Your respect for yourself?
  • If you can be dishonest and not get caught, is any harm done?
  • The narrator doesn't seem to feel comfortable with the way Jordan is pressuring him about the test. Have you ever felt pressure like that?
  • How do handle that kind of pressure?
  • Is harder to say "No" when a friend is pressuring you? How can you stand up to a friend who's making a bad choice and/or encouraging you to do something you don't think is right?
  • It may also be helpful to address as a family:
    • Times you have been tempted to cheat or be dishonest at school or work
    • The positive and negative consequences that resulted from your decision to cheat or not to cheat
    • How your decision to cheat or not to cheat affected your sense of self as well as your relationships with others

Be sure to acknowledge the courage your children show in talking with you about these issues.

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