Session 3a: Codes of Honor - Respect (Intervention), 2/9/07

This was to be the first week we began discussion of the many "Codes of Honor", "Codes of Ethics", "Codes of Behavior" adhered to by the Samurai, the Knights Templar, the US Marines, by many fine Universities, etc. After having seen examples of extraordinary behavior (as well as its' opposite) in previous sessions, I wanted to introduce the concept of how various groups have created these Codes to create esprit de corps, as well as to shore up each member's core, moral characteristics.

However, something happened on Thursday which made me decide to delay the discussion for a week. UCMS is both a teaching school for young students as well as for student teachers from its affiliated school, UC Channel Islands. During the schoolday, there may be student teachers either observing, or assisting with the classes. In addition, there are Specialists who come into the school to lead additional classes on subjects such as Nutrition, or other areas that are both educational and of interest to the students.

While I was helping out in a Math class on Thursday the Principal of UCMS, Mrs. Grey, came around to each classrom to address the students. A new Custodian had joined the staff of the school and had been treated rudely by one of the students. In addition, behavior by some students towards class observers and Specialists had been impolite. The students were not taking responsibility for their behavior.

Since I had personally observed, and had been disturbed by similar behavior, I decided (with Mrs. LaMontagne-Long's concurrence) to delay the Bushido class and hold a "Respect Intervention", with the students creating skits around various real-life scenarios, ending with a writing assignment. (Please refer to the links for Session 3a for the Presentation and Skit Instructions).

We still began with an introduction to Bushido, since Respect and Compassion were foundations of the Samurai Code. In order to help the students to focus on the materials we were to cover, I introduced a breathing exercise that would help them to clear their minds. This was also an important aspect of the Samurai lifestyle.

Before introducing the skits, we discussed the "Golden Rule": Do unto others as you would have them do to you (if you were them). From Wikipedia, I'd found that a similar saying is represented in many different cultures and religions, and quoted to the students from the Bible, the Torah, the Koran, the Mahabharata and from Confucius. We then broke into small groups to prepare for the skits.

Continuing with the analogy of Feeding the "Good Wolf" vs. the "Mean Wolf" (Session 1), it was important for the students to remember that each time we allow ourselves (whether consciously or unconsciously) to be rude, to be unkind, the Mean Wolf grows a little stronger. Using the concept that every decision, every small act can lead to a huge change (Butterfly Effect, Session 1), we see that such behavior can set off a negative ripple that can cause effects that we cannot yet realize and may not be able to reverse.