Lawsuits

In Big Mouth & Ugly Girl Matt's family is suing the school, the principal, and all those involved with the bomb threat allegations for $50 million. Sure Matt suffered....but did he suffer $50 million worth? What happens to our system when crazy (and unfounded) lawsuits are filed?

Censorship

In Chapter 14 of Big Mouth & Ugly Girl we see a blatant example of censorship in America. But wait... what happened to freedom of speech? Freedom of the press? Those rights are guaranteed, aren't they???

We are going to talk quite a bit today about censorship...why it happens and if it really is ever necessary. But first-- listen to this song. If I were to tell you that I did not know the REAL words to the song until I bought Nickelback's CD, would you be shocked? Listen to the song, read the lyrics, and I will show you the parts that most American radio stations censor before the song ever hits the airwaves...... and you have to decide WHY.

Ursula

Ursula stood up for Matt. Because of her, the charges were dropped and Matt was able to return to his "old life". She is an example of one person making a difference. How can you be ONE who does something to make a situation better???? Have you ever thought about your footprint that you will leave on the world? What will it look like?

Listen to this song and talk about how you will make a difference.....

WHAT ABOUT NOW? by Daughtry

Ursula looks after Matt...but why???

Think about what Ursula did when she contacted Matt and "got involved" in the mess

at Rocky River High. If it caused negative attention to yourself, would you come to the

rescue of a stranger? Based solely on principle? Why or why not?

Taken out of Context

After reading the first few chapters of Big Mouth & Ugly Girl, you now know why Matt is in such trouble..... something he said was "taken out of context". But what does that expression really mean?

to take (something) out of context-
-To interpret something in a manner in which it was not intended

to be understood, often deliberately

Here is real-life example:

OBAMA- OUT OF CONTEXT

You will work in your discussion groups to look at another example of someone being quoted "out of context" and all the trouble that caused....much like the situation with Matt.
1. Why are people quoted "out of context"?
2. Who is at fault when this happens?
3. How do you "fix" a situation like this when it happens? Or is it really "fixable"?
4. In the case of Matt, did the principal handle the situation the best way possible?

5. Should the person who overheard Matt reported this to the principal?