The Meaning of Life

I know this is kind of corny, but I still like it!



Out of everything the video portrayed... What do you think is most important and why? What do you think is the most difficult and why? What do you need to do more of? What are you already good at? What do others need to do more of?

Advice from Bill Gates

Bill Gates gave a speech at a High School about 11 things they did not and will not learn in school. He talks about how feel-good, politically correct teachings created a generation of kids with no concept of reality and how this concept set them up for failure in the real world.


Rule 1: Life is not fair . . . get used to it!

Rule 2: The world won't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.

Rule 3: You will NOT make $60,000 a year right out of high school. You won't be a vice-president with a sports car until you earn both.

Rule 4: If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss.

Rule 5: Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your Grandparents had a different word for burger flipping . . . they called it opportunity.

Rule 6: If you mess up, it's not your parents' fault, so don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them.

Rule 7: Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you think you are.

Rule 8: Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life HAS NOT. In some schools they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as MANY TIMES as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.

Rule 9: Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you FIND YOURSELF. Do that on your own time.

Rule 10: Television is NOT real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.

Rule 11: Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one.


Have you heard or read this before? What was your initial reaction to Bill Gates' advice? What rule do you feel teenagers need to hear most today? Why? What rule do you feel is unnecessary because it is well-known among teenagers today? Do you think WHS is guilty of "babying" you and your peers?

Pastor Scandalous

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Have you seen this news story in the media? Who do you believe, the pastor or the young men? Why? Do you think this makes Christians and churches around the country look bad? Why or why not? What is your prediction for the outcome of the trial?

99 Balloons

Back by request...



Have you ever seen 99 Balloons? If not, what did you think of the video? If so, was it easier watching it again? What can you learn from Eliot's parents?

Tattoo Suspension

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Who do you agree with, the high-school student or the school administrators, and why? Do you think school systems go too far to keep gangs out of schools, or do you think they are wise to take so many precautions? Do you have a tattoo? If so, what is it and why did you decide to get it? If not, would you ever get a tattoo?

Chinese, or should I say CAT, food!

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Do you like Chinese food? Do you care whether or not your Chinese food is cat, chicken, or any other type of meat? Why or why not? Do you think it should be illegal to eat cats? Why or why not? People have always said that Chinese food was cat food; did you believe it to be true before watching this video?

Acid Victim???

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Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Describe your reaction to the woman behind the acid attack hoax. How would you feel if you had donated money for her hospital bills? What should her punishment be? How would your reaction compare with the reaction of the woman who suffered a "copy cat" acid attack?

Quadruple amputee swims to Africa!!

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What did you think of this video? Do you think his story is inspirational? Why or why not? Is there anything you've always wanted to do or accomplish? If so, what?

Did You Know?

What in this video surprised you the most, if anything? Do you embrace change or are you afraid of change and why? How different do you think the world will be when your children are born? Do you think all change is good? Why or why not?

Life is Risk

Which person's story surprised you most? Explain what you think the statement, "if you've never failed, you've never lived" means. Has there been a time when a failure in one area of your life paved the way for success? Why do you think we must fail in order to succeed?

Got Service?

What did you think of the video. Did you learn anything from the video? Do you think the students at WHS treat people with "service" in mind, or do you think the students are more self-centered? If you were being truly honest with yourself, do you treat others with "service" in mind?

Facing Our Giants!

What makes this clip from the movie "Facing the Giants" motivational for you? Describe a time when someone pushed you to achieve more than you thought possible. What goals have you set for yourself this year? In your opinion, what factors determine whether or not people achieve the goals they set for themselves?

Welcome!