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Character counts at Union Middle School
Character counts at Union Middle School
On September 26, Union Middle School students kicked off the year with a lively celebration focused on character and community pride. The “Bulldogs are All-In” spirit was on full display as students and teachers joined in games and a raffle, creating a buzz of friendly competition and camaraderie.
Throughout the month, teachers recognized seventh and eighth graders who demonstrated respect, responsibility, and integrity with “Bulldog Bucks.” Four standout students took home gift cards to local businesses—an exciting reward for their positive attitude and commitment.
The engaging event highlighted Profile of Rutherford Graduate competencies, including collaboration and communication.
Honor of the Samurai: Learning the value of character
Honor of the Samurai: Learning the value of character
At Pierrepont School, students in Ms. Mann's class demonstrated impressive strategy while participating in the game: Honor of the Samurai. It challenged the students to think critically and make decisions about budgeting and resource management. Students learned to balance their supplies, deciding how much to spend on feeding peasants, maintaining armies, and offering gifts to the Emperor, while keeping long-term goals in mind.
Collaboration is an important element of the game. Students participated in building alliances, trading resources, and negotiating deals. These interactions reflected real-world diplomacy, requiring students to think beyond their success and consider the dynamics of cooperation and trust. Strategic thinking evolved as they played and contemplated how the choices of others could affect their own gameplay.
One of the most meaningful elements woven throughout the game was the concept of honor, a value deeply rooted in Japanese history and culture, especially during the Edo period.
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The game was further enriched by the class novel, The Ghost in the Tokaido Inn, which provided a vivid portrayal of the Edo period. It introduced students to the lives of the Samurai, the strict social hierarchy and important historical figures such as Judge Ooka Tadasuke.
Alongside their historical explorations, students also engaged with traditional Japanese art forms, such as writing Haikus and learning about Kabuki theatre. This multifaceted unit made history come alive, blending gameplay, literature and culture into an unforgettable learning experience.
Students could gain or lose honor points based on their actions—whether showing kindness, following class expectations, or receiving positive reports from teachers.
This system helped reinforce character development and emphasized that success isn’t just about power or wealth, but also about integrity and respect.
Students had a personal stake in their choices and highlighted how honor influenced social standing in Feudal Japan.
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