Lunchroom Fight: The Evidence
Name Date
Background Information
You are a principal who is trying to figure out the truth about a lunchroom fight. The
fight was between Justin and Max. Justin is a new student. He is shy, quiet, and does
not have many friends. He moved to town last month because his father was hired to
take over the town’s main business. Justin’s father fired many people, including Max’s
parents, when he reorganized the business. Max is a popular student, who is known for
his friendliness and good humor. In the past few weeks, however, he has been
withdrawn and somewhat depressed.
The Sources
Justin: “That kid started it. Max. I was just standing in line waiting to pay for my
food, and he shoved me super hard. And, like, for no reason. He just freaked out on
me. I don’t even know the kid, and he’s been weird to me ever since I started going
to this school. He and his friends glare at me in English class for no reason.”
Max: “That kid is psycho. He turned around and punched me out of nowhere. Me
and my friends were standing in line just joking around, and he turned around and
punched me for no reason. He’s messed up and creepy. Ask anyone.”
Eric (Max’s good friend): “The new kid definitely started it. He really just attacked
out of nowhere. He’s a freak, and he seriously thinks he’s better than everyone
because of his dad.”
Anthony (bystander): “I was pretty far back in the line, but Max and his friends
were being kind of loud and joking around. I couldn’t really hear what they were
saying. And then all of a sudden I saw people pulling Justin and Max apart."
Megan (Max’s girlfriend): “I wasn’t there. All I can say is that Max has been really
different lately and kind of mean. I don’t know what’s going on, but he’s not himself.
Cafeteria worker: “The group of boys were pushing each other around. I think it
was an accident, and one of them pushed into the new boy, and he took it the wrong
way.”
STANFORD HISTORY EDUCATION GROUP sheg.stanford.edu
Name Date
Background Information
You are a principal who is trying to figure out the truth about a lunchroom fight. The
fight was between Justin and Max. Justin is a new student. He is shy, quiet, and does
not have many friends. He moved to town last month because his father was hired to
take over the town’s main business. Justin’s father fired many people, including Max’s
parents, when he reorganized the business. Max is a popular student, who is known for
his friendliness and good humor. In the past few weeks, however, he has been
withdrawn and somewhat depressed.
The Sources
Justin: “That kid started it. Max. I was just standing in line waiting to pay for my
food, and he shoved me super hard. And, like, for no reason. He just freaked out on
me. I don’t even know the kid, and he’s been weird to me ever since I started going
to this school. He and his friends glare at me in English class for no reason.”
Max: “That kid is psycho. He turned around and punched me out of nowhere. Me
and my friends were standing in line just joking around, and he turned around and
punched me for no reason. He’s messed up and creepy. Ask anyone.”
Eric (Max’s good friend): “The new kid definitely started it. He really just attacked
out of nowhere. He’s a freak, and he seriously thinks he’s better than everyone
because of his dad.”
Anthony (bystander): “I was pretty far back in the line, but Max and his friends
were being kind of loud and joking around. I couldn’t really hear what they were
saying. And then all of a sudden I saw people pulling Justin and Max apart."
Megan (Max’s girlfriend): “I wasn’t there. All I can say is that Max has been really
different lately and kind of mean. I don’t know what’s going on, but he’s not himself.
Cafeteria worker: “The group of boys were pushing each other around. I think it
was an accident, and one of them pushed into the new boy, and he took it the wrong
way.”
STANFORD HISTORY EDUCATION GROUP sheg.stanford.edu
