Illustrations by Carolyn Ridsdale

CCSS

R.1, R.2, R.6, R.8, R.9, W.1, SL.1

Who Owns an Idea?

Illustrations by Carolyn Ridsdale

Harvey says: A few months ago, I was talking to Violet about how our school should have an app. It could be used to share stuff like snow days and sports schedules. Violet took my idea and made an app—and now the school is using it! Is it fair for me to be mad at her? Don’t I deserve some credit?

Harvey says: A few months ago, I told Violet that I thought our school should have an app. It could be used to share stuff like snow days and sports schedules. Violet took my idea and made an app. Now the school is using it! Is it wrong that I’m mad at her? Don’t I deserve some credit?

Harvey says: A few months ago, I was talking to Violet about how our school should have an app to share information about things like snow days and sports schedules. Violet took my idea and made an app—and now the school is using it! Is it unreasonable for me to be mad at her? Don’t I deserve some credit?

Illustrations by Carolyn Ridsdale

Poppy says: Speak up! It was your idea.  

    Wow! I had no idea that BMS4U was your idea. It’s so much fun. I love how there’s a chat section for each class and sports team. It’s about time our school created an app to make our lives easier.

    I can see why you’re upset. Everyone is talking about how smart Violet is. I even heard she’s getting a special prize from the school district! And is it true that the private schools in town are paying her to create similar apps? Not only is Violet getting a lot of praise because of your idea, but she might also make money off it!

    That’s why I don’t think it’s fair that she’s getting all the credit. It seems pretty clear that BMS4U wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for your creativity. If I were you, I’d talk to Violet. Tell her that you feel like you should get some credit. After all, coming up with the idea is just as important as bringing it to life. She should share the spotlight with you.

Poppy says: Speak up! It was your idea.  

    Wow! I didn’t know BMS4U was your idea. It’s great. I love how there’s a chat section for each class and sports team.

    I can see why you’re upset. Everyone is talking about how smart Violet is. I heard she’s getting a special prize from the school district! And is it true that the private schools in town hired her to create apps for them? Not only is Violet getting a lot of praise because of your idea, but she might make money off it too!

    I don’t think that’s fair. It seems clear that BMS4U wouldn’t be here without you. You should talk to Violet. Tell her you want some credit. After all, you came up with the idea. That’s just as important as bringing it to life. She should share the spotlight with you.

Poppy says: Speak up! It was your idea.  

    Wow, I had no idea that the concept for BMS4U started with you. I love it, especially the fact that it includes a chat section for each class and sports team. It’s about time our school created an app to make our lives easier.

    I can understand why it bothers you to hear everyone raving about Violet’s cleverness. I heard she’s getting a special award from the school district—and that the private schools in town are paying her to create similar apps for them. Not only is Violet receiving a lot of praise because of your idea, but she might also make money off it!

    That’s why I don’t think it’s fair that she’s getting all the credit. It seems pretty obvious that BMS4U wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for your creativity. If I were you, I’d talk to Violet and remind her that she’s not the only one responsible for the app’s existence. After all, coming up with the idea is just as important as bringing it to life. She should share the spotlight with you.

Illustrations by Carolyn Ridsdale

Finn says: Let it go! It’s her app.

    I totally get that you might feel left out. Violet is getting a ton of attention! But if you ask me, anyone can think of an idea. What takes skill and hard work is turning it into something great. 

    Think of it this way: You spent a few minutes thinking about an app. Violet spent months making BMS4U happen. Many other schools already have apps that share snow days and sports schedules. Our app is special because of all the extra features Violet built into it. 

    Should Violet have involved you in the project? Maybe. But she started BMS4U in her coding class. Her teacher is the one who pushed for it to be used by the whole school. Violet didn’t set out to get all this praise. It just sort of happened.

    If you’re still upset, talk to Violet. Be open about your feelings. But try to take this as a lesson: Next time you come up with a great idea, do something to make it happen!

Finn says: Let it go! It’s her app.

    I see why you might feel left out. Violet is getting a ton of attention! But if you ask me, anyone can think of an idea. Turning it into something great is the hard part.

    Think of it this way: You spent a few minutes thinking about an app. Violet spent months making one. Other schools have apps that share snow days and sports schedules. Our app is special because of all the extra features Violet built into it.

    Should Violet have involved you in the project? Maybe. But she started it in her coding class. It was her teacher who pushed for it to be used by the whole school. Violet didn’t plan to get all this praise. It just sort of happened.

    If you’re still upset, talk to Violet. Tell her how you feel. But try to learn from this too: Next time you have a great idea, don’t just talk about it. Do something to make it happen!

Finn says: Let it go! It’s her app.

    It’s understandable that you might feel left out with Violet getting so much attention! But if you ask me, anyone can think of an idea. What’s impressive is the skill and hard work it takes to develop that idea into something valuable.

    You spent a few minutes thinking about an app, and Violet spent months turning BMS4U into a reality. Many other schools already have apps that share snow days and sports schedules. Our app is special because of all the extra features Violet built into it.

    Maybe Violet should have involved you in the project—but she started BMS4U in her coding class, and it was her teacher who pushed for it to be made available to the whole school. Violet didn’t set out to get all this praise—it just happened.

    You can always talk to Violet if you’re really upset, but you should also consider viewing this as a lesson: Next time you come up with a brilliant idea, do something to make it happen!

ACTIVITY: 
Should Harvey Be Mad at Violet?

What to do: Find evidence in Poppy’s and Finn’s responses that supports each side. Write the information on a separate sheet of paper.

What to do: Find evidence in Poppy’s and Finn’s responses that supports each side. Write the information on a separate sheet of paper.

What to do: Find evidence in Poppy’s and Finn’s responses that supports each side. Write the information on a separate sheet of paper.

Poppy says:
Yes! It was his idea.

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Poppy says:
Yes! It was his idea.

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2.

3.

Poppy says:
Yes! It was his idea.

1.

2.

3.

Finn says: 
No! It’s her app.

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3.

Finn says: 
No! It’s her app.

1.

2.

3.

Finn says: 
No! It’s her app.

1.

2.

3.

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What Would You Do? Contest Write a paragraph with your best advice for Harvey. Entries must be submitted to “WWYD Contest” by a teacher, parent, or legal guardian.* One winner will get a $50 Visa gift card.


* Entries must be written by a student in grades 6-12 and submitted by their teacher, parent, or legal guardian, who will be the entrant and must be a legal resident of the U.S. age 18 or older. Visit our contest page for details.

What Would You Do? Contest Write a paragraph with your best advice for Harvey. Entries must be submitted to “WWYD Contest” by a teacher, parent, or legal guardian.* One winner will get a $50 Visa gift card.


* Entries must be written by a student in grades 6-12 and submitted by their teacher, parent, or legal guardian, who will be the entrant and must be a legal resident of the U.S. age 18 or older. Visit our contest page for details.

What Would You Do? Contest Write a paragraph with your best advice for Harvey. Entries must be submitted to “WWYD Contest” by a teacher, parent, or legal guardian.* One winner will get a $50 Visa gift card.


* Entries must be written by a student in grades 6-12 and submitted by their teacher, parent, or legal guardian, who will be the entrant and must be a legal resident of the U.S. age 18 or older. Visit our contest page for details.

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