October is National Bullying Prevention Month!
Although highlighted in this month, anti-bullying awareness should be practiced every day of the year. If you SEE bullying taking place, SPEAK UP! Possible activities to use with students to discuss the topic of bullying.
1. Check out this short video at the Cartoon Network about joining the "I Speak Up" campaign. http://www.cartoonnetwork.com/tv_shows/promotion_landing_page/stopbullying/index.html
2. Have kids read this short saying: "Sticks and stones may break your bones but names can never hurt you." Is this a true statement? Explain your answer. Personally, I never thought this saying to be true. Words are very powerful and negative words can and do hurt....a lot!
3. Discussion Questions to ask Students:
A. What is your definition of a bully? What are some examples of bullying?
B. Why do you think some people are bullies?
C. If you see someone being bullied, what could YOU do?
D. If YOU are being bullied, what could YOU do?
E. Have you ever been bullied? How did you feel? What did you do?
F. Have YOU ever bullied someone else? Have you ever been asked by others to join them in bullying someone else? How did you react to this? Take the "Are YOU Bulling Checklist": http://www.pacerkidsagainstbullying.org/kab/do-you-bully/
G. How can you HELP someone that is being bullied. Make a list. Check with this site: http://www.bullying.co.uk/general-advice/how-to-help-someone-being-bullied/
4. A great start to discussing bullying might be to read about Hans Christian Andersen, the author of "The Ugly Duckling". Hans was often teased as a boy. He was very tall and skinny. He was called "scarecrow" by neighborhood children. One day, he actually climbed a tree to get away from bullies who were chasing him. Then, he got tangled and stuck. His father had to come help get Hans out of the tree. Check out my resource, a play on Hans Christian Andersen: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Hans-Christian-AndersenBiographical-play-To-Tell-the-Truth-Play-348807
5. Have students make anti-bullying posters.
6. Have students make up a skit about bullying to share with the rest of the class.
7. Coloring sheets on the topic of bullying: http://www.pacer.org/bullying/pdf/ColorTheCrew.pdf and http://www.doodle-art-alley.com/bullying-coloring-pages.html
8. Check out this link for lots of great information on Anit-Bullying: http://www.pacerkidsagainstbullying.org/kab/do-you-bully/take-the-quiz/
9. Check out this site for "Bullying Myths and Facts". Have students discuss what they read: http://www.bullying.co.uk/general-advice/bullying-myths-and-facts/
10. Newspapers in Education has an online comic book story about bullying: http://niefresnobee.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/Bullying.pdf
Other suggestions:
Using Literature to discuss the issue of bullying:
Read the story, the Ugly Duckling to start a discussion on bullying. http://www.best-childrens-books.com/the-ugly-duckling.html
Another story to read is Goose Girl by the Brothers Grimm. Find the story
at this link:Best Children's Book(Goose Girl) http://www.best-childrens-books.com/the-goose-girl.html
Still another story is Cinderella.Find the story online at this link: http://www.togetherweteach.com/TWT%20Reading%20Room/PCIND/PCIND01.HTM
There are also many contemporary books that deal with bullying. Here is a small sampling for elementary and middle school students:
1. Blubber by Judy Blume
2. The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes
3. Thank you, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco
4. Bullies Are a Pain in the Brain by Trevor Romain and Elizabeth Vedick.
5. The Bully from the Black Lagoon by Mike Thaler with Jared Lee.
6. My Secret Bully by Trudy Ludwig
7. Roxie and the Hooligans by Phillis Reynolds Naylor
Find more books on bullying and read summaries at this link:
http://www.story-lovers.com/listsbullyingstories.html
Read and listen to a short story about bullying online at this link:
(Ramone Sticks Up for Himself) http://myyoungchild.org/stories/
I hope you find this information of value to use with your students!
Gail Hennessey
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