This month classroom lessons were on bullying. My goal with bullying lessons is that students are able to identify what bullying is (repeated or likely to be repeated, purposeful, harmful behavior), the effects of bullying on others, and ways to stop bullying when they see it. We always focus on Habit 1: Be Proactive during these lessons: we are in charge of our own actions and we are able to ensure bullying is not happening if we 1) don't do it, and 2) stand up to others who are. I like to use a read aloud story in most grades so students can use critical thinking skills in order to achieve these three learning goals during my lesson.
Here is a great visual to help students identify what is true bullying vs. other behaviors that they don't like or might need help resolving. I am using this comparison in my lessons with all students so they can identify the difference.
Kindergartners read the story Chester Raccoon and the Big Bad Bully. In this story students were able to see that bullying behavior is purposeful, repeated, causes students to not want to attend school and to be afraid and worried. Students also learned through the story that everyone standing together to say that bullying is not ok is a very effective way to stop bullies. Mama Raccoon tells a story about how rocks that are rough around the edges can be smoothed out to be held. I gave students rough rocks and smooths rocks to help them understand that our words and actions can be rough, painful, and hurt others, or they can be soft, smooth, and cause others to want to be around us. Students created puppets to re-enact the story for their families at home.
1st graders read the story Lucy and the Bully. After the lesson students completed a character web to compare and contract the victim (Lucy) and the bully (Tommy). Students thought about who they would like to be of these two characters. In one class, a student recognized that after Tommy was talked to by an adult and realized his behavior's harmful effects on others as well as Lucy's kind actions toward him, he was able to change. I loved this ah-ha moment! If students are engaging in bullying behaviors, they are able to change! This was a perfect take-away from the lesson, and I was impressed by the 1st grader's thinking.
In 2nd grade students read The Bully Blocker's Club. In this story the main character is excited about school until one student makes fun of her, steals her things, calls her names, makes jokes about her, and encourages others to join in. Then, the main character feels worried about going to school and doesn't doesn't want to go, and she constantly feels sick to her stomach, causing her to go to the nurse's office but not know why she's going. We were able to identify that this is bullying behavior and not just a mean moment or a conflict between friends because it is repeated behavior and it is significantly interfering with her ability to learn and the school environment. Students then learned from the story different ways to try and stop bullying, but what really works is when everyone stands up to bullying (instead of joining in or standing by and not doing anything), and reporting it to an adult. Students went home with a letter that aids parents in talking with their child about bullying behaviors and reinforces the learning targets from the lesson.
In 3rd grade, students read the book The Invisible Boy and learned about empathy. Students learned that by using empathy, putting yourself in someone else's shoes, you are able to stand up to bullying and stop it when it's happening. Using empathy allows you to view a situation from someone else's perspective and then choose how to respond. Using empathy to understand how others would feel when being bullied encourages us from engaging in bullying behavior, as well as to stand up to others who are bullying.
4th, 5th, and 6th graders received a bullying lesson from Lee's Summit Cares with Kerri Gray.
