Bullying Lessons Continued!

I have recently finished guidance lessons in classrooms and I wanted to communicate with parents what I have focused on in the grade levels I visited in December.

In 4th Grade students reviewed what they already know about bullying. We focused on the role of the bystander in a bullying situation as a bystander's decision to stand up to the bully can be the #1 deterrent to bullying behavior. We watched a DVD, "Bullies are a Pain in the Brain" by Trevor Romain. This comical DVD shows the many different types of bullying and gives many proven strategies to stop and prevent bullying.



In 3rd Grade students created a T-chart to brain storm ways that bullying hurts "inside" (examples of non-physical bullying) and "outside" (examples of physical bullying). We discussed the definition of bullying and how it must contain three parts: 1) intentional, 2) repeated, 3) imbalance of power (unfair). Then we read the book "Lucy and the Bully" by Clair Alexander. Students were asked to listen for the three parts of the definition of bullying to help them decide if what was happening in the book was true bullying. Then students worked in groups with different scenarios and discussed if the situation they were assigned was bullying and what could have been done to stop the bullying from happening.



In 6th grade students worked through an interactive power point to discuss many topics relating to bullying including bullying statistics, different types of bullying (including cyber bullying), ways to prevent themselves from being seen as a target for bullying, and different statistics of bullies and targets. Students were introduced to a new documentary coming Spring 2013 called "bully." Students watched a preview for this movie and worked in groups to discuss important facts regarding "Empowering Bystanders" and "Internet Safe Strategies for Youth." Students shared with the class about their different topics. For more information about this documentary please visit here. For more resources regarding bullying, please visit here.


Lastly, please accept my sincerest wishes for a Happy Holiday Season! I look forward to welcoming students back after the new year!!!

Bullying Prevention

In the months of November and December I will be visiting classrooms to conduct bullying lessons. I have visited the following grade levels in the month of November. If you don't see your child's grade here, I will be  in their classroom in December!

In Kindergarten, we read "Hands are Not for Hitting" and discussed behavior that is considered bullying behavior. We discussed all the many ways we can use our hands (for learning, doing, helping, playing, and building) but NOT for hitting.



In 1st grade we created a T chart and brainstormed what we think bullying looks like and sounds like on one side, and how bulling feels on the other. Students used many amazing descriptions such as "it feels like lightening in your heart" and "bullying is bruises your insides, it hurts your insides like a bruise on your skin." Then we read the book "Bullies Never Win" and discussed various strategies to combat bulling. Students folded a paper heart every time they heard bulling in the book, and we discussed the lasting effect that bullying has on someone--another reason not to bully and to stand up to those we see being bullied.



In second grade we reviewed the definition of bullying: that bullying is hurtful or harmful behavior through words and actions, that it is intentional (on purpose), and that there is an imbalance of power (it is not peer/friend conflict). We discussed the three roles in a bullying situation--the bully, the target, and the bystander. Students watched a video to learn different strategies to combat bullying. We discussed especially the role of the bystander in bullying, and that a bystander has the most power in a bullying situation if they make the choice to stand up when they see bullying happening. In fact they have two choices--to do nothing or to stand up to the bully or get help on behalf of the target. Which choice would students make now that they know the power they have as a bystander?



In 5th grade students reviewed the definition of bullying and different types of bullying. Students watched a video "Gum in My Hair" which teaches many different strategies to handle a bully, including avoid, use words to stand up to a bully, improve body language/confidence, involve friends or adults to help, and sometimes YELL. Students also learned the difference between normal peer conflict and a true bullying situation.



Don't forget to check out the guidance schedule here to see when I will be visiting your child's classroom!!

Helping Children Navigate The World Wide Web

I am visiting classrooms this month discussing personal body safety--teaching children how to keep themselves safe if someone tries to hurt their body. This year I am incorporating aspects of internet safety in my lessons with older students. I personally believe I would be doing a disservice to students and families if I didn't address safety on the internet and other forms of technology communication. This applies to personal safety issues and bullying. We live in a very unique day and age where our children are "techy"-r than any of us might think to be (well, more than me, anyway!). In other words, our kids know more about the internet than we do! The internet provides an avenue for connecting, educating, expressing, and learning that is incredibly beneficial to children and adults alike. The internet is a powerful tool, undoubtedly.

Nonetheless, I believe students and children need guidance on how to be "good digital citizens." We are hear more and more these days about bullying taking unique shape on the internet (and through text, for that matter). Kids say hurtful, mean things to others though technology that they might not THINK to say in person. The internet provides for children an environment that feels anonymous and secret. It similar to the reason kids bully when adults aren't around, they don't feel there will be repercussions if an adult or others don't see it happening.

Because the internet can be anonymous, it can be a dangerous place for children. When kids meet people "online" they may be walking into a very dangerous situation even though it seems benign. Therefore, there are many reasons to have a discussion with your children whenever they begin to use technology whether texting, searching online, joining social media outlets, etc.

As a school counselor I am seeing more and more of these issues affecting the school environment. Though students are not able to access texts and internet social websites at school, what they say and do through these avenues after school absolutely spills over into the classroom and playground.

So, I would ask you to partner with me in teaching children how to be kind when no one is looking! To protect their safety, reputation, and friendships. To help combat the dangerous affects of bullying. To keep them safe.

You can find more information at the following websites. On them are links to many different resources you can use to have a discussion with your child regarding responsible, respectful, and safe use of the internet and other sources of technology and communication.

http://www.educational-freeware.com/news/internet-safety.aspx

http://alldistrict.leesummit.k12.mo.us/internetsafety/