ReadWriteThink: November 14, 2009: Get Ready for Bullying Awareness Week!

November 14, 2009

		Bullying Awareness Week was started in 2003 to raise awareness of the prevalence of bullying and to encourage grassroots actions to prevent it. Efforts are focused on encouraging both personal and community responsibility to prevent bullying. During this week, communities are urged to address the problem of bullying through media campaigns, classroom activities, workshops, and other special events. The theme for the 2009 campaign is Stand Up! (to bullying), running from November 15–21. image © 2009 Traci Gardner

Get Ready for Bullying Awareness Week!

CLASSROOM ACTIVITY

Promote school-wide awareness of bullying issues by sponsoring a poster contest. First, complete one of the lessons below and review information learned about bullying and the roles of bystanders and victims. Divide the class into three groups, and have each group create a poster representing the role of the bully, the victim, or bystanders to educate other classes about bullying issues. Then, advertise a poster-making contest to other classes, asking students to create posters that illustrate ways each student in the school can help stop bullying and make the school environment safer.

Invite entrants to use any medium they wish to create their posters, including pencil, crayon, paint, or even an interactive medium such as the ReadWriteThink Printing Press (flyer format).
Ask other classroom teachers, the school counselor, and the art teacher to help in judging the posters. Be sure to communicate your judging criteria as part of the contest.

Include a reproduction of the winning poster in the school newsletter or website, or feature the poster in the library, cafeteria, or main office.

Lesson Plans

A Bad Case of Bullying: Using Literature Response Groups With Students
In this lesson, elementary students reflect upon a read-aloud of David Shannon’s A Bad Case of Stripes. Acceptable behaviors and ways to prevent bullying in the classroom and school are then discussed.

No More Bullying: Understanding the Problem, Building Bully-Free Environments
Middle school students investigate the phenomena of bullying in this ReadWriteThink lesson. They examine research findings and then plan a “No More Bullying” campaign.

A High-Interest Novel Helps Struggling Readers Confront Bullying in Schools
Using The Bully, by Paul Langan, high school students discuss and deal with the many issues that surround bullying. Students consider what they can do to prevent bullying.

Web Links

McGruff.org
McGruff.org provides resources for adults and children looking to stop bullying and educate others about bullying issues. Look for comics, a kids’ poll, parent articles, and more.

Stop Bullying Now!
This site, from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration, offers fun games, webisodes, and other resources designed to teach children about bullying prevention.

Teen Bullying
This site provides information about bullying and offers tips for preventing bullying and providing help both to victims and to students who engage in bullying behavior.

Educator’s Guide to Bullying
The Meet Kelly Bear website provides this teacher’s guide with strategies for teaching about bullying.

Texts

Shannon, David. 2004. A Bad Case of Stripes. Scholastic.
Shannon’s picture book sends a strong message against succumbing to peer pressure.

Langan, Paul. 2002. The Bully. Townsend Press.
Langan’s teen novel tells the story of a high school student who is bullied when he enters a new school.

Coloroso, Barbara. 2004. The Bully, the Bullied, and the Bystander: From Preschool to High School—How Parents and Teachers Can Help Break the Cycle of Violence. Collins.
This text offers a practical guide for parents and teachers who are dealing with bullying issues.

Ludwig, Trudy. 2006. Just Kidding. Tricycle Press.
Including discussion prompts and a forward for teachers and parents, this picture book helps children see the difference between playful teasing and bullying.