October is National Bullying Prevention Month. All elementary classrooms are working on the Bully Prevention unit in the Second Step Social-Emotional Curriculum this month in an effort to reinforce the importance of being kind to others and including everyone.
In addition to the lessons presented by all of the classroom teachers, I am visiting the K-6 classrooms and presenting a lesson on Bully Prevention as well. Students in grades 5-6 read the book Juicebox Bully by Bob Sornson and Maria Dismondy. The book and lessons focus on being an upstander - someone who stands up for others. Upstanders use kindness to help everyone feel included. Students in grades 3-4 read the book One by Kathryn Otoshi. This book also focuses on being an upstander and speaks to the power that just one person can have to make a difference and start to make a change. It also shows students that although one person can make a difference, we are stronger when we work together. The Students in grades K-2 read the book Recess Queen by Alexis O’Neill. This book and the lesson focus on being recess friends and not recess queens (mean, bossy).
Some of the questions that were addressed throughout the lessons include:
What is bullying?
A bad choice that hurts others on purpose over and over again
Using our body, words, friendships or technology to harm others
Happens when someone feels they are stronger or bigger than others
Makes others feel sad, embarrassed, angry, or lonely
What are the types of bullying?
Physical - hitting, kicking, pushing, etc.
Verbal - insulting, name calling, threatening
Social - spreading rumors, excluding others, controlling others
Cyber - texting harmful messages, spreading rumors online, posting hurtful videos or pictures online
What is a bystander?
Someone who stands by and watches bullying happen
What is an upstander?
Someone who stands up against bullying, They are kind in response to bullying
How can we be upstanders?
Be kind and include others
Tell the person who is bullying to stop
Include others and teach them how to be a friend
Tell a trusted adult when bullying is happening
Walk away from people who are trying to bully you
Make a joke when someone is trying to bully you
We appreciate all that you do at home to reinforce being kind to one another!