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| Didax "Class Ideas" Newsletter Archive |
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Bullies! It seems that everyone has a memory of a school or neighborhood bully. As we make the conference circuit, we are finding that this topic is one that touches every school in the United States and around the world. Teachers and other folks have shared stories from their own childhood about bullies and many of you have told us about the efforts you and your schools make to eliminate this problem.
Not only is bullying upsetting to children and to the learning environment, we know that, left unchecked, bullying can and often does lead to life-long behavioral and legal problems. Further, failing to prevent bullying can become a costly liablility for a school or school district.
This month's Class Ideas newsletter includes several free downloadable pages from our new Bullying series, a special offer on those books, helpful links and an informative article on bullying. If you are not up to speed on this topic, some of the web sites we are suggesting will provide you with some fascinating information. For those of you already involved with an anti-bullying program, or are planning to be, you will find a wealth of knowledge to supplement your program.
Anna Mullen, Editor |
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| Bullying: Taking it Seriously |
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 Martin C. Kennedy, M. Ed.
Contributing Editor
Talk about a conversation starter! Any mention of the bullying subject fuels tale after tale about bullies. Many stories are from childhood memories. Today?s classroom teachers are developing strategies to intervene with bullies before the problem gets out of hand. Out of hand it can get, too. Reviewing some of the research really made me stop and think. According to the National Mental Health and Education Center (www.naspcenter.org), ?bullying is the most common form of violence in our society? with between 15% and 30% of students being bullies or victims. NASP goes on to state:
?A recent report from the AMA on a study of over 15,000 6th to 10th graders estimates that approximately 3.7 million youths engage in, and more than 3.2 million are victims of, moderate or serious bullying each year.
?Since 1992, there have been 250 violent deaths in schools that involved multiple victims. In virtually every school shooting, bullying has been a factor.
?Over two-thirds of students believe that schools respond poorly to bullying, with a high percentage of students believing that adult help is infrequent and ineffective.?
The site includes a great deal of information including why children and adolescents become bullies, why others become victims, how bullying can lead to violence and what schools and parents do about bullying.
While the emotional costs are apparent and the violence palpable, there are also serious legal and financial implications for schools and school districts. In a recent case of bullying in Reno, Nevada, a school district was found liable for not intervening in a case where a student complained of being teased and threatened for his sexuality. The ruling imposed a penalty of several hundred thousand dollars. The school was found to be out of compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act in that they discriminated against the student based upon sex, i.e., his sexual orientation.
But teachers are taking steps to make changes. In one suburban school district, two teachers, one a health teacher and the other a music teacher, have developed exciting programs. One example is a weekly ?radio? show that is broadcast to the entire K-5 school every Friday morning. Students perform skits; some of the stories are serials with characters and situations evolving over several weeks. All are about bullying and how to deal with it. Teachers and students then discuss the program in class
My particular sensitivity in this issue is my work with building the self-esteem of children and adults with various disabling conditions. I have seen the results of both sides of the problem: the bully and the bullied. I have learned how widespread the problem really is and how society can take such behavior for granted, presuming that it is part of growing up. Bullying is a problem and it can be stopped. We owe it to the children. As Gandhi said, ?If we want peace in the world, we must start with the children.? |
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| Free Activities and Special Offer on New Bullying Series |
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 Didax's new series of books and posters gives you tools to reduce incidents of bullying in your school. Each reproducible book is a comprehensive resource to help students and teachers identify, cope with and prevent bullying. Each poster asks important questions, making students think about bullying, its causes and its effects. |
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| Great Anti-Bullying Resources |
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| To help you prepare your anti-bullying program, we have found some great websites which provide information and activity ideas for your classroom. |
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| July Newsletter Theme: Oceans |
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 Next month, Class Ideas will provide you with great resources, ideas and tips for teaching the Ocean theme in your classroom. |
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