Bullying Notes

Bullying

Definition of bullying?

Bullying is ongoing behavior that makes students feel unsafe by hurting them physically, emotionally or both.

Bullies usually have more power (e.g. size, age, sophistication, supporters, etc.)

Examples

Examples• Name calling• Gossiping• Hitting• Intimidation• Rude gestures• Spitting• Unkind texts• Social exclusion• Taking/destroying property• Pretending to be someone else online

Types of Bullying1. Verbal

• teasing• name-calling• inappropriate sexual comments• taunting• threatening

Types of Bullying2. Social

• Leaving someone out on purpose• Telling others not to be friends with someone• Spreading rumors• Embarrassing someone in public

Types of Bullying3. Physical

• Hitting/kicking/punching• spitting• tripping/pushing• physically harassing• taking or breaking someone's things• making mean/rude gestures

Some Statistics• 32% or middle school youth and 28% of high school youth have been bullied in the past year• 24% of middle school youth and 28% of high school youth report that they have bullied/cyberbullied someone else in the past year• School bullying decreases from 31% to 23% from middle school to high school• School bullying victimization is similar among females and males (33% vs. 30%)• More females are victims of cyberbullying than males• Bullying victims are more likely to have mental health problems than youth who aren't bullied.• Many students do not talk with adults about being victimized, especially if they are victims of cyberbullying.

Bully: person with aggressive behavior

Victim: person being bullied

Bystander: person that sees bullying happening but does not do anything

Ally: person that sees bullying and tries to stop it

Sonia recently moved to Lincoln Heights and just finished her first week at the local middle school. At 5 ft 8 in, she towered over most of the students in her 7th grade class. While looking for a place to sit, another student called to her, “Hey, shorty there’s a spot over here!” Sonia paused for a moment and another girl from the group waved her over. “Don’t pay attention to her,” she told Sonia. “That’s just the way we talk to each other. They call me Einstein because I got all C’s on my last report card.”

Discussion: Joking, teasing or bullying?

For years, Angel has made fun of his best friend, Dave’s, peanut butter obsession. “You’d eat my gym sock if it was covered in peanut butter,” he once told Dave. One day in science lab, the students designed mazes to test the intelligence of white mice. When the teacher told the class that they would be baiting the mazes with peanut butter, Angel called out, “Better be careful, Dave might get to the end of the maze before the mice!” The other students broke out in laughter.

Discussion: Joking, teasing or bullying?

On Monday afternoon, Rob used his recess time to hang campaign posters around the school, which read, “Vote Rob for Student Council President.” On Tuesday morning in homeroom, Rob found one of his posters taped to the blackboard in the frontof the classroom. Someone had crossed out the word, “President,” and replaced it with “First Lady.” One of Rob’s classmates pointed to a girl in the first row, indicating that Stacy had altered the poster. Rob glared at her as he tore down the poster. “It’s just a joke,” Stacy laughed. “Lighten up- I’m gonna vote for you.”

Discussion: Joking, teasing or bullying?

Effects of BullyingPeople who are bullied can experience negative physical, school and mental health issues. These victims are more likely to experience:

- depressions and anxiety- increased feelings of sadness and loneliness- changes in sleep and eating patterns- loss of interest in hobbies

Suicide, although uncommon, is an extreme measure that some victims take to end the harassment and pain.Sadly, specific groups have an increased risk of suicide: American Indian and Alaskan Native, Asian American, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender youth.

People who bully others can also engage in violent and other risky behaviors into adulthood. These people are more likely to:

- abuse alcohol and other drugs- get into fights, vandalize property- drop out of school- have criminal convictions- be abusive toward romantic partners, spouses or their children

People who are bystanders are more likely to:

- have increased use of drugs- have increased mental problems- be depressed and anxious- miss or skip school

What should people do if they get bullied?

What should people do if they get bullied?- Report bullies to an adult at home or at school- Act confident; look confident- Be observant- Tell a friend. There is power in numbers- Be assertive - Stay calm- Keep a safe distance- Walk away- Directly say STOP and be consistent- Do not be offensive or harass the bully- Stay safe near other students or near adults

Write 5*

Don't be a bully!- Treat others with respect and kindness- Be a good example for your friends and siblings- Stop and think before you say or do something that could hurt someone- If you feel like being mean, find something else to do (video games, tv, etc.)- Accept others as being different from you. Not better or worse, just different.- Apologize if you think you have hurt someone in the past.

Write 5*

Anti-Bullying PresentationAs a group or alone you will create a presentation summarizing what you have learned about bullying.Your presentation can be a:• song/rap/poem• video• play/skit• photos with words• brochure• website/powerpoint• cartoon/comic• story (fiction or non-fiction)• or anything else approved by Ms. Kwon

You will have 5-15 minutes for your presentation. Presentations will begin Tuesday April 9. (30 points)

You must include:

An Anti-bullying message 2 Solutions to the issue of bullying (10 points)Presentation of at least 5 minutes (10 points)Creativity (10 points)

Total: 30 points