A Teacher's Guide to Bullying:

Reducing Bullying From Within the Classroom

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About Me                           There are many ways in which teachers can reduce bullying inside and             
Vita                      outside of school. Teaching students prosocial skills, involving students in   
Education                      classroom specific anti-bullying activities, and effectively dealing with bullying        
Field Experience                      situations help in reducing bullying incidents.
Bullying 101                     

      Solution #1: Develop a class code of conduct that ensures reduction of bullying

Here are some simple school rules that prevent bullying:

  • No put-downs
  • Listen without interrupting
  • Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself
  • No teasing or name-calling

When designing a code of conduct, always stay consistent with punishments and consequences of negative behavior. Create a rule specifically against bullying so students are faced with the act of bullying itself. Additionally, the teaching of non-violent, non-racist, non-sexist, and non-homophobic behaviors can be a piece of everyday curriculum. Teach students to always speak and act with respect of others and to appreciate differences.

A good reminder for students to follow rules and not bully is to have them sign anti-bullying pledge cards they keep all year. Here is an example of the anti-bullying bookmarks I made for a group of sixth graders.

             If your school does not implement a school-wide policy on bullying, here are some ways you can help:
  • Supervise key areas of the school, before and after school
  • Develop a procedure for the investigation of bullying incidents
  • Develop guidelines for listening to victims, witnesses, and bullies
  • Speak with other teachers, counselors, and administrators about creating a safe school climate that does not                      tolerate aggressive behavior
   
      Solution #2: Teach students prosocial behavior

                 Prosocial behavior includes skills students must master in order to get along with one          
                 another. Here are a few examples:

Encourage your students to be good listeners and give compliments to each other. Ask them how they feel when            someone gives them a compliment. Explain that put-downs are not "cool," and hurt other student's feelings. Giving compliments, however, help the receiver feel good and creates a positive bond between students.

Explain what it means to be empathetic to someone. Teach students about sensitivity to other's feelings.

Here is a simple activity for teaching sensitivity.

Remember to praise students for prosocial behavior!

 

           Solution #3: Teach students to be assertive, not aggressive

Two common ineffective responses to conflict are behaving angry or passive. Conflict is a normal part of life,                but it is how we handle conflicts that matters in the end. There is an important difference in being assertive                 and being aggressive. Aggression tends to involve common physical and verbal forms of bullying, whereas assertion       is a way to convey how one feels without getting angry. Teachers can instill within students how to remain assertive in tense situations.

Assertiveness skills:

 

Solution #4: Teach the difference between teasing and bullying

Oftentimes, bullies attempt to cover up their bullying by claiming they were simply "teasing." This is very disheartening to the victims who tend to disagree that they were being teased.

It is important to identify the differences between teasing and bullying. Explain that if someone continues to do or say something hurtful even after asked to stop, the behavior is negative and repeated and is then considered bullying.

Click here for a list of teasing discussion questions that get students thinking about consequences of teasing.

Solution #5: Create Anti-bullying classroom activities for the classroom

One of the most popular forms of teaching anti-bullying behavior to students is through role-playing activities. This is a good idea when you are further into the school year and the students know and trust each other.

Consider the following scenario:

During free time on the playground, George, a seventh-grader who is large for his age, corners Harold, a smaller sixth-grader. George demands Harold's lunch money. Harold is clearly afraid of George but does not want to give up his lunch money.

This is a simple scenario for student to reproduce. The following questions can be asked to engage the class:

1. Describe emotions you believe Harold was experiencing other than fear.

2. How would an incident like this affect your attitude towards school?

There are times when role-playing may be more appropriate for older students, who are able to place themselves in another's shoes easier than younger students, who have not yet developed theory of mind.

Click here for an anti-bullying activity for older students.

 

Solution #6: What to do if you know bullying is happening outside of school

Oftentimes, students are bullied off school property. This can occur on a student's walk to school or while                   standing at a bus stop. This can be difficult for a student to deal with because she/he may be alone when the                 bullying happens. If a teacher suspects this is occurring, she/he can speak with the students being bullied or                  bullying and contact a school counselor and parents of the students. Additionally, here are some tips for students to stay safe to and from school:                  

 

 

Sources

Gum in My Hair: How to Cope With a Bully  Study Guide. Twisted Scholar (video) & Intermedia, inc. (guide).        

www.intermedia-inc.com.

Hook, J. (1994). Teaching Students to Get Along. Los Angeles, California: Canter and Associates.

Hoover, J.H. & Oliver, R. (1996). The Bullying Prevention Handbook. Bloomington, Indiana: National Educational Service.

Williams, E. (2005). The Bully, The Bullied, and Beyond. Chapin, South Carolina: Youth Light, Inc.

 

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