Teaching middle school is not for the faint of heart. But if you're called to do it, you know there's nothing else quite like it. Join us in discussing what works - and what doesn't.
Bullying in the Middle School
Bullying comes in many different forms, and by middle school the damage that a bully can inflict can last for a lifetime. For some kids the bullying is an extension of that which occurred in elementary school. For others, it begins in middle school, when the differences in sizes, shapes, and personalities become more evident, gaining more attention from peers and schoolyard enemies.
For middle schoolers, the internal conflict of "Who am I? Am I the same as everyone or different from everyone?" takes on an external nature and, at times, manifests itself in bullying.
But are we doing enough to combat the different forms of bullying? Does the staff at your school know what forms bullying takes, where bullying occurs (both on and off campus), and what their role in fighting bullying is?
Are students at ease in finding an adult to confide in?
Do students really know what bullying is, or do they "suck it up" and keep quiet because it's "just the way things are?"
For that matter, do teachers feel it's just the way things are, or worse, do teachers bully as well?
What happens when the formally oppressed become the tormentors? Does that change how a school reacts to a bully?
It is our duty as teachers to look at ourselves clearly and honestly to help find answers to these questions. It is our responsibility to keep these students safe in our care as well as to help them achieve. And, let's face it, a frightened student does not an achiever make.
Join in the discussion and share your thoughts, anecdotes, and solutions.
-Heather WG
Comments (63)
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Bullying is such an
Bullying is such an emotionally-laden topic because its very nature is so distasteful. I developed a workshop entitled "We Don't Have Bullies Here" that helps develop a culture that diminishes bullying behavior. One important and helpful issue for me is to remember that all behavior (even irresponsible behavior) like bullying is purposeful, engaged in to satisfy basic human needs. A second issue is the notion that everyone is doing the best they can. Yes....that includes the bullies. Maintaining this mindset allows me to remain in the role of teacher rather than settling for the role of enforcer. My role is to teach children with inadequately developed skills how to meet their needs responsibly without resorting to harmful behaviors like bullying. When we create environments (school, classroom, home, community) where kids can get what they need without bullying, it virtually disappears. (If you want a bit more information about the session I offer, go to the "presentations" page of my website: www.internalmotivation.net I hope this helps...
is their a link for the
is their a link for the Olweus program
I also recommend you look into www.bullies2buddies.com. The creator of this program that teaches kids to stand up and not be victims, Izzy Kalman will be a special guest on an amazing FREE interview series for parents and teachers in October called Happier Kids Now,featuring over 20 experts in child/teen development among many others. see www.happierkidsnow.com
I agree with your thoughts and analysis. Where can we go to get researched based and proven strategies for dealing with this issue as soon as these students enter middle school? I think it is important to teach kids how not to be bullied as much as it is important to teach kids about what bullying is. lsylvester@northwarren.org
What proven researched based
What proven researched based strategies are out there? I believe we have to teach kids how not to be bullied and what to do if they are being bullied to empower them. I think that is as important as identifying what bullying is. We have had several assemblies over the years and we even started a Peer Leadership group and a Rachel's Challenge group to open up the lines of communication between students.
I think it is interesting to
I think it is interesting to see how students react when they are presented with acutal reasons why they should not bully. I am a new teacher, and it always amazes me at the things middle school students say to one another, and it makes me very sad. I hope that by reading these blogs I am able to learn more strategies to help my students develop.
Bullying
I just finished an article for the Virginia Journal of Education about bullying. If things go as planned it should be available in September. I examine the motivation behind bullying and offer a prevention model (as well as how to intervene when prevention doesn't work.) I'll try to remember to post something here when it's published for anyone who wants to read it. In case I forget, you can check my website in September. I'm sure I'll have a link once it's published. My web address: www.internalmotivation.net
Wow! Profound. Thanks to this parent who wants to be a part of the solution. Such teamwork is invaluable to schools when addressing bullying or any concern for that matter.
Despite the calls for more
Despite the calls for more research and stricter enforcement, there are some things we should know and some things we can do to reduce bullying now. To learn more, go to:
http://www.funderstanding.com/content/want-to-reduce-bullying-some-thing...
Getting at the Roots of Bullying
I hope you'll read my article, "Getting at the Roots of Bullying," just published in the Virginia Journal of Education. Here is the link:
http://www.veanea.org/vea-journal/1010/index.html