Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me. This is something that I remember kids chanting on the playground. Yet, does anyone really believe these words? The truth of the matter is, words do hurt. Name calling and bullying wounds and scars. Indeed, bullying has always existed. Yet, instead of saying kids will be kids, schools and organizations are taking a stand against bullying. According to nonamecallingweek.org, No Name Calling Week was created “to focus national attention on the problem of name-calling in schools.” For 2011, the eighth No Name Calling Week will take place January 24-28. Here are some activities to use in the classroom during No Name Calling Week.
What Does Name Calling Sound Like
Advising students not to use foul language, ask them to give examples of name calling. Make a T-chart with Name Calling on one side and Compliments on the other. After a student gives an example of name calling, they need to come up with a compliment.
Reading Books about Bullies
Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes is an excellent book for introducing name calling to four to seven year olds. Basically, Chrysanthemum loves her name. Then, she goes to school and kids start making fun of her name. I think children can really identify with having their name being made fun of. Yoko by Rosemary Wells is another good book for young children. Yoko has sushi for lunch but the other children don’t think it looks very good.
For upper elementary students try Alley Oops by Janice Levy. This story is good for relaying the harmful effects of name-calling. For middle schoolers, consider The Misfits: a book about three kids who have been bullied and band together to form a friendship. All of these books can be found at barnesandnoble.com.
Recognizing a Bully
During No Name Calling Week, it is important for educators to teach kids about bullying. Some kids may not realize their name calling is really a form of bullying. One way to teach about name calling is role playing. Give kids short scripts and have them perform them in front of the class. Have the class raise their hands when they hear bullying or name calling. Here are is an examples of a script:
Susan walks up to Gina and Sam.
Susan: Hey, Gina. Why are you playing with that loser?
Gina: Sam’s my friend.
Sam looks down at the ground.
Susan: Come on, Gina. Let’s go play soccer.
Gina walks away from Sam.
At this point, the teacher should talk to the students about who the bully was in this skit. Also, is Gina a bully? Talk to kids about how being a bystander and watching someone be bullied is not right.
Put Ups
Have everyone write their name in the middle of a big piece of paper and decorate it. Then, allow students to get up and write down a compliment on each person’s paper. You be amazed at how good it feels to have an entire poster full of nice comments.
Teaching Kids about What to Do
When being bullied and seeing bullying in action, sometimes kids feel helpless. It’s important for kids to know it okay to seek help from adults and when to stand up for themselves. Find both educator and parent resources at barnesandnoble.com. There are many suggestions and activities to teach and inform kids about name calling.
Sources:
barnesandnoble.com
nonamecallingweek.org
