Is it Rude, Is it Mean or Is it Bullying?

Today’s Goals: Understand the difference between rude, mean, and bullying. Know the different types of bullying. Apply your knowledge with case scenarios. Learn the data behind what YOU can do to prevent bullying.

Is it Rude, Is it Mean, or Is it Bullying? RUDE: Unintentionally saying or doing something that hurts someone else. MEAN: Purposefully saying or doing something to hurt someone once, usually based on angry feelings. BULLYING: Intentional aggressive behavior, repeated over time, that involves an imbalance of power. (Physical, emotional, social)

Imbalance of Power In order to be considered bullying, the behavior must be aggressive and include: An Imbalance of Power: Kids who bully use their power—such as physical strength, access to embarrassing information, or popularity—to control or harm others. Power imbalances can change over time and in different situations, even if they involve the same people. Repetition: Bullying behaviors happen more than once or have the potential to happen more than once.

Types of Bullying

Check for Understanding: Is it Rude, Is it Mean or Is it Bullying? Scenario 1: Jose and Mario are friends. In school, they had an argument. Jose called Mario a name and Mario shoved him out of his way. Scenario 2: Maribel tells Ashley that she can’t sit with her on the bus today because she is saving the seat for a girl from her Math class. Jose & Mario: Jose and Mario are engaging in rough play, or rude behavior. This is not bullying because the boys are usually friends, the power balance is relatively equal and the boys are not intending to harm each other. Maribel & Ashley: Maribel is being rude, and there is no evidence of intentional meanness, repetitive behavior or a power imbalance.

Check for Understanding: Is it Rude, Is it Mean or Is it Bullying? Scenario 3: Brady told JP he would beat him up if he touched his cars, then shoved JP out of his way. During math class, he threw a spitball at JP and kicked his chair out from under him. He threatened to punch JP if JP told the teacher. Scenario 4: Lucas tells Damien that he can’t play with the Legos because he is the worst builder in the whole first grade. 3. Brady & JP: Brady is acting like a bully. He is engaging in repetitive cruel behavior, designed to hurt JP. He is using intimidation and threats to create a power imbalance. 4. Lucas & Damien: Lucas is being mean. It appears that his words are intended to hurt Damien. There is no evidence of repetitive behavior or a power imbalance, however.

What Difference Can Kids Make? Kids are present during ___ out of every 10 incidents of bullying but intervene on behalf of others less than ____% of the time. Kids are present during 8 out of every 10 incidents of bullying but intervene on behalf of others less than 20-30% of the time.

What Difference Can Kids Make? The same study documents that when kids do step in to stop bullying behaviors, the bullying stops within __seconds, more than ____% of the time. The same study documents that when kids do step in to stop bullying behaviors, the bullying stops within 10 seconds, more than 57% of the time.

I like to use this activity for students to connect the message that when alone, one could easily break but when we’re together and don’t tolerate bullying we’re unbreakable. Facilitator will model. Grab a single stick and try to break in half, will easily be able to do this. When you grab a bundle of sticks, you will not be able to break.