1. Bullying in Schools: An Outrageous Epidemic!

2. The Consequence of Words ▪ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYYSFpFGRBE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYYSFpFGRBE

3. Definition of Bullying in Schools ▪ Bullying is defined by stopbullying.gov as unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged students that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. ▪ The behavior is repeated overtime. Both the victim and the bully may have serious effects because of these behaviors.

4. Types of Bullying ▪ 4 Main Types: ▪ Verbal: name calling, insults, intimidation, teasing, inappropriate sexual comments, threatening ▪ Social: lying and spreading rumors, dirty looks, playing nasty jokes to embarrass or humiliate others, mimicking, encouraging others to socially exclude, damaging one’s social reputation ▪ Physical: hitting, kicking, pinching, tripping, shoving, spitting, property damage ▪ Cyberbullying: verbal or social bullying using digital technologies

5. Activity #2: Which Type of Bullying Is Represented In Each Picture? How can you tell?

6. Why others Bully Top 4 Reasons others Bully: ▪ Bullies often experience aggression from someone close to them. In return, they take this aggression out on others weaker then them. ▪ Having Power ▪ They have been a victim themselves ▪ Friends who bully, so they think it’s cool.

7. Signs a Child is Being Bullied ▪ Unexplainable injuries ▪ Lost or destroyed clothing, books, electronics, or jewelry ▪ Frequent headaches or stomach aches, feeling sick or faking illness to get out of school ▪ Changes in eat habits ▪ Difficulty sleeping ▪ Avoidance of social situations ▪ Decreased self-esteem ▪ Self-destructive behaviors

8. Signs a Child is Bullying Others ▪ Getting into fights ▪ Friends with other bullies ▪ Increased aggression ▪ Frequent detention ▪ Blaming others ▪ Don’t accept responsibility ▪ Competitive and self-conscious

9. Boy Bullies vs. Girl Bullies ▪ Boy bullies are also more aggressive and impulsive than girl bullies. ▪ Boys bully both boys and girls. ▪ Girls can bully boys, but usually stick to bullying other girls. ▪ Girls usually premeditate their bullying instead of acting impulsively.

10. Characteristics of Victims/Bullies Victims: ▪ Physically weaker ▪ Timid, unassertive ▪ Few friends ▪ Introverted ▪ Low Self-Esteem Bullies: ▪ Larger and Stronger ▪ Aggressive ▪ Low in empathy and sympathy ▪ Impulsive ▪ High Self-esteem

11. Effects of Bullying on the Victim ▪ Lowered self-esteem ▪ Absenteeism ▪ Social Isolation ▪ Potential Health Problems ▪ Decrease in academic achievement ▪ Depression ▪ Suicide

12. Kids who Bully are more Likely to… ▪ Abuse alcohol and other drugs ▪ Get into fights ▪ Vandalize property ▪ Drop out of school ▪ Engage in early sexual activity ▪ Have criminal convictions as adults ▪ Be abusive towards their romantic partners, spouses, and kids

13. What I Can Do As A Teacher ▪ Establish strict classroom rules about bullying prevention. ▪ Establish a safe and anonymous system for a child to report being bullied. ▪ Teach positive communication skills. ▪ Teach children how to be aware of bullying behavior in themselves and others. ▪ Role playing in the classroom. ▪ Help organize school wide anti-bullying campaigns.

14. What Students Can Do ▪ Treat everyone with respect. ▪ If you see someone being bullied, go get a teacher/adult to help. ▪ Be kind to the kid being bullied, and let them know that you are there for them.

15. What You as Parents Can Do! ▪ Create anti–bullying habits early. Let them know what is/is not acceptable behavior. ▪ Talk to your children about what bullying is. ▪ Let them know that bullying in any form is unacceptable and that it hurts people’s feelings. ▪ Give them tips on how to handle a bully if they encounter one. ▪ Model good behavior for your child. ▪ Establish good communication with your child. ▪ Make sure your child knows to be more than a bystander if they encounter a bullying situation. ▪ Work with your child and your child’s school in helping to spread the anti-bullying message.