By Lisa Greeves
Now that school has been back in session for several weeks, we often have a clearer vision of where bullying may or may not be occurring in our school community. Looking for fresh, new approaches to help you deal with some tough bullying situations? The 2012 Promising Practices are full of new ideas for this difficult issue. Take some time and peruse the CEP Promising Practices database – you can even search by selecting the “Bullying or Peer Cruelty Prevention” topic specifically to save time! This year’s new ideas on the anti-bullying front include suggestions for all levels of students.
The Monthly Student-Led Bully Prevention Lunch at Alton Middle School in Alton, Illinois showcases sixth grade students who participate monthly in interactive discussions or activities regarding ways to prevent bullying and how to promote a safe and welcoming environment in school. Because the lunches are student-led, the discussions are honest and allow for appropriate responses and common language to develop. Learn more about Alton Middle School’s practice here.
Francis Howell Central in Cottleville, Missouri, details their successful anti-bullying journey in their practice titled FHC is Bully Free; Our Student Led Journey! They created a student-led character education committee for students in grades 9-12 called breakdownFHC, enabling student leaders to learn about bullying and bullying prevention and to attend trainings focusing on developing awareness and strategies to inform the school community of this problem. The Francis Howell approach is explained in more depth here.
H.W. Mountz Elementary School in Spring Lake, New Jersey created the Bullying Survey and Gallery Walk practice and integrated it into the math curriculum, which allows students to survey a sample of the school’s population. With questions focusing on bullying views and experiences, students then discuss and compare sample sizes, biases, and appropriate surveying techniques. Learn more about this unique practice that integrates math with anti-bullying research here.
At Hamilton Freshman School in Hamilton, Ohio, all students (ninth graders) participate in Bullying Awareness and Relationship Building Day. Students began the day watching the ABC Family video “Cyberbully” to raise awareness about how the dynamics of technology have changed the dynamics of bullying, and then engage in valuable discussion and follow-up activities that build relationship and community. Learn more about this whole-day approach to anti-bullying education here.
Take advantage of the wonderful resource that CEP’s database of Promising Practices offers to educators across the country. Whether you are looking for fresh anti-bullying ideas, lessons on cyberbullying, or new takes on dealing with peer cruelty, the Promising Practices are activities that have worked for others who are in your shoes. Check out the Promising Practices Database today, and let it go to work for you and your student
