 Happy December!!! It’s a month for spreading joy and bringing cheer. One simply can’t help smiling as sleigh bells ring, gifts are exchanged, and people wish good tidings everywhere you go; the joy is simply contagious. Perhaps no other time of year demonstrates the catching quality of attitudes quite like the Christmas season. Unfortunately, not all contagious attitudes are so cheery. Negativity and bullying can spread like wildfire, as can the sadness and pain that accompanies those actions.
You will need:
In the book we read about A. Blob and learn that it has no friends because it bullies…and it bullies because it has no friends. Sadly, this situation is not uncommon. Many children who bully and cause pain do so because they are in pain or have been bullied themselves. Often, the response to bullying is to respond with anger, violence, and more negativity and the vicious cycle continues. This craft recollects the main character of the story while also providing a visual reminder that our actions and attitudes can be catching—for better or worse.
Directions
3. Once you have your desired shape, fold the blank half of paper over to the shaving cream half and press GENTLY. It is crucial that you don’t completely press the paper down or else you will just get a colored piece of paper and the shaving cream squished everywhere, then unfold your paper
4. Taking a craft stick or any flat scraping device (I used cardboard), gently scrape the shaving cream off the paper, leaving your print behind 5. Let paper sit until dry 6. Once dry, draw on eyes and any words or designs you’d like. I wrote “Attitudes are Contagious”. You could also draw A. Blob’s thoughts and emotions inside  7. Talk about what students learned from the craft. Do they see how one attitude easily transfers to others? How will this affect the way they act in the future? 8. Hang up finished prints as a reminder to spread joy and not negativity! Pro Tips:
We hope you enjoy this quick and easy craft! Check back here each week for more crafts and insights. If you try this craft at home, please share your work in the comments! We’d love to see what you create!
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 FearIt drives us; drives us to succeed, drives us to fail, drives us to run, and drives us to stay. Fear can be our best friend, prompting us to flee when we sense danger, or our greatest enemy, paralyzing us into a state of helplessness. Fear can inspire us to work harder than we ever thought we could, and it can cause us to act against our own self interest and even the interests of others. It is this dichotomy that has inspired society’s fascination with the topic. Strangely, the same biological response which causes us to shake in our boots also provides a sort of high, and countless TV shows, films, and books have been created to draw out and exploit that shivery feeling. There is, perhaps, no better example of this than the month of October and its 30 day fear fest leading up to Halloween. During this season, we not only enjoy being afraid—we actually pay for it!
You see, fear is a master of disguise. It hides behind bravado, prejudice, and violence, fueling these harmful actions so quietly that it is often ignored and thus allowed to fester. From bully to victim and everyone in between, bullying is riddled with fear. The children who are bullied are afraid of harm, their parents are afraid of doing the wrong thing and seeing their child hurt, bystanders are afraid of becoming outcasts or being bullied in return, and children who bully act largely out of underlying fear. While it may express itself in many ways, it is indeed fear which often drives bullying scenarios. But why does any of this matter? Until we recognize the root cause of bullying, we will continue to simply treat symptoms, never truly eradicating the problem. Giving children bullying-solving skills may work for a while, but when fear crops up, if they don’t have the tools to properly recognize and address that fear, they will very likely succumb to it. Fear is designed to keep us safe so, unless we understand where it is coming from, we will have a difficult time turning it off.  While rationalizing through fear is difficult for anyone, it is especially difficult for children. One portion of the brain which plays a significant role in our bodies’ response to fear is the prefrontal cortex. It is this part which interprets the event we are experiencing and compares it to past experiences, helping you decide the level of threat and appropriate response. However, many studies have shown that the pre-frontal cortex, the rationalizing part of our brain, doesn’t fully form until age 25. This means that an elementary aged child is going to have greater difficulty rationalizing the reasoning behind and consequences of his bullying behavior. One way you can help create context for your students is through reading. Studies show reading fiction helps develop empathy, which is recognized as a core life skill and the foundation for sound relationships and classroom climate. Additionally, books provide entertaining and safe ways for children to explore emotions and consequences, storing these lessons away for a later time. Picture books, such as The Weird Series, by Erin Frankel and This is A. Blob, by L.A. Kefalos, are excellent examples of books that help students identify and work through the fear behind bullying and standing up to bullying. By reading why these characters might be bullying or why other students are standing by, students are given a framework of reasoning on which they can later build using their own experiences.
Another way to help your students recognize the fear driving their bullying is to provide a visual aid that helps them walk through the steps we take mentally when dealing with fear. On a sheet of paper, have your students draw a picture of a bullying scenario. Ask the students to create a general caption written in the first person, such as "I pushed Jane". Next to the picture’s caption, write “I did this because…”. With the students, look at the drawings and talk about what that “because” might be. Maybe the answer is “I didn’t like her”. Draw this out, as well. Next to the new caption write”…because…” again, prompting the child to explain why he or she doesn’t like the other child. Perhaps it is because she is new. From there, write “I didn’t like that she was new because…” And onward until the true reason, “I was afraid she would take away all my friends. I was afraid I would be all alone”, comes out. Now that the root fear has been identified, you can begin to discuss solutions to the fear. Coping With FearIn addition to helping children recognize their fear, it’s important to provide coping skills to deal with those fears in a healthy way as well as work to create an environment of safety. Let your students know that they can talk to you about anything without fear of punishment. If you are able, set aside time to check in with each child for a minute or two each week to talk through any issues they might be having or to offer some words of encouragement. Even taking the time to write a small positive word for each child on his or her desk daily can have an enormous impact on the classroom climate. When students feel accepted and important, they will be less likely to feel the fears that lead to bullying.
Finally, one of the best ways to cope with fear is to talk about it. Talk with your students about why they find the situation frightening. What is being done to prevent it from happening? What steps can be taken to bring about a solution if the frightening situation does occur? This helps students take control of their fear and provides positive tools for confronting it. *** Bullying is a complex issue. Not only do factors outside of fear contribute to bullying, overcoming fear is a process that will not happen overnight. These are simply suggestions to help you begin searching beyond the surface of bullying and bystander behavior to heal the root of the problem rather than the visible weed of actions it produces. Fear isn’t all bad. In fact, it can be very good and even entertaining. That’s what Halloween is all about, right? So, this October, this month in which we recognize fear, both good and bad, let’s try to build environments in which everyone feels safe and cared for and may the scariest thing in your classroom be the ghost on the door!  ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 Books are excellent tools for helping children build empathy and become upstanders! This is A. Blob is a masterfully illustrated picture book suitable for children ages 4-8. Written by Lori Kefalos, author of several award-nominated animated shorts, This is A. Blob is the first of a series following this bully. This first installment follows the antics of A. Blob, a slimy, purple, blob-like creature who wreaks havoc on the elementary school playground with its bullying ways. As the story progresses, however, readers learn that there might be more to A. Blob than meets the eye. Along with its powerful illustrations and rhymed verse for early readers, this story invites children to put themselves in the shoes of another. The book demonstrates that a bully can come in any shape, size, or color and encourages readers to consider why bullies behave the way they do – and start to consider what can be done to help.
 Sometimes, the best way to go forward is to look back. History is an excellent teacher of what works, what doesn’t work, and what can be possible. That is why the next subject in our series on integrating bullying prevention throughout the classroom is history. History is chock full of examples of individuals who were bullied or different, but succeeded despite the odds. It is filled with people who chose to respond to cruelty with kindness, and ended up changing the world.
History can serve as a warning, but it can also serve as an inspiration for what is possible. The activities below have been designed with this in mind. I hope they get your students excited about the past and inspire them to create a better future. Living HistoryAtticus Finch once said “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view…until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” What better way to do this than to LIVE history? Allow your students, for one day, to completely immerse themselves in the experience of a time gone by. For example, hold an Ellis Island Day. Allow your students to feel what it would be like to come to a new country where they didn’t know the culture or the language; a place where they looked and acted differently than others and didn’t fit in with those around them. Assign students nations of origin and allow them to only speak to other students that are from the same country.  Set up an inspection station mimicking the inspections immigrants went through upon arrival. Encourage your students to dress in the traditional garb of their nations and read personal accounts of people who immigrated to Ellis Island as children. Afterwards, talk with your students about how it felt to look different than their peers, to be inspected, and to be cut off from communication. Discuss how this experience can translate into their lives today. Will it change how they treat new students? Or how they interact with others who might look or act differently? You can also use this opportunity to talk about all the wonderful foods, innovations, and traditions we have as a result of immigration in the U.S. If you have the participation of parents, hold a party at the end of the day with each student bringing in a dish representative of the nation they were assigned or even a family recipe. Your students will leave the classroom with a greater appreciation for the struggles faced by their ancestors, greater empathy for those who are new today, and a better appreciation for the benefits of differences and diversity. Wall of UpstandersDespite research which reports that, 57% of the time, bullying stops within 10 seconds when someone interferes, over 80% of children continue to stand by silently while their peers are bullied. Why is this? Studies show that children choose to be bystanders for a multitude of reasons, including fear of retribution, uncertainty of how to act, and just plain shyness. While skits and books make good starting points for teaching children how to stand up to bullying, they can also feel fake or forced. This is where history can be helpful.  Image found on Pinterest.com, original pinner unknown The wonderful thing about stories in history is that they aren’t just stories; they really happened. You don’t need to look far for examples of individuals who stood up against injustice or helped the oppressed. Why not give your students real people to emulate? As you learn about upstanders throughout history, create a collage filled with their pictures, quotes, and articles about them. Talk about what it means to be an upstander and why they are so important, drawing connection between the past and the present. As you learn about different upstanders throughout history, add them to the collage. When issues such as bullying and unkindness arise in the classroom, refer students to the leaders of the past. How did they handle conflict? Why do we admire them? What can we imitate? BE an UpsatanderThis project is a combination of the first two. When I was in elementary school, one of my favorite projects was an oral report on a figure from history. Each student was assigned to research the life of a well known historic figure and then make a presentation while dressed as that individual, speaking from his or her perspective. We were allowed to choose anyone we wanted (within reason) and it was with great enthusiasm that I spent the next several weeks immersing myself in the life of Laura Ingalls Wilder. By the time presentation day rolled around, I was an expert on all things Laura Ingalls Wilder. Since the assignment required me to speak in the first person, my presentation was more than a regurgitation of facts; it also included Laura’s personal thoughts and reactions to the events of her life, providing a far more rich and full portrait than any written report ever could. As the other students presented, I was fascinated to hear them speak like their characters and learned so much, not only about the historic figures, but about the students who had chosen them, as well.  Photo by Eunique Jones Gibson, part of his photo series showing children dressed as role models of past and present. Found on http://www.today.com/slideshow/mini-role-models-54829292 What I love about this project is that it’s fun for students but it also works on a variety of important skills such as research, writing, reporting, and public speaking. To incorporate bullying prevention, narrow the assignment to upstanders or individuals who overcame obstacles or found nonviolent solutions to problems or spread kindness in their communities. As students step into the shoes of these leaders, they will gain a better understanding of the fears and struggles upstanders of the past faced and how they overcame them, internalizing these lessons in a way they never would if they simply read out of a textbook. If you lack the time to do such a research-heavy assignment, simplify it to a short before-class discussion. Write a bullying issue or scenario on the board along with a historic figure at the beginning of class. When students walk in, discuss how they think that figure would react to the situation. Assignments such as this not only help connect the past and the present, they build the all important skill of empathy. *** Bullying, unfortunately, is nothing new, but neither is courage or justice or kindness. Human history is filled with people who stood up for the oppressed, overcame obstacles, and made the world a more peaceful place. With the many tests and standards that must be met in schools today, adding lessons on bullying prevention can seem daunting, but it doesn't need to be. Lessons about acceptance and tolerance are all around us and, with a little creativity, you'll soon discover that you had the tools right in front of you all along! I hope you enjoyed this series and that it helped take some of the apprehension out of bullying prevention. Let us know in the comments if you try any of these activities or if you have your own creative ways of integrating bullying prevention into the classroom! Check back here next week as we dive into National Bullying Prevention Month!
 At Laughing Leopard Press, books are one of our greatest tools for education. Our newest book, This is A. Blob, by L.A. Kefalos combines powerful text with vibrant illustrations to help children learn that bullies come in all shapes and sizes-- and there is usually more to people than meets the eye. The first in a series of picture books, This is A. Blob introduces young children to vital topics such as empathy, kindness, and differences. Find it on Amazon.com or right here on LaughingLeopardPress.com!
 Welcome back to our September Blog Series-Integrating Bullying Prevention Throughout the Classroom! We started the series off with a doozy—math! Through activities such as “Counting on Kindness” and mathematical mystery messages of kindness, we learned that neither math nor bullying prevention needs to be intimidating. This week we’ll be focusing on the more popular subject of art. Art is a beautiful tool of self-expression and exploration. Through art we are able to say and understand things that words alone simply could not convey, making it an excellent subject for learning about kindness and bullying prevention. Here are some easy ways that you can integrate these topics into the art education you are already doing: Compliments for ComplementsIn art, we have complementary colors. Complementary colors are colors opposite one another on the color wheel. When placed next to each other, they create the strongest contrast for those colors. It is this intense contrast which makes these colors pair so beautifully.  The object lesson here is clear: just because two people are different from one another, does not mean they must necessarily clash. Sometimes we can find our greatest friends in those that are most unlike us; they can teach us new skills and ways of thinking and vice versa. If we take the time to learn about the differences of others, we can enrich our lives and see things we could never have seen on our own. To practice this lesson in art as well as kindness, gather construction paper of complementary colors. Pass the papers out to your students. Next, they must find other students holding their complementary colors. The students then exchange papers and write compliments on them. For older students, pair partners who don’t typically work together. Instruct your students to interview one another to discover what they have in common and what is different. What is one thing they can learn from their partner? After the interviews, have students create a piece utilizing two complimentary colors to reflect what they have learned. The project can be a painting, drawing, collage, or any other medium with which you are currently working. Creating For Kindness
Choose a few projects out of the year to create with a specific audience in mind, such as hospital patients, the elderly, or even another teacher in the building. As students work on their art, they are building the skill of empathy so vital to bullying prevention.
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Months later, students continued to fill the cubbies and take a message when needed, their faces beaming as they read the note of encouragement. It became so popular, Jones said it now has to be refilled daily!
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With art, the possibilities are nearly endless. Art has the ability to reach across languages, cultures, and ages to connect people and ideas. I hope these ideas have inspired you! If you try any of these projects, please feel free to share them on our Facebook or Twitter pages so they can inspire others!
Check back here next week for a new installment in the September series-Integrating Bullying Prevention Throughout the Classroom!
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At Laughing Leopard Press, books are one of our favorite forms of artistic expression. Our newest book, This is A. Blob, by L.A. Kefalos combines powerful text with vibrant illustrations to help children learn that bullies come in all shapes and sizes-- and there is usually more to people than meets the eye. The first in a series of picture books, This is A. Blob introduces young children to vital topics such as empathy, kindness, and differences. Find it on Amazon.com or right here on LaughingLeopardPress.com!
 | BOOK 2 NOW AVAILABLE! A. Blob is back, and this time it's on a bus! As the slimy bully pokes and pesters the children of Lincoln Elementary School, it seems like they will never be able to ride the bus in peace. That is, until one brave girl takes stand. Can one act of bravery change everything--including A. Blob? Find out in this second installment of The Blob Series! |
Now that it’s September, the school year has officially begun and Bullying Prevention Month is just around the corner! While all teachers know bullying prevention is important, many feel overwhelmed with the logistics of putting together and making time for a separate program. However, bullying prevention doesn’t have to be a huge production. In fact, it’s probably better if it’s not. When social skills are worked into the lessons already being taught, students are able to see that bullying prevention isn’t an activity done a couple times a year; it is a lifestyle and important enough to be included into everyday routines.
That is why we decided to create a month-long blog series all about easy ways to integrate bullying prevention into classroom activities you’re already doing. Each week of September, we will focus on a different area of the classroom and discuss lessons, activities, and books you can use to teach kids about bullying, kindness, and empathy while they also learn about science, math, and history.
Today we’re kicking things off with everyone’s favorite subject: Math. Math can be tricky under the best circumstances, so integrating a topic as complex as bullying education may seem impossible. However, with a little creativity, both subjects can work hand in hand to improve interest and understanding.
Today we’re kicking things off with everyone’s favorite subject: Math. Math can be tricky under the best circumstances, so integrating a topic as complex as bullying education may seem impossible. However, with a little creativity, both subjects can work hand in hand to improve interest and understanding.
Below are listed some core math skills and a few kindness and bullying activities to go along with them. The majority can be scaled up or down depending on the age and skill level of your students. Let us know if you try any of these activities in your classroom!
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Two of a Kind: Each student is given a shape to tape to their shirt. They must then locate the other student in the room with their same shape. Once they find their match, they sit down together. Go around the class and ask the students to identify their shape and say one kind thing about their shape buddy.
Two of a Kind: Each student is given a shape to tape to their shirt. They must then locate the other student in the room with their same shape. Once they find their match, they sit down together. Go around the class and ask the students to identify their shape and say one kind thing about their shape buddy.
For older students, have them count the sides and/or angles to the shape and then list the corresponding number of kind words for their partner.
This activity can be adapted to practice a number of other skills, such as identifying similar and congruent shapes, matching angles (one person has the word “acute” while someone else has a picture of an acute angle), or matching ratios to fractions.
Counting and Number Recognition
Kindness Jars: This is a twist on The Compliments Project, an incredible project of encouragement developed by a middle school teacher in New York. Begin by filling a jar with beads. The number will depend on the skill level of your students. Once a week (or more if you have the time), choose a student to be the student of honor. As a class, count the beads in the jar and have a student draw the number on the board.
Next, challenge students to write that number of kind things about the student of honor. Finally, bundle up the notes for the student to read later!
For students still mastering writing, have them raise their hands and say the compliments out loud while you write them down for the student of honor.
Another option is to have your students think of a corresponding number of random acts of kindness to do as a class that week.
| Counting on Kindness: Another fun way to practice counting is to put together treat bags for faculty members that work primarily behind the scenes, such as the janitors and the office staff. Choose a small, countable treat, such as mini tootsie rolls or caramels. Give each student a plastic baggie and instruct them to place a certain number of candies into the baggies. Include a note that says something such as “Thank you for all you do to make our school great! Enjoy these ___ candies from your friends in classroom 4!” Have each student write the correct number in the blank. If you have the time, walk the students around to deliver the treats in person so they can see the effect their kindness has on others. |  |
Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
A Message of Kindness: This is a fun idea adapted from a lesson created by the Oklahoma State Department of Education. Students must solve equations to read messages that review bullying prevention facts. The skill level of the students will determine the equations used.
Worksheet from http://sde.ok.gov/sde/sites/ok.gov.sde/files/say-goodbye-to-bullies.pdf
This activity can also be adapted to encourage kindness and build up student confidence. As the instructor, create an encouraging message for each student to decode. To take it a step further, challenge your students to do the same for one another. Give them a key and assign partners. Each student must then create an encouraging note for their partner using the code and building equations the partner must solve to read the message.
This activity can also be adapted to encourage kindness and build up student confidence. As the instructor, create an encouraging message for each student to decode. To take it a step further, challenge your students to do the same for one another. Give them a key and assign partners. Each student must then create an encouraging note for their partner using the code and building equations the partner must solve to read the message.
Fractions and Ratios
Fractions and ratios can seem abstract. Providing visual aids and real-world examples can help make these concepts more concrete. As a class, gather and report statistics on bullying. Then, use your class to help them visualize the results. For example, if 1 in 4 students are bullied, how many students in your classroom does that represent?
*Also see “Two of a Kind” activity above*
*Also see “Two of a Kind” activity above*
Charts and Graphing
Students can practice making charts and graphs using the information just gathered. They can also create diagrams on what type of people are bullied, who bullies, and how bullying has changed throughout the years.
| Charts and fractions can also help students understand how much they have in common with one another. Survey the class on topics such as favorite music and food, career goals, fears, hobbies, and anything else you want to compare. As a class or individually, have the students translate the survey data into fractions, ratios, charts, and graphs. At the end of the assignment, hold a discussion on what they learned about their classmates over the course of the project. |  |
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These activities do not cover each and every math skill, but I hope they gave you some new ideas and inspired you to begin searching for ways to integrate bullying prevention into your own classroom.
Stick with us through the rest of September to learn even more fun and easy ways to bring a little more kindness into each day!
Stick with us through the rest of September to learn even more fun and easy ways to bring a little more kindness into each day!
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 | Looking for a classroom resource to help introduce your students to concepts such as bullying, empathy, and differences? Check out This is A. Blob, by L.A. Kefalos. This is A. Blob is a masterfully illustrated picture book suitable for children ages 4-8. Written by Lori Kefalos, author of several award-nominated animated shorts, This is A. Blob is the first of a series following this bully. This first installment follows the antics of A. Blob, a slimy, purple, blob-like creature who wreaks havoc on the elementary school playground with its bullying ways. As the story progresses, however, readers learn that there might be more to A. Blob than meets the eye. Along with its powerful illustrations and rhymed verse for early readers, this story invites children to put themselves in the shoes of another. The book demonstrates that a bully can come in any shape, size, or color and encourages readers to consider why bullies behave the way they do – and start to consider what can be done to help. |
 | BOOK 2 NOW AVAILABLE! A. Blob is back, and this time it's on a bus! As the slimy bully pokes and pesters the children of Lincoln Elementary School, it seems like they will never be able to ride the bus in peace. That is, until one brave girl takes stand. Can one act of bravery change everything--including A. Blob? Find out in this second installment of The Blob Series! |
For years, discussions on bullying centered around two central figures: the victim and the bully. However, experts have now broadened their focus to include a third party: the bystander. A bystander can be defined as anyone who sees bullying occurring and does nothing to stop it. Though not directly involved in the situation, studies show that bystanders could potentially be the most powerful players of all. In fact, it’s been shown that over 50% of the time, bullying stops within 10 seconds of someone intervening. In light of this knowledge, more and more schools are working hard to train students to know when and how they should step in when they see someone being bullied.
For years, discussions on bullying centered around two central figures: the victim and the bully. However, experts have now broadened their focus to include a third party: the bystander. A bystander can be defined as anyone who sees bullying occurring and does nothing to stop it. Though not directly involved in the situation, studies show that bystanders could potentially be the most powerful players of all. In fact, it’s been shown that over 50% of the time, bullying stops within 10 seconds of someone intervening. In light of this knowledge, more and more schools are working hard to train students to know when and how they should step in when they see someone being bullied.
Sounds easy enough, right? It’s not. The phenomenon known as the bystander effect is an occurrence in which the more people that are present, the less likely individuals are to help someone in need. This effect was first brought into the limelight in the late 1960s after a woman was killed outside her apartment. When details of the murder emerged, people were horrified to learn that over 30 witnesses had been present at the time of the crime, yet not one responded to the woman’s cries for help. While it is easy to criticize these people, research reveals that such behavior is far from uncommon. What could possibly cause such callousness?
The causes of the bystander effect are deep and complex and only just beginning to be understood more fully. For many years, the cause of this effect was said to be diffusion of responsibility. People simply assumed that someone else would help. However, research is now suggesting there may be more to the story.
The causes of the bystander effect are deep and complex and only just beginning to be understood more fully. For many years, the cause of this effect was said to be diffusion of responsibility. People simply assumed that someone else would help. However, research is now suggesting there may be more to the story.
Interestingly, it is not diffusion of responsibility alone which leads to the bystander effect, but also the desire to not stand out. Studies showed that when researchers instructed one person to step up and aid the stranger in need, others quickly joined in. It wasn’t that these people didn’t want to help or that they were passing the buck (although I’m sure this was the case for some); they were either too embarrassed to step out, or unsure if they should. An article on VeryWell.com described this as the need to behave in correct and socially acceptable ways, stating, “When other observers fail to react, individuals often take this as a signal that a response is not needed or not appropriate.”
This is quite revealing for the issue of bullying amongst children. If we as adults care so much about what other people think that we will not reach out and help in an important situation, how much more will children, who are still learning who they are, care about what others think? How much more difficult will it be for them to stand out from the crowd?
This additional facet of the bystander effect tells us that we must approach the issue in a new way. We don’t need to keep telling kids bullying is wrong—they know that. We don’t need to keep telling them they should help others—they know that too. We need to get them from point A: knowing that they need to help, to point B: actually helping. How do we do this?
This additional facet of the bystander effect tells us that we must approach the issue in a new way. We don’t need to keep telling kids bullying is wrong—they know that. We don’t need to keep telling them they should help others—they know that too. We need to get them from point A: knowing that they need to help, to point B: actually helping. How do we do this?
First, we must help students recognize the problem. Students may know they don’t want to intervene when they see someone being bullied, but they may not be able to explain why. Sometimes it’s easier to recognize a behavior in someone else. Show students clips from the bystander effect studies. Talk about what happened and why it happened. Then, connect the situation to bullying. How are the scenarios the same? How are they different? How would the students have behaved if they were in the video? If they saw someone being bullied?
It’s important to remind the students that the point of this exercise is not to shame anyone, it is simply to become more aware of a problem, the role we play in that problem, and why, so together we can begin moving towards a solution.
Second, we must help students practice being upstanders. One reason people do not step in and help others is because they are not sure what to do or they forget in the heat of the moment. Give kids the skills they need to step in and then practice those skills until they become second nature. Be sure to provide multiple solutions to fit the different personalities of your students. Role play different scenarios and talk through any fears. The more we practice something, the less frightening it becomes.
Second, we must help students practice being upstanders. One reason people do not step in and help others is because they are not sure what to do or they forget in the heat of the moment. Give kids the skills they need to step in and then practice those skills until they become second nature. Be sure to provide multiple solutions to fit the different personalities of your students. Role play different scenarios and talk through any fears. The more we practice something, the less frightening it becomes.
Third, practice observance. It’s easy to become so absorbed in our own lives that we don’t even notice when those around us are in distress. Teach students the subtle signs of bullying and encourage them to be watchful for those in need.
Finally, provide examples of helpers. Many people do not step up out of fear of looking weird or awkward. Show your students that standing up for others makes them leaders, not losers.
The bystander effect reveals a harsh reality of human nature. However, it also reveals the potential for good inside everyone. While the people in the bystander studies did not help initially, they were quick to help as soon as someone else led the way. It just takes one person, one act of bravery, to inspire bravery and goodness in others. The bystander effect is real, but it is not insurmountable. With careful education and awareness, it is possible to turn bystanders into leaders that will change the world for the better.
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Want to take the learning further? Check out these picture books and their accompanying discussion guides, lesson plans, and crafts to spark discussion on the topics of bullying, bystanders, and helping others.
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 | A. Blob is back in A. Blob on a Bus, and it seems the sticky purple blob is back to its bullying ways. Will one small action change everything--even a bully? In this second installment of The Blob Series, readers will discover the power of one voice and the importance of standing up for those who can't. |
 | Books are excellent tools for helping children build empathy and become upstanders! This is A. Blob is a masterfully illustrated picture book suitable for children ages 4-8. Written by Lori Kefalos, author of several award-nominated animated shorts, This is A. Blob is the first of a series following this bully. This first installment follows the antics of A. Blob, a slimy, purple, blob-like creature who wreaks havoc on the elementary school playground with its bullying ways. As the story progresses, however, readers learn that there might be more to A. Blob than meets the eye. Along with its powerful illustrations and rhymed verse for early readers, this story invites children to put themselves in the shoes of another. The book demonstrates that a bully can come in any shape, size, or color and encourages readers to consider why bullies behave the way they do – and start to consider what can be done to help. |
Ahh summer!
 | The sun is shining and it’s finally warm enough to get outside and move those muscles! With options like biking, swimming, and walking, there are countless ways for everyone to get out and get moving! Just as important as physical health, is mental health—something often overlooked during summer vacation. Thankfully, summer is also the perfect time to exercise your mind. |
That is the theme for 2016’s National Summer Reading Program: Exercise Your Mind…READ! If you’ve never participated in a summer reading program, I would encourage you to do so (many libraries have programs for adults, as well as children!). Typically, patrons are awarded prizes, or the chance to win prizes, according to the number of books they read. Depending on the library, themed games, speakers, and activities are included, as well, all with the goal of encouraging people to continue the important activity of reading over the summer months.
And it is IMPORTANT activity. Did you know, studies show that reading is one of the greatest activities you can do for both your mental health AND your physical health. Reading can increase intelligence, improve memory, lower heart rate and stress, enhance communication skills, increase empathy, and even improve sleep. Spring-boarding off of this knowledge, many libraries have begun incorporating physical challenges, such as hiking a park trail after reading a book on nature, recognizing the importance of total body health and the need to get kids moving in an increasingly screen-driven world.
And it is IMPORTANT activity. Did you know, studies show that reading is one of the greatest activities you can do for both your mental health AND your physical health. Reading can increase intelligence, improve memory, lower heart rate and stress, enhance communication skills, increase empathy, and even improve sleep. Spring-boarding off of this knowledge, many libraries have begun incorporating physical challenges, such as hiking a park trail after reading a book on nature, recognizing the importance of total body health and the need to get kids moving in an increasingly screen-driven world.
There are number of fun activities children can do throughout the summer to exercise their minds and build vital social/emotional skills that will prepare them for the upcoming school year. In light of this, and in keeping with this year’s summer reading theme, we’ve created 5 fun, outdoor activities designed to exercise your body as well as your mind! Each activity is based on a book that discusses important topics such as bullying and kindness so you can reach your reading goal while also building social/emotional skills! Each activity can be done at home or in a group. All you need is a little outdoor space and a cozy spot to read!
1. Kindness Scavenger Hunt
In this book, a young boy commits a number of thoughtless acts, such as littering and interrupting. Each time, he is asked “what if everybody did that?” Illustrations work with the narrative to show the reader what such a world would be like. The story goes on to ask “what if everyone chose to make the world better?” This story helps children learn the power that their actions can have on others.
In this book, a young boy commits a number of thoughtless acts, such as littering and interrupting. Each time, he is asked “what if everybody did that?” Illustrations work with the narrative to show the reader what such a world would be like. The story goes on to ask “what if everyone chose to make the world better?” This story helps children learn the power that their actions can have on others.
| A kindness scavenger hunt is the perfect activity to help drive home the lessons of Javernick’s story! Begin the activity by giving everyone a list of random acts of kindness to complete. Depending on how many adults you have, these can be acts throughout the city, such as picking up trash in the park, or acts around the home, such as writing a kind note and leaving it for someone to find or completing someone else’s chore for them. If you have enough people, split into two teams and see who can complete their list first. |  |
Once each team has finished their list, ask the children how they felt completing their acts of kindness. Did it change the way the viewed the world and the people around them? What do they think the world would look like if everyone did just one item on the list every single day?
Once each team has finished their list, ask the children how they felt completing their acts of kindness. Did it change the way the viewed the world and the people around them? What do they think the world would look like if everyone did just one item on the list every single day?
2. Giant Dominoes
This book beautifully demonstrates the power of something as simple as a smile. A fun way to provide a visual of this ripple effect is to build a domino chain! If you want to add a fun summer touch, try using these giant yard dominos.
This book beautifully demonstrates the power of something as simple as a smile. A fun way to provide a visual of this ripple effect is to build a domino chain! If you want to add a fun summer touch, try using these giant yard dominos.
With your children, imagine a scenario such as “A girl trips in the middle of soccer practice”. Have the kids think of a mean response to the incident and a kind response. These become the two domino branches. On a sticky note, write how the reaction would make the girl feel. From here, continue to imagine scenarios that are connected to one another, like in the book, occasionally branching off to portray opposite reactions. Then comes the fun part—knocking the dominos down! At the end, read the very first scenario and the very last outcome for each path and discuss how small, seemingly isolated actions can have powerful and far reaching reactions—for good or bad.
3. Slime Search
This activity is a fun, outdoor twist on the This is A. Blob Slime Craft we have posted about in the past. In This is A. Blob, by L.A. Kefalos, readers are introduced to a unique character named A. Blob that wreaks havoc on the playground with its bullying ways. As the story progresses, however, we learn that there may be more to A. Blob than meets the eye.
This activity is a fun, outdoor twist on the This is A. Blob Slime Craft we have posted about in the past. In This is A. Blob, by L.A. Kefalos, readers are introduced to a unique character named A. Blob that wreaks havoc on the playground with its bullying ways. As the story progresses, however, we learn that there may be more to A. Blob than meets the eye.
To begin the activity, mix up two tubs of slime (Depending on how large your group is, I would recommend making 3-5 times more that this recipe suggests since this activity is a little different than the one for which the original recipe was created). I would also recommend using hot water and slightly less borax to help make the slime softer and slimier.
 Image via tpcraft.blogspot.com | Inside each tub, hide a few small items, toys, or even laminated words that together could provide a bit of insight into someone’s personality. For example, hide a Polly Pocket doll, a toy cake, a toy soccer ball, a pencil, a heart, and a puppy toy. Once found, the children will write a short description of the character: “A girl who loves to play soccer, bake, and write. She is kind hearted and loves puppies.” Let the kids get as creative as they want. What do they think the girl might want to be when she grows up? What does she like to write about? You can have teams race against one another, or simply have them complete the activity. |
Next, ask the children if the slime made it easier or more difficult to find out about the character. Explain that the slime represents all the assumptions, insecurities, and hardships that people carry around. These things can often hide who we truly are. That’s why it’s so important to take the time to look past our assumptions and take the time to really get to know people, just like we got to know A. Blob in the story.
4. Walk In My Shoes
In Stand In My Shoes, readers follow Emily as she learns the importance of empathy and seeing life through the eyes of others. In this activity, children have the opportunity to practice empathy through silly role play.
In Stand In My Shoes, readers follow Emily as she learns the importance of empathy and seeing life through the eyes of others. In this activity, children have the opportunity to practice empathy through silly role play.
Gather several pairs of shoes that will be big enough for everyone to put on. Assign a character to each pair of shoes. The characters can be made up, people in the group, or even favorite characters from T.V. or a movie. Write these names on pieces of paper and then put the papers in a hat or some other container. Next, create several scenarios that the children might experience in real life, such as getting ready for school, going to a new place with new people, or going shopping. Write these scenarios down and put them in a separate container. Now comes the fun part!
Each person will now choose a character to play. Next, choose a scenario from the second container. Now, everyone puts on the shoes of their character and acts out the scenario as their character. Play out the scene for about 5 minutes, then have everyone switch roles, making sure that they stay true to the character the first person created. After everyone has had the opportunity to play several characters, take some time to discuss what happened. How did changing shoes change the way they reacted to the situation? Did it change how they reacted to the first character they played? Did this activity make them think about situations in their own life any differently? What will they do the next time they are having a difficult interaction with someone, or see someone having a difficult time?
5. Fill Your Bucket Race
Have You Filled a Bucket Today? has inspired countless games and activities to help children learn the powerful impact our words and actions have on others. This activity takes it up a notch by adding a fun water element! In this game, children are divided into two groups. Each group has a bucket of water, Dixie cups, a chair, and a second, smaller bucket. One child on each team is chosen to sit in the chair. Next, the child’s team mates must say something kind about the child in the chair. Encourage them to choose specific compliments and encouragements that go deeper than “you have nice shoes”. With each compliment, they are allowed to put one cupful of water into the smaller bucket. The goal is to see which team can fill their bucket the fastest. Whichever team wins gets to dump the buckets of water on the other team. Do this several times so that every child has the opportunity to “get their bucket filled”.
Have You Filled a Bucket Today? has inspired countless games and activities to help children learn the powerful impact our words and actions have on others. This activity takes it up a notch by adding a fun water element! In this game, children are divided into two groups. Each group has a bucket of water, Dixie cups, a chair, and a second, smaller bucket. One child on each team is chosen to sit in the chair. Next, the child’s team mates must say something kind about the child in the chair. Encourage them to choose specific compliments and encouragements that go deeper than “you have nice shoes”. With each compliment, they are allowed to put one cupful of water into the smaller bucket. The goal is to see which team can fill their bucket the fastest. Whichever team wins gets to dump the buckets of water on the other team. Do this several times so that every child has the opportunity to “get their bucket filled”.
Image found on FamilyCorner.com
After the activity, talk about how the compliments made each child feel, as well as how they felt giving the compliments. How can they fill the buckets of others each day in the future?
After the activity, talk about how the compliments made each child feel, as well as how they felt giving the compliments. How can they fill the buckets of others each day in the future?
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What books and activities will keep you busy this summer? Let us know in the comments!
 |  |  |
This is A. Blob is a masterfully illustrated picture book suitable for children ages 4-8. Written by Lori Kefalos, author of several animated shorts, including “Who’s that Knocking,” “Chug,” and “Croc, Pots and Wildebeests,” which was nominated for Best Independent Short Short, Ages 5-8, at the 2009 Kid’s First Film Festival and for best short at The Los Angeles Women’s International Film Festival, This is A. Blob is the first of a series following this bully.
This first installment follows the antics of A. Blob, a slimy, purple, blob-like creature who wreaks havoc on the elementary school playground with its bullying ways. As the story progresses, however, readers learn that A. Blob may have more than meets the eye.
Along with its powerful illustrations and rhymed verse for early readers, this story invites children to put themselves in the shoes of another. The book encourages readers to consider why bullies behave the way they do – and start to consider what can be done to help.
This first installment follows the antics of A. Blob, a slimy, purple, blob-like creature who wreaks havoc on the elementary school playground with its bullying ways. As the story progresses, however, readers learn that A. Blob may have more than meets the eye.
Along with its powerful illustrations and rhymed verse for early readers, this story invites children to put themselves in the shoes of another. The book encourages readers to consider why bullies behave the way they do – and start to consider what can be done to help.
 | BOOK 2 NOW AVAILABLE! A. Blob is back, and this time it's on a bus! As the slimy bully pokes and pesters the children of Lincoln Elementary School, it seems like they will never be able to ride the bus in peace. That is, until one brave girl takes stand. Can one act of bravery change everything--including A. Blob? Find out in this second installment of The Blob Series! |
School is finally out!! No more tests! No more studying! No more homework!...but what about bullies? As much as we would like to believe bullies get locked away with the stacks of history books, it simply isn’t true. Bullying can occur at any location and at any time of the year, even during these blissful summer months.
School is finally out!! No more tests! No more studying! No more homework!...but what about bullies? As much as we would like to believe bullies get locked away with the stacks of history books, it simply isn’t true. Bullying can occur at any location and at any time of the year, even during these blissful summer months.
In fact, outside of school, away from the supervision and protocol of the classroom, bullying can actually increase. This is especially true when children go away to summer camps where they are often forced to deal with difficult situations alone.
This isn’t fun to think about, but taking some time now to prepare can ensure a smooth summer and an even a better school year in the fall. Here are some points to consider as you head into your summer vacation:
This isn’t fun to think about, but taking some time now to prepare can ensure a smooth summer and an even a better school year in the fall. Here are some points to consider as you head into your summer vacation:
Where is bullying likely to occur?
| Take some time to compile a list of places your child will go this summer where he or she may be confronted with a bullying situation, such as the park, the pool, camp, or a sport’s practice. Talk about what those situations might look like and how your child would respond. Keep it light and conversational. The goal isn’t to scare the child and make it so he or she doesn’t want to participate in any activity; it is simply to prepare them for any situation that may arise. |  |
Keep up with your child as they participate in their summer activities, asking them questions and monitoring their attitude. If they suddenly seem disinterested in an activity they previously enjoyed, have less and less to say about their day, or talk often of quitting, do a little digging. These could all be signs that something isn’t quite right.
Establish Trusted Adults
This tip was suggested in an article on the website stopitcyberbully.com. Discuss with your child who will be in charge where they are going and who amongst that group they can trust if they need help. This is an especially important step for young children who may have more difficulty identifying the person in charge or having the confidence to approach someone they don’t know.
Again, the goal is to prepare your child, not frighten them. So, instead of saying “If someone teases you or steals your things at camp, tell your camp counselor” you could say “If you ever need help, remember, your camp counselor, Cindy, in there to help you with whatever you need. Her job is to make sure you stay safe and happy, just like your teacher at school!”
Again, the goal is to prepare your child, not frighten them. So, instead of saying “If someone teases you or steals your things at camp, tell your camp counselor” you could say “If you ever need help, remember, your camp counselor, Cindy, in there to help you with whatever you need. Her job is to make sure you stay safe and happy, just like your teacher at school!”
On your end, take a little time to establish a relationship with these adults, as well. If you’re able, volunteer to help out. This is the best way to get a front row view of the true dynamics of the group. However, many aren’t able to volunteer, and that’s ok! Again, this doesn’t have to be anything too intense. Simply introduce yourself, exchange contact information, and check in every now and then to see how everything is going.
On your end, take a little time to establish a relationship with these adults, as well. If you’re able, volunteer to help out. This is the best way to get a front row view of the true dynamics of the group. However, many aren’t able to volunteer, and that’s ok! Again, this doesn’t have to be anything too intense. Simply introduce yourself, exchange contact information, and check in every now and then to see how everything is going.
Gossip
It seems that gossip is one of the more frequent forms of bullying over summer vacation. Perhaps this is because people who gossip do so to make themselves feel better and summer often involves new, scary situations where kids need to make fast friends. Or, perhaps, it’s because the mystique of not seeing each other every day leaves things ripe for false stories. Whatever the reason, summer camps and sports teams always seem to teem with gossip. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to know how to handle the situation since gossip is difficult to confirm, but can do an enormous amount of damage in a short span of time.
Find out where it is coming from and why
Figuring out who started the rumor may shed some light on why it is happening. Was the rumor meant to hurt your child or is it just a case of misinformation? Is the person gossiping or spreading rumors intent on ostracizing your child and getting others to turn against her? This information is important to know before your child reacts to the rumor. For instance, it is easier to clear up a case of misinformation than it is to respond to relational aggression.
Turn to a trusted adult for support
Talk to someone you can confide in, like a parent, teacher, school counselor, or coach. Let that person know what you're going through. Keep him or her up to date on what's going on, even as things start to get better. A trusted adult confidante can help you feel more supported and less alone. Plus, adults can take steps to put a stop to the rumors and gossip
Speak up
| Consider speaking to the person who's spreading rumors. If you can, approach her. Calmly say something like, "I know we don't get along. You don't have to like me, but you need to stop spreading rumors about me and talking behind my back." Don't be angry or mean. Avoid yelling. Just say what you want calmly, clearly, assertively, and maturely. After you've said what you want, you can simply walk away. There's no need to wait for her to say anything back. Leave her to think about what you said. |
Before you try talking to the person, though, talk with an adult about what to say and how to approach her. Every situation is different, and you want to make sure things don't turn into more meanness, yelling, or fighting. It can also help to have a friend stand with you when you talk to the girl.
Resist the urge to react or get revenge
When people are mean, it is hard not to feel overwhelmed and react in negative ways. As with other types of bullying, it makes it worse when kids reward a bully’s efforts by getting visibly upset. It is also tempting for kids to respond in kind with rumors or gossip of their own. Encourage your child not to seek revenge but to take the high road instead.
Don’t pass on gossip if you hear it. Make sure it stops with you
Stress with your child the importance of being mindful of the information they themselves spread about others, as well as themselves. Friends are not always as tight-lipped as they may have promised to be and facts can easily become distorted. Though simple, sometimes the age old “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all” policy is the best to follow.
Responding to other types of bullying
Be sure to talk through what your child would do if they were in any position of a bullying scenario (bully, victim, bystander). Depending on your child, different preparations will fit better than others. For example, perhaps your child is very outgoing, social, and popular. He may not be a target of bullying at all, however, he should still be prepared for what to do if he sees someone being mistreated. How would he respond? Is there a way his popularity could help him help someone else? It should never be one child’s full responsibility to control a situation; however, some children have more influence over others and are able to utilize that influence for the better.
Remind your child that respect is always a necessity, even when school isn’t in session. People can still get hurt and angry and sad outside the classroom.
Fun preparation games
Learning doesn’t have to be boring! In fact, summer offers a multitude of opportunities for building valuable social skills such as empathy and teamwork. Here are a few of our favorites:
Empathy:
Sometimes the best way to understand another person is to actually step into their shoes. This blog offers some simple role play activities that can help children get a small taste of what it feels like to live with a disability, have an injury, or go hungry. This idea can be expanded to explore any perspective of your choice.
Sometimes the best way to understand another person is to actually step into their shoes. This blog offers some simple role play activities that can help children get a small taste of what it feels like to live with a disability, have an injury, or go hungry. This idea can be expanded to explore any perspective of your choice.
| Teamwork: The internet is filled with team building activities for all ages. This website lists a few that are both fun and inexpensive. |  |
Perspective:
This activity is great for helping kids of all ages put themselves—literally—in the shoes of another. The activity can be tailored to fit the needs of your particular group.
Picture found on corneroncharacter.blogspot.com
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Summer should be a time of fun, joy, and making memories, and, with a little preparation, it will be! We hope these tips have been helpful and that the only thing you that bugs your kids this summer, are the bugs!
Has bullying ever clouded up your sunny summer fun? Let us know how you handled it in the comments below.
 | |  |
 | BOOK 2 NOW AVAILABLE! A. Blob is back, and this time it's on a bus! As the slimy bully pokes and pesters the children of Lincoln Elementary School, it seems like they will never be able to ride the bus in peace. That is, until one brave girl takes stand. Can one act of bravery change everything--including A. Blob? Find out in this second installment of The Blob Series! |
 | Looking for your next summer read? Check out This is A. Blob by L.A. Kefalos! This beautifully illustrated picture book introduces children to issues such as bullying, differences, and empathy using easy to read rhyming text. Join the sticky, purple "A. Blob" on a journey of learning that there is usually more to someone than first meets the eye... |
Making A. Blob Slime!
Last week, I shared about my visit to an elementary school and the incredible conversations that were sparked by reading the picture book, This is A. Blob, by L.A. Kefalos. This week, I will be sharing about the slime craft we did and the lessons we were able to learn as we created.
Last week, I shared about my visit to an elementary school and the incredible conversations that were sparked by reading the picture book, This is A. Blob, by L.A. Kefalos. This week, I will be sharing about the slime craft we did and the lessons we were able to learn as we created.
I have posted about the A. Blob Slime Craft in previous blogs. It’s such a fun craft with a perfect connection to the slimy A. Blob of the book that I knew I just had to do the craft with the students.
I have posted about the A. Blob Slime Craft in previous blogs. It’s such a fun craft with a perfect connection to the slimy A. Blob of the book that I knew I just had to do the craft with the students.
First, I brought out all the slime-making materials, set them in front of the students, and asked if we had slime yet. After looking at me like I was a crazy person, they gave a puzzled “no”. Of course we didn’t have slime yet. The ingredients need to be mixed together and then they will become slime.
Similarly, a mean word here or an exclusion there doesn’t,at first, seem like that big of a deal. However, those words, like the slime ingredients, add up and react with one another. They stick with people and burden them down, staying in hearts and minds long after they’ve been said.
Similarly, a mean word here or an exclusion there doesn’t,at first, seem like that big of a deal. However, those words, like the slime ingredients, add up and react with one another. They stick with people and burden them down, staying in hearts and minds long after they’ve been said.
I asked the students if they remembered something kind someone had said to them. A simple “yes” or a “no” was all I expected, but the students' faces lit up immediately as they raised their hands, dying to tell the class the compliment or act of kindness they had received. The answers ranged far and wide, from physical compliments, to befriending someone on their first day at a new school, to a simple “I love you” from a parent. Even children who had been moody or had come in with a bad attitude softened as they remembered a kind word and shared that bit of confidence with the class.
I asked the students if they remembered something kind someone had said to them. A simple “yes” or a “no” was all I expected, but the students' faces lit up immediately as they raised their hands, dying to tell the class the compliment or act of kindness they had received. The answers ranged far and wide, from physical compliments, to befriending someone on their first day at a new school, to a simple “I love you” from a parent. Even children who had been moody or had come in with a bad attitude softened as they remembered a kind word and shared that bit of confidence with the class.
The first time I did this lesson with students, I asked them to recall something mean someone had said or done to illustrate how those unkind actions can stick with us. However, I found that asking them to remember words of kindness had a far greater impact. Not only did it open the students up, it provided a good example of why and how we should act with kindness. Children are told over and over to not be mean, but how often are they reminded to be kind? Sometimes, showing kids what to do is just as important as telling them what not to do.
The first time I did this lesson with students, I asked them to recall something mean someone had said or done to illustrate how those unkind actions can stick with us. However, I found that asking them to remember words of kindness had a far greater impact. Not only did it open the students up, it provided a good example of why and how we should act with kindness. Children are told over and over to not be mean, but how often are they reminded to be kind? Sometimes, showing kids what to do is just as important as telling them what not to do.
Next, we mixed the ingredients. The students LOVED watching the purple water/glue mixture magically become a blob as the borax was added. Once the blob was mixed up, the librarian and I divided it into equal parts and allowed the students to take it back to their tables to play. It was such fun watching them get creative with their slime! In this day and age, children spend so much of their time behind computers, taking tests, or filling out worksheets. Giving them the opportunity to use their imaginations, get a little messy, and have fun was a true joy.
In more than one class, one student would try to snag another student’s slime or would say something unkind to another as they played. Just as I or the librarian would be about to step in, another student would say “We JUST talked about being kind and not bullying! Be kind!” Through a picture book and a simple craft, these children were learning the importance of kindness.
In more than one class, one student would try to snag another student’s slime or would say something unkind to another as they played. Just as I or the librarian would be about to step in, another student would say “We JUST talked about being kind and not bullying! Be kind!” Through a picture book and a simple craft, these children were learning the importance of kindness.
Before the students left, I sent them home with a simple reminder “Like A. Blob, your words will stick—kind or mean. Chose them wisely!” I also challenged each of them to do one extra thing that day to show kindness.
Before the students left, I sent them home with a simple reminder “Like A. Blob, your words will stick—kind or mean. Chose them wisely!” I also challenged each of them to do one extra thing that day to show kindness.
I leave you now with the same challenge.
Do you have a fun way of teaching kids about kindness? Let us know about it in the comments below!
For full directions on how to make your own A. Blob Slime, check out our previous post, This is A. Blob SLIME Craft! Kids learn how bullying can become a big, slimy blob!
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This is A. Blob is a masterfully illustrated picture book suitable for children ages 4-8. Written by Lori Kefalos, author of several animated shorts, including “Who’s that Knocking,” “Chug,” and “Croc, Pots and Wildebeests,” which was nominated for Best Independent Short Short, Ages 5-8, at the 2009 Kid’s First Film Festival and for best short at The Los Angeles Women’s International Film Festival, This is A. Blob is the first of a series following this bully.
This first installment follows the antics of A. Blob, a slimy, purple, blob-like creature who wreaks havoc on the elementary school playground with its bullying ways. As the story progresses, however, readers learn that A. Blob may have more than meets the eye.
Along with its powerful illustrations and rhymed verse for early readers, this story invites children to put themselves in the shoes of another. The book encourages readers to consider why bullies behave the way they do – and start to consider what can be done to help.
This first installment follows the antics of A. Blob, a slimy, purple, blob-like creature who wreaks havoc on the elementary school playground with its bullying ways. As the story progresses, however, readers learn that A. Blob may have more than meets the eye.
Along with its powerful illustrations and rhymed verse for early readers, this story invites children to put themselves in the shoes of another. The book encourages readers to consider why bullies behave the way they do – and start to consider what can be done to help.
 | BOOK 2 NOW AVAILABLE! A. Blob is back, and this time it's on a bus! As the slimy bully pokes and pesters the children of Lincoln Elementary School, it seems like they will never be able to ride the bus in peace. That is, until one brave girl takes stand. Can one act of bravery change everything--including A. Blob? Find out in this second installment of The Blob Series! |
“Do something now that will make the person you are tomorrow proud to be the person you are today”
Have you ever looked back on a situation and been embarrassed by the way you reacted? Perhaps you were hurt or angry or caught off guard by something someone said or did. Whatever the reason, in the heat of the moment, you responded in a way that ended up hurting you and possibly others. I know I have found myself in this situation on more than one occasion. The truth is, when emotions run high and things happen unexpectedly, it can be difficult to remember to act with kindness and empathy.
In school, and even at work, we practice and prepare for emergency situations such as fires and tornadoes. Each month we rehearse exactly what we will hear, see, and smell, learning the best way to move and act in order to keep ourselves and others calm and safe. As a result, by the end of the school year, even a kindergartner is able to calmly line up and exit the building without panic when she hears the fire alarm sound. She has heard it before and knows just what to do.
Unfortunately, the same sort of regular drilling is not in place for social scenarios such as bullying. Children are taught that bullying is wrong and are even given guidelines as to what they should say and do. However, as we have all experienced, real life situations do not always go as expected. People can be caught off guard, emotions can take over, and when everything is said and done, everyone has acted in a way they wish they hadn’t.
So, how can we “drill” for bullying? The same way we drill for other harmful scenarios. Below, I have taken steps from the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA), as well as from several mom bloggers, including The Survival Mom, who specializes in emergency prep for kids, and tailored them to help prepare children for bullying scenarios. Here are a few basic steps to begin creating your Bullying Preparedness Plan:
Step 1. Education
Few things are as frightening as the unknown. When we don’t expect or understand something, our imaginations can go wild, causing our fear to build and build. The best way to combat fear is through education. The more we know and understand something, including bullying, the less scary it becomes. This first step includes education on several different subjects:
- What is the dangerous scenario (fire, tornado, bullying)?
- Why is the scenario dangerous?
- What should you do if you find yourself in such a scenario?
- How can you prevent such a scenario from happening?
- What measures are already in place to keep everyone safe?
Bullying can take many different forms from cyber bullying, to exclusion, to verbal abuse, to physical harm. It’s important that students are able to recognize the subtleties of bullying and identify the differences between bullying and teasing. Stopbullying.gov offers some helpful definitions and examples of different types of bullying and how to identify them.
| It’s also important that children understand why bullying is something to be taken very seriously. Just as we teach them about the damage that can be caused by fire, smoke inhalation, tornados, and other disasters, it’s vital that they learn about the short and long term effects of bullying, understanding that the consequences can be life changing—or even life threatening. Once we teach children how fires can be dangerous, we let them know that they don’t need to be afraid, they need to be prepared. In fire safety courses, firefighters and teachers address the various things that students may come across that could cause them to be afraid in an emergency situation, such as smoke, loud alarms, flames, falling items, and even firefighters dressed in big suits and masks. |  |
It’s equally important to address the frightening things children will come across in bullying scenarios, such as being bullied themselves if they speak up, being physically hurt, being embarrassed, freezing up, or being ostracized. Have an open discussion with your students about their fears; you may be surprised at what’s going on in their heads. Let them know that these are valid fears, but they can learn practices that will make these situations not so scary.
Be sure to discuss all the different sides of bullying: being the bully, getting bullied, and being a bystander. It’s important that children learn about the causes of each of these positions and what to do if they find themselves in any one of these three roles. Blogger, Glennon, of the blog Momastery.com, talked about how easy it is to freeze up and say the wrong thing in a difficult situation, especially when we fear embarrassment. Together with her son, she created some ready-made responses to tricky social situations that matched up with his personality. No kid wants to say something that sounds like it came out of teacher’s handbook. Help your students come up with responses to various bullying scenarios that sound natural and work with their personalities so that they’ll feel comfortable using them when the time comes.
Photo by Shelly Shott
Finally, discuss with your students what measures are already in place to keep them safe. It’s important they know that, while it’s important to know about and be prepared for bullying, there are processes and people already working hard every day to make sure that bullying never happens in the first place. Be sure to let them know they are not alone and that teachers are always looking out for their health and safety. The goal of education is to remove as much fear as possible to keep kids safe and happy—not to create fear or panic.
Step 2. Guided Practice
Now that your students have been told what to do in a bullying scenario, it’s important that they actually practice doing it. Professionals say students should know the sound of the fire alarm and how to respond instinctively, wherever they are in the building, even if they are alone. They recommend visiting other parts of the school and practicing what to do if they are at these locations when the alarm sounds.
Similarly, when practicing bullying scenarios, be sure to practice in several different locations using several different scenarios and responses. Practice situations where there is a big group of kids, situations that are one on one, situations where the people involved are friends, and some where they are strangers. This is the time to talk the students through what is happening and how to respond. Let them try on their own, encourage what they’re doing right, and correct what they are doing wrong.
Step 3. Surprise Practice
Panic can easily and quickly set in when we are surprised. It’s important that children learn what it feels like to be frightened and embarrassed and all the other feelings that can arise in a bullying scenario so they learn how to work through those feelings and do the right thing. When I was in elementary school, my heart would beat wildly and my legs would shake with fear every time the fire alarm sounded. While I knew fire drills occurred regularly, when one came there was always the thought “it might be real this time!” However, over the course of many drills, I learned how to calm myself down. I learned that even if the emergency was real, I had practiced for it and I knew how to stay safe, whether I was in the classroom, the cafeteria, or even alone in the bathroom. I wouldn’t have learned how to do this without the element of surprise.
Every now and then, throw a bullying scenario into what you’re already doing. If the class is working math problems at the board, role play what would happen if one student got the answer wrong and some other students started mocking him for it.. What if the bullying continued at recess? What if the teacher left the room and that’s when the bullying started? What would they do? Why do they think the bully called out the student for getting the answer wrong? Put yourself in different roles and let the students explore what they would say and do when placed in different positions. Try not to interfere other than playing your role and see how your students react on their own.
In their emergency preparedness guide, FEMA emphasizes the importance of making sure your child always knows at least two ways out of the house in case one escape route is blocked. The same can be applied to a bullying scenario. It’s very possible that one method of confronting bullying will not work, so it’s important to prepare children for this possibility. Things rarely go according to plan and it’s vital that kids practice what it feels like to be caught off guard or to try something and have it not work.
In their emergency preparedness guide, FEMA emphasizes the importance of making sure your child always knows at least two ways out of the house in case one escape route is blocked. The same can be applied to a bullying scenario. It’s very possible that one method of confronting bullying will not work, so it’s important to prepare children for this possibility. Things rarely go according to plan and it’s vital that kids practice what it feels like to be caught off guard or to try something and have it not work.
This drill doesn’t need to take much time. Some fire drills are as short as 5 minutes. Practice and repetition are what count.
Step 4. Review
The final step is review. After each drill, it’s important to have an open discussion about what occurred. What did the students feel they did well? What could they have done better? What kind of thoughts and emotions went though their head?
***
Will these drills take time? Yes. Will they be worth it? Absolutely. We spend so much time preparing our children for emergencies, but we fail to prepare them for the social interactions that they will face far more often. The reality is that social issues, such as bullying, drugs, and alcohol are responsible for many more deaths each year than any natural disaster and our kids will face them far more often. Let’s make sure they’re prepared.
Would you try bullying drills in your home or classroom? What other ways have you prepared your children to face bullying? Let us know in the comments.
 |  |  |
 | Looking for a tool to help educate your students about bullying? This is A. Blob is a masterfully illustrated picture book suitable for children ages 4-8. Written by Lori Kefalos, author of several award-nominated animated shorts, This is A. Blob is the first of a series following this bully. This first installment follows the antics of A. Blob, a slimy, purple, blob-like creature who wreaks havoc on the elementary school playground with its bullying ways. As the story progresses, however, readers learn that there might be more to A. Blob than meets the eye. Along with its powerful illustrations and rhymed verse for early readers, this story invites children to put themselves in the shoes of another. The book demonstrates that a bully can come in any shape, size, or color and encourages readers to consider why bullies behave the way they do – and start to consider what can be done to help. |
 | BOOK 2 NOW AVAILABLE! A. Blob is back, and this time it's on a bus! As the slimy bully pokes and pesters the children of Lincoln Elementary School, it seems like they will never be able to ride the bus in peace. That is, until one brave girl takes stand. Can one act of bravery change everything--including A. Blob? Find out in this second installment of The Blob Series! |
About Laughing Leopard Press
Hello! We are Laughing Leopard Press, an independent book publisher from Akron, Ohio. At Laughing Leopard Press, we’re interested in publishing works that contribute to our understanding of this wonderful world. Through this blog, we hope to add to that understanding with commentary on life, literature, and a few things in between. We hope you enjoy the blog and take some time to talk with us in the comments or on our social media sites. Happy reading!
For some more great reading, check out our latest release, This is A. Blob by L. A Kefalos. This is A. Blob is a picture book that deals with the sticky issue of bullying through an unlikely character that is a bit sticky itself! As readers follow the antics of A. Blob, they learn to put themselves in the shoes of another and discover there may be more to this bully than meets the eye…
This is A. Blob by L. A Kefalos. $14.95
$1.00 is donated to charity for each book sold on this site--half to St. Jude's and the other half to PetFix Northeast Ohio.
$1.00 is donated to charity for each book sold on this site--half to St. Jude's and the other half to PetFix Northeast Ohio.
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