September Series: Integrating Bullying Prevention Part I: Math

​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.
​

​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!
​
​

​Shapes and Geometry
​

​
​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. 

​

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*
​

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.

***

​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!

---

---

​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!