 It’s easy to label people; He’s a nerd, she’s smart, he’s dumb, he’s nice, she’s a bully, etc. Labeling helps us simplify an often complex world and creates a sense of safety and belonging for those who can’t find it anywhere else. Unfortunately, far from solving the problem, such behavior often makes it much worse. When we label others and try to put them into boxes, we lose so much of what makes them, them. We miss out. And we send the message that they will never be anything else, for better or worse.
Begin the activity by reading through This is A. Blob. Talk about what can be learned about the main character through the story. Were there any surprises? How would it change the story if other children in the book knew about A. Blob’s secret? Can they think of a few people in their own life about whom they have made assumptions? Have others made assumptions about them? What did this mean for their relationships and the way they treated others and themselves? Following discussion, give each student a piece of lined paper with a space to draw a picture (download templates here). Instruct them to write about something that most other students don’t know about them and include a picture (it can be hand-drawn or pasted in). For example, are they a great big brother? Do they take dance classes? Do they love cooking special dishes with their grandmother? Be sure to note that this should be something they are comfortable sharing and shouldn’t be anything too personal.
Next, give each student a cartoon person to color and design to resemble themselves (download template here). Finally, cut the picture in half and glue the edges to the written stories to make two flaps. If you have the time, allow students to present their projects to the class. Following presentations, have students either write or discuss what they learned and how or if it changed the way they viewed their peers. Will this change the way they approach other relationships?
It’s easy to label people. Getting to know people takes time and vulnerability. It takes patience and the willingness to admit you were wrong sometimes. However, it is the first big step in resolving a multitude of issues such as prejudice and bullying. Once we learn all the things about each other that are different than we thought, the more we can begin to discover all the things that are the same. I hope you enjoy this activity and it helps bring your classroom closer together. What are some fun things about yourself that not many people know? Share 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 and encourages readers to consider why bullies behave the way they do – and start to consider what can be done to help.
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 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! _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________  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 and encourages readers to consider why bullies behave the way they do – and start to consider what can be done to help.  As an exercise, pause right now and think about everything you’ve done today that required reading. Did check your email when you woke up? What about locate the correct aisle in the grocery store? Find the right exit on your way to Thanksgiving dinner? What about simply scrolling through your Facebook feed? Everyday tasks such as grocery shopping, navigating, and even taking in entertainment are made possible largely as a result of the ability to read, yet it is a skill we often take for granted.
Reading organizes and streamlines our lives; As a result of reading, we can decipher directions to put together furniture and read the instructions of our prescriptions. Reading allows us to make informed choices, to learn new skills, and keep in touch with loved ones. Plus, it’s fun. Unfortunately, 1 in 5 people worldwide are cut off from these privileges because they cannot read or write. This number does not even include those living in a country in which they do not speak the language. Not only does this mean that those who cannot read are not able to do or benefit from all of the above activities, it also means they cannot inform themselves on important topics, often putting them at the mercy of those with more education.  The true cost of illiteracy is staggering. Those who cannot read or write will have difficulty finding employment, which means they will likely struggle with finances, finding adequate healthcare, and a host of other necessities. According to an article by Central Georgia Tech College, low literacy in adulthood can be connected to almost every socio-economic issue in the United States:
Voting, getting a driver’s license, or finding a good doctor all become difficult, if not impossible tasks without the ability to read and comprehend. All because of one small skill that most of us use every day without thinking. THANKFULLY, there are those out there who are doing something to solve this problem. Individuals and organizations throughout the world have dedicated themselves to the mission of ending illiteracy and instilling mastery and a love of reading in both young and old. There are a multitude of ways that you can join in these efforts. We have outlined a few of the larger organizations that are leading this mission below if you would like to join in their work. However, you can help improve literacy without ever spending a penny or even leaving your own city! Here’s how:
2. Talk about what you’ve read: Just as important as the ability to read is the ability to comprehend what has been read. When you read with someone, carry it beyond the page. Restate the story in your own words and ask others to do the same. Ask questions such as: What are the motives of the characters? What would happen if the story where to continue or if a plot point were to change? What were the themes and messages to the story? Not only do these actions build comprehension skills, they build social skills such as empathy, listening, and the ability to respectfully discuss ideas. 3. Volunteer: Whether you like working with children or adults, there is sure to be an opportunity to help build literacy in your community. Check out your local Boys and Girls Club, YMCA, library, shelters, and centers for English Language Learners. Many of these organizations are in need of people to read, tutor, or even teach courses.
If you would rather join in with already-established organizations, here are a few that are working hard each day to build literacy around the globe: World Literacy Foundation- The World Literacy Foundation is working in partnership with 3,920 groups internationally across 25 countries, including Australia, UK, USA, and others in Africa and Latin America, with one common goal: to eradicate illiteracy in our lifetime. Through literacy, they aim to reduce poverty, improve health, increase employment and educational prospects, and see lives changed forever. Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy-The mission of the Barbara Bush Foundation is to advocate for and establish literacy as a value in every home. Over the past 25 years, the Barbara Bush Foundation has sponsored 1,500 family literacy programs in 50 states for both children and adults by partnering with a network of high-performing local family literacy programs across the nation.  Picture via http://barbarabush.org/ National Coalition for Literacy- A national coalition of the leading national and regional organizations dedicated to advancing adult education, family literacy, and English language acquisition in the U.S. They exist to help advocates, leaders, and others who care about literacy make a positive difference advocating for adult education and family literacy. ProLiteracy- The largest adult literacy and basic education membership organization in the nation, believes that a safer, stronger, and more sustainable society starts with an educated adult population. For more than 60 years, ProLiteracy has been working across the globe to create a world where every person can read and write. They support 1,000 member programs in the U.S. and 25 countries worldwide that provide adult literacy instruction, advocate for awareness, funding, and support for a more literate society, provide professional development to increase the capacity and quality of adult literacy programs, and produce more than 400 print and digital instructional tools for tutors and students. These are just a few of the many literacy programs for children and adults across the nation with which you can get involved. To find a program operating near you, click on the organization links above.  The ability to read and write can quite literally change someone’s life. It is knowledge, freedom, and joy. This Thanksgiving, we are thankful for books, the ability to read and create them, and for all those who are working tirelessly to ensure that number grows each day! We hope you are having a wonderful holiday—now go read a book, because you can!! HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________  Like literacy, the key to solving bullying is to begin while children are young. This is A. Blob, a tale of a slimy, purple, blob-like creature that wreaks havoc on the playground with its bullying ways, was designed specifically with young readers in mind. With its rhyming text and vibrant illustrations, this 10-page picture book and its sticky purple star are sure to capture the hearts of even the earliest readers. Written by Lori Kefalos, author of several animated shorts, This is A. Blob is the first of a series following this bully.
This first installment follows the antics of A. Blob, as it pushes, slimes, and bullies other children. As the story progresses, however, readers learn that there may be more to A. Blob than meets the eye. Along with its powerful illustrations and rhymed verse for early readers, this book invites children to put themselves in the shoes of another and encourages readers to consider why bullies behave the way they do – and start to consider what can be done to help.   “We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.” ― Abraham Lincoln I was reminded of this quote by our 16th President as I attempted to complete the poetry challenge set forth in last week’s blog. Trying to gain some inspiration, I read several poems written in the same forwards-backwards style of the challenge and I was struck with just how much a simple change of perspective can alter our outlook and attitude entirely.
Instead of viewing the world in black and white, we must allow ourselves to see in radiant Technicolor. Some might view such thinking as little more than a way to let bad behavior go unpunished; however, I would disagree. Taking the time to see things from someone else’s perspective is, instead, a way to let good behavior find its way out. It is a way to cut bad behavior off at its source. Looking for the positive doesn’t dismiss the negative; it simply doesn’t allow it to take control. We can’t make every person and every bad situation better, but we can choose not to despair. This challenge was a stretch for me, but I’m so glad to have taken it on. Not only did it stretch and sharpen my skills as a writer, it reminded me to slow down, step back, and look for a new perspective. I hope it has done the same for you! So, without further ado, here is my forwards-backwards poem:
*** Let us know what you thought of the poem in the comments below. If any of you have taken up the challenge, please feel free to share your work, as well! _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________  This is A. Blob is a masterfully illustrated picture book suitable for children ages 4-8. This first installment in a series 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.
  November is National Novel Writing Month. In addition to celebrating writers, National Novel Writing Month (or NaNoWriMo as it is referred to by some), extends a challenge to writers of all ages and experience levels to write a 50,000 word novel by 11:59pm on November 30. Throughout the event's 17 years of existence, participants have ranged from elementary students all the way up to seasoned authors such as Sara Gruen, author of Water For Elephants, and Rainbow Rowell, author of FanGirl. In fact, several New York Times Best Sellers began as projects for National Novel Writing Month.
In addition to bringing awareness to the art of novel writing, NaNoWriMo is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that offers several programs to encourage and aid both budding and experienced writers. Prep resources, writing locations, and writing parties are all built into the month’s celebrations. The organization even has a virtual writing retreat that provides community and resources to participants. You can read more on the National Novel Writing Month website. In the spirit of National Novel Writing Month, I thought it would be fun to take on and extend a challenge to all of you! A writing friend shared this challenge and I would now like to extend it to you: Write a short story or poem that can be read both forwards and backwards. Think it’s impossible?? Here is an example of just such a poem that was found written in a London bar: Today was the absolute worst day ever And don't try to convince me that There's something good in every day Because, when you take a closer look, This world is a pretty evil place. Even if Some goodness does shine through once in a while Satisfaction and happiness don't last. And it's not true that It's all in the mind and heart Because True happiness can be attained Only if one's surroundings are good It's not true that good exists I'm sure you can agree that The reality Creates My attitude It's all beyond my control And you'll never in a million years hear me say Today was a very good day Are you up for the challenge? I will be posting our attempt on next week’s blog. If you would like your story or poem featured, leave it in the comments below or email us at info@laughingleopardpress.com and you may see it on the Laughing Leopard Blog next week! Happy writing! _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________  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.
 Extending stories into classroom activities is always a fun and effective way to help children remember what they’ve just read and establish a deeper connection with the lessons of books. When I found this recipe for chocolate pretzel treats, I knew right away that they would make a perfect extension for the picture book, This is A. Blob, by L.A. Kefalos. Not only are they affordable and easy to make, they look exactly like the gooey, purple main character of the story!
In the picture book, This is A. Blob, by L.A. Kefalos, we are introduced to an interesting character named A. Blob that looks a little…different than the other students. When we first see A. Blob, it’s acting less than kind, punching, oozing, stealing lunches, and being a general bully. As the story progresses, however, we learn that perhaps there is more to A. Blob than meets the eye. Through this simple story, children will learn about why people bully, the importance of empathy, and that bullying never solves problems. Here’s what you’ll need to create your own A. Blob treats: Ingredients
I purchased my candy at a local bulk-candy store. However, you should be able to find white melting chocolate at most grocery stores. If you don’t see the color you need, simply melt the chocolate and add a little food coloring! If you aren’t able to get your hands on any candy eyes, mini marshmallows and a dot of chocolate will do just fine! Directions
If you don't have a microwave, you can easily improvise a double boiler with a pan, water, and a glass bowl. Simply fill the pan with a small amount of water and place the glass bowl into the pan so there is about 1-2 inches between the water and the glass bowl. Bring the water to a gentle boil and let it simmer. Add the chocolate to the glass bowl and stir until melted.
Notes
As you and your students mix up your own delicious A. Blob treats, take the time to discuss what “ingredients” went into making A. Blob act the way it did. When you pour the yummy, sweet chocolate over the hard, salty pretzels, talk about ways we can respond to difficult situations with kindness. Ask questions such as “would these treats taste very good if we poured something sour over them, like vinegar? What if we just added more salt?” In the same way, responding to bullying with bullying will just make a yucky mess.  When the time comes to give A. Blob its candy eyes, talk about the importance of empathy and looking through the eyes of others. How could empathy have helped A. Blob and the other students? How can we all use empathy in our everyday lives? What are ways we can look through the eyes of others? Finally, when the treats are finished, remind your students that we all deal with difficult things in our lives and, like the chocolate covered pretzels, these hard things are often hidden inside. We can’t always tell by looking at people that they are hurting. That is why it is so important to treat everyone with kindness—even bullies! *** I hope you and your students have fun making these A. Blob treats and that they bring a little sweetness to your day! Let us know in the comments how yours turn out! _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________  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.  As many of you know, October is National Bullying Prevention Month. This event was created by Pacer to help bring awareness to the issue of bullying and unite students and adults from all over the nation to work together to end bullying once and for all. One important part of National Bullying Prevention Month is Unity Day. Unity Day is a day on which Pacer encourages schools, communities, and individuals to show that they are united against bullying and united for acceptance and inclusion. A few ways they suggest doing this are by organizing assemblies, participating in walks or runs, and wearing ORANGE —the color of bullying prevention! To show our support of Unity Day, we decided to adapt our fun This is A. Blob Slime craft to be ORANGE!! This craft, designed to accompany the picture book, This is A. Blob, by L.A. Kefalos, is a fun way to begin the discussion about bullying with your younger children while joining in the Unity Day activities. As you mix your slime ingredients, talk about the “ingredients” that go into making a bully, such as insecurity and pain. As the mixture turns gooey, discuss how small words and actions can lead to a big sticky mess of bullying when they combine!
Another fun idea is to give the slime away as a random act of kindness for your celebration of Unity Day! However you choose to play, the important thing is that you have fun and bring awareness to the importance of bullying prevention!! Here are the steps you'll need to create your own ORANGE A. Blob!
Step 1: Read This is A. Blob, by L.A. Kefalos Step 2: Discuss Open discussion about the book: Were A. Blob’s actions acceptable? How do you think these actions made the other children feel? Why do you think A. Blob acted the way it did? What would/could you do if you were on the playground to stop bullying? Step 3: Create!
3. Mix in food coloring until the desired color is achieved. I used 15 drops of red and yellow to get this particular shade of orange.
4. In your smaller bowl, mix 1tsp of Borax with 1/2 cup of warm to hot water. Again, the hotter the water, the easier this step will be and the slimier your slime will turn out. Make sure to stir until the Borax is completely dissolved.
There are so many exciting ways to spread the message to stop bullying and start living with kindness. I hope you enjoy this little twist on our favorite craft. Let us know how YOU are celebrating Unity Day in the comments below! Fun with This is A. Blob Slime! Happy Unity Day 2016!!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________  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.
 Fear It 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 Fear In 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 History Atticus 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 Upstanders Despite 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 Upsatander This 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 Complements In 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. Art Therapy Art has a powerful ability to speak where words fall short. Demonstrate this by having students draw or paint various bullying situations. The situations can be real or imagined. Encourage the use of colors to represent feelings and tone. Later, discuss what is happening in each picture, why it might be happening, and what can be done to ensure it doesn’t happen again. To make students more aware of the emotional impact of bullying, have them draw or paint how bullying makes them feel. Again, encourage the use of colors to help represent those feelings. If the students are too shy or frightened to present their work in front of the class, simply display the projects where everyone can see them. Sometimes those who bully are not fully aware of the deep impact they are having on others. The artwork of their peers may speak to them in a way that words alone never could. Another option would be to create visual representations of the words spoken in bullying situations and words that can combat bullying. Help students see that words can be just as powerful as physical actions. Building Awareness Art has a long history of acting as a catalyst for change. As a class, create bullying awareness posters. The posters can have statistics, words of encouragement, drawings, etc. Have students discuss what they want their posters to accomplish and how they think the words and pictures in the posters will help them to accomplish this goal.  image found at: http://www.stcs.k12.oh.us/BullyingPreventionPosterContest.aspx And don’t forget that art isn’t limited to paper. Make a video to educate others on bullying and bullying prevention or make a video celebrating the differences of individuals in the class. Going Classic- Art History History is filled with examples of artists using their gift to make a difference in the world. Discuss famous examples and then recreate famous works of art that have helped people be more understanding and tolerant or made a difference. For an additional twist, alter the famous pieces to educate about bullying, or simply mimic the artist’s style. Stronger Together We often think of art as an individual discipline, but some of the most influential art pieces have been created by groups. Here are a few teachers and counselors who have embraced the power of many to teach their students powerful lessons about differences and unity: Administrators at Allenstown State School wanted to encourage and celebrate kindness, so they created a school wide ongoing art project. The school’s main hallway features a tree. Students are encouraged to write down random acts of kindness they do or witness throughout the year on paper leaves and pin them on the tree. Teachers hope to show students that kindness breeds kindness and helping others is worthy of celebration.
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! *** 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! __________________________________________________________________________________  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!
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About Laughing Leopard PressHello! 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! 
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. Archives
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