Prevent Bullying Through This Fun and Hands-on Picture Book Lesson

Materials: Colored Chalk or Markers, Various Colored Construction Paper, Bulletin Board

Lesson Objectives:
? Students will demonstrate knowledge of anger management and respect to others by coming up with at least two ways to accomplish these goals and recording these on pieces of construction paper.
? Students will compare various ways of showing respect to others by comparing their ideas to other members of the class.
? Working as a class, students will select 8 ideas to be a part of a 'hop-scotch' bulletin board.

Teaching Procedure:
Introduction/Anticipatory Set:
? Begin by asking the students what a 'bully' is and if they have ever been "bullied" by a sibling or peer.
? Ask students how they felt in this situation, and why they think they were treated that way.
? Ask students if they think 'bullies' are respectful, and what it means to be a respectful person. You may want to use synonyms such as, 'polite', 'courteous' or 'well-behaved'.

Development/Instructional Sequence:
? Tell the students you are going to be sharing a book with them about a little girl who had a hard time being respectful and making friends. Ask students to think about what they would do if they moved to a new school and were 'bullied' as you read the story.
? Read, The Recess Queen out loud to the students.
? After reading the story, ask the students what character they admire or look up to. Why do they look up to that person?
? Ask the students how Katie Sue showed respect to Mean Jean and the other kids at recess.
? Have the students work with a partner to come up with at least 2 ways that they can show respect to others. (Give examples such as; hold the door open for someone, invite someone new to sit by you at lunch, listen attentively while someone else is talking)
? Have the students write their ideas on the construction paper.
? Have the students share their ideas with the class and make a large list on the board.
? Have the students vote on the best 8 ideas.
? Use the 8 ways to construct a 'hop-scotch' bulletin board with the pieces of construction paper.

You may want to use each pillar of character from the Character Counts Campaign. Each characteristic would then be one of the hop scotch squares. This bulletin board serves as a reminder than in order for recess to be fun and safe, students must follow the pillars of good character and bullying will therefore be avoided.

RESPECT

1.) TAKE
TURNS
2.) LISTEN QUIETLY
3.) OFFER TO HELP OTHERS

Conclusion:
? Review with the students why it is so important to show respect to others.
? Ask students to consider how they feel when someone is disrespectful to them so that it will help them remember to be nice to other people.