Bullying Stops Here
The Road to End Bullying for all Students
Bullying Workshop
Saturday, Feb 20, 2016, 08:30 AM
Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON, Canada
Shane Koyczan, Canadian Spoken Word Poet
Warning: As inspiring as this video is, some strong language is used occasionally. Although in context, the warning is nonetheless warranted.
Bullying Impacts the Classroom
Bullying is harmful to everyone whose environment it touches and teachers are no different. Our role as educators are mitigated when the students we are teaching can no longer learn in our environment because they are afraid. Fear impacts focus, inhibits learning and adds on stress. Constant fear such as those associated with cyberbullying, don't allow for the development of coping mechanisms for stress. Students essentially become emotionally drained and ill-equipped to deal with conflict.
This means that students require education in both the impact of bullying and the social skills in responding to it. It is not enough that students learn about it once or review. The education regarding bullying needs to be pervasive and multi-dimensional. Educating on all the factors that come into play in bullying (such as power, inequality, injustice, laws, safety, health, emotional impact and much) is very important. What this means for teachers is that they need to be equipped with strategies to prevent these behaviours to allow learning to take place safely.
Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never harm me....Even nursery rhymes can be wrong.
In-School Preventative Strategies
There are numerous activities that teachers can utilize to support any of the anti-bullying initiative parts. Some examples of those activities are Story Swap, which is an empathy-building exercise. Story Swap allows students and teachers to share their stories, but from each others' perspective by reading anecdotal stories. In addition, it is important to play games that build assertiveness. Standing Up and What if games allow for students to practice their skills without actually being in those situations. These types of activities allow for students' voice to be heard as well. There numerous strategies and each school and teacher can accommodate and modify strategies to fit with their student body. Below are some strategies that support the anti-bullying initiatives.
Curriculum
For example, English novel studies that delve into social justice issues like the ‘ism’s or bullying will expand their outlook on the issues.
Inclusive Classroom
Community - It takes a village!
Consequences
Therapy
Restorative Practice/ Circles
RESOURCES
RESOURCES
Ontario Ministry of Education
PPM 144: https://www.edu.gov.on.ca/extra/eng/ppm/144.pdf
PPM 145: http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/parents/climate.html
Kids Help Phone: www.kidshelpphone.ca 1(800) 668-6868
Restorative Practices
International Institute for Restorative Practices. Retreived from: http://www.iirp.edu/what-is-restorative-practices.php
Lesson Support
http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/rsrcs/pblctns/bllng-prvntn-schls/index-eng.aspx
This is the Government of Canada website on public safety, it details the stands and strategies for bullying in the school. Can be introduce as part of a lesson at the beginning of the school year.
Promoting a Positive School Climate: A Resource for Schools: http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/parents/resourcedoceng.pdf
International Institute for Restorative Practices. Retreived from: http://www.iirp.edu/what-is-restorative-practices.php
Stats Canada - http://www.statcan.gc.ca/start-debut-eng.html
RCMP - http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cycp-cpcj/bull-inti/index-eng.htm
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/parents/resourcedoceng.pdf : Promoting a Positive School Climate: A Resource for Schools
http://www.prevnet.ca/ - This is a comprehensive website that has an incredible wealth of information.
BOOKS
Willart, N. (2014). Educators Guide to Cyberbullying Addressing the Harm Caused by Online Social Cruelty.
Messitt, M. “Cyberbullying Happens in Code. Break It.” Teaching Tolerance.
Coloroso, B. (2010). The Bully, the Bullied, and the Bystander. Harper Collins
Bauman, Sheri. Cyberbullying: What Counselors Need to Know. Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association, 2011. Print.
Campbell, Marilyn A. Cyber Bullying: An Old Problem in a New Guise? Australian Journal of Guidance and Counselling. Vol 15, Issue 01. July 2005, pp 68-76