Address Bullying Between Girls with Anti-Bullying Lesson Plans

Address Bullying Between Girls with Anti-Bullying Lesson Plans
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Bullying in many situations is a topic that is reserved for devising remedies to deter physical violence between boys, or to at least stop a male offender. Because of the label bullying carries, as a boys’ delinquency, most males are unaware even of its existence in girl groups.

Females know all too well how bullying within the gender works and how it can hurt. Fathers, male family members, male school officials, and faculty may not see a conflict between girls as valid when brought to their attention, but each gender needs to become aware and take part in resolving it and teaching girls how to do so diplomatically–and how to avoid them altogether. Bullying lesson plans that require involvement and dialogue between girls do much more than lectures and rule setting for the esteem of both the offender and the victim.

“Mixing it Up” Day

Objective: Students break down social barriers between special segments of the population (cliques) to improve school environment.

Take “Mixing it Up” Day as one of many bullying lesson plans where extensive planning is not necessary. To conduct this social experiment, tell students of a designated day where they will mix up within their groups to step out of their comfort zones. A good part of the school day to mix it up is lunch hour. Usually girls section off to the groups that their micro-society has identified them to belong. Instead of eating at the table deemed only for those superior in looks, a girl would eat at the table labeled as “for geeks only.”

Assessment

There will be scoffing at the idea and to this you can inform students that it is for credit and that several of them will be selected to report to class with details on how the mix up went and what they got from the experience. The report can be oral or written, but be mindful that oral reports will generate immediate discussion and feedback that are healthy among the group, simply because they are being aired out in an environment where an emotionally stable leader can help to sort out problems and triumphs.

Girls will come back to report something, whether negative or positive. You will not be short of people willing to share their findings. Plan to act as mediator for oral reports, to keep the environment civil and most importantly keep talks useful.

Read Bright Hub Education’s The Harm Caused by Bullying for more information.

Cyberbullies

Objective: Students will learn and be refreshed on district and state policies against cyber bullying along with public initiatives and laws to prevent this form of intimidation.

Forms of cyberbullying:

  • Altering a victim’s picture with cruel text and graphics
  • Making videos to ridicule something about the victim
  • Pictures and videos posted on message boards, blogs, online groups and websites to defame or promote violence against another
  • Participating in any of these acts and then recruiting others by bullying them into participation in a crusade to hurt, embarrass, or otherwise victimize another

Teens use the internet more than any other portion of the population in every part of the world. The same feelings that girls carry with them around their own school campuses will undoubtedly be taken along with them online. That’s why a lesson on cyberbullying is crucial to protect the well-being of those who do not have the power to stand up for themselves. Cyberbullying has been prevalent for many years now and will only decrease with awareness and strong tactics to discourage individuals from practicing it.

Assessment

This form of bullying works the same as face-to-face bullying; but because the cyber world is detached from reality for most girls, they feel that what they say and do online cannot be punished. They feel protected by anonymity and jurisdiction of law enforcement. Teachers have a role in stopping cyberbullying, especially when it happens through Internet access at the school. Check with your school’s policies and give them to students. Ask them to attach their signature to the policy stating that they agree to abide by the policiies and maintain them.

Spread the Word to Parent Groups

Engage parents to join in your causes against of girls. Remember, many are unaware that it is a problem and that it is so widespread. They may feel that it is not worthwhile for them to take any type of action to stop it. Plan teacher meetings for presentations that involve reenactments, role-playing, and information on the school’s stance and regulations against bullying to reduce the number of girls who go through school feeling that they are not good enough because of how they look, dress, talk, or walk because another girl or group of girls told them so.

Read Why Do Kids Bully? A Teacher’s Perspective.