Meagans Service Learning Project

For my service learning project I worked with a student who has been bullied for the past couple of months. This student has been a victim of bullying from not only his classmates, but the grade above. Some students had been referring to him as a girl, when indeed he is a boy. After a while, he finally opened up and explained to me that students are saying that he is a girl, and likes boys. He also informed me that the other students saying this stuff because the fourth graders are telling them to. As he is explaining this to me I can see that he looks uncomfortable, anxious, and embarrassed. He then adds in that he is afraid that it is going to get on the internet and cyber bullying is bad, no, the worst, form of bullying.

                With all the information being thrown at me, I was a little overwhelmed. So I went and talked to my cooperating teacher and explained what the student had just told me. Immediately when I finished explaining what had happened he told me that something has to be done about this, especially since it was cross grades. He took the student into the computer lab and asked him a few leading questions to try to get the problem out. He was successful. From there, we met with his teacher and explained what happened. Then over the weekend the parents were informed and on Monday morning there was a meeting that I attended. In this meeting we talked about the overall issue and then what can be done. We realized that posting signs about bullying does not really change anything, there actually has to be an action that takes place in order for students to realize the severity. Throughout the meeting we came to the conclusion that unless a student is actually being bullied, they do not really understand what it is and the different outcomes and consequences that can stem from it.

                On Wednesday, the three third grade classes met in one of the third grade classrooms and we had a discussion about bullying; what is it? What are the consequences? Why do people bully? And What can be done to prevent bullying. They also explained that no one is weird or strange, just everyone is different. They then focused on the values of being different by asking some students what they are good at and what they enjoy. Throughout this meeting, the students seemed to realize that no one is weird, they are different, but that is what makes the world a better place. Everyone’s ideas, backgrounds, and experiences add to the mix of life and without that it would be boring. By the end, most of the students could think back to a time when they were bullied, why they were bullied, and what the outcome was. We realized that there is never a sufficient consequence because most of the bullying is at “playground talk.”

                After the meeting, I overheard some of the students talking about bullying. In their conversations they were mentioning how they didn’t know how common bullying was and how hurtful it really is. Overall, at the end of the meeting I feel that the students now have a better understanding of bullying and what comes along with it. They also all signed a document in which they promised to not bully and to stick up for others when they needed it. Everyone is different and it makes the world a better place.

Jens Service Learning

As my service learning project I went into an elementary school in my town and talked to one of the 4th grade classes about bullying.  I actually nanny for students in this school and know that there has actually been a problem with bullying incidents.  I thought this would be the perfect situation to talk to the students.  I actually just spoke to them about bullying and actually did a demonstration with a couple of volunteers.  It was actually a really successful process by the end of it.  Most of the students were totally interested in what I was talking to them about and had a lot of questions at the end.  I think modeling for them a situation of bullying really can bring it into perspective for a child rather than just lecturing at them.  I would do this sort of project with my future classrooms because I think it can teach students a lot about the concept.  I think I would start in my early years with service learning.  I think it can be really effective in elementary schools.

Jen's Final Blog

After participating in this current event about Bullying, I learned a lot about the issue, where I stand and also how much it effects everyone around me.  Bullying is a very important issue and it needs to be taken seriously.  I learned that in a lot of different communities there are groups that try really hard to eliminate bullying and make it a safe environment for everyone.  I believe that punishments regarding bullying need to be enforced in order to make a difference.  Students' need to know that someone is there for them and on their side when something dangerous is going on.  If teachers and faculty let bullying instances go on it can cause a very dangerous situation and someone could get really hurt.  I truly believe all kinds of bullying should have consequences no matter how small the problem is.  In my opinion, bullying should absolutely be addressed in schools.  There should be programs in elementary schools that promotes anti bullying and different resources where students' can turn to if there is a problem.  Students' should feel comfortable addressing an issue and getting the help they deserve.

Meagan's Final Blog

Actively participating in this blog has taught me about bullying from a different perspective. I believe that bullying happens too frequently and causes crucial negative impacts on too many lives. Since I have started research, I have seen, heard, and watched many campaigns and services that are available for victims of bullying. It is becoming a social issue and many different organizations everywhere are donating money, and helping students. I’ve learned that this topic is becoming a huge debate and there are many resources being put into organizations to stop bullying. I think it is a great idea, and the more widespread the issue is, the more positive results you should see. It is important for teachers, parents, and society to be educated on the effects of bullying and how hurtful it really is in order to prevent the issue. At the elementary school that I observe at, there is a bully free zone and the students are responsible to report any bullying. This process allows the children to understand that it is wrong and there are serious consequences. You could tie this topic directly to a lesson or unit on slavery. It could be incorporating throughout the lesson to model how terrible and wrong it really is.

Final Blog

Kristin's Final Blog

Throughout this semester I have learned many things about bullying that I did not know before. I have always known that bullying happens too frequently in the world and children are taking their own lives, because they think that is the only way to end the bullying. I did not know that there are so many resources and programs available to educate teachers, parents, and children about the dangers of bullying as well as how to prevent bullying from occurring. Also these resources teach people what to do if bullying does occur in your presence. It is important to educate students about bullying so they know they have a safe, trusting adult to turn to if they are bullied or witness bullying. I learned that each school district is required to create an intervention and prevention plan for bullying. At the Witchcraft Heights Elementary School in Salem, Massachusetts there are posters hanging on the walls throughout the school reminding the students that their school is a “bully free zone” and if they see bullying, it is their responsibly to report it because it is wrong and there are serious consequences. Students are reminded that if they witness bullying and do not tell an adult, they are hurting to victim, just like the bully is. I believe that today bullying is focused on much more in schools and being taught and explained to students regularly. When I was in elementary school bullying was present, but it was never really discussed. We were always told to follow the golden rule, “treat others the way we want to be treated.” However the term bullying was not really used. Today students are made aware of how serious bullying is and how to identify a bully. People have 3 chances before they are labeled as a bully. I don’t think anyone would want to be labeled a bully. It is important to educate children about bullying so they can learn how to make good decisions and can grow into nice, accepting, individuals. 

Studnets in schools need to learn how to stand up, and speak out to stop bullying.

If I were to do a service learning project around the topic of bullying in an elementary school I would want to work with the older students, and have them create a play or video for the rest of the school or other schools about bullying. Typically 5^th grade is the highest grade in an elementary school, so they are the role models for the younger students. Also I think that 5^th grade is where a lot of bullying occurs because children are beginning to form cliques. If the 5^th grades were the role models to the younger students, they might see bullying as bad and learn it is wrong and they should not do it. Being told bullying is bad by a teacher does not have the same effect on you as if you were being told by a role model or peer, like the 5^th graders in the school. Students will learn from each other that bullying is wrong and can hurt people, making it stick more in young students minds. Bullying should be incorporated into the curriculum in elementary schools because children need to understand why they should not bully, and how they can help others that are being bullied. 

For a service learning project I volunteered at an event at Salem State called “Turn if off! Turn it on!” The event was an indoor field day for families in Salem to come and get active while enjoying delicious, but nutritious snacks. The event was put on to promote awareness to childhood obesity. Children need to learn how to be healthy, and that being active can be fun. “Turn it off! Turn it on!” was a huge success. So many families came out to the event on Sunday February 19^th. Children participated in many different activities including WII Dance, yoga, bowling, a moon bounce, dance lessons, and basketball. Also children got to participate in a food test tasting activity that introduced them to new, healthy foods. This event was really rewarding to take part in because obesity is on the rise in America right now and so is bullying. More and more children are being bullied, and a lot of the time it is because they are overweight. This event gave children the opportunity to be active, try healthy foods, which in turn may help take steps to decreasing childhood obesity, as well as bullying. At first I thought that giving up my Sunday afternoon was going to be challenging, since I usually like to relax on Sundays, but after doing this event I am really glad that I did. I helped a good cause and a lot of children, just by giving up 4 hours on that Sunday. I would definitely recommend to others to get involved, volunteer your time, even if its only for a few hours. A few hours of your time could significantly change someone else’s life, so make it count!

Some informational websites about bullying:

 http://www.bullyingstatistics.org/

http://www.reuters.com/article/2010/05/03/us-obese-s-idUSTRE6421XQ20100503

http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/brain-and-behavior/articles/2010/05/03/bullies-target-obese-kids 

Bullying Petition

Jen's Bullying Petition:
I took action is signing the petition of the National Bullying Prevention Center.  After I signed this petition for bullying it made me feel good.  I want to make a difference and I want to stop bullying.  After reading all of the sad stories on this national website, it made me think about why and how someone could be so cruel.  Some of the stories young children in their early teens are sharing are just heart breaking stories.  In reading these stories it really made me want to do even more than just signing a petition to prevent the bullying, it made me want to help each individual that is suffering.  This action connects with democratic values in all different ways.  This is a step in the right direction in preventing bullying in school systems.  This is a place where people can talk about it and get things off their chest.  I believe social justice should be taught in the classroom.  Even if the children are young, they may not have to be introduced to really dramatic topics but other subjects are completely appropriate.  I think if children learn about social justice they will understand the world better and really have a sense of reality.  Like I said before, when students are young teaching social justice in classrooms does not have to be covering cruel topics.  Subjects such as food and hunger to an extent, I think is appropriate for even the young students.  It is not too harsh for them to handle.  "Struggle for social justice is central to our nations history... Concerns about the common good and the rights of the individual, no matter how humble in social standing, transcends politics and holds a definitive place in the realms of morality, ethics and federal law, and therefore in the world of teaching social studies".  I think social justice is quite important to address in school systems.  It is important for students to understand the way the world works.  There are so many ways to approach the topics of this quote and I think each grade has a certain approach.  Each age level should not be addressed in the same way of course.  A first grader will not completely understand what a fifth grader will.

Meagan's Bullying Petition:
I went on the National Bullying Prevention Center’s website and I took action by  signing the petition to end bullying. It made me feel good and bad at the same time. All I was doing was signing a piece of paper instead of actually taking an action. I think that it would be more beneficial and self rewarding to have discussion groups with children where they can vent and talk about anything revolving around the issues of bullying. I feel that my name is just one name on a list that is trying to voice an opinion but instead it is just a signature. I feel that I could get a better response with voicing my opinion rather than signing a piece of paper. Signing the petition made me realize that it is the first step towards anti-bullying. Taking this action allows you to represent your own individual opinion on the issue which is beneficial in connecting democratic values. I believe that social justice should be taught in every grade level to every student in order to promote a more accurate world. The falsified and glamorous information that we learn as child is learned to be all false hopes and ambitions. It is beneficial to discuss social justices geared towards the appropriate age level in order for children to properly understand the world around us. You are embracing the child for the real world when you start introducing certain topics at appropriate ages. For example, you can start with hunger, homelessness, or child labor law issues in the younger grades in order to start the awareness of the social justices that surround us in our everyday lives. Overall, I think social justice is an extremely important concept to teach/integrate into the classroom. It is important for the children to know and understand what actually happens in the real world. It is important to approach these issues gradually in the early grade levels and then more in depth in the later years.


Kristin's Bullying Petition: 
            I took action against bullying by signing the National Bullying Prevention Center’s petition to end bullying. Even though I just filled out my information and signed the petition I still feel as though I have contributed to the efforts to stop bullying. Even something as simple as signing a petition can help support others and help save others from being bullied. I know that bullying is wrong and children need help and need to understand that bullying in wrong too for real change to happen. I watched a video that children created on the Pacer’s National Bullying Prevention Center website where children described there feelings about bullying. Numerous children said they wanted to help stop bullying, but they don’t know how or they’re afraid to get involved. If children are taught and understand how to speak up and how to help others that are being bullied, then bullying will be reduced greatly. Also if bullies understand that it is not “cool” to bully and they do not receive the attention they want, then they will stop bullying and children can be saved before anything else spirals out of control. I am glad that children know that bullying is a serious issue that needs to be addressed sooner rather than later.

I believe that education is an instrument for the public good. School is where children learn their academics, but they also learn social skills that will take them through life, so why shouldn’t they learn about social justice issues? Children need learn about what is going on in the world and be the generation to help fix these barriers and issues to create a more equal society. School is where children learn information, and make sense of it so they are able to apply it to their lives outside of the classroom. Teachers should be teaching students about social justice issues so that children can make more informed decisions in their lives about crucial issues.

I think that the quote about social justice is accurate in that teaching social studies needs to discuss the common good for people, peoples rights, morality, ethics and the law. All of those concepts steam from what social studies is all about, our society how and what affects us as human beings living in the world today. Our nations history clearly shows that social justice is an issue forever. In teaching social studies students should learn about our nations history with social justice issues so we can learn from the past and prevent any backtracking in the improvement of society. 

A Safe School Environment: Anti-Bullying

There are a few critical attributes that are very serious to cover with bullying.  The first critical attribute is dealing with popularity and the power of struggles in the school system.  The second is the self-esteem levels in children being bullied and also doing the bullying.  The third is the bullying golden rule which gives you three strikes until you are considered an actual bully.

Popularity and the power of struggles in the school systems is a very important attribute.  The way society has been viewed for a long time now shows bullying as an image of the big kid ragging on a child who is a lot smaller.  More recently in schools you see mean girls and bullying involved with girls as well as boys.  A lot of the reasons a child bullies is because of the way they look or act.  Usually the bullies are more popular than the one who is actually getting bullied.  There has been many instances in the news where popularity played a huge role in bullying cases.  If these cases are no addressed they can become extremely dangerous.
The self-esteem levels in children should not be taken lightly.  The children doing the bullying usually has a higher self-esteem than the one who is being bullied.  Usually this child that is being bullied has a lot less self-esteem than essentially everyone else.  The reason for this could be they feel helpless.  When a child is being bullied they feel as though they cant do anything to stop it because they are so small in the situation.  It is critical to monitor self-esteem levels with children because it can tell you a lot.
The bullying golden rule of three strikes is critical.  If a child is reported in three different situations as bullying they are labeled as a bully.  This is so important to be accurate with bullying incidents because some situations may not even be a type of bullying and the child may have just been defending himself or a friend.  These "chances" the child who is being the bully gets before they are actually addressed as a bully give them a change to realize its wrong or actually realize they made a mistake.  They could have had a bad day and the outcome is bullying that they regret doing later.  If this attribute is dealt with in the school system by teachers and faculty, bullying instances could start to decrease in that specific school system.

Informational Knowledge- It is important for the students to know and understand the definition and the outcomes of bullying. The Merriam Webster dictionary defines it as, “a blustering browbeating person; especially: one habitually cruel to others who are weaker” (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bully) It is important for students to understand why bullying happens and the effects that it has on one’s self esteem. Some reasons that students are bullied revolve around physical attributes (self-esteem issues), personal preferences, or just to make one feel inferior (popularity issues). There are two ways to bully someone, face to face and cyber bullying. It is important to understand that it is hurtful whether someone is making fun of you to your face or through electronics.

Procedural Knowledge- This would be used to indicate and bring action to an anti-bullying system in which promotes self-esteem. There are many ways to incorporate an anti-bullying system in every school. Some schools have signs that are posted throughout the schools that contain a list of rules in which the children have made, you can have a discussion group on which children can discuss their experiences of either being bullied or being the bully, creating or signing petitions, or a buddy system. These are ways to actively involve the students with the issue to help promote ways to minimize bullying. Also, having a program that promotes self-esteem could influence a decrease in bullying. It would help these students feel more confident with themselves which overall would  reduce the chances for bullying.




Concepts of Bullying to Understand

• Who is a Bully?
• Bullies are people that are habitually mean to others on purpose. As stated before, bullies get 3 strikes before they are considered a bully. 

• Types of Bullying
• Cyber Bullying- through the computer, telephone, anything virtual where the bullying is not occurring in person
• Direct-  being mean to someone in person
• Indirect- excluding someone on purpose but not directly saying or being mean 

• Most Bullies have an underling issue for why they are bullying others, giving them attention and working with them to change can help prevent them from bullying others

For our service learning service project we are considering doing a service learning binder.  We want to put together a binder that will have some good resources to turn to if you are being bullied or know of a bullying incident that is going on.  We want to have a variety of areas that children feel they can go to.  One of the places we would like to make connections and start contact sheets with is the North Reading School Districts Bullying Prevention and Intervention Program. The Wakefield School Districts Bullying Policies. We will also contact the Bullying Prevention School Assembaly Program  to learn more information about the "Choose Character Over Bullying" Assemblies they hold at elementary and middle schools.