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