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Anti-Bullying Activites
from
Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, Inc. (FCCLA) http://www.fcclainc.org/
Bullying
Bullying is any kind of ongoing physical or verbal mistreatment in which there is an imbalance of power. The bully may be bigger, tougher, physically stronger, able to intimidate others, or have the power to exclude others from the social group. Bullying is something most young people encounter in one form or another—being called names, picked on, excluded, attacked, or threatened. It occurs at all grade levels—and in the adult world, too.
Bullies and their victims need to learn new ways to interact with others and to express their feelings. It’s important for young people to make their schools “bully free” and to know how to build positive relationships with peers.
Bullying: Sample Projects
Adapt these ideas to fit your local school. For more sample projects, look in the STOP the Violence Project Ideas Calendar, sent to all FCCLA chapters in August.
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The Holyoke High, Colo., FCCLA chapter launched a “Ban Bullying” campaign that included essay contests, speeches, bulletin boards, and a permanent 10′ x 12′ mural signed by students who pledged to ban bullying.
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Chandler High, Okla., FCCLA members worked closely with the sixth grade teachers and counselor to target bullying lessons to young teens. On two days, they visited sixth grade classrooms with one-hour presentations that included skits, hands-on activities, and handouts.
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The Groveton High, N.H., Eagles FCCLA chapter conducted a “Bully Busters” project that reached children from preschool through grade 5. Members developed flip-chart stories and a puppet play to teach the youngsters how to deal with bullies. With these kid-friendly tools, they presented information at the Head Start program, a child care center, the local elementary school, and four other elementary schools in the area.
Bullying: More Project Starters
Use these simple ideas to jump-start your project planning.
Convene a “summit” on bullying for student leaders, administrators, parents, and teachers from all grade levels. Use recent national research and students’ own stories to emphasize the need for bullying prevention efforts throughout the school system. Discuss ways students and adults can make the school a “bully-free zone.”
Raise money to purchase a research-based bullying prevention curriculum for local elementary and/or middle-level schools.
Expand your impact by tying STOP the Violence efforts into other national FCCLA programs. Here are some ways to address bullying through other programs.
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For a Community Service* project, arrange for chapter members to present a series of fun learning sessions at an after-school program, 4-H clubs, YMCA/YWCA, Boy’s or Girl’s Club, etc. Address bullying prevention during one of the sessions.
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As part of a Families First* project, educate parents and other family members about how they can help a young person respond to bullying. Emphasize the serious effects of bullying and the kinds of support both victims and bullies need from their families.
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Learn ways for young people to stand up to bullies without violence. For a Power of One “A Better You”* project, practice using these responses when you or a peer are being bullied.
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Bullies often pick on young people who don’t feel very good about themselves. Use the Student Body* program to raise self-esteems by helping peers eat right, be fit, and make healthy choices.
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For a Dynamic Leadership “Relationships for Leaders” project, compare the effective use of interpersonal power as a leader to a bully’s use of power. Create and present a computer slide presentation to help student officers avoid bullying tactics in their leadership roles.
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Teach children about bullying prevention for a Focus on Children STAR Event* project.
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Prepare an Illustrated Talk STAR Event* about how FCCLA members can counter the negative effects of bullying.
* National FCCLA programs are subject to change. See www.fcclainc.org for current information.
More Bullying Websites:
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