What Is Bullying?

Bullying Is . . .

An unhealthy situation in which a student or

group of students is using superior size, power,

or status with the intention to intimidate or dominate

a vulnerable student or group of students.

Intent to do harm

One sided

Repeated harmful behavior

Bullying Is . . .

Normal?

NO IT ISN’T!

Dealing with conflict is a healthy, normal part of

life. Being threatened, intimidated, or

victimized (bullied) is not healthy or normal.

Types of Bullying:

Relational Aggression/Social Bullying

Physical

Verbal

Cyber

Relational Aggression

or

Social Bullying

Manipulating someone

Gossiping

Spreading rumors

Leaving others out/excluding others

Refusing to speak to a friend

Physical Bullying

Pushing

Hitting

Kicking

Tripping

Knocking down books

Verbal Bullying

Teasing

Name calling

Put-downs

Threats

Mocking

Racial or sexual orientation comments

Cyber Bullying

Texting – words or pictures

Posting on websites – words or pictures

Name calling in chat rooms

Posting fake profiles

Threatening via the internet or phone

Teasing vs. Bullying

Good-Natured Teasing Hurtful Teasing

Playful between BOTH people. Angry body language.

Uses a friendly tone. Uses angry tone.

Encourages friendships. Continues even when distress is

evident.

Doesn’t lead to physical

confrontations.

Continues even when the topic is

upsetting to others.

Not serious. Serious with the intent to harm.

Sometimes lightens a tense moment. Accompanied by “showing off.”

Think Before You “Tease”

Is the teasing about…

• Identity?

• Appearance?

• Ability?

• Social Status?

• Race?

• Color?

• Religion?

• Mental/Physical/Sensory Disability?

• Sexual Content?

If yes to any of these, it may be best to not say anything at all.

You Decide #1

Joking?Teasing?Bullying?

On Monday afternoon, Rob used his recess time to hang campaign posters around the school, which read, “Vote Rob for Student Council President.” On Tuesday morning in homeroom, Rob found one of his posters taped to the blackboard in the front of the classroom. Someone had crossed out the word, “President,” and replaced it with “First Lady.” One of Rob’s classmates pointed to a girl in the first row, indicating that Maria had altered the poster. Rob glared at her as he tore down the poster. “It’s just a joke,” Maria laughed. “Lighten up - I’m gonna vote for you.”

You Decide #2

Joking?Teasing?Bullying?

For years, Angel has made fun of his best friend, Dave’s, peanut butter obsession. “You’d eat my gym sock if it was covered in peanut butter,” he once told Dave. One day in science lab, the students designed mazes to test the intelligence of white mice. When the teacher told the class that they would be baiting the mazes with peanut butter, Angel called out, “Better be careful - Dave might get to the end of the maze before the mice!” The other students broke out in laughter.

You Decide #3

Joking?Teasing?Bullying?

Sonia recently moved to Lincoln Heights and just finished her first week at the local middle school. At 5 ft 8 in, she towered over most of the students in her 7th grade class. While looking for a place to sit, another student called to her, “Hey, shorty, there’s a spot over here!” Sonia paused for a moment and another girl from the group waved her over. “Don’t pay attention to her,” she told Sonia. “That’s just the way we talk to each other. They call me Einstein because I got all C’s on my last report card.”

Bullying:

What Can I Do?

Roles of Bullying

Bully

Target

Active Bystander

Passive Bystander

Active vs. Passive Bystander

There are no innocent bystanders!

• Their actions can encourage bullying (ex: laughing) – active

• Bully’s “sidekick” - active

• Their actions can be seen as giving permission to bully (ex: not objecting or ignoring) - passive

• It’s OK to tell!

Who do you tell?

Any adult you trust

At school, you fill out a bully or incident report.

1st bully report: discussion with counselor and call home to

parents of bully.

2nd bully report: referral to Assistant Principal with

possible school consequences.

Any incident report: directly to Assistant Principal with

possible school consequences.

What to do if . . . You are the BULLY

STOP!

Think before you act – how would you feel?

Apologize to those you’ve hurt.

Seek help from a trusted adult.

What to do if . . . you are the TARGET

Find an adult you trust & talk to them.

Confront the person, if you feel safe.

(assertive not aggressive)

Find other friends.

Motto: Stand firm. Stay calm.

Choice Comeback:

Bully: “I heard you still suck your

thumb.”

Strong Boy: “Do you believe it?”

Bully: “Yes.”

Strong Boy: “You can believe it if

you want.”

STRONG BOYBULLY BLOCKER #1

THE JOINERBULLY BLOCKER #2

Motto: Find your people.

Choice Comeback:

Bully: “Hey Shrimp, you’re too puny

to play football with us.”

The Joiner: “That’s okay. I’d rather

play soccer with my team anyway.”

PAL GALBULLY BLOCKER #3

Motto: Turn bullies

into buddies. Be

confident but kind.

Choice Comeback:

Bully: “Hey, didn’t you

wear that dress on

Tuesday, too? Is that

your only dress or what?!”

Pal Gal: “That’s pretty

funny! This is my favorite

dress, but today I’m

wearing it with my

friendship bracelets.

Want me to show you

how to make one?”

FUNNY GIRLBULLY BLOCKER #4

Motto: Make ‘em laugh.

Choice Comeback:

Bully: “What’s with those ugly

sneakers? Didja get them at a yard

sale?”

Funny Girl: “You think these are bad,

you should see the bunny slippers my

dad wears!”

MR. DEFLECTORBULLY BLOCKER #5

Motto: Acknowledge their point. Then change the subject.

Choice Comeback:

Bully: “Hey spazz boy, you couldn’t make a basket to save your life!”

Mr. Deflector: “You think I need to work on my shot? Maybe so. Hey, did you see Lebron scored

40 points last night? Awesome!”

What to do if . . . you are a BYSTANDER

SAY SOMETHING!

to the person being teased

to the bully

to an adult you trust

to your friends so they know you don’t tolerate

bullying

Don’t join in.