Sommer Elementary Bullying Prevention

Counselor Lessons About Bullying

During my classroom counselor lessons, I teach students the difference between a bullying and a conflict situation.    While this can be a complex issue, I try to keep the definition simple so students will understand the difference and how to respond in each situation.   

Bullying is one sided, (usually) happens more than once, and on purpose.  When bullying is suspected of happening, I encourage students to tell a trusted adult.   I consider this a "Big Problem".  A big problem is any situation where someone is hurt or in danger.

A conflict situation is not usually "one sided", or it may be a situation that wasn't on purpose or wasn't happening over and over.   Conflicts happen often, so I want students to feel confident about handling them.  I consider conflict situations to be a "small problem" - where no one is hurt or in danger.

I teach all students about Kelso's Choices, which is a conflict resolution curriculum.  It provides 8-9 choices of things they can try when they are experiencing a conflict.

When students have a small problem, I encourage them to try at least 2 of Kelso's Choices.  The first may not work, so they may have to try something else.  If the problem still persists after they have tried two choices, that would be an appropriate time for students to tell a trusted adult about what is going on.