Fifth graders learn about social bullying and bully behavior. The students watch and discuss modules from a documentary called "It's a Girl's World". While the participants in this documentary are all girls many similar behaviors are also seen among boys. We discuss the dynamics of clique behavior and roles played by the leader and the followers. They witness incidents of targeted exclusion. They see the group dynamics that perpetuate this type of behavior and the control that they have to stop it. The children recognize that many of these same exclusionary tactics occur in our cafeteria, out at recess and in their classrooms.
Homework: Please use these lessons as a springboard for follow up conversations with your child about being a positive leader, including and reaching out to others, and choosing not to follow negative leaders thereby taking away their power. We want the children to understand that social bullying, while common, is unacceptable.
Together we can grow our Circle of Friends!