Resolving Conflicts in Schools & Classrooms
Course Outline
Course Description
The goal of this course is to create a classroom climate in which all students feel safe. One child in four is bullied at school. One in five admit bullying. Recently, a government report on school shootings showed that the only common trait among student shooters was that they all have a long history of being bullied. In schools where fear and anxiety are the norm, students can't learn and achieve.In this course, teachers review the research on the causes and effects of bullying, as well as study best practices. In addition, they learn strategies for meeting the underlying needs of bullies.
Objectives
- Identify various types of bullying, both direct and indirect
- Increase awareness of bullying styles and its presence in schools
- Develop awareness of the consequences of bullying, both personally and socially
- Review research findings relating to the causes and effects of bullying
- Learn and apply effective strategies for preventing and eliminating bullying both in their classrooms and their schools
Curriculum Design & Time Requirements
Bully Prevention in Schools is a 3 credit graduate level or forty-five hour professional development course taught on weekends or over five full days.Course Materials
The required textbook for this course is The Bully Free Classroom by Allan L. Beane. The textbook and course materials will be provided to all students. In addition, selected web resources will be read and reviewed.Session Outline
Session 1: Dubunking The MythsObjective: To be aware of common misconceptions regarding bullies.
Contents:
- Overview
- Requirements & Expectations
- Setting Personal Goals
- A Definition of Bullying
- Facts and Myths Regarding Bullying
Session 2: Identifying Different Types of Bullying Behavior
Objective:Recognize and identify incidences of bullying and identify its various types, styles and forms.
Contents:
- Strategies for Identifying Bully Behavior at School
- Direct Forms of Bullying: Open Attacks; Name-Calling; Threats
- Indirect Bullying: Exclusion, Isolation, Rejection, Gossip
- Repeated Abuse Versus Isolated Incidences
- Verbal Versus Physical Bullying
- Sexual
- Racial
Session 3: The Consequences of Bullying
Objective: Become aware of both the short and long-term consequences of ignoring bullying.
Contents:
- Personal Testaments
- Statistics
- The Bullying Cycle
- Distress in Victim
- Classroom Effect
Session 4: Characteristics of Bullies and Victims
Objective: Identify the characteristics of bullies and their victims.
Contents:
- Bullies: Who are They?
- What Makes Bullies Tick?
- The True Needs of Bullies
- Victims: Why Do They Get Picked On?
- Warning Signs
Session 5: Classroom Surveys
Objective: Review bullying behaviors in the classroom.
Contents:
- Classroom Surveys
- This Week in School
- Bullying Survey
- Reactions To The Results
- Intervention/Prevention Strategies
Session 6: The Role of Collusion
Objective: Identify collusion and its role in the bullying cycle.
Contents:
- Collusion: What Does It Sound And Look Like In Your Classroom?
- Silent Collusion: What To Do About It
- Taking The Power Away From Negative Collusion
- Positive Collusion And How It Can Help Create A Classroom Environment That Is Safe For Everyone
Session 7: Creating a Safe Classroom Environment
Objective: Learn strategies for creating a classroom environment where everyone feels safe, accepted and contributing members of the classroom.
Contents:
- Dialogues With Students About Bullying Behavior
- Strategies For Building Acceptance Among Students
- Building Empathy
- Confronting Bullies
- Using I-Messages
- Tips On Establishing Classroom Rules With Students
- Getting Students Involved With Service Projects
Session 8: Creating a Safe Classroom Environment
Objective: Learn the core elements of a comprehensive school-wide approach to bullying.
Contents:
- Accessing The Extent Of Bullying In Your School
- Developing A School-Wide Plan For The Prevention And Intervention
- Parental Involvement
- Involving The Community
Session 9: Strategies for Parents of Bullies and Victims
Objective: Identify approaches for parents who are dealing with a child who is being bullied or who is a bully.
Contents:
- Why Is Bullying Harmful?
- Why Some Children Bully?
- If Your Child Is Being Bullied
- If Your Child Is A Bully
- 20 Things To Do Instead Of Hurting Someone
- Ways To Stay Bully Free
- "What Should You Do" Quiz For Kids
Session 10: Project Presentations and Final Exams
Objective: Present projects on research and application of best practices.
Contents:
- Project Presentations
- Final Exam
- Course Evaluation
- The "Real" Final Exam
Grading
| Assignment | Points | Grading Scale | |||||||
| Group and Classroom Participation | 30 | 100 – 93 | A | ||||||
| Reading Assignments | 20 | 92 – 85 | B | ||||||
| Final Integration Project | 30 | 84 – 77 | C | ||||||
| Final Exam | 20 | ||||||||
| Total Points | 100 |
Student Requirements
| 1. | Attend all class sessions for the requisite number of hours (45) and actively participate in all class activities. | |
| 2. | Complete all reading assignments. Keep a journal, reflecting upon the major ideas in the assigned readings and the application of those ideas in your school and classroom. This journal should have a minimum of five entries of one-half page in length. | |
| 3. | Complete the Final Integration Project. Review research and literature on bullying and identify several major findings or themes. Based on these key research themes, design a unit of study for your students, addressing the issue of bullying. This unit should consist of 5 lessons, each containing a list of objectives and a description of activities and content. | |
| 4. | Pass a final exam. |
