Bully Prevention in Schools

A Graduate Course

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Course Description

The aim 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.

Course Objectives

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Curriculum Design

Bully Prevention is a forty-five hour graduate level course typically 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 for all students. In addition, selected Web resources will be read and reviewed.

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Course Outline

Module I:
Debunking the Myths
Module II:
Identifying Different Types of Bullying Behavior
Objective: To be aware of common misconceptions regarding bullies.

Content:

  1. Introduction and Overview
  2. Requirements and Expectations
  3. Setting Personal Goals
  4. A Definition of Bullying
  5. Facts and Myths Regarding Bullying
 Objective: Recognize and identify incidences of bullying and identify its various types, styles and forms.

Content:

  1. Strategies for Identifying Bully Behavior at School
  2. Direct Forms of Bullying: Open Attacks; Name-Calling; Threats
  3. Indirect Bullying: Exclusion, Isolation, Rejection, Gossip
  4. Repeated Abuse Versus Isolated Incidences
  5. Verbal Versus Physical Bullying
  6. Sexual
  7. Racial
Module III:
The Consequences of Bullying
Module IV:
Characteristics of Bullies and Victims
Objective: Become aware of both the short and long-term consequences of ignoring bullying.

Content:

  1. Personal Testaments
  2. Statistics
  3. The Bullying Cycle
  4. Distress in Victim
  5. Classroom Effect
 Objective: Identify the characteristics of bullies and their victims.

Content:

  1. Bullies: Who are They?
  2. What Makes Bullies Tick?
  3. The True Needs of Bullies
  4. Victims: Why Do They Get Picked On?
  5. Warning Signs
Module V:
Classroom Surveys
Module VI:
The Role of Collusion
Objective: Review bullying behaviors in the classroom.

Content:

  1. Classroom Surveys
  2. This Week in School
  3. Bullying Survey
  4. Reactions To The Results
  5. Intervention/Prevention Strategies
 Objective: Identify collusion and its role in the bullying cycle.

Content:

  1. Collusion: What Does It Sound And Look Like In Your Classroom?
  2. Silent Collusion: What To Do About It
  3. Taking The Power Away From Negative Collusion
  4. Positive Collusion And How It Can Help Create A Classroom Environment That Is Safe For Everyone
Module VII
Creating a Safe Classroom Environment
Module VIII
Creating a Safe School Environment
Objective: Learn strategies for creating a classroom environment where everyone feels safe, accepted and contributing members of the classroom.

Content:

  1. Dialogues With Students About Bullying Behavior
  2. Strategies For Building Acceptance Among Students
  3. Building Empathy
  4. Confronting Bullies
  5. Using I-Messages
  6. Tips On Establishing Classroom Rules With Students
  7. Getting Students Involved With Service Projects
 Objective: Learn the core elements of a comprehensive school-wide approach to bullying.

Content:

  1. Accessing The Extent Of Bullying In Your School
  2. Developing A School-Wide Plan For The Prevention And Intervention
  3. Parental Involvement
  4. Involving The Community
Module IX
Strategies for Parents of Bullies and Victims
Module X
Project Presentations and Final Exams
Objective: Identify approaches for parents who are dealing with a child who is being bullied or who is a bully.

Content:

  1. Why Is Bullying Harmful?
  2. Why Some Children Bully?
  3. If Your Child Is Being Bullied
  4. If You Child Is A Bully
  5. 20 Things To Do Instead Of Hurting Someone
  6. Ways To Stay Bully Free
  7. "What Should You Do" Quiz For Kids
 Objective: Present projects on research and application of best practices.

Content:

  1. Project Presentations
  2. Final Exam
  3. Course Evaluation
  4. The "Real" Final Exam

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Grading Criteria

Assignment
Points
Group and Classroom Participation 30
Reading Assignments 20
Final Integration Project 30
Final Exam 20
Total Points 100

Grading Scale
93 - 100A
85 - 92B
77 - 84C

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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 Integrate 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.

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