Characteristic

Explanation

Bullying Basics Assembly & Pledge (Grades K-2).  An interactive group presentation designed to help children develop the appropriate vocabulary to deal with bullying issues in schools. Children are introduced to roles associated with bullying and where bullying may occur.  Appropriate ways to deal with bullying are discussed and the presentation ends with a group pledge, or in grade 2, with an art project in which students color and decorate a personal contract which they then share with their peers.  Contracts should be displayed in their classrooms and utilized by faculty as behavioral cues (not sent home as completed projects). MARC supplies blank contracts and decorative stickers; the school needs to supply markers and faculty members to help supervise students as they complete their contracts.

Bullying and Cyberbullying Basics (Grades 3-4).  At this interactive assembly we begin to introduce the components of bullying which are further explained using age appropriate examples.  Students are introduced to the concepts and roles associated with bullying. The difference between conflict and bullying is illustrated to underscore how hurtful and damaging bullying behaviors can be. The most common "hot spots" (places where bullying is most likely to occur) are reviewed and, importantly, the difference between tattling and telling is discussed in some detail, complete with concrete examples, meant to underscore the importance of seeking help when necessary.  Some very basic and neutral information about cyberbullying is presented, such as the concept that talking about others online can be very damaging and hurtful.  Finally, we talk about how to cope with different types of bullies and cyberbullies.  Students may end by decorating and completing a personal contract, or with a short group pledge. Contracts should be displayed in their classrooms and utilized by faculty as behavioral cues (not sent home as art projects). MARC supplies blank contracts and decorative stickers; the school needs to supply markers and faculty members to help supervise students as they complete their contracts.

Bullying and Cyberbullying: What you need to know (5^th and 6^th grade).  This is an hour long, age appropriate presentation that will help students define and understand exactly what bullying and cyberbullying is. After key terms are identified, we review how, where, and why bullying and cyberbullying may be occurring. Age-appropriate but true stories, which illustrate the  consequences of inappropriate online actions, are presented to the students. In the context of electronic misbehavior, we discuss behaviors such as inappropriate "jokes" rather than behaviors such as "sexting" (sexual themes or violence are NOT discussed with this age group).  One goal is to make students aware that cyberbullying can be serious and hurtful. The social and emotional impact is stressed. After this is established we offer students useful information about how to handle situations involving bullying and cyberbullying, with some easy-to-remember precautionary techniques.  General online safety is also briefly discussed with the students in the context of cyber-problems. 

Bullying and Cyberbullying: What you need to know (5^th and 6^th grade).  This is an hour long, age appropriate presentation that will help students define and understand exactly what bullying and cyberbullying is. After key terms are identified, we review how, where, and why bullying and cyberbullying may be occurring. Age-appropriate but true stories, which illustrate the  consequences of inappropriate online actions, are presented to the students. In the context of electronic misbehavior, we discuss behaviors such as inappropriate "jokes" rather than behaviors such as "sexting" (sexual themes or violence are NOT discussed with this age group).  One goal is to make students aware that cyberbullying can be serious and hurtful. The social and emotional impact is stressed. After this is established we offer students useful information about how to handle situations involving bullying and Cyberbullying, with some easy-to-remember precautionary techniques.  General online safety is also briefly discussed with the students in the context of cyber-problems. 

Middle School Bullying and Cyber Bullying (Grades 7-8). This assembly approaches issues of bullying, cyber bullying, and Internet safety in a developmentally appropriate manner. There is a brief discussion of the most common types of bullies and cyber bullies seen in Middle School. This includes a short talk about relational aggression (using friendships and social status as a weapon to harass others). Students are informed about potential dangers in disclosing too much online. Real life examples are provided to increase student awareness about the potential consequences of bullying and cyber bullying for oneself, one’s family, and one’s classmates. There is discussion about the social, emotional and economic impacts of bullying behaviors in the classroom and in cyber space.  This presentation leaves students with concrete ideas of how to best deal with bullies in school and online.

High School Bullying & Cyberbullying Assembly (Grades 9-12). The focal point of this assembly is on cyber issues. Our research indicates that by the high school years, most bullying occurs online or has an online component. Issues such as cyberbullying and a variety of damaging electronic behaviors are discussed. Also emphasized is the impact of one's cyber-behavior on themselves, their future, their family, and their classmates. Safe and appropriate online behavior is introduced and its importance is stressed. Students are reminded of the potential hazards of over-disclosing online or via texting. Real life cases are  presented in more vivid detail then with younger students. We have found the real life stories to be particularly useful with this age group.  Students in high school seem to respond well to cases of real teenagers who have made bullying, cyberbullying, texting and other online mistakes. The program concludes with concrete ideas of how one can best deal with bullies in the real world and in cyberspace.

Girls & Cyberbullying Assembly (Grades 6-12).  This assembly focuses on the ways that girls use cyberspace to facilitate relational aggression and other cyber-problems.  A female facilitator leads a girls-only audience (no boys please) in an interactive presentation and discussion about how cyber behaviors are changing friendships and healthy ways to handle conflict and disagreements between friends.  The assembly draws from the MARC research on girls and cyberbullying to bring up to date information.