Box 1

Box 1
STEAM

Box 2

Box 2
Character Education

Box 3

Box 3
Digital Learning

Children Against Bullying


     Like most schools, we have a few bullies and a lot of bystanders who don’t always know the right thing to do when they see bullying  happen. There’s an awesome student teacher in Rainbow City this year, and she thought of a great bully awareness lesson.  Her name is Valeen, and her idea is to ask kids who they really are on the inside and to make a pledge to do their part to end bullying.

     We began the lesson by reading Patricia Polacco’s book Bully, first because our students love Patricia Polacco, and also because we are about to start blogging as a class and as individuals. Polacco’s book addresses the issue of cyber-bullying as well as kids generally being mean to others.

     After reading the book aloud, we had a great discussion about bullying and the different forms it takes.  We also spent some time discussing the responsibility of the bystander to do something about the situation, such as getting help from an adult or befriending the child who was bullied.

     The activity consisted of asking each student to choose a car, cut it out, and write a short statement or pledge in the window (cab of the car, taxi, or truck) telling what he/she will do to end bullying. The cars are on a bulletin board in our classroom as a reminder that our students are “Children Against Bullying” and we can see who really is “in their cab”.

     Valeen’s idea, embellished by me with her permission is now available free to you and your students in my TpT store. I have included a book list for those who would rather not read the Polacco book, and a sign without our names on it to hang on your bulletin board.

                                                                     Wishing you peace and love,

                                                                     Valeen and Retta 
 
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Freebie Available





My Ghandi Cards are now available as a pdf in my Rainbow City Learning shop on TpT:
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Be-the-Change-Student-Reminder-Cards-Inspired-by-theTeachings-of-Mahatma-Ghandi

Enjoy this freebie for your little peacekeepers!
  
                                                                                                           Retta
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Keeping the Peace in Rainbow City

Keeping the Peace in Rainbow City

You know how it goes in a classroom when there's a conflict: "Well, she said..." ,  "Well, he did it first...", "Well, yeah, but they..."

Having had enough of that last week, I groped for a new solution.  Saw my little crystal globe on my desk with the Ghandi quote from Galileo Leadership Academy (yep, class of '97-'99-first cohort-hold your applause!) and had a little discussion with the current participant in classroom conflict.  My teaching point was that conflict resolution has to start with someone.  Why not start with yourself?
My student was immensely impressed with the little blue globe and asked if she could keep it on her desk to remind her to always try to be the change she wishes to see in our class. Uh-nope!

Not wanting to lose momentum on this great teaching point, however, we came up with a great substitute! We moved our discussion to the teacher's computer, inserted a great tie-dye background onto a word document, (chosen by former conflictee), and typed in the simple yet powerful quote: "Let us be the change we want in the world." followed by credit to Ghandi.  Cut the cards apart quickly, freehand,  not missing a beat, and voila! Tape it to your desk.

It took about three seconds for these little cards to be the most popular item to hit Rainbow City in months.  But there's a catch if you want one.  You have to have the desire for peace in your heart, and you have to be willing to start the process yourself!

Will post the pdf later this week if you'd like to try this with your little peacemakers!

                                                                                                                       Retta

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