Sept. 24, 2008: Put the Brakes on Bullying

The Mini Page is a syndicated, four-page tabloid written for young children found each Wednesday in the Rocky Mountain News. This issue of The Mini Page is available through the eEdition Archive to registered eEdition subscribers. Click here to learn about subscribing to the eEdition at no cost to you (for Colorado teachers).

Activities:

1. Write the words "I'm Special" at the top of a piece of paper. Now paste newspaper words and pictures on the paper that tell all about you.

2. Find three comic strip characters showing that they like and respect other characters. Paste the strips on a piece of paper. Next to each strip, write a sentence telling how you know the characters in the strip like each other. Now list three things you do to show that you like and respect your family and friends.

3. Find a comic strip that shows a character dealing with someone who is teasing or being mean to another person. Write a sentence telling how the character handles the situation.

4. Discuss bullying with three friends. Together, make a list of three bullying situations you have seen or experienced. Now list at least three things you could do to make the situation better.

5.Work together with several friends to create a "Be Careful in Cyberspace" brochure for parents. List tips to show parents how to help their children be safe on electronic sites. Be sure to include information about instant messaging, e-mail, and Internet sites such as MySpace and Facebook.

This week's standards:

• Students demonstrate respectful and caring relationships in the family, workplace and community. (Family and Consumer Science: Interpersonal Relationships)
  
  (standards by Dr. Sherrye D. Garrett, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi)