Happy+and+Sad

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Before you read the book, talk about being safe in school. Ask, what makes you feel safe at school? (i.e. having adults available for support, kids playing nicely, kids playing non-competitive games) Ask, what is a bully? Ask, have you ever been bullied or seen someone else being bullied? Today I am going to read a book called, The Recess Queen. Tell the class that the main character’s name is Mean Jean the Recess Queen. Ask, do you think Mean Jean might be a bully? After reading the book, ask what happened that helped Mean Jean change; what did Katie Sue do to make a difference in the way the other students felt about Mean Jean; what was Mean Jean’s new name. Katie Sue’s plan for dealing with a bully worked because most bullies really want to have friends, but don’t know how to make friends, however, talking and playing with a bully does not always work. Teach students three strategies for dealing with a bully: walk, talk, or tell. Discuss what each of these strategies means. You may want to teach the difference between tattling and telling. (I have included a chart telling the differences.) The chart is from the book, Bully Proofing Your School, by Carla Garrity and others.) As a closure, or at the next class meeting, generate ideas through prewriting activities (e.g. brainstorming, webbing, drawing, writer’s notebook, group discussion). You may want to start the draft for a story or check with the teacher ahead of time about starting the writing process.