The Dreaded Bus Ride Home

The school bus.
A bullying hot spot around the world.
I ride the bus almost everyday to and from school.
It's a peaceful ride, sometimes.
The worst part is the mean words.
Kids two grades younger then me shouting words I would never dare to say.
Boys and girls in my grade calling each other bad words.
It's terrible and the bus driver never seems to notice.

Sincerely, Tabby

Good Clique Gone Bad

A clique is a social group. You may think that all cliques are bad. But that's not true. It can be a group of really good friends who support each other and like being around each other. Bad cliques create gossip and rumors. Also they can be backstabbing and jealous.

Sometimes, two girls who are part of a good clique can get in a fight. They try to create an "army" of supporters from their group of friends. This becomes "good clique, gone bad." If someone tries to recruit you into her clique army, say NO, and if possible try to help your fighting friends make peace.

To learn more about cliques, check back tomorrow. For further reading, check out Bart King's The Big Book of Girl Stuff.

Slinky
The Chopsticks

Our Video

We made a video about clothing being bullied. It is on our video list and it is linked right here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApbvlQHjzF0

Please, check it out!!!! And, comment!!! PLEASE!!!!!

The Bystander and their Job

There are many ways to stand up to bullies.

This one is the easiest yet hardest one. Walk up to the bully and say, "That's really mean, you shouldn't do that." I call that strategy the "That's really mean, you shouldn't do that" Strategy.

Okay, so, on the bully quiz did you find out you have witnessed bullying? If you have you've got to speak up. Do you think the person getting bullied will say that the bully is being mean? No, really, no. You have GOT to talk to the bully or an adult about what he or she is doing. Sometimes, sadly, adults say, "I'll talk to them" but they don't. That's sort of bullying in it's self. Do you think that's bullying?

A bystander or witness stands up for a victim and confronts a bully. If you are confident you are less likely to be bullied. Kids who are surrounded by kids don't tend to be bullied. Another good reason to hang out with friends!

Okay, let's just say that the bystanders have

THE BIGGEST JOB OF ALL.

Have you ever been a bystander? Did you stand up to the bully?

Slinky

The Chopsticks

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Saying no may be the best way to fix bullying but it could be one of the worst ways to bully. Saying no to a bully means you have guts. A bully may say "No, you can't come to my party." That's mean, but bullies will be bullies. Well, until you say no. When a bully is smashing your head against a locker begging you for your lunch money you could just say "no". Which one do you think is more effective: the bully saying no, or the victim saying no. Tell me what you think by commenting.

Slinky

The Chopsticks