We had a big problem last summer at the Recreation Center with bullying. There are a lot of activities that you can do with children to help them understand that bullying is wrong. One activity is called sticks and stones. In this activity you have children draw a picture on a gray sheet of paper of something that is a bully. For example, they could draw a bad word, bad name calling, or pictures of children being mean to each other. For this paper only use red or black color crayons. Then you have them take the gray sheet of paper and crumble it up as best as they can. Then, instruct them to take that sheet of paper and try to flatten it out as to try and wipe the bad things away. Explain to them that the effects of bullying never really goes away and though apologizing, or straightening out the paper, is a start, you can never quite get all of the wrinkles out. I did this activity with my children and it definitely resonated a lot with them. Inclusion also starts with the teacher. If the adults are completely accepting of all types of students, the students will be more accepting of each other.

I would address the issue of bullying in class, and explain that everyone is different and we should embrace their difference. I would explain that there would be no bullying and if you were caught making fun of someone there will be consequences.

Look up anti-bullying lessons and teach the entire class about bullying.

It is important to establish classroom rules and consequences if the rules are broken. Let the students know that bullying is against the rules, and that consequences will be enforced. Then, group activities and projects should be implemented to promote positive interactions.

The first course of action in this case would be to get the parents involved. As a mother and future teacher, I know that I would want to be involved as soon as possible, since this is such a serious issue. There may also be guidelines that the school or district has set forth for the teacher to follow in this case. So I would also research this and see if there are certain steps that I must take as the teacher to address this issue correctly since it's such a sensitive issue.

I would have a strict set of consequences for students who violate the "No Bullying" policy that the school and my classroom would enforce. As an activity, I would have a "Words Hurt" project that my students would do at the beginning of the year. Each student would watch a short video about bullying and we would have a class discussion, but then the students would be required to write as many "hurtful words" that they could think of onto a sheet of paper. Afterwards, I would share those words that my students picked and I would make a poster/bulletin board with all of the words that the students deemed hurtful and those words would be off limits to the students using them toward another student. Throughout the year, we could even add those words to the wall. Consequences would be such as a phone call or note home to parents, ISS, or a referral to the Principle's office. I would also remind students that each and every one of them had come up with words that they felt were hurtful and it is never okay to say something to someone that would hurt their feelings.

I was once very over weight and it is something that most students grow out of. However I do think it is important to remind the whole class that every student is beautiful and unique in their own way. I would also talk to the student by themselves and remind them of their beauty and originality and let them know that you will not tolerate any meanness towards them and you will be there to confide in.

The first thing I would suggest the teacher do. Is address the class in general on bullying and making fun students. I would not mention any indicators about appearances or being overweight. I will also inform the students of repercussions that will occur if the problem persists, possibly going as far as having them sign an anti-bullying statement with the punishments for bullying another student. This way students are aware of the repercussions and can not say they were not aware.

The teachers first course of action should be for the student to have positive encouragement, and be comfortable in the classroom. The teacher should make a social skills lesson for the class with a book of a student who was overweight but overcame the problems at school and made a lot of friends. Students should know that know matter what they look like all should be treated with respect and have friends and family who care about them.

The first plan of action should be to have a conference with the parents and discuss what they would like to happen in order to resolve this situation.