Student development is a complex topic because there are many different areas that contribute to a student’s growth. Physical, cognitive, social, and moral development are all interconnected and can be seen when discussing difficult topics such as bullying. Bullying is an issue that speaks to me on a personal level, as it is something I experienced growing up and something I also encountered while teaching in New York. Since bullying is unfortunately something educators will likely face throughout their careers, I believe it is important for us as teacher candidates to have meaningful conversations about how we can approach these sensitive issues with our students.
One strategy I believe can be particularly powerful is creating opportunities for respectful and meaningful class discussions. Before beginning a conversation about bullying, it is important to establish the classroom as a safe and supportive community. Students need to understand that they can express their thoughts and emotions without fear of judgment, while also understanding the boundaries around how we speak to and about one another.
One way I would introduce this conversation is through a short film or story. Rather than beginning with a teacher simply talking about bullying, a video gives students something concrete to observe, think about, and connect with. I have personally found that short films without dialogue can be especially powerful. Without someone telling you exactly what to think or feel, you are able to create your own dialogue and imagine yourself in the situation. This can encourage students to think more deeply about what they are seeing and consider how they might feel if they were in that situation.
Before showing the video, I would prepare students by explaining that the topic is important and may bring up big emotions. I would remind them that emotions are valid and that I am there to support them. This is especially important because students may have experienced bullying themselves, witnessed it happening to someone else, or even recognize their own behaviour in what they see. Students should know that they can be vulnerable and that they do not have to share anything they are uncomfortable discussing.
After watching the video, I would give students time to process what they have seen before beginning a class discussion. They could respond through a writing prompt, poem, drawing, or simply writing down words or feelings that came to mind. Giving students different ways to reflect allows them to process their thoughts in a way that works best for them.
We could then come together as a class, perhaps sitting in a circle to reinforce our sense of community, and discuss what students noticed and how the video made them feel. Students would be reminded of our expectations for respectful discussion and that they do not have to speak if they are not comfortable. The goal is not to force students to open up, but to create an environment where they know they can if they ever need to.
This type of lesson can support several areas of student development at once. Cognitively, students are observing, interpreting, questioning, and reflecting. Socially, they are learning to listen to different perspectives and communicate respectfully. Morally, they are developing empathy, caring, and a sense of responsibility by considering how their actions affect others and what it might feel like to be in someone else’s shoes. These conversations can also help students recognize and process difficult emotions.
I believe this type of conversation can reach students in ways that a traditional lesson about bullying might not. A student experiencing bullying may not feel ready to tell an adult, but hearing an open conversation about the topic may help them realize that they are not alone and that their teacher is someone they can approach. At the same time, students who may be participating in bullying behaviour may begin to recognize how deeply their actions can affect another person.
Of course, a whole-class discussion about bullying should not replace addressing an actual bullying situation. If bullying is occurring within the classroom, it needs to be addressed separately and appropriately with the students involved. However, proactive conversations about empathy, responsibility, and the impact of our actions are important regardless of whether a specific situation has occurred.
As educators, we cannot always prevent difficult experiences from happening to our students. What we can do is create a classroom community where students know they are valued, supported, and safe to ask for help. To me, this is where bullying and student development come together: a powerful video can open the door to a meaningful class discussion, and that discussion can help students grow in how they think, communicate, empathize, and care for the people around them.
Link to my favourite video for elementary age: The Bullying Monster- Vanish
Link to my favourite video for intermediate age: Are You Okay?
Emily Carmichael - EmilyC@OTU
No comments:
Post a Comment