I fill many roles in my daily life: children’s writer, digital games-based-learning critic and advocate and virtual world community manager and finally elementary school teacher.
The recent tragic events of children taking their own lives because of online bullying, has led me to reflect on how I, as teacher who champions online spaces, can ensure my students and any person online is free from bullying.
To help answer that question, I’m turning to yet another aspect of my life: judging the Best Books for Kids & Teens, on behalf of the Canadian Children’s Book Centre. This sumer I’m looking at the 2013 new non-fiction books for kids.
I found three books that deal with bullying, both online and offline. I’ll be bringing them into my classroom this year. Hopefully, after reading my quick reviews, you will want to do the same.
Cyber Bullying by Rachel Stuckey
Cyber Bullying, from Crabtree Publishing is part of their Take a Stand Against Bullying series and it’s ideal text for introducing the subject of online bullying to middle grade and junior grade students (Grades 6 and up.)
From defining online bullying to providing resources and tactics for kids to recognize it and take a stand, Cyber Bullying is a comprehensive look at bullying on social media sites, online games and other virtual communities.
Real world examples and quotes in the from other kids who experienced bullying first hand provide many starting points for rich discussions with students around the subject.
Published this year (2103), it is up to date on terms, technology and websites and will ring true with students. I’ll be bringing it into my classroom to use when I need a good primer or introduction text on the subject.
Book Details
Title: Cyber Bullying
Author: Rachel Stuckey
Publisher: Crabtree Publishing Company
ISBN: 978-0-7787-7918-6
The Bully-Go-Round by Larry Swartz
Teachers looking for strategies to talk about bullying in their classroom, Larry Swartz’s The Bully-Go-Round is an excellent resource. Larry Swartz is a legend here in Ontario teachers circles and I had the honour of learning from him as a teacher candidate at OISE UT, here in Canada.
Larry draws on a wealth of literacy and arts activities to help teachers and students talk about this subject in a way that is engaging, creative and very powerful. Writing in role, creating media and drama activities are just a few of the ideas for teachers to use discuss bullying with their students. There are also lists on age-appropriate books and movies dealing with subject.
The Bully-Go-Round is a title that should be on every teacher’s reference shelf. I know I’ll be adding it to mine.
Book Details
Title: The Bully-Go-Round
Author: Larry Swartz
Publisher: Pembroke Publishers Ltd.
ISBN: 978-1-55138-285-2
Courageous Women Rebels
While this one isn’t directly related to bullying, I’ve included it because it’s pretty clear that much of the bullying that happens online and offline is related to gender. Recent events on Twitter and in the video game world, show that cyber bullying isn’t restricted to kids. By bringing Courageous Women Rebels into your classroom, you’ll introduce your students to some amazing people who suffered at the hands of bullies, but stood up, fought back and made a change in their world and the world around them.
Ten women history to current times are profiled with engaging text and facts that are ideal for accomplished readers and students looking for a challenge and to expand their thinking. Part of the amazing Women’s Hall of Fame Series, this book provides an excellent chance for readers in Grade 6 and up to see that courage to stand up to bullies takes many forms.
I have the rest of the Women’s Hall of Fame books in my classroom library and will be adding Courageous Women Rebels to the collection. You should too.
Book Details
Title: Courageous Women Rebels
Author: Joy Crysdale
Publisher: Second Story Press
ISBN: 978-1-926920-99-3
Share Your Bully Awareness Resources
That’s three from me, but what about you? I’m a new teacher and always eager to learn from others with more experience. What books will you bring into your classroom this year to talk about bullying? Do you have a go-to text or activity you use to talk about bullying with your students? Please share any titles, ideas or suggestions in the comments below.
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As an award-winning children’s author, gamer-geek and elementary school teacher, I often have teaching ideas and writing news to share with fellow educators. I deliver these resources and ideas to your inbox in my e-newsletter Reading Change.
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Thanks!
Liam
