Bullying and its Effect on Middle School Students

Nancy Cande

IS 528

Introduction

Middle School students are exposed to varying forms of bullying on virtually a daily basis. Bullying can take many forms and formats. We will focus on the aggressive verbal taunts, teasing and treats directed towards classmates in both face to face context as well as in electronic form (cyber-bullying). Bullying is a real danger to the mental health of students which can result in depression, isolation eating disorders and even suicide.

There are many positive aspects of Internet use. However, the social networking that has become part of our daily discourse has become ripe for abuse. Texting, Facebook and other sites provide ample opportunities for both identifiable and anonymous bullying. As savvy as students believe themselves to be regarding the cyber world, all can become victim to unsuspecting targeters.

Adults and students live in an interdependent as well as marginal existence. Adults have a perspective that is different from students. This WebQuest asks you, as students, to engage in developing solutions to address the negative consequences of bullying.

One of the most important roles of adults/teachers, parents and society at large is the protection of youth. Adults have a limited understanding of the intricacies of life among student peers. In order to address the problem in the most effective way possible, we need YOUR voice.

Task

Your task is to create a PowerPoint that will follow the Public Policy Analysis Steps in analyzing the problem of student bullying in our school and developing solutions to the problem. Your PowerPoint on bullying will address the needs of teenagers and help the adults understand this issue from a teenager’s point of view! Help us help you! In your PowerPoint you will answer questions such as: What are the warning signs that a student is a bully or that a student is a target of bullying? You may include surveys, but you MUST include research from credible source (i.e. newspaper and/or magazine articles, books or movies).

Process/Resources:

You will work in groups of three (as approved by your teacher) in analyzing the problem of student bullying at IS 528. The main method of analysis will be to use the 6-step Public Policy Analyst. Please complete the worksheets at each step because these will give you an outline for completing your PowerPoint.

The Public Policy Analysis Steps

1. Define the Problem Worksheet 1

What is bullying? What are the effects of bullying? The location of the problem will be our school.

2. Gather the Evidence Worksheet 2

You will research online articles and links to gather information about bullying. You can use general data on student bullying or you can choose to create a survey which will generate data from our school.

3. Identify the Causes Worksheet 3

What does bullying occur? Who is susceptible to being a bully? Who is susceptible to being bullied?

4. Evaluate an Existing Policy Worksheet 4

Is there already a policy, law or intervention in place to help the situation with bullies? Think about our school’s current policy with regard to bullying.

5. Develop Solutions Worksheet 5

What are some possible solutions and ways to help increase students’ ability to effectively deal with bullies?

6. Select the Best Solutions Worksheet 6

Which solution(s) do you feel are most effective (will solve the problem) and feasible (will be implemented in our school)? Use the graph in this worksheet to rate your solutions. If you need help with this section please see the example that is given.

Here are some sites that may be helpful when completing the task and doing research about bullying:

· www.pacerteensagainstbullying.org (National Bullying Prevention Center for Teens)

· www.stopbullying.gov (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services)

· www.tolerance.org/activity/bullying-tips-students (Teaching Tolerance)

· www.pacerkidsagainstbullying.org (National Bullying Prevention Center for Kids)

· http://schools.nyc.gov/RulesPolicies/ChancellorsRegulations/default.htm (go to policy A-832)

Some of these sites will contain solutions as well as evidence and causes of bullying. You may want to consider them when coming up with your solutions. You may also find other information on bullying by conducting your own searches. Please make sure you choose credible websites and give proper citation to any information you use.

All members of the group should contribute to the research as well as the creation of the PowerPoint. Your PowerPoint should be at least 8 slides in length and follow the steps of the PPA in their correct order. If you need help with creating your PowerPoint, you can check out this site. Review the rubric in the next section for specific requirements.

Evaluation

CATEGORY	4 Excellent!	3 Good	2 Needs Improvement	1 Unsatisfactory
Task Completion	The PowerPoint has included all items asked and presented in the Task Description	The PowerPoint has included most of the items asked and presented in the Task Description	The PowerPoint has included some of the items asked and presented in the Task Description.	The PowerPoint has included minimal to no amount of the items asked and presented in the Task Section.
Spelling & Proofreading	No spelling errors remain after one person other than the typist reads and corrects the PowerPoint.	No more than 1 spelling error remains after one person other than the typist reads and corrects the PowerPoint.	No more than 3 spelling errors remain after one person other than the typist reads and corrects the PowerPoint.	Several spelling errors in the PowerPoint.
Attractiveness & Organization	The PowerPoint has exceptionally attractive formatting and well-organized information.	The PowerPoint has attractive formatting and well-organized information.	The PowerPoint. has well-organized information.	The PowerPoint’s formatting and organization of material are confusing to the reader.
Graphics/Pictures	Graphics go well with the text and there is a good mix of text and graphics.	Graphics go well with the text, but there are so many that they distract from the text.	Graphics go well with the text, but there are too few and the PowerPoint. seems \"text-heavy\".	Graphics do not go with the accompanying text or appear to be randomly chosen.
Steps of the PPA	Followed and Included all the steps of the PPA.	Followed and Included most of the steps of the PPA.	Followed and Included some of the steps of the PPA.	Followed and Included minimal to no steps of the PPA.

Conclusion:

By creating a PowerPoint on “the Problem of Bullying”, you are now an “expert” advisor on the issues and problems on this important topic. You can identify the issues and have presented this in a kid-friendly manner and from a kid’s perspective.

You have also sharpened your critical thinking skills by following the steps of the PPA. You researched the causes of the problem and evaluated existing public policies and interventions Your PowerPoint can help make a difference in helping your peers deal with this important and sensitive topic.

Standards:

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.6-8.1 Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.6-8.3 Follow precisely a multistep procedure when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or performing technical tasks.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.6-8.8 Distinguish among facts, reasoned judgment based on research findings, and speculation in a text.