Stop Bullying Now

Stop Bullying Now!

Mrs. Moreno

6^th Grade Developmental Reading

West Middle School

Introduction

It is 12:00 and time for lunch. You are dreading going to the lunchroom because of that certain group of students that just won’t leave you alone. Every day you sit there and listen to their teasing and taunting. You try to ignore them but why can’t they just stop? You just want school to be easier…it’s supposed to be a safe place. How can you make a change?

In the book that we just completed, Crash by Jerry Spinelli, Penn Webb is continuously bullied and picked on by John Coogan and Mike DeLucca. Bullying happens when someone hurts or scares another person on purpose. The person being bullied has a hard time defending him or herself. Usually, bullying happens over and over. There are many different types of bullying. Verbal bullying is teasing and name-calling. Physical bullying is hitting, kicking, punching, etc. Another type of bullying is cyber bullying. This involves the use of technology such as cell phones and computers to abuse others.

You have been nominated to find solutions to stop bullying now at West Middle School. You and your group will create ways for your friends and other students at West Middle School to prevent and stop bullying. You will be creating a poster, pamphlet and presentation that you will be presenting to the assistant principal, Mrs. Zahka. You need to help stop bullying forever at West Middle School.

Task:

1) You will be working in groups of either two or three students.

2) You will need to complete research, artwork and the writing of a poster and pamphlet.

3) Give an oral presentation to the assistant principal.

The Pamphlet:

ü Must be completed on Microsoft Word and typed appropriately.

ü Must be at least 2 pages long.

ü Must include text and illustrations.

The Poster:

ü Must be on poster paper.

ü Must include minimal text.

ü Must have illustrations.

ü Must be colorful.

ü Should be able to read main slogan from the back of the classroom.

The Presentation:

ü Must be at least three minutes in length.

ü Every group member should have a part in the presentation.

The Process:

You have been chosen by Mrs. Moreno to join a campaign to “Stop Bullying Now”. Your input is wanted to make West Middle School a bully free zone. As part of this campaign, you will be asked to look at various resources to see how other schools have helped prevent bullying. Your group will complete the Six Steps of the Public Policy Analyst Model (PPA) to decide on the best public policy solution that will help prevent bullying at West Middle School.

A worksheet for each of the steps of the PPA is listed below on the following links. Each worksheet has a step in the process of finding a solution to the problem. Click on each link and complete the attached worksheet. Your group will use these worksheets as a guide and resource material for completing the poster, pamphlet and presentation. Make sure that you use all six steps of the PPA in your presentations.

Step #1: Define the Social Problem

Step #2: Gather the Evidence

Step #3: Identify the Causes

Step #4: Evaluate an Existing Policy

Step #5: Develop Solutions

Step #6: Select the Best Solution

Resources:

General Web Resources:

www.google.com

www.yahooligans.com

Specific Web Resources:

Evaluation:

Pamphlet Rubric

CATEGORY	4	3	2	1
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 brochure seems "text-heavy".	Graphics do not go with the accompanying text or appear to be randomly chosen.
Spelling & Proofreading	No spelling errors remain after one person other than the typist reads and corrects the brochure.	No more than 3 spelling error remains after one person other than the typist reads and corrects the brochure.	No more than 4 spelling errors remain after one person other than the typist reads and corrects the brochure.	Several spelling errors in the brochure.
Attractiveness & Organization	The brochure has exceptionally attractive formatting and well-organized information.	The brochure has attractive formatting and well-organized information.	The brochure has well-organized information.	The brochure's formatting and organization of material are confusing to the reader.
Knowledge Gained	All students in the group can accurately answer all questions related to facts in the brochure and to technical processes used to create the brochure.	All students in the group can accurately answer most questions related to facts in the brochure and to technical processes used to create the brochure.	Most students in the group can accurately answer most questions related to facts in the brochure and to technical processes used to create the brochure.	Several students in the group appear to have little knowledge about the facts or technical processes used in the brochure.
Writing - Grammar	There are no grammatical mistakes in the brochure.	There are 2-3 grammatical mistakes in the brochure.	There are 4-5 grammatical mistakes in the brochure.	There are several grammatical mistakes in the brochure.

Poster Rubric

CATEGORY	4	3	2	1
Use of Class Time	Used time well during each class period. Focused on getting the project done. Never distracted others.	Used time well during each class period. Usually focused on getting the project done and never distracted others.	Used some of the time well during each class period. There was some focus on getting the project done but occasionally distracted others.	Did not use class time to focus on the project OR often distracted others.
Graphics - Relevance	All graphics are related to the topic and make it easier to understand. All borrowed graphics have a source citation.	All graphics are related to the topic and most make it easier to understand. All borrowed graphics have a source citation.	All graphics relate to the topic. Most borrowed graphics have a source citation.	Graphics do not relate to the topic OR several borrowed graphics do not have a source citation.
Attractiveness	The poster is exceptionally attractive in terms of design, layout, and neatness.	The poster is attractive in terms of design, layout and neatness.	The poster is acceptably attractive though it may be a bit messy.	The poster is distractingly messy or very poorly designed. It is not attractive.
Title	Title can be read from 6 ft. away and is quite creative.	Title can be read from 6 ft. away and describes content well.	Title can be read from 4 ft. away and describes the content well.	The title is too small and/or does not describe the content of the poster well.
Grammar	There are no grammatical mistakes on the poster.	There are 1-2 grammatical mistakes on the poster.	There are 3-4 grammatical mistakes on the poster.	There are more than 4 grammatical mistakes on the poster.

Presentation Rubric

CATEGORY	4	3	2	1
Preparedness	Student is completely prepared and has obviously rehearsed.	Student seems pretty prepared but might have needed a couple more rehearsals.	The student is somewhat prepared, but it is clear that rehearsal was lacking.	Student does not seem at all prepared to present.
Posture and Eye Contact	Stands up straight, looks relaxed and confident. Establishes eye contact with everyone in the room during the presentation.	Stands up straight and establishes eye contact with everyone in the room during the presentation.	Sometimes stands up straight and establishes eye contact.	Slouches and/or does not look at people during the presentation.
Volume	Volume is loud enough to be heard by all audience members throughout the presentation.	Volume is loud enough to be heard by all audience members at least 90% of the time.	Volume is loud enough to be heard by all audience members at least 80% of the time.	Volume often too soft to be heard by all audience members.
Speaks Clearly	Speaks clearly and distinctly all (100-95%) the time, and mispronounces no words.	Speaks clearly and distinctly all (100-95%) the time, but mispronounces one word.	Speaks clearly and distinctly most ( 94-85%) of the time. Mispronounces no more than one word.	Often mumbles or can not be understood OR mispronounces more than one word.
Listens to Other Presentations	Listens intently. Does not make distracting noises or movements.	Listens intently but has one distracting noise or movement.	Sometimes does not appear to be listening but is not distracting.	Sometimes does not appear to be listening and has distracting noises or movements

Conclusion:

You have done it! You have helped to find ways to reduce and prevent bullying at West Middle School! You have been a policy maker by identifying a problem, gathering the evidence, identify the causes, evaluating an existing policy, develop solutions and finally selecting the best solution. Your poster and pamphlet will help others to see how they can help to reduce and prevent bullying. Bullying is an experience that people never forget and harms them for life. You have helped your peers! You are special…continue making changes throughout your life!

Standards Addressed:

English Language Arts Standards

· Standard 1: Students will read, write, listen and speak for information and understanding.

· Standard 3: Students will read, write, listen and speak for critical analysis and evaluation.

· Standard 4: Students will read, write, listen and speak for social interaction.

Technology Standards

· Standard 5: Students will apply technological knowledge and skills to design, construct, use, and evaluate products and systems to satisfy human and environmental needs.

Art Standards

· Standard 2: Students will be knowledgeable about and make use of the materials and resources available for participation in the arts in various roles.

Social Studies Standards

· Standard 5: Students will use a variety of intellectual skills to demonstrate their understanding of the necessity for establishing governments; the governmental system of the United States and other nations; the United States Constitution; the basic civic values of American constitutional democracy; and the roles, rights, and responsibilities of citizenship, including avenues of participation.