Calvary Academy News
Bullying on TV
Posted on 09.22.09 by Mychael
The following is an excerpt from the bullying curriculum published by World Teacher Press that our 7-9 grade students are using in the classroom.
What effect does bullying on television have on us? An association between violence on television and aggression has been well established over the last few decades. There is a need for students to develop critical viewing skills to decrease the negative effects of media violence and bullying on them. In developing these skills they learn to distance themselves from the dramatization and to recognize and understand the differences between television and real life.
We are asking for students and parents to identify bullying behaviors in programs they watch regularly. You may also begin to identify and become aware of situations involving racism, violence, negative stereotypes and sexism. You both may notice a change in your reactions to the incidents once a focus has been placed on the inappropriate behavior. What does television tell students about bullying? What role does television play in either condoning or criticizing the behavior?
Discussion Points
1. Discuss the headings on the “Bullying on Television” survey sheet that is included with this newsletter so your child is aware of what is expected. (Keywords and phrases can be used.)
2. Children and/or parents should keep a tally of incidents at the bottom of the page and describe examples on the chart.
3. Children may need to watch the same program over time to list examples accurately.
4. Discuss the results. Ask your child if they feel differently about the program after doing this exercise.
Discuss the following:
Were any of the behaviors funny? If so, why?
Did anyone not think they were funny? Why not?
Is it possible for a sitcom or a cartoon to be funny without put-downs, etc? How?
Can your child think of a time where they have been put-down, teased, or bullied? How did they feel?
Was it funny? Why or why not?
Is this behavior condoned? If so, how?
Is it criticized? How?
What is the program telling us about bullying?
Did you know that the most common form of verbal bullying is name-calling?
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