Be Aware as a Responsible Citizen
This section will help you discover the answer to the following questions:
- What is Bullying?
- Are your peer relationships positive or negative?
What is Bullying?
We all know that bullying happens in our schools, but do we know what “bullying” really is?
Finding Power and Strength in Ourselves: Without Bullying!
A big part of bullying is about someone attempting to have power over others. Can you think of ways that people can feel they have "power" in their life without hurting someone else? Take part in the online discussion, “Bullying: The Myth of Power.”
The Silent Majority
Do you know what the silent majority is? Can speaking up stop bullying? View the videos below to learn about your role in stopping bullying.
Act as a Responsible Citizen – Think Challenge #1
Being Strong and Knowing Yourself
Click here to read a story about Lhamea, a teenage girl in the U.K., who was bullied in school but overcame it through her love for music. Click on the link at the bottom of the article to hear her song about her experience with bullying.
Think about yourself. What things do you love doing? What makes you unique and different from everyone else?
Create a portfolio that describes who you are. You can make your portfolio use PowerPoint, Publisher, a word processing program or by hand.
Include pictures of yourself and your friends. Images and stories about hobbies or sports in which you’re involved, any art, poetry, writing, or anything else of which you are proud. Include any stories about your life that you thought were funny, happy or touching.
Share or Not!
If you want, share your portfolio with your friends. If you don’t want to, keep it private. Look at it when you’re happy and add new things to it. Look at it when you’re sad to remind you what a terrific person you are!
Act as a Responsible Citizen – Think Challenge #2
Create a Public Service Announcement
A Public Service Announcement (PSA) is a commercial that informs people about important issues and is usually run by a radio or television station for free.
Click on the links below and watch some video PSAs.
Now Make Your Own!
Make a public service announcement that addresses the issue of bullying. How can students make a difference? What is our role as responsible citizens in stopping bullying?
You may make a Video or Radio PSA depending on what equipment you have available to you.
If you have a digital video camera you can film and download your PSA using Movie Maker or iMovie.
If you want to make a radio PSA you can also use Movie Maker or iMovie, or you can also record in PowerPoint using the Record Narration button under the Slide Show tab.
Some Pointers
- It is a good idea to storyboard you video PSA before recording it. There is a good example of making a storyboard here. Click on the numbers to see the story cards.
- You don't need a storyboard for radio, but a script is a good idea. Write down what will be said and any sound effects you will need.
- Don’t forget. The main purpose of a PSA is to get a message across. Keep it simple and clear. Don't use too many special effects.
Show it off!
Ask your teacher where you can show your PSA. How about presenting it to the class, the school, or maybe you can have it played on a community radio or TV program.
Act as a Responsible Citizen – Think Challenge #3
Create a Scene!
Watch the Ha Ha So videos below. Working with a partner or group of three, make your own scenes using the strategies presented in the video. Present your scenes to your class or make a video of them.
Talk with your teacher about presenting your scenes or videos to a grade 4 or 5 class. Plan an activity for that class to do before or after they see the scenes.