We estimated that students hear someone say something mean at least once a day (that's a conservative estimate). Every one of these instances is a chance to stand up for someone. If someone is putting down a friend try saying:
"That person's my friend and I'd really rather not hear this."
OR
"I really like that person and I think they're really nice"
If they are talking about a teacher you can say:
"Teaching is a really hard job and I bet that person is doing the best they can."
If they are talking about a stranger you can say:
"You know, we don't really know that person. Maybe they are having a really hard time..."
It's okay to stand up for yourself too!! If your friends do or say things that make you uncomfortable - tell them!
A few days later they reported back to me. A few students had stood up for their friends, a few of them had stood up for a teacher. Mostly they stood up for each other - against a teacher! Oh-well. That's good too.
2 comments:
There was a 9th grader getting bullied from another 9th grader. I saw the action getting serious and I stood up for him and I was talking to the kid that was getting bullied and he said " He's been bullying me since 7th grade..." So I went to find the bully.. Unfortunately I could not find him but when I so see him I'll talk with him and hopefully make him stop.
Remember that it's okay to ask for help from an adult that you trust. I'm proud of you, whoever you are, for being confident enough with yourself to stand up for someone else. That takes a lot of courage.
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