What Is Bullying?
What Is Bullying? (video)
The Riverview District Policy defines bullying as:
Bullying, Harassment, Intimidation
Harassment, intimidation or bullying means any intentionally written message or image – including those that are electronically transmitted – verbal, or physical act that:
Physically harms a person or damages the person’s property;
Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s education;
Is so severe, persistent or pervasive that it creates an intimidating or threatening educational environment;
Has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school.
The Second Step program defines bullying as actions that:
- Are repeated (or have the potential to be repeated)
- Involve a real or perceived imbalance of power
- Have the intent to cause physical or emotional harm
- Have a significant impact on the bullied student
Adults often find it difficult to distinguish between actual bullying—where there is a power imbalance, intent to harm, and repeated behavior—and instances of peer conflict, which usually happen once and don’t involve a power differential.
Books To Help Your Children with Bullying:
NOTE: Please read the book first to make sure the subject matter and reading level are age-appropriate for your students.
Preschool/Elementary Fiction
De Paola, Tomi. Oliver Button Is a Sissy.
McCain, Becky. Nobody Knew What to Do: A Story About Bullying.
Munson, Derek. Enemy Pie.
Nickle, John. Ant Bully.
Elementary Fiction
Clements, Andrew. Jake Drake, Bully Buster.
Ludwig, Trudy. Confessions of a Former Bully.
Moss, Peggy. One of Us.