BULLYING: A GUIDE
Macaroni Boy by Katherine Ayres
Blubber by Judy Blume
Spider Boy by Ralph Fletcher
True Blue by Jeffrey Lee
Feather Boy by Nick Springer
The books in this guide all deal with bullying. Use the
questions to open discussion with your students on this important
topic. Additional themes include challenges, friendships growing
up, peer pressure, and self-discovery.
ABOUT BULLYING
Bullying isn't a new problem in schools. Almost all adults will say
that they either encountered or knew a bully in their childhood.
Some will say they were victimized, and others will admit to being
innocent bystanders. And, some may even reveal that they were
bullies themselves.
No one wants to be called names or teased and taunted. No one wants
to be left out of a ballgame or a school activity. No one wants
their personal belongings ruined or their secrets revealed. New
kids in school, and children who are different, especially mentally
and physically challenged kids, are often the targets. These kids
are already on the outside, and therefore vulnerable. Bullies are
seeking attention and want to feel important. They feed their low
self-esteem by being mean to others.
Newspapers, magazines, television and radio news are filled with
incidents of schoolyard bullying. Why has bullying become such a
worldwide issue in schools today? Is bullying the beginning of
school violence? Whatever the reasons, schools and parents must
develop ways of helping children cope with the local school bully.
Children who are being bullied are often quiet about it. The bully
may have threatened them if they "tattle" or they may feel
embarrassed.
HOW TO RESPOND
Observant adults will notice if a child is quieter than usual,
suddenly afraid of going to school, shows a drop in grades, and
doesn't want to play with friends or participate in after school
activities. Ask questions. Engage them in conversation about the
way they are feeling. Role-play a hypothetical incident. Encourage
them to talk with someone they trust. Suggest they write about
their feelings in a journal. Give them books to read.
1. Wendy is the most popular girl in Mrs. Minish's fifth grade
class. Ask the class to describe Wendy. Cite evidence from the
novel that Wendy is a "troublemaker." How does Wendy misuse her
popularity? Why does Jill fall to Wendy's power?
2. Discuss why Linda is such an easy target for bullies.
Describe her feelings when the girls do and say mean things to her.
Ask the class to discuss what Linda could have done to help her
situation.
3. Describe Jill and Tracy's friendship. How is Tracy more
perceptive about Wendy than Jill? Discuss whether Tracy would
participate in bullying Blubber if she were in Mrs. Minish's class.
How is it sometimes easier to see through a situation from the
outside?
4. Engage the class in a discussion about whether Mrs. Minish,
the teacher, realizes what is going on between the girls. Find
passages in the novel that indicate that Mrs. Minish is an
"uninformed" teacher. What can teachers and school administrators
do to eliminate problems with bullying?
5. Wendy tries to convince Jill and Tracy that it was Linda who
squealed on them for putting eggs in Mr. Machinist's mailbox on
Halloween. Tracy doubts the accusation, and Jill suggests that
Linda be given a trial. How is this incident the turning point in
the novel? What are the lessons that Jill learns?