This project is part of the Black History Month celebration because it supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of the students are Black.
My Students
Do you remember how much fun school was each day? Talking with friends! Playing in the playground! Jumping rope! Now imagine how the anticipation and enthusiasm would have been different if you knew there was a bully waiting for you. This is the reality of many students in my urban school.
I teach the most amazing group of 2nd grade African-American students (7-8 years of age) on the West Side of Chicago.
They are a lively and energetic group! They love school and learning and I enjoy each day that I spend with them. The community, however, is plagued by violence on a regular basis. My students are witnesses to drug use and abuse, gang violence, and some have witnessed the brutal death of an immediate family member. The problems in the community are a challenge for my students both academically and socially. Students are taught that hitting and bullying is okay, and that it is important to not be a "punk." Both boys and girls have been bullies at this urban school.
My students need to know that bullying, and being the victim of a bully is WRONG, and that there is help out there for them.
My Project
The books I have selected deal directly with bullying. I know the messages within these texts will be beneficial to my students. The books present bullying in a way that allows us to have open communication and dialog about the topic in a manner that is non-threatening. They can learn about bullying through reading the texts and also during role play activities where they can re-enact scenes from the books. This provides my students with an opportunity to understand that we can hurt others by what we say AND do. My students need to learn that words do hurt as much as physical violence. I want my students to learn that we should use kindness and words of encouragement to support others. My students need to know that our differences as humans are not bad, and that the qualities that make us different are the things that make us special. I want my students to learn that hitting and cruelty is not acceptable, and that there are better choices when resolving conflicts.
I greet my students each day with a smile and a "good morning." I end each day with "I love you, be sure to come to school tomorrow, and be careful going home." I am the example that I want to see in them each day.
Unfortunately, there are some things that I cannot control. My only way to reach these children is while they are in school. Please help me provide my students with the guidance that they need to avoid bullying and help them learn how not to be a bully.
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Stewin and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
