Sticks and Stones, Part 2

Who else is working to end bullying? The Sexual Assault Crisis & Support Center, that’s who. The program, called “The Burden of a Backpack,” starts out much like any other bullying program. Students who’ve already learned the basics about bullying are engaged in a conversation by answering questions such as:

“What is bullying?”

“What do people do to bully each other?”

“How do people feel when they’re being bullied?”

Though surprisingly simple, these questions generate a wealth of conversation. Students openly speak about their own experiences, sometimes divulging scenarios that teachers and guidance counselors hadn’t heard before. Students also discuss the ramifications of bullying ranging from missing school to eating disorders. Spontaneous dialogue about cyber bullying and suicide will sometimes emerge thanks to the safe environment created by our educators. To help establish that trust, I share my own experience as the target of bulling.

As powerful and productive as the discussion is, it’s the next segment of “The Burden of a Backpack” that creates the greatest impact. Students are told that someone in the room is going to be bullied. When I have the privilege of leading student discussion, I also become the bullying target. In the role of the target, I wear a backpack and pretend to be waiting at the bus stop. While waiting, I’m approached by the bully (played by a fellow educator). The bully takes rocks which have hurtful phrases like, “You stink,” “you can’t sit with me,” “loser,” written on them and says the phrase aloud before stuffing the rock into the backpack.

As the target, I display the pain and hurt those words can cause. Once all of the rocks are in the backpack, students are asked to describe how I must be feeling and how they could help. Inevitably, students will want to take rocks out of the backpack and be a friend to the target. Thus, students are encouraged to take a rock out of the backpack and give a compliment to the target. As each rock is taken out, students can see the transformation of the target. They notice it so much that one once called out, “He’s starting to smile!”

To drive the point home, I remind students of how I’d been bullied and tell them how different my childhood would have played out if I’d had friends like them. They are asked to remember what they learned and to be a friend to those who are being bullied.

 It may not put an end to bullying, but it may help stop the hurting. 

"Love the backpack! Thank you!"

-Teacher response, Carrabec Community School