Saturday, April 7, 2012

Incredible Shrinking Bully

 The Incredible Shrinking Bully

By Mona Schmitt

Bart used to enjoy school, but that was before Frank the Tank began bullying him. Every time Frank bullies someone, he gets bigger. Will Bart find the courage to stop Frank, before it's too late? This is a picture book geared toward younger kids, in hopes of sending a positive message and opening a dialogue between kids and parents, educators, grandparents, etc. about bullying. Maybe if awareness starts early, some of the problems can be prevented later. 

I loved the pictures!  My favorite picture in this book has to be when Frank snot rockets on some kids locker.  It is totally gross but so funny! This story is age appropriate and can be used in most grades K-9th.  If you wanted to adapt it to use it in higher grades you could, just use different activities to enhance the point of the book. 

If I were to use it in a classroom I would read the book, discuss bullying, and finally have them create their own book about a time when they were bullied.  People of all ages love to draw, even if they say they do not - trust me.  For some students it would be difficult to get their experience out , but telling people about it could mean healing from it.    The story follows a child from getting picked on, learning how to start up for himself, and finally standing up to the bully to protect another.  A part of the book I was unsure of, it had the main character state if it came down to it he would hit Frank, which would be totally against any bully curriculum I have taught.  I would probably have a discussion on if hitting back was the right thing to do or not.  Overall it is a cute book that you can use to discuss bullying and how to overcome it.  I've included this in various curriculum packets dealing with making friends and standing up for yourself.  
This would be a great resource to keep in a classroom ... 
 ALL teachers should enter to win a copy below to keep in theirs :) 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

4 comments:

  1. Teach my kids what to do about it (which I currently do) and teach them NOT to bully (which we also do).

    aniwilsonintx at hotmail dot com

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  2. I teach my children to treat others the way they want to be treated. That God made all of us and nobody is better than anyone else. Also the good examples the parents set for their children stops bullying. And parents need to realize none of their children are perfect that everyone makes mistakes. I have told this to my children and children in the neighborhood that come to my home many of times. Thank you for this great giveaway. :) Jeanne B. T.

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  3. I have been teaching my daughter to view the bully as a victim too. Not really that people should be victims, but that the bully may be a victim of bullying too. For example, there was a situation at school where the bully's mom came in screaming in another language at her son, even though she was the one who was late to the event. My daughter felt terrible for the boy and we talked about how his behavior at school may be a reflection of his treatment at home. She saw him in a new light and realized was not as powerful as she made him out to be and he has his own struggles. She doesn't let him bother her anymore and as a result, he has stopped being mean to her and the girls she plays with. s clotde bro at yahoo dot com

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  4. I don't have kids but taught first grade for a few years. We talked a lot about friendship & treating others with respect. I made sure to be very visible during recess supervision and address any issues that arose.

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