Bulling is cruel, pointless and makes a lot of people very unhappy, but it’s a big problem in many schools.
1. Look at the article and the photos. What is bully? Do you think is a problem in all schools?
2.
Can you recognize a bully?
What should you do?
Who are the victims?
Why do they do it?
How big is the problem?
Kristy’s story I was a bully
3. Read the texts in the boxes. Choose the best title for each text from the list bellow.
1. _________________
- One in 10 pupils in secondary school is bulled.
- It isn't just boys who are bullies. Girls can be bullies, too.
- With boys, bullying is usually physical, while female bullying is normal verbal. But words can hurt just as much as being punched.
- A lot of bullies become criminals when they grow up.
- Every year, about 10 young people kill themselves because they are bullied at school.
2. ______________________
People always called me names because I’ve got long red hair and freckles. They call me “Carrot Head” and things like that. I suppose it's because redheads are different, but I like my hair.
I don't usually do anything when people call me names. I just ignore it. But a few weeks ago I was in the park, and someone shout, “Oi, Carrot Head!” It was two girls and a boy who go to my school. I told them they were stupid and walked away, but they chased me. Luckily, they didn't catch me because I run quite fast.
When I saw them in the playground at the school the next day, however, I couldn't escape. They pushed me and called me names. And it was the same everyday after that. It was terrible.
Then one day when I came out of school, they were waiting for me . they pushed me again, and pulled my hair. Then my glasses fell off. When I bent down to pick them up, one of the girls punched me and another one kicked me. I shouted and screamed and they ran away.
When I got home, I was still crying. I told my mum all about it and she phoned the police. They came round to talk to me. Then they went to the bullies` houses to talk to their parents.
I was really worried for a few weeks after that. I often saw the kids who did it at school, but luckily they just left me alone. I’m glad I told my mum about it. If you keep it to your self and don't say anything, the bullies will just carry on.
4. _________________________________
You might think that bullies are not very nice people, but that’s wrong. A recent study on bullying in London showed that a typical bully isn't a big, ugly kid that nobody likes. In fact, the opposite is often true.
· Bullies are usually popular and have a lot of friends.
· They aren't stupid. In fact, bullies are often very clever. They can find their victims´ weak points very easily, and they’re very good at hiding what they do from teachers.
· They are usually good-looking and popular with the opposite sex.
· They were fashionable clothes. Bullies are often the fashion leaders in a school.
3._________________________
Anyone can be a victim, but most victims are kids who are different in some way.
· People who have different colour or religion.
· Kids who are very small or fat or, like Kristy, who just have a different hair colour.
· People who wear glasses.
· Kids who are new at school
· People who are naturally quiet or shy.
· Kids who prefer to be on their own rather than a part of a group.
3. Work in a group and discuss these questions:
a) Why do people become bullies?
b) Think of three ways to stop bullying at schools. Use this expressions:
You shouldn't put up with it.
Don’t ignore things
Keep it to yourself.
You should talk to ……
If you’re worried tell… about it.
Keep a diary
Give… your support
Listen to their problem
Expel / punish bullies
c) Present your ideas to the class.
4. Use your ideas from 3 and the questions bellow. Write some advice either to add to the article, or to make a poster.
Bullying: what can we do?
What should you do if you’re the victim?
What can schools do to stop the problem?
How can friends and parents help a victim?
cysia27