One of the reasons bullies have so much power is because their victims are often too scared to tell. It’s a struggle that Leroy faces in ‘Bully on the Bus’ – and it’s a huge and important step, for him to speak about it.
Excerpt take from ‘Bully on the Bus’, by Kathryn Apel (UQP)
This Friday, 16th March, is Bullying, No Way Day – a national day of action against bullying. It’s a reminder that we need to be intentional about conversations with our kids – in homes and in classrooms – to know if they are in situations where they don’t feel safe or valued, but also to ensure that they are growing as compassionate beings, respecting others, even in their differences.
Bullying should not be kept secret!
I wrote Leroy’s story to open communication between small people and their carers, enabling young children to identify a situation where they might feel threatened, like Leroy. A flow-on effect is that it’s being used in older classes to foster empathy and awareness – in hopes of reducing bullying.
For more information on ‘Bully on the Bus’, including reviews and teacher notes; https://katswhiskers.wordpress.com/kats-books/bully-on-the-bus.
For more information about Bullying No Way Day check out; https://bullyingnoway.gov.au
It might be Bullying No Way Day on Friday – but bullying is never okay!
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This post is (sneaking in early) as part of the Poetry Friday link-up around the blogosphere.
You’ll find more poetry posts on 16th March, at TeacherDance.
Thanks, Linda!
Please feel free to share links to other poems about bullying, in the comments.
This year, my oldest third-grade granddaughter finally “told” that a seatmate kept telling her that her lunch was poisonous. Though in her heart, she knew it was silly talk, it did affect her & when she kept bringing home a lunch uneaten, she told. It’s been hard to “unlearn” no matter how much she knows. I hope your National Day of Action is helpful, suspect your book will also be so, so helpful, Kat. I’m going to share the poem with my granddaughter! Thank you!
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I am so glad she talked about it, Linda. Your story shows how important communication is. Bullying is a problem that needs to be shared and halved and shared again until it is cut right down to no size. Sending a hug to your granddaughter, to go with the poem.
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Wow. Letting the dragon out….such a big and scary thing for a kid. I can only imagine the connection some kids are going to feel when they read this poem and see that they are not alone. This is good….good for the world. Thank you for sharing.
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I hope they do feel empowered, Linda. And not alone. That is so important!
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Wonderful poem, Kat. That is a great metaphor. It’s so much better if everyone knows!
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Thank-you, Tabatha. And yes – much better!
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I love Leroy’s voice in “The Dragon” filled with urgency and hesitation at the same time. Definitely helps showing that dragon, thanks Kat!
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Thank, Michelle. That’s lovely feedback.
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I LOVE that dragon image. It does seem big and scary–and you don’t know what will happen when it gets out, but finally, you aren’t alone any more. I hope your book and the focus on stopping bullying keeps growing and growing until that dragon shrinks right down.
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I love Bully On the Bus! I need to booktalk it because I know as soon as I do it will go around the classroom like wildfire!
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I am loving that image, Mary Lee!
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