Small Group Curriculum

Focus of Group: This group will be meeting to discuss what the different forms of
bullying look like and what students can do if they experience or witness bullying
within their school. Evidence from student surveys has shown that while some
students believe bullying to be a problem at their school, there are others that are
uncertain about what the different forms of bullying mean and the effects it has on
other students. Being familiar with what to do in these situations can help to foster
a happy and healthier educational environment that will be more fostering for all
students to succeed.

Goal: The aim of this group is to help students to become familiar with the different
forms of bullying and techniques for addressing it to prevent students from missing
school.

Number of Students: The hope is to have six to ten student participants in the
group. Students can sign up themselves or may be referred by school staff.

Grade Level: This group would be provided for both 7 th and 8th grade students.

Adult Leader: A school counselor who can facilitate the group and is familiar with
strategies for dealing with bullying situations.

Number of Sessions: There will be four sessions that meet weekly during the
lunch period.

ASCA Domain & Mindsets:

B-SMS 1. Demonstrate ability to assume responsibility
B-SMS 7. Demonstrate effective coping skills when faced with a problem
B-SS 2. Create positive and supportive relationships with other students
B-SS 5. Demonstrate ethical decision making and social responsibility
B-SS 9. Demonstrate social maturity and behaviors appropriate to the situation and
environment

Materials: Informed Consent form, Group Constitution, notebooks, pens

Description of Group:

Session 1: Understanding that bullying has many forms

Activity: Students will create lists of times they have been bullied or seen
others been bullied. Questions will include: have you seen someone physically be
bullied? Emotionally? Sexually? Via technology?

Discussion: The group will discuss the fact that bullying can occur in a wide
range of forms. It is important that students be able to recognize what bullying is
and the influence it has on the school atmosphere. During these discussions it
should be encouraged that names are not used as to ensure private occurrences are
not made in to public matters.

Relevant Data: 23% of students expressed uncertainty of seeing specific

types of bullying taking place, leading to a belief that they may be unfamiliar with
what bullying always looks like.

Session 2: Exploring electronic/online bullying and what students can do to help.

Activity: Students will brainstorm examples of bullying across several

different social media sites

Discussion: Discussions will focus on how easy it is to say something online

when others may not know it is you. Students will be prompted to talk about how to
block online bullying and how to report instances to adults.

Relevant Data: 24% of students report either being bullied or witnessing

someone being bullied online. Further, 27% of students reported being uncertain of
witnessing electronic bullying and would gain from clarity of the matter.

Session 3: What to do if you or someone you know are being bullied

Activity: Students will brainstorm who are appropriate people to talk to if

they or someone they know is being bullied.

Discussion: The discussion will focus on who to talk to about bullying and
when to speak up. There will also be time dedicated to covering what are not
appropriate responses to being bullied.

Relevant Data: 18% of students have missed at least one day of school
because of being bullied.

Session 4: Strategies for preventing/stopping bullying

Activity: Students will participate in role plays of groups of four: one student
will be a bully, one will be bullied, one will be an outside student who steps in, and
one will be a bystander who does nothing.

Discussion: Following the role play, students will discuss what it was like
during their time in each of the roles. Conversation will focus around what was
helpful in the moment and what each student is capable of doing to help the
situation.

Relevant Data: 39% of students have been in a social situation where

someone has been bullied by another student.

Plan for Evaluation:

Process Data: Six to ten students will meet once a week for four weeks.
 Perception Data: 100% of students will be comfortable identifying bullying.
Students will also be able to discuss specific ways to address bullying.

Outcome Data: The number of students who miss school due to bullying will
drop from 18% to 0% by the end of the next school year.