Our Anti-Bullying Booklist

photo credit: Sana, Oung Ty via photopin cc

October is National Bullying Prevention Awareness month, and schools everywhere are raising awareness by hanging posters, holding assemblies, bringing in guest speakers, wearing blue, etc.  According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, 1 in 3 US students say they have been bullied at school.  As both parents and educators, we are hypersensitive to this issue, and are on full alert for any social, verbal, or physical behavior that may cause another student(s) to feel uncomfortable.  On the flip side, we also find it is important to talk to the students who are causing the discomfort, sometimes unknowingly, and have found this visual at Ms. Sepp's Counseling Corner to be very helpful.

When working with our guided reading groups this month, we are making a conscious effort to incorporate several books with a bullying theme.  We'd like to share a list of a few of our favorites, all with a variety of lessons but with a central theme of bullying.  

Chrysanthemum by David Henkes 
This book is a favorite of ours.  We use it at the beginning of the year with the incoming fourth graders as both a social and language-based activity.   The book involves a young girl, Chrysanthemum, who is teased at school because of her name, despite her parents constant reassurance that her name is beautiful and that her peers are jealous.  It isn't until her music teacher tells Chrysanthemum's class that she also is named after a flower and that she loves the name so much that she would also pick that name for her future baby.

Recess Queen by David Henkes by Alexis O'Neill
No one messes with Mean Jean at recess.  No one, that is, until the new girl, Katie Sue comes to school.  Sweet, little Katie Sue isn't intimidated by Mean Jean.  In fact, she invites her to jump rope, much to the surprise of her classmates.  Katie Sue's kind and genuine invitation becomes the start of a new friendship.

The Bully Blockers Club by Teresa Bateman
Lotty Raccoon is exited for school, but her excitement is short-lived as Grant Grizzly soon begins bullying her.  Lotty tries a variety of strategies at the advice of her brother and sister: ignoring him, trying to be a friend, and making a joke about it, but nothing works.  When Lotty's parents find out, they talk to the teacher, who in turn, speaks to Grant.  Soon, Grant begins to bully her when no adults are around.  Lotty soon notices that other kids are being bullied by Grant, so she decides to start a club-The Bully Blockers Club.

Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell
Molly Lou Melon is an awkward little girl: short, clumsy, buckteeth, and a voice that sounds like a bullfrog, but she believed in herself because of her grandmother's wisdom and love.  When Molly Lou starts a new school, Ronald Durkin makes fun of her.  Molly does not let him stand in her way.  Instead, she shows her talents and her uniqueness only to have Ronald Durkin reconsider how he treats her.

The Juice Box Bully by Bob Sornson
Pete starts a new school, and although his classmates are welcoming, he does not reciprocate their kindness.  He ruins a soccer game, squirts juice on to a classmate's shirt, and dishes out a fair share of taunts and put-downs.  His classmates share with him that they will not tolerate his behavior because they made a promise that they will stand up to bullies.  Pete initially resists the promise but then shares that he use to be bullied, and no one ever stood up for him.  One classmate, Ralph speaks up for Pete and asks for others to treat him kindly even though he has not treated others kindly.

Oliver Button is a Sissy by Tomie dePaola
Oliver's interests are very different from the other boys in his class.  While others prefer to play sports, Oliver enjoys jumping rope, playing with dolls, and sing and dance.  When his parents find about his passion for dancing, they decide to send him to dancing school.  Once his friends find out the news, they tease him, calling him a "sissy."  Oliver practices and enters a talent show.  His classmates attend, and change their opinion.  They have a new found respect for him, calling him a "star."

The Meanest Thing To Say by Bill Cosby
Michael Reilly introduces a new game to Little Bill and his friends, a mean game of teasing: Each person has 12 chances to say something mean to someone, and whoever says the meanest thing wins.  Little Bill trys to think of mean things to say in retaliation.  Little Bill's father gives him a a simple yet effective strategy to use.

"Children should be able to live a life free from bullying and harassment and it is time that we all took a stand against this." - Katherine Jenkins

International AAC Awareness Month

The month of October is International AAC awareness month. While most speech pathologists know what this this means, it would leave many of my other friends and acquaintances scratching their heads. Since the month is about spreading awareness I thought I would try by explaining what AAC is first and then share some great resources I found. In Textbook terms, Augmentative and Alternative communication (AAC) is any method of communication used to supplement or replace speaking or writing for those with impairments with understanding or using spoken or written language (source). In simpler terms it can be signing or gestures, use of picture symbols or speech generating devices (such as a Dynovox). Methods can be classified as aided (use of pictures or devices) or unaided (signing or gesturing). AAC can be used with many in low-tech or high-tech forms and according to ASHA there are no specific requirements or prerequisites for the use of AAC. It is amazing and can make all the difference for those without a voice.

Want to know more about AAC? Check out these wonderful resources below:

ISAAC International

AAC Facts

Mass Match

Jane Farrall Blog

Protect Your Voice

If you rely on your voice throughout your day (like most people), you cannot risk losing it. Professions like teaching, singing and broadcasting often have a higher rate of voice disorders because of misuse. Even so, about 1 in 3 people will experience hoarseness of their voice at one time or another. Losing your voice during cold season while suffering with the common cold happens to many adults and children. However, if the hoarseness lasts more than two weeks, it may mean you need some additional testing from a voice specialist such as a speech pathologist or an otolaryngologist (ENT). Most voice disorders are preventable. Here are the top the four things I try to tell clients to do to reduce vocal strain.

1. Hydrate- drinking lots of caffeine, or not drinking enough water will dehydrate you over time. Your vocal chord work best if you keep them hydrated. You can do this by drinking water and other  decaffeinated drinks. This sounds simple but can be hard on the go. Bringing a bottle of water is always a start.

2. Change Proximity- If you are across a room and need to talk with someone, move closer so you do not have to yell. Your vocal chords can then work at volume they are used to without strain.

3. Rest-You and your vocal chords need enough rest. Resting your voice means giving it time away from being used for more than 10 minutes at a time (I also need work with is as like most speech therapists, I like to talk).

     

4. Amplify When Needed- If you have to talk to a crowd or a group many days a week like many actors, teachers, or public speakers do, you may need to use a microphone or FM system. 

Its a Speech Party

For the past six years the National Stuttering Association has put on speech party events in major cities for children who stutter. This year, an event is headed to Minneapolis and will be Saturday September 27th from 8:30 to 12. It is a great opportunity for students with fluency needs to connect with other kids who stutter and is a great support for families. It is geared toward students in elementary-high school and is motivating and fun. On Monday I got a flyer in the mail and I currently don't have a single family on my school caseload to give it to. So, I thought I would share the information here in hopes to reach some parent or families in the Twin Cities. Here is an overview of the event in pictures:

 

Dates and Times

  

Location

                                                                                 

Schedule

 

Hope this is helpful for someone out there! For other events put on by the National Stuttering Association check out the link here.