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Spelling out R-E-S-P-E-C-T!

Oct 15, 2014

October is National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month. The increase of bullying in schools is quite frightening.  A major topic related to bullying with youth is respect, or lack thereof. In our HCHC: Rise Above Bullying Edition, we discuss how respect relates to the choices we make in how we treat other people, their belongings and the world around us. Our words and actions are very powerful, and if used in a negative light, can lead to bullying behaviors.

Here is a great activity from our HCHC Flipbook that will help your youth express themselves when it comes to respect (for themselves and others).

Spelling out R-E-S-P-E-C-T

What you will need for this activity:

  • Blank paper (one sheet per participant), can also use index cards
  • Markers or crayons
  1. Divide the kids into groups of seven
  2. Each group will spell out respect, with each participant responsible for one of the letters. (If there are uneven groups, you can have two participants use the same letter.)
  3. Participants will need to finish the sentence, “I feel respected when,” using at least one word that starts with their letter, and draw a picture of this behavior. Encourage them to be specific. For example, a kid who chooses the letter “r” might write: “I feel respected when my classmates include me in games at recess.”
  4. Then ask groups to present how, together, they spell out respect, having them show their drawings and read out their sentences.

Variation: Have the kids exchange with the person next to them, and read the other person’s statement. So if Michael swapped with Taylor, Michael would read: “Taylor feels respected when people look her in the eye when talking to her.” 

 

Besides our flipbook, check out other resources on preventing bullying here:

And use #StopBullying on social media to see what others are doing for National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month. 

Tags
HCHC
bullying
respect