Great Article about Teaching Empathy

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2010/nov/02/culture-changing-curriculum-promotes-empathy/

This article talks about a school in Knoxville that has implemented a curriculum called Why Try! and the impact it has on the students and teachers.
Thanks Jerry!

More Bullying sites to visit

Stop Bullying Now
US Department of Health and Human Services offers flash movies, games, and information about bullying and how to prevent it
GO: www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/kids

The National Center for Bullying Prevention
Helping to promote awareness and teach effective ways to respond to bullying
GO: www.Pacer.org/bullying
GO: http://kidsagainstbullying.org/

STOMP Out Bullying
Focused on reducing bullying and cyberbullying
GO: www.stompoutbullying.org

A Thin LIne
A site offering information, stories and quiz for those who have digital drama
GO: www.athinline.org

PROJECT CHANGE
A grassroots, nonprofit organization comprised of youth and adults who believe that high levels of youth engagement are essential to building strong, vibrant and healthy communities
GO: www.projectchange-md.org

The Trevor Project
A 24-hour, national help-line for gay and questioning teens
CALL: 866 4U TREVOR
GO: www.thetrevorproject.org

Bullying.org
A site dedicated to increasing the awareness of bullying and to preventing, resolving and eliminating bullying in society
GO: www.bullying.org

Anti-Bullying Network (UK)
Information for young people, parents and teachers on tackling bullying within schools
GO: http://www.antibullying.net/

No Bully
Helps schools to implement an anti-bullying policy and create school cultures where every student feels included
GO: http://www.nobully.com/

GLSEN
A great organization that is working to eradicate bullying and bias in schools
GO: www.glsen.org

National School Safety and Security Services
Bullying, anti-bullying legislation, school safety.
GO: www.schoolsecurity.org/trends/bullying.html

October is national Bullying Prevention Month

Since the start of this school year there have been at least 4 bullying related suicides in the news. That is 4 too many. With the last reports about the death of the Rutgers University student being the most publicized,   it has prompted me and several other staff members(thanks Maxine) to gather websites and materials to arm ourselves and teach our students about the damage that cyber-bullying can inflict. In a blog I read while compiling these links the author stated that we are in deep doo doo when our children think that what they are doing is "fun or funny"  and "not that big of a deal." It is our job to educate them and help them to understand that these acts are big deals and can do irreparable harm to others. Below are some links to information to begin our fight against bullying and its horrific effects.

http://blog.anniefox.com/2010/10/02/broken-kids-are-breaking-all-of-us/

Cruel's not Cool website

bullying guidelines for teachers from teaching tolerance.org

Information about the film Bullied

http://www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/kids/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/01/ellens-emotional-plea-sto_n_747061.html (scroll down to watch Ellen's video)

http://www.nea.org/tools/14837.htm

Cyberbullying Research Center

Appreciating Diversity

Here a couple of links to some videos that might spark some conversation about appreciating diversity.  The videos showcase  a teenaged boy diagnosed with Autism that is given an opportunity to play basketball in High School. It also discusses how his teammates and classmates view him. They were suggested by John Liotta ( Social and Emotional Learning ) .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOiEHpoKIJA&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sE_pwpBmG3w

New book in the library

We have a new book in the library called Teen Cyberbullying Investigated which deals with recent court cases based on this issue. The call number is 345.73 JAC. The information in this book could be great for starting a discussion on cyberbullying with your group. It is on display with our new books currently so come on in and check it out!

Cyberbullying

This is a great article from Teaching Tolerance magazine.

http://www.tolerance.org/magazine/number-38-fall-2010/cyberbullying

Dignity for All Students Act-New York Anti-Bullying law

Did you know NY passed an Anti-Bullying law? On Sept. 8, Governor Patterson signed the bill into law.

Read about it in this article. http://www.suite101.com/content/dignity-for-all-students-act---new-yorks-anti-bullying-law-a283825

Girls and Cyber-bullying Article

Maxine found a great article about the rise of cyber-bullying amongst girls take a look, might be a good place to start a discussion.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/01/AR2010090102648.html?wpisrc=nl_headline

First Advisory

Hi Everyone,
Hope your first advisory went well. I did a few fun activities I wanted to share. My group played a game called fruit salad. and created an Answergarden. Hope everyone has a great weekend.



What does advisory mean to you?... at AnswerGarden.ch.

Library Materials Available

The library has four new books that have many different activities and ideas for your advisory group. The books will be located behind the circulation desk in the professional collection. Come to the library and check them out!

The titles are:

Treasure Chest: A Teacher Advisory Source Book

Treasure Chest II: Problem Solving Activites, Brain Stretchers and Active Games

The Morning Meeting Book
The Advisory Book: Building a Community of Learners Grades 5-9

Another new tech tool to share

Great way to visually display words, Tagxedo.com , creates pictures with words, it can even translate a blog page into a word display.

New tech tool to share

This might be an interesting way to begin an Advisory.
Create an Answer Garden at http://answergarden.ch/demonstration/

Try it here.

Advisory is ...... at AnswerGarden.ch.
Answergarden: Advisory is ......:

Welcome to the South Middle Advisory Blog

Here are some great articles and resources  to get you in the mindset for Advisory:

- Advisories inspire and motivate 

http://www.educationworld.com/a_admin/admin/admin525.shtml 

- What makes a successful advisory?  

http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/curr127.shtml

- National Middle School Association Article 

http://www.nmsa.org/Research/ResearchSummaries/AdvisoryPrograms/tabid/812/Default.aspx 

Found a great  new resource from Conflict Resolution Education, they have created a free teacher calendar that can be printed. It features a page for each month filled with sites and ideas for enhancing social emotional education.

http://www.creducation.org/cre/lo/2011_calendar

Welcome to the South Middle Advisory Blog

On this Blog you will find resources and discussions to guide you through the Advisory process. 

Good Luck and Have a Great year! 

Here are some great articles and resources  to get you in the mindset for Advisory:

- Advisories inspire and motivate 

http://www.educationworld.com/a_admin/admin/admin525.shtml 

- What makes a successful advisory?  

http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/curr127.shtml

- National Middle School Association Article 
http://www.nmsa.org/Research/ResearchSummaries/AdvisoryPrograms/tabid/812/Default.aspx