Curriculum Development Brain and Behavior institute

BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR/ SCIENCE IN A SENSE OF PLACE-

                                 CURRICULLUM PROPOSAL

My proposal revolves around bullying and violence prevention at the middle school level. I want to integrate  the stoytelling aspect from the Brain & Behavior Institute and Science and a Sense of Place Institute. The project's theme was inspired by reading the article " Place Based Education" especially the section on real-world problem solving. There is not a great deal of violence at my school, but there is a great deal of bullying, especially with the 7th&8th graders. This a real world problem that needs to needs to be addressed! One saying that I learned from my students is "SNITCHES GET STICHES!", which I find to be  an incredibly sad comment!!! Its a Sad comment to make and an even SADDER comment on our society.

Here is a positive story about Philadelphia students:http://www.whatkidscando.org/featurestories/040107_YUC/index.html

OBJECTIVES

1. The students will research and compile information on bullying, including bullying prevention techniques, programs, strategies etc

2. Utilizing  the research information, the students will create informational products for the school, examples of projects are:

     A. Bullying Magazine

     B. Children's Book

     C. Website

     D. Pamphlet

ACTION PLAN

SEPTEMBER- DECEMBER

I. Identifying the Problem -

A. Brainstorming reasons for bullying

B. Relationship between bullying and violence

C. Start research on bullying, why kids bully, relationship between bullying and increased violence, the effects of bullying, etc

II. Preventing Bullying -

A. Brainstorm ways to prevent bullying

B. Research- effective bullying prevention programs

B. Role Play Bullying Situations 

JANUARY-MAY

ACTION PLANS- Real World Problem Solving -GETTING OUR MESSAGE HEARD!

A.  The students will analyzethe information from research to create a Bullying Magazine- Possibly quarterly magazine

Student created magazine entries can include, but are not limited to:

1. Stories

2. Poems

3. Raps,

4. Advice Column
5. Kid oriented articles about bullying/ prevention/how to handle it

6.Section where kids can send their questions to the magazine. I would like to get answers from the students, AND from some experts in the field.

B.  Storybook created by the 7th& 8th graders for the younger students- possibly several books for different grades.- The book could be laminated and bound to be donated to the school library.

C. Design bullying website

D. Informational pamphlet on bullying.

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES

During the school year, we can read books on bullying during Guided Reading i.e. "The Bully" which is a part of the Bluford Series.

We can also cover the topic of bullying during the writing period of Language Arts.

I am hoping to have guest speakers to discuss bullying and violence, I am hoping to ask the Great police officer and the gentleman who is with the CADE program. He visits our school & talks about drug and alcohol preve ntion.

BUDGET

The supplies NEEDED TO BE ABLE TO CREAT THE MAGAZINE, CHILDREN'S BOOK, AND/OR PAMPHLET ARE:

1. Copy Paper-           $50.00/case

2. Two ink cartridges- $100.00

3.Digital camera         $200.00- The students can take pictures & write stories based on the pictures taken with the camera.

4. Binds                    $  50.00

TOTAL $400.00