Anti Bullying – Bibliotherapy – ‘The Angel Of Nitshill Road’ by Anne Fine

Children need a great variety of experience for basic psychological growth.

By reading books children can vicariously increase their range of experiences.

It is in this context that we use the term ‘bibliotherapy’.

Since children identify strongly with storybook characters,

teachers can positively influence children’s self image

by careful book selection.

(from Craig and Michele Borba’s

‘Self Esteem: A Classroom Affair’ (1978)

Winston Press). 

 

For example in Anne Fine’s book

‘The Angel of Nitshill Road’

a new girl teaches her new classmates

how to stand up to the class bully.

This book tells the story of three students

who are being targeted by another.

Appropriate and inappropriate strategies are considered.

Happily the problem is resolved.

 

Reading this book could help a child

consider the problem of bullying at a safe ‘remove’. 

 

Books can be very valuable in helping children

begin to understand problems and fears.

They can enable children to express themselves

and provide the reassurance of knowing that they are not alone,

as well as supplying suggestions for ways of resolving problems.

 

How Many Stars?
Creative Commons License Photo Credit: cobalt123 via Compfight

Read our review of ‘The Angel of Nitshill Road’ HERE.

Anti Bullying: ‘Be A Good Friend Week’.

Anti Bullying Display

 

We have an Anti Bullying Week

three times each year.

This happens once each term,

in the last week of

September,

January

and April.

 

We like to be positive about this,

so we call it ‘Be A Good Friend Week’.

 

Next week is ‘Be A Good Friend Week’

in our school.

 

The aim of this week is to: 

Remind everyone that bullying is unacceptable.

Give children a chance talk.

Remind children to tell teacher.

 

The children and teacher agreed

on an Anti-bullying Code.

This is displayed in the classroom.

 

Our Code of Behaviour states:

Any form of bullying behaviour is totally forbidden.

Never do or say anything to deliberately hurt another.

Keep unhelpful hands, feet, looks and comments to yourself.

Do not play jokes or tricks which could upset another.

Try to imagine how the other person feels.

Show respect and care for one another.

Ensure that everyone in your class is included and feels welcome.

 

If you are bullied,

follow the STAY SAFE rules:

say “STOP”,

“GET AWAY”, and

“TELL” an adult.