Finding Kind - Girls Bullying Girls

IndieFlix gave me the chance to review the movie Finding Kind for free 3 month subscription for myself and 10, 2 month subscriptions to giveaway!  I was not paid any money.  The video is on the site now and is not coming soon so ignore that on the banner!  You do not need to input any credit card information if you are one of the ten winners!

Here's the synopsis of Finding Kind: 

In February 2009, two young women, Lauren Parsekian and Molly Thompson joined forces having both been affected by female bullying throughout their youth and decided to create change by giving females a platform to speak out about this universal experience. What began as an idea for a documentary about 
girl-against-girl bullying, ultimately became Kind Campaign, an internationally recognized movement, documentary, and school assembly program based on the powerful belief in KINDness that brings awareness and healing to the negative and lasting effects of girl-against-girl “crime.”

In this endearing documentary, a pair of best friends (who happen to be queen-bee pretty girls, but no matter) travel the country speaking with middle and high school girls about their pain and the pain they’ve caused others. It’s a sweet, earnest addition to the current anti-bullying movement. A few confessional scenes—little girls in braces pouring their broken hearts into the camera—will stick with you. LINDY WEST (the Stranger).

I believe Finding Kind is perfect for 5th grade girls and up, especially middle and high schoolers.  The movie will help girl bullies see how bullying feels and perhaps will help them think twice before bullying other girls.  Bullying is a sad thing happening around the world.  If we can stop it now before these children are adults, we'll have a much better world to live in.  At the end of the movie, I love the quote "We might not all be beautiful, smart, or have talent, but we can all be kind."

They have a neat packet of resources for Finding Kind that you can use by downloading the Google Doc, which includes discussion questions for the movie, as well as, kind pledge cards, kind apology cards, and blank kind cards.  To check these resources out click here: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B-S6G81Via-vUW9TR3pSbHZCLWM/edit  It's my hope that this film will help end a lot of the female bullying going on.

IndieFlix also an array of films from family movies, sports, action and adventure, romance, animations, etc.  Some are just a few minutes in length and others like Finding Kind are full length movies.  Hopefully you can find something for your class if you are still in session and if not treat yourself to some movies this summer!  We all need time to relax!  Be sure to visit IndieFlix by clicking on the banner!

The giveaway will start at midnight on the 22nd and end on the 25th.  10 of you will win the subscriptions for 2 months!

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Thanks for hoppin' by Hopkins' Hoppin' Happenings.  Keep on smiling!

Bullying

There sure are a lot of sad things going on with bullying that have made the news and social media this summer.  I'm sure many of you have read and watched the sad video of the grandma being bullied by teenage boys on the bus.  There's also been many sad articles out there about children getting plastic surgery because they are getting bullied because of how they look!

Sometimes bullying is just name calling.  Other times it's constantly pushing, hitting, or kicking.  It can also be passing a note and asking others to check whether the child is nice or mean.  Maybe the child is excluding someone from playing in a game, not letting them help in a group assignment, or always picking them last during games.  It is bullying when it is continuous and there is an imbalance of power.

Each one of us have sadly either been bullied or we know of someone who has done some kind of bullying.  I'll share one such story that involved me growing up.  I remember in 6th grade, one day in the cafeteria I opened up my lunchbox and my chips and cookies were gone!  I figured maybe my mom had forgot to put my chips and cookies in my lunchbox.  Well the next day and the day after and so forth the same thing happened.  To solve the problem, I had to go to the teacher give her my lunch to hold on for me and my mom and I went grocery shopping and put some really hot stuff on the chips.  After a few days of that my lunch was no longer stolen.  Sadly sometimes you have to think creatively at stopping bullies.

What can you do in your class?  I am sure many of you have seen the awesome tip online that many have shared where you give each student a piece of paper.  They crumble up the piece of paper.  Then have them straighten and tell them to get out all the wrinkles.  Of course they can't.  Then you can explain that it is a good thing to apologize for what you said or did to someone that was hurtful, but it won't all go away.  They will have some scars for life.

I also found this floating around Facebook, no author was given, but it said to pass it on and I think it is really good advice.   Special advice to children as you go back to school: If you see someone who is struggling to make friends or is being bullied because he/she doesn't have many friends or because they are shy or not as pretty or not dressed in the most "in" clothes - PLEASE step up!  Say hi or at least smile at them in the hallway.  You never know what that person might be facing outside of school.  Your kindness might just make a BIG difference in someone's life.

I have also seen an inspiring poster that I think should be posted in every classroom and discussed with your students.  I made my own poster using it.  You can get your FREE copy by clicking on the picture!  I don't know who orginially came up with this, but if it's you let me know and I'll give you credit! 

I also suggest keeping your eyes out on the playground as that is where a lot of the bullying occurs along with in the lunchroom.  If a child says that someone won't let them play, then it is likely the start of bullying.  It's not fun to be excluded from an activity or always chosen last.  I've been in that situation a lot especially in middle school.  Together, we can put an end to bullying! 

What do you do in your classroom to try to stop bullying from occurring?

As always thank you for hoppin' by Hopkins' Hoppin' Happenings!  Keep on smiling!

Craig Meets Dave - Book Giveaway

Since school is out for the summer, sure do miss those wonderful, amazing kiddos, I will be posting contests and/or freebies on Fridays instead of my Positive Fridays.  Sorry for those that have looked forward to the Positive Friday posts.  I promise they will be back once school is back in session or if I get to tutor or sub in summer school.

Dr. Susanne Breckwoldt is so wonderful she has graciously donated not one, but five copies of the book Craig Meets Dave And Learns About Autism, Bullying, and Friendship.  You can read my review of the book by clicking on the picture.

 

If you missed the bullying activity that Dr. Sue guest posted on my blog please click the picture of the bullying vest that the wonderful 3am teacher.  Michelle made for me.  Thank you Michelle!!!  Give her some love by heading to her blog: http://the3amteacher.blogspot.com/.

 

The contest is very easy click on the Rafflecopter application and Follow My Blog, FB page, TPT page, and more to earn entries to win one of five books from Dr. Sue!  Thank you again Dr. Sue, you are so kind to donate 5 books to the most amazing fans in the world!  Contest starts at midnight and ends on Wednesday at midnight.  You will have 48 hours to respond to the e-mail with your home address or I will pick a new winner. Good luck everyone!!!

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Craig Meets Dave Book Review

I recently had the chance to read and review a book that has become near and dear to my heart.  The book is titled "Craig Meets Dave - And Learns About Autism, Bullying, and Friendship."  It is written by Susanne Breckwoldt, Ph.D  The opinions given are entirely my own!

The main characters in this enjoyable story are cute bears!  Craig, Ben, and Dave are good friends.  Dave is different from the other bears because he has autism.  Dave doesn't like loud noises and doesn't like being touched by others.  With Dave being different from other children, some of the bears start bullying Dave.  When those bears notice Craig and Ben being nice to Dave, they start hurling insults toward Craig and Ben.  They threaten to do something harmful to Craig's sister Emily.  You'll have to read the book to find out what happens next!

This book is great for any Elementary grade.  The chapters are short enough to even hold a Kindergarten student's attention.  It is also very relatable to children who have been a victim of being bullied, been a bully themselves, or helped a child who was being bullied.  Using this book as a read aloud would spark great discussions on how how to handle a bully and what it feels like to be bullied.  It may help stop it from happening in your classroom!

If you are interested in checking out the book yourself click on the picture above!  I am also pleased to announce that Dr. Breckwoldt will be doing a guest blog in the future to talk more about the book.  If you have any questions for her regarding bullying, autism, or friendship please leave your questions below in the comments.  She just may answer some of them for you!

As always keep smilin' and thanks for hoppin' by Hopkins' Hoppin' Happenings!

I'm Here!

Have you ever felt alone?  How many students have you seen left alone on the playground because perhaps they are a little different than others or maybe they are just very shy?  “I’m Here” is written and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds and tells a story of a boy who is different than others.  This boy is left alone to play by himself until one day he zips off on a paper airplane he made as he shouts "I'm Here."  You’ll have to read the book to find out what happens!

This is a book that I personally believe belongs in every school and every public library.  It will touch many children’s and adult’s hearts.  Martin Luther King, Jr. had a dream that we would all be treated equally and this book helps set that tone! 

I have not been paid or asked to do this book review, it simply is a book that I love and believe others will enjoy as well!  If you are interested in the book you can get 10% off by going to FableVision Learning for "I'm Here."  Enter code: AMBHOPK at checkout.  This code is good on any products!

The link also has an awesome video toward the bottom of the page that will tell you more about this amazing book.