Module 17 (Continued)

Changing the Bully’s Mindset Training

Weeks 33 and 34

“TAKE A LONG LOOK IN YOUR MIRROR”

“TAKE A LONG LOOK IN YOUR MIRROR”

Hey kids, take a long look in your mirror.  Do you like what you see?

You shouldn’t like what you see at all if you see a Bully.

Try a different angle; turn sideways for your profile.  Now, do you like what you see?

You shouldn’t like what you see at all if you see a Bully.

Okay, how about you turn your back to the mirror and look over your shoulder behind you.  Now, do you like what you see?

You shouldn’t like what you see at all if you see a Bully.

Turn back around and face the mirror again, take another long look.  This time force yourself to bring a broad smile to your face.

Yes, your smile will be forced and fake because bullies don’t wear natural bright smiles for any length of time, that remain in place.

Okay, let’s try this, while you are still facing your mirror, say out loud “I’m proud to be a disrespectful, self-absorbed, and nasty attitude bully.  It’s one of the coolest things a kid can do.”

Your mirror is now just like a lie detector, because by the look on your face, and the tone of your voice, you and your mirror know what you just said was far from the truth.

So, what is the lesson to be learned from the long look in your mirror?  Is there even a worthwhile lesson, important enough to be made?

Yes!  If you immediately stop bullying forever, the very next time you look in your mirror from every angle, you’ll see a truly warm, smiling, and kindhearted face.

 Al Johnson

Remind students: Select your favorite words or phrases in the poem. Copy them onto your “My Favorites” at the end of your workbook! Practice repeating them over and over again, so you are ready to confidently respond to a bully.

“TAKE A LONG LOOK IN THE MIRROR” VOCABULARY- The Teacher should now discuss the meanings of the following words/phrases, and how they are used in the stanzas of the poem for a clear understanding of the author’s intent:

  • Broad smile

  • Forced

  • Fake

  • Natural bright smiles

  • Disrespectful

  • Self-absorbed

  • Nasty attitude

  • Lie detector

  • Kindhearted face

Students give written responses as you read the following questions that are also in their Workbook (page 140). Their responses do NOT have to be given orally:

Have you ever bullied someone? (Another student, neighbor, teacher, parent, brother, sister, cousin, etc.)

How did it make you feel?  (Hopefully, you felt bad deep inside.)

Do you still bully others?  If so, why?

Have you apologized?

Discuss with students that if they have ever bullied someone, they can make the decision to Never Bully Again.  Now!

Direct them to sign, and put “today’s date” at the bottom of page 140 that says, “Starting Today”.  This is their commitment (they are promising themselves) to NEVER bully anyone again. and therefore, LIVE A BETTER AND HAPPIER LIFE!

Congratulations, this completes Module 17. Changing the Bully’s Mindset Anti-Bullying Training.

Students should be encouraged to review the subject matter learned at least twice weekly, and remember phrases, stanzas, and the entire poem itself so that the Theme/Main Idea becomes second nature.

There will be a final exam at the completion of the BBGP Comprehensive training.