Dear Abby Letter Activity Teen Issues of Bullying

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Dear Abby Letter Activity Teen Issues of Bullying"

Gerard Parsons
5 years ago
Views:

Dear Abby Letter Activity Teen Issues of Bullying 1) Teachers will break students up into groups. There are 5 Dear Abby letters from high school students asking for advice.

1 Dear Abby Letter Activity Teen Issues of Bullying 1) Teachers will break students up into groups. There are 5 Dear Abby letters from high school students asking for advice. 2) Each group in the classroom is assigned a letter. The group should read the letter together and discuss the issue. 3) Together, they will brainstorm appropriate ideas and responses and write a letter back to the student seeking advice. 4) After all groups are done writing their letters, they will first read aloud the letter they were given. Then, they will read their response. Responses must be appropriate (i.e. no fighting, threats, etc). 5) Class can discuss scenarios together, along with responses, alternative ideas, etc.

2 I guess I am supposed to write to you when I have a problem to ask you for advice. I am not sure what to do. I have been going to this high school for a few months now. Everything started out okay. It was pretty tough moving away from home. I missed my old friends, but I gradually started to get used to it and even started making new friends. Then, all of a sudden one day, this group of kids started to pick on me. This big, mean guy named Anthony came up to me and told me to give him two bucks or else he and his friends would jump me after school. Then, five or six of his friends gathered around and started pushing me and giving me a hard time. They have a reputation for fighting and I was afraid. I just gave them my money so that they would stop. Ever since then they have been hassling me and calling me names. I feel like every time I turn the corner they are waiting for me. They have taken my money at least 4 times since the first time. Every time a teacher comes around they scatter, but they always return later to mess with me. They push me around and call me all kinds of insulting names. Even some of my new friends are starting to laugh at me. I feel like I have no one now. Anthony is the worst. He is huge and a fighter and wont leave me alone. He keeps embarrassing me and taking my stuff. The other day I was at my locker and he pushed my face into the door and all of my books went flying everywhere. Everyone laughed at me. These kids are making my life so miserable. I hate school and have been missing a lot. I usually tell my parents I am sick but they aren t buying it anymore. I just want to drop out. I know my education is important but I don t want to be here anymore. What should I do? If I tell a teacher or principal everybody will think I am a snitch and a baby. If I tell my parents, they will just tell the principal. I feel like I am an alien here. From, Bullied by Anthony and Tired of It

3 I don t even know why I am writing to you. Oh, yes I do! My high school principal thinks I am a bully. You see, there is a kid named Joe that everyone makes fun of. He has this crazy hair that goes in all different directions and he speaks with a lisp and is also really spastic. He can t even dribble a basketball. We all do a really good impression of him but I think mine is the best. Anyway now that I am in trouble I have to make a powerpoint about the Negative Effects of Bullying and I also have to write to you for advice. (As if I need it). I mean what do you think? Everybody makes fun of him so how is this my problem? It doesn t even seem to bother him he just walks away most of the time. He s probably not even taking it seriously. I have never touched the kid before so how can I even be a bully? From, Not a Bully

4 So, I am having a hard time at school and I don t know what to do. This group of girls doesn t like me and I am not sure why. But every time I walk by them they make rude comments and start laughing at me. They are really mean and make fun of the way I talk and dress and the way my hair is. I guess they are more fashionable than me and they are really into make up. They call me ugly and are constantly staring and giggling at me in the lunch room. That is bad enough but now they have started posting things on the internet. They write horrible things about me on facebook and even take pictures of me while I am not looking. They are calling me a bitch and a whore and a loser. They are saying I am trying to steal other girl s boyfriends and other crazy things like that. Maybe it is because I was partnered with one of they boys they like during a chemistry lab? I am not sure. I just did my work and that was the only time I talked to him. They also posted something about me being fat. That really humiliated me. I do struggle with my weight and that comment made me break down into tears. I am really not sure what to do. I don t want to go to school anymore. Dropping out might be worth it if it means getting away from being humiliated every week. What do you think? Sincerely, Desperate for advice

5 I have been friends with Trevor since the 2 nd grade. We live on the same block and always played together in the neighborhood. Once I got into junior high though, we kind of drifted apart. I have always been friendly with him, but I have made new and better friends since getting older. Now he seems pretty much a loner and a nerd and kind of the odd one out. He has a hard time socializing with other people. To be honest, he is a little strange. He likes to read and stays to himself. I noticed that the so called cool kids have been picking on him. They call him names and make fun of the way he dresses and they bully him around.he just seems to take it and never says anything, but I know it must hurt him. I think some of the guys sense this and it only encourages them to be meaner. Why are people like that? I don t know what to do. Some of these guys are my friends and some aren t, but it is generally the group I hang out with. I wish he would do something about it himself but he is so timid and passive. What should I do? The guys would probably just laugh at me or get mad if I said something about it. From, Weirdo for a Friend

6 My second period teacher Mr. Owens is a really cool dude and a good teacher who really cares about his students. About a week ago, he had two laptops stolen from his classroom. He said that one of them was his personal computer which he will have to replace for hundreds of dollars on his own. Mr. Owens tries to develop trust in his classroom, so he is a little bit laxed with security. He says that trust is very important and he seems like he is really hurt by this. In fact, there has been a real problem with stealing in our class. I am pretty careful with my stuff, but a couple of my friends have had money or their cell phones stolen. Mr. Owens has asked us to help him find the thieves. In fact, he has offered a reward for any information and promised that he would keep our names anonymous and will not get us in trouble. Anyway yesterday somebody told me that they overheard three boys talking at the bus area after school. They were bragging about stealing the laptops and said they were planning on selling them after the dust settles. They are bad kids and have a reputation for beating people up. I don t know what to do. I like Mr. Owens and want to help him, but I am scared I will get jumped if they find out it was me that gave the information. There is always going to be stealing in a classroom! How can I stop that? Is it any of my business anyway? Should I tell Mr. Owens or let them steal his stuff? Sincerely, Don t want to get beat up

7 Response Letter of Advice Outline Introduction: - Say hello and introduce yourself. - Acknowledge their problem, let them know why you are writing back - Show some EMPATHY - Let them know why their problem is in fact a problem - A wish or hope for them (to help them solve their problem) Body Paragraph #1 (your message): - The best choice of action for them to take - Why it is the best choice - What good will come out of making this choice Body Paragraph #2 (another option for them): - Another alternative action for them - Why it is a good idea - How it can help their situation Conclusion: - Thank them for writing to you - State any further information or advice you wish to give - Restate your hope or wish for them - Say goodbye

8 Dear, Sincerely, Abby

Jesus and Zacchaeus. March 2-3, Jesus love can change anyone! Luke 19:1-9

Jesus and Zacchaeus. March 2-3, Jesus love can change anyone! Luke 19:1-9 rd 3 5 th March 2-3, 2013 Jesus and Zacchaeus Luke 19:1-9 Jesus love can change anyone! Hang out with kids (10 minutes): Ask kids about their week. Get kids into groups and play games together. Large Group