Episode 3: Bullyvision Addresses Mean-Spirited Behavior at Recess

(The names in this article have been changed for the sake of the students’ privacy.)

When fourth-grade teacher Mrs. Watkins became aware of a potential bully situation on the playground, she enlisted the help of Rocketoons.

Dealing with mean-spirited behaviors before they become full on bullying situations, saves kids the pain and stress associated with being bullied and also being a bully. Mean-spirited behavior includes when a student aggressively harasses another student. It is possible for mean-spirited behaviors to escalate into full-blown bullying when the behaviors aren’t addressed and appropriately handled. 

​In this case, Mrs. Watkins became aware that one little girl in her class was teasing another girl in a mean-spirited way. The behavior had not been chronic nor was it directed at any other students. She knew a gentle intervention could diffuse a potentially hurtful situation.

​Using Rocketoons for Indoor Recess

​Mrs Watkins asked both girls - the aggressor and the victim - to stay in for afternoon recess.

“I had them sit together, side by side, and played Rocketoons Episode 3: Bullyvision. As soon as the cartoon started, I could see some of the defensive and fearful attitudes melt away. It was wonderful. The cartoon completely captured their attention for the full four minutes. In addition to learning the definition of ‘ubiquitous,’ they learned about four types of bullying.” 

After watching the cartoon, Mrs. Watkins handed the girls the Cartoonversation Card, which she had downloaded from the episode’s web page and printed. 

Watch the trailer for Episode 3: Bullyvision

​“It’s the Cartoonversation Card that makes Rocketoons so effective. I asked the girls to go through the five discussion questions - the Cartoonversation Starters - together.

“The first question was easy for them, asking them to recall the four types of bullying covered in the video. But the rest of the questions required them to think more deeply and more critically, and to think about ways to help stop bullying. 

“Rocketoons made it easy for the two of them to talk openly about bullying. There was no lecturing, no rehashing of events, no blaming, no crying. And while the girls haven’t become best friends, they both gained a better understanding of bullying and each other. We haven’t had another incident with that aggressor on the playground. This is an exercise I plan to use again and again.” 

Studies referenced on StopBullying.gov have shown “that adults, including parents, can help prevent bullying by keeping the lines of communication open, talking to their children about bullying, encouraging them to do what they love, modeling kindness and respect, and encouraging them to get help when they are involved in bullying or know others who need help.” Addressing bullying is a multi-faceted solution, but all experts agree that ignoring bullying situations or aggressive behavior is NOT a solution.  

​The Bullies and the Bullied Suffer

Addressing bullying and behaviors that could lead to bullying is imperative for long term health and wellbeing, too. A 2017 study on bullying “showed that being a bully in childhood was associated with greater stress and aggression and poorer health behaviors in adulthood, whereas being a victim of bullies in childhood was associated with lower socioeconomic resources, less optimism, and greater unfair treatment in adulthood.” 

Here are more facts about bullying available on the Cartoonversation Card for Episode 3: Bullyvision
   (From DoSomething.org)

•     Over 3.2 million students are bullied every year.
•     Nearly 160,000 teens skip school every day because of bullying.
•     In an average school semester, 17% of American students report being bullied two or three times a month.
•     One in ten students will drop out of school because of bullying.
•     Nine out of ten 4th through 8th graders report being victims of bullying.

Rocketoons are free for everyone and are available (along with the Cartoonversation Cards) at Rocketoons.com. Click WATCH NOW, enter your county and state information (countyst), and get started with Rocketoons in your classroom today.

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