GLSEN’s “No Name-Calling Week” to combat bullying starts January 23
1/12/2012
By Julie Cushing
From January 23 to 27, the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network (GLSEN) is sponsoring the annual, national No Name-Calling Week. The Week is a response to the bullying and taunting that too often permeates American schools, and aims to bring attention to the harmful effects name calling can have. The project focuses on creating a lasting dialogue between students and teachers to eventually eliminate name calling where it is present in order to provide a safe learning environment for everyone.
No Name-Calling Week is specifically targeted to children in between grades 5-8, who experience the most prevalent bullying of any age group, however, all ages are welcome and encouraged to participate. In addition to students, GLSEN invites teachers, counselors, coaches, administrators, and all other education professionals to take part in the Week and help teach children the importance of maintaining a friendly school environment.
Schools and students interested in participating can visit the No Name-Calling Week website, where they can officially register for the event, and anyone can download resources to use in school during the week and in the future. In addition to the free downloadable materials, schools can order the No Name-Calling Week Resource Kit, which includes:
- A 27-minute VHS educational video, No Name-Calling: Creating Safe Environments. Produced by Human Relations Media. Available in DVD or VHS.
- A resource guide with program information, lesson plans, resource lists, and other curricular material
- A copy of The Misfits, a novel by James Howe (Upon which the Week is inspired)
- Two No Name-Calling Week posters
- Two packs of No Name-Calling Week stickers (60 total)
After No Name-Calling Week, students can document their experiences through essays, poetry, music, artwork, videos, and other pieces that elaborate on their feelings about name-calling, and submit them to the Creative Expression Contest.
The Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN), an America’s Promise Partner, strives to assure that each member of every school community is valued and respected regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.