The following article first appeared in our Spring 2009 e-newsletter. Since that time, we've developed a printable tip sheet that describes the connection between Open Circle and bullying prevention, including the Open Circle lessons that contribute to the prevention of bullying behaviors. You can download that tip sheet here.

Toward the end of the school year, some teachers notice their students regressing back to behaviors that they saw at the beginning of the year. They think to themselves, "Has my class lost it? I thought they had moved past this problem months ago!"

Don't panic! This is all part of the natural cycle of the school year. At the end of the school year, children may become anxious about the loss of community they've built in the class they're leaving, and the uncertainty of being in a new class. They may also feel anxious about the impending loss of structure that the school day provides. These factors, in addition to the stress related to the current economic climate, may contribute to children acting out in ways that they have learned are not appropriate, particularly in the area of teasing.

Since the beginning of the school year, you have used the Open Circle Curriculum to proactively teach students the skills of communication, social problem solving and self control within the context of a caring, respectful school and classroom community. In other words, you've built a foundation for addressing problems like teasing and bullying. Using this foundation, you can help children maintain positive relationships and a strong sense of community in the classroom, particularly at this time of year. In your weekly Open Circle meetings, explicitly remind students of the Open Circle concepts and skills they've learned that help them connect to each other and to their class as a whole. You may be able to prevent hurtful behaviors from happening, or to handle them in a familiar context if they do occur.

For all grade levels, we suggest that teachers regularly revisit the lessons on the Double D's (behaviors that are dangerous or destructive), Calming Down, and Including One Another as needed. We also recommend that teachers explore and use the supplementary lessons from the Open Circle Curriculum that relate to the issues they're seeing in the classroom. Try some of these:

GRADES K-1
Lesson 10: Dealing with Double D behaviors
Lesson 12: Dealing with Teasing
Supplemental Lesson 4: The Golden Rule
Supplemental Lesson 13: Friendship
Supplemental Lesson 14: Showing Respect for One Another
Supplemental Lesson 23: Classroom Rules Review: How Are We Doing?
Lesson 13: Recognizing Differences
Supplemental Lesson 14: Sharing
Lesson 14: Speaking Up
Supplemental Lesson 15: Additional Speaking Up Activities

GRADES 2-3
Lesson 10: Dealing with Double D behaviors
Lesson 12: Dealing with Teasing
Supplemental Lesson 4: The Golden Rule
Supplemental Lesson 13: Friendship
Supplemental Lesson 14: Showing Respect for One Another
Supplemental Lesson 17: Classroom Rules Review: How Are We Doing?
Lesson 13: Group Membership
Supplemental Lesson 14: Showing Respect for One Another
Lesson 14: Speaking Up
Supplemental Lesson 15: Additional Speaking Up Activities

GRADES 4-5
Lesson 10: Dealing with Double D behaviors
Supplemental Lesson 10: Talking to Someone Who Can Help
Supplemental Lesson 13: What is a Bystander?
Supplemental Lesson 14: What Should a Bystander Do?
Supplemental Lesson 15: What is Bullying?
Lesson 12: Dealing with Teasing
Supplemental Lesson 16: Classroom Rules on Teasing and
Bullying
Lesson 13: Recognizing Discrimination
Supplemental Lesson 12: Showing Respect for One Another
Lesson 14: Speaking Up
Supplemental Lesson 17: Additional Speaking-Up Activities

Finally, we encourage you to reach out for support and guidance from Open Circle colleagues, either in your school or on Open Circle's public discussion forum on Facebook. Share your questions, wisdom and insights! What has worked for you? Do you have an idea for an approach, but want to run it past someone before trying it? Do you have a question or situation that has you stumped? Just ask! Chances are someone else has encountered a similar situation or has ideas for things you can try.