The Recess Queen

I have been trying to read more children's literature books this past school year that address a variety of social justice issues. This past week, I read The Recess Queen by Alexis O'Neill. This book addresses bullying. Mean Jean was the recess queen and nobody said or did anything about it. Until a new kid, Katy Sue, came to school. Katy Sue had a irrepressible spirit, and helps overcome the recess bully by becoming her friend and inviting her to play with her. This book actually fit well and led to a review discussion about bullies and how to deal with bullies on the playground. I was surprised to find out that many of my students could relate to the students in the book. Evidently there is a second grader at OES who many of my students thought about right away. Might I say, we tried to think of new ideas or challenges that we could do to overcome this bully.

Many of the students in my class are intimidated by that student and fear when he is out there. We discussed ideas of what we could do next time that student was out there. One student made a connection to the story and said we could invite that student to play with us. However, many students did not like that idea and said no way. I challenged them in the coming days to be like Katy Sue and invite that student to play with them. Katy Sue was persistent. She overcame the school bully be inviting her to play with her. I wonder how my students will handle the Mean Jean at our school.

This was also a good time to review our bully steps and solutions that our school has been implementing the past couple of years. I have the following ideas on posters in my classroom to help remind students of possible solutions when they are involved with bullying, whether they are a bystander or even being bullied. The wording may be a little off but I think the ideas are right on.

1. Make a friend
2. Don't join in
3. Get help from a friend
4. Tell an adult
5. Take a stand

We will continue to read a few more children's books in the coming weeks to address more social justice issues.