End Peer Cruelty Build Empathy

Evidence-based bullying-prevention principles, policies, and practices to reduce peer cruelty and create safe, caring learning climates. Based on a practical, six-part framework for reducing peer cruelty and increasing positive behavior support, End Peer Cruelty, Build Empathy utilizes the strongest pieces of best practices and current research for ways to stop bullying. The book includes guidelines for implementing strategies, collecting data, training staff, mobilizing students and parents, building social-emotional skills, and sustaining progress, and presents the “6Rs” of bullying prevention: Rules, Recognize, Report, Respond, Refuse, and Replace. This is not a program, but a comprehensive process for reducing bullying from the inside out, involving the entire school community. Bullying-prevention and character education expert Michele Borba, who’s worked with over 1 million parents and educators worldwide, offers realistic, research-based strategies and advice. Use the book on its own or to supplement an existing program. Digital content includes customizable forms from the book and a PDF presentation for use in professional development.

"According to Michele Borba, the woman Dr. Drew calls "the most trusted parenting expert in America," there's an empthy crisis among today's youth, who she dubs the "selfie generation." But the good news is that empathy is a skill that can -- and must -- be taught, and in UNSELFIE (her first book for a general trade audience) Borba offers a 9-step program to help parents cultivate empathy in children, from birth to young adulthood"--

The bestselling author of UnSelfie offers 7 teachable traits that will safeguard our kids for the future. We think we have to push our kids to do more, achieve more, BE more. But we’re modeling the wrong traits—like rule-following and caution—and research shows it’s NOT working. This kind of “Striver” mindset isn’t just making kids unhappier, says Dr. Michele Borba…it’s actually the opposite of what it takes to thrive in the uncertain world ahead. Thrivers are different: they flourish in our fast-paced, digital-driven, often uncertain world. Why? Through her in-depth research, Dr. Borba discovered that the difference comes down not to grades or test scores, but to seven character traits that set Thrivers apart—confidence, empathy, self-control, integrity, curiosity, perseverance, and optimism. The even better news: these traits can be taught to children at any age…in fact, parents and educations must do so. In Thrivers, Dr. Borba offers practical, actionable ways to develop these traits in children from preschool through high school, showing how to teach kids how to cope today so they can thrive tomorrow.

Increase empathy in the elementary classroom with ready-to-use lessons that teach students positive skills and attitudes. Kids learn better and feel better about themselves in an atmosphere of safety and respect. This book shows you how to help students in grades three through six: Foster kindness, compassion, and empathy Manage anger Prevent conflict Respond to conflict Address name-calling and teasing Deal with bullying Accept differences With mini lessons that span those seven topic areas, you can build community and student relationships in 20 minutes or less per day. The prep work is already done: each of the 126 lessons has a script, and worksheets are available with the downloadable digital content. Included in the book are anger management activities, conflict resolution strategies, and character-building lessons. And with concrete ideas about how to address bullying in the classroom, these lessons help students understand what bullying is and how they can stand up to bullies. Based on a nationwide survey of more than 2,000 students and teachers, this resource can be used alone or as a complement to anti-bullying or character education programs already in place. The digital content in this book includes reproducible handouts, bonus activities, forms for parents, and information on schoolwide responses to bullying.

This teacher’s companion to a classic book for kids provides tools for building self-esteem and personal power. Without self-esteem, kids doubt themselves and may turn to unhealthy habits as a way of coping. With self-esteem, kids feel secure, are willing to take positive risks, and are resilient in the face of challenges. This teacher’s guide expands the messages of Stick Up for Yourself!, teaching self-confidence and how to be assertive with easy-to-use sessions. Created for the classroom, these sessions can also be used in other group settings including counseling groups, out-of-school programs, community programs, and more. Digital content includes reproducible handouts.

Immediately effective trauma-response framework for educators to help students during and after crises. Responding to Student Trauma is an urgent addition to current trauma response practices. Written by a middle school counselor, this easy-to-follow book provides a framework for understanding and responding to the needs of students experiencing trauma. With many schools lacking adequate staff for supporting student mental health, this guide gives educators the information and strategies they need to address the specific needs of their students. Packed with strategies to use immediately, Responding to Student Trauma categorizes trauma according to the source: self/home, school, community, and country/world. It directly addresses how to respond to crises currently facing students and educators and includes tips for planning ahead to be ready for the next crisis. The versatile structure allows Responding to Student Trauma to be used as a standalone resource, as a supplement to existing programs, or as a trauma response framework to create a schoolwide program. Having clear and comprehensive programs for times of crisis and students who are struggling with traumatic experiences allows staff to support student mental health and helps reduce staff anxiety and uncertainty about unexpected incidents. Digital content includes a reproducible school-planning worksheet, teacher quick-guide worksheet, and action items checklist to ensure the entire staff is trained and feels prepared to respond quickly to situations. A free downloadable PLC/Book Study Guide available at freespirit.com/PLC.

A guide for busy elementary educators on how to easily incorporate mindfulness activities into existing curriculum Teaching students how to focus and self-regulate at a young age can provide them with skills that will help throughout their schooling and adult lives. Like anyone, they need easy-to remember tools and strategies to calm their minds and focus on the moment. This interactive, research based curriculum helps preK and elementary teachers integrate simple, ready-to use stretching, breathing, and reflective exercises as well as other mindfulness practices into their daily routines. Includes digital content with reproducible handouts from the book.

Practical, research-based lessons for middle school educators to teach students pro-social attitudes and behaviors to prevent bullying. Create a Culture of Kindness in Middle School focuses on positive and pro-social attitudes and behaviors that build a respectful and compassionate school environment, while also addressing the tough issues of prejudice, anger, exclusion, and bullying. Through role-playing, perspective-taking, sharing, writing, discussion, and more, students develop the insights and skills they need to accept differences, resolve conflicts peacefully, stop bullying among peers, and create a community of kindness in their classrooms and school. Based on survey data gathered by the authors from more than 1,000 students, the book’s research-based lessons are easy to implement and developmentally appropriate. Digital content includes student handouts from the book.

"This will be the only discipline book you'll ever need to raise good kids." -from the Foreword by Jack Canfield, coauthor, Chicken Soup for the Soul and Chicken Soup for the Parent's Soul "Michele Borba offers insightful, realistic, and straightforward advice that is sure to get immediate results." -Editor-in-Chief, Parents Magazine "A sensitive, thoughtful, eminently practical book that will help parents help their children change behaviors that will improve the child's, and the entire family's, well being and happiness. A wonderful contribution!" -Alvin Rosenfeld, M.D., child psychiatrist and coauthor, Over-Scheduled Child Anger, Anxiety, Biting, Bossy, Bullied, Bullying, Chore Wars, Cynical, Defiant, Doesn't Listen, Fighting, Gives Up Easily, Hitting, Homework Battles, Hooked on Rewards, Impulsivity, Intolerant, Lying and Cheating, Materialistic, Mean, Negative Peer Pressure, No Friends, Over-Perfectionism, Poor Sportsmanship, Put-Downs, Rude, Selfish, Sibling Battles, Short Attention Span, Shy, Stealing, Swearing, Talking Back, Tattling, Teased, Temper Tantrums, Whining, Yelling. Parenting expert Dr. Michele Borba tackles the most common bad behaviors that kids ages 3 to 12 repeat over and over behaviors that drive parents crazy. In this enormously useful, simple-to-use book she shows how to change these behaviors for good. For each negative behavior Dr. Borba offers a series of key tips and guidelines and outlines a step-by-step plan for a customized makeover that really works! Using the steps outlined in No More Misbehavin' will give you the help you need to raise kids with strong values and good character.