I just watched an absolutely incredible movie featuring 4th and 5th Grade students about dealing with bullies and bullying. As the intro to the movie explains:
The following movie was developed with a cast and crew of only 4th and 5th Graders (and one 1st Grader) from Glendaal Elementery School. They worked during recess, lunch, before and after school for 3 months. They hope it helps shed some light on the issues of bullying, and helps anyone who might be experiencing the effects of bullying.
As someone who is currently preparing to make a movie with my Grade 5’s, I was blown away by this technical and artistic achievement. The kids act beautifully, the direction is solid and the script is very effective. I hope this garners worldwide attention and gets used in classrooms all around the world. These kids have done more for bullying awareness than any anti-bullying program I know of.
Please show this video to your kids/class and let them enjoy the message. You may want to use it to inspire your class to make a powerful film of their own.
Enjoy!
Tags: Bullying, Children, Education, escape the series, Film, Glendaal Elementery School, How to UnMake a Bully, kids, life, Movies, Parenting, School
Topical Teaching 
September 10, 2011 at 11:58 pm |
I was not able to play the movie. But as the subject is bullying naturally it is what it must by about. Seems your participants are white kids and that certainly is a realm where this occurs. But take a group of Hispanic, black and white mix, the intensity of the bullying expands exponentially because now race, gang membership and stature enter the picture.
September 11, 2011 at 12:43 am |
I thought this was very well done, Michael. Those kids should be proud of themselves. Thanks for sharing.
September 11, 2011 at 1:27 am |
so weird… I just wrote a line about school bullying last night…. although, I have a feeling we’re on different viewpoints…
September 11, 2011 at 2:53 am |
[…] to create work of their own about this issue. I know I am inspired by these students! Thank you Michael G. for finding and sharing […]
September 21, 2011 at 12:38 pm |
Hi! I’m the director and project coordinator for the movie you linked above. I wanted to write and personally thank you for the amazing and kind words you gave to our project.
We deeply appreciate your encouragement of our program, and we hope yours is coming along too. Let us know if there’s anything we can do to help you.
We are hard at work on followups to this, the next one being about “bystanders” – you can keep track of us on our new Facebook page if you like: http://www.facebook.com/pages/How-to-Un-Make-A-Bully/160299677362750
Thank you again, it means a lot to us that our project is viewed as having the value you described!
Gratefully yours
Mike Feurstein
September 21, 2011 at 12:44 pm |
I showed your film to my class and they were mesmirised. They absolutely related to it and loved it. You did such a brilliant job on the film. It was easily the most effective anti-bullying initiative I have come accross. I can’t wait until your bystanders film. Keep up the good work!
September 21, 2011 at 12:47 pm
Your words truly humble me! And I am definitely excited that your class received it well! We had our first official meeting with the crew of fifth graders, and our new batch of fourth graders, today. The mapping has begun for the bystanders project, which will speak about recess mainly, but delve into other aspects of the day where someone might feel as though they “could have done something”
Again many thanks! We’re working on literature and supplemental materials that would go along with the DVD. When they’re complete I’d like to send you a complimentary copy for review. It will be a while, but I’d love to get your feedback! And please let me know when your class completes their project! 🙂