Tuesday, April 20, 2010

What to Do About a Bully

The latest read aloud in Reading Workshop is The Revealers by Doug Wilhelm.  The book opens with Russell, the main character being harassed by Richie Tucker.  Russell is already having a tough time with the start of the new school year.  Somehow, he found himself without a group.  He was on a friendship island, even while surrounded by people.

Every school has a Richie.  He is bigger than most of the kids, and way meaner.  Kids like Russell just stay away from him.  Unfortunately, an ill advised attempt at humor puts Russell straight in Richie's sites.

This brings us to the question, if you were in the same position as Russell, what would you do?  What can you do about a bully? 

40 comments:

Hannah C said...

If I were in the same position as Russell, I would probably just try to avoid Richie, taking him into places that are busy, like Russell tried but did not succeed. I would also try to act like I was not afraid of him, because that makes him less likely to pick on me. All a bully wants to do is pick on someone that they know is weak and scared of them. I would absolutely NOT tell my parents because of what we talked about in class. All the parents would do is talk to the principal, who would talk to the teacher, who would talk to the bully (Richie), who would come and beat me up even more because I had told on him.

These are some things that anyone can do about a bully:
- Show that you are not afraid of him/her.
- Stay in public; never get caught alone with the bully.
- Ignore the bully
- And in Russell's situation, at least TRY to make friends that way they can stand up against you.
- Never try to have a sense of humor with the bully because you'll either get punched in the stomach or root beer all over you.

SavannahM said...

What would you do if you were in the same position as Russell?

If I was in Russell's position I would be mad and depressed. Because if someone is bigger than you, older, and stronger than you it would be tough to fight back. I would not tell my parents or a teacher because then that would make Richie even meaner and madder. Plus Richie would call you names like baby because you told your mom or dad.

What would I do?

If I was Russell I would try to fight back. I would make him get humiliated in front of his friends and then see how he liked it. Then maybe he would stop, or he would beat me up one or the other. If it got to the point were I could not take it any more then I would have to tell somebody.

What can I do about a bully?

If a bully was picking on me I would not go home and lock myself in the house for the rest of my life I would do something about. What would I do? I would stand up to him and pour Root beer on his head and see how he liked it!

Josh J. said...

If I was in the same position as Russell I would start to mess with Richie. I would start pretending he was my friend, start trying to hang around with him. Another thing I would do is get an black army jacket like his and start wearing it when I knew he would see me. After he gets done pounding me into the dirt he might leave me alone if he thinks I'm dumb enough to think he was my friend in the first place. This is the best thing to do in my opinion because this way I didn't tell anyone so he couldn't tease me about that, and I had the guts to stand up to him.

What I would do about a bully is try to stand up to him, if he can see I had the guts to stand up to him he might go pick on someone else, or the better option stop messing with people. People like Richie really get on my nerves because they just keep messing with people until they finally decide to move on to someone else, I'm sure there are plenty of kids that can fight back but Richie goes for the ones who can't fight back and don't have many friends or any at all and bugs them.

Rj.B. said...

If I was Russell I would not do anything because if you tell you are going to get beat up by him. If you don't tell you he will start to get board and leave you alone. If that did not work I would just go out in a place where there is a lot of people and he would not beat you up because there would be to many witnesses.

And in his situation if Richie told me to be some where I would be there and on time to. But the one and big thing I would do first is avoid being around him. But if I was Russell I would be smart and I would take another route.

cassiep22 said...

What I would do is I would take care of the problem by trying to talk about it. If that does not work try staying away from it don't let him keep doing it. Russell problem is he is scared and that's why he is going after him and he was trying to be funny which only caused even more problems.

Why it caused problems because Richie he said your bike was in my way he said sorry and was like bad bike don't do it again he didn't find that funny but Russell did. So now he won't leave him alone and if that was me I would step up.

Kaitlyn C. said...

If I was in the same position as Russell I would try to get him back by playing a bad trick on him. I don't know what the trick would be but I know I can think of something. But the trick would be mean and then he would never bully anyone again.

If there was a bully at this school and he/she was hurting people then first I would go and talk to him about it saying like you hurt people when you do that it's not very nice, and if he/she didn't stop I would go and tell the teacher "Hey there is a guy/girl that is being very mean to people i'm not trying to get anyone in trouble but I just think you should know about it.

Madison H. said...

If I was in Russell I wouldn't act scared. I wouldn't act like I cared cause all that boy wants is to be feared and to get inside Russell's head.

If that didn't work I would be really nice to him, cause most of the time bullies become bullies because no was nice to them in the first place and no one befriended him. Thats what I would do if I was in Russell's position.

To take care of a bully I would be really nice. To the point where the bully can't stand to pick on me anymore, cause it doesn't bother me. In exchange of him/her talking me down or trying to toy with me I would be nice. That would make that bully mad and he wouldn't get any fun out of it so he/she would leave me alone.

Another thing I could do is not be scared. Don't think about it. Don't try to tell everyone cause maybe he wants that reputation so if I tell everyone thats what her/him is bullying me then he is going to get exactly what he/she wanted.

clint said...

If I was the kid who got bullied I would tell my parents will tell the principal will tell the kid and the kid will get in trouble.

Ian L. said...

If I was Russell I would stand up to Richie. I would do this because a bully benefits from who they are picking on. If a bully like Richie would pick on me I would show that I'm not scared of him even if I am. I would do this because if he picks on you and you don't show that you are offended or hurt in any way he will lose interest of making fun or beating you up because it does not bother you.

To get a bully to stop bothering you there are many ways to tell on someone, if you tell your mom or the school they will have a talk to Richie and he would just get mad.If a bully like Richie is picking on you he will just pick on you some more. Like when we discussed how Richie would just keep picking on you, yesterday after Mr. McGuire read The Revealers for the first time to us. So unless you like getting beat up by a bully or in Russell's case getting pop poured over his head I wouldn't tell the school or even your parents. To deal with a bully it depends on what he does to you. If the bully teases you just ignore him and he will stop teasing you because he will not get the satisfaction of you being annoyed by it.

If you have a bully beating you up and you have no friends you have no one to defend you. That is when you have to be brave and stand up to a bully and show him that you are not afraid so he will lose interest in making fun or beating you up because it does not bother you.

MicahL22 said...

We are reading the book the revealers for our read-aloud. This book is about Russell (who is the main character right now) is just starting his first year in middle school. Russell has no friends and is being ordered around and followed by the school bully Richie. So far Richie has punched Russell, dumped a bottle of root beer on him in front of a store and is constently stalking Russell.

We are supposed to write what we would do if we were in Russell position? We were also asked what we would do with a bully? Well if I was in Russell's position I would just stay clear of him, but Russell can only go home a couple of ways and Richie always seems to be there. I could tell my mom and then my mom would talk to the school and then the school would have a talk with Richie then after that Richie would probably beat me up. The one thing that I would do with Richie is I would try to be more confident then Richie might have some respect which is doughtful or maybe some mercy. I could also be nice and see what Richie's reaction would be. I might even mess with him. If he gets the idea through his head that I am trying to be like him than he might start to like me.

What to do with a Bully? I think that the one reason so many people are scared of them is because that they let it get through head that the bully is way stronger and way bigger. But if you are confident than you will have the guts to stand up to him.

Rylee C said...

I think that if I were in the same position as Russell, I would try to learn to defend myself. The reason I would do this is because if Richie tried to punch me in the stomach again, I would defend myself from his fist and then pop him one in between the eyes. After that hopefully he would see that he should be afraid of me and hopefully stay away from me even though I don't plan on punching him again.

One thing I can do about a bully is that I can try to stay away from him. The reason I think this is one way to stop a bully is because if the bully isn't around you, he can't bully you.

Another thing I can do to stop a bully is that if he doesn't stop bullying me then in defense I would pop him one in between the eyes. Hopefully after I do this he will see that I am not the person to mess with and if he starts to bully another kid, he will remember what I did to him and think that this kid could do the same thing.

codye22 said...

We are reading a book called The Revealers and we were asked a question what to do with a bully? The main character in the book is Russell and he is getting followed around by the school bully Richie and Richie has been stocking Russell all the time.

What I would if I had a bully?

First I would try to be nice to him and try to become friends with him then if that don't work? Second I will try to stay away from him then if that don't work? Third I will tell the principal and if that don't work? Finally I would move to a another school.

Eric said...

If I was in the same position as Russell I would walk away from the problem. Then I would stay away from him until it's all over and not even bother him.Then I would see how the bully would react to it and then see what he will do to me or other people.

What I can do about a bully is just ignore the problem and don't even go near Richie. Just get away from him or tell someone about it.If all those things don't work then I would deal with the problem and see what he wants. The way that I would solve this problem is to Inform someone about it or just let it go.

Nathan .N. said...

If I was in the position that Russell is in I would go on the internet and write something bad about him and put someone else's name so he will pick on that kid. Also he will be embarrassed. But if it back fired I might use brutal force. Or I would tell the teacher. But I would NEVER tell my parents. NEVER.

Kate R said...

If I was in Russell's position I would act like I wasn't scared of Richie, but I wouldn't talk to him with an attitude. The reason that I wouldn't give him attitude is that he might get mad and keep bullying me.

The things I can do about a bully are ignore him, talk to them to see what he wants, tell a friend, and ask a teacher for advice but don't tell who the bully is. The reason I wouldn't tell the bully's name is that the teacher might try to get involved and that might make me look like I can't handle my own problem. I none of those things worked I would tell the teacher his name and talk to the bully with the teacher.

Karly said...

Yesterday I was asked if I was in the same position as Russell what would I do?Also what would you do about a bully?Here is my answers:
If I was in the same position of Russell I would ask the bully why he was doing this to me.If that didn't work I would tell a grown up.I would also try to be his friend and not interfere with the bully.I would try to stay by a friend or grown-up.

What I can do about a bully is tell a grown up or I would have my mom,dad,or one of my brothers pick me up from school and tell her what was happening.Either that or I would ask the bully to "please leave me alone".I would also try to go a different way and make sure that when I go that way that the bully is not watching me and not paying attention.

Hannah Hop. said...

If I was in the same position as Richie I would want to consult a teacher but I couldn't. What I would really do is try to get some friends, tough ones, the kind that could stick up for me.

I would try to act tough about it and not let it get to me.Although I definitely wouldn't have talked to Richie like that in the first place. What did Russell expect?

Another thing I would do is act like him and follow him. He would get annoyed with me and think that if he left me alone I would leave him alone. Worst case scenario is I would tell my parents and beg them to move but that is worst case scenario.

The truth is Richie scares me, even if he is a character in a book. I probably wouldn't do anything, I would be too scared. This makes me look like a wimp, I know but most people would probably lie and say stuff to make them look tough but what I wrote is what I would want to do not what I would do.

Brandon C. said...

If I was in the same position as Russell I would try to avoid being alone. I would always be with somebody no matter who it is. If that doesn't work then i might want to be in the middle of the crowd after class.

I would hate to be a tattle tale but if it came to it then I would have to take it. I mean nobody likes a snitch but nobody likes to be picked on either. I would rather be a snitch than be punched in the gut AGAIN.

Cody L said...

If I was in the same position as Russell I would try my best to avoid Richie because I don't want to start more trouble with Richie.Next I would to get an black army jacket and try to become Richie's friend. But if Richie Starts more trouble I would try to go to a different school.

What would I do if I had an bully?

The first thing I would do is at least try to become friends with him and if that doesn't work then I'll try to stay away from him as best as I can. But if that doesn't work then I'll try to tell the teacher or principal on him and if that doesn't work then I'll try to stay as far away from him as possible.

zachd said...

If I was Russell I would ignore the bully. Because all he wants is to be tough. If he would of dumped the pop over my head I would of just looked at him and smiled.

If he doesn't stop I would say something to my parents, then my parents would tell the principal. But I would tell my parent not to say I told them.

Justin G. said...

What would I do if I was in Russell's position. I would stay away from him/her and if he wanted to keep pushing me around then I would get a lot of people and then we'll put a stop to it or I'll do it my-self if it came to bother me a lot but I can take a lot until they go too far so right now in the book I would just tell him to stop and id he don't then I would take my next action and not put up with it.

First I wouldn't really get mad and beat him up, I would have a little fun messing with and pulling pranks on him like he did with the root-beer.

I would try to stay in crowds so I don't attract attention and try to stay out of trouble so he wouldn't know exactly where I was and take a different route, try not to get a A&W root-beer everyday. I would just try to be a fly on the wall and no one noticing me.

Codyk said...

If I was in Russell position I would say I don't care if you don't like me just leave me alone.

I know what I would do with a bully like Richie Tucker is go tell the teacher or my parents.

Garrett said...

If I was in Russell's position I would avoid him like Russell is doing and then he might just forget about it. If he doesn't then I would try to get some friends and then if I get some friend I would have a group to stay with.

Here are some thing you can do about a bully:
Avoid
Don't be afraid
Tell on them
This is some of the thing you can do.

Shaylee said...

What would you do about a bully?

If I was in Russell's position I would try to avoid Richie like go somewhere busy. Russell only has a few ways to get home and no matter witch way he goes Richie is always there. Russell just lets Richie beat him up. If I was Russell I defend myself.

Some things I would do if I was bullied I could act all big and bad like they do, I could tell a friend,or I could just ask some teachers for advice without saying the name of the bully.

Kelsey said...

If I were to get bullied like Russell I would just try to avoid the person who is bullying me. But if it was a type of bullying like Russell's then I would tell someone right away that I was having trouble with someone. Then I would let then deal with this person.

If this doesent work then let them know I am not afraid of them. Well maybe cause that might be scary to say to a big bully.

destiny said...

If I had a bully on my back all the time I would simply mouth him/her off then see how he takes it if he takes it rude and tries to Bully me again I would tell my dad and if the bully would try to hurt me with my dad their well my dad is very nice but my dad is tricky to and my dad would have a NICE talk with his dad.

Tyler.S said...

If I was Russell I would just ignore Richie and maybe he will forget about bullying me. here is some advice,

Ignore
Don't listen to
Tell the teacher

That may not be very good advice but I am trying my best. You don't have to tell on him because it may get worse.

Kennedy said...

If I was in the same position as Russell I would not just stand there and get picked on I would fight back. I would not sit there and get a root beer pored all down me. Or I would stay around people all the time.

Here are some things that you can do about a bully:

Try to avoided them

Let teachers know so they can keep an eye out.

Stick up for yourself

Don't be scared

Justin P. said...

What I would do if I was in Russell's position is that I would tell the police the story.

If they did not do nothing I would tell them that bullying is illegal. They would probably do something if they hadn't already.

The only reason you wouldn't do this is

1. They already resolved the problem.

or

2. They now an MMA fighter.

Beth E. said...

If I were in Russell's position I would try to be friends with Richie. Do nice things for him. Be nice towards him. Maybe he will be nicer.

If that didn't work then I would tell a teacher or a parent. My sister or my brother. Any adult. Just someone who can get Richie to leave me alone.

The third and final option would be to avoid him. Try to stay away from him. As soon as I would see Richie walking down the hall and we were the only ones there. Well you know what I would do. Turn around and run. Find somebody. When people are around he is bound not to anything.

And those are the things I would do if a bully was after me.

Beth K. said...

If I was in Russell's position I would try to avoid him. I would try not to be scared of him so he would not think I was afraid of him. I would also try to protect my self if none of those thing would work.

I would try to be nice to him. I might tell my parents, but tell them not to go ballistic about it. I might tell my brothers but I don't know what they would do to the bully.

Another thing I would do is try to stay far away from the bully. I would try to get a ride home from someone. Their is kind of a lot you might be able to do about a bully but there are some of my ideas.

Jacob A said...

If I was in Russell's position I would try my best to try and avoid him or ignore him and see if he would leave me alone after that.

If that didn't work I would tell someone like a parent or a teacher. Then I would see if he left me alone after that.

Another thing that I would do if I was in Russell's position I would try to make some friends. Then wait and see if he started picking on any one else and maybe he would leave me alone.

Jacob P. said...

If I was in Russell's position, I would try to avoid Richie. Because usually when you ask a bully to stop, they pull pranks and make fun of you even more. One thing I would never do is tell my mom, you do that and she'll probably find the number of Richie's mom. Then she will ask her to talk to Richie about it. Now your in for some tattle tale taunts, and then your in even more trouble.

darrens22 said...

what I would do if I was Russell's position I would avoid him and would never talk to him I would gang up on him.
him.

And after that he would probably leave me alone.

Kasi R. said...

If I was in Russell's position I would stay away from Richie as much as possible. If I ran into him I would be nice to him and not say anything bad about him. If I am nice to him he may not punch me or anything.

If I was in Russell's position I would also try and get a ride to school and a ride home from school. If Richie did not stop being mean to me I would tell the principal,a teacher, or my parents.
This is what I would do if I was in Russell's position.

Nash C. said...

If I was in Russell's position I would try to avoid him and stay in or near crowds. If it got to a point where I couldn't take him bullying me I would probably try to skip school or convince my parents to move (preferably Melbourne, Australia). If neither of those worked I would probably fight back.

What I can do about a bully is:
1.Avoid them
2.Surround myself with friends
3.(LAST RESORT) Fight back

Alysha P. said...

If I was Russel I would try to become friends with the biggest strongest people in 7th grade. And if Richy tried to come after me again my friends can protect me.

If that did not work I would tell the principle so she can take care of Richy trying to beat me up every day.

Cierra D said...

If I was in Russell's position I would try to avoid him. I f avoiding him did not work I would try to not be a suck up but give the weirdo whatever he wanted when he wanted it.
I do think that if there was a bully that I would get a cell phone because I would want to have someone behind my back to take me home to school.
I also think that when he was around me I would position my self around an adult.

Hannah Hart. said...

In Russel's position, there isn't much you can do about a bully like Richie, except to
-try and stay away
-get a bunch of people to help you stand up to Richie and end it all.
-try and act like you don't care
-tell someone
I know that he doesn't want to tell anyone, but if it gets to be to much then you kind of have to tell someone, anyone. My favourite would to just plain ignore him.

JimmyC. said...

If I were in Russell's place I would stay away from him and if he would try to punch me I would run as fast as I could and make sure he didn't catch up with me.
I would defenitly tell my parents that I was being bullied around at school and I would defend my self to try too stop him.
If none of those things would work then I would tell the princapal.