The Alberta Teachers’ Association

Teachers and parents encouraged to see movie on bullying

Imagine an inside, reflective look into the lives of students who get bullied every day.

That is exactly what the movie Bully provided audiences when it was released early in 2012. The movie follows three students struggling with bullying at school and in their communities, as well as two families who lost their young sons when they killed themselves due to repeated ­torment from bullies.

The movie, which is rated ­PG-13 due to language and content, is a resource that teachers and parents can use with youth to illustrate the harmful effects of bullying.

The Society for Safe and ­Caring Schools & Communities (SACSC) encourages parents and educators to not only watch the movie before viewing it with youth, but also to initiate discussions before and after viewing the movie. The following questions can be used to start an important conversation about bullying:

1. What are the different types of bullying?

2. Do you remember a time when you witnessed bullying? How did you respond? Do you wish you had responded differently? If yes, what prevented you from responding that way?

3. What is empathy?

After viewing the movie with youth, ask the questions again. Finish the discussion with the following question:

4. If you could share one thing about this movie with your peers, what would it be?

“This movie provides an awareness of bullying and an ­opportunity for valuable discussion with youth,” says Karen Hobbs, SACSC director of education. “It is important that you view the movie before taking youth to see it as this may allow you to come up with your own discussion questions.“

The makers of Bully created a resource for parents and educators that feature an outline of the movie, information on the movie’s effect on parents and suggestions for classroom activities. The resource can be downloaded free of charge at www.bullymovie.ca/#/DOWNLOADS.

It is the mission of SACSC to foster home, school and community practices that teach, model and reinforce socially responsible and respectful behaviours. The Society provides research-based programs, resources and workshops to help adults create safe spaces for youth. For more information about SACSC, visit www.sacsc.ca or call 780-822-1500.