Relational Aggression ~ Girl Bullying

This is the first year that I separated the boys from the girls when teaching about bullying.  The girls in grades 3-8 learned about Relational Aggression.  Relational Aggression is a title given to distinguish girl bullying from boy bullying.  Now the two do overlap but there is enough of a difference to warrant teaching to both genders. 

Relational Aggression tends to be most intense and apparent among girls in fifth through the eighth grades.  It can be devastating.  Loss of friendships and social standing are psychologically damaging and isolation and harassment can be unbearable for the victim.  Girls are particularly vulnerable because of the high value they typically place on friendships. 

In grades 3-5 I used the book "The I Hate Wendy Club: Story, Lessons, & Activities on Relational Aggression", written by Debra Wosnik.  In grades 6-8 I use a power point that I created from the book Queen Bees & Wannabees by Rosalind Wiseman.

In grades Kindergarten through second grade I teach the class as a whole, both girls and boys.  I use the book Stop Picking on Me: A First Look at Bullying by Pat Thomas.