Beware! There's A Bully In Room 203!
illustrations by
What’s inside...
At the beginning of Beware! There's a Bully in Room 203!, Bartholomew Jones seems like your typical 7-year-old. However, the children in Ms. Peacock's 2nd grade class call him Bart the Bully. The book paints a vivid description of Bart wreaking havoc at school. Bart fights with boys, teases little girls and makes them cry, throws food in the cafeteria, and is disrespectful to adults. Does Bart ever listen when anyone tries to talk to him about his bad behavior? No, he does not listen to his teacher, his parents, or even the principal, Mrs. Crocodill. By the end of the story, there is a turning point in which Bart may listen to two people. Could it be possible that he does not want to be called 'Bart the Bully' anymore? The ending is not tied up nice and neat in a bow, but is left open-ended. However, Room 203 at Green Meadows Elementary School may become a No Bully Zone after all.
Age
7-10
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How did the characters in the story feel when they encountered the bully? Can you relate to their feelings?
What are some ways the characters could have handled the bullying situation differently?
Why do you think it is important to speak up if you or someone else is being bullied?
What would you do if you were in a similar situation as the characters in Room 203?
How can we help someone who is being bullied feel better?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use a calm and open-ended approach to encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story.
Relate the story to your child’s personal experiences in school or with friends to make the discussion more relevant and engaging.
Emphasize the importance of empathy by discussing how each character might have felt in the book and why understanding feelings can lead to kinder actions.
Praise your child for expressing their thoughts and provide reassurance that it’s okay to talk about tough topics like bullying.
Encourage creative thinking by asking your child to think of alternative endings to the story or different ways the characters could resolve their issues.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: The story explores the emotions and motivations behind the bully’s behavior, encouraging readers to look beyond surface actions.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this understanding by practicing empathy in conflicts, considering what others might be feeling or experiencing.
Example Lesson: Resilience in facing challenges
Explanation: The children in Room 203 learn how to stand up for themselves and support each other, demonstrating resilience.
Real-World Application: This lesson prepares children to cope with and overcome adversity in their own lives, fostering a sense of strength and self-worth.
Example Lesson: Importance of seeking help
Explanation: The characters learn the value of seeking help from trusted adults, which leads to positive changes.
Real-World Application: Children are reminded that it's okay to ask for help when facing tough situations, reinforcing the support system available to them.
Example Lesson: The power of forgiveness
Explanation: After understanding the bully’s situation, the students learn to forgive, which transforms their classroom environment.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to practice forgiveness, promoting healing and positive relationships in their lives.