Addressing Aggression and Violence at School

  "Knowing what's right doesn't mean 

much unless you do what's right."

                                                                                             Theodore Roosevelt

Last week in class we talked about violence and aggression in school. I did a presentation with my partner Rebekah, and we talked about ways of preventing and addressing violence and aggression. Here is some of the information we presented:

3 Level Approach to Addressing Aggression and Violence:

Level I: Creating a Nonviolent School Environment

·      Create a trusting relationship

·      Provide an adequate curriculum

·      Insist on genuine and equal respect among students as well as faculty

·      Openly discuss safety issues

Level II: Intervening Early for Students at Risk

·      Could be academic and/or social failure

·      Approach must be tailored to students’ particular strengths and needs

·      Social skills training and involvement in school clubs and extracurricular activities may help

·      Encourage and reinforce productive behaviors

Level III: Providing Intensive Intervention for Students in Trouble

·      Some students may have a mental illness that interferes with their ability to think rationally and cope appropriately

·      Schools must work closely with mental health clinics, police and probation officers, and social services

Be on the lookout for early warning signs of violence

Early Warning Signs of Possible Violent Behavior

·      Social withdrawal

·      Excessive feelings of isolation, rejection, or persecution

·      Rapid decline in academic performance

·      Poor coping skills

·      Lack of anger control

·      Sense of superiority, self-centeredness, and lack of empathy

·      Lengthy grudges

·      Violent themes in drawings and written work

·      Intolerance of individual and group differences

·      History of violence, aggression, and other discipline problems

·      Association with violent peers

·      Inappropriate role models

·      Frequent alcohol or drug use

·      Inappropriate access to firearms

·      Threats of violence—This warning sign requires immediate action!

Tips For Preventing Student Aggression

• ·      Make it clear to students that aggressive behavior is unacceptable.
• ·      Try to identify when and where a student is aggressive.
• ·      Teach students conflict-resolution skills.
• ·      Have a student who is prone to aggression engage in activities that make aggressive behavior less likely.
• ·      Connect with the aggressive student.
• ·      Obtain in-school counseling for an aggressive student.

References

Dr. Ken Shore’s Classroom Problem Solver. “Preventing Student Aggression.” EducationWorld.com

Ormrod, J.E. Educational psychology: Developing Learners. 7^th Ed. Boston, MA: Pearson

As we researched, we found some valuable information. We also found valuable information by having a class discussion. We were able to discuss past experiences and encounters with violence and aggression. It was interesting to hear about and learn from other experiences. As a counselor for 4th and 5th graders, I myself have had some encounters with aggression. I think it is important to address this issue early on with any group that you are working with. Let them know that any type of aggression or violence will not be tolerated. It does not have to be physical to be hurtful. Aggression and violence can be psychological as well. At my job we had some incidents of bullying and name calling. We talked to everyone involved individually, and we also addressed the whole group about this issue. We made it known that bullying would not be tolerated. I believe that as a teacher or counselor it is important to always be on the lookout for any signs of aggression or violence. Listen to students and be someone that they can trust.