Instruction:

1. Read the text and answer the questions that follow. Responses should be
backed up by textual evidence, and opinions should be clearly explained. Each
number must be answered in not less than 5 sentences.
2. You will be graded according to the rubric below.
3. This item is worth 25 points (5 points per question).

Don’t Miss the Signs of School Bullying

(NewsUSA) - The start of the new school year should be a positive and exciting
time for children, but for many it also means a return to being bullied, and the physical
and mental health consequences that accompany it.

Results of a study published in School Psychology Review found that nearly half
of children in grades 4-12 reported being bullied by other students at least once during
the previous month.

According to the National Bullying Prevention Center, a slightly higher portion of

female than of male students report being bullied at school (23 percent versus 19
percent.)

In a 2017 survey conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, 19 percent of North Carolina high schoolers reported being bullied on
school property within the previous year. When broken down by gender, 23 percent of
high school girls and 15 percent of high school boys in North Carolina reported being
bullied at school.

Possible signs that a child is being bullied at school include:

- Acting in a way that is out of character for the child, such as becoming
more angry or anxious.
- Trying to avoid school with excuses such as increased physical
complaints.
- Demonstrating trouble with schoolwork.
 - Exhibiting unusual eating or sleeping habits.
- Losing valuables such as lunch money or possessions.

"Bullying behavior tends to peak in middle school years, but it can happen at any
age," says Dr. Michael Golinkoff of AmeriHealth Caritas, a national leader in healthcare
solutions for those most in need.

"Victims of bullying may be reluctant to inform their parents or others. So it is

important for parents to be observant for signs that their child may be getting bullied and
respond accordingly," he emphasizes.

But parents can help stop bullying before it starts and be part of the solution
when it occurs. Some steps parents can take to help their child include:

- Be informed. Find out your school's policy on bullying and speak to the
principal or other administrator.
- Be engaged. Talk to your child about his or her experience. Don't judge,
just listen.
- Be a team. Involve your child in strategies to help stop the bullying. Get
the teachers on board so everyone knows what to do when problem
behavior occurs.

"The most important advice for a child who is being bullied is to help them
develop assertiveness skills and conflict resolution skills," says Dr. Golinkoff.

"This includes standing up for their beliefs and ignoring negativity directed
towards them. Role playing exercises can help children learn how to take a stand
against an aggressor."
Questions:

1. What does the writer discuss in the text?

After reading the text, it ta ked about how bullying occurs to students in
schools, the signs of bullying, and ways to stop it. The writer discussed in the text
the gravity of bullying that has occurred in schools where he stated that the
“results of a study published in School Psychology Review found that nearly half
of children in grades 4-12 reported being bullied by other students at least once
during the previous month”. The writer also tackled the difference between
people who are male and female who are bullied where he stated that “According
to the National Bullying Prevention Center, a slightly higher portion of female
than of male students report being bullied at school (23 percent versus 19
percent).” Furthermore, the writer discussed the ways on how parents could help
stop bullying that has occurred in schools. The writer listed in the text some ways
on how parents could help their children like “Be informed. Find out your school's
policy on bullying and speak to the principal or other administrator.” Overall, what
the writer totally discussed in the text are the amount of bullying that has
occurred and how it negatively affected the students’ life and lastly are the ways
to help stop school bullying

2. What points did the writer include that he wants his readers to believe?

There are a lot of things that the writer wants his readers to believe. First of
all, he wants the readers to believe that there are a lot of students that are
experiencing bullying in school. He stated that the “results of a study published in
School Psychology Review found that nearly half of children in grades 4-12
reported being bullied by other students at least once during the previous month.”
The second point that the writer wants the readers to believe is that bullying
students results to a negative mindset and behavior. Example of these negative
results are becoming angry or anxious, failing school, doing bad habits and many
more which is stated by the writer in the text. Also, another point that the writer
wants the readers to believe is that bullying occurs in every age and some
students hesitate to tell on their parents about them being bullied. The writer
 stated in the text that according to Dr. Michael Golinkoff, “it can happen at any
age” and “victims of bullying may be reluctant to inform their parents and others”.
Lastly, the writer wants the readers to believe that bullying could be stop in
schools before it even happens. The writer stated that “Some steps parents can
take to help their child include: Be engaged. Talk to your child about his or her
experience. Don't judge, just listen.” and many more. Also, according to Dr.
Golinkoff, "The most important advice for a child who is being bullied is to help
them develop assertiveness skills and conflict resolution skills,". These are all the
points that the writer wants the readers to believe.

3. What is your stand regarding the issue?

My stand on the issue is that I am against school bullying. I believe that
school bullying is wrong and no one should experience it. Students are young
people who are growing and it would be bad if they experience bullying
especially at a young age because this can negatively affect their lives especially
their futures. As stated by the writer that “Results of a study published in School
Psychology Review found that nearly half of children in grades 4-12 reported
being bullied by other students at least once during the previous month”, I also
believe that school bullying has increased and it is most commonly present in
middle school and high school. This kind of thing should not be allowed and so
teachers and parents must take action to stop bullying so that students could live
their lives without worry.

4. Which part of the text do you agree with the most? Which part do you disagree
with the most? Cite the actual statements.
The part of the text that I agree with the most is when Dr. Golingkoff said that
"The most important advice for a child who is being bullied is to help them
develop assertiveness skills and conflict resolution skills". I agree in that
statement because students really need to have assertiveness skills where they
know how to socially interact and communicate with other people. Also, students
need know how to solve conflicts where they create and do the right decisions
 and actions. All of these skills are a necessity to every student if they want to last
in school without having any problems.

There is also a part in the text that I don’t agree with the most. It is the
statement, “Results of a study published in School Psychology Review found that
nearly half of children in grades 4-12 reported being bullied by other students at
least once during the previous month” because as a student, school bullying is
really bad and should be stop. Students must not experience this kind of
experiences and must focus on living their lives as students.

5. How do you think your stand contributes to or debunks the author’s message?

I firmly believe that my stand to the issue contributes to the author’s message.
I think that the author’s message is for everyone to stop school bullying. He
wants to advocate to everyone that bullying is wrong as it can destroy a person’s
future and my stand on the issue agrees with his message. As school bullying
keeps happening and increasing, the writer wants everyone to know the amount
that it has happened and who has it happened to and he also stated in the text
that parents should help stop bullying to help protect their children. So, with my
stand on the issue agreeing with the author’s message, we want school bullying
to stop.

RUBRIC FOR GRADING:

Score
Content
(The question is answered well. Textual evidence is given, and
opinions are clearly explained.) 2 pts.
Organization
(Logical progression of details and clear transitions between
ideas) 2 pts.
Language
(Use of proper spelling, mechanics, grammar, and word choice) 1
pt.
/5