Kids learn it takes a chicken to act like a bully
"Chicken live by a pecking order which means the ones puffed up with power push the weaker chicken around. Often times, the weaker ones go without food or water ..."
That's the story that was told to students at McWayne Elementary School in Batavia this month by Critters and Company founder Greg Olson while holding a chicken -- hoping the kids in the audience would make the connection that it takes a chicken to act like a bully.
"People have empathy and the ability to feel for others so it would be better not to act like animals," Olson says as he hands off the chicken to his assistant, Diane Olson, who is his wife.
Gregory Olson went on to explain "just as animals should never be mistreated, nor should our fellow human beings."
As Olson presented the program "Teasing: Harassment in Disguise," each interesting animal was brought out one by one: the timid hedgehog who felt teased by another who didn't realize he was invading his personal space; the chicken bully; the prickly porcupine who really doesn't shoot out his quills but shouldn't be hugged (or teased); an iguana who lost his once beautiful tail and grew back a much uglier one as an irreversible result of being teased by the family cats; and the powerful red-tailed hawk who reminds us that sorry is good, but change is better.
All of these creatures help to convey relationship-building concepts and delivering this message with animals not only keeps their interest, but helps the students retain and recall the lessons learned.
"This assembly came about because of the great parent involvement in our school. We are fortunate to have Critters & Company here -- he has done phenomenal work with groups," said Anissa Foster, the school's assembly chairperson.
The children were asked what forms teasing could be in. Students were anxious to answer with hands raised high, responding with answers like calling people names, annoying someone, making jokes of them, hurting someone's feelings and pretending to hand something to someone and taking it away; all indicating the students had a good understanding of teasing.
To manage inappropriate teasing, Olson made suggestions like walking away, firmly letting the one who's doing the teasing to stop using "I" statements, and finally, letting an adult know if all else fails.
"I thought it was wonderful, the kids were really paying attention. I think they got it" says Assistant Teacher Pam Stone.
Principal Kevn Skomer stepped up at the close of the assembly to remind all students that whether accidental or teasing on purpose, each of us need to make a change for the better and stop the teasing in our schools, at home, and in our neighborhoods.
--by Kim Kozar