If you have a student complaining that another student is tripping them or pushing them down, make a note of when and where it is happening and who else is involved.  As teachers we are taught to make anecdotal notes on a child’s learning to help monitor progress.  The same habit can be established when identifying the behaviors or students. 

Evaluate the notes you take for one week.  How many times a day/week are students reporting that this behavior is taking place?  Where are these kinds of events happening?  Are there common characteristics of the students involved?  Then consider, how are you responding to the situation? 

Bullies frequently deny their actions.  Learn how to question children to received accurate information.  This reduces the frustration that occurs when you converse with the students of the behaviors you have documented.  Also, pay close attention to the daily bullying signals that students send out.  This again requires keen observation skills and documenting in some manner.

The effort of documenting the small incidents will support you as you intervene in bullying situations.  When a student says, “He tripped and fell himself,” you will know if the statement is accurate.  When you show the documentation of their behaviors, your students will realize that you are paying attention to their behaviors and are holding them accountable for their words.

For additional suggestions, visit Billy Simms Speaks, Your Trusted Bully Advisor.