12
The atmosphere in class (1)
Textbook pp. 34–36
GoalKnow what bullying (constant humiliation or mocking) is and how to tell it from a game.
New words
bullying · bullingmockery · masxarato humiliate · xo‘rlashunited, friendly · ahil
Explanation
Bullying means hurting the same child again and again: mocking them, calling them rude nicknames, taking their things, pushing, frightening, leaving them out of games or spreading untrue stories about them. One accidental joke is not bullying: in bullying the bad treatment repeats day after day and the child cannot protect themselves. In a real game everyone is happy, everyone joins by choice and can leave whenever they want. In bullying someone is hurt or afraid. Laughing at someone is never a good thing.
Worked examples
“This is not a joke”. Rustam started coming to school wearing glasses. Every day a few children called him by a funny nickname. They laughed, while Rustam sat quietly on his own. Zarina noticed and said: “Rustam isn’t laughing. If not everyone is laughing, it isn’t a joke,” and at break she invited Rustam to join her group. Soon the other children stopped using the nickname too.
Class activity
“Traffic light”: the teacher reads situations. Children raise green (everyone happy, a game), yellow (careful) or red (bullying) and explain.
Practice
1
What is bullying?
Constantly upsetting, insulting, frightening or isolating someone
2
How do we tell a game from bullying?
In a game everyone is happy and joins freely; in bullying someone is hurt or afraid
3
Why is mocking someone wrong?
They are hurt, lose confidence and feel alone