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OVERVIEW
Different Like MeŠ is an interactive journey designed to help children develop empathy for one another by understanding and embracing each other’s differences and accepting each other for who they are. Different Like MeŠ strives to enable children to develop more effective interaction and communication skills.
Different Like MeŠ is a teasing/bullying prevention program designed to help children embrace differences in others by becoming part of a “solution” rather than contributing to school harassment, bullying, teasing, school violence which is becoming an overwhelming problem.
The
Different Like MeŠ program fosters the growth and development of empathy in students... it really works!! It utilizes hands-on real-life examples of student behavior, crisis and issues in its learning model. It helps to create an atmosphere of acceptance of all students including those with special needs. With the new mandate of inclusion in the classroom, teachers and students are faced with new challenges. The Different Like MeŠ program provides a curriculum which assists teachers and students to work cooperatively and productively in this new and challenging atmosphere.
Different Like MeŠ is a program designed to help eliminate instances of teasing and bullying by teaching children that it’s OK to be unique in their own wonderful way.
TARGET POPULATION
The Different Like MeŠ program has been especially created for students in the elementary school. A developmentally appropriate curriculum has been designed to meet the needs of students from pre-k- grade 5. Educators as well as students will benefit from the character education skills learned through implementation of the Different Like MeŠ program.
PROGRAM COMPONENTS
Classroom Materials
Provide sequential hands-on interactive lessons that aim to prevent
teasing and bullying behavior while enhancing communication skills,
self-esteem, role development and peer relations. The program
includes; the
Different Like MeŠ
instructor’s
manual, hands-on classroom materials and pre and post test analysis.
Professional Development Training is provided either by CD-Rom or on-site. educates teachers about the program philosophy, bullying and teasing issues and provides them with the tools to utilize the program in their classroom. The seminar curriculum allows teachers to introspectively examine their own teaching styles, patterns and reactions to issues presented in the classroom. It provides thought provoking and innovative techniques to help teachers internalize and utilize positive methods for effective classroom management.
School/Home Connection Educates parents about bullying and teasing while providing a forum where they are able to share their individual concerns and obtain
support. .
Aligned with Nation Wide State Academic Standards Lesson Plans are designed to incorporate skills as related to health and literacy academic standards.
PROGRAM BENEFITS
Different Like MeŠ
is a program that increases self esteem, develops positive peer relations, promotes positive role development, positively impacts classroom climate, embraces diversity and differences, decreases behavioral problems in the classroom and dramatically improves student’s educational abilities.
Different Like MeŠ strives to meet the needs of typical as well as exceptional/special needs students.
Different Like MeŠ
has had proven results…
- Students reported a 75% reduction in their teasing/bullying behavior after participating in the program for one year!!
- Teachers reported an improved classroom climate!
- Some teachers wrote:
“Before
Different Like MeŠ
my students were not getting along, calling each other names and pointing out physical, educational and emotional differences. Now, they have stopped their constant teasing and fighting and are getting along!”
“I have watched them play with each other during recess as well as work cooperatively in class.”
“Our classroom is now has a positive learning environment!”
SPECIAL NEEDS/INCLUSION
Statistics show that every classroom has between one to five students who have special needs.
(identified or unidentified)
- How do these special needs children affect the overall classroom climate?
- What types of interactions are special needs children having with their peers and educators?
- How are educators managing inclusion in the classroom?
The
Different Like MeŠ program provides groundbreaking techniques to help students and teachers become more empathetic to the special needs of all students. The result is an improved classroom climate, positive peer interactions, increased in self-esteem in students and educators and improved academic abilities.
Different Like MeŠ
teaches children and educators how to become part of a solution to an overwhelming problem!
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