Main Message: This Project Cornerstone book of the month helps students recognize that they have the power within themselves to deal with bully behaviors. This empowerment can be provided by caring adults that fill their buckets. Gaining self-confidence empowers kids to stand up to bullying behaviors. Kids can then model positive self-talk to each other and show how positive energy can change negative behavior.

Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon is a story about a little girl, Molly Lou, who is the victim of name-calling and teasing. However, she does not react to the hooks that are thrown her way by her classmate Ronald Durkin. This lesson reinforces the message that students have power to control their own responses to bully behaviors. Don’t focus on the bully—focus on the fact that you have the power to choose how you react!

This lesson focuses on three different ways children can use their lid to respond to bucket dippers and make positive changes in daily social interactions.

• Find a caring adult. Who are the caring adults in your children’s lives? To whom would they turn for help at home, at school and in the neighborhood? If they have trouble identifying a caring adult in each of these environments, tell them who you think they can trust, and let those adults know that your child may turn to them for help.
• Develop and use “personal power”. Developing personal power helps children understand that they have control over situations. One way to stand tall like Molly Lou is to use body language to show confidence. At home, have your child look in the mirror and practice standing tall, making eye contact, walking with shoulders back, and using a firm voice to communicate. Have your child practice their positive self-talk to build their positive energy.
• Use self-esteem to become resilient. One way to help children develop self-esteem is to help them recognize their many skills and talents. You can reinforce this by telling your children why they make you proud, and asking what makes them feel proud of themselves. Provide them with lots of specific examples of their fine qualities and skills. Place positive notes that celebrate their accomplishments in their lunch boxes, on the bathroom mirror, on doors and on their desks.

Reinforcing this lesson at home will help your child practice how to create a positive, caring school climate where students treat each other respectfully.

For more information on Project Cornerstone or Asset Building Characteristics please visit www.projectcornerstone.org.