Simon's Hook

November is here, and the Project Cornerstone readers are introducing Covington students to a new book,  Simon’s Hook, by Karen Burnett.   This is a colorful and engaging story of Simon, who asks his grandmother for help after being teased at school.  His grandma Rose then uses the metaphor of fish and fishing to explore different ways reacting to teasing.   She explains that fish (students) swim freely, but sometimes come upon a baited fishing hook dangling in the water (someone deliberately teasing them to provoke them).  The fisherman may tempt fish with bait (it’s hard not to react to deliberate provocation), but sometimes the best choice for the fish is to not take the bait (refuse to engage in the interaction, and sometimes even just walk away).  Swimming away isn’t backing down or giving in, it’s moving forward and rising above.

Goals of this month’s lesson:

• Help students recognize that while they can’t always avoid being teased, they can control how they react to that teasing.  We want to help students feel empowered by being aware of, and in control of, their responses to hurtful teases and put-downs.
• Help students learn and practice specific language and techniques to use when faced with teasing, so that they can avoid getting “hooked” and can swim free.

To help reinforce the messages this month, please ask your child about the five specific strategies that Grandma Rose offers to help Simon avoid taking the bait:   

• Do little or nothing—don’t react!
• Pretend to agree with the person teasing
• Change the subject to distract the person teasing
• Laugh at the teasing and make a joke of it, without putting the other person down
• Move away from baited hooks and swim free to another part of the sea

In teaching de-escalation and conflict avoidance skills to students, Project Cornerstone focuses this month on the positive, proactive things students can do when being teased by others.   Sometimes, when people try to bait us, the strongest and smartest thing to do is to refuse to take the bait.  It takes practice, as it is so tempting to react, but it’s worth it.  If possible, share examples of your own “swimming free” experiences, and how you’ve learned not to take the bait, too!

As caring adults in the lives of youth, we can help develop and nurture skills to navigate the rough patches in life.  Our goal is to help Covington students to be able to handle these bumps and obstacles on their own, and create a community that promotes cooperation, respect, and resiliency.  

When you “catch” kids not taking the bait, and swimming free...

Notice, Name it, and Celebrate it!