I pick out the ringleader bully. As per the book Mindset, I tell the kid that I respect them and view them as a leader in class. I tell them I'd like their advice and input on a situation. I tell them that a student feels picked on or left out and ask what I should do. Usually they come up with a bunch of ideas like collaborating and doing kore partner work. When class resumes, the bully is usually much more aware od his or her behavior and even may defend the victim. Another thing I frequenly use is called a walkthrough. In a walkthrough I have the kids put close their eyes and I walk them through a day in the life of someone else. Usually I have them experience a situation in which the child is neglected or abused at home. then I walk them through the day at school in which insults and taunts are thrown their way (just pretend, I don't verbally abuse the kids...). The first year I did this two of my girls cried. I noticed a change in how the class interacted immediately. If kids thought about others' perspectives more, crime would decrease. I teach my kids about empathy and viewing or replaying situations from the other person's perspective.

Working with a group of 9-11 year olds with learning and behaviour challenges we are encouraging them to think about a scale of behaviours and attitudes to each other and to learning as modelled in The Incredible Five point scale. 1-3 are all acceptable 4 is not advisable and 5 is beyond acceptable!
With some individuals we have personalised these to take account of their individual challenges/barriers to learning and it is beginning to make a meaningful difference and makes sense to them and to their families.

Sarah Bremner

http://www.5pointscale.com/