Theme/Central Idea Development (Nonfiction)
How is a Central Idea Developed?
A central idea is developed by supporting details (specific statements that explain and “prove” the central idea). Supporting Details are found in strategies such as examples, statistics, descriptions, causes & effects, quotes, analogies, and stories. There are multiple supporting details for one central idea.
A central idea is developed by supporting details (specific statements that explain and “prove” the central idea). Supporting Details are found in strategies such as examples, statistics, descriptions, causes & effects, quotes, analogies, and stories. There are multiple supporting details for one central idea.
Activity 1: "Stomp Out Bullying"
Maybe it's name-calling. Maybe it's mean text messages. Maybe it's spreading rumors. No matter what form it takes, bullying is a serious problem. Luckily, it's a problem that communities, schools, national organizations, and some celebrities are trying to stop—but they need your help.
A Serious Problem
Consider this: One in four people age 18 or younger is bullied, and one in five admits to bullying someone else. Forty-two percent of young people have been bullied online. What are the consequences of all this bullying? Ashley Gordon, 14, of Coral Springs, Florida, explains what happens to kids who are bullied: "It affects their self-esteem. It makes them not want to come to school."
Every day, 160,000 students miss school in the U.S. to avoid being bullied. Victims of bullying may also suffer from depression and anxiety. They can have trouble concentrating in school or sleeping at night. The good news is that many people are working hard to put an end to bullying once and for all.
Working for Change
Stomp Out Bullying and the National Center for Bullying Prevention are two organizations working to put an end to the epidemic. Both have Web sites packed with information for students and adults. The singer Demi Lovato volunteers with both groups. Lovato joined musicians Jojo and Naturally 7, to promote National Bullying Awareness Week last October.
Many schools have established anti-bullying programs. Some, such as Mountain Trail Middle School in Phoenix, Arizona, use a bullying prevention program called Olweus (ol-VEY-us). Tbe program includes training for school staff members and meetings for students, parents, and community members.
Teacher Betsy Kaufnian is on Mountain Trail's Olweus committee. She says she has seen a difference at her school since starting the program last year. "It created a new awareness, and we have a common language now," she says.
Other schools have set up their own anti-bullying programs. Some have tip lines that students can call anonymously to report bullying, or peer counseling systems that help with bullying situations. Many schools have also established clear consequences for bullying.
Speak up
National awareness campaigns and school programs can do a lot—but only with students' help. Both victims and bystanders (those who witness bullying) must speak up. And yet, many students are reluctant to do so. Some students don't report bullying because they don't want to be labeled a "tattler." But telling an adult about bullying has nothing to do with tattling. Mountain Trail student counselor Teresa Young puts it this way: "You tattle to get someone into trouble. You report to get someone out of trouble."
Another reason both victims and bystanders may keep quiet is fear of retaliation. Mountain Trail student Sarah McCarthy, 12, says that some kids think "if they were to speak up, they would be bullied even more."
So what's the solution? The experts agree: Be strong, and speak up anyway. It's the only way to send the message to bullies that what they are doing is not going to be tolerated. Trust that adults can help—because they can. "More often than not, adults' intervening makes the situation get resolved," says Young. "If we continue to let someone rob our house because we're afraid of tattling on the robbers, well, that person is going to continue to rob our house. I see [bullying] as very similar."
-JENNIFER DiGNAN
SCHOLASTIC SCOPE FEBRUARY 8, 2010
1. In your own words, copy down the three central ideas of this text. The bold headers--as usual--will help you, but the words in the headers are not always the correct answers.
2. Which details from the article support the central idea that bullying is a problem?
a) One in 4 people age 18 or younger is bullied.
b) Every day, 160,000 students miss school to avoid bullying.
c) Victims of bullying may suffer from depression and anxiety.
d) All of the above
3. How does the author illustrate the central idea that many schools and organizations are working to prevent bullying? (HINT: what strategies does the author use?)
a) By giving statistics of how many people are bullied each year
b) By giving examples of anti-bullying programs being implemented
c) By giving quotes from Demi Lovato, who was once bullied
d) By giving examples of situations bullying victims experience
4. Which detail best explains why it is important for bullying victims and bystanders to speak up when bullying occurs?
a) Tattling gets someone into trouble; reporting gets someone out of trouble.
b) Many students are reluctant to speak up even though they know they should.
c) Reporting only makes bullies angry and increases bullying toward the victim.
d) Reporting is the only way to make bullies see that their actions will not be tolerated.
5. Which statement explains why some people don’t want to report bullying?
a) They are afraid the bullying will grow worse if they tell.
b) They are afraid people will think they are a “tattler.”
c) Both A and B
d) Neither A nor B
2. Which details from the article support the central idea that bullying is a problem?
a) One in 4 people age 18 or younger is bullied.
b) Every day, 160,000 students miss school to avoid bullying.
c) Victims of bullying may suffer from depression and anxiety.
d) All of the above
3. How does the author illustrate the central idea that many schools and organizations are working to prevent bullying? (HINT: what strategies does the author use?)
a) By giving statistics of how many people are bullied each year
b) By giving examples of anti-bullying programs being implemented
c) By giving quotes from Demi Lovato, who was once bullied
d) By giving examples of situations bullying victims experience
4. Which detail best explains why it is important for bullying victims and bystanders to speak up when bullying occurs?
a) Tattling gets someone into trouble; reporting gets someone out of trouble.
b) Many students are reluctant to speak up even though they know they should.
c) Reporting only makes bullies angry and increases bullying toward the victim.
d) Reporting is the only way to make bullies see that their actions will not be tolerated.
5. Which statement explains why some people don’t want to report bullying?
a) They are afraid the bullying will grow worse if they tell.
b) They are afraid people will think they are a “tattler.”
c) Both A and B
d) Neither A nor B