Welcome to the website that supports the "Changing Minds" Every Student, Every School Project  (NSW DEC) for  Campbell House, Verona and Karningul Schools and Dorchester Education & Training Unit.

Changing Minds Series:
Picture Books & Programs

The Changing Minds series of picture books and accompanying programs were written with the aim to inspire educators in their development of education strategies that strike a balance between empathy, education and expectation to cater for the explicit teaching of communication and social skills required by students.

The picture books and programs in this series are:
Bigger than a Bully (2012)
Meet Mr Angry Ant! (2013)
The Seed (2014)
Caterpillar Steps (due for release 2015)
Me, See, Be (due for release 2015)
Each of the books combine colourful cartoons with a powerful pro-social skills message, making them accessible to a range of ages, from pre-school through to secondary-age students.

The rationale for the development of all the picture books and teaching Units in this “Changing Minds” Series is an explicit focus on building pro-social behaviours in school communities, i.e. building personal and social capability. As such the various Units in the series include activities designed to build skills and awareness such as:
  • Recognising and naming emotions, including degrees of emotion
  • Reflecting on behavioural triggers and emotional responses as a process of supporting students towards self-regulation of emotions (including self-calming strategies and anger-management)
  • Identifying, recognising and valuing personal qualities, personal strengths and achievements in themselves and others
  • Expressive communication and building self-confidence (including vocabulary for assertive communication and naming of emotions, and reflecting on the value of speaking up and being true to yourself, as well as listening to others)
  • Social skills to support working independently and cooperatively to achieve goals e.g. listening (paying attention, being quiet, tuning in), turn-taking, putting forward ideas, sharing ideas, negotiating conflict
In addition, positive psychology provides a key framework for activities, especially in The Seed unit. In this way a key focus of the books and programs is in supporting students to reflect on their lives with a positive focus, in terms of daily happenings and events but also in terms of personal narrative, in order to build a sense of dignity and self-worth, which is integral to the development of student well-being, resilience and positive engagement in life.

Please look at our other websites below:
www.meetmrangryant.com
www.theseednsw.com


Bigger than a Bully

Bigger than a Bully was the first picture book and program developed in this series.

The Bigger than a Bully program provides an alternative to passive acceptance/ paralysis in the face of bullying by emphasising the power of expressive communication: literally, the idea that speaking up about what is happening can break the bullying cycle and thus is mightier than both aggression (physical or verbal) and the feelings of powerlessness that are often associated with victimisation.

Message from the Author

See What Guildford West Public School

Click here to find out more about what Guildford West did with the program.

See Brilliant Student Work From 2012

Click on the link below to see a student's work from last year called "Stop Bully!"
http://www.granvilles-p.schools.nsw.edu.au/news/stop-bully

    To enquire about the programs

Disclaimer
While “Bigger than a Bully” was designed in consultation with
educators and researchers, this website assumes no liability for the information
provided. It is not intended to be a one-stop solution for bullying and is meant
for educational purposes only. It does not come with any express or implied
warranty and assumes no liability for loss or damage. If you or (someone you
know) is suffering from bullying talk to a parent, teacher or someone on the
Kids Helpline (Australia only: 1800 55 1800). http://www.kidshelp.com.au/ 


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