Middle School (Grades 5-8)

MiddleThese programs explore the foundations of sexual violence and students' relationships with others. Depending on the age of the audience, these programs address bullying and teasing, gender stereotypes, sexual harassment and our culture's role in creating gender boxes and the psychological and physical repercussions of "breaking out of the box" (i.e., name-calling, hitting, etc.) This reinforces the message that it's important to be yourself, and it's equally important to let others be true to themselves. The program also explores differences between flirting and sexual harassment and underscores the concept that the person on the receiving end of words and actions is the one who defines sexual harassment.

The following are brief descriptions of the Middle School programs we currently offer:

 

BULLYING AND HARASSMENT, GRADES 5 – 6, 45 – 60 miinutes

This program uses role plays, realistic scenarios, and games so students will recognize bullying and harassment around them and be empowered to intervene when they see it happening..                                          

 “After SARSSM came, I felt like I could tell my teacher that I was getting bullied on the playground.”

 

INTERNET SAFETY & CYBER HARASSMENT PREVENTION, GRADES 5 – 6 and Post-Secondary, 45 – 60 minutes

Through age appropriate scenarios and interactive activities, this program educates students on how to be safer on the internet.  It reminds students of the importance of respectful communication online and offline.

MEDIA LITERACY, GRADES 7 – 8 and Post-Secondary, 60 – 90 Minutes

This fun and interactive program helps students identify ways the media increases our cultural tolerance for sexualized violence by making it seem normal and acceptable.  This program teaches students to become critical consumers of the media.

 

SEXUAL HARASSMENT PREVENTION, GRADES 6 – 8, 60 – 90 minutes

Through interactive activities and real-life scenarios, this program addresses gender stereotyping and the difference between flirting and sexual harassment. An emphasis is made on verbal sexual harassment and why students must use appropriate language at school.

“I was surprised to realize how much we believe the stereotypes when they aren’t even true.”