Owning Up: Empowering Adolescents to Confront Social Cruelty, Bullying, and Injustice

Social dynamics, conflicts, and bullying influence every child's ability to learn. At the same time, a safe school climate depends on teaching students the skills to manage their emotions and critically think through solutions to social conflicts. Owning Up offers a solution by teaching young people to understand their individual development in relation to group behavior, the influence of social media on their conflicts, and the dynamics that lead to discrimination and bigotry. 

Table of Contents:
Foreword Acknowledgments About the Author Introduction Sessions 1. Getting Started: And (Hopefully) Not Wasting Your Time 2. Getting Out of the Box: Are We Boxed Into Gender Norms? 3. Just Kidding: Why Are We Really Laughing? 4. SEAL: I Know What the Problem Is, but How Do I Fix It? 5. The Power of Gossip: They Said What?! 6. Reputations and Double Standards: Keep It? Lose It? Change It? 7. The Power of Groups: Friendships, Strategic Alliances, or Both? 8. Creating Your Style: Brand Names and Price Tags 9. Managing Technology: Posts, Profiles, and Platforms 10. The Mirror: Why Do I Try to Look Like This? 11. Race and Bias: What Do We Really See? 12. Facing Race, Ethnicity, and Gender: Did I Say Something Wrong? 13. Finding Support: Don’t Go It Alone 14. Crushes and Rejection: Do They Like Me? 15. Recognizing and Respecting Boundaries: How Far Is Too Far? 16. Sexual Harassment: It’s Complicated 17. Concluding the Program: Please Say You Learned Something! Appendices A. Pretest/Posttest Surveys B. Starting the School Year Right: How Do We Address Bullying at Our School? C. Letter to Parent or Guardian of a Child Who Is Bullying D. Letter From Parent or Guardian Whose Child Is Being Bullied E. Friendship Bill of Rights F. Handout for Interviewing an Adult G. Act Like a Girl and Act Like a Boy Handouts H. Questions for the Beach Ball Exercise I. Group Roles: Pros and Cons J. Eating Disorders Handout K. I Am . . . Resources

About the Author :
Rosalind Wiseman is the founder of Cultures of Dignity, an organization that shifts the way communities think about our physical and emotional well-being by working in close partnership with the experts of those communities—young people, educators, policy makers, and business and political leaders. Her other recent Corwin publication is Owning Up: Empowering Adolescents to Create Cultures of Dignity and Confront Social Cruelty and Injustice (2020), a comprehensive social justice program for grades 4-12 which is in widespread use across the world. She is the author of the New York Times Best Sellers Queen Bees and Wannabes: Helping Your Daughter Survive Cliques, Gossip, Boyfriends, and the New Realities of Girl World, the groundbreaking book that was the basis for the movie and Broadway Musical Mean Girls; and Masterminds & Wingmen: Helping Our Boys Cope with Schoolyard Power, Locker-Room Tests, Girlfriends, and the New Rules of Boy World, which addresses the social lives of boys and was awarded Best Parenting Book by Books for a Better Life.  Follow her on Twitter at @cultureodignity.

Review :
"Owning Up is an invaluable curriculum. I have used it consistently for 15 years in many settings.  It is particularly relevant for middle schoolers, who need guidance in the operations of social culture and how to navigate the often treacherous landscape of relationships through middle school and beyond. Owning Up is a necessary tool for teaching effective interpersonal skills and social consciousness." "The Owning Up curriculum provides a relevant, current, and kid-friendly framework that uses students' language to teach them social justice. It is dynamic and engaging and my students are excited to come each week to learn more strategies to make the middle years easier."     "Owning Up is the most logical and down-to-earth curriculum I have used with my students in over ten years. Wiseman's ability to help the counselor or teacher relate to kids is unparalleled. The curriculum provides a framework with a variety of activities and lessons within each session, which allows any educator using it to make it their own. It creates a natural rhythm for the educator and the students, and this creates a safe space for honest and open dialogue. Wiseman does a great job of reminding adults that we carry our own baggage from our own adolescent years. If we can put that aside, or be mindful it exists, we can help students have a healthier middle and high school experience. If you use one curriculum this is the one you should choose, because it will transform your classroom and allow your students to talk about tough topics and still feel safe."