No Name-Calling Week  January 23-27, 2012


Inspired by the YA novel, The Misfits by James Howe, No Name-Calling Week (NNCW) is an annual opportunity for students to discuss their experiences and feelings towards name-calling and bullying schools.


In this day and age name-calling and bullying happens in all areas of life, at home and in school.  What may seem like simple joking to one person may be very hurtful to another.  Take a few minutes to learn more about the differences between name-calling and bullying:


Name-calling is calling others mean names and labels.  You have the right to be called the name you want, and to not be called hurtful or mean names. 


Bullying is aggressive behavior that is intentional and that involves an imbalance of power or strength.  Bullying can take many forms such as: 
  • Hitting or shoving (physical bullying) 
  • Teasing or taunting (verbal bullying) 
  • Intimidation through gestures or social exclusion (nonverbal bullying or emotional bullying) 
  • Sending insulting or threatening messages by phone or internet (cyber bullying)




Take Action:


No Name-Calling Week Creative Expression
Creative Expression is an opportunity for students to submit original pieces, in all mediums, that convey their experiences and feelings about name-calling and their ideas for putting a stop to bullying in their schools and communities.  Click here for entry forms and details.  Entry deadline is Friday, March 2, 2012.


It Get's Better                StopBullying.gov                Stop Bullying Now!


Books about bullying:


The Misfits / James Howe
Four students who do not fit in at their small-town middle school decide to create a third party for the student council elections to represent all students who have ever been called names.




Burn / Suzanne Phillips
Bullied constantly during his freshman year in high school, Cameron's anger and isolation grows, leading to deadly consequences.






Living with Peer Pressure and Bullying examines the nature of these two common behaviors, the effects they have, and how teens can combat them. Chapters also cover the coercive power of peer pressure, the risks and rewards of telling the truth, cyberbullying, and helping others cope with bullying.





For a complete list of bullying books, click here.