Materials
2 1/2 gallon (10 L) fish tank that can bedivided with glass dividers
Beta fish 4 to 6 feeder goldfish
Instructions
1. Talk to the children about what it means to be a bully. Ask the children what usually happens to bullies.
2. Show them the two different types of fish. Explain that Beta fish are known to be aggressive just like bullies, and explain that the smaller goldfish are kind to each other.
3. Set up the tank on a table in front of the group, with the tank dividers handy.
4. Discuss with the children whether they think the teacher should put all of the fish together.
5. If children reply "yes," then remind them that the Beta fish can be mean.
6. If children insist on putting all the fish together, go ahead and put them all together.
7. Encourage the children to count the fish and draw a picture of each fish on a large piece of paper. Hang up the paper so that as the days go by the children can map the progress of the goldfish. Each day, or as things start to happen again, bring the tank over and ask the children what should be done about the Beta fish being a bully.
8. When children come up with ideas to separate or punish the Beta fish, show them the tank divider. Then explain that it would keep the fish separate but they would still be able to see each other so the mean fish would not get lonely.
9. Separate the fish with the divider. The children may then be interested in talking about how people who are bullies should be treated, as well as what they can do in school or at home when someone is a bully.
10. The teacher can then use the saying: "get along" (with hands held together) or "get along" (with hand doing a brushing motion to show that the person should leave) to remind the children of their experience with the fish.
