Assemblies
We know that using high status peers with school age children is more effective than adult led lectures. That's one reason why MARC presenters are advanced students at Bridgewater State University. Undergraduate and graduate students are trained and supervised thoroughly and carefully by faculty. Click HERE to learn more about our philosophy or scroll down to view presentation topics.
BULLYING & CYBERBULLYING ASSEMBLIES
Available in presentations to grades K-1, 2-3,4-5, 5-6, 7-8, and 9-12
Bullying & Cyberbullying Basics
Grades K-1
Approximately 20-25 minutes
An interactive group presentation designed to help children develop the appropriate vocabulary to understand and deal with bullying issues in schools. Children are introduced to roles and emotional responses associated with bullying. Appropriate ways to deal with bullying are discussed and students will have an opportunity to role play and share their ideas and strategies. There is also a discussion of the difference between accidents that may happen and bullying.
​
*Kindergarten presentation is NOT available in virtual format
Bullying & Cyberbullying Basics
Grades 2-3
Approximately 30-35 minutes
During this interactive group assembly, students are introduced to key concepts and terms used in discussing bullying. There is a discussion about the difference between conflict and bullying and students are presented with different scenarios to help them identify whether those scenarios depict conflict or bullying. Basic information about cyberbullying is presented, such as the concept that using disrespectful language toward others online can be very damaging and hurtful. We talk about how to cope with different types of bullies and cyberbullies, and how to be a good friend and classmate. The importance of talking to adults about bullying and cyberbullying is emphasized. The presentation also encourages students to support their peers and introduces different ways for them to provide that support. Students are encouraged, throughout the presentation, to talk about bullying with others and not to keep it a secret.
Bullying & Cyberbullying Basics
Grades 4-5
Approximately 60 minutes
This assembly is designed to help students define and understand bullying, cyberbullying, and relational aggression (aka the "little stuff"). Students will gain a clearer understanding of the difference between conflict, drama, and bullying. The challenges of online communication are explored and online safety is discussed. Students are educated about the dangers of disclosing too much online, such as sending or posting inappropriate photos, and the concept of a digital footprint is introduced. Students will gain awareness about how serious and hurtful words and actions online can be. The presentation also offers students practical advice for avoiding problems online. Concrete tools and tips for dealing with bullies in school and online are presented. Advice for bystanders is also provided.
Bullying & Cyberbullying Basics
Grades 5-6
Approximately 55 minutes
This assembly is designed to help students define and understand bullying, cyberbullying, and relational aggression. Students will gain a clearer understanding of the difference between conflict, drama, and bullying. Online safety is discussed and students are educated about the dangers of disclosing too much online, such as sending or posting inappropriate photos. Students will gain awareness about how serious and hurtful words and actions online can be. The presentation also offers students practical advice for avoiding problems online. Concrete tools and tips for dealing with bullies in school and online are presented. Advice for bystanders is also provided.
Bullying & Cyberbullying Basics
Grades 7-8
Approximately 55-60 minutes
This assembly discusses issues of bullying, cyberbullying, relational aggression, and Internet safety. The difference between bullying and other social problems is discussed. Students’ will gain awareness of how social cruelty can negatively impact the school environment and their social lives. Digital communications and behaviors are discussed in detail including topics such as: the absence of privacy online, how digital communications can increase the likelihood of miscommunications and often lead to the escalation of social problems, and the seriousness of sexting. This presentation leaves students with practical tools and tips for interacting online and concrete strategies for how to best deal with bullying and cyberbullying situations.
Bullying & Cyberbullying Basics
Grades 9-12
Approximately 60 minutes
This assembly discusses cyberbullying and the safe use of technology in greater detail than the other student assemblies. There is a growing trend among older students to use technology as a way to bully. The assembly is designed to educate students about the potential consequences of their online behavior on themselves, their families, and their communities. Students are asked to begin thinking about the impression they leave with others based on their profiles, words, and behavior online. An especially important point for this age group is to discuss how their online choices can impact their future (i.e. college acceptance, job opportunities) and their friendships. There are many misconceptions among this age group about online “privacy.” Privacy issues are explored in detail, with an emphasis on social networking sites and sexting. Students are offered advice on how to handle bullying and cyberbullying situations for themselves, their friends, and their classmates.
FRIENDS & CONFLICT ASSEMBLIES
Available in presentations to grades 2-4,5-7, 8-10, and 11-12
Please note the developmental breakdown is slightly different from our Bullying/Cyberbullying presentations.
Friends & Conflict
Grades 2-4
Grades 5-7
Grades 8-10
Grades 11-12
Approximately 60 minutes
This assembly focuses on the ways that young people use cyberspace to facilitate relational aggression and other cyber problems. Discusses conflicts stemming from current or former friendships. The focus of this program is to help students cope more effectively in future bullying or cyberbullying situations as well as general conflict. This interactive presentation discusses how cyber behaviors can change friendships. We discuss and offer healthy ways to handle conflict and disagreements between friends. The facilitator involves the audience in discussing current issues regarding bullying and cyberbullying. Special attention is given in regards to how to handle friendship fights or friendship breakups, in particular not reacting when you are angry or upset. This program covers current issues that students are dealing with as well as providing the audience with more effective ways to cope and deal with these types of situations.
Available in presentations to grades 2-4,5-7, 8-10, and 11-12
DIGITAL SKILLS
ASSEMBLIES
UPDATING PRESENTATIONS FOR SPRING 2024! Thank you for your patience while we refresh materials.
Available in presentations to grades 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, and 9-12
Please note the developmental breakdown is slightly different from our Bullying/Cyberbullying presentations.
Digital Skills
Grades 3-4
Grades 5-6
Grades 7-8
Grades 9-12
Approximately 60 minutes
This presentation explores the impacts of technology and social media on students’ social lives, perceptions, and behaviors. It is no doubt that technology and social media have infiltrated the lives of children and teens everywhere; the average teen spends about 9 hours per day on some form of technology. The frequent use and ubiquitous nature of technology has changed all of our lives in many ways - some good, some challenging, and some just new. During this one hour long presentation, students will think critically about these topics using discussion questions and examples. Topics covered include: how social media and technology can provide a source of support for a variety of issues; the tendency of conflicts and social problems to escalate online and why that happens (e.g. misinterpretations); the benefits of handling some things in person; the impacts of technology and social media on our emotions (e.g. FOMO); how the media we use manipulates us; importance of and ideas about privacy; when and where “no tech” might be a good thing; distinguishing real from fake in the online world; and the positive impacts of social media and technology in our lives.​
Available in presentations to grades 2-4,5-7, 8-10, and 11-12
SEL ASSEMBLIES
Digital Health & Safety for Elementary School
Grades 2-5
This program is a live reading and interactive discussion for classrooms in grades 2-5. Uses the book You Got A Phone! Now Read This Book. No purchase necessary. Parent handouts included. No fee for the program, but travel expenses may be required.
Social & Emotional Learning (SEL) For Kids
Grades 2-8
Presentations are currently being developed for grades 2/3, grades 4/5, and grades 6-8, not yet available.
WE HOPE TO HAVE THESE SOON
In-Person Assemblies
Available for groups of 300 students (approx.)
A MARC Presenter will visit your school to provide programming. A few notes:
-
Free services are currently only available to schools within one hour to Bridgewater State University. If grant funding is not available, we may still be able to provide services for a small fee.
-
​
Ready to request Assemblies?