Anti-Bullying Program: The Most Requested School Assembly

In Joe Gandelman’s more than 20 years of doing ventriloquism assemblies across the country no version of his show has been requested more – and rebooked as often – as his anti-bullying program. This was particularly true during school year 2012-2013 when he did his show at 260 schools (often more than one show at school) and drove more than 40,000 miles. Ninety-five percent of the schools (elementary, middle, junior and high schools) requested a program on bullying. At another special tour two days later, it was again requested by schools in the U.S. and in Canada.

MESSAGE CONTENT

Among the themes: importance of good, smart choices; consequences; treat people BETTER than you want to be treated; the pain of bullying lasts for years; the importance of reporting bullying; the difference between tattling and reporting; ways to respond to bullying (Joe checks with school since this varies); treating people better than the way you want to be treated; ways students as a community can combat bullying; Internet bullying – and more.

Joe Gandelman double checks these themes with staff while booking and will goes over them upon his arrival. He encourages schools to give him some points or slogans they use and incorporates them into each show.

SHOW APPROACH

Joe Gandelman uses his highly popular Learning Through Laughter technique so kids are laughing and learning throughout. Educators checking afterwards find audiences of all ages levels retain his messages. Each program adapted to each age group features a BIG cast of characters, lots of laughs and interaction. Most shows include a short how to do ventriloquism bit at the end of the program where one or more kids get up and try a dummy which tied into the anti-bullying theme, in a fun way. Sometimes teachers have rushed to the stage to do this how-to bit.

JOE GANDELMAN HAS WRITTEN ABOUT AND STUDIED ANTI-BULLYING

For several years, Joe Gandelman was a nationally syndicated columnist for Cagle Cartoons. He devoted several columns to bullying. Here’s the one that ran in July 2012: Click here to read the article.

Want to know more?  Click here to send Joe an email.