Case Studies

Name of the teacher

Dovile Kurmyte - Rubeze

Email:

Country:

Lithuania

Subject taught:

English language

Years of experience:

6

Name of the School:

Klaipeda Martynas Mazvydas progymnasium

School Typology:

Lower Secondary School

Country:

Lithuania

City:

Klaipeda

Web site:

Background and Context:

There are 730 students in our school. The school was built in 1972, so the building is quite old, but all the classrooms are equipped with the latest technologies. Computers and smartboards are almost in all the classrooms. The school has also got a gym, a library, a stadium, a laboratory, robotics and tablets classrooms. After the lessons students can have variuos extra curriculum activities. They can sing, dance, have football, tennis, basketball practise. Creative students can express themselves in drama, art, pottery clubs.
In our progymnasium there are students from different social background, but the most of them are from ‘blue collar’ workers‘ families. The school is located in one of the oldest districts of Klaipeda. The most of our students live in a block of flats, but some students and their families live in dormitories. Their families usually have poor living conditions, parents are often unemployed, they live on getting variuos social allowances. 70 students are supported in our school. They don‘t pay for breakfast and dinner at school.
What is special about our school is that we have disabled students in our progymnasium. Our school is the only one in Klaipeda, which has all facilities needed for disabled students. Teachers assistants and qualified specialists help students to cope with daily challenges all day long. These students can relax in a special room, they have a special gym, there is an elevator too.

Factual Description:

A case of bullying was recorded in our school. A new kid Jonas (name changed) was introduced to school’s 5th form. The boy switched from another school in Klaipeda. From the very beginning it was clear that he was different compared to his classmates. The boy was friendly, active during lessons, but during the observation of 5th formers adapting it was noticed that this student had difficulties with socializing properly. It was noticed that Jonas was not capable of starting a conversation with other teenagers, agreed to do various instructions given by his classmates, like singing for money, making noises and entertaining his classmates in other uncommon ways. The other boys in the class noticed that Jonas completely obeyed their commands and used it for their own benefit, which grew into bullying over time. The new kid didn’t realize that. He is diagnosed with a general learning disorder that may be the reason why he did not realize he was being bullied.
This harassment went on for about three months, until school staff noticed it. It was difficult to notice the bullying because the boy did not understand his situation fully, that is why he had not told the class teacher or his parents.

Activities carried out:

A case of bullying was recorded in our school. A new kid Jonas (name changed) was introduced to school’s 5th form. The boy switched from another school in Klaipeda. From the very beginning it was clear that he was different compared to his classmates. The boy was friendly, active during lessons, but during the observation of 5th formers adapting it was noticed that this student had difficulties with socializing properly. It was noticed that Jonas was not capable of starting a conversation with other teenagers, agreed to do various instructions given by his classmates, like singing for money, making noises and entertaining his classmates in other uncommon ways. The other boys in the class noticed that Jonas completely obeyed their commands and used it for their own benefit, which grew into bullying over time. The new kid didn’t realize that. He is diagnosed with a general learning disorder that may be the reason why he did not realize he was being bullied.
This harassment went on for about three months, until school staff noticed it. It was difficult to notice the bullying because the boy did not understand his situation fully, that is why he had not told the class teacher or his parents.

Assessment and lesson learnt:

- So after 3 months of intensive work with students, parents and teachers, the survey of microclimate in the class was carried out again. We were quite satisfied with the results. They showed that the percentage of bullying decreased by 70 percent. In psychologist’s opinion, Jonas feels better, he is more confident, he has improved his communication skills too. Students, who bullied Jonas, have changed their behavior. They are still leaders in the class, but their leadership is much more positive. It is possible for Jonas to have a rest in an isolated room when he is in a bad mood (emotionally sick). He started to identify the bullying and he is not afraid to ask for help anymore.
- Both, teachers and parents, are involved in observing situation in the classroom.
- The emphasis on improving microclimate in the classroom is given during all class meetings. We hope that in the future the percentage of bullying will decrease by more than 70 percent.

Description of the Case Study in National Language: