Learn About the History of the No Name-Calling Week Project

No Name-Calling Week was inspired by a young adult novel entitled "The Misfits" by popular author, James Howe. The book tells the story of four best friends trying to survive the seventh grade in the face of all too frequent taunts based on their weight, height, intelligence, and sexual orientation/gender expression. Motivated by the inequities they see around them, the "Gang of Five" (as they are known) creates a new political party during student council elections and run on a platform aimed at wiping out name-calling of all kinds. Though they lose the election, they win the support of the school's principal for their cause and their idea for a “No Name-Calling Day” at school.

Motivated by this simple, yet powerful, idea, the No Name-Calling Week Coalition, created by GLSEN and Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, and consisting of over 40 national partner organizations, organized an actual No Name-Calling Week in schools across the nation during the week of March 1-5, 2004. This year, No Name-Calling Week will take place the week of January 22-26, 2007. The project seeks to focus national attention on the problem of name-calling in schools, and to provide students and educators with the tools and inspiration to launch an on-going dialogue about ways to eliminate name-calling in their communities.

The project is targeted at grades five through eight—years when the problem of name-calling is particularly acute but the concept can be easily adapted by students and educators at other grade levels. The project includes a resource guide which includes an overview of the campaign, instructions for organizing and publicizing No Name-Calling Week in individual schools, lesson plans and other curricular material, and further resources for those interested in extending the experience. The project also includes a 27-minute video about name-calling targeting grades 5-8. The video is accompanied by a Teacher Resource Book that includes teaching ideas and fact sheets. In addition to the resource materials and video, stickers and posters are available to support the program. Order or download these resources here.

1. What is No Name-Calling Week?

   No Name-Calling Week is an annual week of educational activities aimed at ending name-calling of all kinds and providing schools with the tools and inspiration to launch an on-going dialogue about ways to eliminate bullying in their communities.

2. Who should participate?

   Anyone who wants to work towards eliminating harmful name-calling, harassment and bullying in their school can be a part of No Name-Calling Week, whether you are a teacher, student, guidance counselor, coach, librarian or bus driver. The curricular materials on this web site and in the Resource Kit are primarily aimed at middle school students, specifically grades 5 – 8, but may be modified for older or younger students. Feel free to download materials off this web site, or order the Resource Kit and create your own No Name-Calling Week initiative in your community.

3. What is in the Resource Kit?

   Educators will find the Resource Kit to be a valuable tool in creating a positive school environment where everyone will feel safe and free to learn. The Resource Kit, aimed at grades 5 – 8, contains all of the resources needed to implement a No Name-Calling Week in local schools, including:

   • A 27-minute VHS educational video, No Name-Calling: Creating Safe Environments, produced by Human Relations Media
   • A comprehensive resource guide with program information, 11 lesson plans, resource lists, suggested strategies for eliminating name-calling, and other curricular material
   • A copy of The Misfits, a novel by James Howe
   • Two No Name-Calling Week posters
   • Two packs of No Name-Calling Week stickers (60 total)

4. How do I order a kit, how much is it, and how long will it take to get it?

   You can order your kit by clicking here and filling out the order form. The resource kit is $129.95, and will arrive at your door within 3 - 7 business days from the time you place your order. Expedited shipping service is available upon request.

5. How does what’s in the kit differ from what’s available on your web site?

   The web site offers a sprinkling of tools available in the Resource Kit to promote No Name-Calling Week, including “Planning a No-Name Calling Week in your school”, a bullying survey, three lesson plans (of eleven), and downloadable artwork for stickers. You can certainly plan a No Name-Calling Week activity in your school by accessing these materials.

   However, by ordering a full Resource Kit, you will have comprehensive information for creating a well-rounded program. All eleven lesson plans, plus supporting materials including the riveting 27-minute video, posters, stickers, classroom collateral, and The Misfits novel will provide you with very worthwhile tools. In addition, you will have the opportunity to participate in a feedback survey, which will help shape future No Name-Calling Weeks to come.

   Whichever you decide to do, be sure to share your stories about your school's No Name-Calling Week with us by e-mailing info@nonamecallingweek.org and joining our No Name-Calling Week Network.

6. Can I buy elements of the kit separately?

   Yes, you can buy the 27-minute VHS educational video, No Name-Calling: Creating Safe Environments. The cost of the video is $119.95, and it comes with a short resource guide. It is also available in DVD format for the same price.

7. What are some things I can do to promote No Name-Calling Week in my school right now?

   Click here to plan your No Name-Calling Week.