I am in the process of attempting to brainstorm to create a anti-bullying theme show for elementary schools. Does anyone have any resources for this theme along with any magic tricks that would tie into it?

Thanks!

The whole concept of "anti-bullying" is adults bullying kids to stop bullying other kids. Not a very good example to set for them. It fits in with the concept of having a "war on poverty" and a "war on terrorism" and a "war" on this and that. Even the anti-war groups get caught up in the mentality and end up advocating a "war to end war." So really, you're caught in some school administrator's "war on bullying."

What on earth can a professional entertainer do to address the problem of bullying in school? If the school is hiring you specifically to address this theme, it only means they haven't got a clue themselves and are hiring a "professional" with some grant money hoping you'll give them some solutions. Here are all these professional educators, counselors, psychologists and administrators and they think the solution to bullying is to have a magician come in and solve their problem for them. Then, when you "fail" and the kids go back to bullying one another, they can point their fingers at you and claim it's all your fault.

OK, now that I have vented and ranted, here are some resources for you:

http://www.bullyonline.org/schoolbully/school.htm

http://www.jaybanks.com/index.html

http://www.bestschoolprograms.com/

The first link explains the reasons and sources of bullying behaviors and points an accusing finger at school administrators, which they won't like.

The middle one has potential for developing into a magic presentation with its explanation of the acronym S.T.A.M.P. Whether it will actually do something to stop school bullying is another question... but not your concern.

The bottom link is a variation on the middle with some materials you can buy to see how others approach the problem.

Good luck. Hope you "win the war!"

David Seebach has a really nice bullying routine using the "Giant and Dwarf" plot, with an absurdly funny final revelation of the "tall" dwarf. He may share it with you as he is a generous man ... check his web site for contact info.

There are also various books (I believe the S.T.A.M.P. magician, Jay Banks? recommends a book to read on bullying on his site) that you might want to read. Tricks are for kids...the educators will want real content with educated background material.
The potential hazard you face is that every school...and school district...has it's own style of approach to this problem. You'll have to offer to customize it for them so you can get their own main points they're pushing for that year or whatever.
One of the best thing you can do....is actually go and talk to your local schools about what they are doing in their programs. The tricks will definetely involve role-playing.
Chris

Your local martial arts school will have catalogs that include books and videos with anti-bullying advice. The company whose catalog I saw was "Century" or "Centurion" or something like that. The books aren't about fighting a bully, but about how to diffuse or walk away from the situation.