Simon's Hook: Dealing with Teasing

Simon's Hook is a fantastic story about teases and put-downs.  Students learn several different ways to respond to teasing.  I use this book with my 3rd grade students during their classroom lessons.

Simon's Hook description from Amazon:  Simon is having a bad day; a bad hair day.   First his sister gives him a strange hair cut, then his friends tease him. Simon doesn't know what to do.  Lucky for him he runs into Grandma Rose.  After listening to his sorrowful story she helps him learn an important life lesson; how to handle teases and put downs.  By comparing teases to fishing hooks she tells him a tale of how fish learned not to bite.  With fanciful characters such as Harmony Hippy Fish, Freddie Fang, Max the Mouse Fish and more, Simon learns that he, too, can swim free from the teasing hooks that people toss his way.  

I love these posters, bookmarks and lanyards HERE.

Lesson Connections:

Responding to Teasing and Putdowns (This is my favorite lesson)

Lesson Plan from The Inspired Counselor

Paper Fish Strategies from The Crafty Counselor

Beware of Bait Game Idea

Craft Idea...Have students write a strategy on the fish!

Simon's Hook Activities

Lesson Plan Outline

Story: The Smart Fish (don't take the bait)

Bulletin Board Idea

Online Quiz and Diploma

Here is an idea for centers.  If you know the original source please share.  I can only find this picture and it doesn't link to anything.  

TPT:  Self Esteem Activity: Put Ups and Put Downs (FREE)

TPT:  Free Classroom Poster

TPT:  Activities to teach students how to respond to teasing

TPT:  Don't Bite the Bait: Responding to Teasing and Put-Downs


You Can Purchase Simon's Hook HERE.


Personal/Social Development ASCA National Standards: 
Standard A: Students will acquire the knowledge, attitudes and interpersonal skills to help them understand and respect self and others. 
PS:A1.6 Distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate behavior 
PS:A1.8 Understand the need for self-control and how to practice it 
PS:A1.9 Demonstrate cooperative behavior in groups 
PS:A2 Acquire Interpersonal Skills
PS:A2.2 Respect alternative points of view 
PS:A2.6 Use effective communications skills 
PS:A2.7 Know that communication involves speaking, listening and nonverbal behavior 

Standard B: Students will make decisions, set goals and take necessary action to achieve goals. 
PS:B1.1 Use a decision-making and problem-solving model 
PS:B1.2 Understand consequences of decisions and choices 
PS:B1.3 Identify alternative solutions to a problem 
PS:B1.4 Develop effective coping skills for dealing with problems
PS:B1.5 Demonstrate when, where and how to seek help for solving problems and making decisions 
PS:B1.6 Know how to apply conflict resolution skills 


Standard C: Students will understand safety and survival skills. 
PS:C1.5 Differentiate between situations requiring peer support and situations requiring adult professional help 
PS:C1.7 Apply effective problem-solving and decision-making skills to make safe and healthy choices