A bad apple? Teacher illustrates the emotional effects of bullying using bruised apple

A teacher from Tamworth in Staffordshire used an innovative way to teach their class about bullying.

In a post shared on Facebook, the teacher explains how they introduced two apples to the class, which the children agreed both looked the same.

The teacher went on to say on 'I picked up an apple I'd dropped on the floor and started to tell the children how I disliked this apple, that I thought it was disgusting, it was a horrible colour and the stem was just too short. I told them that because I didn't like it, I didn't want them to like it either, so they should call it names too.

'We passed the apple around the circle calling it names, "you're a smelly apple", "I don't even know why you exist", "you've probably got worms inside you".

The teacher then went on to pass around the other apple to the children, encouraging them to say kind words to it, such as 'You're a lovely apple', 'Your skin is beautiful', 'What a beautiful colour you are'.

To the children there was no difference in the look of the apples on the outside, but the teacher then revealed to them a difference once she sliced them open.[facebook] https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1651876848470287&id=1430604097264231&substory_index=0 [/facebook] 'I then cut the apples open. The apple we'd been kind to was clear, fresh and juicy inside. The apple we'd said unkind words to was bruised and all mushy inside.'

The teacher believes it was a valuable lesson to show the children, illustrating clearly what happens when you bully someone. They went on to post: 'I think there was a lightbulb moment for the children immediately. They really got it, what we saw inside that apple, the bruises, the mush and the broken bits is what is happening inside every one of us when someone mistreats us with their words or actions. When people are bullied, especially children, they feel horrible inside and sometimes don't show or tell others how they are feeling.'

They also wanted to encourage others to help children understand bullying. The post said: 'We can teach children that it's not ok to say unkind things to each other and discuss how it makes others feel. We can teach our children to stand up for each other and to stop any form of bullying, just as one little girl did today when she refused to say unkind words to the apple.'

Many parents and teachers have shared and liked the story, leaving comments such as 'What a brilliant lesson for these kids to learn', and 'What a great way to show what effect bullying can have'.

What do you think of this teacher's different approach? Have your kids' teachers done anything similar? Tell us in the comments below...