Book excerpt: Foster dignity and respect and combat youth aggression As middle school students adjust to tougher academics, they also find themselves introduced to increasingly complex social situations—including conflicts on social media, racism, anxiety, and bullying—and the choices they make can have repercussions far beyond the classroom. But they are not alone. This new edition from bestselling author and Cultures of Dignity co-founder Rosalind Wiseman is packed with the latest research-based strategies, reviewed by high school and middle school students and revised to include all that she has learned while working over decades with young people. Owning Up has helped teachers, counselors, and leaders give students the tools they need to own up and take responsibility—as perpetrators, bystanders, and targets—for unethical behavior and to treat themselves and others with dignity. This bigger, comprehensive edition features: · Three flexible, dynamic curricula separated by grade · A new chapter on successfully implementing a social and emotional learning program in every school · More games, role-playing activities, and provocative discussion questions to use in co-ed or single-sex groups · Even more lessons and resources, updated to address social media, bystanding, and how young people can develop strong, healthy relationships with adults Designed for use both in school and out, Owning Up helps prevent many of the common issues young people face and promotes friendships in these critical years. As educators, we must enlist the people who can make a real difference: the students.