Lesson Plan
A Triangle of Trouble
Students will be able to identify and describe the three main roles in a bullying situation: the target, the person who bullies, and the bystander.
Understanding these roles helps students recognize bullying, identify their own position in such situations, and learn how to respond effectively, fostering a safer and more empathetic school environment.
Audience
5th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Through discussion, slides, and role-play, students will explore bullying roles.
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
- Review all generated materials: A Triangle of Trouble Lesson Plan, The Bullying Triangle Slides, Bullying Roles Pre-Test, Role-Play Scenario Cards, My Role Reflection Sheet, and Bullying Roles Post-Test.
- Print copies of the Bullying Roles Pre-Test, Role-Play Scenario Cards, My Role Reflection Sheet, and Bullying Roles Post-Test.
- Prepare technology for the The Bullying Triangle Slides presentation.
- Arrange the classroom for group work or Think-Pair-Share activities.
Step 1
Warm-Up & Pre-Assessment: Think-Pair-Share & Pre-Test
5 minutes
- Think-Pair-Share: Begin by asking students: "What does bullying mean to you?" Give them a minute to think individually, then two minutes to share with a partner. Bring the class back together for a brief whole-class share out.
- Pre-Test: Distribute the Bullying Roles Pre-Test. Instruct students to complete it individually. Emphasize that this is to check their current understanding, not for a grade. Collect the tests once completed.
Step 2
Introduce the Bullying Triangle
10 minutes
- Slide Deck Presentation: Use The Bullying Triangle Slides to introduce and explain the three main roles in a bullying situation: the target, the person who bullies, and the bystander. Discuss each role, providing clear definitions and examples.
- Class Discussion: Facilitate a discussion around the slides. Ask questions like: "Can someone be more than one role at different times?" or "Why is it important to understand all three roles?"
Step 3
Role-Play Scenarios
10 minutes
- Activity Introduction: Explain that students will participate in short role-play scenarios to deepen their understanding of the different roles.
- Group Formation: Divide students into small groups (3-4 students per group). Distribute Role-Play Scenario Cards to each group. Each card will describe a scenario and assign roles (Target, Person Who Bullies, Bystander).
- Role-Play: Give groups 5-7 minutes to act out their scenarios. Encourage them to explore the feelings and actions of each role.
- Observation: Circulate among the groups, observing their interactions and providing gentle guidance if needed.
Step 4
Group Debrief & Reflection
5 minutes
- Debrief: Bring the class back together. Ask each group to briefly share what they learned or found challenging about their role-play. Discuss common themes or new insights.
- Journal Reflection: Distribute the My Role Reflection Sheet. Have students individually complete the reflection sheet, thinking about the roles discussed and how they might apply to situations they've observed or been a part of.
- Cool-Down: Conclude by reiterating the importance of empathy and intervention, even as a bystander. Collect reflection sheets.
Slide Deck
A Triangle of Trouble
Understanding Bullying Roles
What does bullying look like? What does it feel like?
Today, we're going to explore the different parts of a bullying situation. It's like a triangle, and each point has an important role.
Welcome students and introduce the topic. Ask them to think about what bullying means to them before diving into the formal definition. Connect to the Think-Pair-Share activity from the lesson plan.
Role 1: The Target
Who is the Target?
- The person who is being bullied.
- They are the ones receiving the hurtful words or actions.
- Anyone can be a target, and it is never their fault.
How might a target feel?
- Sad, scared, lonely, angry, helpless, confused.
Define 'Target' clearly. Emphasize that anyone can be a target and it's never their fault. Discuss the emotional impact.
Role 2: The Person Who Bullies
Who is the Person Who Bullies?
- The person who is doing the bullying.
- They use their power (physical, social, or emotional) to intentionally hurt, embarrass, or exclude someone else.
- This behavior is repeated over time.
Why might someone bully?
- Sometimes they want to feel powerful, fit in, or are dealing with their own struggles. This doesn't make it okay.
Define 'Person Who Bullies' (avoiding 'bully' as a fixed label). Explain motivations (not excuses) and how their actions impact others. Encourage students to think about why someone might bully.
Role 3: The Bystander
Who is the Bystander?
- A person who sees or knows about bullying happening to someone else.
- They are not the target and are not doing the bullying, but they are present.
Bystanders have a choice:
- They can ignore it.
- They can join in (making the bullying worse).
- They can help stop it (being an 'Upstander').
Define 'Bystander'. Highlight the power bystanders have to make a difference, both positively and negatively. Discuss different types of bystander actions.
The Bullying Triangle
Target, Person Who Bullies, Bystander.
All three roles are connected.
- The actions of one person affect the others.
- Even bystanders have a big impact on what happens.
Why is it important to know these roles?
- It helps us understand bullying situations.
- It helps us know how to respond and get help.
Summarize the three roles and reinforce that understanding them helps us address bullying. Introduce the idea of social dynamics and how everyone plays a part.
Putting it into Practice!
Now that we know the roles, we're going to try some role-playing.
This will help us understand what it feels like to be in each position and think about how we can make a positive difference.
Transition to the role-play activity. Remind students they will practice identifying and understanding these roles in action.
Quiz
Bullying Roles Pre-Test
Activity
Role-Play Scenario Cards
Instructions:
- Work in your assigned small groups.
- Each group will receive one scenario card.
- Read your scenario carefully and identify the roles assigned to each person in your group (Target, Person Who Bullies, Bystander).
- Act out the scenario. Try to imagine how each person might feel and what they might do or say.
- After acting it out, discuss in your group:
- How did it feel to be in your assigned role?
- What might each person be thinking?
- What could a bystander do in this situation to help?
Scenario Card 1: The Lunchroom Exclusion
Situation: During lunch, Maya sits down at a table, but a group of students at the table whispers and then loudly tells her there's no room, even though there are empty seats.
Roles:
- Maya: The Target
- Alex: The Person Who Bullies (telling Maya there's no room)
- Sam: A Bystander (sitting at the same table, listening)
- Jamie: A Bystander (walking by, noticing what's happening)
Scenario Card 2: The Art Class Mistake
Situation: Leo accidentally spills paint on David's artwork. David gets really angry and starts shouting at Leo, calling him clumsy and saying his art is ruined.
Roles:
- Leo: The Target
- David: The Person Who Bullies (shouting and name-calling)
- Chris: A Bystander (sitting at a nearby easel, watching)
- Pat: A Bystander (at the sink, overhearing the shouting)
Scenario Card 3: The Recess Game
Situation: A group of students is playing soccer. When a new student, Kim, tries to join, one of the players, Ben, tells her she's not good enough and that they don't want her on their team.
Roles:
- Kim: The Target
- Ben: The Person Who Bullies (excluding Kim and saying mean things)
- Taylor: A Bystander (on Ben's team, watching and not saying anything)
- Jess: A Bystander (on the other team, noticing Kim's sadness)
Scenario Card 4: The Hallway Teasing
Situation: Sarah is walking down the hallway, and a couple of older students laugh and make fun of her new backpack as she passes by.
Roles:
- Sarah: The Target
- Older Student 1 (Charlie): The Person Who Bullies (making fun)
- Older Student 2 (Dylan): A Bystander (with Charlie, laughing along)
- Teacher/Adult (Optional Role - if 4 students): Can be another Bystander, or an adult who notices.
Journal
My Role Reflection Sheet
Name: ____________________________
Date: ____________________________
Instructions: Reflect on what we discussed today about the bullying triangle and the different roles. Answer the questions thoughtfully.
1. The Three Roles
In your own words, briefly describe each of the three main roles in a bullying situation:
The Target:
The Person Who Bullies:
The Bystander:
2. Thinking About Bystanders
Why do you think it's important for bystanders to understand their role? How can a bystander's actions change a bullying situation?
3. Your Thoughts
Have you ever seen a situation where you were a bystander? What did you do, or what do you wish you had done? (You don't need to share names or specific details, just describe the situation and your thoughts).
4. What Would You Do?
If you saw someone being bullied tomorrow, knowing what you know now about the roles, what is one thing you would try to do?
Quiz
Bullying Roles Post-Test