Lesson Plan
Be a Buddy Lesson Plan
Students will understand what bullying is, how it feels, and simple ways to be kind and help others.
This lesson teaches young students about empathy, respect, and how to create a positive and inclusive environment, promoting social-emotional development and preventing negative behaviors.
Audience
Pre-K Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, visual aids, and simple examples tailored for Pre-K students.
Materials
Review this Be a Buddy Lesson Plan thoroughly., Be a Buddy Slide Deck, and Be a Buddy Script
Prep
Review Materials
10 minutes
Review the Be a Buddy Lesson Plan, Be a Buddy Slide Deck, and Be a Buddy Script to familiarize yourself with the content and flow.
Gather any optional visual aids or puppets if you choose to use them to enhance engagement.
Step 1
Introduction: Welcome and Kind Hearts
5 minutes
Begin by welcoming students and introducing the topic of kindness and friendship.
Ask students to share one kind thing they did today or that someone did for them.
"Hello, friends! Today we're going to talk about something very special: how to be a good friend and make sure everyone feels happy and safe."
Use Slide 1 to set a positive tone.
Step 2
What is Bullying? Understanding Unkind Actions
10 minutes
Use the Be a Buddy Slide Deck and Be a Buddy Script to explain what bullying means in simple, age-appropriate terms.
Focus on actions that are repeatedly unkind, like using mean words, pushing, or leaving someone out.
"Sometimes, people aren't very kind. They might use mean words, push, or leave someone out of a game. When someone keeps doing these unkind things, it's called bullying."
Show Slide 2 and Slide 3 to illustrate these concepts and discuss how these actions make people feel (sad, scared, lonely).
Encourage students to share feelings without naming specific individuals.
Step 3
Being a Buddy: Kindness Superheroes
10 minutes
Introduce the concept of being a "buddy" – someone who is kind and helps others.
Brainstorm simple actions students can take. Use Slide 4 to guide the discussion.
"But guess what? We can all be superheroes of kindness! We can be 'buddies'! What do you think a buddy does?"
Guide them to suggest ideas like:
* Using kind words ("Please" and "Thank you")
* Sharing toys and playing together
* Helping a friend who is sad
* Telling a grown-up if they see someone being unkind (emphasize this is not tattling, but being brave and keeping everyone safe).
Practice these actions through brief role-playing or by asking "What would a buddy do?" questions.
Step 4
Wrap-up: Our Kind Classroom
5 minutes
Review the main ideas: what bullying is, how it feels, and how to be a buddy.
Reiterate the importance of kindness and looking out for one another.
"Remember, we want our classroom to be a place where everyone feels happy and safe. Let's all promise to be buddies and use our kind hands and kind words every day!"
Use Slide 5 to reinforce the positive message.
End with a group cheer or a song about kindness.
Slide Deck
Be a Buddy, Not a Bully!
Let's learn how to be kind friends!
Welcome students to the lesson. Introduce the idea of being a good friend and how we can all help each other feel happy and safe.
What is a Bully?
A bully is someone who is not kind to others, maybe with words or actions that happen more than once.
Explain what bullying means in very simple terms for Pre-K. Use examples like mean words, pushing, or leaving someone out. Emphasize that it's when someone keeps doing unkind things.
How Does Bullying Feel?
It can make us feel sad, scared, or lonely. Nobody likes to feel that way.
Ask students how they would feel if someone was unkind to them. Encourage them to share feelings like sad, scared, or lonely. This helps build empathy.
Being a Buddy!
What can we do?
- Use kind words!
- Share our toys and play together!
- Help a friend who is sad!
- Tell a grown-up if you see unkindness!
Introduce positive actions they can take. Brainstorm ideas with them: using kind words, sharing, playing together, and most importantly, telling a grown-up if they see unkindness. Reinforce that telling a grown-up is being brave and helpful.
Let's Be Buddies!
We can all be kind friends and make our classroom a happy place!
Summarize the lesson by reinforcing the positive message of kindness and friendship. Encourage them to be 'buddies' every day.
Script
Be a Buddy, Not a Bully! Script
Introduction: Welcome and Kind Hearts (5 minutes)
(Teacher faces students with a warm smile. Display Slide 1: Be a Buddy, Not a Bully!)
"Hello, friends! Today, we're talking about being a good friend and making sure everyone feels happy and safe. What's one kind thing you did or saw today?"
(Pause for student responses, affirm their shares.)
"Great! We're going to learn how to be 'buddies' to each other."
What is Bullying? Understanding Unkind Actions (10 minutes)
(Transition to Slide 2: What is a Bully?)
"Sometimes, people aren't kind. They might use mean words, push, or take toys away. When someone keeps doing these unkind things, it's called bullying."
(Transition to Slide 3: How Does Bullying Feel?)
"How do you think it feels when someone is unkind to you? Sad? Mad? Scared? Lonely?"
(Pause for responses. Guide them towards feelings like 'sad,' 'mad,' 'scared,' 'lonely.' Acknowledge and validate these feelings.)
"Yes, it makes us feel bad. We want everyone to feel happy and safe, right?"
Being a Buddy: Kindness Superheroes (10 minutes)
(Transition to Slide 4: Being a Buddy!)
"We can all be kindness superheroes! We can be 'buddies'! What does a buddy do?"
(Encourage student ideas, then guide them to the points on the slide and elaborate.)
- "A buddy uses kind words!" "Saying 'Please' and 'Thank you' or 'Can we share?'
- "A buddy shares and plays with everyone!" "Invite someone to play if they're alone."
- "A buddy helps a friend who is sad!" "Ask, 'Are you okay?' or get a grown-up."
- "If you see someone being unkind, what's important to do?"
(Wait for responses, guide towards 'tell a grown-up.')
"Yes! Tell a grown-up! It's not tattling; it's being brave to keep everyone safe. Tell me or another grown-up right away if you see unkindness."
Wrap-up: Our Kind Classroom (5 minutes)
(Transition to Slide 5: Let's Be Buddies!)
"You'll be amazing buddies! Remember, our classroom should be happy, safe, and loved. Promise to be buddies with kind hands and words every day! Thumbs up if you promise!"
(Wait for thumbs up. Lead a simple 'Buddy Cheer' or 'Kindness Song' if desired.)
"Fantastic! Keep being those wonderful, kind buddies!"