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Be A Buddy, Not A Bully

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Lesson Plan

Be A Buddy Lesson Plan

Students will define bullying, discuss its effects on individuals and the class community, and practice simple buddy strategies through discussion and role-play.

This lesson builds empathy and a safe environment by helping 3rd graders recognize bullying and practice standing up for themselves and peers, fostering inclusion.

Audience

3rd Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion and role-play

Materials

Bullying Basics Poster, Role-Play Scenario Cards, Be A Buddy Pledge Worksheet, Chart Paper and Markers, and Stickers (Optional)

Prep

Gather Materials and Prepare Classroom

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction and Definition

5 minutes

  • Gather students in a circle or on the carpet.
  • Show the Bullying Basics Poster.
  • Ask: “What is bullying? Can you share examples?”
  • Record student responses on chart paper.

Step 2

Why Bullying Hurts

5 minutes

  • Explain how bullying affects feelings and learning.
  • Highlight emotions like sadness, fear, and isolation.
  • Invite students to share (if comfortable) a time they felt left out or hurt.
  • Reinforce that everyone deserves respect.

Step 3

Role-Play Practice

10 minutes

  • Divide class into small groups (3–4 students).
  • Give each group one Role-Play Scenario Card.
  • Students take turns acting out bully, target, and buddy roles.
  • After each skit, discuss: “What did the buddy do? How did it help?”
  • Emphasize buddy strategies like speaking up, inviting in, and telling an adult.

Step 4

Be A Buddy Pledge

5 minutes

  • Distribute the Be A Buddy Pledge Worksheet.
  • Ask students to draw or write one way they will be a buddy this week.
  • Have each student sign their pledge and decorate it with stickers (optional).
  • Invite a few volunteers to share their pledge aloud.

Step 5

Closing and Assessment

5 minutes

  • Review the three buddy strategies discussed.
  • Ask volunteers: “What will you do if you see someone being bullied?”
  • Display completed pledges on a classroom bulletin board as a reminder.
  • Praise students for their ideas and encourage daily practice.
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Slide Deck

Be A Buddy, Not A Bully

A 30-minute lesson for 3rd graders to: 1. Define bullying 2. Understand why it hurts 3. Practice buddy strategies and make a pledge

Welcome students. Introduce our goal: Learn what bullying is and how to be a buddy, not a bully.

What Is Bullying?

Bullying is when someone repeatedly hurts or scares another person on purpose.
• Physical (hitting, pushing)
• Verbal (name-calling, teasing)
• Social (excluding, rumors)

Show the poster and ask students for examples. Record answers on chart paper.

Why Bullying Hurts

• It can hurt feelings and make people feel sad or scared.
• It can make it hard to pay attention and learn.
• No one deserves to feel lonely or afraid in our class.

Explain how bullying can make people feel sad, scared, or alone, and can make it hard to learn.

Buddy Strategies

  1. Speak Up – Tell the bully “Stop!”
  2. Invite In – Ask the person being left out to join your group.
  3. Tell an Adult – Find a teacher or caregiver for help.

Introduce simple buddy strategies. Ask students to give examples of each.

Role-Play Practice

• Split into groups of 3–4
• Each group gets one Role-Play Scenario Card
• Act out bully, target, and buddy roles
• After each skit, discuss: “What did the buddy do? How did it help?”

Divide into small groups and hand out scenario cards. Remind students to switch roles.

Be A Buddy Pledge

• Use the Be A Buddy Pledge Worksheet
• Draw or write one way you will be a buddy this week
• Sign your name and decorate with stickers (optional)
• Share your pledge with the class

Distribute pledge worksheets. Encourage creativity—drawing or writing is welcome.

Review & Questions

• What are our three buddy strategies?
• What will you do if you see someone being bullied?
• Remember: We all deserve respect and kindness!

Review strategies and reinforce key points. Praise effort and encourage daily practice.

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Worksheet

Be A Buddy Pledge Worksheet

Draw or write one way you will be a buddy this week:













Signature: ______________ Date: __________

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Activity

Role-Play Scenario Cards

Use these cards in small groups. One student plays the bully, one the target, and one the buddy. After the skit, discuss: “What did the buddy do? How did it help?”

1. Exclusion in Art
Sarah wants to draw with the group, but some classmates say, “You can’t draw with us,” and laugh when they move her chair away.




2. Name-Calling at Recess
Alex calls Ben “baby” and laughs at him while others start giggling too, making Ben feel sad and alone.




3. Pushing on the Swing
Jordan pushes Mia off the swing and says, “It’s my turn now!” while other kids watch.




4. Spreading Rumors in the Cafeteria
Olivia tells friends that Michael said mean things about them, even though Michael never said those things.




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Warm Up

Feelings Check-In

Let’s start by sharing how we feel about kindness and bullying before we begin. Complete the prompts below, then turn to a partner and share one answer.

  1. How do you feel about kindness in our classroom today? Draw a face or write a word that shows your feeling:






  1. When you think of the word “bullying,” what feeling comes to mind? Draw a face or write a word:






  1. One word to describe how you will help make our class a kind place this week:




🔄 Partner Share (1–2 minutes):
• Swap answers with a neighbor.
• Listen for similarities and celebrate our class’s kindness goals!

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Cool Down

Kindness Exit Ticket

Name: ______________ Date: ____________

  1. One buddy strategy I will use this week is:



  1. Here’s how I will use it to help someone:




  1. I think this will make my class feel:




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