Lesson Plan
Be A Buddy Lesson Plan
Students will learn to identify bullying versus kindness, practice empathetic responses through role-play, and commit to being supportive friends by creating a class pledge.
Early awareness of bullying helps students recognize unkind behavior, build empathy, and foster a positive classroom where everyone feels safe and respected.
Audience
1st Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Discuss, role-play, and pledge kindness together.
Materials
- Chart Paper, - Markers, - Kindness Scenario Cards, - Empathy Coloring Sheet, - Buddy Pledge Poster, and - Heart-Shaped Tokens
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
- Print and cut out Kindness Scenario Cards.
- Print enough copies of Empathy Coloring Sheet for each student.
- Display Buddy Pledge Poster in a visible area.
- Gather Chart Paper and Markers.
- Review all materials and familiarize yourself with each scenario card.
Step 1
Introduction to Bullying vs Kindness
5 minutes
- Invite students to sit in a circle.
- Ask: “What does it feel like when someone is mean? What does a buddy do?”
- Record responses on Chart Paper under two columns: Bullying (use red marker) and Kindness (use green marker).
- Highlight that kindness makes friends feel happy and safe.
Step 2
Story Time and Discussion
10 minutes
- Read a brief teacher-selected story illustrating bullying and kindness (e.g., The Bully & The Buddy).
- Pause at key moments; ask students to identify behaviors as bullying or kindness.
- Encourage explanations: “Why was that unkind? How could the character show kindness instead?”
Step 3
Role-Play Scenarios
10 minutes
- Divide students into small groups of 3–4.
- Give each group a set of Kindness Scenario Cards.
- Students take turns acting out the scenario and demonstrating a kind response.
- Peers award a Heart-Shaped Token to any student who shows a helpful, friendly action.
Step 4
Buddy Pledge & Closure
5 minutes
- Reconvene as a whole group.
- Display the Buddy Pledge Poster and read it aloud together.
- Invite each student to sign the poster with a sticker or fingerprint.
- Reinforce: “We promise to be buddies, not bullies!”
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Slide Deck
Be A Buddy, Not A Bully
Welcome, 1st Graders!
Today’s Goal:
- Learn what bullying is
- Discover how to be kind buddies
- Practice empathy and make a class pledge
Welcome the students to the lesson. Introduce yourself and the topic. Explain that today we will learn how to be buddies, not bullies. Share the lesson objective: to spot unkind behavior and practice kindness.
Bullying vs Kindness
Ask: What does it feel like when someone is mean?
What do buddies do?
Record ideas under:
• Bullying (use red)
• Kindness (use green)
Facilitate a circle discussion. On chart paper, draw two columns labeled “Bullying” and “Kindness.” Use a red marker for bullying examples and green for kindness. Ask the prompts one at a time and record student answers.
Story Time and Discussion
Listen carefully to the story "The Bully & The Buddy."
At key points:
- Identify the action
- Say “Bullying” or “Kindness”
- Explain why
Read a short story that shows both unkind and kind actions (e.g., “The Bully & The Buddy”). Pause at key moments and ask students to point out if the character’s words or actions are bullying or kindness. Encourage them to explain why.
Role-Play Scenarios
In your group:
- Pick a scenario card
- Act out the unkind action
- Show a kind response
- Earn a Heart-Shaped Token for kindness
Split the class into small groups of 3–4. Give each group a set of Kindness Scenario Cards. Guide them to act out the scenario and then show a kind response. Remind peers to award Heart-Shaped Tokens for friendly actions.
Buddy Pledge & Closure
We promise to:
• Speak kindly to each other
• Help friends when they need us
• Stand up for classmates
Sign the pledge to show you care!
Bring everyone back together. Display the Buddy Pledge Poster and read each line aloud with the class. Invite students to sign with a sticker or fingerprint. Reinforce the importance of keeping the promise.
Great Job, Buddies!
Remember:
- Kindness makes friends smile
- Small acts can make a big difference
- You’re all wonderful buddies
Celebrate students’ work. Remind them that being kind helps everyone feel safe and happy. Encourage them to practice what they learned each day.
Activity
Kindness Scenario Cards
Use these cards for the Role-Play Scenarios activity. Each card shows an unkind or challenging situation. In your group, take turns reading the scenario and acting out a kind response.
Materials:
- One card per group
- Space to act it out
- Heart-Shaped Tokens to award each other for kind ideas
Card 1
Scenario: During recess, you see a classmate sitting alone on the bench.
What could you do to help?
Card 2
Scenario: Your friend drops all their crayons on the floor and looks upset.
What can you do to show kindness?
Card 3
Scenario: A new student at school stands quietly by the door and doesn’t know anyone.
How can you be a buddy?
Card 4
Scenario: You see someone being teased because they got the answer wrong.
What kind thing can you say or do?
Card 5
Scenario: Your friend looks sad after losing their favorite toy.
How can you help cheer them up?
Card 6
Scenario: At snack time, a classmate forgets their snack and feels hungry.
What could you offer or do?
Worksheet
Empathy Coloring Sheet
Let’s practice being kind and caring! Color the pictures, draw your own, and show how empathy makes us feel.
1. Draw and Color a Helping Scene
Imagine one friend helping another. In the box below, draw two children—one helping the other—and then color your picture.
How does the helper feel? Draw a simple smiley face below and color it.
2. Color the Caring Hearts
Color each heart to show how much you care!
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
How many hearts did you color? ________
How do you feel inside when you help someone?
3. Your Kind Idea
What is one kind thing you can do today to help a friend? Draw or write your idea below and color it!
Activity
Buddy Pledge Poster
We promise to be kind and caring friends!
We will:
- Speak kindly to others
- Help friends feel safe
- Stand up for classmates
- Use our words to include everyone
Sign your name and add your sticker or fingerprint
Name: _______________________ Sticker/Fingerprint: ________
Name: _______________________ Sticker/Fingerprint: ________
Name: _______________________ Sticker/Fingerprint: ________
Name: _______________________ Sticker/Fingerprint: ________
Name: _______________________ Sticker/Fingerprint: ________
Name: _______________________ Sticker/Fingerprint: ________
Great job, buddies!
Thank you for promising to be kind every day.