Be an Upstander

Shannon Loving

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Upstander United Plan

Students will identify three upstander strategies and apply one in a role-play scenario.

This lesson is crucial for empowering students to combat cyberbullying. By learning upstander strategies, students can create a more positive online community and support their peers, fostering a safer digital space for everyone.

Audience

7th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Students will learn strategies and apply them through role-play.

Materials

Smartboard or projector, Be an Upstander Slides, Upstander Scenario Cards, Pens or pencils, and My Upstander Commitment

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

Review the Be an Upstander Slides and practice the script.
- Print and cut out the Upstander Scenario Cards, one set per small group.
- Print enough copies of My Upstander Commitment for each student.
- Ensure projector/Smartboard is ready for slide presentation.
- Familiarize yourself with the upstander strategies: support, report, distract.
- Review all generated materials as needed.

Step 1

Do Now: What does cyberbullying look like?

5 minutes

Display the first slide of the Be an Upstander Slides to introduce the topic.
- Ask students: "What comes to mind when you hear the word 'cyberbullying'? How does it make people feel?"
- Facilitate a brief class discussion, encouraging students to share examples of cyberbullying they may have seen or heard about (without naming names).
- Emphasize that cyberbullying is hurtful and unacceptable, and that everyone has a role in stopping it.

Step 2

Teach Upstander Strategies

10 minutes

Transition to the slides introducing the concept of an "upstander."
- Define "upstander" as someone who recognizes when something is wrong and acts to make it right.
- Introduce the three key upstander strategies using the Be an Upstander Slides:
- Support: Offer comfort and kindness to the person being bullied.
- Report: Tell a trusted adult (teacher, parent, counselor) or use reporting tools on social media.
- Distract: Change the subject, redirect the conversation, or create a diversion to shift attention away from the bullying.
- Provide clear examples for each strategy and check for understanding with quick questions.

Step 3

Role-Play Scenarios

10 minutes

Divide students into small groups (3-4 students per group).
- Distribute one set of Upstander Scenario Cards to each group.
- Explain that each group will choose one scenario and role-play it, applying one or more of the upstander strategies they just learned.
- Circulate among the groups, providing guidance and feedback as students role-play.
- After role-playing, have a few groups share their scenarios and the strategies they used with the whole class. Discuss the effectiveness of each strategy.

Step 4

Commit to One Upstander Action

5 minutes

Distribute the My Upstander Commitment worksheet to each student.
- Ask students to reflect on the strategies discussed and commit to one specific action they will take to be an upstander in the future.
- Encourage them to write down their commitment and perhaps draw a small symbol or image representing it.
- Collect the commitments as an exit ticket or allow students to keep them as a personal reminder.
- Reiterate the importance of being an upstander and how their actions can make a real difference.

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Slide Deck

Be an Upstander!

What is Cyberbullying?

Using technology to hurt or embarrass someone.
Can happen through texts, social media, games, and more.
Often involves mean comments, rumors, or embarrassing pictures.

How does it make people feel?

Welcome students and introduce the topic of cyberbullying. Ask students to share their initial thoughts and feelings about cyberbullying. Emphasize that this is a safe space to discuss a serious topic.

From Bystander to Upstander

What is an Upstander?

Someone who sees something wrong and acts to make it right.
They don't just watch – they step in!

Why is it important to be an Upstander?

Protects others.
Shows empathy and courage.
Makes our online community safer for everyone.

Transition from cyberbullying to the positive role students can play. Define 'upstander' clearly and discuss the difference between an upstander and a bystander.

Upstander Strategy 1: Support

Offer comfort and kindness.

Reach out privately: Send a supportive message.
Be a friend: Remind them they're not alone.
Listen: Let them talk about what's happening.

"Hey, I'm here for you. That wasn't cool what they said."

Introduce the first strategy: Support. Provide clear examples of how students can support someone being cyberbullied, focusing on kindness and empathy.

Upstander Strategy 2: Report

Tell a trusted adult.

Who? Parent, teacher, counselor, coach.
Why? Adults can help stop the bullying and protect you and your friends.

Use reporting tools.

Most social media apps have a "report" button.
This helps the platform know there's a problem.

Introduce the second strategy: Report. Emphasize the importance of telling a trusted adult and using platform reporting tools, explaining why this is crucial for safety.

Upstander Strategy 3: Distract

Change the subject or redirect attention.

"Hey, did you see that new movie trailer?"
"Let's talk about something else."
Create a diversion: "Oops, I dropped my book!" (to shift focus)

This can break the tension and stop the bullying in its tracks!

Introduce the third strategy: Distract. Explain how diverting attention can defuse a situation without directly confronting the bully. Give fun, simple examples.

Time to Act: Role-Play!

In your groups:

Pick an Upstander Scenario Card.
Read the scenario together.
Decide which upstander strategy (or strategies!) you'll use.
Role-play the scenario!

Be creative and practice being an upstander!

Explain the role-play activity. Ensure students understand they will be working in groups and choosing a scenario card.

My Upstander Commitment

What will YOU do?

Think about one upstander action you will commit to.
Fill out your My Upstander Commitment sheet.
Remember: Every small act of kindness and courage makes a big difference!

Conclude the lesson by having students commit to an action. Reiterate the positive impact of upstanders and thank them for their participation.

Activity

Upstander Scenario Cards

Instructions: Cut out these cards. In your groups, pick one card, read the scenario, and then role-play how you would act as an upstander using one of the strategies (Support, Report, or Distract).

Scenario 1: The Embarrassing Photo

Someone in your class posts an old, embarrassing photo of another classmate, Maya, on a public social media story. Several people start commenting with laughing emojis and mean remarks. You know Maya is sensitive and would be really upset.