Bullying Awareness: Warm Up

Instructions: When you hear the word "bullying," what is the very first word that comes to your mind? Write it down or be ready to share.

Bullying Awareness Script

Warm Up: What's Your Word? (2 minutes)

"Good morning/afternoon everyone! Today, we're going to talk about a really important topic: bullying. It's something that affects many people, and it's essential that we all understand what it is and how we can make a difference."

"To start, when you hear the word ‘bullying,’ what is the very first word that comes to your mind? Take a moment to think. You can write it down quietly, or if you feel comfortable, be ready to share one word with the class. I'll write some of your words on the board."

(Allow students about 30-60 seconds to think or write. Call on a few students to share their words. Acknowledge their responses neutrally.)

"Thank you for sharing. Those are all very powerful words, and they show how serious this topic is."

Introduction: Defining Bullying (3 minutes)

(Transition to Bullying Awareness Slide Deck - Slide 1)

"Our lesson today is called, Bullying: Stand Up, Speak Out! We're going to explore what bullying really means and, most importantly, what each of us can do about it."

(Transition to Bullying Awareness Slide Deck - Slide 2)

"So, what is bullying? It's more than just someone being mean once. As you can see on the slide, bullying is defined as unwanted, aggressive behavior among school-aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. This means one person has some kind of advantage over another, whether it's physical strength, popularity, or knowing private information."

"And importantly, this behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. It's not a one-time accidental bump; it's a pattern."

"Why do you think these two parts – the power imbalance and the repetition – are so important to the definition of bullying? Think-Pair-Share or quick raise of hands."

(Listen to a few student responses. Guide them to understand that without these elements, it might be conflict, but not necessarily bullying.)

"Exactly. It helps us distinguish between a disagreement or a single mean comment and actual bullying, which is more serious and harmful."

Types and Impact (4 minutes)

(Transition to Bullying Awareness Slide Deck - Slide 3)

"Bullying isn't just physical. It comes in many forms, and all of them can hurt. Let's look at some common types:"

• Physical Bullying: "This is what many of us think of first – things like hitting, kicking, tripping, or even damaging someone's things."
• Verbal Bullying: "This includes teasing, name-calling, making inappropriate comments, taunting, or threats."
• Social Bullying: "Sometimes called relational bullying, this is about hurting someone's reputation or relationships, like spreading rumors, leaving people out on purpose, or embarrassing them."
• Cyberbullying: "This is bullying that happens online – sending mean texts, emails, or posts, spreading rumors through social media, or sharing embarrassing photos or videos without permission."

"Which of these types of bullying do you think are most common among people your age? Why do you think that is?"

(Allow for a few brief responses, especially on cyberbullying's prevalence.)

(Transition to Bullying Awareness Slide Deck - Slide 4)

"Now, let's talk about why this is such an important topic. The impact of bullying is significant, and it's not just for the person being bullied. It affects everyone."

"For the person being bullied, it can lead to anxiety, depression, feeling lonely, trouble sleeping or eating, and even losing interest in school. Think about how hard it would be to focus on your schoolwork if you were constantly worried about being targeted."

"Even the person doing the bullying can face negative consequences, like problems in school or even more serious issues later in life. And for those who witness bullying, the bystanders, it can make them feel helpless, guilty, or scared that they might be next."

"Bullying makes our whole school community less safe and less welcoming. Everyone deserves to feel safe and respected here."

What Can You Do? Be an Upstander! (4 minutes)

(Transition to Bullying Awareness Slide Deck - Slide 5)

"So, what can YOU do? We all have a role to play in preventing bullying and supporting each other. Let's look at some strategies:

If you are being bullied:

• Speak Up! "If you can, clearly and calmly tell the person to stop. Sometimes, a direct response can be effective."
• Walk Away! "Remove yourself from the situation. You don't have to stay and listen or engage. Your safety and well-being are most important."
• Tell a Trusted Adult! "This is crucial. Teachers, parents, counselors, coaches – there are many adults who care about you and can help. Telling an adult is not 'tattling'; it's asking for help when you need it."

If you see someone being bullied (Be an Upstander):

"This is where we can all become upstanders. An upstander is someone who sees injustice or bullying happening and takes action. It takes courage, but it makes a huge difference."

• Speak Up! "If it's safe for you to do so, tell the bully to stop. Sometimes, a peer's voice can be very powerful."
• Get Help! "If you don't feel safe speaking up directly, or even if you do, the most important thing is to alert a trusted adult. They can intervene safely."
• Support the Person Being Bullied! "After the situation, offer kindness. Ask if they're okay, invite them to sit with you, or just be a friend. Simple acts of kindness can make a huge difference."

"Who are some trusted adults in this school or in your life that you would feel comfortable talking to if you or someone you knew was being bullied?"

(Encourage a few students to name types of trusted adults – teachers, counselors, principals, parents, older siblings, etc.)

"Great. It’s important to know who your trusted adults are and that you can always go to them for help."

Cool Down: Reflection (2 minutes)

(Transition to Bullying Awareness Slide Deck - Slide 6)

"Remember, every single one of us has the power to make our school a safer and more positive place. Your actions matter! Let's all commit to standing up, speaking out, and showing kindness every day."

"For our cool-down today, I want everyone to think about one thing you learned or one action you will personally take to prevent bullying or support someone who needs it. Write it down on your cool-down sheet, or just keep it in your mind as you leave class."

(Distribute or display the Bullying Awareness Cool Down and allow students to complete it as an exit ticket.)

"Thank you all for this important discussion. I appreciate your engagement and your commitment to making our school a better place."

Bullying Awareness: Cool Down

Instructions: Reflect on today's lesson. Write down one thing you learned about bullying OR one action you will take to help prevent bullying and create a kinder school environment.