Lesson Plan
Busting Bully Myths Lesson Plan
Students will identify bullying behaviors, understand their impact, and practice safe ways to stand up against bullying through discussion, sorting activities, and role-play.
This lesson builds empathy, promotes a respectful classroom climate, and equips 4th graders with practical strategies to recognize and respond to bullying safely.
Audience
4th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, scenario sorting, and role-playing
Prep
Prepare Lesson Materials
10 minutes
- Print and cut out the Bullying Scenarios Cards and Role-Play Prompt Cards.
- Make enough copies of the Reflective Journal Pages for each student.
- Display or print the blank Class Respect Pledge Poster.
- Review all cards and prompts to ensure familiarity with scenarios and responses.
Step 1
Introduction & Definition
5 minutes
- Gather students in a circle and ask, “What is bullying?”
- Chart responses and highlight key features: intent to harm, repetition, power imbalance.
- Discuss why teasing or disagreements differ from bullying.
Step 2
Scenario Sorting
7 minutes
- Divide students into small groups and give each group a set of Bullying Scenarios Cards.
- Instruct groups to sort cards into “Bullying” and “Not Bullying” piles.
- Reconvene as a class and review one or two examples from each pile.
Step 3
Impact Reflection
5 minutes
- Ask students to choose one bullying scenario and silently reflect on how the target might feel.
- Hand out Reflective Journal Pages and have students write or draw their feelings.
- Invite a few volunteers to share their reflections.
Step 4
Role-Play Solutions
8 minutes
- In pairs, students draw one Role-Play Prompt Card describing a bullying scenario.
- Each pair practices a safe response: telling the bully to stop, seeking help, or supporting the target.
- After two minutes, pairs switch roles or scenarios.
Step 5
Class Pledge & Closure
5 minutes
- On the Class Respect Pledge Poster, brainstorm 3–5 statements for how students will treat each other (e.g., “We speak kindly,” “We include others”).
- Have all students sign the poster as a commitment to stand against bullying.
- Reinforce that they can use these strategies anytime they witness or experience bullying.
Slide Deck
Busting Bully Myths
A 30-minute lesson to learn about bullying, its impact, and how to stand up safely.
Welcome everyone! Today we’ll kick off our lesson called “Busting Bully Myths.” Explain that over the next 30 minutes we’ll learn what bullying is, why it hurts people, and how we can stand up safely. Show excitement and set a supportive tone.
What Is Bullying?
- Bullying is when someone intentionally hurts or scares another person
- It happens more than once
- There’s a power imbalance (one person has more power)
Gather students in a circle. Ask: “What is bullying?” Chart their ideas. After collecting responses, highlight the formal definition below and contrast it with teasing or normal disagreements.
Key Features of Bullying
- Intentional: meant to hurt or upset someone
- Repeated: happens more than once
- Power Imbalance: one person has more power (size, popularity, etc.)
Emphasize each feature with examples. Ask students for quick thumbs-up if they’ve seen it before. Clarify any confusion.
Bullying or Not Bullying?
- In groups, get a set of Bullying Scenarios Cards
- Sort them into “Bullying” and “Not Bullying” piles
- We’ll review a few examples as a class
Divide students into small groups and hand out the Bullying Scenarios Cards. Give them 5 minutes to sort cards into “Bullying” and “Not Bullying.” Walk around to support groups.
How Does It Feel?
- Think silently about how being bullied might feel
- Write or draw on your Reflective Journal Pages
- Volunteers share reflections
Ask students to pick one scenario from their pile and think quietly about how the target might feel. Distribute the Reflective Journal Pages and invite volunteers to share afterward.
Practicing Solutions
- In pairs, choose a Role-Play Prompt Card
- Try safe responses: ask the bully to stop, get help, or support the target
- After 2 minutes, switch roles or draw a new card
Explain that pairs will now practice responding safely. Model one example: telling the bully to stop and then seeking help. Circulate as pairs role-play with the Role-Play Prompt Cards.
Our Class Respect Pledge
- Brainstorm 3–5 promises for how we’ll treat each other (e.g., “We speak kindly,” “We include others”)
- Write them on the Class Respect Pledge Poster
- Everyone signs to show we stand together against bullying!
Bring everyone back together. Brainstorm 3–5 kind promises and record them on the Class Respect Pledge Poster. Invite every student to sign, reinforcing our commitment.
Worksheet
Bullying Scenarios Cards
Cut out each card below. Then, in small groups, sort the cards into two piles—"Bullying" and "Not Bullying."
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Card 1
A group of students laughs and calls another student "baby" every day because they think it’s funny.
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Card 2
Two students have a one-time disagreement on the playground over taking turns on the swing.
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Card 3
A student repeatedly hides another student’s school supplies so they can’t find them.
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Card 4
A student knocks another student’s books off their desk by accident and immediately says, “I’m sorry!”
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Card 5
A student pushes another in the hallway every time they pass by.
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Card 6
A student teases a classmate about forgetting their pencil once, but then helps them look for it.
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Card 7
A student posts mean pictures of another student on social media and tags friends to laugh.
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Card 8
A student offers to help a classmate who dropped all their papers in the hallway.
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Card 9
A student refuses to let a classmate join their game and tells them they aren’t good enough.
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Card 10
A student reminds a friend about the homework deadline because they care about them.
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Activity
Role-Play Prompt Cards
Cut out each card below. Each card describes a bullying scenario. With a partner, practice safe responses: telling the bully to stop, seeking help, or supporting the person who is being bullied. After 2 minutes, switch roles or draw a new card.
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Card 1
Scenario: In the cafeteria, Alex pushes Jordan’s tray and laughs every time Jordan tries to pick it up.
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Card 2
Scenario: On the school bus, Mia calls Ben a mean name every morning.
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Card 3
Scenario: During recess, Lucas tells Ryan he can’t play soccer because Ryan isn’t good enough.
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Card 4
Scenario: After school, someone posts an unkind picture of Emma on social media and tags classmates to laugh.
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Card 5
Scenario: In class, Zoe takes Emma’s pencil and hides it, making Emma search around.
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Card 6
Scenario: At lunch, Theo spreads a rumor that Casey is weird, and several students laugh.
Journal
Reflective Journal Pages
Use this journal to reflect on a bullying scenario you chose. Think about how it feels and what you can do to help.
1. Describe the scenario
What happened? Who was involved?
2. How do you think the target feels?
Describe their feelings, thoughts, or draw a feeling face.
3. What could you do to help?
Write steps you or others could take to make things better.
4. Draw or doodle
Draw a picture showing how kindness can change the situation.
Project Guide
Class Respect Pledge Poster
Our Class Promises
Brainstorm 3–5 statements for how we’ll treat each other. Fill in the blanks below:
- ________________________________________________________
- ________________________________________________________
- ________________________________________________________
- ________________________________________________________
- ________________________________________________________
We, the Students of Class __________, Pledge to:
Signatures
We commit to these promises! Sign your names below: