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Stand Up, Speak Out

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Lesson Plan

Stand Up, Speak Out: Empathy in Action

Students will be able to define empathy, identify different forms of bullying, and brainstorm actionable ways to support their Black and Hispanic peers, fostering a more inclusive school environment.

This lesson is crucial for creating a safe and welcoming school community where all students, especially Black and Hispanic students, feel valued and protected. It empowers students to be proactive allies against bullying.

Audience

10th Grade Students

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion and collaborative brainstorming activity.

Materials

Whiteboard or projector, Markers or pens, Slide Deck: Empathy in Action, and Activity: Our Empathy Message

Prep

Review Materials & Setup

5 minutes

Step 1

Warm-up: Quick Share

2 minutes

Project Slide 1: 'Stand Up, Speak Out: Empathy in Action'.
Teacher Script: "Welcome, everyone! Today, we're going to talk about something really important: empathy and how we can make our school a safer, more welcoming place for everyone. To start, I want you to quickly think about one word that comes to mind when you hear 'empathy.' You don't need to share yet, just think."

Step 2

Defining Empathy & Bullying

4 minutes

Project Slide 2: 'What is Empathy?' and Slide 3: 'What is Bullying?'.
Teacher Script: "Let's define these two key terms. What does it truly mean to have empathy? And what are some different ways bullying can show up, both in person and online? We'll focus on how bullying can specifically impact our Black and Hispanic students, making sure we understand their unique experiences."
Facilitate a brief discussion, using points from the Script: Stand Up, Speak Out.

Step 3

Impact & Being an Ally

4 minutes

Project Slide 4: 'Impact on Black and Hispanic Students' and Slide 5: 'Being an Ally: How to Stand Up, Speak Out'.
Teacher Script: "Bullying can have a deep and lasting impact, and it's important to recognize that some groups, like our Black and Hispanic students, can face additional challenges or be targeted in specific ways. What are some ways we can be allies and actively 'stand up and speak out' when we see or hear something that isn't right?"
Guide students to share examples of allyship and intervention strategies.

Step 4

Activity: Our Empathy Message

4 minutes

Project Slide 6: 'Activity: Our Empathy Message'.
Teacher Script: "Now, for our activity, we're going to brainstorm ideas for a powerful anti-bullying and empathy message for a bulletin board right here in our school. Think about what message would resonate most with our Black and Hispanic classmates and the entire school community. What words, phrases, or symbols would you use to encourage empathy and discourage bullying? We want to create a message that says 'You belong here, and we stand with you.'"
Divide students into small groups (or facilitate a whole-class brainstorm if time is very tight) to quickly jot down ideas. Collect ideas for future implementation. Refer to Activity: Our Empathy Message.

Step 5

Wrap-up: Your Role

1 minute

Project Slide 7: 'Wrap-up: Your Role'.
Teacher Script: "Thank you for your thoughtful contributions today. Remember, creating an empathetic and bullying-free environment is everyone's responsibility. Your voice and actions truly matter. Let's commit to 'standing up and speaking out' for each other every day."

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Slide Deck

Stand Up, Speak Out!

Empathy in Action: Creating a Supportive School Community

Let's make our school a place where everyone feels safe and valued!

Welcome students and introduce the topic. Keep it engaging and set a positive, safe tone.

What is Empathy?

Empathy means:

  • Understanding and sharing the feelings of another.
  • Being able to put yourself in someone else's shoes.
  • It's more than just sympathy (feeling for someone); it's feeling with them.

Why is it important?

  • Builds connections.
  • Creates a sense of belonging.
  • Helps us respond kindly to others.

Ask students to share their one word for empathy from the warm-up. Guide them to a working definition. Emphasize that empathy is not just understanding, but feeling with someone.

What is Bullying?

Bullying is:

  • Repeated aggressive behavior intended to hurt another person, physically or mentally.
  • Often involves an imbalance of power.

Forms of Bullying:

  • Physical: Hitting, kicking, pushing.
  • Verbal: Name-calling, teasing, threats.
  • Social/Relational: Excluding, spreading rumors.
  • Cyberbullying: Online harassment, mean messages, spreading rumors digitally.

Bullying lacks empathy.

Define bullying and prompt students for different forms. Ensure to include cyberbullying and subtle forms like exclusion or microaggressions. Connect it back to empathy's opposite.

Impact on Black and Hispanic Students

Bullying affects everyone, but it can have unique and significant impacts on Black and Hispanic students.

Why?

  • They may face bullying rooted in racial bias or stereotypes.
  • Microaggressions (subtle, often unintentional expressions of prejudice) can be a form of bullying.
  • It can lead to feelings of isolation, anxiety, and impact academic performance.
  • It can make them feel like they don't belong in our school community.

Acknowledge that bullying can affect anyone, but highlight how systemic issues can make certain groups more vulnerable. Prompt for how bullying might specifically target or impact Black and Hispanic students (e.g., racial slurs, cultural insensitivity, assumptions).

Being an Ally: Stand Up, Speak Out!

How can you be an ally?

  • Speak Up: If it's safe, tell the bully to stop. Use your voice.
  • Report It: Tell a trusted adult (teacher, counselor, parent).
  • Support the Target: Offer kindness, listen, and show solidarity.
  • Educate Yourself/Others: Learn about different cultures and challenge stereotypes.
  • Be Inclusive: Invite others to join your group; don't exclude.
  • Challenge Jokes: Don't laugh at or repeat jokes that target groups or individuals.

Shift to solutions. Brainstorm concrete actions students can take. Emphasize that 'standing up' doesn't always mean confrontation; it can be reporting, supporting, or showing solidarity.

Activity: Our Empathy Message

Let's create a powerful message for our school!

Goal: Design an anti-bullying and empathy message for a bulletin board that specifically speaks to and supports our Black and Hispanic classmates, and the whole school community.

Think about:

  • What words would make people feel safe and included?
  • What symbols or images could represent unity and strength?
  • How can we express: "You belong here, and we stand with you"?

Introduce the bulletin board activity. Explain it's a quick brainstorm to generate ideas for a positive message. Encourage creativity and messages that are inclusive and empowering for Black and Hispanic students.

Wrap-up: Your Role Matters

Remember, every single one of us has the power to make a difference.

Your empathy, your voice, and your actions contribute to making our school a place where everyone feels respected and belongs.

Be an Upstander, not a Bystander!

Conclude by reiterating the main message: everyone has a role in creating an empathetic, safe environment. Empower them to take action.

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Stand Up, Speak Out • Lenny Learning