Bullying Awareness Script

Introduction (2 minutes)

"Good morning/afternoon everyone! Today, we're going to talk about something really important for our school community: bullying awareness. Our goal is to understand what bullying is, how it affects us all, and what we can do to make our school a safer, more respectful place.

To start, let's get our brains warmed up with a quick activity. Please take a moment to complete the Bullying Awareness Warm-Up I'm about to hand out. Think about your personal experience or observations with kindness and unkindness. You'll have about 3 minutes for this."

(Distribute Bullying Awareness Warm-Up and give students time to complete it.)

Warm-Up Debrief (3 minutes)

"Alright, let's hear some of your thoughts from the warm-up. Does anyone want to share one word or a short phrase that came to mind when you thought about kindness? How about unkindness?"

(Allow a few students to share. Transition by saying:)

"Thank you for sharing. Sometimes, unkindness can cross a line into something we call bullying. Today, we're going to break down what that means."

Defining Bullying & Its Forms (7 minutes)

"(Advance to Bullying Awareness Slide Deck - Slide 2)

On this slide, you see a definition of bullying. It's really important to understand that bullying isn't just a one-time unkind act. It has three key parts: it's unwanted and aggressive, there's often a power imbalance (meaning one person has more power, socially or physically, than the other), and it's repeated, or has the potential to be. It's not just an accident; there's an intent to harm.

We also see different types of bullying listed here: Physical, Verbal, Social/Relational, and Cyberbullying. Can anyone give a general example of what each of these might look like? Remember, let's keep it general and not name specific people or situations."

(Facilitate a brief discussion, clarifying examples as needed. Emphasize that all forms are harmful.)

"Excellent examples. It's clear that bullying isn't just about physical harm; words and social actions can be just as hurtful, especially with technology today."

The Impact of Bullying (8 minutes)

"(Advance to Bullying Awareness Slide Deck - Slide 3)

Bullying isn't just bad for the person being bullied; it affects everyone. Look at this slide: the target, the bystanders, and even our entire school community. How do you think someone who is bullied might feel or what might happen to them?"

(Allow students to share responses like sadness, anxiety, not wanting to come to school.)

"That's right. It can lead to a lot of negative feelings and even impact their schoolwork or physical health. But what about bystanders? If you see someone being bullied, even if you're not involved, how might that make you feel?"

(Encourage responses like guilt, fear, helplessness.)

"Exactly. It can be a really uncomfortable and difficult situation. And when bullying happens often, our whole school can feel less safe and welcoming. It makes it harder for everyone to focus on learning and building positive relationships."

Be an Upstander! Strategies for Action (7 minutes)

"(Advance to Bullying Awareness Slide Deck - Slide 4)

This brings us to one of the most powerful roles in preventing bullying: the upstander. A bystander sees something happening but might not act. An upstander chooses to act. We have five strategies here, often called the '5 D's': Direct, Distract, Delegate, Document, and Dare to Care.

Let's quickly go through them. Direct means telling the bully to stop, but only if it's safe and you feel comfortable. Distract means creating a diversion to shift attention away. Delegate is probably the most important for safety: getting help from a trusted adult. Document means writing down what happened, so you have facts if you need to report it. And Dare to Care means showing support to the person being bullied, letting them know they're not alone.

Now, I want us to think about these. I'm going to hand out these Bullying Awareness Discussion Prompts. In small groups or with a partner, I want you to discuss the scenarios and think about which of these 'D' strategies you might use and why. Remember, safety is always the priority. You'll have about 5 minutes for this discussion."

(Distribute Bullying Awareness Discussion Prompts and facilitate group discussions.)

Discussion Debrief & Wrap-Up (3 minutes)

"Alright, let's bring it back together. Who would like to share one key takeaway or a strategy that resonated with them from your discussion?"

(Allow a few students to share.)

"Fantastic contributions. It's clear there are many ways to be an upstander, and it's about choosing the right strategy for the situation, always prioritizing safety. Remember, telling a trusted adult is always an option.

(Advance to Bullying Awareness Slide Deck - Slide 5)

To wrap up, remember these key takeaways: bullying is harmful, it affects everyone, and you have the power to make a difference as an upstander. If you or someone you know is being bullied, please speak up and tell a trusted adult. Our school counselors, teachers, and administrators are all here to support you.

Finally, for our cool-down today, please complete this Bullying Awareness Cool-Down as an exit ticket before you leave. It's a chance to reflect on what you've learned and how you might apply it."

*(Distribute Bullying Awareness Cool-Down.)

"Thank you, everyone. I appreciate your engagement and thoughtful participation today."

Kindness & Unkindness Check-In

Instructions: Take a few moments to think about the words 'kindness' and 'unkindness.'

1. In your own words, what does kindness mean to you?
   
   
   
   

2. In your own words, what does unkindness mean to you?
   
   
   
   

3. Think of a time you witnessed someone being kind. What happened?
   
   
   
   

4. Think of a time you witnessed someone being unkind (without naming any specific people or situations). What happened?
   
   
   
   

Being an Upstander: Scenario Discussion

Instructions: In your groups, read each scenario. Discuss how you would respond as an upstander, using the '5 D' strategies (Direct, Distract, Delegate, Document, Dare to Care). Remember to prioritize safety.

Scenario 1: The Exclusion

During lunch, you notice a new student sitting alone. A group of popular students at another table are whispering and pointing at the new student, occasionally laughing loudly. You overhear one of them say, 'No one wants to sit with them.'

• Which of the '5 D' strategies could you use here? Explain why.
• What are the potential risks or benefits of your chosen strategy?
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Scenario 2: The Cyberattack

Your friend shows you a mean comment posted about another classmate on a social media app. The comment is spreading quickly, and several others are piling on with negative remarks. Your friend seems unsure what to do.

• How would you advise your friend to act as an upstander in this situation?
• Which adult(s) would be appropriate to involve, and why is that important for cyberbullying?
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Scenario 3: The Unwanted Push

You are walking down the hallway and see an older student repeatedly bumping into a younger student's shoulder, making them drop their books. The older student then laughs and walks away, leaving the younger student flustered and upset.

• Given the potential physical aspect, what is the safest '5 D' strategy to use first in this situation?
• What are the steps you would take after witnessing this?
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

My Upstander Commitment

Instructions: Please answer the following questions honestly and thoughtfully.

1. What is one new thing you learned about bullying or being an upstander today?
   
   
   
   

2. What is one action you can commit to taking in the future if you witness or experience bullying?
   
   
   
   

3. Who is a trusted adult you could talk to if you or someone you know needs help with bullying?