Choose Your Response Circle Guide

Overview:Scenario Spotlight Slide Deck and map out pros, cons, and guiding questions for each response. Finally, groups select the most effective strategy and prepare to role-play it.

Materials Needed

• Copies of this guide for each group
• Pens/highlighters
• Whiteboard or chart paper (optional)

Instructions

1. Form your original scenario groups (3–4 students).
2. Assign each group a scenario from the Scenario Spotlight Slide Deck.
3. In your group, complete the three response circles below:
   • Direct Intervention: Stepping in and addressing the bullying behavior on the spot.
   • Indirect Support: Helping the target without confronting the bully directly (e.g., distraction, offering comfort).
   • Reporting & Self-Care: Seeking adult help or caring for your own emotional well-being and encouraging the target to do the same.
4. For each circle, discuss and record:
   • A clear action step
   • Potential benefits and risks
   • Answers to the guiding questions
5. After filling all circles, decide as a group which response you believe is most effective for your scenario. Note your rationale.
6. Be prepared to share your chosen strategy and rationale with the class before moving to role-play.

Response Circles Template

1. Direct Intervention
   • Action Step:
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
   • Pros:
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
   • Cons:
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
   • Guiding Questions:
2. Indirect Support
   • Action Step:
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
   • Pros:
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
   • Cons:
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
   • Guiding Questions:
3. Reporting & Self-Care
   • Action Step:
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
   • Pros:
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
   • Cons:
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
   • Guiding Questions:

Group Selection

• Chosen Response: ____________________________
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Rationale:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Role-Play Role-Reversal Activity Sheet

Purpose: Practice your group’s chosen bullying-intervention strategy in a safe, simulated interaction to build confidence and empathy.

Materials: This activity sheet, a timer (or clock), and your notes from the Choose Your Response Circle Guide.

Instructions:

1. Pair up. Each pair will run two short role-play rounds, then debrief after each.
2. Decide which scenario you’re reenacting (from the Scenario Spotlight Slide Deck) and confirm your group’s chosen response strategy.
3. Assign roles for Round 1:
   • Bully: Delivers the bullying behavior.
   • Target: Experiences the behavior.
   • Bystander: Steps in using your chosen response.
4. Round 1 (5 min): Act out the scene.
5. Debrief Round 1 (3 min): In your pair, discuss the prompts below.
6. Switch roles for Round 2 so each partner experiences each role.
7. Round 2 (5 min): Act out again, applying insights from Round 1.
8. Debrief Round 2 (3 min): Repeat reflection prompts.
9. Whole-Class Share (remaining time): Volunteers share key takeaways.

Debrief Prompts

1. How did that round go? What stood out?

1. How did each role feel (Bully, Target, Bystander)?

1. What aspects of your chosen strategy worked well?

1. What could you improve or change next time?

Final Reflection (Whole-Class)

• Key Takeaways: What did you learn about being an effective bystander?

• Next Steps: How will you apply these skills if you witness bullying in real life?

Reflection Exit Ticket

Name: ____________________________

Date: ____________________________

1. Which response strategy resonated with you most and why?

1. How will you apply this strategy in a real-life situation?

1. What challenges might you face when intervening, and how will you address them?

1. Additional Thoughts or Questions: