Teacher Script: Bullying Intervention

(Slide 1: Bullying: Stand Up, Speak Out!)

"Good morning/afternoon, everyone. Today, we're going to talk about a really important topic that affects all of us: bullying. It's something we all encounter, whether we see it, hear about it, or even experience it ourselves. Our goal today is to understand what bullying is, how it impacts people, and most importantly, what each of us can do to make our school a safer, kinder place. I want this to be a safe space for discussion, so let's all agree to listen respectfully to one another's thoughts and experiences."

(Warm-Up: What is Bullying? - 5 minutes)

"Let's start with a quick warm-up. On your paper, I want you to write down what you think bullying is. What comes to mind when you hear that word? Take about two minutes to jot down your thoughts, no need for complete sentences if you don't want."

(Pause for students to write)

"Okay, who would like to share one or two ideas from their notes? What are some key words or phrases you used to describe bullying?"

(Facilitate a brief share-out, writing key ideas on the board if appropriate.)

Transition: "Thank you for sharing your thoughtful ideas. Many of you touched on important aspects, and we're going to build on those. Let's look at a formal definition."

(Slide 2: What is Bullying? - 8 minutes)

"So, scientifically speaking, bullying isn't just a one-time unkind act. It has three key ingredients: it's unwanted, aggressive behavior; it involves a real or perceived power imbalance; and it's repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Can anyone give an example of what that 'power imbalance' might look like? It's not always physical strength."

(Allow a moment for responses, guiding towards social status, age, group size, or knowledge of sensitive information.)

"Exactly. It could be someone who is physically bigger, but it could also be someone who has more friends, or knows secrets about someone else, or is older. It’s about one person having an advantage that they use to harm another.

Now, bullying isn't just one thing. Look at the slide. We have verbal bullying, like teasing or spreading rumors. We have physical bullying, which is what most people think of first, like hitting or tripping. Social bullying is often about hurting someone's reputation or relationships, like excluding them from a group. And then there's cyberbullying, which happens online through texts, social media, or games.

Can you think of how cyberbullying might be particularly harmful or different from other types?"

(Allow 1-2 responses, guiding towards permanence, wide audience, anonymity.)

Transition: "It's clear that bullying can take many forms, and all of them can hurt. But how does it hurt? Let's explore the impact."

(Slide 3: The Impact of Bullying - 7 minutes)

"Bullying can have a really deep and lasting impact on people. Take a look at the list on the slide. These are just some of the ways bullying can affect someone: feelings of sadness, anxiety, trouble concentrating in school, even physical symptoms like headaches. It can make someone feel isolated and unsafe. It's not just a minor issue; it's a serious problem.

Now, when bullying happens, there are typically three roles: the person being bullied (the target), the person doing the bullying, and the bystanders – those who witness it. Today, I want us to focus on the power of the bystander. We're going to talk about becoming an Upstander.

A bystander sees bullying but doesn't do anything. An upstander sees bullying and acts to stop it or support the person being bullied. Why do you think it can be so hard to be an upstander? What holds people back?"

(Facilitate a short discussion, using prompts from the Discussion Guide: Being an Upstander as needed. Acknowledge fears like becoming a target themselves, not knowing what to do, or thinking it's not their problem.)

"Those are all very valid concerns. It can be scary. But imagine the difference an upstander can make. How might an upstander's actions change the situation for the person being bullied?"

(Guide students to see that even small acts of support can make a huge difference.)

Transition: "So, if we want to be upstanders, what can we actually do? Let's talk about some strategies."

(Slide 4: Be an Upstander: Strategies for Action - 5 minutes)

"Here are five concrete things you can do if you witness or experience bullying. Remember, your safety is always the most important thing.

1. Tell a trusted adult. This is probably the most important step, especially if you feel unsafe or the bullying is severe. Who are some trusted adults you could talk to?

   (List student responses on the board: parents, guardians, teachers, counselors, coaches, principals, older siblings, school staff.)

2. Speak up safely. This isn't about fighting or yelling. It could be simply saying, 'Hey, that's not cool,' or 'Leave them alone.' Sometimes, even a simple distraction, like asking the person being bullied a question to draw them away, can work.

3. Support the target. Show kindness. If someone is being excluded, invite them to join you. If they look upset, ask if they're okay. A simple act of friendship can mean the world.

4. Walk away. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is remove yourself and, if possible, the person being bullied from the situation. This isn't weakness; it's smart. Then, you can go tell an adult.

5. Don't spread rumors or join in. It might seem easy to go along with a crowd, but remember, every time you participate in or silently condone bullying, you're contributing to the problem. Be part of the solution."

Transition: "These strategies aren't always easy, but they are powerful. Your actions truly matter."

(Slide 5: You Have the Power to Make a Difference! - 5 minutes)

"Remember this: every single one of us has the power to contribute to a safer, kinder school. It's not just up to teachers or administrators; it's up to all of us. Your actions, big or small, can make a huge difference. Be respectful, be kind, and be an upstander.

To wrap up, I want you to take a moment to reflect on what we've discussed today. I'm going to hand out a quick 'Cool-Down.'"

(Distribute Cool-Down: My Pledge Against Bullying.)

"On this sheet, I want you to write down one thing you learned today, or one action you will commit to taking to help prevent or address bullying. This is your personal pledge. When you're done, please turn it in as your exit ticket. Thank you all for your engagement and for being willing to discuss such an important topic. I'm really proud of how you handled this conversation today."

Warm-Up: What is Bullying?

Instructions: In your own words, briefly describe what bullying means to you. What does it look like? What does it feel like to witness or experience it?

What are some key characteristics that make an action bullying rather than just an unkind act?

Discussion Guide: Being an Upstander

Introduction: We've talked about the impact of bullying. Now, let's think about the power we all have to make a difference.

Prompt 1: The Challenge of Being an Upstander

• Why do you think it can be so hard for people to step in or speak up when they see someone else being bullied?
  • What fears might bystanders have?
  • Have you ever been in a situation where you saw bullying and felt unsure of what to do? What held you back?

Prompt 2: The Impact of Upstanders

• Imagine you are the person being bullied. What would it mean to you if someone stepped in or showed support?
  • How might an upstander's actions change the situation for the person being bullied?
  • What are some different ways an upstander can help, even if they don't directly confront the bully?

Prompt 3: Recognizing Our Power

• How can simply showing kindness or including someone who is being excluded be an act of being an upstander?
• What is the difference between being an upstander and putting yourself in danger?

Cool-Down: My Pledge Against Bullying

Instructions: Take a moment to reflect on what we discussed about bullying and being an upstander. Below, write down one important thing you learned today OR one specific action you will commit to taking to help prevent or address bullying in our school. This is your personal pledge.

My Pledge:

I will _____________________________________________________________________

because ______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________.

Thank you for making our school a safer, kinder place!