Buddy Lesson Plan Be a Buddy, Not a Bully!
Lesson Plan • 5th Grade (Multiply Disabled)
30
Minutes
Objective
Students will identify bullying behaviors and practice simple ways to be a supportive friend and ally.
Why it Matters
Understanding bullying helps students feel safer and know how to support others, creating a positive classroom where everyone feels valued.
Materials
• Whiteboard or projector
• Buddy Slides
• How to Be a Friend Warm-Up
• Teacher Script
• Helping Hands Activity Cards
• My Kindness Pledge
Teacher Prep
Review (10 mins):
Familiarize yourself with the Slides and Teacher Script.
Print:
Warm-Up, Activity Cards, and Kindness Pledge.
Lesson Procedure
5m
Warm-Up: How to Be a Friend
Distribute the Warm-Up sheet. Ask students to share one way they can be a good friend. Facilitate a brief discussion, connecting ideas to being a "buddy."
5m
Introduction: What is Bullying?
Use the Slide Deck and Script. Discuss examples of bullying (repeated unkind behavior) and how it makes others feel.
10m
Being a Buddy: Buddy Power
Introduce strategies for being an ally:
Tell a trusted adult
Stand with someone
Speak up kindly
10m
Activity: Helping Hands Role Play
Divide students into small groups. Use the Activity Sheet scenarios. Guide students to practice "Buddy Powers" in response to unkind situations.
5m
Cool-Down: My Kindness Pledge
Students complete the Pledge. Have volunteers share one way they will be a buddy this week. Reinforce inclusivity and kindness.
Buddy Slide Deck Be a Buddy, Not a Bully!
Creating a Kinder Classroom Together
Teacher: Welcome students and introduce the topic: being a good friend and standing up to bullying.
What is Bullying?
Bullying is when someone is mean to another person over and over.
It makes that person feel sad, hurt, or unsafe. It is not fair!
Teacher: Ask students for their definition. Guide them to "being mean over and over again."
Examples of Bullying
Calling names
Leaving people out
Pushing or hitting
Taking things
Teacher: Use concrete examples. Ask students for other examples (don't use names).
How Does it Feel?
SAD
SCARED
ALONE
Teacher: Emphasize that everyone deserves to feel safe and happy. These feelings are why we stop bullying.
Be a Buddy!
A buddy is a kind friend who helps everyone feel safe and happy.
Teacher: Introduce the concept of being a "buddy" as the hero of our classroom.
Buddy Power!
Tell a Trusted Adult
If you see bullying, tell a grown-up right away!
Who can you tell?
Teacher: Explain why telling is brave, not "tattling." It's helping.
Buddy Power!
Speak Up Kindly
"Stop, that's not kind."
"Leave them alone."
Remember: You don't have to be mean back!
Teacher: Practice these phrases with the students in a firm but calm voice.
Buddy Power!
Invite Them to Play
"Want to play with us?"
"Come sit here!"
Including people is the fastest way to stop bullying.
Teacher: Explain how inviting someone can make their whole day better.
Be a Buddy Every Day!
TELL
Tell a trusted adult right away.
SPEAK UP
Use your kind voice to stop mean acts.
INCLUDE
Invite everyone to join the fun.
Let's make our classroom a kind place for everyone!
How to Be a Friend Warm-Up Name:
Date:
How to Be a Friend
Instructions
Think about a good friend. What do good friends do? Draw a picture or write one word that describes how to be a good friend.
Examples: Sharing, playing, smiling, helping...
Helping Hands Role Play Activity Helping Hands
Role Play Scenarios
Your Mission:
Read the scenario. Practice being a BUDDY! Use your Buddy Powers: Tell an Adult, Speak Up, or Invite Them.
Scenario 1: The Sad Friend
Level 1
"Alex is sitting alone at recess. A group of kids is playing a game, but they didn't invite Alex."
How can you be a buddy?
Scenario 2: Unkind Words
Level 2
"Maya calls Sam a mean name because Sam made a mistake in class."
How can you be a buddy?
Scenario 3: The Pushed Friend
Level 3
"You see someone push Chris in the hallway. Chris looks upset, and the person just walks away."
How can you be a buddy?
My Kindness Pledge Cool Down My Kindness Pledge
I choose to be a Buddy!
I Pledge To:
Write or draw your kind promise here...
My Name
The Date
Buddy Facilitation Script Teacher Facilitation Script
Lesson: Be a Buddy, Not a Bully!
00-05 min
Warm-Up: How to Be a Friend
Say: "Good morning, everyone! Today, we're going to talk about how we can all be super friends and make our classroom a happy and safe place. To start, I want you to think about what a good friend does. I've given you a paper where you can draw a picture or write one word about how to be a good friend. Take about two minutes to do that now."
Wait for students to complete the warm-up.
Say: "Alright, who would like to share one thing they drew or wrote about being a good friend?"
Call on 2-3 students. Affirm their responses (e.g., "Sharing is very kind!").
05-10 min
Introduction: What is Bullying?
Display Slide 2.
Say: "Sometimes, not everyone acts like a good friend. Has anyone heard the word 'bullying' before? What do you think it means?"
Allow ideas, then guide to the slide definition.
Say: "That's right. Bullying is when someone is mean to another person, often more than once, and it makes that person feel sad or hurt. It's not fair, and it's not kind."
Display Slide 3 (Examples) and Slide 4 (Feelings).
10-20 min
Being a Buddy: Standing Up
Display Slide 5.
Say: "Instead of being a bully, we want to be a 'buddy'! A buddy is someone who is a good friend and helps others feel safe and happy."
Display Slides 6-8 (Buddy Powers). Use the phrases on the slides to lead choral practice (e.g., "Stop, that's not kind").
20-25 min
Activity: Role Play - Helping Hands
Say: "Now we're going to practice being buddies! I will give you a card with a situation on it. You and your partner will act out how to be a buddy using your 'Buddy Powers'."
Circulate and help groups with simple solutions.
25-30 min
Cool-Down: My Kindness Pledge
Say: "You all did a fantastic job! Think about one way you will be a buddy this week. Write or draw your promise on your Kindness Pledge."
Say: "Thank you for being amazing buddies. Remember, every act of kindness counts!"