Bully Buster Lesson Plan Bully Buster Lesson Plan
Topic: Bullying Prevention & Human Dignity
6th Grade
60 Minutes
Learning Objective
Students will define bullying, identify types (physical, verbal, social, cyber), understand human dignity, and apply practical strategies to respond as targets, bystanders, or allies.
Preparation
Setup projector for Bully Buster Slide Deck .
Print Warm-Up and Strategies Activity sheets.
Gather art supplies (paper, markers, magazines).
Arrange seating for small group work.
Why This Lesson Matters
This lesson equips students with skills to recognize and address bullying by acknowledging the inherent dignity of every individual, fostering a safer and more supportive school community.
Instructional Steps
4m
Warm-Up: What's the Word?
Distribute the Warm-Up sheet. Students jot down the first three words they think of when they hear "bullying." Share out and list common responses on the board to gauge prior knowledge.
7m
Defining Bullying
Use the Slide Deck to define bullying. Focus on repetition and imbalance of power . Clarify that occasional conflict is not necessarily bullying.
7m
Types & Impact
Walk through physical, verbal, social, and cyberbullying. Discuss how it feels for everyone involved: the target, the bystander, and the school as a whole.
15m
Human Dignity Art
Define human dignity: infinite worth simply by being human. Students create a visual representation of dignity using the Art Activity sheet. Circulate and facilitate.
10m
Strategies in Action
Small groups work through the Strategies Activity scenarios. They brainstorm responses from three perspectives: target, bystander, and ally.
7m
Reflection & Discussion
Bring the class together. Groups share one strategy. Facilitate the Group Discussion focusing on being an "Upstander" and identifying trusted adults.
Lesson Materials
Bully Buster Slide Deck Warm-Up Sheet Art Activity Sheet Strategies Worksheet Discussion Guide
Bully Buster Slide Deck Action Required!
Be a Bully
Buster!
Empowering You to Stop Bullying and
Join the Squad
What does it mean to be a 'Bully Buster'?
What is Bullying?
Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived power imbalance.
It is REPEATED
Happens more than once or is likely to happen again.
POWER IMBALANCE
Using strength, popularity, or information to control others.
Reflect:
"Why is it important to distinguish bullying from a normal disagreement?"
Types of Bullying
Bullying can take many different forms...
PHYSICAL
Hurting bodies or belongings. (Hitting, tripping, stealing)
VERBAL
Using words to hurt. (Name-calling, teasing, threats)
SOCIAL
Harming reputations or relationships. (Exclusion, rumors)
CYBER
Online hurtful behavior. (Mean texts, social media posts)
The Ripple Effect
Bullying hurts everyone, not just the target.
The Target
Sadness & Anxiety
Loss of interest
Feeling unsafe
Headaches / Illness
Bystanders
Feeling guilty
Feeling helpless
Fear of being next
Sense of insecurity
The School
Culture of fear
Harder to learn
Loss of respect
Negative climate
"How does bullying make our school feel?"
What is
Human Dignity?
Human dignity is the idea that every person has infinite worth and deserves respect, simply because they are human.
Everyone is valuable.
Everyone deserves kindness.
Everyone has rights.
Art Challenge
Visually represent human dignity.
If You Are Targeted...
01
Speak Up
If it's safe, say a firm "Stop!" or "Leave me alone!" in a calm voice.
02
Walk Away
Remove yourself from the situation. Choosing not to participate is a power move .
03
Tell an Adult
The most important step.
Adults can help find real solutions and keep you safe.
Be an Ally, Not Just a Bystander
You have the power to make a difference!
SPEAK UP
"That's not cool" or "Leave them alone."
GET HELP
Find a trusted adult immediately.
SUPPORT
Show kindness to the person targeted.
DON'T FEED IT
Don't laugh or join in. Stay away from the rumor.
ARE YOU AN UPSTANDER?
Where to
Get Help
At School
Teachers
Counselors
Principals
Coaches
At Home
Parents / Guardians
Older Siblings
Trusted Family
Who is one trusted adult you can talk to today?
Buster Power!
You Have the Power to
Make a Difference!
STAND UP. SPEAK OUT. SUPPORT OTHERS.
Warm Up Whats the Word Bully Buster Mission
Part 1: The Warm-Up
Agent:
Date:
Mission: What's the Word?
When you hear the word "Bullying," what are the first three words or phrases that come to your mind? Write them down below.
1
2
3
Wait for your teacher's signal to share your words with the class.
Human Dignity Art Activity Human Dignity Art Activity
Showing Our Worth
Mission File #2
The Challenge
Create a visual representation of what "human dignity" means to you. Show how it connects to treating others with respect and standing up to bullying.
Think About:
What does respect look like in action?
What colors or symbols represent worth?
How does a "Bully Buster" protect dignity?
Tools Available
Pencils, Markers, Collage, Symbols, Sketches
Create Your Masterpiece Here
Prepare to Share
Be ready to explain your choices and symbols to your group or the class. How does your art show that everyone matters?
Bully Buster Strategies Activity Strategies Activity
Real-World Response Lab
Group Mission
Read each scenario as a group. Discuss and decide on the best action for each person involved. Be ready to share your best ideas!
1
The Lunch Table Exclusion
"During lunch, a group of students turns their backs on Maya. They whisper and giggle, saying things like 'Ugh, here she comes again.' Maya eats alone most days."
The Target (Maya)
A Bystander
An Ally
2
The Online Taunts
"Liam receives mean messages in a group chat about his hobbies, plus an embarrassing photo taken without permission. He feels humiliated and doesn't want to go to school."
The Target (Liam)
A Bystander
An Ally
3
The Playground Push
"Michael frequently shoves David and trips him at recess. He takes David's ball and throws it where he can't reach. David has started avoiding recess altogether."
The Target (David)
A Bystander
An Ally
4
The Rumor Mill
"Jasmine overhears classmates spreading false and hurtful rumors about her friend, Chloe. Chloe has been quiet and withdrawn all week."
The Target (Chloe)
A Bystander
An Ally
Group Discussion Guide Group Reflection Guide
Stand Up • Speak Out • Support
After discussing your scenarios, let's reflect on what it truly means to be a Bully Buster in our school.
1
What was challenging about deciding how to respond in your scenarios?
2
What is one common theme you noticed in effective strategies for targets, bystanders, and allies?
3
Why is it important for everyone in our school community to be aware of and address bullying?
4
What's one thing you can commit to doing if you witness or experience bullying in the future?
5
How does being an ally make our school a better place for everyone?
"Our dignity is protected when we stand together."
Strategies Activity Answer Key Teacher's Answer Key
Bully Buster Strategies Activity
Secret: For Teachers Only
Scenario 1: Lunch Table Exclusion
Target (Maya)
Tell a trusted adult about the pattern of exclusion. Try sitting with a different group of people or in a different area.
Bystander
Don't join in the whispering. Notice what's happening and report the behavior to a teacher.
Ally
Go sit with Maya. Invite her to your own table. Say to the others, "That's not kind, let's include everyone."
Scenario 2: The Online Taunts
Target (Liam)
Screenshot the messages. Block the users. Show the evidence to a parent or counselor immediately.
Bystander
Don't "like" or forward the photo. Leave the group chat if it becomes toxic.
Ally
Post a supportive message for Liam in the chat. Tell an adult that a private photo is being shared.
Scenario 3: The Playground Push
Target (David)
Clearly say "Stop!" Move to an area where a teacher or supervisor is visible. Report the physical contact.
Bystander
Go find the recess monitor immediately. Don't wait for things to get worse.
Ally
Help David pick up his ball. Walk with him to a safe area. Let the bully know the behavior is seen and unacceptable.
Scenario 4: The Rumor Mill
Target (Chloe)
Talk to a counselor about how to handle the social stress. Don't engage with the rumors online or in person.
Bystander
Refuse to repeat the rumor. Say, "I don't know if that's true, and I don't want to talk about Chloe like that."
Ally (Jasmine)
Tell Chloe you have her back and don't believe the rumors. Encourage her to talk to an adult about what's happening.
Note: These are sample responses. Encourage students to think of creative but safe solutions.
