Bully Breakdown Lesson Plan Bully Breakdown
Lesson Plan • Grade 6 • Tier 1 Instruction
Confidential
Duration
40 Minutes
Objective
Define bullying, identify types, and apply strategies to prevent and respond effectively.
Audience
6th Grade
The Case for Action
Understanding bullying is crucial for creating a safe and respectful school environment. This lesson empowers students with the knowledge and tools to stand up to bullying, both as a target and a bystander, promoting a culture of kindness and support.
Teacher Preparation
Review the Bully Breakdown Slide Deck for talking points.
Read through the Bully Breakdown Script for guidance.
Prepare the Bystander Power Activity scenarios.
Print the Bully Blasters Game and Exit Ticket .
Breakdown Procedure
05
Warm Up: What's the Word?
Begin by asking students to share words or phrases that come to mind when they hear "bullying." Record responses on the board.
05
Defining Bullying
Present slides defining bullying (Physical, Verbal, Social, Cyber). Use the teaching script to encourage anonymous examples.
10
Bystander Power Activity
Small groups (3-4 students) analyze scenarios. Focus on how a bystander can intervene safely and effectively.
10
Bully Blasters: Fact or Fiction Game
Engage the whole class in identifying facts vs. myths. Clarify common misconceptions during the reveal.
05
Strategies for Action
Review specific steps for targets and witnesses. Emphasize reporting to a trusted adult.
05
Exit Ticket: My Bully Breakdown
Reflect on personal learning and commit to one action step to foster a safer classroom environment.
Bully Breakdown Teaching Script Teaching Script: Bully Breakdown
Instructor Use Only
Phase 1: The Warm Up (5 Mins)
"Good morning/afternoon, everyone. Today, we're going to dive into a topic that affects all of us in one way or another: Bullying. To start, I want you to clear your mind and think about that word. When you hear 'Bullying,' what words, feelings, or actions come to mind?"
Pro Tip: Write their responses on the board. Don't judge them yet—just gather the 'evidence' of what they already know.
Phase 2: Defining the Problem (5 Mins)
"Bullying isn't just someone being mean once. It's an intentional, repeated act where someone uses their power to hurt others. It can look like physical pushing, but it can also be words, social exclusion, or even happening through our screens. Has anyone ever felt like they weren't sure if something was 'actually' bullying? We're going to break down those types today."
Phase 3: The Power of the Witness (10 Mins)
"In every bullying situation, there are usually three groups: the person bullying, the target, and the witnesses—or bystanders. Most of us will be bystanders at some point. It might feel safer to just watch or walk away, but bystanders actually have the MOST power to stop the cycle. We're going to look at some 'Case Files' in our groups and figure out how to move from being a bystander to an UPSTANDER."
Phase 4: Fact vs. Fiction (10 Mins)
"Now, let's put your detective skills to the test with 'Bully Blasters.' I'm going to read some statements. If you think it's a FACT, give me a thumbs up. If you think it's FICTION, give me a thumbs down. Be ready to explain why!"
Reference the Answer Key on the Bully Blasters worksheet for explanations.
Phase 5: Action Steps (5 Mins)
"So, what do we actually DO? If it's you, stand tall and walk away, or tell them clearly to stop. If you see it, support the target or tell an adult. Reporting isn't 'tattling'—it's taking care of our community. Who is one adult in this school you trust to talk to?"
Phase 6: Reflection (5 Mins)
"To finish today, I'm handing out your Exit Ticket. This is your personal 'Bully Breakdown.' Think about one thing you learned today that you can actually use. Your answers are private between you and me."
Bully Breakdown Slides Bully Breakdown
Case No. 2026-6-ALPHA: Identifying & Stopping Bullying
Grade 6 Safety Training
Warm Up: What's the Word?
When you hear the word "Bullying",
Emotions? Actions? Locations?
What exactly IS Bullying?
Repeated
It happens more than once or is highly likely to happen again.
Intentional
The person is aiming to hurt, exclude, or embarrass someone.
Power Imbalance
The person bullying uses their influence (size, social status, etc.) to control others.
Danger Zone
"It's not just 'being mean' once—it's a pattern that makes a person feel unsafe or powerless."
Types of Bullying
Verbal
Name-calling, teasing, threats, or inappropriate comments.
Physical
Hitting, kicking, tripping, or taking someone's things.
Social
Leaving someone out, spreading rumors, or excluding them.
Cyber
Mean messages or photos sent via apps, social media, or games.
Bystander Power
A bystander is someone who sees bullying happen but isn't the target. Most bullying stops within 10 seconds when a bystander steps in.
Don't join in!
Walking away or not laughing takes away the "audience" the person bullying wants.
Be an Upstander
Support the target, tell them it's not okay, and report it to a trusted adult.
Bully Blasters
FACT OR FICTION?
Wait for the question...
Ready your signals!
Your Action Plan
01
Safe Response
Stand tall, look them in the eye, and say in a firm voice: "Stop. I don't like that."
02
Safety First
Don't fight back. Walk away and find a safe place with other people or an adult.
03
Report It
Tell a teacher, counselor, or parent. Reporting keeps everyone safe.
Who is your trusted adult?
Teacher
Counselor
Parent
Coach
"Reporting is NOT tattling. Tattling is to get someone in trouble. Reporting is to get someone HELP."
Bully Brainstorm Warmup Warm Up: What's the Word?
Bully Breakdown • Phase 1 Investigation
Name: __________________________
Date: ___________________________
"When you hear the word bullying , what are the first things you think of? There are no wrong answers. Think about feelings, actions, or words you associate with this topic."
Bullying
Brainstorm Here
Brainstorm Here
Brainstorm Here
Brainstorm Here
Brainstorm Here
Brainstorm Here
Why are we doing this?
By sharing our initial thoughts, we can see common patterns and identify what we already know—and what we might need to learn more about to keep our classroom safe.
Bystander Power Scenarios Case Files: Bystander Power
Bystander Power Activity • Group Analysis
Top Secret
Detective Instructions
Read your assigned case below. In your group, discuss how a witness (bystander) could move from just watching to being an Upstander . Think about safety, support, and reporting.
Case File #001: The Hallway Social Bullying
"You notice a group of students in the hallway whispering and laughing while looking at Sarah. One student says loud enough for Sarah to hear, 'I can't believe she thought those shoes were cool.' Sarah looks down at the floor and walks faster."
How can you support Sarah?
What can you say to the group?
Case File #002: The Cafeteria Physical/Verbal
"Leo is sitting alone at lunch. Marcus walks by and 'accidentally' bumps into Leo's tray, spilling his milk. Marcus laughs and says, 'Watch where you're putting your stuff, loser.' Two other students nearby are watching and snickering."
What is a safe way to intervene?
Who is an adult you could tell?
Case File #003: The Group Chat Cyber Bullying
"You're in a group chat after school. Someone posts an edited, embarrassing photo of Jordan from PE class. People start responding with mean emojis and 'LOL'. You see Jordan leave the chat, but the mean comments continue."
How do you stop the 'audience'?
What message could you send to Jordan?
Bully Blasters Game Sheet Bully Blasters
Fact or Fiction Game
Name: _________________________________
Date: ________________
Instructions: For each statement below, decide if it is a FACT (True) or FICTION (False). Check the box and write a brief explanation for your choice.
1. If someone is being mean to you online, it's not real bullying because it's not happening in person.
Fact
Fiction
Explanation
2. Telling an adult about bullying is tattling and will only make things worse.
Fact
Fiction
Explanation
3. A bystander who sees bullying happen has the power to make a positive difference.
Fact
Fiction
Explanation
4. Bullying is usually a one-time event, not something that happens repeatedly.
Fact
Fiction
Explanation
5. Ignoring a bully will always make them stop.
Fact
Fiction
Explanation
Bully Breakdown Exit Ticket Exit Ticket: My Bully Breakdown
Confidential Reflection • Case Conclusion
Name: __________________________
Date: ___________________________
What is one thing you learned about bullying today that surprised you?
If you see someone being bullied in the hallway tomorrow, what is one Upstander action you can take?
Who is one trusted adult in this school you feel safe reporting bullying to?
Safe School Initiative
Authorized Personal Reflection Case 2026-6-ALPHA
Bully Blasters Answer Key Answer Key: Bully Blasters
Teacher Reference Guide
Teacher Only
1. Cyberbullying vs. In-Person
Result: FICTION
Explanation: Cyberbullying is very real. Even though it's not physical, it can cause deep emotional harm, reach a much wider audience, and follow the target home 24/7.
2. Tattling vs. Reporting
Result: FICTION
Explanation: Tattling is trying to get someone in trouble for something small. Reporting is trying to get someone help or keep people safe. Adults are there to help solve problems that students can't handle alone.
3. Bystander Power
Result: FACT
Explanation: Studies show that when a bystander intervenes (an Upstander), bullying stops within 10 seconds in over 50% of cases. Witnesses hold the power of the "audience."
4. Frequency of Bullying
Result: FICTION
Explanation: One of the core definitions of bullying is that it is repeated or has a high likelihood of happening again. A one-time mean comment is hurtful, but "bullying" is a pattern.
5. Ignoring the Bully
Result: FICTION
Explanation: While sometimes walking away works, it doesn't always make them stop. Many times, the person bullying needs a clear signal to stop or an adult needs to step in to change the behavior.
Teaching Key
Use these explanations to facilitate discussion after each question. Encourage students to think about the "Why" behind each answer, focusing on the definition of bullying and the power of social intervention.
