Bully Breakdown Lesson Plan Stand Up, Speak Out:
Bully Breakdown
Building a safer, more inclusive school community.
30 Minutes
Objective
Students will be able to define bullying, identify different forms (physical, verbal, social, cyber), explain its impact on the community, and outline the "5 D" strategies for safe bystander intervention.
Why This Matters
Fostering a school environment where all students feel safe, respected, and empowered to address unkind behavior before it escalates.
Preparation & Materials
Slide Deck: Bullying Awareness PresentationScript: Bullying Awareness Script for pacingHandouts: Warm-Up, Discussion Prompts, Cool-DownTech: Projector and computer set up
Setup Time: 10 minutes
Lesson Sequence
5 min
Warm-Up & Introduction
Distribute the Kindness Check-In . Briefly introduce the purpose: understanding bullying to empower student action.
7 min
Defining Bullying & Its Forms
Use Slides 1-2 . Define bullying (repeated, power imbalance, intent). Discuss Physical, Verbal, Social, and Cyber forms with general examples.
8 min
Impact & Bystander Role
Use Slide 3 to discuss impact on targets, bystanders, and school climate. Transition to the concept of "Upstanders."
7 min
Strategies for Action (The 5 D's)
Use Slide 4 and the Scenario Handout . Explore Direct, Distract, Delegate, Document, and Dare to Care.
3 min
Wrap-Up & Reflection
Summarize key takeaways (Slide 5 ). Students complete the Upstander Commitment exit ticket.
Bully Breakdown Presentation Slides Grade 8 • Tier 1 Support
Stand Up, Speak Out:
Bully Breakdown!
Understanding Bullying & Empowering Our Community
30 Minute Session
What is Bullying?
Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior involving a power imbalance that is repeated or likely to be.
Physical
Hitting, kicking, tripping, damaging property.
Verbal
Teasing, name-calling, threats, taunting.
Social
Rumors, exclusion, public embarrassment.
Cyber
Harassment via texts, social media, apps.
Think...
What are some examples you've observed or heard about? Keep it general — no names!
The Impact of Bullying
For the Target
Anxiety, depression, loneliness
Lower academic achievement
Physical health problems
For Bystanders
Feelings of guilt or fear
Normalization of bullying
Increased general anxiety
For the School
Unsafe & unwelcoming climate
Reduced focus on learning
Damages trust & respect
"Bullying hurts everyone, not just the target."
Be an Upstander!
The 5 D's
1
Direct: Tell them to stop (if safe).
2
Distract: Shift the attention away.
3
Delegate: Get help from an adult.
4
Document: Record the facts.
5
Dare to Care: Support the target.
"Bystanders have the power to stop bullying. Which strategy feels most comfortable for you?"
Time for Group Activity
Your Role, Our School
Key Takeaways
• Bullying harmful & comes in many forms.
• It affects everyone in our school.
• You have power as an upstander.
Need Help?
If you witness or experience bullying, speak up to:
Counselor Teacher Admin Trusted Adult
"Our school is committed to a safe environment for all."
Bully Breakdown Teacher Script Teacher Script & Facilitation Guide
Grade 8 30 Minutes Tier 1 Classroom
Introduction (2 Minutes)
"Good morning/afternoon everyone! Today, we're going to talk about something really important for our school community: bullying awareness. Our goal is to understand what bullying is, how it affects us all, and what we can do to make our school a safer, more respectful place. To start, let's get our brains warmed up. Take a moment to complete the Kindness Check-In . Think about your personal experience with kindness and unkindness."
Distribute Warm-Up handout. Allow 3 minutes for completion.
Warm-Up Debrief (3 Minutes)
"Alright, let's hear some thoughts. Does anyone want to share one word that comes to mind when you think about kindness? How about unkindness? Thank you for sharing. Sometimes, unkindness can cross a line into something we call bullying. Today, we're going to break down what that means."
Defining Bullying (7 Minutes)
Advance to Slide 2
"Bullying isn't just a one-time unkind act. It has three key parts: it's unwanted and aggressive , there's a power imbalance , and it's repeated . It's not an accident; there's an intent to harm. We have four types: Physical, Verbal, Social, and Cyber. Can anyone give a general example of what these might look like? Remember: no specific names."
Facilitate brief discussion. Emphasize that all forms are harmful.
The Impact (8 Minutes)
Advance to Slide 3
"Bullying affects everyone . Look at the target, the bystanders, and our community. How do you think someone who is bullied might feel? (Wait for responses). That's right. It leads to anxiety and physical health problems. But what about bystanders? Even if you're not involved, how might it make you feel? (Encourage responses like guilt or fear). When bullying happens often, our whole school feels less safe."
Upstander Strategies (7 Minutes)
Advance to Slide 4
"This brings us to the Upstander . A bystander sees it; an upstander acts. We use the '5 D's': Direct, Distract, Delegate, Document, and Dare to Care. Delegate is vital for safety—getting a trusted adult. Now, I'm handing out discussion scenarios. In groups, discuss which strategy you'd use and why. Prioritize safety!"
Distribute Discussion Prompts. Facilitate group work for 5 minutes.
Wrap-Up & Reflection (3 Minutes)
Advance to Slide 5
"Remember: bullying is harmful, it affects everyone, and you have power as an upstander. If you need help, speak to a counselor or teacher. Finally, complete the
Bully Breakdown Warm-Up Worksheet Kindness & Unkindness Check-In
Warm-Up Activity • Bullying Awareness
Name:
Date:
Take a few moments to think about the words kindness and unkindness . Reflect on your observations and personal thoughts below.
1. In your own words, what does Kindness mean to you?
2. In your own words, what does Unkindness mean to you?
3. Think of a time you witnessed someone being Kind. What happened?
4. Think of a time you witnessed someone being Unkind. What happened?
(Please keep this general — do not use specific names of people or situations.)
Bully Breakdown Discussion Scenarios Being an Upstander
Scenario Discussion & Strategy Practice
GROUP ACTIVITY
The 5 D's Quick Reference
DIRECTSpeak up if safe
DISTRACTCreate a diversion
DELEGATEGet adult help
DOCUMENTRecord the facts
DARE TO CARESupport the target
Scenario 1: The Exclusion
During lunch, you notice a new student sitting alone. A group of students at another table are whispering and pointing, occasionally laughing loudly. You overhear one say, "No one wants to sit with them."
Strategy(s) to Use:
Risks or Benefits:
Scenario 2: The Cyberattack
Your friend shows you a mean comment posted about another classmate online. The comment is spreading quickly, and several others are "piling on" with negative remarks. Your friend seems unsure what to do.
How would you advise your friend?
Which adult(s) to involve?
Scenario 3: The Unwanted Push
In the hallway, you see an older student repeatedly bumping into a younger student's shoulder, making them drop their books. The older student laughs and walks away, leaving the younger student flustered and upset.
Safest "D" Strategy to use first?
Next steps after witnessing this?
Safety First: If you feel unsafe, always DELEGATE to an adult immediately.
Bully Breakdown Exit Ticket Upstander Commitment
Exit Ticket • Stand Up, Speak Out
Student:
Date:
1. What is one new thing you learned about bullying or being an upstander today?
2. What is one action you can commit to taking in the future if you witness or experience bullying?
3. Who is a trusted adult you could talk to if you or someone you know needs help?
I commit to making my school a safer place.
