Shield Squad Teacher Guide Shield Squad
Teacher Facilitation Guide
Grades 3-5
Learning Objectives
Define bullying using the "3 P's" (Purposeful, Power Imbalance, Persistent).
Distinguish between being a "Bystander" and an "Upstander."
Practice at least three specific Upstander strategies (Direct, Distract, Delegate).
Identify safe adults at school to report bullying concerns.
NM Standards Alignment
New Mexico Health Education Standards:
1.5.3 - Describe how to build and maintain healthy relationships through communication and conflict resolution.
NM School Safety Guidance:
Aligns with anti-bullying mandates requiring explicit instruction on reporting procedures and bystander intervention to improve school climate.
Materials Needed
Shield Squad Slides Upstander Action Cards Pledge Worksheets Chart Paper & Markers
Instructional Procedure
1
The Hook: The Ripple Effect (5-10 mins)
Show the "Shield Squad" title slide. Ask: "What does a shield do?" Discuss how a shield protects. Explain that today, students are joining the Shield Squad to protect their community from bullying.
2
Defining the Enemy (15 mins)
Use slides to define bullying. Emphasize that it's Purposeful (meant to hurt), has a Power Imbalance (one person feels bigger/stronger), and is Persistent (happens more than once). Introduce the 4 roles: The Target, The Person Bullying, The Bystander, and The Upstander.
3
Upstander Power Moves (15 mins)
Teach the "Three D's" of being an Upstander:
DIRECT Speak up! "That's not cool" or "Stop."
DISTRACT Change the subject or invite the target away.
DELEGATE Get help from a safe adult immediately.
4
Shield Training: Role Play (20 mins)
Divide students into small groups. Give each group an Upstander Action Card . Groups must act out the scenario twice: once showing the bystander doing nothing, and once showing an Upstander using a "Power Move."
5
The Pledge (10 mins)
Students complete the "My Upstander Pledge" worksheet. End with a "Shield Squad" cheer or high-five line.
Facilitation Tips
Safe Reporting
Clarify the difference between Tattling (trying to get someone in trouble for a small thing) and Reporting (trying to keep someone safe from a big thing). Make sure students can name at least 3 safe adults in the building.
Managing Role Plays
Ensure students do not use real names of peers during scenarios. If a scenario feels too close to a current classroom issue, redirect to the fictional characters on the cards.
New Mexico Context
Remind students that in New Mexico, we value community and "familia." Being an Upstander is a way to respect our "school family" and keep our community strong. Reference any local PBIS slogans (e.g., "The Coyote Way" or "Mountain Lion Pride") to ground the lesson in your school's culture.
Shield Squad Slides SHIELD SQUAD
Bullying Prevention Power
Today's Mission
1
Identify the signs of bullying.
2
Understand the difference between a Bystander and an Upstander.
3
Practice 3 Upstander Power Moves.
What is Bullying?
It's more than just being mean once. Use the 3 P's to check:
Purposeful
It is meant to hurt someone's feelings or body on purpose.
Power
One person uses their "power" to make others feel smaller or weak.
Persistent
It happens over and over again, or the target is afraid it will.
Who is on the Scene?
The Target
The person being bullied.
Person Bullying
The person being mean.
The Bystander
Watches but does nothing.
THE UPSTANDER
Takes action to help!
Upstander Power Move #1
DIRECT
"Stop. That's not cool."
Use your voice to tell the person bullying to stop. Stay calm and clear.
Upstander Power Move #2
Distract
"Hey, do you want to play tag with us?"
Change the subject or invite the target away. Interrupt the bullying by focusing on something else.
Upstander Power Move #3
Delegate
"I'm going to find a teacher."
You don't have to handle it alone. Get help from a safe adult immediately if someone is being hurt.
Shield Training
The Challenge:
Get into your squad groups.
Read your scenario card.
Act out the scenario WITHOUT help first.
Act it out again with an Upstander Move!
READY? SET? ACTION!
Welcome to the
Shield Squad!
How will YOU be an Upstander today?
The Pledge Starts Now
Upstander Action Cards Scenario 01
THE LUNCHROOM LETDOWN
"Every day at lunch, a group of students tells Sam he can't sit at their table because his lunch 'smells weird.' Today, Sam is about to cry as he looks for a place to sit while they laugh."
Power Move: DISTRACT
Invite Sam to sit with you or ask him about a game he likes to play.
Scenario 02
THE RECESS ROAST
"A student keeps making fun of Maria's shoes every time she tries to join the kickball game. Other kids are starting to join in and call her names."
Power Move: DIRECT
Stand tall and say: "That's not cool. Let's just play the game."
Scenario 03
THE HALLWAY HUDDLE
"You see a student getting pushed into their locker by someone much bigger. The target looks scared and hurt, and the person pushing them won't let them go."
Power Move: DELEGATE
Tell a friend to stay nearby while you run to get the closest teacher or staff member.
Scenario 04
THE BUS WHISPER
"Two students are whispering about a girl on the bus, showing each other a mean drawing they made of her. She is sitting right in front of them and clearly hears them."
Power Move: DISTRACT
Ask the girl if she wants to listen to music with you or tell her about a funny video you saw.
Scenario 05
The Digital Drama
"In a class group chat, everyone is making fun of a student who got a wrong answer in math class today. The messages are coming fast and they are getting meaner."
Power Move: DIRECT
Type: "Guys, this is mean. Let's stop. Math is hard for everyone sometimes."
Scenario 06
THE ART ROOM ACHE
"A student 'accidentally' spills paint on another student's drawing for the third time this week. They laugh and say, 'Oops, I'm just clumsy!'"
Power Move: DELEGATE
Raise your hand and say, "Teacher, I think Leo needs some help at this table, someone keeps spilling on his work."
CREATE YOUR OWN
Think of a situation you've seen or heard about at school. Write it down here and decide which Power Move would work best!
SQUAD INSTRUCTIONS
Assign Roles: Target, Person Bullying, Bystander(s), and Upstander.
ACT 1: Play out the scenario where the bystander does nothing. How does the Target feel?
ACT 2: Play out the scenario again using the POWER MOVE on the card.
REFLECT: How did the Upstander change the story?
Shield Squad Academy
Upstander Pledge Worksheet My Upstander Pledge
Shield Squad Academy
Name:
Date:
Is it Bullying? (The 3 P's)
Check the boxes if you see these things happening:
PURPOSEFUL: It is meant to hurt someone.
POWER: Someone is using their "power" to be mean.
PERSISTENT: It happens over and over.
My Upstander Power Moves
When I see someone being treated unfairly, I can:
DIRECT: Speak up and say "Stop."
DISTRACT: Interrupt and change the subject.
DELEGATE: Get help from a safe adult.
My Safe Adults
If I need to DELEGATE, I can talk to these 3 people at school:
The Upstander Oath
"I promise to be a member of the Shield Squad. I will try my best to notice when someone is being bullied. I will not just stand by. I will use my power to help, speak up, and keep our school safe for everyone."
Signed with Honor:
One Upstander can change everything.
Shield Squad Anchor Chart The Shield Squad
Upstander Reference Guide
Is it Bullying?
P
Purposeful
It's done on purpose to hurt someone.
P
Power
The person uses "power" to make others feel weak.
P
Persistent
It happens over and over again.
Upstander Moves
Direct
Speak up! "Stop. That's not cool."
Distract
Change the subject or invite them away.
Delegate
Tell a safe adult to help keep others safe.
"Be the Shield. Protect your Community."
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