Teacher Script

Speak Up, Stand Strong

Lesson Duration: 120 min

1. Introduction & Warm-Up (10 min)

Materials: Warm Up Worksheet

Say: "Good morning/afternoon, everyone! Thanks for being here today. We're going to talk about something that almost everyone experiences at some point: dealing with mean comments. It's a tough topic, but a really important one for all of us."

Say: "To start, let's do a quick 'Warm Up' called 'What's Your Word?' I want you to think about a time someone said something mean to you, or you heard a mean comment directed at someone else. Don't worry about sharing the actual comment; just think about how it made you feel. On your warm-up sheet, write down one word that describes that feeling."

(Pause for students to write. Walk around to offer support if needed.)

Say: "Take a moment to write that down. Okay, now, I'm going to go around and I'd like each of you to just share that one feeling word, without any other details. For example, my word might be 'frustrated.' Who would like to start?"

(Facilitate sharing. Acknowledge each feeling with empathy. Thank students for their honesty.)

Say: "Thank you for sharing. It's clear that mean comments can make us feel many different things, and it's okay to feel that way. Today, we're going to learn some ways to handle those feelings and respond in a way that makes us feel strong and respected."

2. Setting the Stage (15 min)

Materials: Slide Deck (Slides 1-2)

Say: "Let's look at our slides now. Our lesson today is called 'Speak Up, Stand Strong.' Our goal is to learn how to identify mean comments, understand how they make us feel, and most importantly, learn assertive ways to respond."

Say: "Mean comments are words intended to be unkind or hurtful. They are never okay. Remember: it is not your fault when someone says something mean to you. You deserve respect."

3. Understanding Mean Comments (25 min)

Materials: Reading Passage, Discussion Guide, Slide 3

Say: "Mean comments can come in many forms—insults, teasing, whispering, or online. Now, I have a short reading for you that talks more about why people might say these things and why it's important to respond. Please take a few minutes to read this. I'll hand it out now."

(Distribute Reading. Allow 5-7 minutes. Read aloud for the class if appropriate for the group.)

Say: "Now that we've read this, let's talk about it. What did the reading say about why people make mean comments? Why is it important to respond, even if it's hard?"

(Use the Discussion Guide questions to facilitate a deeper conversation.)

4. Assertive Responses (30 min)

Materials: Slides 4-8

Say: "When someone is mean, we usually react in one of three ways: Passive (staying quiet), Aggressive (yelling back), or Assertive (standing up for yourself respectfully)."

Say: "Assertive communication means being clear and honest without being rude. It's about being strong, not mean. Let's look at some phrases we can use: 'Please don't talk to me that way.' 'That comment is not okay.' These use 'I' statements to focus on your feelings and boundaries."

Say: "It's also about how you say it. Stand tall, keep your shoulders back, and use a calm, firm voice. If they don't stop, it is always okay to walk away."

5. Practice: Role-Playing (25 min)

Materials: Role-Playing Scenarios, Slide 9

Say: "The best way to get good at this is to practice! I'll read some scenarios, and I'd like volunteers to practice using the assertive phrases and body language we just talked about. Remember to use a confident voice."

(Guide students through scenarios. Provide gentle, constructive feedback. Affirm every student's effort.)

6. Action Plan & Wrap Up (20 min)

Materials: Action Plan Worksheet, Quiz, Takeaway Sheet, Slide 10-11

Say: "Now, let's create your own plan. Choose the phrases that feel best for you and think about who you can talk to for support. After that, we'll do a quick check-in quiz and our final takeaway."

Say: "As we finish, remember: Your feelings matter. You have the right to respect. Speaking up shows strength. You are valuable. Thank you all for your hard work today!"

Speaking Up Teacher Script

Speaking Up Teacher Script

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