Bullying Busters Teacher Lesson Plan Bullying Busters
Teacher Lesson Plan
Grade 3rd
Duration
30 Minutes
Approach
Discussion & Scenario Analysis
Focus
Tier 1 Instruction
Why This Matters
This lesson fosters empathy, respect, and safety in the classroom by teaching students to recognize bullying behaviors and feel empowered to intervene or seek help, promoting a positive community.
Learning Objectives
• Define bullying clearly for a 3rd-grade level.
• Discuss why standing up for peers matters.
• Identify bullying scenarios and brainstorm respectful responses.
Preparation (10 mins)
Print and cut Scenario Cards .
Copy Group Handouts (1 per group).
Prep chart paper: "What is Bullying?"
Arrange desks into groups of 3–4.
Lesson Instructions
5 MIN
Introduction
Display "What Is Bullying?" chart paper.
Ask: "What does bullying mean?" and record responses.
Prompt: "Is this a joke or could someone feel hurt?"
10 MIN
Class Discussion
Explain differences: Teasing vs. Tattling vs. Bullying .
Prompt: "Why is it important to tell an adult if you see bullying?"
Allow brief voluntary sharing of experiences.
10 MIN
Group Activity
Distribute 2 Scenario Cards and 1 Handout per group.
Groups read, identify if it's bullying, and brainstorm responses.
Circulate and use guiding questions to support thinking.
5 MIN
Share Out & Closure
Representatives summarize 1 scenario and their response.
Check understanding: "What will you do if you see bullying?"
Collect handouts for formative assessment.
Bullying Busters Slides Bullying Busters
Building Empathy, Respect, and Kindness
Grade 3 Social-Emotional Learning
Lesson Objective
By the end of this lesson, you will:
Define what bullying is
Discuss why standing up for others matters
Practice identifying scenarios and finding respectful responses
What Is Bullying?
"Bullying is when someone keeps being mean on purpose, and it hurts someone’s feelings or body."
It can be:
Physical (hitting, pushing)
Verbal (name-calling, teasing)
Social (excluding, rumors)
The Difference Matters
Teasing
Joking or being silly without meaning to hurt anyone’s feelings. Usually between friends.
Tattling
Telling an adult about unsafe or unkind actions so someone can get help.
Bullying
Repeated meanness with a power difference that hurts someone on purpose.
Why Stand Up?
1
Helps the person being bullied feel safer and less alone.
2
Shows kindness and respect for everyone in our community.
3
Makes our classroom a better place for everyone to learn.
Group Activity
1
Form groups of 3–4 students.
2
Get 2 Scenario Cards for your group.
3
Use your Group Handout to record ideas.
4
Decide: Is it bullying? What would you do?
Be respectful and creative with your strategies!
Time to Share Out
One group representative, please stand and tell us about your scenario and your group's response!
Summarize the scene
Explain the response
Your Mission
What will you do if you see bullying?
"Write one thing you will do today to help our classroom be a kinder, safer place for everyone."
Collect handouts for today's check of understanding.
Bullying Discussion Question Prompts Bullying Busters
Discussion Question Prompts
Understanding Bullying
1. What does the word “bullying” mean to you?
Follow-up: Can you share a time you saw someone being mean on purpose?
2. How is bullying different from joking around with friends?
Follow-up: Can you think of an example of teasing that didn’t feel hurtful?
3. Why do you think someone might bully another person?
Follow-up: How might that person be feeling inside?
Empathy and Feelings
1. How do you think the person being bullied feels?
Follow-up: What words would you use to describe their feelings?
2. Have you ever felt left out or hurt by someone’s words or actions?
Follow-up: What did you wish someone had done for you?
3. Why is it important to imagine how someone else feels before we act?
Standing Up and Reporting
1. What could you say or do if you see someone being bullied?
Follow-up: Let’s role-play a short scene showing one of these responses.
2. Who are safe adults you can talk to if you see or experience bullying?
Follow-up: Why is it sometimes hard to tell an adult, and how can we overcome that?
3. How does standing up for someone make our classroom or playground better?
Reflection Prompts
If you saw a friend being bullied, what would you tell yourself to be brave and help them?
What is one promise you can make today to help stop bullying?
Bullying Scenario Cards Bullying Scenario Cards
Cut along the dotted lines and distribute to groups.
1
Sam accidentally bumps into Alex in the hallway and quickly says, “Sorry!” Alex smiles and keeps walking.
Bullying Busters Activity
2
Jordan teases Casey about their shoelaces looking funny. Casey laughs and teases Jordan back.
Bullying Busters Activity
3
Mia calls Lily “stupid” every day at recess and laughs when Lily starts to cry.
Bullying Busters Activity
4
Ethan tells the whole class that Sara cheated on her spelling test. Soon, no one wants to sit with Sara at lunch.
Bullying Busters Activity
5
During kickball, the other kids pick teams but always leave Emma out on purpose. Emma stands alone and watches.
Bullying Busters Activity
6
Ben accidentally knocks over Mark’s pencils during art time. He helps pick them up and says sorry.
Bullying Busters Activity
7
Amy passes around a note that makes fun of Sophie’s clothes. Several classmates read it, and Sophie looks upset.
Bullying Busters Activity
8
Leo tells the teacher, “Ana is playing with glue and might get it in her hair.” The teacher thanks him for keeping everyone safe.
Bullying Busters Activity
Instructions for Groups:
Read each scenario card.
Decide: Is this bullying?
Identify: If yes, is it Physical, Verbal, or Social?
Brainstorm: How would you respond?
Bullying Busters Group Handout Bullying Busters
Group Handout
Date:
Group Member Names:
Directions: In your group, read each scenario card. Then answer the questions below for each card.
1
Scenario Card
1. Is this bullying?
Yes No
2. Type of bullying:
3. How would you respond to help the person being bullied?
4. Who could you tell or get help from?
2
Scenario Card
1. Is this bullying?
Yes No
2. Type of bullying:
3. How would you respond to help the person being bullied?
4. Who could you tell or get help from?
Bonus Mission
Think of one promise your group can make today to help stop bullying in our classroom:
Bullying Busters Cool Down Bullying Busters
Cool Down
Name:
Date:
1. What is one thing you learned about bullying today?
2. If you see someone being bullied, what will you do?
3. Who is a safe adult you can go to for help?
My Kindness Promise
"One promise I make today to help stop bullying in our classroom is:"
You have the power to be a Bullying Buster!
Upstander Power Teacher Lesson Plan Upstander Power
Teacher Lesson Plan
Grade 3rd
Duration
30 Minutes
Approach
Discussion & Role-Playing
Focus
Tier 1 Instruction
Why This Matters
This lesson empowers students to take positive action against bullying, fostering a supportive and safe school environment by transforming passive observers into active "upstanders."
Learning Objectives
• Define what it means to be an "upstander."
• Identify different ways to safely take action.
• Practice applying upstander strategies in various scenarios.
Preparation (10 mins)
Print and cut Upstander Action Cards .
Prep chart paper: "What does an Upstander do?"
Arrange desks for partner work or small groups (2-3).
Review Discussion Prompts .
Lesson Instructions
5 MIN
Introduction
Review the concept of bullying from the previous lesson.
Introduce "Upstander" and record ideas on chart paper.
Prompt: "How is an upstander different from a bystander?"
10 MIN
Class Discussion
Explain: Bystander vs. Upstander .
Discuss 3 strategies: Speak up, get help, be a friend.
Use Upstander Discussion Prompts to deepen thinking.
10 MIN
Activity: Upstander Action Cards
Distribute 1-2 Action Cards to pairs/small groups.
Groups discuss actions and briefly role-play their response.
Encourage respectful and creative solutions.
5 MIN
Share Out & Closure
Groups share one scenario and their chosen action.
Summarize the power of being an upstander.
Complete Upstander Power Cool Down .
Upstander Power Slides Upstander Power
Be the Hero in Our Classroom
Quick Review
What is Bullying?
Being mean on purpose , repeatedly , and it hurts someone.
Today, we learn how to STOP it.
Which one are you?
Bystander
Someone who sees bullying happening but stays quiet and does nothing .
Upstander
Someone who sees bullying and takes action to help the person and stop the meanness.
Upstander Strategies
Speak Up
"Hey, that's not cool. Stop being mean."
Get Help
Go find a teacher or safe adult right away.
Be a Friend
Ask the person being bullied to play or sit with you.
Action Practice
1
Get into your pairs or small groups.
2
Read your Upstander Action Card .
3
Pick an action and role-play it!
Role-Play Tip:
Be brave, use a firm voice, and remember you are helping a friend!
Show Your Power
A few groups, please share your scenario and the Upstander Action you chose!
You Have the Power
"Being an Upstander makes our school a kinder, safer place for everyone."
Next Step:
Complete Your Cool Down
Upstander Discussion Prompts Upstander Power
Discussion Question Prompts
Bystander vs Upstander
1. What do you think an “upstander” is?
Follow-up: How is an upstander different from a bystander who just watches?
2. Why do you think someone might be a bystander instead of an upstander?
Follow-up: What are some things that might make someone feel nervous about helping?
3. How does it feel to have an upstander help you when someone is being mean?
Upstander Strategies
1. What are some specific things an upstander can say to stop bullying?
Follow-up: Let’s practice using a firm but respectful voice.
2. If you don't feel safe speaking up, what is another way you can be an upstander?
Follow-up: Who are the adults you would go to for help?
3. How can being a friend to someone who was bullied help them feel better?
Reflection & Bravery
If you saw a friend being bullied, what would you tell yourself to be brave and help them?
How does standing up for someone make our classroom or playground better?
What is one promise you can make today to be an upstander in our school?
Upstander Action Cards Upstander Action Cards
Read the scenario and role-play your upstander action!
1
The Playground
You see a student from another class making fun of your friend's new glasses. Your friend looks like they are about to cry.
What will you do?
2
The Lunchroom
A group of kids won't let a new student sit at their lunch table and are whispering and pointing at them.
What will you do?
3
The Hallway
You see a student trip another student on purpose while walking to gym class. The student falls down and people start laughing.
What will you do?
4
In the Library
Someone is hiding another student's library book every time they look away, and the student is getting very frustrated.
What will you do?
5
On the Bus
An older student keeps telling a younger student they can't sit in "their" seat, making the younger student stand up.
What will you do?
6
Art Class
You hear someone say, "Your drawing is terrible! Why do you even try?" to a student sitting next to them.
What will you do?
7
Digital Note
You see a note being passed around that says something mean about another student's family.
What will you do?
8
Being a Friend
A student was just teased by others. They are now sitting alone and look very sad. They aren't talking to anyone.
What will you do?
Upstander Power Tip:
You don't always have to say something. You can get help or just be a friend to the person who was hurt.
Upstander Power Cool Down Upstander Power
Cool Down
Name:
Date:
1. What is an upstander?
2. Check two ways you can be an upstander:
Speak up bravely
Just watch silently
Get help from an adult
Laugh at the joke
3. Why is being an upstander important for our school?
My Upstander Oath
"I promise to use my upstander power when I see bullying because..."
You are a Kindness Crusader!