Upstander Shift Guide Teacher Resource • Upstander U
The Upstander Shift Guide
Duration
60 MIN
Objectives
Define the difference between a bystander and an upstander.
Identify the '5 Ds' of safe intervention.
Apply intervention strategies to realistic school scenarios.
Materials
Upstander Shift Slides
Dilemma Detectives Handout
Talk It Out Discussion Cards
Projector/Smartboard
Key Vocabulary
Bystander: Someone who sees harm but doesn't act.
Upstander: Someone who takes action to stop harm.
Intervention: Stepping in to change a situation.
Instructional Sequence
1
Hook: The Ripple Effect (10 min)
Start with the slide on the "Bystander Effect." Ask: "Why is it sometimes hard to speak up when we see something wrong?" Use the student responses to bridge to the concept of the Upstander .
2
Direct Instruction: The 5 Ds (15 min)
Present the 5 Ds: Distract, Delegate, Document, Delay, Direct . Emphasize that being an upstander doesn't always mean a direct confrontation. Safety is the priority.
3
Guided Practice: Dilemma Detectives (20 min)
Distribute the worksheet. Students work in pairs to analyze three scenarios. They must choose one of the 5 Ds for each scenario and explain their choice. Rotate to facilitate discussions.
4
Closing & Reflection (15 min)
Use the 'Talk It Out' cards for a quick whole-class circle. End with a commitment: "One way I will be an upstander this week is..."
Differentiation & Safety
Safety First: Remind students that they should never put themselves in physical danger. If a situation looks unsafe, the 'Delegate' strategy (getting an adult) is the best choice.
For Younger Learners: Focus heavily on 'Distract' and 'Delegate'. For Older Learners: Explore the ethics of 'Document' (filming vs. helping).
Intervention Cheat Sheet
Reference these key points while students are working on their Dilemma Detectives activity.
DISTRACT
Interrupt the situation by asking for the time, dropping something, or starting a random conversation with the person being targeted. Goal: Break the tension.
DELEGATE
Find someone in a position of authority (teacher, coach, security) or ask a peer to help you step in. Goal: Shared responsibility.
DOCUMENT
Write down or record what is happening. Never post this online; give it to the person being targeted or an adult. Goal: Evidence for justice.
DELAY
After the incident, check in with the person who was harmed. Ask "Are you okay?" or "How can I support you?". Goal: Emotional support.
DIRECT
Speak up directly. "That's not cool," or "Leave them alone." Only use this if you feel safe to do so. Goal: Setting a boundary.
Common Misconceptions
"I'm a snitch if I tell." Explain the difference between 'tattling' (getting someone in trouble for something minor) and 'reporting' (getting someone out of trouble or danger).
"I have to be a hero." Being an upstander is about small, consistent acts of courage, not cinematic confrontations.
"It's none of my business." If it's happening in our community, it impacts all of us. A culture of kindness is everyone's business.
Upstander Shift Slides Upstander U
Mastering the Art of Taking Action for Good
Session 01: The Upstander Shift
The Bystander Effect
"The psychological phenomenon where individuals are less likely to offer help when other people are present."
"Someone else will handle it."
Why do we wait?
Fear of being judged
Not knowing what to do
Thinking it's not "our business"
Making the Shift
Bystander
Sees harm, feels uncomfortable, but stays silent or walks away.
Upstander
Recognizes harm and takes safe, effective action to support others.
Being an upstander is a skill you can learn.
The 5 Ds of Intervention
Safe and effective ways to step in when you see unkindness or injustice.
1
Distract
2
Delegate
3
Document
4
Delay
5
Direct
01. DISTRACT
"The Power of Interruption"
Create a diversion to de-escalate the situation. You don't have to talk about the harm—just change the subject.
Try these:
"Hey, do you have the time?"
"Excuse me, where's the library?"
"Whoops, I dropped my pen!"
02. DELEGATE
"Teamwork for Justice"
Find someone who is better placed to help or has more authority.
Who can help?
A teacher or principal
A coach or bus driver
A friend (to step in with you)
03. DOCUMENT
"Keeping a Record"
If someone is already helping, record or write down what happened.
Crucial Rules:
1. NEVER post it online.
2. Give it to the person harmed.
3. Ask them what they want to do.
04. DELAY
"The Aftercare"
Sometimes you can't act in the moment. You can still be an upstander afterward.
Check in:
"Are you okay? That wasn't fair."
"Want to sit with us at lunch?"
"How can I support you?"
05. DIRECT
"Naming the Harm"
If you feel safe, speak up clearly and concisely.
Dilemma Detectives Activity Dilemma Detectives
Upstander Training Module 01
Name:
Date:
Quick Reference: The 5 Ds
Distract Delegate Document Delay Direct
Your Mission
Read each scenario below. Decide which of the **5 Ds** would be the safest and most effective way to be an upstander. Briefly explain your plan of action.
Scenario 01: The Hallway Huddle
"You are walking to class and see a group of students blocking a younger student's path. They are laughing and making fun of the student's backpack. The younger student looks like they are about to cry."
Primary Strategy (Which D?)
Safety Check (1-10)
My Plan of Action
Scenario 02: The Cafeteria Cut-Off
"At lunch, you notice a student trying to sit at their usual table, but a peer puts their bag on the empty chair and says, 'This seat is taken, and nobody wants you here anyway.' The rest of the table stays quiet."
Primary Strategy (Which D?)
Safety Check (1-10)
My Plan of Action
Scenario 03: The Group Chat Flame
"A group chat notification pops up on your phone. A classmate has shared an embarrassing, edited photo of another student. People are starting to reply with 'lmao' and mean emojis. The student in the photo is not in the chat."
Primary Strategy (Which D?)
Safety Check (1-10)
My Plan of Action
Personal Upstander Compass
Of the 5 strategies we learned today, which one feels most natural to you? Which one feels most challenging? Why?
Most Natural Strategy
Most Challenging Strategy
Courage Cards Discussion Resource Courage Cards
Discussion Prompts for Upstander U
Cut along the dotted lines • Use in small groups or circles
Empathy Check
How does it feel to be a bystander who wants to help but doesn't know how?
Upstander U • Module 01
Strategy Talk
Why is 'Delegating' (getting an adult) sometimes the bravest thing you can do?
Upstander U • Module 01
Reality Check
What is the biggest 'fear' that stops people from being upstanders at our school?
Upstander U • Module 01
Compassion
When was a time someone was an upstander for you? How did it change your day?
Upstander U • Module 01
"In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends." — Martin Luther King Jr.
Kindness Campaign Project Guide Kindness Campaign Project
Upstander U Final Assessment
The Challenge
Being an upstander is more than just one-time action—it's about building a **culture** where everyone feels safe. Your mission is to design a campaign that teaches other students how to make the "Upstander Shift."
Pick your Project Format:
**The Poster Series:** Create 3 posters illustrating different "Ds".
**The Training Video:** Script and film a 60-second "How-To" guide.
**The Pledge:** Design an upstander pledge and a way to track it.
**The PSA:** Write a script for the morning announcements.
Project Checklist
Defines the difference between bystander and upstander.
Includes at least three of the '5 Ds' of intervention.
Clearly explains the "Why"—why should people take action?
Design is clean, bold, and easy for other students to understand.
Grading Rubric
Content Accuracy
Does it correctly explain upstander strategies?
Clarity & Impact
Is the message powerful and clear?
Creativity
Originality in format and presentation.
Score:
/ 15
Phase 1: Your Campaign Plan
Our Format Choice
The "Main Message" (One Sentence summary)
Target Audience (Grade level, location, etc.)
