Bullying Prevention Lesson Plan: Bullied By Friends

This lesson has students reflect on what can be done if they or someone they know is bullied by a friend.

Students will

• discuss in cooperative groups what kids can do if they’re being bullied by a friend
• consider actions students can take when someone is bullying a friend
• understand that if someone is mistreating them, the person is not being a true friend

Materials

• chart paper and marker for each group of four students
• handout: “Bullied by Friends: Stories from Real Kids” (located at the end of this article)

Introduction

Distribute the handout and ask for volunteers to read aloud each of the stories. Invite brief responses.

Discussion

Ask students: Why would a person bully a friend? Is someone who does this really a friend?

Ask: Have you ever been bullied by a friend, or known someone who was? Discuss, reminding students not to mention real names.

Ask: What if you have a friend who bullies someone and you want to help? What can you say to your friend? What if your friend bullies you? What can you do? Discuss briefly. These ideas will continue to be in focus during the activity and final discussion.

Activity

Put students into groups of four. Have each group choose a Leader, a Recorder, an Announcer, and an Encourager. Say: Each group’s goal is to brainstorm four possible things people can do if they or someone they know is bullied by a friend. Explain that the role of the Leader is to keep the group focused on the task. The Encourager’s job is to affirm people for sharing ideas and to encourage everyone to take part. Recorders should write the ideas. Everyone in the group can contribute their ideas. At the end of the discussion time, the Announcers will share their groups’ ideas with the class.

After five or ten minutes, have students reconvene in a large circle. Have Announcers share with the class what their group has come up with. Ask students to comment on each group’s ideas. Discuss these and provide coaching and feedback as appropriate. Also ask about the role upstanders could play to help in such a situation. Be sure to share all of the following with students:

• If the person is bullying you, you can rehearse some assertive words you can say to that person. For example, “This bullying has to stop. I deserve to be treated with respect.” Speak to the person directly. 
• If the person is bullying someone you know, be an upstander for the person being bullied. Do this on your own or with another friend. 
• If the bullying doesn’t stop, quit hanging out with the person. Find some new friends who treat you and others with respect.
• Talk to a trusted adult who can help get the bul- lying to stop. An adult can also help the person being bullied. 
• If you are bullying a friend, get help from a trusted adult.