Lesson 1: Recognize, Report, Refuse

Why This Lesson Matters

In learning to recognize bullying, students increase their awareness of the problem and gain empathy for bullied students. Clarifying what bullying is and how it’s both harmful and against the rules empowers students to avoid doing it and respond appropriately if they witness it. This stops bullying from being accepted as normal. It also helps bullied students understand bullying is wrong and they don’t deserve to be bullied, which can reduce the emotional harm suffered.

This lesson reinforces the message that students must report bullying and that when they do, adults will help them. It also helps students practice reporting. Giving students a clear message to report bullying sets a positive norm, lets students who might bully know there will be consequences, and supports adults in their efforts to reduce bullying.

This lesson also reinforces using assertiveness skills to refuse or stop bullying when they witness bullying. Research shows students can reduce their chances of being bullied in the future by responding assertively. This lesson helps students see they can get help and help themselves in bullying situations, and that doing both can be the best approach.

Objectives

Students will be able to:

• Understand bullying is different from conflict

• Recognize and identify different types of bullying behaviors

• Understand you can refuse bullying in different ways

• Demonstrate assertively reporting and refusing bullying

Lesson Concepts

• Bullying is mean or hurtful behavior that keeps happening. It is unfair and one-sided.

• Adult intervention is often required to end bullying effectively.

• Refusing bullying means to use words or actions to stop bullying.

• Being assertive is one way to refuse or stop bullying.