Before you start
- Flipchart paper and pens
What to do
You could warm up for this activity by playing Selective Simon Says.
Ask “What is bullying?” Record ideas on a flipchart. Invite young people to tell the group how they feel about bullying and share experiences if they are comfortable
Brainstorm with the group different examples of bullying and write them on the flip chart. Get participants to rate the examples from least to most severe
Ask the young people to get into small groups. Each group should select one of the bullying examples from the flip chart and devise a short drama in which they role play the example of bullying they chose. They should come up with at least one specific way for the person being bullied to get help
NOTE: Be sure to explain the seriousness of the activity to the group. It is important that they realize that these acts of disrespect cause many young people to feel alienated and depressed. The reason for this activity is to help them gain empathy, determine ways to reverse these disrespectful practices and help other young people who are teased or bullied to become empowered
Get the group back together and ask each group to present their drama
After all of the presentations, brainstorm the ways that people can get help. The ideas may be results of the drama work or ideas that have not yet been mentioned. Write these up on a flip chart sheet
How to not be a bully
Explain that sometimes it is difficult to know what is or is not bullying. Often, actions start out just being fun, but may at some point actually turn into bullying. Discuss how you can decide whether something has become bullying. Gather ideas on the flipchart and then suggest the following strategy.
Stop and think and ask yourself these questions:
– Are my actions or words hurting someone else’s feelings?
– Are my actions or words hurting someone else physically or making that person feel afraid?
– Would I want someone else to do this to me?
– Am I unfairly taking my anger out on someone?
– Am I trying to control someone against his or her will?
Discussion topics:
- Can someone be a bully without meaning to be?
- What’s the difference between bullying and just fooling around?
- How big a problem is bullying in your school?
- How does your school deal with bullying?
- Why do people bully?
- Why is bullying harmful to victims, perpetrators and the school community?
- What can young people, teachers, parents and school administrators do to stop bulling?
Extension
If there’s time young people could refine their sketches to present to a younger group. Suggest to them the idea of creating presentations that teach younger children the importance of respecting one another and methods they can use if they are being teased or bullied