Lesson Plans for Every Classroom
Bystander to Action
When young people are targeted by bias or bullying–whether it’s at school, in social situations, or online–there are often bystanders. There may be one bystander, a few, or many bystanders. Among other reasons, oftentimes the “bystander effect” takes hold and no one says or does anything when witnessing bias or bullying. In this lesson, students will learn about the bystander effect, reflect on their own experiences with bystanding, and examine bystander scenarios in order to explore possible actions.
Exploring Differences and Weight Bias through the use of the book "Big”
Weight or size bias begins for children at a young age. Awareness of size and shaming of size starts early and can be seen in children as young as three years old. When it goes unchecked, weight bias persists and grows. In K-12 schools, weight bias often shows as verbal teasing/bullying, physical bullying or indirect forms like relational bullying (e.g., social exclusion, being the subject of rumors). Although weight and size bias can be challenging to discuss, it is a critical topic for elementary age children. This lesson provides an opportunity for students to understand what weight bias is, using a picture book Big by Vashti Harrison. Students will also reflect on examples of weight bias and explore what can be done about it.
Bullying: What is It and What Can We Do About It?
Across the country, bullying takes place in schools every day. Among elementary-age children, about 1 in 4 students in the U.S. reports being bullied. It is important to understand what bullying is and is not. Bullying is not only mean behavior, but repeated mean behavior done on purpose, and where a power imbalance usually exists. Talking about bullying with students can happen at the beginning of the school year, in October during National Bullying Prevention Month, or anytime throughout the school year. In this lesson plan, students will define bullying, learn about the different types of bullying and reflect on bullying scenarios and what can be done in those situations.
Supporting People with Disabilities
Every day in schools and classrooms, children with disabilities are excluded, teased, bullied and are targets of prejudice. Children with disabilities are two to three times more likely to be bullied than their peers who do not have a disability. When exclusion, teasing or bullying happens, other children may want to help, but they are not sure how or may be afraid to do so. This lesson provides an opportunity for students to learn about people with disabilities, the exclusion and prejudice they face and how to act as an ally when they see harmful language and behavior.