1. To Report or Not to Report?

2. Some children try to bully other children
Some children try to bully other children. Bullying can happen to anyone. Students struggle with deciding whether or not to report bullying. What do you believe are the factors that cause students to not report bullying?
Factors that come into the decision-making process include confusion about whether or not what they witnessed was really bullying, pressure from friends and others to stay quiet, not wanting to be seen as a “snitch” or as tattling,” fear of retaliation from the person(s) doing the bullying, and not knowing whom to tell. Adults should set the tone and create a safe atmosphere in which students feel comfortable reporting bullying incidents.

3. Learning Outcome: Materials Needed: Three sheets of paper
Dark marker
Tape
To Report or Not to Report? Scenarios on p.73
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to
Identify reasons that make it difficult to report bullying
Identify factors that come into play when deciding how and when to “do the right thing”
Create an action plan about how to handle reporting
Preparation needed:
Make three signs: Yes, No, Maybe/ Not Sure/ It Depends (post around the classroom making sure there is sufficient space between each)
Read through the scenarios

4. The decision to report bullying is sometimes very difficult
The decision to report bullying is sometimes very difficult. Pressure from friends and others to stay quiet, not wanting to be seen as a “snitch” or as tattling,” fear of retaliation from the person(s) doing the bullying, are all factors that can affect your decision. And because of these factors, sometimes bullying goes unreported.
Bullies may say mean things, call names, make fun of, tease, ignore or spread false rumors about others.

5. ACTIVITY: There are three designated areas of the room where you will find signs. After I read the scenarios, you will decide Yes, you would report it, No you would not report it, or Maybe/Not Sure/ It Depends. After you hear the scenario, please move to the corresponding area of the room where you choice is posted.
Be sure to clear sufficient space between each sign for the entire class to crowd if necessary.

6. EXPLAIN… Why did you move to this particular spot
EXPLAIN… Why did you move to this particular spot? Share your thoughts and ideas…
Bullying usually happens when an adult is not around. I must learn how to recognize and handle bullies.

7. To Report or Not to Report? Scenarios
You get an saying not to talk to a certain girl in school anymore and to forward the to everyone you can.
A teacher repeatedly embarrasses one student at the chalkboard when the student is unable to do the requested math problem.
You saw someone secretly taking photos on a cell phone in the locker room after PE and laughing about them later.

8. To Report or Not to Report? Scenarios
Someone gets invited to play an online game but then gets teased after being beaten badly.
You heard that a kid at school was being beat up repeatedly on the way home from school, but you don’t know for sure if it is true.
A new kid approaches a group of students and asks if he can hang out. A kid in the group says no and they turn away from the new kid.

9. To Report or Not to Report? Scenarios
You see two boys arguing in the parking lot, and one threatens to punch the other one.
You have a difficult time finding a seat on the school bus because all of the empty seats are “saved”.
You raise your hand to answer questions in class. Later, in the hallway, a group of students makes fun of you for your class participation.

10. To Report or Not to Report? Scenarios
You know that all the kids in your class were invited to a party-except for one.
Someone set up a fake Instagram page and is posting false things about another student. The student is apparently unaware of what’s going on.

11. Discussion Questions
What are the risks of reporting for the bullied student? For the student(s) doing the reporting?
What are the benefits of reporting for the bullied student? For the student(s) doing the reporting? for the school as a whole?
Why are negative labels such as “snitch” or “rat” sometimes used to describe someone who does the right thing by reporting? What might it be like to be considered a “rat” by someone who bullies? How might the bullied person feel about you reporting the bullying?
How hard was it to decide if something was bullying or not? How hard was it to decide whether to report the situation?
Which scenarios seemed to be most controversial or difficult to decide what to do?
Were there any situations that you thought were bullying but would not report? Which ones? Why?
Were there any situations that you thought were bullying and would report? Which ones? Why?

12. Discussion Questions continued…
We each tend to view situations in a particular way, based on our experiences and personalities. Sometimes we see situations as more clear-cut or have more shades of gray. With bullying problems, what kinds of situations strike you as more clear-cut? What strike you as being less clear-cut?
How does what we’ve been discussing today relate to our school rule about reporting bullying?

13. To avoid getting bullied, I can walk with confidence, holding my head high, keeping a straight back and a calm face.
Bullies are more likely to pick on me if they think I am frightened.

14. Walk around the school with friends
Walk around the school with friends. Be kind and respectful toward other people. Bullies are less likely to approach when I walk around in a group of friends.

15. I need to be aware of my surroundings
I need to be aware of my surroundings. Try to avoid the bully by going somewhere else, always staying calm and confident.

16. I can ignore the bully. Bullies want me to act frightened or scared
I can ignore the bully. Bullies want me to act frightened or scared. A bully might continue talking. I don’t need to respond.

17. If the bully continues to hurt me in any way, I can yell “NO” using a firm voice so others can hear me.
I can also say “STOP! I DON’T LIKE THAT!”

18. I can go to a teacher or another adult for help.

19. WRAP UP Create a personal action plan for yourself about how and when you should report bullying, even when you are uncertain about the situation. Think about what you would do if you feel uncertain whether something has crossed the line. What support system can you rely on to help you put your plan into action?
Bullying will not stop unless I stand up against it. I need to make a plan and take action against bullying. I CAN DO IT!!!

20. Things to Try Go with my friend to a safer place.
Sometimes, I might see or hear about a friend being bullied. It feels good to help others. Here is what I can do to help a friend being bullied:
Go with my friend to a safer place.
Tell the bully to STOP!
Go with my friend to tell an adult.
Go on my own to tell an adult.