Bullying – In-Person & Cyber
Activate your HeroKindness Superpower.
Complete teacher lesson plans + printable role-play cards.
The HeroKindness Response
Bullying is repeated, intentional harm with a power imbalance (in person or online). Students learn to respond safely using the HeroKindness Response and the 5 D’s of bystander intervention.
Notice
See the harm happening (in person or online).
Choose Safe Kind Action
Support the target • Refuse to join • Tell a trusted adult • Distract or Delay
Act + Thumbs Up
Take action and support the person who was targeted.
Full Teacher Lesson Plans – Ready to Use
Open any age band for the complete turn-key lesson (15–25 minutes).
JK – Grade 1 (Ages 4–7)
Learning Objectives
- Understand that repeated mean behavior is not okay
- Know they can tell a teacher or trusted adult
- Practice supporting a friend with kindness
1. Hook (4–5 min)
Teacher Script: “Sometimes someone keeps being mean to another person over and over. That is called bullying and it is not okay. Our superpower is called HeroKindness. We can help in safe ways: be kind to the person who is hurt, and tell a teacher. Telling is brave and kind.”
2. Teach HeroKindness (3–4 min)
Notice → Choose a safe kind action (sit with them, say something kind, tell a teacher) → Thumbs Up.
3. Main Activity + Role-Play (7–9 min)
Use the printable cards below. Practice: going to sit with the person, saying “You’re my friend”, and telling the teacher.
4. Closing (3 min)
“If someone keeps being mean, tell a teacher. That is using your superpower. Group thumbs-up for HeroKindness!”
Grades 2 – 4 (Ages 7–10)
Learning Objectives
- Understand the difference between teasing and bullying
- Learn safe HeroKindness actions
- Commit to supporting others and telling an adult when needed
1. Hook (4 min)
Teacher Script: “Bullying is when someone keeps being mean on purpose, over and over, and there is an unfair power difference. It can happen in person or online. Our response is called HeroKindness.”
2. Teach the Response (4 min)
Notice → Choose a safe kind action (support the person, don’t join in, tell a trusted adult) → Act + Thumbs Up. Emphasize that telling an adult is courageous.
3. Main Activity + Role-Play (8–10 min)
Use the printable role-play cards for this age band. Practice Distract, Delegate, Delay, and simple Direct responses.
4. Closing (3 min)
“This week, if you see bullying, use HeroKindness: support the person and tell a trusted adult if needed. Group thumbs-up!”
Grades 5 – 8 (Ages 10–14)
Learning Objectives
- Distinguish bullying from one-time meanness
- Apply the HeroKindness Response and 5 D’s safely
- Create a personal response plan
1. Hook (3–4 min)
Teacher Script: “Bullying is repeated, intentional harm with a power imbalance. Today we learn the HeroKindness Response using the 5 D’s: Distract, Delegate, Document, Delay, and Direct (only when safe).”
2. Teach (4 min)
Review Notice → Choose safe kind action (using one of the 5 D’s) → Act + support the target. Safety first.
3. Main Activity + Role-Play (10–12 min)
Use the Grades 5–8 role-play cards. Students practice in pairs and write a short personal HeroKindness plan.
4. Closing (3 min)
“Supporting the person being targeted and telling a trusted adult are powerful uses of your superpower. Thumbs-up for courage and kindness.”
High School (Grades 9–12)
Learning Objectives
- Analyze bullying and cyberbullying dynamics
- Apply a safe HeroKindness Response
- Consider personal and collective responsibility
1. Hook (3–4 min)
Teacher Script: “Bullying and cyberbullying often involve power, repetition, and move between online and offline spaces. We practice the HeroKindness Response with the 5 D’s.”
2. Frame the Response (3–4 min)
Discuss bystander effect, digital permanence, and when reporting is the kindest action.
3. Main Activity + Role-Play (10–12 min)
Use the High School role-play cards. Students write a personal script and discuss optional leadership actions.
4. Closing (3 min)
“Real strength includes protecting others and knowing when to involve trusted adults. Thumbs-up for that kind of courage.”
Printable Role-Play Cards
Use these cards during the Main Activity. Print this page and cut them out, or display them on screen.
JK – Grade 1 Cards
Card 1
• Go sit with the child who was left out
• Say “You can play with me”
• Tell the teacher
Card 2
• Walk over and invite the targeted student to play something else
• Tell the teacher or yard duty
Grades 2 – 4 Cards
Card 1
• Distract: “Hey, let’s go play on the swings instead!”
• Delegate: Tell the teacher
• Delay: “That wasn’t fair. Want to play with me?”
Card 2
• Direct (if safe): “That’s not kind. Stop.”
• Distract: Change the subject
• Delegate: Tell the teacher privately
Card 3
• Refuse to look or laugh
• Tell the teacher
• Later check in: “Are you okay?”
Grades 5 – 8 Cards
Card 1
• Distract: “Hey, Mr. ___ is looking for you”
• Delegate: Get a teacher immediately
• Delay: “Are you okay? That was messed up.”
Card 2
• Document: Screenshot (if safe)
• Delegate: Show a trusted adult / report
• Delay: Private message: “I saw that. You didn’t deserve it.”
Card 3
• Direct (if safe): “We shouldn’t talk about people like that.”
• Distract: Invite them to join your table
• Delay: Check in later privately
High School Cards
Card 1
• Document + Delegate (report to counselor)
• Private support message to the target
• Refuse to participate or encourage others to stop
Card 2
• Distract or calm Direct (“That’s not okay”)
• Delegate: Report to a teacher/admin
• Delay: Offer genuine support afterward
Card 3
• Do not view, like, or share it
• Document and report
• Reach out privately to the person being targeted
Clean Printable PDF Versions Coming Soon
Designed 1–2 page teacher PDFs + separate printable role-play card sheets are in final production.
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