Affix a two-sided sheet to a stick, one side with a happy face and the other with a sad face. Cast two students to act out a scene in front of the class. One student, for instance, could be sitting at a desk doing work and holding the stick showing the happy face. Another student, playing the bully, comes along and starts making fun of the first student, who flips the stick around to reveal the sad face. Ask the class to come up with a list of ways the student could respond, such as telling a teacher or inviting the bully to sit down. Make a list together and have the two students act out some of the scenarios.
Standing Up to Bullying is a card game that can be purchased online (strongfamilies.us). The game gives you downloadable game cards that you print out and distribute to students. Game cards teach children about understanding bullying, verbal responses to bullying, anti-bullying skills, friendship and body language. You must distribute play money to participants, who try to acquire a predetermined amount of money by learning about bullying. The game can be played either competitively or cooperatively.
It's My Life is an online anti-bullying game (pbs.org). The game takes place at Britney Spears Memorial Junior High in the year 2248. Participants must defeat the school's bullies, Krog and Snidra, at a rocket race. Players move forward in the animated race by answering a series of multiple choice questions about bullying. Answering correctly moves you forward while answering incorrectly moves the bully forward.
Play a version of Simon Says that teaches kids to accept each other's differences. The leaders provide directions beginning with "Simon says" but only certain people can respond. Say such things as "Simon says people with brown eyes stand up," "Simon says people with an older brother put your right hand on your head" or "Simon says people with a pet wiggle your left foot." Students who perform an action for which they don't qualify, or that do not start with "Simon says," must sit down. The last student left standing wins. At the end of the game, students must state one new thing they learned about another student. Emphasize the fact that we are all different but need to respect each other's differences. Tell your students that bullies don't know how to respect differences.