Provide elementary students with an opportunity to role-play bullying scenarios. Select one student to act as a bully and another to be the victim. Instruct the bully to name call, pick on and gently push the victim. Ask the victim to respond to the actions in the best way she knows how. After the role-playing sequence, ask each of the students to share how they felt while acting out each role. Ask students in the audience how they felt observing the confrontation. Explain reasons why someone might bully and discuss ways in which they can avoid being bullied and what they should do if they find themselves or someone else being bullied.
For younger elementary students who may not be aware of what bullying is, engage them in this activity to help them identify a bully. Act out different scenarios in front of the class -- in some instances, act nicely and say nice things and in others, act the way a bully would. After each mini-performance, have students collectively say whether you are acting as a bully or not. Make sure to discuss what they should do if they encounter a bully.
Explain to students that bullying is often the result of being angry. Ask students if they have ever gotten so angry that they yell, hit things, pick on people or throw a tantrum. If they answer yes, explain to them that these behaviors are all characteristic of a bully. As a class, brainstorm a list of ways that students can deal with anger instead of acting out. Ideas may include taking deep breaths and counting to 10 or remembering that your actions hurt others. Hang the list in a visible location to serve as a reminder to students on how to manage their anger.
It's important for children to know how to deal with bullies effectively. Doing so will not only benefit the person being bullied, but it may also stop a person from bullying others. Discuss with your students ways in which they can deal with bullies. Explain that though fighting back or yelling may seem tempting, this response is actually ineffective and will add to the problem. Make up a list of ways to deal effectively with bullies -- telling an adult, avoiding the bully and walking away from the bully, for example.