BULLYING

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TÍTOL DE L’ACTIVITAT
BREU DESCRIPCIÓ
BULLYING
Maria Gomis Bofill / Sant Ignasi Sarrià
Some form of bullying probably happens in every school. This series of activities aim at
discussing what bullying is and what can be done about its prevalence and consequences
and, most importantly, help students understand the importance of trust, honesty and respect
in relationships in a way of dealing with bullying.
OBJECTIUS
Students should learn:
? That their choices of action affect themselves and others.
? To care about other people’s feelings.
? To understand the nature and consequences of bullying, and how to respond to it and ask for
help.
? To see that no-one deserves to be bullied.
? To realize that differences make people interesting and unique.
? To realize that bullying makes no sense.
?
MATERIAL
1. What is bullying? (handout 1)
2. What can I do if I’m being bullied? (handout 2)
3. Bullying dilemmas (handout 3)
BIBLIOGRAFIA
? I was bullied (handout 1):
http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/club/your_reports/newsid_2513000/2513905.stm
? What can I do if I’m being bullied? (handout 2):
You can beat bullying (a guide for young people). It can be downloaded from
http://www.kidscape.org.uk
? Bullying dilemmas (handout 3):
Stop bullying! Guide published by Kidscape.It can be downloaded from http://www.kidscape.org.uk
? Appendix 1:
Teacher’s notes -> information from Preventing bullying! (a parents guide)
http://www.kidscape.org.uk *
http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/chat/your_comments/newsid_3896000/3896891.stm
Appendix 2:
British Education: The War on Bullying (Speak Up. Issue 229, 2004) (article + CD)
* Kidscape is a charity dedicated to preventing bullying and child sexual abuse. Kidscape works UK-wide to provide individuals
and organisations with practical skills and resources necessary to keep children and young people under the age of 16 safe
from harm.
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1R CICLE X
TÍTOL DE
L’ACTIVITAT
2N CICLE BATXILLERAT PÀGINA 2 / 3
Bullying
DESENVOLUPAMENT DE L’ACTIVITAT
This unit contains a sequence of activities with related objectives. You can cover the whole
unit with your students or just choose one or two activities.
Write the word BULLYING on the blackboard and ask your students if they know what it
means.
1. What is bullying? (handout 1)
Make one copy of handout 1 per student.
Students are put into groups of three. Each of them reads one of the texts on handout 1.
Give them 10 minutes to answer the two questions at the bottom of the page. Go round the
groups as they work and help students with new words. When they have finished, ask
students to swap information with their team mates.
Conduct feedback.
In groups students read the bullies’ views on the other side of the page and answer the
questions. Conduct feedback. This may lead to the short discussion suggested.
(See appendix 1).
2. What can I do if I’m being bullied? (handout 2)
Give your students handout 2. Ask them to go through it individually. Help them deal with
words they are not familiar with.
Ask them to decide which of these 11 suggestions are good ideas or not such good ideas.
Finally, ask them to choose some of the things they would do if they were victims of bullying.
Conduct feedback.
These activities may lead to a class discussion. If so, you may find some of the following
questions useful:
What is conflict?
What causes conflict?
How can conflicts be resolved?
What happens to people who are involved in conflicts?
Are there times of conflict when you feel physically or emotionally unsafe, either in class or in the
playground?
Can you think of ways we / the school could deal with conflict and incidents?
Does our school have an anti-bullying policy? Which are the procedures for dealing with incidents?
Does everyone try to make sure that the school’s anti-bullying policy works? If not, what could be done
to make it work?
Important: Students may not feel comfortable talking about this. A good idea would be to set
up a class post box. Some schools have 'bully boxes' where people can leave notes about
what is happening. (See appendix 1).
You should be aware of your students’ feeling and be prepared to intervene appropriately.
Optional activity:
Bullying dilemmas (handout 3)
Make one copy of handout 3 per student.
In pairs, ask your students to do the two vocabulary exercises. Conduct feedback. These exercises
are important as they will help your students understand the questionnaire that comes next.
Once you have made sure there are no vocabulary questions, ask your students to take the quiz
(Bullying dilemmas) individually or in pairs.
Conduct feedback. It is important to make it clear to your students that there are no right answers.
However, you may want to comment on the suggested answers provided (See appendix 1).
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TÍTOL DE
L’ACTIVITAT
ANNEX 1
Appendix 1: Teacher’s notes.
Bullying
Appendix 2: British Education: The War on Bullying (Speak Up. Issue 229, 2004)
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I was bullied because …
I was bullied because I'm
overweight
I moved down to Sheffield in
June. I started school and I got on
with a few lasses and we were really
good friends.
Then a few lads started calling me
names then my friends joined in
and everyone started saying it.
Upset and angry
Then they started passing notes
around class, telling me I didn't
belong in their school and telling
me I smelt. And they said I needed
to lose weight to fit through the
doors.
I felt right upset but most of all I
felt angry.
I felt really down
When this starting happening I
changed a lot and I became
distressed.
Before I was lively with everyone but
now I sit in a corner feeling low and
unhappy.
I spoke to mum and she spoke to
the head teacher but it didn't get
any better so now I've stopped
going to school.
Talk to someone
They should have stronger rules
against bullying in schools. I've got
behind with all my work because
I've not been able to concentrate.
My advice to anyone being bullied is
to come forward and get it stopped
before it gets too bad.
Emma, 15, Sheffield
I'm bullied because I like fantasy books Stand up to bullying
I get bullied at school because I'm
clever, and I'm not cool.
I enjoy fantasy and science fiction books,
I'm good at everything except PE.
I don't mean to boast, but it's why they
pick on me.
I wear flares, I go to the same shops, I do
almost everything they do.
But just because I know what reading is,
and I enjoy maths, they ruin my life.
My teachers know about this. A few weeks
ago, my deputy head of year saw me
crying.
She asked me what was wrong, I told her,
and my form teacher spoke to the girls.
It's not as bad now, but it still happens.
I'm never physically bullied, and I'm glad
of it. It's those little words behind your
back, people running away and laughing
at you, totally ignoring you.
Making fun
I've never had a boyfriend - yet another
reason to make fun of me.
I've read Lord of the Rings many times -
let's make fun of Claire. I play classical
guitar - now what cool person does that?
I've learnt to ignore it, though it still hurts.
My advice to anyone in the same situation
is to ignore them, no matter how much it
hurts you.
Talk to someone
Tell someone right away - tell your mum if
you're too embarrassed to go to a teacher
- and hang around with other people.
Always be perfectly polite and nice to
those bullying you - it really gets to them.
When I'm with people and I offer them
chocolate, I never miss out the girls just
because they don't like me.
Just because they hate me is no reason to
hate them - at least in public.
Claire, 13, South Wales
It's amazing how many people
don't stand up to bullies because
they're scared of getting bullied
themselves.
People should take a stand,
because if bullies aren't stopped
they can go too far.
It affects the victims' friends and
family as well.
Called names
I used to get called all sorts of
names because I'm very small.
I thought I could handle it
because it was only name-calling,
then my friends started to leave
me because the bullies started
having a go at them.
Lonely
I was lonely and I had a low self-
esteem.
Since I stood up for myself things
have really improved.
I have made new, loyal friends
and I'm much more confident and
my schoolwork has improved
dramatically.
Help other people
Taking a stand was well worth it.
If you see someone being bullied,
help them.
Group work
1. Read the bullies’ victims views above. How are/were they bullied?
2. What advice do they give to people in the same situation?
You'll feel brilliant after seeing
how much you've helped that
person.
Katie-Ann, 15, Nottingham.

Handout 1
I bullied because …
1
3
5
I do it just out of fun, because I
know I am the stronger person
and also just to act hard in front
of my mates.
I never had a feeling of power but I
seemed to get satisfaction from beating
up other kids. Inside I was scared. I
thought nobody liked me. I had a big
nose and I thought I was ugly. People
used to tease me about it. I felt very
insecure.
There was one bloke who really
annoyed me –he had a funny highpitched
voice. We hid his stuff and
pushed him out of queues. We just
did it for a laugh. I suppose he must
have hated us. I wouldn’t blame
him. We were awful.
Group work
1. Read the bullies’ views above.
Why do some people become bullies? Which of the reasons below are mentioned in the
bullies’ views above?
They have family problems.
Some feel insecure and unimportant.
They want to look “big” in front of others.
They don’t fit in with the other kids.
They don’t understand how bad victims feel.
Some bullying children have themselves been bullied and take it out on others.
They use bullying as a way to achieve popularity and friends.
They are selfish or spoilt and always want everyone to do what they say.
Another motivation could be direct benefits, like material gain.
Discussion
1. List ways that you have seen people being bullied.
2. What about you? Have you ever been bullied? How did you feel?
3. Have you ever felt the need to bully people? Why did you feel the need to bully?
4. What is your responsibility if you know a classmate is being treated unfairly?
2
4
6
I bullied people because I had
overcome what happened to me and I
made fun of people who were not
cool. I thought it was funny but when
it got nasty I said sorry. But it was
funny and it made me feel kinda
better I know it sounds nasty but it
was kind of pay back for what
happened to me.
I knew I was bullying, even
though I didn't want to think
it was real bullying. I never
physically harmed them but I
took sides and soon realised
how mean I could be.
I just messed around most of the time at
school. I had a couple of mates and we used
to make the younger kids pay us every week
or we’d give them a right knocking. We
must have been pretty frightening. None of
that’s much good to me now.

Good idea
Not a good idea
What can I do if I am being bullied?
bullied,
were
Don’t zip it. you If
Speak out !
TELL A FRIEND WHAT IS HAPPENING.
Ask him or her to help you. It will be harder for the bully to pick on you if you have a
friend with you for support.
TRY TO IGNORE THE BULLYING OR SAY 'NO' REALLY FIRMLY,
THEN TURN AND WALK AWAY.
Don't worry if people think you are running away. Remember, it is very hard for the
bully to go on bullying someone who won't stand still to listen.
TRY NOT TO SHOW THAT YOU ARE UPSET OR ANGRY.
Bullies love to get a reaction - it's 'fun'. If you can keep calm and hide your
emotions, they might get bored and leave you alone. As one teenager said,
'They can't bully you if you don't care'.
DON'T FIGHT BACK, IF YOU CAN HELP IT.
Most bullies are stronger or bigger than their victims. If you fight back, you could
make the situation worse, get hurt or be blamed for starting the trouble.
IT'S NOT WORTH GETTING HURT TO KEEP POSSESSIONS OR MONEY.
If you feel threatened, give the bullies what they want. Property can be replaced,
you can't.
TRY TO THINK UP FUNNY OR CLEVER REPLIES IN ADVANCE.
Make a joke of it. Replies don't have to be wonderfully brilliant or clever but it helps
to have an answer ready. Practise saying them in the mirror at home. Using
prepared replies works best if the bully is not too threatening and just needs to be
put off. The bully might just decide that you are too clever to pick on.
TRY TO AVOID BEING ALONE IN THE PLACES WHERE YOU KNOW THE
BULLY IS LIKELY TO PICK ON YOU.
This might mean changing your route to school, avoiding parts of the playground,
or only using common rooms or lavatories when other people are there. It's not fair
that you have to do this, but it might put the bully off.
STICK WITH A GROUP, even if they are not your friends.
Bullies tend to pick on people when they are on their own.
SOMETIMES ASKING THE BULLY TO REPEAT WHAT THEY SAID CAN PUT
THEM OFF.
Often bullies are not brave enough to repeat the remark exactly so they tone it
down. If they repeat it, you will have made them do something they hadn't planned
on and this gives you some control of the situation.
KEEP A DIARY OF WHAT IS HAPPENING.
Write down details of the incidents and your feelings. When you do decide to tell
someone, a written record of the bullying makes it easier to prove what has been
going on.
TELL AN ADULT
Tell you parents or other adults – you need their help. Don’t suffer in silence.
Adapted from http://www.kidscape.org.uk Handout 2
what would YOU
do?

VOCABULARY
A) Can you match a word on the left with a definition on the right?
1. A gang of bullies A. An opportunity to say sorry.
2. Trainers B. To hit someone hard with your fist.
3. Playground C. To make them fall over.
4. A chance to apologise D. It makes you feel worried or unhappy.
5. To trip someone E. The English word for “pegar”.
6. To hit F. Running shoes.
7. To punch G. A special area for children to play in.
8. “It really upsets you” H. A group of children who enjoy humiliating or intimidating other
children.
B) Can you match a verb or expression on the left with a definition on the right?
1. To run away A. To persuade other children to help you.
2. To skip school B. To meet them face to face like an enemy.
3. To tell on someone C. To escape
4. To tell someone off D. To inspire people to act in a similar way.
5. To confront someone E. The English for “renyar”.
6. To enlist the help of other kids F. The English for “xerrar”, “delatar”.
7. To set a good example G. To play truant (British English) or to play hooky (American
English)

Bullying dilemmas
The following questions can help you think
about what to do in case anything should
happen. There are no right answers because
every case is different. Read the questions and
decide what you think might work. Think of your
own solutions.
1. You are walking to school and a gang of
older bullies demands
your money, skateboard, trainers, etc? Do
you:
a) Fight them?
b) Shout and run away?
c) Give them the money?
2. You are on the school playground and
someone accidentally
trips you? Do you:
a) Hit the person hard?
b) Give him or her a chance to apologise?
c) Sit down and cry?
3. You are in the school toilet and an older
student comes in,
punches you and then tells you not to do
anything or 'you'll get
worse'. You know who the person is and
you have never done
anything to him/her. Do you:
a) Wait until the person leaves and then tell
a teacher?
b) Get in a fight with him/her?
c) Accept what happened and don't tell?
4. Someone in your class always makes rude
comments about you
and says them loud enough for you (and
others) to hear. It really
upsets you. Do you:
a) Ignore the comments?
b) Confront the bully and tell him/her off?
c) Tell the teacher?
d) Punch the bully?
5. Your friends tell you to skip school or they will
bully you. Do you:
a) Go along (1) with them?
b) Stay in school?
c) Get them in trouble by telling on them?
6. Kids in your school make racist comments to
minority groups.
Do you:
a) Ignore it and don’t get involved (2)?
b) Enlist the help of other kids and teachers to
stop the bullies making
these comments?
c) Hit the kids making comments?
7. Someone you know is a bully. Do you:
a) Try to find out why?
b) Bully him/her?
c) Try being a friend and setting a good
example?
8. A bully has threatened (3) your little
brother/sister. He/she has
begged you not to tell your parents. Do you:
a) Tell your brother/sister to handle it?
b) Confront the bully?
c) Tell your parents?
http://www.kidscape.org.uk
(1) To go along with someone: acompanyar, estar d’acord (2) To get involved: implicar-se
(3) To threaten: amenaçar
Source:

Appendix 1: Teacher’s notes.
WHAT IS BULLYING (Handout 1)
I was bullied …
Bullying can be:
Physical: pushing, kicking, hitting, pinching, and any other forms of violence
Verbal: name-calling, sarcastic comments, spreading rumours, persistent teasing,
threats.
Emotional: excluding, tormenting (i.e. hiding books, threatening gestures), ridiculing and
humiliating.
[These are the traditional ways, but now there’s also cyber-bullying and instant messaging using mobile phones].
I bullied because …
Why do some people bully?
Children who bully pick on people because they need a victim. The bully will always be able to
find something about a person to focus on: wearing glasses, having “big ears”, being in a
wheelchair, being good at exams, or too small and shy, too fat, too thin, too attractive, to
intelligent, too creative, or being the “wrong” colour or wearing the “wrong” clothes. Whatever it is,
this so called difference is just an excuse which the bully needs or creates to “justify” his or her
behaviour. But it isn’t this “difference” in the victim which causes the problem –it’s the bullies who
have the problem because they are afraid, jealous, insecure or unhappy.
Source: Preventing bullying! (a parents guide) http://www.kidscape.org.uk
WHAT CAN I DO IF I AM BEING BULLIED? (Handout 2)
Class discussion
Tackling bullying in your school.
Some form of bullying probably happens in every single school.
But how could it be dealt with better?
Some schools have student meetings or even 'courts' where problems like bullying are discussed and dealt with.
In bully courts children can agree possible solutions (or punishments if necessary).
Other schools use special mediators, specially assigned students or teachers who are there to help.
Anti-bullying clubs and sessions
“Our school has an ABC system... which stands for Anti-Bullying-Campaign which is a group of year 10 and 11
pupils who are assigned to year 7 and 8 tutor groups, and the pupils can talk to them about any problems they have.
Its really good, and I think its quite effective, and all us ABC people had a day of training in ways to make the pupils
being bullied feel more confident. I think it works, as I have been a member of ABC, and have helped several
younger pupils.”
Sarah, 15, Basingstoke
“At our school we have an anti-bulling club which consists of specially trained year 10's. They hold special meetings
for people who need help. This has been really good as people are now feeling more confident to ask for help if they
need it.”
Amina, 13, Lancs
“Our school has an SOS club. This is somewhere you can go if you are being bullied and then something should be
done, but all your stories are kept confidential in there so no one can tell any one. I think this is a good idea and it has
really helped me!”
Tor, 14, Cheshire

Peer mediators
“I think it's a good idea to talk to a mediator. I think we're more likely to listen to each other than a grown-up.”
Paul, 13, Glasgow
“I went through 9 weeks of training to become a peer mentor, and it is surprising how many people actually come to
talk to you. We have a great system and I feel that I have really helped some people.”
Leighann, 14, Solihull
Sometimes bullies get off too lightly…
“I think that bullies should be punished more severely. In my school I think they get off very lightly as the staff don't
really want to address the situation. They should try and be more understanding and willing to deal with the problem.”
Suki, 14, Sevenoaks
“Bullies get off too lightly. That's why it carries on. I was bullied when I lived in England (in Year 5+6), and all the
teachers did was told them to say sorry and not do it again. Anyone who is found guilty of bullying should have a
letter sent home so that their parents aren't so disillusioned that their children are 'little angels', because they aren't.
It's simple, so why don't they do it?”
Allie, 13, Wexford
Source:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/chat/your_comments/newsid_3896000/3896891.stm
(updated July 2004)
Teachers can prevent bullying by using methodologies such as cooperative learning and also roleplaying
activities.

Optional activity: Handout 3
VOCABULARY
Key to exercise A
1H 2F 3G 4A 5C 6E 7 B 8D
BULLYING DILEMMAS
Suggested answers.
Key to exercise B
1C 2G 3F 4E 5B 6A 7D
1. C
Give them the money (or other possession) - your safety is more important than money.
Remember there is no need to bring valuable things to school.
2. B
Give the person a chance. If it was an accident, then he or she should say sorry.
3. A
You didn't deserve to be punched and the bully was wrong to do it. If you don't tell, the bully will just keep on beating
up other kids.
4. A / C / B
You may feel like punching the bully, but you'll probably be the one to get into trouble if you do. Try option A first -
ignoring comments is difficult, but can work if the bully gets tired of trying to get you to be angry or cry or show some
reaction. Your teacher should be told about the comments because no one should make hurtful comments to others.
If you are feeling brave, tell the bully off. Try practising in the mirror to get the right effect!
5. B
They aren't really your friends if they want to get you into trouble and threaten to bully you. Don't go!
6. B
Racist comments are wrong and hurtful. Everyone has the right to their own culture and religion. Try B.
7. C
If the bully is someone you can help, do try being a friend. The bully may not know how to act properly. Bullies are
sometimes quite unhappy and need adult help and counselling to sort out their problem.
8. C
Your brother or sister cannot handle it or they wouldn't have told you. If you confront the bully, the bully might get a
gang together against you. Talk to your brother or sister and see if they'll come with you to tell your parents because
they should know so they can help.
Source: You can beat bullying (a guide for young people).
Preventing bullying! (a parents guide)
They can be downloaded from http://www.kidscape.org.uk

Appendix 2: British Education: The War on Bullying (Speak Up. Issue 229, 2004)