Respect and Resilience
Health • Year 7 • 45 • 1 students • Created with AI following Aligned with Australian Curriculum (F-10)
Teaching Instructions
Dealing With Bullying What Are the Key Characteristics of Bullying? Bullying is when someone is picked on by a person or group. Bullies might make fun of people who they think don't fit in.
Bullies might make fun of others for many things, including:
appearance (how someone looks) behavior (how someone acts) race or religion social status (whether someone is popular) sexual identity (like being gay, lesbian, or transgender) Bullying can come in different types:
Physical bullying is when bullies hurt their targets physically. This might be shoving, tripping, punching, or hitting. Any form of touching that a person does not want can be bullying and possible sexual assault. Verbal bullying is taunting or teasing someone. Psychological bullying is gossiping about or excluding people to make them feel bad about themselves. Cyberbullying is when bullies use the internet and social media and say things that they might not say in person. This can include sending mean texts, posting insults about someone on Twitter, or making rude comments on their Instagram pictures. Cyberbullies also might post personal information, pictures, or videos designed to hurt or embarrass someone else. What Are the Effects of Bullying? Bullies often pick on people over and over again. This can make teens:
feel afraid, stressed, depressed, or anxious have thoughts about suicide or hurting themselves have trouble with their schoolwork have problems with mood, energy level, sleep, and appetite What Kind of People Are Bullies? Both guys and girls can be bullies. Bullies may be:
outgoing and aggressive. This kind of bully might make fun of you to your face or physically hurt you. quiet and sneaky. This kind of bully might try to manipulate in secret. They might anonymously start a damaging rumor just to see what happens. friendly and fake. This kind of bully might pretend to be your friend so that you tell them things, but then do hurtful things behind your back. Many bullies are a lot alike. They:
like to be in control of others are focused on themselves have poor social skills and have a hard time getting along with people might not care about people, or lack empathy are often insecure and bully others to make themselves feel better Some bullies don't understand normal social emotions like guilt, empathy, compassion, or remorse. These people need help from a mental health professional like a counselor, social worker, psychiatrist, or psychologist.
What Can I Do to Prevent Bullying? There are many things that you can do if you're being bullied or know someone who is. You can:
Tell a trusted adult. Adults in positions of authority, like parents, teachers, or coaches, often can deal with bullying without the bully ever learning how they found out about it. It's vital to report bullying if it threatens to lead to physical danger and harm. Stalking, making threats, and physical attacks are very serious and when they're not reported, they give the bully license to become more and more violent.
Ignore the bully and walk away. Bullies like getting a reaction. If you walk away or ignore them, you're telling them that you don't care.
Walk tall and hold your head high. Using this type of body language sends a message that you're not vulnerable.
Don't get physical. You're more likely to be hurt and get into trouble if you try to fight a bully. Work out your anger in another way, such as exercising or writing it down (make sure you delete or tear up any emails, posts, letters, or notes you write in anger).
Try to talk to the bully. Try to point out that their behavior is serious and harmful. This can work well if you notice that a member of your own group has started to pick on or shun another member.
Practice confidence. Practice ways to respond to the bully verbally or through your behavior. Practice feeling good about yourself (even if you have to fake it at first).
Talk about it. It may help to talk to a guidance counselor, teacher, or friend — anyone who can give you the support you need. Talking can be a good outlet for the fears and frustrations that can build when you're being bullied.
Find your (true) friends. If you've been bullied with rumors or gossip, tell your friends so that they can help you feel safe and secure. Avoid being alone, especially when the bullying is happening a lot.
Stand up for friends and others you see being bullied. Your actions help the victim feel supported and may stop the bullying.
Join your school's bullying or violence prevention programs. Peer mediation is another way you may be able to work things out with a bully. If your school doesn't have these programs, start one of your own.
What If I'm the Bully? Some people bully to deal with their own feelings of stress, anger, or frustration. Bullies might also have been bullied and now want to show their power by bullying someone else.
But bullying behavior backfires and makes everyone feel miserable — even the bullies. People might feel intimidated by bullies, but they don't respect them. If you would rather that people see your strength and character — even look up to you as a leader — find a way to use your power for something positive rather than to put others down.
Create a worksheet using the information
Respect and Resilience
Overview
Subject: Health
Year Level: Year 7
Duration: 45 minutes
Australian Curriculum Connection:
Health and Physical Education – Personal, Social and Community Health Strand
Content Descriptions:
- ACPPS074 – Investigate the impact of emotional responses on relationships
- ACPPS075 – Analyse factors that influence emotions, and develop strategies to demonstrate empathy
- ACPPS072 – Practise and apply strategies to seek help for themselves or others
Learning Intentions
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
- Define the key features and types of bullying
- Identify how bullying can affect individuals emotionally, mentally, physically, and socially
- Examine common traits of bullies and reflect on reasons why some people bully
- Recognise effective strategies to prevent and respond to bullying
- Understand the importance of empathy and supporting others
Success Criteria
Students will be successful when they can:
✅ Clearly distinguish between the different types of bullying
✅ Describe the effects bullying can have on a person
✅ Identify personal actions they can take if they or others are being bullied
✅ Reflect on ways to build respectful, positive peer relationships
Resources & Materials
- Whiteboard and whiteboard markers
- Printed student worksheet (see below)
- Sticky notes
- Role-play prompt cards (mini-scenarios)
- Timer or clock
- Quiet space for student debrief/reflection
Lesson Breakdown
1. Welcome & Warm-Up (5 mins)
Objective: Set the tone and introduce theme
- Greet the student warmly
- Starter Question: “What does respect mean to you?” (Allow for a brief discussion and write their ideas up on the board)
- Let the student know today's focus is exploring bullying, its impacts, and how we can all be part of the solution
2. What Is Bullying? (10 mins)
Objective: Establish shared understanding of key terms
- Present definition: “Bullying is intentional, repeated behaviour that hurts someone physically, emotionally or socially.”
- Types of Bullying Activity: Guide the student through a sorting activity using cut-out cards or the worksheet to match examples to different types (physical, verbal, psychological, cyber).
- Discuss each type briefly, adding personal examples the student may be familiar with (while maintaining sensitivity).
3. Why Does Bullying Happen? (8 mins)
Objective: Explore psychology behind bullying behaviour
- List traits of people who might bully:
- Need to control
- Want to be popular
- Insecure or hurt themselves
- Fake/friendly behaviour hiding cruel intentions
- Quick Discussion Prompt: “Can someone be a bully without hitting someone?”
- Student reflects briefly and shares why someone might bully
4. Effects of Bullying (5 mins)
Objective: Explore emotional and mental impacts
- Write “Mind, Body, School” on the board
- Ask: “What can bullying do to our mind? Our body? Our school experience?” (Guide to answers like depression, sleep issues, fear, low grades)
- Summarise: Bullying harms everyone — including the bully
5. What Can We Do? (10 mins)
Objective: Build a personal toolkit of strategies
- Role-play or discuss real-world scenarios (use prompt cards):
- “Your friend is being cyberbullied.”
- “A group starts excluding someone at lunch.”
- “You see rude comments online.”
- Student selects a card and role-plays or describes how they would respond
- Compile a “Prevention Toolkit” together:
- Tell a trusted adult
- Walk tall, ignore when safe
- Don't fight back
- Be kind and supportive to others
(Student writes down actions onto their worksheet)
6. Self-Check & Reflection (5 mins)
Objective: Build emotional intelligence and self-awareness
- Self-Reflection Questions:
- “Have I ever hurt someone’s feelings on purpose or by accident?”
- “Do I speak up when I see someone being treated unfairly?”
- “What is one thing I can do differently this week?”
- Student writes or draws one goal to help make their school a kinder place
Optional Extension / Homework
Create a poster titled:
“What Respect Looks Like”
- Include drawings or captions showing people standing up for others, talking to an adult, and including those who feel left out
- Present it to a classmate or display as a personal reminder
Student Worksheet: Standing Up to Bullying
Section 1: Spot the Bullying
Match the behaviours to the bullying type:
| Behaviour | Bullying Type |
|---|---|
| Spreading rumours | |
| Sending mean messages online | |
| Pushing someone in the hallway | |
| Making fun of someone’s accent |
Section 2: Feelings Board
How might a person feel if they are being bullied?
Write or draw 3 emotions.
Section 3: My Power Plan
List three positive actions you can take if you see bullying.
Section 4: Reflection
One thing I’ve learned today is:
One way I will support others at school is:
Differentiation & Support
For a one-to-one setting:
- Allow time for deeper, private discussion where the student can share personal experiences if they choose
- Use visual prompts and icons to support comprehension
- Adjust role-play complexity based on student maturity or confidence
Assessment & Feedback
Formative Assessment Tools:
- Observation during sorting activity and discussion
- Responses in worksheet
- Quality of reflection and participation in short role-plays
- Exit conversation: “What would you do if you saw someone being bullied now?”
Closing Statement
Remind the student that every person has the power to make others feel safe, respected, and valued. Bullying is never OK, and speaking up is a sign of strength.
"When we stand together, bullying falls apart."
🌱 Built for respectful, resilient Australian classrooms.
Let’s build a school community where everyone belongs.
Create Your Own AI Lesson Plan
Join thousands of teachers using Kuraplan AI to create personalized lesson plans that align with Aligned with Australian Curriculum (F-10) in minutes, not hours.
Created with Kuraplan AI
🌟 Trusted by 1000+ Schools
Join educators across Australia