Rude or Mean
A student bumps into you in the hallway and keeps walking withing saying anything. Is this automatically mean?
No. It could just be accidental or rude, but one incident does not automatically mean someone is being mean.
You see a classmate sitting alone while others laugh at them. Name one way you can help.
Invite them to join you, check on them, or get help from a trusted adult.
Two friends disagree about what game to play in the gym. Is this bullying?
No. Disagreements are normal and can be resolved respectfully.
You see someone being teased but say nothing because you don't want to get involved. What are you called?
Bystander
What are three common parts of bullying?
Hurtful or aggressive behavior, repetition or a likelihood of repetition, and a real or perceived power imbalance.
A classmate rolls their eyes and says, "That's a stupid idea," when you share an answer. What kind of behavior is this?
Rude or unkind behavior. The comment is disrespectful.
A friend makes a hurtful joke about another student. What could you say without starting a fight?
You are upset with a friend. What is a better choice: calmly explain your feelings or spread rumors about them?
Calmly explain your feelings and listen to the other person's perspective.
Why might laughing along when someone is being teased make the situation worse?
It can encourage the behavior and make the targeted person feel more embarrassed or alone.
Two students argue once because they disagree about a game. Is that automatically bullying?
No. It is more likely a conflict unless there are additional signs of bullying.
A student acts like they know more than everyone, interrupts classmates, corrects them in a condescending way, and insists their ideas are always best. What is the problem?
The student is acting arrogantly or disrespectfully. Knowing things isn't the problem, putting others down and refusing to respect their contribution is.
A classmate keeps interrupting group members and acting like their ideas don't matter. What could an upstander say?
Two students both want to lead a project. What is one fair way to solve the problem?
Share leadership, take turns, divide responsibilities, or agree on a plan together.
You see a hurtful post about a classmate online. What should you avoid doing?
Do not like, share, repost, or add hurtful comments. Support the person and report the post if needed.
A group repeatedly leaves one student out on purpose and encourages others not to talk to them. What type of bullying might this be?
Social or relational bullying, especially if it is repeated and involves a power imbalance.
Privately support the student and tell a trusted adult.
During a group project, one student chooses the topic, assigns everyone's jobs, dismisses suggestions, and says, "just do it my way. I know what I'm doing." What is the problem, and what could the group do?
The student is being controlling and not respecting others input. The group can ask for everyone's ideas and agree on shared decisions and responsibilities.
You witness repeated harassment, but the student says they don't want anyone to know. What can you do?
Listen and respect their feelings, but if safety is at risk or the behavior continues, tell a trusted adult who can help.
A student receives repeated cruel messages from classmates after school. Can this still be bullying?
Yes. Repeated online harassment can be cyberbullying, even when it happens outside school.
What is the difference between being rude and being mean?
Rude behavior may be thoughtless or inconsiderate. Mean behavior is generally intended to hurt someone or is deliberately unkind. Context and patterns matter.
What is the difference between being a bystander and being an upstander?
A bystander witnesses what happens but does not help. An upstander takes a safe, positive action to support the person or stop the behavior.
A disagreement turns into name-calling, threats, and crowd gathering to watch. What should you do?
Avoid escalating the situation, move to safety, and get help from a trusted adult.
Why is “I didn't do anything” not always the same as helping?
Doing nothing can leave someone isolated and allow harmful behavior to continue. Safe actions can make a difference.
A student repeatedly tells classmates what to wear, who they can be friends with, and how they must act. When they disagree, the student embarrasses them and encourages others to ignore them. What might this be?
It may be social or relational bullying if it is repeated, harmful, and involves a power imbalance. Controlling behavior alone is not automatically bullying, but intimidation and repeated exclusion are warning signs.