Lesson Title: Anti-Bullying Awareness & Kindness in Action for Pink Shirt Day
Bullying isn’t just innocently childish playground teasing—it’s a serious issue that can impact students emotionally, socially, and academically.
Pink Shirt Day began in Canada in 2007 when two students took a stand against bullying by encouraging their classmates to wear pink in support of a peer who had been bullied for wearing a pink shirt. Since then, it has grown into a global movement promoting kindness, inclusion, and anti-bullying awareness. Schools observe the day by wearing pink, having discussions about bullying prevention, and participating in activities that foster empathy and respect.
This engaging and interactive lesson not only educates students about the effects of bullying but also encourages them to take action in a fun and memorable way. Through meaningful discussion and an engaging Goosechase Scavenger Hunt, students will explore the role of kindness, empathy, and bystander intervention in preventing bullying - both online and in person.
Let’s empower students to stand up, speak out, and create a culture where everyone feels safe, accepted, and respected.
Grade: 6 - 12
Subject: Health
Learning Objectives:
- By the end of this lesson, students will:
- learn about the impact of bullying
- discuss ways to prevent bullying
- take part in an interactive Goosechase Scavenger Hunt to reinforce their learning through engagement and action.
Materials:
- Mobile devices (tablets, phones, or laptops) with the Goosechase app installed
- Printed or digital handouts on bullying and kindness
- Pre-designed Goosechase Missions
Preparation:
- Create an Experience on the Goosechase app with a series of Missions focussed on Anti-bullying and respecting fellow students
- Develop Missions that require students to demonstrate their understanding of bullying, how to prevent it, and how to stand up to bullies. Example Missions:
- “Kindness in Action" – Take a picture of your team writing a kind, uplifting note to another team
- "See Something, Say Something" – Submit a text response about a time you (or someone you know) took action against bullying. How did their actions inspire you?
- "Words Matter" – Watch this clip of someone being bullied for coming to class with a unique haircut. Record a short video acting out a positive way to respond to someone being bullied.
- "Cyber Safety" – Submit an answer to this question: "What is one smart way to stay safe online and prevent cyberbullying?"
- "School Spirit" – Capture a creative photo showing how your class can promote a bully-free school culture.
- "Anti-Bullying Pledge" – Come up with an anti-bullying slogan for your class. Post a group photo of your team holding up a sign that shows off your anti-bullying slogan. Find example Missions in the Goosechase Templates below.
- Adapt the difficulty of the Missions based on the proficiency levels of your students to keep the activity inclusive and engaging for everyone.
- Prepare hints or resources that might help students solve the Missions if needed.
- Divide students into teams and assign each team a mobile device with the app, or have students complete the scavenger hunt individually.
- Run your Experience during one class period or for the entire week.
- App Set-Up
- Dedicate time to ensuring all students have the Goosechase app downloaded and joined to the Experience to avoid any tech issues.
Lesson Plan Outline:
- Introduction
- Introduction to Bullying
- Define bullying: Unwanted behavior that involves a power imbalance and is repeated over time.
- Types of bullying: Physical, verbal, social (exclusion, rumors), and cyberbullying.
- Discuss examples of each type.
- Share video clips from popular movies, TV shows, or even social media to illustrate the examples.
- Introduction to Bullying
- Discuss the Impact of Bullying
- Emotional, social, and academic effects on victims and perpetrators.
- The role of bystanders: How stepping in or seeking help can change the situation.
- Introduce ways of Preventing and Addressing Bullying
- Ways to stand up against bullying (assertiveness, reporting, supporting peers).
- School policies and available resources (counselors, anonymous reporting tools, peer support groups).
- Emphasize kindness, empathy, and inclusion.
- Open Discussion
- If comfortable and appropriate, ask students to share experiences or examples (without naming names).
- How would they handle a bullying situation as a victim, bully, or bystander?
- Brainstorm ways to make the school a safer and more inclusive environment.
- Goosechase Scavenger Hunt
- Read through Missions with students, emphasizing the importance of accuracy and critical thinking in their responses.
- Monitor progress and provide assistance as necessary.
- If working in teams, encourage them to strategize and collaborate to solve the Missions.
- Sit back and enjoy watching your students collaborate and demonstrate their learning.
- Debrief and Reflection
- Review the activity, discussing which missions were the most challenging or fun.
- Discuss how teams collaborated and solved problems together.
- Review any educational content covered through the Goosechase missions.
- Encourage students to apply what they learned in their daily interactions.
- Reinforce that everyone has a role in preventing bullying and creating a positive school culture.
- Optionally, award prizes to the team(s) with the highest score.
Optional Post-Experience Activities:
- Personal Reflection
- Students write a personal reflection about what they have learned through his Anti-Bullying Lesson and Scavenger Hunt. Students could highlight a personal experience of theirs, discuss ways of handling bullying, and how they can stand up for themselves and others in the future.
- Class Action Plan
- As a class, or within small groups, students can create a Class Action Plan highlighting their plan for ongoing anti-bullying efforts (e.g., monthly kindness challenges, peer support groups)
- School-Wide Goosechase Challenge
- As a class, students can create a school-wide Goosechase Experience to spread awareness beyond the classroom.
Assessment
- Assess personal reflections and/or Class Action Plans
- Observe students' participation and collaboration during the Goosechase activities and whole-class discussions. Ready Made Experience Templates to Try
Kindness Challenge
Run this Experience to promote and encourage people to be kind!
Anti-Bullying Awareness
Use this Experience to promote Anti-bullying in your classroom or school!
Want a copy of this lesson plan to use with your class?
What is Goosechase EDU?
Goosechase is an online platform that helps educators create and run interactive learning experiences in their classrooms and beyond. Sign up and try creating an Experience, or contact us to learn more about our school and district-wide solutions!
