Lesson Plan

Scenario Setup Guide

Students engage in interactive role-play to identify friendly versus bullying online messages and practice safe response strategies.

This lesson equips 4th graders with critical thinking and digital wellness skills to recognize cyberbullying, build empathy, and respond safely when they or peers face mean behavior online.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction

5 minutes

Step 2

Spot the Signs Presentation

10 minutes

Step 3

Role-Play Activity

15 minutes

Step 4

Debrief & Response Strategies Discussion

5 minutes

Slide Deck

Spot the Signs: Friendly or Bullying?

Welcome students and introduce the activity. Explain that you'll read chat snippets and they’ll decide if messages are friendly (thumbs-up) or bullying (thumbs-down). Encourage everyone to participate and think about why each message feels kind or mean.

Scenario 1

Read the chat aloud. Ask students: “Friendly or bullying?” Invite thumbs-up/thumbs-down responses. After voting, discuss why this message feels friendly (notice the positive words and encouragement).

Scenario 2

Read the snippet and poll the class. After voting, highlight the hurtful words and tone that make this a bullying message.

Scenario 3

Read aloud and have students vote. Discuss how support and encouragement show friendliness.

Scenario 4

After reading, ask for votes. Emphasize the mocking language and insults that signal cyberbullying.

Scenario 5

Read the chat and poll. Point out the gratitude and positive tone that make it friendly.

Scenario 6

Have students vote and then discuss how mocking someone’s appearance is a form of bullying.