Bystanders Unite
(Anti-Bullying Activity)[1]
Ages: All ages
Equipment: 10 pennies (coins) and vests
Purpose:
The purpose of this activity is to make young people aware of individual rights and the moral responsibility they have for others who are being bullied.
Procedure:
The class or group is divided into vested players and non-vested players. The vest to non-vest ratio should be 1 vested player for every 8 to 10 non-vested players. The object of the game is for vested players to tag non-vested players, forcing them to give up their coins. To begin the activity, all vested players should turn their backs to the rest of the group and close their eyes. The teacher or group leader should randomly hand out 1 penny (or some sort of coin) to 10 players without vests. All non-vested players should close one hand, whether or not they have a coin. Once play has started, non-vested players should randomly switch (or pretend to switch) coins from one non-vested player to another. Once a non-vested player is tagged, he must open his hand and how that it’s empty or give up the coin if he has one. That payer resumes play with a closed hand. Once a vested player retrieves a coin, she turns it in to the leader. If the coin is dropped, it automatically goes back to the leader to avoid potential injury.
When the activity is over, ask participants the following questions:
-
-
-
represent? (Explain that
these are people who try to
take something away from
others.
-
bullies target?
-
stand against bullies make a
difference? Give examples.
-
friend from bullying others?
Give examples.
(Discuss how bullies pray on the weak,
and how bystanders, united together,
can create a strong defence against
bullies.)