Pink Shirt Day

Tomorrow is pink shirt day at school. Tomorrow we ask students to think about standing up to bullying. In preparation for tomorrow, students participated in a really powerful writing activity that I would like to share. First, they picked a slip of paper which had one of four roles written on it: the bully, the bullied, the bystander, or the brave.

After selecting a role, students got together in four groups to talk about how they would feel/act if they were the character named on the paper. Then they were given a poetry frame to complete. Here are the results (powerful writing):

I am the bully.
I wonder what insults I know.
I hear people saying, "Look out! Here she comes!"
I see people backing away.
I want to make them feel miserable.
I am the bully.

I pretend I am nice when teachers are around.
I feel like I rule the world.
I touch their face when I punch them.
I worry that teachers are going to catch me.
I cry out mean nicknames.
I am the bully.

I understand how to make people feel bad.
I say super mean things.
I dream of taking over the world. 
I try my best to not get caught.
I hope I make them feel horrible.
I am the bully. 


I am the bullied.
I wonder what is going on in that head.
I hear speaking. 
I see bullying.
I want the bullying to stop.
I am the bullied.

I pretend I'm okay.
I feel bullied.
I touch something.
I worry about crying.
I cry in a bathroom stall.
I am the bullied.

I understand why people feel so sad.
I say stop or give it back.
I dream bullies stop.
I try to make it stop.
I hope it stops.
I am the bullied.


I am the bystander. 
I wonder if I should help.
I hear many insults.
I see a big and strong bully.
I want to help but I'm scared.
I am the bystander.

I pretend I don't notice.
I feel really bad.
I touch my hands together behind my back.
I worry about the bullied.
I cry out in my head, "Stop that!"
I am the bystander.

I understand how the bullied feels.
I say nothing.
I dream about standing up to bullies.
I try to get in there but my fears won't let me.
I hope someone else will help the bullied.
I am the bystander.


I am the brave.
I wonder if others want to be like me.
I hear the bullied in pain.
I see hope in the bullied eyes.
I want the bully to stop but don't know if he will.
I am the brave.

I pretend to be stronger than I actually am.
I feel like I can do anything since I have this label.
I touch my heart because I feel like it talks to me.
I worry that I may become the bullied.
I cry for help when I get home.
I am the brave.

I understand that the bully may be having a hard time.
I say what you're doing is wrong even though he knows it.
I dream of being the hero.
I try to help...everyone even the bully.
I hope everything will get better.
I am the brave.