Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v5 - Grade 5

Lesson Video

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Performance objectives

• Define what bullying is
• Identify different types of bullying
• Understand how bullying makes people feel
• Learn strategies to cope with bullying
• Know why it's important to report bullying

Lesson summary

This week's Life Skills topic focuses on Coping with Bullying. Bullying is a serious problem affecting many children in South Africa and around the world. It can happen anywhere – at school, in the community, or even online. Understanding what bullying is, how it makes people feel, and what strategies we can use to cope with it is essential for creating a safe and supportive environment for everyone. It empowers us to protect ourselves and others. In South Africa, where issues like social inequality and historical trauma can sometimes manifest in harmful behaviours, addressing bullying directly is even more crucial for fostering healthy relationships and a culture of respect.

Lesson notes

What is Bullying? Bullying is repeated, intentional and imbalanced aggressive behaviour. It is repeated meaning it happens more than once. It is intentional meaning the bully wants to hurt or upset the other person. It is imbalanced meaning there is a power imbalance, the bully is stronger (physically, socially, or emotionally) than the person being bullied. One-off arguments or teasing are not usually considered bullying, although they can still be hurtful.

Think of it like this: if someone accidentally bumps into you, it's not bullying. If someone keeps pushing you around on purpose, that's bullying.

Different Types of Bullying: Physical Bullying: This involves hurting someone's body. Examples include hitting, kicking, pushing, tripping, stealing or damaging their belongings. Imagine a child taking another child's lunch money every day – that's physical bullying, even if it doesn't involve hitting.

Verbal Bullying: This involves using words to hurt someone. Examples include name-calling, insults, threats, and making fun of someone's appearance or background. A child calling another child hurtful names, like "fatty" or "stupid," repeatedly, is verbal bullying. This can also include making fun of someone’s language or culture.

Social Bullying (Relational Bullying): This involves hurting someone's relationships or social standing. Examples include spreading rumors, excluding someone from a group, or telling other people not to be friends with someone. Imagine a group of children who always leave one child out of their games and spread rumours about them – this is social bullying.

Cyberbullying: This involves using technology to bully someone. Examples include sending mean messages or pictures online, posting embarrassing information about someone on social media, or creating fake profiles to harass someone. Posting hurtful comments on someone's WhatsApp status repeatedly or sharing embarrassing photos without their permission is cyberbullying. Cyberbullying can be particularly hurtful because it can reach a large audience and can be difficult to stop. It can also happen at any time of day or night. Why is Bullying Wrong? Bullying is wrong because it causes harm. It makes victims feel sad, scared, angry, lonely, and worthless. It can affect their self-esteem, their ability to concentrate in school, and even their physical health. Bullying creates a toxic environment where everyone feels unsafe. It violates the basic human right to be treated with respect and dignity.

How Bullying Makes People Feel: Victims of bullying may experience a range of emotions, including: Sadness: They may feel depressed, hopeless, and lose interest in things they used to enjoy.

Anxiety: They may feel worried, nervous, and afraid of going to school or other places where they might encounter the bully.

Anger: They may feel angry at the bully, themselves, or the situation in general.

Loneliness: They may feel isolated and alone, even when they are surrounded by other people.

Shame: They may feel ashamed or embarrassed about being bullied and may try to hide it from others.

Fear: They may live in constant fear of the bully's next attack.

Coping Strategies for Bullying: Tell a Trusted Adult: This is the most important step. Talk to a parent, teacher, relative, or anyone you trust. They can help you develop a plan to deal with the bullying. Adults have the power to intervene and stop the bullying.

Ignore the Bully: Sometimes, bullies are looking for a reaction. If you don't give them one, they may lose interest. This doesn't mean you are weak; it means you are taking control.

Walk Away: If you can, remove yourself from the situation. Go to a safe place where the bully can't reach you.

Be Assertive: Stand up for yourself in a calm and confident way. Tell the bully to stop and that you don't like what they are doing. Practice what you will say with a friend or adult.

Find a Buddy: Stay with friends who will support you and protect you from the bully. There is safety in numbers.

Report Cyberbullying: Screenshot any evidence of cyberbullying (messages, posts, etc.) and report it to the platform where it happened. Also, tell a trusted adult.

Build Your Self-Esteem: Focus on your strengths and positive qualities. Do things that make you feel good about yourself. Remember you are valuable and worthy of respect.

Example Scenarios: Scenario 1: Thando is constantly being called names by Sipho on the playground. Sipho calls him "fatty" and "stupid". This is an example of verbal bullying. Thando should tell a teacher or his parents about Sipho's behaviour.

Scenario 2: Aisha's classmates started a WhatsApp group and didn't invite her. They then posted screenshots of their conversations in the group on their personal statuses, showing Aisha that she was excluded. This is social bullying and cyberbullying. Aisha should tell a teacher or her parents and show them the screenshots.

Scenario 3: Mandla keeps taking Jabu’s pencil case during class.