When covering important topics it is essential for all students to understand common terminology so that everyone is on the same page with content. It also helps facilitate richer classroom discussions. When students define words in their own terms using visuals, it helps students get their perspective across and better retain information.
In this activity, students will create a spider map that defines and illustrates different types of bullying. Other activities throughout this guide will refer back to these terms: Verbal Bullying, Cyber Bullying, Physical Bullying, Social Bullying, and Intimidation.
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Student Instructions
Demonstrate your understanding of the different types of bullying by creating visualizations.
Build a shared understanding of expected behaviors by working together as a class to define what is and isn’t acceptable. This fosters a sense of responsibility and helps students feel safe and respected.
Present short stories or examples of bullying and invite students to identify the type and discuss what could be done differently. This makes definitions more memorable and helps students apply vocabulary in context.
Assign groups to create posters that show different types of bullying and ways to stand up against it. Displaying student work promotes awareness and reinforces vocabulary throughout your classroom or school.
Practice responding to bullying situations through short role-plays. This builds student confidence and empowers them to act appropriately if they witness or experience bullying.
Guide students in a brief reflection about what they learned and how they can use it in real life. Reflection deepens understanding and helps students connect vocabulary with their own experiences.
The main types of bullying include verbal bullying, cyber bullying, physical bullying, social bullying, and intimidation. Understanding these helps students recognize and address bullying in different forms.
Use a visual vocabulary board or spider map: have students define each bullying type in their own words and illustrate it using scenes, characters, and items. This approach boosts retention and discussion.
Learning bullying vocabulary ensures all students understand key terms, enabling richer discussions and helping them identify and respond to bullying situations more effectively.
Cyber bullying takes place online or through digital devices, while social bullying involves harming someone's reputation or relationships, often through exclusion or spreading rumors in person.
Have students pick 3–5 bullying terms, define them in their own words, and create simple illustrations. They can use digital tools or draw by hand to show each type clearly.