Safe Breakups: StoryboardThat's Lesson Plans for Students

Q: What are safe ways to end an unhealthy relationship for teens?

Safe ways to end an unhealthy relationship include telling a trusted adult, planning the conversation in a public or safe place, keeping a cell phone nearby, setting a time limit to avoid manipulation, and not ending the relationship alone. These steps help reduce risk and provide necessary support.

Q: How can students identify safe versus unsafe breakup techniques?

Students can use a storyboard activity to compare safe breakup strategies—like seeking support and planning exits—to unsafe ones such as confronting the person alone or escalating conflict. This visual approach helps clarify the difference and builds awareness of healthy choices.

Q: What is a relationship safety plan for teens?

A relationship safety plan is a personalized set of steps teens can follow when ending an unhealthy relationship. It includes preparing support systems, identifying safe places, having communication devices, and informing a trusted adult to ensure safety during a breakup.

Q: What is the best classroom activity to teach safe breakup strategies?

Creating a storyboard that illustrates safe and unsafe breakup methods is an effective activity. It engages students in analyzing scenarios, encourages discussion, and helps them visualize appropriate steps while reinforcing social emotional learning.

Safe Ways to End It Healthy Relationship Activities

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Lesson Plan Overview

Template and Class Instructions

Student Rubric

Lesson Plan Overview

Getting out of an unhealthy relationship is difficult and potentially dangerous. It may be the best, but hardest, decision anyone has to make. A victim may be manipulated to the point of feeling like there is not a problem or it’s their own fault. It seems obvious to someone on the outside looking in for the victim to get out, but the victim may still be holding onto feelings from the honeymoon stage.

When they decide to end the relationship, it's important to have a safety plan in place. Some steps that should be taken are: not doing it alone, having a cell phone around, not further angering the aggressor than needed to end the relationship, telling a trusted adult, and setting a time limit on the conversation to limit possible manipulation from the aggressor.

In this activity, students will create a storyboard that identifies three safe and unsafe breakup techniques. This can be modified to a lower level by creating multiple scenes and having students identify the correct steps. Make sure each storyboard created by the students is appropriate for school as these topics can potentially trigger others.

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Template and Class Instructions

(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)

Student Instructions

Create a storyboard depicting three safe ways to end an unhealthy relationship and compare them to three unsafe ways.

Click "Start Assignment".
Title the columns "Safe Breakup" and "Unsafe Breakup".
Create three examples of safe break up strategies discussed in class using a combination of school appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
Compare the safe methods to the unsafe versions in the cells using a combination of school appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
Title each row with the safe/unsafe method created.

3 Rows by 2 Columns Storyboard Chart with Titles and Descriptions

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Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 9-12

Difficulty Level 4 (Difficult / Complex)

Type of Assignment Individual

Type of Activity: Social Emotional Learning

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Student Rubric

(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)

Safe Break-up

Students will create a storyboard that shows the safe vs unsafe safe break up tactics.

	Proficient	Emerging	Beginning
Structure	There are column titles indicating which break up strategy is safe and unsafe. The titles on the rows indicate the name of the tactics.	The column titles do not indicate which break up strategy is safe and unsafe or the titles on the rows do not indicate the name of the tactics.	The column titles do not indicate which break up strategy is safe and unsafe and the titles on the rows do not indicate the name of the tactics.
Safe Strategies	All three cells used exemplary school appropriate scenes, characters, and text to convey an outcome of a safe break up strategy. The safe break up strategies depicted are successful in creating a safe environment for both parties. The safe environment leads to no verbal, physical, or emotional abuse.	All three cells used adequate school appropriate scenes, characters, and text to convey an outcome of a safe break up strategy. The safe break up strategies depicted are successful in creating a safe environment for both parties. The safe environment leads to no verbal, physical, or emotional abuse.	Less than three cells used adequate school appropriate scenes, characters, and text to convey an outcome of a safe break up strategy. The safe break up strategies depicted are unsuccessful in creating a safe environment for both parties.
Unsafe Strategies	All three cells used exemplary school appropriate scenes, characters, and text to convey an outcome of an unsafe break up strategy. The unsafe break up strategies depict an unsuccessful attempt to create a safe environment for both parties.	All three cells used adequate school appropriate scenes, characters, and text to convey an outcome of an unsafe break up strategy. The unsafe break up strategies depict an unsuccessful attempt to create a safe environment for both parties.	Less than three cells used adequate school appropriate scenes, characters, and text to convey an outcome of an unsafe break up strategy.
Use of Convections	There are few to no grammar or spelling mistakes. The text clearly indicates messages of safe and unsafe break up verbal cues.	There are some grammar or spelling mistakes, but understanding of content is clear.	There are too many grammar or spelling mistakes creating an unclear understanding of content.

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Lesson Plan Overview

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Template and Class Instructions

(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)

Student Instructions

Create a storyboard depicting three safe ways to end an unhealthy relationship and compare them to three unsafe ways.

Click "Start Assignment".
Title the columns "Safe Breakup" and "Unsafe Breakup".
Create three examples of safe break up strategies discussed in class using a combination of school appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
Compare the safe methods to the unsafe versions in the cells using a combination of school appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
Title each row with the safe/unsafe method created.

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Copy This Storyboard

Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 9-12

Difficulty Level 4 (Difficult / Complex)

Type of Assignment Individual

Type of Activity: Social Emotional Learning

Copy Activity

Student Rubric

(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)

Safe Break-up

Students will create a storyboard that shows the safe vs unsafe safe break up tactics.

	Proficient	Emerging	Beginning
Structure	There are column titles indicating which break up strategy is safe and unsafe. The titles on the rows indicate the name of the tactics.	The column titles do not indicate which break up strategy is safe and unsafe or the titles on the rows do not indicate the name of the tactics.	The column titles do not indicate which break up strategy is safe and unsafe and the titles on the rows do not indicate the name of the tactics.
Safe Strategies	All three cells used exemplary school appropriate scenes, characters, and text to convey an outcome of a safe break up strategy. The safe break up strategies depicted are successful in creating a safe environment for both parties. The safe environment leads to no verbal, physical, or emotional abuse.	All three cells used adequate school appropriate scenes, characters, and text to convey an outcome of a safe break up strategy. The safe break up strategies depicted are successful in creating a safe environment for both parties. The safe environment leads to no verbal, physical, or emotional abuse.	Less than three cells used adequate school appropriate scenes, characters, and text to convey an outcome of a safe break up strategy. The safe break up strategies depicted are unsuccessful in creating a safe environment for both parties.
Unsafe Strategies	All three cells used exemplary school appropriate scenes, characters, and text to convey an outcome of an unsafe break up strategy. The unsafe break up strategies depict an unsuccessful attempt to create a safe environment for both parties.	All three cells used adequate school appropriate scenes, characters, and text to convey an outcome of an unsafe break up strategy. The unsafe break up strategies depict an unsuccessful attempt to create a safe environment for both parties.	Less than three cells used adequate school appropriate scenes, characters, and text to convey an outcome of an unsafe break up strategy.
Use of Convections	There are few to no grammar or spelling mistakes. The text clearly indicates messages of safe and unsafe break up verbal cues.	There are some grammar or spelling mistakes, but understanding of content is clear.	There are too many grammar or spelling mistakes creating an unclear understanding of content.

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How Tos about Relationship Safe Exits

Guide students in supporting a peer who may be in an unhealthy relationship

Empower students to recognize warning signs and offer support to classmates who may be struggling. Teaching students ways to safely help a friend creates a more caring and vigilant classroom community.

Discuss warning signs of unhealthy relationships as a class

Encourage students to share examples and ask questions about relationship red flags. Open conversations help everyone understand what to look for and reduce stigma around seeking help.

Teach students how to approach a peer with empathy

Model ways to start gentle conversations using nonjudgmental language. Practicing phrases like “I’ve noticed you seem upset lately—want to talk?” gives students practical tools for reaching out.

Show how to connect a peer with trusted adults

Explain the importance of seeking adult support and not handling difficult situations alone. Provide students with a list of counselors, teachers, or hotlines they can share with a peer in need.

Emphasize personal boundaries and safety for helpers

Remind students to prioritize their own safety and not put themselves at risk when helping others. Teach them to set boundaries and always involve adults when situations feel unsafe or overwhelming.

Frequently Asked Questions about Relationship Safe Exits

What are safe ways to end an unhealthy relationship for teens?

Safe ways to end an unhealthy relationship include telling a trusted adult, planning the conversation in a public or safe place, keeping a cell phone nearby, setting a time limit to avoid manipulation, and not ending the relationship alone. These steps help reduce risk and provide necessary support.

How can students identify safe versus unsafe breakup techniques?

Students can use a storyboard activity to compare safe breakup strategies—like seeking support and planning exits—to unsafe ones such as confronting the person alone or escalating conflict. This visual approach helps clarify the difference and builds awareness of healthy choices.

What is a relationship safety plan for teens?

A relationship safety plan is a personalized set of steps teens can follow when ending an unhealthy relationship. It includes preparing support systems, identifying safe places, having communication devices, and informing a trusted adult to ensure safety during a breakup.

Why is it important to have support when ending an unhealthy relationship?

Having support helps keep the person safe, provides emotional backup, and can deter manipulation or escalation. Trusted adults or friends can offer guidance and intervene if situations become dangerous during a breakup.

What is the best classroom activity to teach safe breakup strategies?

Creating a storyboard that illustrates safe and unsafe breakup methods is an effective activity. It engages students in analyzing scenarios, encourages discussion, and helps them visualize appropriate steps while reinforcing social emotional learning.