Bullying in schools has become a much bigger problem than it’s ever been before. Students have phones in their pockets all day, surf social media at lunch, and Snapchat on their bus ride home. With so many opportunities to bully from behind a screen, it’s no wonder schools are constantly struggling with this issue. If you’re planning to address this with your students, we have some anti-bullying assembly ideas that can inspire real change!
Make it engaging
We all know attention spans are ever-shrinking, especially among students. The message to stop bullying is extremely important, but how can you make sure it’s sinking in? The key is to make your assembly engaging.
Even though it’s a serious subject, anti-bullying assembly ideas can be outside the box. Aside from motivational speakers, you can find everything from comedians to musicians who incorporate anti-bullying messages into their performances.
For middle schools or high schools, a school show with a comedian or an upbeat pop band will be more engaging than children’s entertainment. The addition of music can also help the group of students feel bonded, relaxed, and more open to the idea that bullying prevention is in their hands.
Bullying can begin at a young age, so brainstorming anti-bullying school assembly programs for elementary schools or preschools could help prevent the problem from growing. A puppet show or children’s theater troupe that focuses on treating each other with kindness is a great place to start.
? Read this: Ideas for a School Assembly Guaranteed to Engage Students
Make it relatable
Kids today are exposed to adult content much earlier and can be quick to dismiss something if it seems “babyish.” Finding something that is grown-up enough to be taken seriously but on a level that a child or teen can relate to can be a tough balance.
So what’s the solution? Get people who have lived through it. Look for former students, a motivational speaker, or even a local celebrity to share their stories of being pushed around. You can even look for speakers who were former bullies themselves to share more about what caused them to hurt others.
While it’s important to make the victims feel supported, the real problem is the students who are doing the bullying. By presenting both sides of the issue in your anti-bullying assembly, you can make it real for your students.
Make it impactful
All of the anti-bullying assemblies in the world won’t matter if they don’t make an impact on your students. The goal is to open their eyes and help them change. The best way to do that is to break down walls. Walls are broken down when knowledge makes an impression on your students. This quote from CREATE‘s director, Mica Pollock, sheds some light on bullying:
“Hate, bias, and passivity toward harm to others all thrive on a lack of knowledge. We stand up for one another when we get more informed about fellow human beings and the world.”
While the idea of “team building” may seem like something you only hear about on HR retreats, helping your students bond can go a long way in your fight against bullying. When your students get to know each other better and start to feel like a community, they’ll be more likely to take a stand against bullies in a healthy way. Set aside a day and host a team-building event for your students to work, play, and communicate as a group.
Free anti-bullying resources
If you’re working with a limited budget, there are many free resources and lesson plans about bullying available. Don’t ignore this very important issue because the school’s assembly program lacks funds.
StopBullying.gov
Find everything from statistics to training to suicide prevention for free on StopBullying.gov. If you’re unsure how to begin your school’s mission against bullying, this free resource is a great place to start. The rise of cyberbullying is also addressed, which is a growing concern among parents and school administrators.
Documentaries
There are many excellent anti-bullying documentaries available online that will give school students a more in-depth look at the issues many kids just like them are dealing with. These films feature real-life stories and messages of hope for others facing similar situations. You could screen one of these documentaries on an inflatable movie screen in the gym or cafeteria, and then the students could break into small groups for further discussion.
The key to an impactful anti-bullying assembly is making sure students learn their fellow classmates are people just like them. They laugh, cry, have annoying parents, listen to music, read books, and want to be loved just like everyone does. If you can get students to see past the surface level, you’ve succeeded. ❤️
Megan is the Director of Customer Experience at GigSalad and has gained 9+ years of insight on what makes a great event on both sides of the booking process. Her favorite things include books, true crime podcasts, coffee, hiking, puns, and making people laugh.