​​Our special superpower classroom discussion starter

The Our special superpower discussion starter helps students to learn what to do if they see bullying happening.

Our special superpower is a new animation for students from 9 to 13 years of age. It can also be used with students of other ages as appropriate. 

The classroom discussion starter begins with viewing the animation as a class. This is followed by activities based on the video. Teachers can select from the activities as time allows and as relevant for the students' learning needs. Activities can also be conducted during lessons over a number of days.

The overall duration will depend on which of the three activities you choose to do. Duration for each of the activities is:

  • Activity 1: Bystanders can help stop bullying – 10-15 minutes
  • Activity 2: Learn about the strategies to respond if you see bullying – 30-60 minutes
  • Activity 3: What's our bystander strategy? – 30 minutes.

Teacher notes

The teacher notes (PDF, 503KB), Word version (DOCX, 411KB) provide general information, and some important notes for teachers to read before they conduct the activities, and instructions to run the activities.

The teacher's role in the discussion is to facilitate class contributions and discussion.

Preparation includes reviewing the Our special superpower video (and downloading if students will be watching it off-line) and deciding which of the three activities to conduct. The activities build in a logical sequence, but can be used flexibly. For each selected activity, print out the worksheet, cards or images as relevant.  

It may be helpful to remind students of the definition of bullying at the beginning of the activities. Download the definition of bullying most appropriate for your students' age.

As a fun activity to conclude the discussion, you may like to provide the Make your own National Day of Action Poster (which can be found in the School materials to download section) ​for students to add their own anti-bullying message and picture.

Activity 1

Bystanders can help stop bullying

This aim of this activity is for students to learn things that bystanders can do that can help to stop bullying if it is happening to someone else.

Approximate duration: 10–15 minutes, depending on discussion. It can be run as a whole class or small group activity.

Download the instructions and worksheet for Activity 1 (PDF, 610KB), Word version (DOCX, 470.3KB).

Activity 2

Learn about the strategies to respond to bullying

The aim of this activity is for students to understand and practise each of the strategies they can use if they see bullying happening.

Anticipated duration: 30-60 minutes, depending on time given to the initial discussion and to the optional rehearsal of each strategy. It is designed to be run as a whole class activity.

Download the instructions and worksheets for Activity 2 (PDF, 1.2MB), Word version (DOCX, 954KB).

Download the images for each of the strategies for Activity 2 (PDF, 1.1MB), Word version (DOCX, 1.1MB).

Activity 3

What's our bystander strategy?

The aim of this activity is for students learn which of the strategies are most appropriate to use for different types of bullying and different situations.

Approximate duration: 30 minutes, depending on time allowed for discussion. It is designed to be run as a small group activity. 

Download the instructions and worksheet for Activity 3 (PDF, 728KB), Word version (DOCX, 623KB).