Unity Day is all about preventing bullying, and the main color of the day is orange. The color orange represents the anti-bullying movement that was started by the National Bullying Prevention Center. Orange ribbons and orange balloons mark the celebration of National Bullying Prevention Month, so you know that Unity Day is just around the corner!
These age-appropriate activities will help students realize the importance of saying no to bullying, and promote the unity that starts in the classroom and expands to all of society!
1. Bullying Prevention Presentation
You can get the ball rolling for National Bullying Prevention Month with this handy presentation. It introduces all of the foundational concepts and vocabulary to help your entire student bodywork and talk together to end bullying once and for all.
Learn more: Twinkl
2. TED Talks to End Bullying
This clip introduces several kid presenters who all talk on the topic of ending bullying. It is a great introduction and it can lead to a wonderful public speaking experience for students in your own classroom, too! Just take the first step in helping students to share their thoughts and beliefs.
Learn more: TED-Ed
3. Anti-Bullying Class Discussion
You can host a classroom discussion with these questions that will be sure to get your students thinking. The discussion questions focus on dozens of topics that all relate to bullying at school and outside of school. It's a great way to hear what the kids have to say on the topic.
Learn more: Old Orchard Junior High School
4. Anti-Bullying Pledge Signing
With this printable activity, you can help students promise to live a bully-free life. After a class discussion about what the pledge stands for, have students sign the pledge and promise not to bully others, and to treat others with kindness and respect.
Learn more: Pacer's National Bullying Prevention Center
5. "Bully Talk" Motivational Speech
This video is an excellent speech that is given by a guy who faced bullies throughout his whole life. He searched for acceptance among students but never found it. Then, he began an anti-bullying journey that changed everything! Let his story inspire you and all of your school students, too.
Learn more: Life Without Limbs: Nick Vujicic Ministries
6. "Wrinkled Wanda" Activity
This is a collaborative activity that highlights the importance of looking for the best qualities in others. It also teaches school students to look past the outward appearance of other people and instead look at their character and personality.
Learn more: Bully-Proof Classroom
7. Anti-Bullying Activity Pack
This printable pack is filled with anti-bully and pro-kindness leadership activities that are especially well-suited for younger elementary students. It has fun stuff like coloring pages and reflection prompts to help young learners think about solutions to bullying and brainstorm ways to show kindness to others.
Learn more: Twinkl
8. Toothpaste Object Lesson
With this object lesson, students will learn about the huge impact of their words. They will also see the importance of choosing their words carefully since once a mean thing is said, it cannot be unsaid. This activity is perfect for teaching K-12 students a simple yet profound truth.
Learn more: Wright Ideas with Susan
9. Read Aloud: Tease Monster: A Book About Teasing vs. Bullying by Julia Cook
This is a fun picture book that teaches kids to recognize the differences between good-natured teasing and malicious bullying. It gives many examples of funny jokes versus mean tricks, and it can be a great way to really drive the bullying prevention message home.
Learn more: Amazon
10. Random Acts of Kindness
One of the best ways to celebrate Unity Day is by doing random acts of kindness at school and at home. This list has several creative activities and ideas for showing kindness and acceptance to all of those around us, and these ideas are specially curated for elementary school kids.
Learn more: The School Run
11. Make a Class Puzzle to Show That Everyone Fits In
This is actually one of our favorite activities for Unity Day. With this blank puzzle, every student gets to color and decorate their own piece. Then, work together to fit all of the pieces together and illustrate that even though we're all different, we all have a place in the bigger picture.
Learn more: Amazon
12. Compliment Circles
In this circle time activity, students sit in a circle and one person starts by calling out the name of a classmate. Then, that student receives compliments before calling out the name of the next student. The activity continues until everyone has gotten complimented.
Learn more: Paige Bessick The Interactive Teacher
13. Erasing Meanness
This is one of the activity ideas that are ideal for older elementary students. It makes great use of the class whiteboard, and you could easily adapt it for online classes or for a smartboard as well. It also involves a lot of class participation, which makes it perfect for Unity Day.
Learn more: 'Your Kids' Teacher
14. Anti-Bullying Discussion with Lucky Charms
This is a fun activity to discuss the orange message of Unity Day while also enjoying a sweet snack! Give your students a cup of Lucky Charms cereal, and assign a personality value to each of the shapes. Then, as they find these symbols in their snack, discuss these values as a class.
Learn more: Especially Education
15. Read Aloud: I Am Enough by Grace Byers
This is a book that is empowering to read aloud with your students on Unity Day. It emphasizes the importance of accepting and loving ourselves so that we can accept and love all of those around us, too. The message is highlighted by amazing illustrations that will capture your students' attention.
Learn more: Amazon
16. Compliment Flowers
This arts and crafts activity is a great way to help all of your students see the best in others. Students have to think about nice things to say about their classmates and then write them on the petals that they give away. Then, each student finishes with a flower of compliments to take home with them.
Learn more: Teachers Pay Teachers
17. Friendship Band-Aids
This activity is all about solving problems and resolving conflicts in kind and loving ways. It's perfect for Unity Day because it teaches skills that are necessary for preventing bullying throughout the entire year.
Learn more: The Counselor Stop
18. Enemy Pie and Friendship Pie
This lesson plan is based on the picture book "Enemy Pie," and it looks at the different ways that mindset towards others can actually impact attitude and behavior. Then, the Friendship Pie element brings kindness into the spotlight.
Learn more: Ladybug's Teacher Files
19. Read Aloud: Stand in My Shoes: Kids Learning About Empathy by Bob Sornson
This picture book is the perfect way to introduce young kids to the concept and importance of empathy. It's great for Unity Day because empathy is actually the cornerstone of all anti-bullying and pro-kindness actions. This is true for people of all ages and stages!
Learn more: Amazon
20. Anti-Bullying Virtual Event
You can also host an anti-bullying virtual event that connects your elementary students with other students all over the world. This way, you can trust the anti-bullying experts and offer a wider and deeper view of Unity Day. Plus, your students can meet and interact with so many new people!
Learn more: Keith Deltano
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