What is "Stand Up and Act Out"?
"Stand Up and Act Out" is an Upstander curriculum designed to help students in Grades K – 6 to:
- Recognize and celebrate differences in their own school and the wider world
- Recognize when someone is being picked on/teased/bullied because of real or perceived differences
- Stand up to such behavior by respectfully confronting bullying/teasing, and by giving comfort to the individual being picked on/teased/bullied
- Develop and apply their leadership skills (Grade 6)
The curriculum acts as a preventative anti-bullying curriculum by normalizing both inclusion and Upstander behaviors.
Differences explored:
Culture and ethnicity, (dis)ability, family income, family structure, gender, language, physical features, race, religion, talents and preferences.
Students will:
- Take on the role of fictional characters who are being picked on/teased/bullied because of their real/perceived differences
- Develop their Stand Up skills in the safe environment of the classroom, for use in their day-to-day lives
- Learn to recognize, talk about and celebrate their differences
- Learn about themselves and each other, how to manage emotions, show empathy and make responsible decisions
- Develop key social and emotional skills
- Build their knowledge, skills and understanding gradually with a cumulative effect throughout elementary school, helping prepare them for the next stage of their education
Includes:
- Comprehensive in-person/remote training for staff
- Training videos and ongoing support
- Original music and drama games
- Whole-school assembly and introductory lesson
- Age differentiated drama lessons, six per grade, designed to be delivered in consecutive weeks
- Age differentiated English Language Arts extension activities for all grades
- History connections activities for grades 4 and 5
- Additional SEL drama games designed to de delivered during this six-week period, and at any time throughout the year
- Links to state standards, appropriate to each grade