Lesson 10: Rewrite your story (report cyber-bullying)1 (20 minutes)

You can’t undo the past, and you can’t change the actions or words of other people, but you can Rewrite Your Story. In this lesson we look at two stories from Alexia and Marko and discuss the consequences of the choices that they have made. 
Teacher Notes:
Lesson Preparation: Watch the videos prior to the lesson.
  • 10.1: Watch the "Alexias story" video (1.25 minutes) and use the class discussion questions to discuss the themes from the video.
  • 10.2: Watch the "Markos story" video (1.51 minutes) and use the class discussion questions to discuss the themes from the video.
  • ​10.3: Allocate Alexia or Marko’s personal stories to student groups as case studies. Students rewrite their chosen characters story to make their situation better (A3 sheets and pens recommended for each group)

10.1: Alexia's story

Watch the video and discuss the questions with the class
​It was supposed to be fun, after all, it's a party!
Alexia's parents limited numbers to try and keep control of the event, but some people felt left out and the hate page took it to a whole new level.
It can be a balancing act to keep everyone happy, and not take out your frustrations on the wrong people.
How do you handle it when it gets out of control and you become the target?​
Watch the video with your class and participate in the class discussion.

Class discussion questions

Alexia had a hate page set up specifically designed to bully and threaten her. What do you think she should do? What are the avenues of help that Alexia could use?
  • Do you think it was right for Alexia’s Dad to limit the number of friends she could invite to the party, even though Alexia let him know there could be negative consequences?
  • What do you think her parents should have done?
  • Do you think it was right for Alexia to take it out on her parents when things went wrong?
  • What else could she have done?
  • Discuss the impact of cyberbullying on Alexia and brainstorm how Alexia could rewrite her story.

10.2: . Marko's story

Watch the video and discuss the questions with the class
​The new kid is a perfect target...no friends, crap at sport and hanging out with the girls.
Kids are getting stuck into Marko online and threatening to beat him up.
Is it better to stand up to them, or hope it just all goes away?
How can you deal with cyberbullying when it impacts your state of mind and gets you down?
Watch the video with your class and participate in the class discussion.

Class discussion questions

Here are questions to get your class thinking about the issues:
  • What do you think cyberbullying actually is?
  • Marko was being cyber bullied, but he was also being threatened physically
  • Do you think it is common for this kind of thing to happen?
  • Bec was telling Marko to speak up about the cyberbullying—to tell his teachers and parents. How can she help Marko to tell an adult?

10.3: Group task and class discussion

  1. Allocate Alexia or Marko’s personal stories to student groups as case studies.
  2. Rewrite your allocated characters story to make their situation better (A3 sheets and pens recommended for each group)
Complete the activity for your allocated video episode in your groups.