Activity Overview
Thirteen Reasons Why contains details of bullying and abuse that contribute to Hannah’s suicide and other harmful incidents throughout the story. Though fictional, these instances are very realistic and make excellent material for discussions on bullying prevention. Use storyboards to help students make connections between the book and the real world.
Using a T-Chart, ask students to look for ways that characters in the book enabled bullying and abuse. Students should depict and describe these examples in one column. In the other column, have students depict and explain how to turn each enabling situation into one that works to stop the bullying.
Thirteen Reasons Why Bullying Prevention
Actions that Enable Bullying | Actions that Combat Bullying |
|---|---|
| Rumors and Gossip | Self-Control and Positive Words |
| From the beginning of Hannah's time at Crestmont High, rumors fly about her and Justin. This leads to her negative reputation and a host of other untrue rumors. Even people who are friendly to Hannah hear and pass on these rumors. | Do not engage in gossip and spreading rumors. Many rumors are untrue, but even if true they can be very harmful to a person's self-esteem. Stopping the rumor chain can be as simple as redirecting the conversation. It can also be helpful to say something positive about a person to help build them up rather than tear them down. Remember, if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all. |
| Pre-Judging Others | Get to Know Someone |
| Clay falls into the trap of judging Hannah based on the rumors he hears about her. His belief that she has a lot of sexual experience with boys makes him hesitate to befriend her. Had he befriended her earlier, she might not have felt so alone. | We should get to know someone before we draw conclusions about them. Sometimes you will find they are exactly like you thought they were, but other times you will be surprised by what you find. We are less likely to think of someone as different, odd, or worthless once we get to know them. |
| Watching Bullying or Assault without Intervening | Standing up for Those Being Hurt |
| When Marcus starts to molest Hannah in Rosie's diner, his actions are visible to most of the people in the diner. It is clear that he is making Hannah uncomfortable, yet no one in the diner does anything to intervene. Zach comes up and speaks to Hannah only after Marcus has left. | When someone is being hurt, you should do something to stop it. Sometimes this means stepping up and stopping the behavior yourself. Other times it means calling for help or reporting the incident to a trusted adult. |
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the column headings, write "Actions that Enable Bullying" and "Actions that Combat Bullying"
- In the left column, find examples from the book of actions that enable bullying. Write them in the header, and describe the part of the story in the description.
- In the right column, explain how to turn each situation into one that prevents the bullying from happening.
- Create illustrations for all examples, using appropriate scenes, characters, items, and dialogue.
- Save and Exit
Lesson Plan Reference
Activity Overview
Thirteen Reasons Why contains details of bullying and abuse that contribute to Hannah’s suicide and other harmful incidents throughout the story. Though fictional, these instances are very realistic and make excellent material for discussions on bullying prevention. Use storyboards to help students make connections between the book and the real world.
Using a T-Chart, ask students to look for ways that characters in the book enabled bullying and abuse. Students should depict and describe these examples in one column. In the other column, have students depict and explain how to turn each enabling situation into one that works to stop the bullying.
Thirteen Reasons Why Bullying Prevention
Actions that Enable Bullying | Actions that Combat Bullying |
|---|---|
| Rumors and Gossip | Self-Control and Positive Words |
| From the beginning of Hannah's time at Crestmont High, rumors fly about her and Justin. This leads to her negative reputation and a host of other untrue rumors. Even people who are friendly to Hannah hear and pass on these rumors. | Do not engage in gossip and spreading rumors. Many rumors are untrue, but even if true they can be very harmful to a person's self-esteem. Stopping the rumor chain can be as simple as redirecting the conversation. It can also be helpful to say something positive about a person to help build them up rather than tear them down. Remember, if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all. |
| Pre-Judging Others | Get to Know Someone |
| Clay falls into the trap of judging Hannah based on the rumors he hears about her. His belief that she has a lot of sexual experience with boys makes him hesitate to befriend her. Had he befriended her earlier, she might not have felt so alone. | We should get to know someone before we draw conclusions about them. Sometimes you will find they are exactly like you thought they were, but other times you will be surprised by what you find. We are less likely to think of someone as different, odd, or worthless once we get to know them. |
| Watching Bullying or Assault without Intervening | Standing up for Those Being Hurt |
| When Marcus starts to molest Hannah in Rosie's diner, his actions are visible to most of the people in the diner. It is clear that he is making Hannah uncomfortable, yet no one in the diner does anything to intervene. Zach comes up and speaks to Hannah only after Marcus has left. | When someone is being hurt, you should do something to stop it. Sometimes this means stepping up and stopping the behavior yourself. Other times it means calling for help or reporting the incident to a trusted adult. |
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the column headings, write "Actions that Enable Bullying" and "Actions that Combat Bullying"
- In the left column, find examples from the book of actions that enable bullying. Write them in the header, and describe the part of the story in the description.
- In the right column, explain how to turn each situation into one that prevents the bullying from happening.
- Create illustrations for all examples, using appropriate scenes, characters, items, and dialogue.
- Save and Exit
Lesson Plan Reference
How Tos about Thirteen Reasons Why: Bullying Prevention Activity
How to Foster a Safe Classroom Environment to Prevent Bullying
Create clear class rules and expectations about respect and kindness from day one. Consistently reinforce these rules so all students feel safe and valued.
Model Positive Behavior Daily
Demonstrate respectful communication and empathy when interacting with students. Show students how to resolve conflicts calmly and listen to each other’s feelings.
Encourage Open Communication
Invite students to share concerns privately or during class meetings. Let them know it’s safe to talk about bullying and that their voices matter.
Teach Bystander Intervention Skills
Role-play scenarios where students practice standing up for peers or seeking adult help. Empower every student to take action against bullying safely.
Recognize and Celebrate Positive Actions
Acknowledge students who show kindness and inclusion. Highlighting these moments builds a supportive classroom culture and reduces bullying.
Frequently Asked Questions about Thirteen Reasons Why: Bullying Prevention Activity
What is a bullying prevention activity for 'Thirteen Reasons Why'?
A bullying prevention activity for 'Thirteen Reasons Why' involves using a T-Chart to help students identify actions in the book that enabled bullying and then suggest ways to combat those behaviors. Students can depict examples from the story and brainstorm positive alternatives to stop bullying.
How can I use storyboards to teach bullying prevention with 'Thirteen Reasons Why'?
To teach bullying prevention using 'Thirteen Reasons Why,' have students create storyboards that connect scenes from the book to real-life situations. Ask them to illustrate and describe both actions that enabled bullying and ways to prevent or stop it, encouraging reflection and empathy.
What are examples of actions that enable bullying in 'Thirteen Reasons Why'?
Examples include spreading rumors, pre-judging others, and witnessing bullying without intervening. The book highlights how these actions contributed to Hannah's negative experiences, making them important discussion points for prevention lessons.
How can students turn enabling actions into bullying prevention strategies?
Students can replace enabling actions with positive behaviors like not engaging in gossip, getting to know people before judging, and standing up for those being hurt. Discussing these strategies helps students learn to create a safer environment.
What is the best way to structure a classroom activity on bullying using 'Thirteen Reasons Why'?
The best structure is to use a T-Chart with columns for Actions that Enable Bullying and Actions that Combat Bullying. Assign students to find book examples, explain each situation, and offer solutions, then illustrate their ideas for deeper understanding.
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Thirteen Reasons Why
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