Teasing Response

About This Worksheet

This worksheet uses a short story about Jordan being teased by a group of students to explore how embarrassment and anger can lead to an impulsive response. Jordan feels his face grow hot and his hands tighten before shouting an insult back at the group. Students identify what happened, describe his reaction, find the body clues that showed he was upset, and explain how his response affected the situation. They then suggest a safer way Jordan could respond and think about what he could say or do to stay calm.

Skills Developed

Students build reading comprehension, body-signal awareness, emotional regulation, and safe response skills. They practice recognizing that Jordan’s hurt and anger are understandable while also examining why insulting the group may increase the teasing or make the conflict more difficult. The worksheet encourages children to think about options such as walking away, using a short assertive statement, staying near supportive peers, or telling a trusted adult. These skills can help students respond to teasing without blaming themselves or feeling that they must handle repeated harm alone.

Grade & Stage Appropriateness

This worksheet is best suited for upper elementary and early middle school students, especially grades 3 through 7. Students at this stage may experience teasing about clothing, interests, abilities, friendships, or differences and need clear guidance about when to respond directly and when to seek help. Younger learners may need support separating a one-time unkind comment from repeated bullying, while older students can discuss audience behavior, escalation, and emotional safety. The story is especially useful for children who tend to answer teasing with insults, anger, or immediate confrontation.

Connections to Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL)

This activity supports the CASEL areas of self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. Jordan must notice his emotional and physical reaction, manage the urge to strike back, and choose a response that protects his safety and dignity. In my experience, children often believe that walking away or telling an adult makes them look weak, so I address that belief directly. I explain that a safe response is not about letting the behavior continue; it is about choosing the action most likely to stop the harm without creating more danger.

Using This Worksheet

Teachers can use this page during lessons about teasing, bullying prevention, assertive communication, or handling peer pressure. It is helpful to discuss several possible responses and explain that the safest choice may change depending on whether the teasing is repeated, threatening, or happening in a group. Parents and homeschool educators can practice one short phrase a child could say, such as “That is not okay,” followed by a plan for leaving and finding support. Make sure children know which adults they can approach and that repeated teasing should always be shared with someone trustworthy.