Shifting: a tale of bullying and discrimination

Read the story initially as a class to allow you to manage the different responses from class members. It will be important to ensure that any class members who have previous experiences of bullying behaviours or those who are from the Gypsy/Traveller community do not feel uncomfortable.

The story stops abruptly at a critical point after the main characters have experienced a series of bullying behaviours. Divide your class into small groups and support them to reflect on why the events in the story are unacceptable. Encourage each group to participate in changing this story. Explain that by creating new narratives we are sending out a message that this kind of bullying behaviour should never be tolerated.

Introduce the graphic novel genre by asking what pupils already know and allowing them to research different formats. You can request printed copies of the graphic novel from STEP.  You can also download a digital version of Shifting below. Use comic template grids to help pupils to think about the structure or use one of the many simple digital comic maker apps.

• What steps can you take to stop incidents like these happening?
• Can you imagine what would cause young people to behave in a bullying way?
• In what ways could this story be changed?  Which character(s) should play a part in the changes?  What should they do?