“I Was Just Joking…” Teaching Anti-Roasting to Upper Elementary Students

If you teach upper elementary students, you’ve probably heard it:

“It was just a joke!”“They know I didn’t mean it.”“We always talk like that!”

But what students often call “roasting” — making fun of someone in a teasing or sarcastic way — isn’t always as harmless as it sounds. Roasting has become a common part of youth culture, fueled by social media, viral videos, and even comedy specials. Many kids view it as playful or cool. The problem? It’s easy to cross the line from funny to hurtful, and it happens fast.

Why it Matters?

Roasting creates a power dynamic. The person doing the roasting gets laughs. The person being roasted often gets silenced. Even if no one says anything at the time, the effects linger: embarrassment, insecurity, isolation. Roasting Is Not a Joke! Teacher's need to address exactly that before it even gets started! Here's how this resource can help:

• Understand what roasting really is

• Recognize the difference between friendly joking and targeted teasing

• Build empathy by seeing situations from both sides

• Reflect on words and actions

Why This Anti-Roasting Unit Works

My Anti-Roasting and Anti-Bullying Unit on Respect and Kindness  includes everything you need to start real conversations in your classroom:

• Reading passages from both perspectives (the roaster and the roasted)

• Guided SEL discussion questions

• Think-Pair-Share cards labeled “Roast or Respect?”

• Writing prompts that promote empathy and reflection

• Scenario task cards based on real-life student experiences

• Posters, pledge, and visual supports for a Roast-Free Space

These activities build empathy, improve self-awareness, and support social-emotional learning standards while also hitting ELA skills like citing evidence, character analysis, and opinion writing. This is a great way to start a school year off on the right footing. Also, because it encompasses skills, it can be used at any time of the year.

Classroom Impact of Teaching Anti-Roasting

One of the most powerful outcomes of this unit is what happens after the lessons. Students begin catching themselves. They ask, “Was that a roast?” They become more thoughtful in how they treat each other. This unit helps to shift their classroom culture—not with fear or punishment, but with awareness and conversation.

Final Thoughts

We can’t control what kids hear online or at recess, but we can teach them to reflect, pause, and choose kindness. Roasting may be part of the culture—but so is respect. Let’s equip students to know the difference. Ready to start the conversation in your classroom? Let’s build classrooms where every student feels safe, seen, and respected. 🧡

You can explore the full Roasting Others: Awareness & Respect Unit on my TpT store — complete with discussion materials, writing prompts, visual aids, and more.

Want more Back-to-School Ideas? Try out this post on Tweeting Your Classroom and 5 Great Back-to-School Activities that Put Students in Charge