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Contributor: Shannon Malkovsky. Lesson ID: 10269
"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me." That statement is absurd, especially when the words are not true or are too personal! Learn to avoid spreading gossip and rumors!
Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.
You hear a juicy tidbit from a friend, who heard it from another friend, who read it on Facebook, that was posted by someone who probably made it up. This is an example of a rumor.
Rumors and gossip are always floating around Facebook and our community. Sometimes, gossip can be harmless, but other times, it can be very hurtful to others!
Today, you will be learning about rumors and gossiping and how words can hurt as much as sticks and stones!
We will start with a short activity. You will need the following materials:
Now, squeeze toothpaste out onto a paper plate until the tube is empty.
Each time the toothpaste is squeezed out, it represents someone spreading a rumor.
When you have completely emptied the tube of toothpaste, put the toothpaste back into the tube.
It’s impossible to get ALL of the toothpaste back into the tube. The toothpaste in this activity represents a rumor. Once a rumor is out, you can’t put it “back in.”
As you read, How to Stop Rumors from wikiHow, take notes on how to react and stop rumors.
Now, watch Doubt: Gossip from GirlPlayXSoCal:
Next, take more notes as you read the following articles about breaking the cycle of rumors, gossiping, and the ever-growing threat of cyberbullying:
For some real-world insight, continue on to the Got It? section.
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