(the most common type of bullying) Advisory Lesson SOCIAL BULLYING (the most common type of bullying) RUMORS AND GOSSIP

Why are Gossip and Rumors like Glitter? Ask for responses.

Responses It’s fun and sparkly but can be a big mess. It sticks to you and you can’t get it all off even if try. It easily travels with you even where you didn’t intend. It can put the spotlight on someone who doesn’t want the attention.

RUMOR A rumor is a piece of information or a story that has not been verified, meaning that the person telling it doesn’t know if it’s true or false. Definition of Rumor

GOSSIP Gossip occurs when a person reveals unkind personal and/or sensational information about others that are private and people don’t want others to know. Definition of gossip

Gossip Girl About 3 minutes

REAL OR MADEUP Rumors and Gossip might be true, they might be partially true, or totally made up. Unless someone can definitely say the story is true - it will stay a rumor or gossip story!

HOW DO RUMORS AND GOSSIP SPREAD From person to person, or can spread from one person to a bunch of people at once. This is usually done behind the person’s back. Social media is a big source of rumor and gossip Ask students if they use Instagram or Snapchat.

RUMORS AND GOSSIP CAN CHANGE They can change slightly each time they’re told, so they get even more distorted or exaggerated over time

WHY DO PEOPLE GOSSIP AND SPREAD RUMORS? To feel superior To feel like part of a group For attention For control or power Out of jealously/revenge Out of boredom THIS IS SOCIAL BULLYING Emphasize social bullying!

Why It Hurts, Why It’s Wrong WORDS HURT as much or more than a punch! (Verbal, Written, Social Media) Gossip and rumors are a form of exclusion - leaving someone out! GOSSIP AND RUMORS DESTROY TRUST! True or not, private is private!

BREAKING THE CHAIN Decide whether the rumor or gossip is hurtful or harmless by asking yourself the following questions.

QUESTIONS Why would I want to pass this on? Would I want people to know this about me? Put yourself in their shoes. Think: How will this person feel? How would I feel if it were me? EMPATHY Will this rumor change how people feel about this person? Will this person be excluded from the group? Any additional questions?

RUMOR/GOSSIP BLOCKS Make the rumor or gossip stop with you Don’t be part of the audience Be a peacemaker - speak up - label it a rumor! Respect other’s privacy Get the facts Talk to a trusted adult

Speak Up That sounds like a rumor to me! You don’t have proof of that! You don’t know if that’s true! That sounds like something you should talk about with the person involved – get the facts!

THINK ABOUT THIS

What can we do here at Harper Park to stop rumors and gossip?

Remember When is comes to Rumors and Gossip Keep the glitter jars CLOSED!

HPMS Students . Be There Be Ready Be Kind