HANDLING GOSSIP AND RUMORS Social Harassment Day 2

RUMOR Tobie gets picked on by Ashley and her friends. Tobie is shy and never teases back. Today Ashley is complaining that her new silver locket is missing. She thinks it broke during PE. Tobie is in Ashley’s PE class. Later you hear a rumor that Tobie stole Ashley’s locket.

RUMOR.... Do you believe it? – No, because Ashley doesn’t like Tobie, so she would blame her first. – No, because you don’t know how the rumor started or who started it. – Yes, because it makes sense that Tobie would steal the locket to get back at Ashley. – Yes, because a rumor wouldn’t have started if it weren’t true.

ANALYZE.... What would you do, if you heard this and you were Ashley’s friend? What would you do, if you heard this and you were Tobie’s friend? Can you cause the rumor to escalate? Can you stop a rumor?

GOSSIP.... Justin boasts that he pulls tons of pranks, but you’ve never seen any. You’ve always thought Justin says that to seem cool. Over the weekend someone wrecked school property. Later, you hear a rumor that Justin did the damage.

GOSSIP... Do you believe it? – No, because you don’t think Justin would do that. – No, because you don’t know how the rumor started or who started it. – Yes, because Justin himself has said he pulls pranks. – Yes, because a rumor wouldn’t have started if it weren’t true.

ANALYZE... Would you report this to a teacher or principal? What would you do if you were Justin’s friend?

RUMOR AND GOSSIP... Complete the worksheet – “To Believe or Not to Believe” – Discuss as a class