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ACTIVITY: "Hit Me! I’m Different"

TIME: 20-30 MIN

FOCUS: Respect Self & Others; ALSO: Listen, Be Courageous

• On individual pieces of scrap paper, ask students to write one, two, or three of the meanest things that they have said to someone else. This could be done with one word or phrase for each piece of paper or all together on the same piece. Tell them to scrunch up each piece of paper tightly into a separate ball.
• Depending on the size of the group, line all or some of the students up to throw their paper balls at a silhouette of a faceless person drawn on a large piece of newsprint. Have them go one person at a time and throw their paper words with all the intensity that they used when they actually "hurled" their mean word(s) at someone. Make sure they get right up in the person’s face and throw them as hard as they can.

• Ask students how they think this person feels. Have them write words or draw body parts on the silhouette that express how they think this person feels (one word/part per person). After everyone who wants to add something has had their turn, have one or two students state loudly for the whole group what was written on the silhouette.
• Ask students what they can do or say, after the fact, to support the person or make up for what was said. Have them write the words expressing this on the silhouette. After everyone who wants to add something has had their turn, have one or two students state loudly for the whole group what was written on the silhouette.

• Ask students what all the paper balls on the floor remind them of (a mess, trash – in fact, "trash talk"). Ask students where "trash talk" belongs. "In the trash can!"
• Show the class the sign with this slogan and have them repeat the slogan several times: "Trash talk belongs in the trash can!"

Decide with the students where to post the sign prominently in the room (perhaps on a trash can) and refer to it whenever "trash talk" is used in the future

• What were the reasons for the "put-downs" you threw at the target?
• What are some other reasons why kids use "put-downs"?
• Has anyone ever thrown a "put-down" at you? What was it? Can you guess why they did it?
• How did/does it make you feel?
• Decide with the students if and where it would be good to keep their silhouette posted.

• Large piece of newsprint with a faceless human silhouette. You might want to add these words above the head: "I’m Different, So…." and then add these words in the heart of the silhouette: "Hit Me"
• Pieces of blank scrap paper for each student
• A sign with the words "TRASH TALK BELONGS IN THE TRASH CAN"
• A trash can or waste basket.