I'm sorry if we haven't posted. The DI season is over and a new one is starting. I would like to thank everyone who helped us get to Globals.

The Chopsticks

Dear Chopsticks,

Tell us your bully problems and we will give you advise about how to make it better.

The Chopsticks

What? Bullying about being against bullying?

Yes. Well, sort of. Someone is being mean to us about doing DI (Destination Imagination). This is, sadly, not the first time. Before, we have been told our skit was stupid. Or at least a costume of theme. One of my non-Chopsticks friends and I decided to tell a teacher. It helped. It's always better when someone knows who can help. We do respect the person's opinion but, we have our feelings.

The Chopsticks

&

There DI friends the Devil Ducks and the Flabbergasted Goth Flying Duck Bunnies

Lay low? Climb High!

Leaders in the cool groups often need other people to be friends with them to make them powerful. But as the leader grows stronger, and people join them, other people grow timid. They feel like they need to be friends with the leader or the leader will spread rumors about them! Because if the leader senses that you are a threat, they might spread a rumor about you, or say something mean. So if you are timid, and follow the leader, before you know it, you will be a bully too! That's laying low. But don't lay low! Stand up for your self. Climb high.

Air Ninja of the Chopsticks

Blackmail

Blackmail.
An email gone bad.
A text that threatens punishment if you don't follow through.
A note you found announcing your greatest secret will be reviled if you don't give the money.
A life ruined if you don't tell.
But of course hurt will come if you do.
Still, no matter what the blackmailer threatens you MUST tell.
Sincerely, Tabby

This picture shows all the different types of bullying. To see it bigger, go to http://staff.harrisonburg.k12.va.us/~jgamble/No%20Bullying%20circle.gif

Slinky

The Chopsticks

It's illegal?

Did you know that bullying is against the law in Oregon? Well, it is. So, if you are a bully then you are breaking the law. Do you want to bully now????? I don't and never did.

Slinky

The Chopsticks

Globals

Guess what? If you've read our profile recently you would know that we got 1st place at regionals and are going—well, went—to state. At state we got 1st . That means we are going to Globals. Now, our blog is going Global. Every time you view our blog, the more views we can say we received. Each time you come onto our blog we will mention your view, in front of people from all over the globe.


Pop and Slinky
The Chopsticks

Send us your music

Please send us your music that has to do with bullying! Eventually we will put it on the blog!

Slinky
The Chopsticks

Are you in a clique?

Bart King's book The Big Book Of Girl Stuff features the "Are you in a clique?" questionnaire. Slinky writes what your answers mean. Read it below!!!

1. Watch how people come into your group. Is it easy for someone to join your group at lunch without it being a big deal? Is it possible for a fried to leave your group without drama?

2. Look at your group of friends. Is it possible that they like each other just because of their clothes, looks, or popularity?

3. Listen to the conversations that the people around you are having--at lunch, at recess, on the bus. Are they mostly talking about appearances? (How to look good. Who doesn't look good? Hey, I look good! etc.)

For some of these questions it is clear that how you answer puts you either in a good clique or a bad clique. Here is what your answers mean:

#1) If you answered yes to any of the questions, then that means that your clique or group of friends is good and doesn't leave people out. Way to go for you!!

#2) If you answered yes to this question, it means your group needs to work on being more friendly and open. Be kind to one another!

#3) If you answered yes to to this question, then that means your friends are really worried about superficial things like appearances. Remember, what REALLY matters is on the inside.

Slinky
The Chopsticks

The Dreaded Bus Ride Home

The school bus.
A bullying hot spot around the world.
I ride the bus almost everyday to and from school.
It's a peaceful ride, sometimes.
The worst part is the mean words.
Kids two grades younger then me shouting words I would never dare to say.
Boys and girls in my grade calling each other bad words.
It's terrible and the bus driver never seems to notice.

Sincerely, Tabby

Good Clique Gone Bad

A clique is a social group. You may think that all cliques are bad. But that's not true. It can be a group of really good friends who support each other and like being around each other. Bad cliques create gossip and rumors. Also they can be backstabbing and jealous.

Sometimes, two girls who are part of a good clique can get in a fight. They try to create an "army" of supporters from their group of friends. This becomes "good clique, gone bad." If someone tries to recruit you into her clique army, say NO, and if possible try to help your fighting friends make peace.

To learn more about cliques, check back tomorrow. For further reading, check out Bart King's The Big Book of Girl Stuff.

Slinky
The Chopsticks

Looks Don't Matter

Cheap clothes, boots bought off eBay, some excuses bullies give themselves to bully you.
I'm not telling you to speed out to the nearest strip mall and max out your mom's credit card.
I'm telling you looks don't matter.
So wear your hand-me-down jeans with pride, and don't let bullies hurt you.

Sincerely, Tabby

Taking Away a Bully's Power

A bully can bully you because they have power, usually they have more power over you. Don't let the bully see that they hurt you. If they see that they can hurt you, they know they have the power over you. Sometimes, to take a bully's power away, you just have to ignore them. When they bully you with words you can make a light joke on it. If your friend is a bully, and s/he is bullying you, maybe s/he isn't really your friend.

Air Ninja of the Chopsticks

Japanese Princess

Do you get bullied? Well, you are not alone. I read in a BBC article that,"Japan's Princess Aiko has been off school since early this week after complaining of being bullied." Even princesses are bullied. Here's a link to the article

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8551868.stm

Also, it's on the Resources on Bullying link bar.

Slinky

The Chopsticks

Our Video

We made a video about clothing being bullied. It is on our video list and it is linked right here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApbvlQHjzF0

Please, check it out!!!! And, comment!!! PLEASE!!!!!

Shake It Off

In a survey taken by the Discovery Girls Magazine, it was found that 75% of everyone who took the survey has been teased or bullied. 70% of the girls said that someone has made a comment that made them feel bad.

Here's a quote from someone who gave good advice to the readers of the Discovery Girl Magazine,"He said I was so ugly that mirrors run off in horror when I look at myself. But I laughed it off. Later he apologized, saying he was having a bad day. I still think he's a good guy!"

Another girl said,"I think everyone has had something bad said about them-I know I have. But girls, just shake it off... they're just hating on you. Don't let them ruin your self-confidence! You're beautiful in your own way."

The Chopsticks

The Bystander and their Job

There are many ways to stand up to bullies.

This one is the easiest yet hardest one. Walk up to the bully and say, "That's really mean, you shouldn't do that." I call that strategy the "That's really mean, you shouldn't do that" Strategy.

Okay, so, on the bully quiz did you find out you have witnessed bullying? If you have you've got to speak up. Do you think the person getting bullied will say that the bully is being mean? No, really, no. You have GOT to talk to the bully or an adult about what he or she is doing. Sometimes, sadly, adults say, "I'll talk to them" but they don't. That's sort of bullying in it's self. Do you think that's bullying?

A bystander or witness stands up for a victim and confronts a bully. If you are confident you are less likely to be bullied. Kids who are surrounded by kids don't tend to be bullied. Another good reason to hang out with friends!

Okay, let's just say that the bystanders have

THE BIGGEST JOB OF ALL.

Have you ever been a bystander? Did you stand up to the bully?

Slinky

The Chopsticks

Sucked in!

As you saw in the "Cool Club" video, there are different groups. The regular kids often get sucked in to the group. They start to follow the 'cool' group. They do bad things, that they never would of done before. They sort of change in a way. Before they got into they 'Cool' group, they looked at the 'Cool' kids, and wanted to be in there group. Or they disliked them. But since the 'Cool' group does rumors and other mean things.The victims don't want to be teased and hurt, so they follow the 'Cool' group and start being mean. They are sucked in! They are bullies. Sometimes the people who are in the groups, are unsure and not confident in themselves. Others just wanted attention and etc... That's facts about the 'Cool' club!

 

Air Ninja of the Chopsticks

Is That Bullying?

When someone taunts of teases you that's bullying, right?
But if someone teases you and then says,"I was just joking."
Is that bullying? I think so. Don't you?
What if the (supposed) bully sarcastically comments on how pretty your shirt is.
Isn't that bullying too?
Comment back with your opinions.We'd love to hear them!
Sincerely,Tabby of the Chopsticks

Take the bully test!!!!

Have you ever been bullied? Have you ever bullied? Have you ever witnessed bullying? Do you have guts? Do you have friends? Well, if you don't know, then you can find out by answering these basic questions.

1. Has anyone ever called you a name?

If so, you have been bullied.

2. Has anyone ever told you that you can't be their friend?

If so, you have been bullied.

3. Has anyone ever hit, kicked, or punched you?

If so, you have been bullied.

4. Has anyone ever been mean to you about how you look?

If so, you have been bullied.

5. Have you ever seen someone else get hit, punched, made fun of, called a name, or kicked?

If so, you have witnessed bullying.

6. Have you ever called someone a name, hit someone, kicked someone, or pushed someone etc.?

If so, you have bullied.

7. Have you ever stood up to a bully?

If so you have guts.

8. Has anyone ever stood up to a bully for you?

If so, you have friends.

If you come up with any other questions post a comment to us!!!!

Slinky

The Chopsticks

What goes around... comes around?

Spreading rumors is part of emotional bullying. Rumors are sent through gossip and texts, emails and letters. Rumors are often not true, and just spread to make a person feel bad. Peoples' motivation to spread rumors are to get attention or to be mean. But maybe a nice person gets a rumor, and tells their trusted friend the rumor, and tells s/he not to tell...... But maybe her trusted friend thinks the same thing, and tells her trusted friend, and etc etc. And what if a rumor comes to you about your friend, do you tell your friend? Or keep it quiet? Please comment to state your opinion on 'Do you tell your friend the rumor about them?'

Air Ninja or the Chopsticks

Insulting

Different kinds of bullying are physical, cyber, and emotional. Insulting people is part of emotional bullying. Sometimes people insult you, sometimes they insult your friends or family. EXAMPLE:

"Your mother has crazy hair, it's ugly." This would make the child of the mother sad even though the bully is not bulling them. Insulting is bullying.

Air Ninja of the Chopsticks

Slightest Thing!!!!

The slightest thing you do may be bullying. You know you could be a bully. You may think you are kidding but another person may not know you're kidding. You could just pinch, poke, call someone a name, or even laugh at someone. They may be hurt by this. You have got to make sure that they aren't hurt by this. They may laugh along with you which says they're okay with it. But, as I said it's just the slightest thing that may hurt someone.

Slinky from the Chopsticks

Stand up to bullies!

When someone bullies you, you must stand up for yourself. You must not let them make you feel sad. However, when you get angry at the bully/bullies, you can't fight back. If you snap back at the bullies, or punch them back, then you are bullying too. You have to take their power away, their power to control people by fear. Don't show them you are sad, because bullies like seeing your reaction. Tell them you are not affected by their comment or ignore them.

EXAMPLE: Victim has raced the bully in track, the victim won. "You just won because you cheated! I'm going to get you, you cheating loser! You'll be sorry you cheated!" bully says. The victim ignores.

Air Ninja of the chopsticks.

The Cool Club:YouTube Video

This video is a cool one about bullying. It's one we found on you tube. Go to this link to see it!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBWpWSKjTbU

WARNING: It's really mean so don't be like the "Cool Kids".

What's Bullying? We got answers!!!!

Bullying is when one person or a group of people scare or hurt someone else over and over again. Bullies hurt others who are often weaker or less confident. Sometimes, they bully people who are smarter or different than themselves or people they're jealous of. Bullying is often done on purpose. It can happen any where such as school, a sports team, a dance studio, at home, or even at a friend's house. Often the person who is being bullied has a hard time defending themselves. Stay tuned for more!!!!

Don't Become a Bully

If you get bullied don't fight back. (At least physically.)
Like a lot things bullying can become a pattern of behavior.
Ex:1 Joey gets bullied, he then kicks the bully's bottom and becomes the bully.
As I said, don't physically fight back unless you really need to.
Sincerely, Tabby of the chopsticks

The Silent Treatment

The Silent Treatment is one of the best ways to treat a bully. All bullies want to see their victims sad, hurt, and in pain. If you just act like you aren't hurt they might stop bothering you. Try it out and tell us how it works for you by commenting!

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Saying no may be the best way to fix bullying but it could be one of the worst ways to bully. Saying no to a bully means you have guts. A bully may say "No, you can't come to my party." That's mean, but bullies will be bullies. Well, until you say no. When a bully is smashing your head against a locker begging you for your lunch money you could just say "no". Which one do you think is more effective: the bully saying no, or the victim saying no. Tell me what you think by commenting.

Slinky

The Chopsticks

Who We Are And What We Are About

We are a Destination Imagination team. Destination Imagination (DI) is a creative problem solving program. We are doing a project in which we have to choose a community need or problem and address it by using music. We chose bullying because it's a major problem in schools. We're going into middle school soon and we know that bullying can be a problem there. We want to help Portland and The World become a better place. Creating a bully-free zone may be one small step but it is something.

:)