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