BEFORE STUDENTS OPEN THEIR WORKBOOKS, TEACH THE FOLLOWING:

(This will be reinforced later in the module)

We have talked about “Awareness”, the “3Rs”, “Hitting the Light Switch,” and “Mental Toughness”, “Body Language”, and more.  All of this works together with what we call: SIC training.  You will understand this as we go along.

What causes someone to lose their confidence. Have students give some examples.

In an emergency, especially with a bully attempting to take mental or physical advantage, three (3) negative emotions almost always occur. These three emotions comprise the acronym SIC (pronounced ‘sick’).

Ask if they have any idea what the S, the I, and the C stand for, and then reveal:

S = Surprise           I = Intimidation         C = Confusion

Surprise (The “S” in SIC): When there is an initial confrontation with a bully, the person being confronted is Surprised by the bully.  

The bully’s primary intent is to surprise you and take mental advantage of you (take away your confidence).  This allows him or her to take immediate control of the situation.

Surprise is the bully’s ally (friend). The bully takes immediate control either verbally or physically or both. 

Intimidation: (The I in SIC) Being intimidated by someone is when they successfully take away your confidence and make you feel fearful. What are some examples of intimidation?

(Solicit responses) …When a bully intimidates you the outcome may not be a good one.

This does not mean you should not be afraid when someone has the intent of inflicting harm.  However, your fear should be a CONTROLLED & CAUTIOUS FEAR.  This is not easily done, so be sure to take this training seriously, practicing and using the skills you are being taught.

Confusion: (The C in SIC) 

So, when a bully:

• Takes you by surprise and
• Intimidates you

The result is confusion. When you are surprised and intimidated, you instinctively (automatically) feel confused. (Surprise + Intimidation = Confusion)  

We have asked hundreds of kids how they initially felt when a bully confronted them. Their responses have always been: “I didn’t know what to do, what to say, how to say it, and I was scared and confused!” You don’t know how to change your situation effectively. Why?  Because you become confused! Confusion causes you to think unclearly, which again gives the bully the advantage.  What we want to do is turn this around, so THE BULLY becomes CONFUSED!

A CONFUSED BULLY:

BBGP teaches you to avoid being Confused, but instead, learn ways you can confuse the bully.

A Confused bully gives YOU a greater chance of eliminating and preventing the likelihood of being a victim. So, let’s learn how to CONFUSE THE BULLY in creative and unexpected ways!

This is called “The Element of Surprise.”

Come up with creative ways to confuse the bully. Here are some examples:

• You are being followed as you walk down the street.  First, check for traffic, then immediately and quickly cross to the other side of the street and start yelling frantically, as loud as you can.

• You are approached by a bully.  Although you may be surprised, you must “hit the light switch”, use the “3Rs”, and then act like you’ve lost your mind. (i.e. make your body shake, make crazy faces, make crazy noises, etc;) Do this to confuse and frighten the bully. 

• Yell, “FIRE FIRE!!!” repeatedly…By doing this in what seems like a “panic” state of mind, hopefully, this will confuse the bully. “Fire” should be yelled more often and more times than “Help.” Your purpose is to draw attention to you and your encounter with a bully. The attention you are seeking is from a responsible ADULT.

When someone is getting into your space and making you feel uncomfortable, quickly do ALL of the following: 

• Boldly and confidently take one large step back, while looking directly at the person coming toward you.

• Pull your shoulders back in an exaggerated method.

• Forcefully and immediately extend your right arm directly in front of you, with the palm of your hand facing the person. (Looks like the hand you have seen at the traffic signals.)

• DO NOT do the “Stop Sign” technique if the bully has a weapon of any kind or suspect they have one! 
• Comply with the bully’s demands if they have a visible weapon threating you.

See video of Stop Sign” demonstration. 

• As soon as you have extended your arm, LOUDLY shout “STOP”, while making the most outrageous and ugly face you have ever made in your life.

Here’s another example of the “Element of Surprise”.  Act like you are sick! Pretend like you are about to throw up, bend over, and hold your stomach. 

Have students think of some other ways they can confuse the bully. 

After agreeing to a few additional ideas, it will be time to role play, so students gain experience in practicing how to confuse bullies.

Have volunteers go to the front of the room and demonstrate from the above examples. They must EXAGGERATE their behaviors and receive suggestions from classmates about how to become even more effective with performing “The Stop Sign” technique.

These actions must be practiced and observed as many times as possible, so they get engrained into the students’ minds.

Explain to students: 

If you are ever in a threatening situation of any nature, especially with a bully, you MUST KNOW how to IMMEDIATELY apply TWO of the elements of SIC by using Awareness, “Hitting the Light Switch,” “3Rs”, & Body Language.  In doing so, the bully hopefully becomes surprised and confused.  All MUST be done in a matter of a few seconds. (“Hitting the Light Switch”)

Ask students:

Do you know which of the 2 elements of SIC should be immediately applied against the bully? (They are to respond in their workbooks on page 103).

The two (2) elements of SIC students MUST immediately apply in the unwanted bully encounter are Surprise & Confusion.

Here are some additional ways to Surprise and Confuse the bully (these are also listed in the student workbook on page 103):

• You can surprise and confuse the bully with your confident look (Confident Eye-to Eye contact with the bully)
   
• Always, yes always, have strong body language. Your body language should be sending a message that says, “I am not the person you want to pick on”.
   
• Use your voice (Whatever you say to the bully must be said with Conviction!)
  
  
• Think on Your Feet!!!  Do this to immediately deflate and even destroy the bully’s advantage.

You MUST reverse “SIC” on the bully. HOW? By DOING THE UNEXPECTED!

Bullies DO NOT respond very well to the ELEMENT OF SURPRISE or CONFUSION (“the unexpected”!)

Neither do bullies enjoy having Intimidation reversed and used against them.

Intimidating the bully may mean using physical controlling techniques, when necessary, ONLY if properly trained to do so.  BBGP offers this training in an entirely separate course.

This concludes the SIC training. 

At this time review the importance of the proper use of cell phones when in public. Ask questions like:

When are the only times you should use a cell phone in public? 

A very important BRIEF CALL!

How do you safely use a cell phone in public, when taking or making an emergency call?

Calls that are not an emergency.

How to use a cell phone in public when you are totally concentrating on your cell phone, and not your environment?

With very important (i.e. emergency) calls, find a safe place to stand or sit while constantly being aware of people around you, blind spots, and traffic that could cause you harm.

What are the dangers of using a cell phone in public?  

You don’t know if a bully or stranger is around wanting to cause you harm while you only pay attention to your cell phone.

You could be the victim of oncoming traffic or a car that suddenly goes out of control.