Module 16 (Continued)
Self-Empowerment Training
Weeks 31 and 32
“DO THE UNEXPECTED”
Students write their interpretation of the theme/main idea of the illustration and any possible hidden message(s) as it applies to bullying.
“DO THE UNEXPECTED”
Bullies are used to their victims acting in a particular way.
Therefore, a bully can easily take advantage of a kid that reacts the same way, day after day.
If kids learn to do the unexpected when a bully gets in their space,
It could create confusion in the bully’s mind and put the bully in an unwanted and uncomfortable place.
The bully expects kids to be afraid of them all the time.
Kids, do the unexpected, though it may be hard at first. Show no visible fear, show confidence just by your powerful body language, and the look in your eyes.
Bullies usually speak to their victims in a commanding voice.
Kids, do the unexpected, your voice can be just as commanding, if not more so. Be bold and serious about what you say to the bully. It’s your best choice.
A bully may put his/her unwanted hands on you.
Kids, do the unexpected, the bully’s uninvited hands must be quickly removed.
Kids, you can ask the bully to remove his/her hands in your commanding voice.
If he/she doesn’t, you must physically take them away, then leave the scene quickly, physically fighting a bully should never be your first choice.
To do the unexpected could be anything you do out of the ordinary using your look, voice, body, or mind.
By doing the unexpected, a kid could eliminate a bullying problem or potential one for the very last time.
Al Johnson
Remind students: Select your favorite words or phrases in the poem. Copy them onto your “My Favorites” at the end of your workbook! Practice repeating them over and over again, so you are ready to confidently respond to a bully.
“DO THE UNEXPECTED” VOCABULARY – Discuss the meanings of the following words/phrases, and how they are used in the stanzas of the poem for a clear understanding of the theme/main idea:
- Meek Way
- Cemented
- Reacts
- Unexpected
- Uncomfortable
- Commanding Voice
- Unwanted
- Aggressive
- Uninvited Hands
- Assured
- Out of the Ordinary
- Eliminate & Prevent
- After ensuring that students understand the vocabulary above, they are to write the definitions on the lines provided on page 129.
- Brainstorm with students examples of how they will “Do the Unexpected” to surprise and confuse the bully.
- On page 130 of the Student Workbook, they are to write a poem or essay about the importance of “Doing the Unexpected” when confronted by a bully.
(When writing the poem or essay they are to give examples of how they will do the unexpected in order to surprise and confuse the bully.)
This Module ends with a review of Module 13, and SIC. Please carefully review each segment with the students.
THE EMOTIONS A BULLY TRIES TO USE AGAINST YOU ARE: S = SURPRISE I = INTIMDATION C = CONFUSION
Surprise: (The S in SIC) The bully’s primary intent is to surprise you and take mental advantage of you. This allows him or her to take immediate control of the situation.
Intimidation: (The I in SIC) Being intimidated by someone is when they successfully take away your confidence and make you feel fearful. What does intimidate mean? (Solicit responses) When a bully intimidates you, it can be scary.
Confusion: (The C in SIC): Surprise and Intimidation result in Confusion
So, when a bully:
- Takes you by surprise and
- Intimidates you,
The result is confusion. When surprised and intimidated, you instinctively (automatically) feel confused. (SURPRISE + INTIMADATION = CONFUSION) When you are confused you are not able to React in ways that will help you
eliminate or prevent being bullied.
1. Apply what you have learned about “Awareness”, “Hitting the Light Switch,” the “3Rs”, and “Body Language”, etc. to take away the effects of the bully surprising you.
2. Use the WORDS, THEMES, AND MAIN IDEAS of poems previously learned, and the ones that follow, to effectively become Self-Empowered.
3. “Think on Your Feet” and do something unexpected.
- For example if you are being followed (or even think 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.
- REMEMBER, If you are approached by a bully: You may be surprised, so you must hit the light switch, use the “3Rs”, and then act like you’ve lost your mind. Do this VERY CONVINCINGLY. (i.e. make your body shake, make crazy faces, make crazy noises, etc.,) That should confuse and maybe even frighten the bully.
- Yell, “FIRE FIRE!!!” repeatedly
- When you are being approached by a bully 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. (Like you may have seen on some signs.)
- 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.
- Act like you are very sick. Pretend like you are about to throw up, bend over, make lots of noises, and hold your stomach.
These actions must be practiced and observed as frequently as possible, so they get engrained into the students’ minds.
REMINDER: Modules 1-16 are followed by a short quiz (in the student workbooks) so students can demonstrate mastery of the lesson. This is followed by a teacher evaluation, taking into consideration various aspects of what the students have learned from that module. Please make special note of any particular accomplishments, improvements made, or areas in need of improvement, FOLLOWED BY YOUR SIGNATURE AND DATE.
