When your upper elementary or lower middle school students turn your school into a rumor mill… use this activity to help them squash the gossip! It’s also a great companion activity to Julia Cook’s “Rumor Has It”, Madonna’s “Mr. Peabody’s Apples”, or Liz Rosenberg’s “What James Said” (specific discussion questions included for each of these stories).
*A self-guided Google Slides(TM) version of this resource is now included. Students answer questions about their personal experiences, read about gossip and rumors, show what they would do in 16 scenarios (some the same as in the original resource, some modified for this time, and a few added specifically about the virus), then list 5 things to talk about besides other people. This resource can be used by any student/parent with a Google login. It can be used in Google Classroom. It can also be used in Microsoft Teams.*
This resource includes a set of 20 “What would you do?” gossip/rumor scenarios. You can use them for “Pick a card!”, “Scatter”, or “Mingle-Partner-Chat”; all awesome cooperative learning structures. Directions are included for all three activities (see more details in the preview!).
Scenarios are meant for students to practice:
• Minding their own business.
• Not believing something just because someone else said it.
• Choosing not to gossip.
This resource also includes 3 different exit tickets and a “words of wisdom” sign to leave behind in classrooms (or hang in your office). This lesson is ASCA and CASEL aligned and a complete lesson plan is included.
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