Words Can Hurt: Activities About the Power of Words

Image courtesy GLSEN.

Whoever created that whole "Sticks and stones...but words will never hurt me" idiom didn't know what they were talking about. We know that words can hurt. Bones heal, but, if we let it, the hurt of words can linger for years. Words also frame the way we think about other people, animals, and the earth. January 21-25 is No Name-Calling Week, which is sponsored by the Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN). The No Name-Calling Week website offers tools, lesson plans, tips, and resources for participating in the campaign and for helping make your school a more just and compassionate community.

In addition to GLSEN's helpful resources, at IHE we have several activities that explore the power of names and words. Here's a sampling:

Two Apples (pdf)

In this icebreaker, participants learn just how important words and actions are when they explore their impact on two apples.
Recommended for All ages.
Time: 5-10 minutes

What’s in a Name? (pdf)

“You’re such a pig!” “She’s a total dog!” Help students examine our myths about and prejudices against animals, to explore why they exist, and to consider what we might want to change about our relationships with them.
Recommended for grades 6 and up.
Time: 45 minutes

Word Power (pdf)

Words have enormous power and often assign value. This activity explores sample words in context and what kinds of value those words imply.
Recommended for grades 4 and up.
Time: 15-30 minutes

~ Marsha

Like our blog? Please share it with others, comment, and/or subscribe to our RSS feed.