Creating positive chatter
We created an activity to help generate messages of support for yourself and others.
Because positive chatter matters.
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At PROJECT ROCKIT, we’re big on celebrating people’s differences. We believe that those who are same sex attracted, gender diverse, or have varied experiences of their body or sense of self should feel safe and included at school.
* At PROJECT ROCKIT we often use this variation of the original rainbow flag which represents the inclusion of people of colour in the LGBTIQA+ community.
However, we know that young people are more likely to be bullied if their gender and/or sexuality doesn’t fit into the usual moulds, and that these negative messages are often carried throughout school and into their adult life.
This IDAHOBIT (International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia), we wish to empower young people to spread positive messages through our PROJECT ROCKIT chatterbox.
Below you can download the chatterbox bursting with messages of support for students who may need a lift, or you can download a blank one for you to fill in with your own words.
How to make your Chatterbox:
Download the instructions here .
So you’ve printed it, and you’re staring a colourful piece of paper. What now? Besides jumping straight over to a Youtube tutorial, here are the easy steps to get your chatterbox folded and working.
STEP 1: Fold the square in half, point to point, to make a triangle and then unfold. Make this fold so that the design is on the outside.
STEP 2: Fold each of the corners into the centre to create a smaller square.
STEP 3: Fold this smaller square in half to create a rectangle, and then open back out.
STEP 4: Flip the square over to the opposite side.
STEP 5: Fold each of the corners in to the centre to create another smaller square.
STEP 6: Flip the square over to create your game.
STEP 7: Underneath each flap you’ll see a message of support for LGTBIQA+ classmates. There should be one per triangle (eight in total).
STEP 8: Now the folds have been made, hold the rectangle with your left hand and slide your thumb and pointer finger up, and index (pointer) finger up and underneath the two flaps on the right side. Wiggle your fingers and the paper should bend inwards.
STEP 9: Do the same thing with your left hand on the left hand side of the rectangle.
Your chatterbox is now ready to use! Pick a number and determine how many times to flex the chatterbox. Pick a colour. Read aloud the message within – each affirmation is matched to a corresponding letter of the LGBTIQA+ acronym!
Spreading positive messages and growing our understanding of different experiences are just a few ways that we can work to combat hate and prejudice, today and every day. We hope you enjoy our PROJECT ROCKIT chatterbox and we look forward to seeing the positive messages you come up with as well! Feel free to tag @projectrockit if you upload any photos or videos to socials.
Oh, and you can use our blank chatterbox to generate your own messages for students in need of support.