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GWINN -- Thousands of children across the nation have heard Rob the Drummer's motto:  Beat drums, not people, as one in seven students, grades K through 12, is either a bully or a victim.

"Bullying has been an issue for a long time, and we're taking a different approach where we're going into the schools and doing these different performances so that the students have other avenues," said Michigan State Police Trooper Stacey Rasanen.

On Monday, the Sesame Street star brought his talents to Gilbert Elementary in Gwinn, one of 12 schools in the county that will hear his message.

"There's something very natural about survival of the fittest and about cutting out the weak of the herd, except that people's feelings and kids are not animals," said Robert Gottfried.

Rob is using his drum skills to show the students how to better express themselves rather than be abusive or pick on others. His interactive methods got them moving, but his message had them listening.

"One of the things is go to apologize to that person that you bullied," said Seth Quayle, a fourth grader.

"It's disrespectful, and they're not really going to want to be nice to you," said Summer Hildebrant, a sixth grade student.

And how does this combat the rising problem? Gottfried said it's channeling their negative energy toward something positive, a step away from using drugs, alcohol or bullying to gain self esteem.

"If they want to change their perception, use something natural as a way of changing your perception; do it with all of your effort, with all of your guts, and you're going to come out with changing the way you feel," Gottfried said.