Theme: Responsibility for Others Film: Drumline (PG-13) 3:40 A kid from Harlem is recruited into a southern university marching band. Thinking that he is the answer to all the band's problems does not score him any points with the tough band professor. Everyone needs a lesson in what it means to work as a team, and what it means to be responsible for one another.
This 2002 film from 20th Century Fox is directed by Charles Stone III, written by Tina Gordon Chism and Shawn Schepps, and stars Nick Cannon Zoe Salanda, Orlando Jones, Leonard Roberts, GQ, Jason Weaver, Earl Poitier, and Candance Carey.
Teaser Question: What is the difference between good and bad peer pressure?
Going Deeper: Are we responsible for other's actions? Why or why not?
"Provision for others is fundamental responsibility of human life." - Woodrow Wilson
"People don't understand that not ony can they make a difference, but its their responsiblity to do so." -Florence Robinson
Theme: Using Popularity as a Weapon Film: Princess Protection Program (PG) 2:12 Rosie is hiding in witness protection as a typical teenager, working at the local frozen yogurt shop. When Rosie takes one other their spots on the Prom Court, two girls are out to make Rosie's life miserable by sabotaging her at work. Since Rosie is secretly a real life princess, she doesn't understand that jealous girls can be horribly mean.
This 2009 Disney Channel Original Movie is directed by Allison Liddi-Brown, written by Annie De Young and David Morgasen. It stars Demi Lovato and Selena Gomez.
Teaser Question: How do you stay strong when it seems like everyone is working against you?
Going Deeper: What should you do when you are asked to participate in being mean to someone? What if its your best friend? Are you being a loyal friend if you say no?
"Honest: The best of all the lost arts." - Mark Twain
"True friendship multiplies the good in life and divides its evils. To find one real friend in a lifetime is good fortune; to keep him is a blessing.' - Baltasar Gracian
Theme: Standing Up to a Dare Film: A Christmas Story (PG) 3:39 This tale may be set in the 1940s, but the situations these kids face are very familiar today. For example, when a friend dares you to do something that you know is not a good idea, what will you choose to do?
This 1983 film from MGM and Warner Brothers is directed by Bob Clark, written by Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown, and Bob Clark, and stars Peter Billingsley, Darren McGavin, Melinda Dillon, and Ian Petrella.
Teaser Question: Do friends influence what we say and do? How? Why?
Going Deeper: What makes a dare so powerful? What would happen if we said "no" to a dare?
"To be the leader of the band, you've got to turn your back to the crowd." - Unknown
"Like timidity, bravery is also contagious." - Munshi Premchand
Theme: Cliques as Bullies Film: Mean Girls (PG-13) 0:41 When a girl who has always been home-schooled suddenly enters a public high school, she learns that it can be pretty hard to fit in. So, when some popular girls invite her to join their clique, it seems like a great idea... or is it?
This 2004 film from Paramount is directed by Mark Waters, written by Tina Fey, and starts Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Tim Meadows, and Tina Fey.
Teaser Question: What are the rules your friends expect you to follow?
Going Deeper: What is a clique? How can a clique be harmful? How can cliques control you?
"Do you want to be a power in the world? Be yourself." - Ralph Waldo Trine
"What is genius but the power of expressing a new individuality?" -Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Moving Students to Action: Character "Word Wall" A "word wall" can help your students build/develop their vocabulary in terms of meaning, context, and relevance The words below come directly from the various video clips for knowing yourself, peer pressure, ad understanding bullies or the question prompt at the end of each clip. Developing a word wall is a great way to introduce key vocabulary terms at the beginning of a unit or piece by piece as your class explores a unit of study. Peer Pressure Responsibility Solidarity Confident Clique Self-Respect Conformity Bully Courage Individuality Friend Confront
Keeping a Journal: As an in-class activity, ask your students to write four entries in their journal under the heading of "Perseverance" answering the following statement: 1. Of all the examples of knowing yourself demonstrated in the clips, which was your favorite? Why? 2. Write about a time when you went along with the crowd even though you felt it was wrong. 3. Write about how you deal with peer pressure. 4. Why does peer pressure feel so strong in middle school?
Activity 1: Peer Pressure's Bag of Tricks - could take two days (1 for students to plan skits, and one to act them out) Performance Objective: Works with a group, following set rules of procedure to complete an assigned task
Materials: - 6-8 brown paper lunch bags - 3-4 copies of Peer Pressure's bag of tricks cards (button link below) - Markers, crayons, colored pencils, glue sticks - 6 sided die
Teacher Instructions: 1. Break students up into 6 groups, and give them each a brown paper bag and a set of the 6 styles of peer pressure. 2. Have students decorate the bag, labeling it Peer Pressure's Bag of Tricks. 3. Give students time to come up with a skit for each type of peer pressure. 4. After the students have had time to come up with the skits, number the groups 1-6, roll the dice to chose which group will go first. 5. Once the group has been determined, have them draw one of the peer pressure styles out of the bag, They should not tell anyone which style they drew however, that is the style/skit they will perform. 6. After the students have done their skit, the other groups will decide which style it was. 7. Once they have answered correctly, roll again (choosing a new group, no group should be repeated until all groups have gone once). 8. Continue until all 6 styles have been demonstrated.
Activity 2: We Belong Together Performance Objective: Works with a group, following set rules of procedure to complete an assigned task.
Materials: -Pencils or pens
Teacher Instructions: 1. Have students write down as many things as they can think of that ‘belong’ together, such as peanut butter & jelly. 2. When they are done, begin a discussion about belonging. - Ask students if sometimes the things they listed don’t go together. For example, some people don’t enjoy bread with butter. - Ask students what they belong to (for example, sports teams, a church group, or a club). - Ask students what group of friends they belong to. Encourage them to talk about the benefits and problems that accompany having a specific group of friends. - Ask students the following questions: - When are some times that you and your friends don’t go’ together? (For example, you might not all play the same sport, ride the same bus, or like the same foods). - When do you recall doing something with a group of friends that you did not want to do? - Why do you think people sometimes do things that they do not want to do when they are around their friends? - How do you think people act differently when they are around different groups of people? - Why do you think it is difficult for people to say no to their friends? - Where would you draw the line with your friends? In other words, what are some things you would not do? - What are some things that friends sometimes pressure each other to do or to say? - Why do you think people continue to be friends with people they are afraid of or who threaten to break off their friendship? - How can you make some healthy choices about your friends when deciding what you are and are not willing to do? End of Activity Discussion Questions: - What was the point of this group session? - What do you think can be done to help people have healthy friendships with one another? - How will you use what you have learned today?