Scenario Question Stems Script

Warm-Up Question: "When has a friend’s choice inspired you?" (5 minutes)

Teacher: "Good morning/afternoon, everyone! Today, we're going to talk about something really important: how we influence each other and how we stand up for what's right. To kick us off, I want you to think about this question: When has a friend’s choice truly inspired you? Take a moment to reflect silently."

Teacher: "Alright, who would like to share an example of a time a friend's positive choice inspired them? What happened? What did you learn from it?"

Vocabulary Dive: Peer Pressure, Integrity, Groupthink, Moral Courage (10 minutes)

Teacher: "Great examples! Now, let's build a shared understanding of some key terms that will help us discuss these ideas more deeply. We'll be using the Push-Back Strategies Slide Deck."

Peer Pressure

Teacher: "Our first term is peer pressure. Who can tell me, in their own words, what they think peer pressure means?"




Teacher: "Excellent. Peer pressure is the influence from members of one's peer group. It's often talked about negatively, but can it also be positive? How does peer pressure show up in your life or in media you consume, both good and bad?"

Integrity

Teacher: "Next up is integrity. When you hear 'integrity,' what comes to mind?"




Teacher: "That's right. Integrity is about being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness. It's about doing the right thing, even when it's difficult or no one is watching. Why is integrity so important for a team, a community, or even just for yourself?"

Groupthink

Teacher: "Our third term is groupthink. This might be a new one for some of you. Any guesses based on the word itself?"




Teacher: "Spot on. Groupthink is when a group makes decisions without critical evaluation, leading to an unchallenged, often poor decision-making process. Can you think of any historical or current examples where groupthink led to negative outcomes? What happens when everyone just agrees without really thinking?"

Moral Courage

Teacher: "Finally, we have moral courage. We've talked about different kinds of courage before. What do you think 'moral courage' means?"




Teacher: "Precisely. Moral courage is the courage to take action for moral reasons despite the risk of adverse consequences. What does it truly take for someone to show moral courage? Why is it so hard sometimes?"

Corners Activity: Stand Your Ground (15 minutes)

Teacher: "Now that we have these terms in mind, we're going to put them into practice with an activity called Stand-Your-Ground Corners. I'm going to present a series of scenarios, and your task is to move to the corner of the room that best represents your stance: 'Agree,' 'Disagree,' 'Neutral,' or 'Strongly Agree/Disagree.' Be ready to explain why you chose that corner. There are no right or wrong answers, but strong justifications!"

(Present scenarios from Stand-Your-Ground Corners Activity one by one, facilitating movement and discussion. Use the prompts below to deepen the conversation for each scenario.)

Teacher Prompts for Each Scenario:

• "Why did you choose this corner? What's your reasoning?"
• "Does anyone in a different corner want to challenge that perspective?"
• "What might be the consequences of acting on the 'agree' side here? What about the 'disagree' side?"
• "How does integrity play a role in this situation?"
• "Where do you see potential for peer pressure or groupthink here?"
• "What would demonstrating moral courage look like in this scenario?"
• "Has anyone changed their mind after hearing a different perspective? Why or why not?"

Discussion: Resisting Negative Pressures (10 minutes)

Teacher: "Excellent job engaging with those scenarios! Now, let's bring it all together with a class discussion. I have a few prompts to guide our thinking."

1. Teacher: "Based on our activity, what are some effective strategies for resisting negative peer pressure?"
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Teacher: "How can one person's integrity positively influence an entire team or group culture? Think about the 'ripple effect.'"
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Teacher: "What are the biggest challenges in demonstrating moral courage, especially when it means standing alone?"
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Teacher: "How can we actively work to create a team or classroom culture where integrity and individual thought are celebrated, rather than groupthink?"
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Closing Thought: "Integrity is influence turned inside-out." (5 minutes)

Teacher: "To wrap up our lesson today, I want to leave you with a powerful thought: 'Integrity is influence turned inside-out.'"

Teacher: "Take a moment to consider what this quote means to you, especially after our discussions and activities today. How does your personal integrity become a form of influence on others?"




Teacher: "Would anyone like to share a final thought on this quote? Thank you all for your thoughtful participation today!"

Stand-Your-Ground Corners Activity

Instructions: For each scenario, read it carefully. Then, move to the corner of the room that best represents your initial reaction: Agree, Disagree, Neutral, Strongly Agree, or Strongly Disagree. Be prepared to explain your reasoning to your classmates.

Scenario 1: The Group Project

Your group for a major history project decides to split the work unevenly. Two members do almost nothing, expecting everyone else to pick up the slack, while another suggests using information from a less-than-credible online source to save time. The deadline is looming, and everyone else seems to be going along with it.

Statement: It's okay to let some members do less work or use questionable sources if it means the project gets done on time and the group gets a good grade.

Scenario 2: The Social Event

Your closest friends are planning a weekend outing to a place you know your parents would strongly disapprove of, and they expect you to come. When you express hesitation, they start teasing you, saying you're "no fun" or "too scared." You feel pressured to go along so you don't miss out or upset your friends.

Statement: It's more important to maintain your friendships and fit in than to always follow strict rules, especially if no one will get hurt.

Scenario 3: The Online Post

A popular classmate posts a mean-spirited meme about another student in your grade. Many of your friends are commenting and laughing, and some are even sharing it. You know the student who is the target of the meme and feel it's unfair, but you don't want to be seen as an outsider or become a target yourself.

Statement: It's better to stay silent and not get involved in online drama, even if you disagree with what's being posted.

Scenario 4: The "Little White Lie"

You're at a friend's house, and their parent asks if you all finished your homework. Your friends quickly say "yes," even though you know for a fact they only completed a small portion of it. They look at you, expecting you to back them up, and you don't want to make them look bad.

Statement: It's harmless to go along with a "little white lie" to help out a friend, especially if it's not hurting anyone.