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Navigating Peer & Digital Drama

For Schools

Lesson Plan

Navigating Peer & Digital Drama

Students will learn strategies to identify and manage peer conflict, understand different types of peer pressure and develop refusal skills, and critically analyze the impact of social media on their well-being and relationships.

Navigating friendships and social dynamics can be challenging for middle schoolers. This lesson equips students with essential life skills to handle difficult social situations, build healthier relationships, and make informed decisions in both their in-person and online interactions, fostering resilience and self-advocacy.

Audience

Middle School Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, practical scenarios, and a group activity.

Materials

Smartboard or projector, Peer Power Slides, Social Savvy Scenarios Activity, and My Social Toolkit Handout

Prep

Teacher Preparation

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction: What's the Drama?

5 minutes

  • Begin by projecting the first slide of Peer Power Slides.
    - Ask students: "What kinds of social challenges do you face with friends or classmates?" (Brief group share, no judgment).
    - Introduce the lesson objective: to equip them with tools for 'Navigating Peer & Digital Drama.'

Step 2

Understanding Peer Conflict & Pressure

10 minutes

  • Use Peer Power Slides to guide a discussion on peer conflict and different types of peer pressure.
    - Discuss examples relevant to middle schoolers.
    - Introduce refusal strategies and assertive communication techniques.
    - Distribute the My Social Toolkit Handout and briefly review the sections related to peer conflict and pressure.

Step 3

Social Media Influence

5 minutes

  • Transition to discussing social media influence using Peer Power Slides.
    - Facilitate a brief discussion on how social media can impact self-esteem, relationships, and decision-making.
    - Encourage critical thinking about online content and interactions.
    - Direct students to the social media section of the My Social Toolkit Handout.

Step 4

Social Savvy Scenarios Activity

8 minutes

  • Introduce the Social Savvy Scenarios Activity.
    - Divide students into small groups (if not already in one for Tier 2).
    - Provide each group with a scenario card from the activity.
    - Instruct them to discuss and role-play or brainstorm solutions using strategies from the lesson and their My Social Toolkit Handout.
    - Circulate to provide support and guidance.

Step 5

Wrap-up & Reflection

2 minutes

  • Bring the groups back together.
    - Ask each group to briefly share one key takeaway or solution from their scenario.
    - Reiterate the importance of using their 'social toolkit' in real-life situations.
    - End with an encouraging message about their ability to navigate social challenges.
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Slide Deck

Welcome! Navigating Peer & Digital Drama

What kinds of social challenges do you face with friends or classmates?

Welcome students and introduce the topic. Ask an opening question to gauge their current understanding and challenges. Emphasize that this is a safe space for discussion. Transition to the lesson objective.

Peer Conflict: Disagreements & Differences

What is peer conflict?

  • Disagreements between friends or classmates
  • Different opinions, misunderstandings, or hurt feelings

How can we handle it constructively?

  • Communicate Clearly: Talk it out respectfully.
  • Listen Actively: Understand their side.
  • Compromise: Find a middle ground.
  • Know When to Walk Away: Not all conflicts need to be won.

Define peer conflict. Ask students for examples they might have seen or experienced. Discuss constructive ways to handle disagreements, focusing on communication and respect. Use Slide 3 to dive deeper.

Peer Pressure: The Good, The Bad, & The Tricky

What is peer pressure?

  • When friends or classmates influence your choices.

Positive Peer Pressure: Encourages good choices (e.g., studying, trying new healthy activities).

Negative Peer Pressure: Pushes you to do things you're uncomfortable with or know are wrong.

  • How does it make you feel? Uncomfortable, anxious, guilty.

Types of Negative Peer Pressure:

  • Spoken: Direct requests or dares.
  • Unspoken: Seeing others do something and feeling like you should too.

Discuss different types of peer pressure: positive and negative. Give examples of each. Highlight the importance of identifying negative pressure and how it can make you feel. Introduce refusal skills.

Saying NO! (and meaning it)

It's okay to say NO! Here's how:

  • Be Assertive: Use a firm voice, make eye contact.
  • Give a Reason (Optional): "No thanks, I'm not into that."
  • Suggest an Alternative: "Let's do X instead of Y."
  • Walk Away: Remove yourself from the situation.
  • Find an Ally: Stick with friends who support your choices.
  • Talk to a Trusted Adult: Get help if you need it.

Focus on actionable strategies for resisting peer pressure. Role-playing or quick examples can be helpful here. Connect back to the handout they will receive later.

Social Media: The Digital World's Influence

How does social media influence us?

  • Perception vs. Reality: What you see online isn't always real.
  • Fear of Missing Out (FOMO): Feeling left out or inadequate.
  • Cyberbullying: Negative interactions online.
  • Impact on Self-Esteem: Comparing yourself to others.
  • Quick Decisions: Rushing to post or react without thinking.

Think critically about what you see and share!

Shift to social media. Discuss its prevalence and how it can influence perceptions and actions. Ask students how social media makes them feel sometimes. Focus on critical thinking.

Being Smart Online: Your Digital Toolkit

Take control of your online experience!

  • Think Before You Post: Once it's online, it's there forever.
  • Privacy Settings: Know who can see your content.
  • Limit Screen Time: Balance online and offline life.
  • Unfollow/Unfriend Negativity: Protect your mental well-being.
  • Report Cyberbullying: Don't suffer in silence.
  • Be a Positive Influencer: Use your voice for good.

Provide practical tips for navigating social media safely and positively. Emphasize their control over their digital footprint and interactions.

Time for Action! Social Savvy Scenarios

Now, let's put your new skills to the test!

  • Work with your group to discuss the scenario.
  • Use the strategies we talked about.
  • Think about: What would you do? What would you say? Who would you ask for help?
  • Be ready to share your solutions!

Introduce the activity and explain how it connects to the strategies discussed. Encourage them to apply what they've learned.

You've Got This!

You have the power to navigate social challenges!

  • Stand up for yourself and others.
  • Make choices you feel good about.
  • Be a positive force in your friendships.

Use your Social Toolkit to be confident and safe!

Conclude by reiterating the main message and empowering students to use their new skills. Open for any final questions.

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Worksheet

My Social Toolkit: Navigating Peer & Digital Drama

Section 1: Handling Peer Conflict

What is Peer Conflict? (Briefly define in your own words)



Strategies for Healthy Conflict Resolution:

  • Communicate Clearly: How can you say what you mean respectfully?



  • Listen Actively: What does it mean to really listen?



  • Compromise: When is it important to find a middle ground?



  • Know When to Walk Away: Why is this a good strategy sometimes?



Section 2: Standing Up to Peer Pressure

What is Peer Pressure? (Briefly define in your own words)



Positive vs. Negative Peer Pressure: Give an example of each.

  • Positive:



  • Negative:



My Refusal Power Moves (How to Say NO!):

  • Be Assertive: How would you sound and look?



  • Suggest an Alternative: What could you say?



  • Walk Away: When would you use this?



  • Find an Ally or Trusted Adult: Who could help you?



Section 3: Smart Choices with Social Media

How Social Media Can Influence You:

  • Perception vs. Reality: What does this mean?



  • Fear of Missing Out (FOMO): Have you felt this? How?



  • Impact on Self-Esteem: How can social media affect how you feel about yourself?



My Digital Toolkit: Being Smart Online

  • Think Before You Post: What should you consider?



  • Privacy Settings: Why are these important?



  • Limit Screen Time: How can you do this?



  • Unfollow/Unfriend Negativity: Why is this a good idea?



  • Report Cyberbullying: What should you do if you see it?



My Personal Goal:

One thing I will try to remember or practice from my Social Toolkit is...





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Activity

Social Savvy Scenarios: What Would YOU Do?

Instructions: Read your group's scenario carefully. Discuss with your teammates how you would handle the situation using the strategies we talked about today (from the slides and your My Social Toolkit Handout). Be prepared to share your solutions with the class.

Scenario Card 1: Peer Pressure on Social Media

Your friend, Alex, posts a picture of a group of classmates doing something risky and inappropriate after school. They tag you in the photo, even though you weren't there and don't approve. Other comments start appearing, daring people to do even riskier things.

Discussion Questions:

  • How does being tagged in this photo make you feel?
  • What kind of peer pressure is this?
  • What are your options for dealing with the photo and Alex?
  • What specific steps would you take to protect yourself and resist the pressure?
  • Who could you talk to about this?

Scenario Card 2: Friendship Conflict

You and your best friend, Sam, have been planning to go to the school dance together for weeks. Suddenly, Sam tells you they're going with a new group of friends and that you're welcome to join them, but they won't be sticking with you the whole night like you planned. You feel hurt and left out.

Discussion Questions:

  • What feelings might you be experiencing in this situation?
  • How could you communicate your feelings to Sam without starting a big fight?
  • What would be a healthy way to address this conflict?
  • Are there any compromises that could be made?
  • What if Sam doesn't understand your feelings?

Scenario Card 3: Unspoken Peer Pressure

Everyone in your friend group has started wearing a particular brand of expensive sneakers and talking about how cool they are. You really like your current sneakers, and your family can't afford the trendy ones right now. You start to feel like you don't fit in because you don't have them.

Discussion Questions:

  • What kind of peer pressure is this (spoken or unspoken)? How do you know?
  • How does this situation make you feel?
  • What are some ways you could deal with these feelings and the pressure?
  • How can you stay true to yourself when others are following a trend?
  • What's a confident response if someone asks why you don't have the new sneakers?

Scenario Card 4: Cyberbullying Witness

You see a classmate, Jamie, being repeatedly targeted with mean comments and rumors on a popular social media platform by a few other students. You don't know Jamie well, but you know this isn't right.

Discussion Questions:

  • What are your responsibilities when you witness cyberbullying?
  • What are the potential consequences of doing nothing?
  • What specific actions could you take to help Jamie or stop the bullying?
  • Who should you report this to?
  • How can you be an Upstander instead of a Bystander?
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