Lesson Plan
Influence Insights
Students will recognize positive and negative peer influences, map their own peer dynamics using the Influence Tracker, and practice leveraging positive influence through discussion and the Ally Alliance game to build supportive relationships.
Understanding peer influence helps students make healthier choices, develop empathy, and create strong, positive social networks essential for their well-being and academic success.
Audience
8th Grade Middle School Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, paired activities, and a cooperative game
Materials
Prep
Prepare Materials
5 minutes
- Review the Power in Peers slide deck and note key discussion prompts.
- Print one copy of the Influence Tracker per student.
- Gather and set up the Ally Alliance components in the play area.
Step 1
Warm-Up: Peer Influence Brainstorm
5 minutes
- Display opening slide from Power in Peers.
- Ask students to recall a positive or negative time friends influenced their choices.
- Invite volunteers to share examples; jot key words on chart paper to visualize peer impact.
Step 2
Main Activity 1: Mapping Influence
8 minutes
- Distribute the Influence Tracker.
- In pairs, students list peers or groups influencing them and categorize each as positive or negative.
- Circulate to clarify examples and encourage honest reflection.
Step 3
Main Activity 2: Amplifying Positives
4 minutes
- Still in pairs, students brainstorm 2–3 ways to strengthen positive influences (e.g., giving supportive feedback, setting shared goals).
- Record strategies in the ‘Action Steps’ section of the worksheet.
Step 4
Game Segue: Introducing Ally Alliance
1 minute
- Explain that they will play Ally Alliance to practice supporting peers in real time.
- Quickly review rules and objectives: teamwork, communication, and positive reinforcement.
Step 5
Game Play: Ally Alliance
8 minutes
- Students form small teams and play Ally Alliance, focusing on helping teammates succeed through encouragement and shared problem-solving.
- Teacher observes and notes examples of positive influence in action.
Step 6
Reflection & Closing
4 minutes
- Gather students and prompt discussion:
• What strategies from your Influence Tracker did you see in the game?
• How did it feel to support and be supported? - Invite 2–3 students to share “takeaway actions” they will try this week to boost positive peer influence.
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Slide Deck
Power in Peers
Understanding and Harnessing Positive Peer Influence
Welcome the class and introduce today’s focus: understanding the power of peer influence. Emphasize that peers can shape our choices in positive and negative ways. Use this slide to set the tone and energy for the session.
What Is Peer Influence?
• When friends or classmates shape our thoughts, feelings, or actions
• Positive influence: encouragement, support, healthy habits
• Negative influence: pressure, risky choices, exclusion
Define peer influence clearly. Read each bullet aloud, then ask for a quick student-to-student turn and talk: “Can you think of a quick example?” Capture one or two student responses on the board.
Peer Influence in Action
Think of times when peers have influenced you:
Positive Examples:
Negative Examples:
Display a blank slide and ask students to brainstorm examples of positive and negative influence. Encourage volunteers to share. Jot examples under each column on chart paper or whiteboard.
Mapping Your Influence
Grab your Influence Tracker and list peers or groups who influence you:
• Who are they?
• Is their influence positive or negative?
• Why do they influence you?
Introduce the worksheet. Distribute the Influence Tracker now if you have not. Explain the columns: ‘Peer/Group’, ‘Positive or Negative’, ‘Why?’ Give students 2–3 minutes to start mapping.
Amplifying the Positives
In pairs, identify 2–3 ways to strengthen positive influences:
• Supportive feedback
• Shared goals or activities
• Check-in routines
After students fill out their lists, guide pairs to brainstorm action steps. Model one example on board: “If friend encourages you to study together, set a weekly study goal.”
Introducing Ally Alliance
Now we’ll play Ally Alliance:
• Work in small teams
• Use communication & encouragement
• Help teammates succeed
Transition to the game. Briefly explain that Ally Alliance will let students practice positive peer support in action. Remind them of teamwork and encouragement objectives.
Reflection & Takeaways
• Which strategies from your tracker did you see in the game?
• How did it feel to support and be supported?
• What’s one action you’ll try this week?
After gameplay, bring the group back together. Use these prompts to guide reflection. Call on volunteers to share succinct answers.
Your Peer Power Challenge
Choose one supportive action this week:
• Give a friend positive feedback
• Set a goal with a classmate
• Check in on someone’s progress
Summarize key points: peer influence is powerful and can be guided toward positive outcomes. Encourage students to use their takeaway action and notice its impact. Thank them for their participation.
Worksheet
Influence Tracker
Use this worksheet to identify peers or groups that influence you and plan ways to strengthen the positive ones. Complete at least three entries.
- Peer/Group:
_______________________________
Influence (Positive or Negative):
_______________________________
Why does this peer/group influence you?
_______________________________
Action Steps to strengthen positive influence:
_______________________________
- Peer/Group:
_______________________________
Influence (Positive or Negative):
_______________________________
Why does this peer/group influence you?
_______________________________
Action Steps to strengthen positive influence:
_______________________________
- Peer/Group:
_______________________________
Influence (Positive or Negative):
_______________________________
Why does this peer/group influence you?
_______________________________
Action Steps to strengthen positive influence:
_______________________________
- (Optional) Peer/Group:
_______________________________
Influence (Positive or Negative):
_______________________________
Why does this peer/group influence you?
_______________________________
Action Steps to strengthen positive influence:
_______________________________
Game
Ally Alliance
A fast-paced cooperative game where teams practice positive peer support through fun challenges.
Objective
Students will use encouragement, clear communication, and teamwork to help peers succeed, then reflect on the impact of positive influence.
Materials
- 12–15 Challenge Cards (index cards with simple tasks)
- 10 Encouragement Tokens per team (paper tokens or tokens)
- A timer or stopwatch
Setup (2 minutes)
- Divide students into teams of 3–4.
- Shuffle Challenge Cards and place face down in the center.
- Give each team 10 Encouragement Tokens.
Game Play (8 minutes)
- Teams take turns drawing the top Challenge Card and reading it aloud.
- The team selects one member as the Performer for that round.
- Before starting, teammates spend 15 seconds offering 2–3 words of encouragement, then hand one Encouragement Token to the Performer.
- The Performer attempts the challenge within 1 minute.
• If successful: team earns 2 points.
• If not: team discusses what encouragement helped and what to try next, earning 1 point. - Return the card to the bottom of the deck. Rotate the Performer role and start a new round.
- Continue until the 8-minute timer ends.
Sample Challenge Card Prompts
- Build the tallest freestanding tower using 10 paper clips.
- Solve this riddle: “What has keys but can’t open locks?”
- Memorize and recite a sequence of 8 random words read by a teammate.
- Complete a quick 5-piece puzzle.
- Draw a shape blindfolded while teammates guide you with words only.
Scoring
- Teams tally points at the end.
- Team with the highest score celebrates their strong support skills.
- All teams succeed when every member has both given and received encouragement at least twice.
Reflection & Debrief (4 minutes)
- Which encouragement strategy felt most motivating?
- How did it feel to offer and receive support?
- How can you use these skills with peers outside of this game?