Although it might seem far fetched, no all peer pressure has to be a negative influence! Peer pressure can be positively used to help sculpt a positive school environment. Prior to having the students do this activity, ask them what they think positive peer pressure is. Discuss with them examples of positive peer pressure, and ask them to practice positive peer pressure with a partner in class.
For the activity, students will create a narrative story showing positive peer pressure in example. That peer pressure could be accepting differences, refusal to do a bad behaviors, or influence a positive behavior (refer to example). You may provide students with the first cell and scenario set up if you're working with younger students, or have students create their own scenario.
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Student Instructions
Create a narrative storyboard depicting positive pressure from a peer in six cells or more. Create a story where a character is in need of some positive support. The positive support should come from a peer.
Encourage students to share their ideas and examples of positive peer pressure before starting the activity. This builds a safe, open environment and helps students see real-life connections.
Ask students to think of times they've seen or experienced positive peer influence at school or in their community. List examples together on the board to spark creative thinking.
Demonstrate how to set up a simple storyboard with a positive peer pressure scenario. Walk through each cell, highlighting how a peer's actions lead to a positive outcome.
Circulate around the room, offering prompts and encouragement. Prompt students to focus on the positive change sparked by a peer, and to use clear dialogue or narration.
Invite students to share their storyboards and discuss how positive peer pressure shaped each outcome. Highlight diverse ways peers can support each other.
Positive peer pressure in schools refers to students influencing each other in ways that encourage healthy choices, inclusive behaviors, and academic motivation. Instead of pushing peers toward negative actions, positive peer pressure helps create a supportive, uplifting school environment.
Teachers can introduce positive peer pressure by discussing real-life examples, encouraging group activities, and guiding students to share stories where peers influenced each other for good. Activities like narrative storyboards help students recognize and practice positive peer influence in a safe classroom setting.
Examples include students encouraging each other to accept differences, refuse negative behaviors, join school clubs, help with homework, or support anti-bullying initiatives. These actions demonstrate how peers can inspire positive change in one another.
Recognizing positive peer pressure helps students distinguish between harmful and helpful influences. It empowers them to use their social influence to support classmates, build confidence, and promote a healthier school culture.
A great activity is having students create a narrative storyboard where a character receives positive support from a peer. This allows students to visualize and practice healthy peer influence through storytelling and discussion.