Role-play allows a fifth-grader to devise ways of coping with peer pressure before he faces it on his own. Make up situations where the student must think fast in response to an invitation to experiment with sex or illegal substances, for example. Offer this type of role-play for students to use in small groups. The student can take a few minutes, process the situation and determine the correct response for his needs before having to act on it. Rotate through the groups, suggesting alternate responses and affirming the ones provided by the student. Once fifth-graders determine appropriate responses, they can report their choice to the class.
Students don’t always realize how offensive something they say can sound. Invite various students to read a few questions or statements such as “why did you do that,” “interesting,” “what do you want” or “who are you.” Instruct them to read the statements using different tones and attitudes. Have individual fifth-graders identify which comments cross the line based on tone or body language. Identify ways to respond that don’t create conflict or escalate it.
Most students agree that name-calling, cutting people out of their group and daring someone to do something dangerous is wrong. Group think can convince you to do things just to go along with the crowd. Instruct fifth-graders to explore ways to create positive peer pressure that encourages students to do the right thing, such as take up for a bullied student, report dangerous behavior and commit random acts of kindness. Ask the class to create posters for the hall that remind students to use group think to improve the school community.
Students understand the Golden Rule as treating someone the way they want to be treated. Divide students into small groups and give each group a list of situations such as seeing a group of students teasing a lone student, a group of students urging two students to fight or a bully intimidating other students. Ask the group to brainstorm ways to respond to the situation. Invite the group to write a story about one of the situations, including several ways to resolve it.