Stand Tall Lesson Plan Stand Tall!
Peer Pressure Lesson Plan
7th GRADE | TIER 2
Duration
30 MINS
Objective
Students will identify different types of peer pressure and articulate strategies for resisting negative influences.
Materials
Slide Deck
Teacher Script
Scenario Cards
Role-Playing Guide
Why This Matters
"Understanding peer pressure is crucial for 7th graders as they navigate social dynamics. This lesson empowers students to make independent choices, build self-confidence, and maintain their well-being in challenging social situations."
Instructional Flow
05
Warm-Up: What is Pressure?
Goal: Activate prior knowledge and set the tone.
Brief discussion using the Warm-Up handout.
Students share examples of feeling pressured.
Introduce topic using Slide Deck.
15
Exploring Scenarios
Goal: Critical thinking through role-play.
Distribute Scenario Cards to small groups (3-4 students).
Discuss character feelings and choice possibilities.
Use Role-Playing Guide for brainstorming responses.
Circulate and prompt using Teacher Script questions.
07
Share & Strategies
Goal: Collaborative learning and synthesis.
Groups share one scenario and their resistance strategy.
Facilitate class discussion on effectiveness.
Emphasize trust, self-respect, and seeking help.
03
Cool Down: My Strategy
Goal: Personal reflection and commitment.
Students reflect on one strategy to use in the future.
Collect as an exit ticket.
Teacher Prep Checklist
Review Slide Deck & Teacher Script
Print and cut out Small Group Scenario Cards
Familiarize yourself with Role-Playing Guide
Arrange student groups (3-4 per group)
Stand Tall Slide Deck Stand
Tall!
Navigating Peer Pressure
Welcome! What is Pressure?
Teacher: Welcome students and introduce the topic. Ask them to think about times they've felt pressure from friends or others.
What is Peer Pressure?
Positive
Friends encouraging you to study for a test or try out for a team.
Negative
Friends pushing you to do something you know is wrong or uncomfortable.
"It's when you feel influenced by people your own age to think, feel, or act a certain way."
Teacher: Define peer pressure in simple terms. Explain that it can be positive or negative. Give quick examples of both.
How Does Peer Pressure Show Up?
Spoken (Direct)
Someone directly asking or daring you to do something.
Unspoken (Indirect)
Seeing what others are doing and feeling like you need to fit in.
Teasing/Bullying
Being made fun of or threatened if you don't conform.
Exclusion
Feeling like you'll be left out if you don't participate.
Teacher: Introduce the idea of different types of peer pressure. Briefly touch on direct vs. indirect.
Your Choices,
Your Voice!
Today, we're going to explore different situations where you might face peer pressure.
01. Feel
How does the character feel?
02. Choice
What choices do they have?
03. Response
How can they stay true to themselves?
Teacher: Explain the small group discussion goals. Emphasize that there are many ways to respond.
Activity: Stand Tall!
Work with your group to brainstorm strategies for handling each situation. You have the power to choose!
Scenario Cards
Role-Playing Guide
Teacher: Distribute Small Group Scenario Cards and Role-Playing Guide. Remind them to think critically.
Standing Strong: Key Strategies
Say "No" clearly and firmly.
Walk away.
Change the subject.
Suggest an alternative.
Find supportive friends.
Remember your values!
Teacher: Facilitate a discussion around effective strategies. Use this slide to summarize key takeaways.
Reflect and
Respond
You have the power to make good choices for yourself.
Teacher: Conclude the lesson and distribute the cool-down activity.
Stand Tall Warm Up Handout What is Pressure?
Warm-Up Activity
Name:
Date:
!
Instructions
Think about a time you felt pressured to do something. It could be something big (like breaking a rule) or something small (like listening to music you don't really like).
The Situation
Briefly describe what happened and who was involved.
How You Felt
What emotions were you feeling in that moment?
Share your thoughts with a partner if you feel comfortable.
Stand Tall Teacher Script Teacher Script
Stand Tall: Peer Pressure Lesson
Scripted Speech
Teacher Action
I
Introduction (5 Minutes)
Display Slide 1 and distribute Warm-Up handouts.
"Good morning/afternoon, everyone! Today, we're going to talk about something that almost everyone experiences: pressure from others, specifically from our peers. To get us thinking, I've handed out a quick warm-up. Take a few minutes to think about a time you felt pressured to do something, big or small, and how it made you feel. You don't have to share if you don't want to, but it's a good way to get our minds warmed up."
Allow 2-3 minutes for students to write.
"Would anyone like to share an example of a time they felt pressured, or how that feeling of pressure made them feel?"
Listen to a few responses. Validate feelings and experiences.
"Thank you for sharing. It sounds like many of us can relate to that feeling. Today, we're going to explore this topic of peer pressure in more detail and, most importantly, learn some ways to 'Stand Tall!' when we face it."
Display Slide 2: What is Peer Pressure?
"So, what exactly is peer pressure? It's when you feel influenced by people your own age to think, feel, or act a certain way. It can be positive, like when your friends encourage you to study or try out for a team. But it can also be negative, pushing you to do something you know is wrong or makes you uncomfortable."
II
Exploring Scenarios (15 Minutes)
Display Slides 4 & 5. Divide students into small groups of 3-4 and distribute Scenario Cards and Role-Playing Guide.
"Now that we have a better understanding of what peer pressure is and how it shows up, we're going to work in small groups. Each group will receive a set of scenario cards and a Role-Playing Guide. Your task is to read through each scenario and discuss: How the character in the scenario might feel; What choices they have; And, most importantly, how they can respond while staying true to themselves. The Role-Playing Guide has some great ideas to get you started."
"I want you to really think about different ways to respond. There isn't always one right answer. I'll be walking around to listen in and help if you get stuck."
Circulation Prompts:
"What makes this situation tricky?"
"What are the possible consequences of giving in?"
"How can they say no without making it worse?"
"What's important for them to remember?"
III
Share & Strategies (7 Minutes)
Bring the class back together.
"Alright everyone, let's bring it back together. I heard some really thoughtful discussions happening in your groups. Let's share some of the amazing strategies you came up with. Which group would like to share one of their scenarios and how they decided the character could 'Stand Tall!'?"
Small Group Scenario Cards Stand Tall: Scenario Cards
Instructions: Read each scenario as a group. Discuss how the character feels, what choices they have, and how they can respond while staying true to their values. Use the Role-Playing Guide for strategy ideas!
Scenario 01
The Sneaky Homework Share
"Your friend, Maya, is struggling with a math assignment due tomorrow. She texts you, 'Hey, I know you finished the math. Can you just send me your answers? I'm totally swamped with other stuff and just need to get this done. Everyone else is probably sharing too.' You know copying is wrong, but Maya is one of your best friends, and you don't want to let her down or make her mad."
How does the character feel?
What choices do they have?
How can they respond? (Write a script!)
Scenario 02
The "Cool" Party Invite
"Some older kids in your neighborhood are having a party Friday night, and your friend, Leo, just got invited. He tells you, 'You HAVE to come! Everyone cool is going to be there. They said it's okay if we bring some energy drinks, even though your parents said no sugar for you.' You're excited, but you know your parents wouldn't approve of the drinks or the older crowd."
How does the character feel?
What choices do they have?
How can they respond? (Write a script!)
Scenario 03
The Brand Name Trap
"Your group of friends has recently started wearing only certain brands of clothing. Today, they start making fun of another classmate's generic sneakers in the hallway. One of your friends nudges you and says, 'Look at those things! Where do you even buy those? You agree they're hideous, right?' Everyone is looking at you, waiting for you to join in."
How does the character feel?
What choices do they have?
How can they respond? (Write a script!)
Role-Playing Guide Role-Playing Guide
Standing Strong Against Peer Pressure
Strategies for Saying NO
01. Direct & Firm
"No, thanks. I'm not into that." or "Definitely not."
02. Explain Briefly
"No, I'm not going to cheat. It's not worth the risk."
03. Change the Subject
"Instead of that, let's go get some ice cream."
04. Walk Away
"I gotta go." or simply leave the situation.
05. Use Humor
"My mom would ground me until I'm 30!"
06. Blame Authority
"My coach would kill me if I did that before the game."
Pro-Tips
Stand Tall
Use confident body language and make eye contact.
Speak Clearly
Your voice should be firm and steady. No whispering!
Trust Your Gut
If it feels wrong, it probably is. Listen to that voice.
Need More Help?
If a situation is too much or you feel unsafe, talk to a trusted adult immediately.
Counselor Teacher Parent
Stay True To You
Stand Tall Cool Down Handout Stand Tall!
Cool Down: My Strategy
Name:
Date:
1
My Go-To Strategy
Reflect on today's lesson and the different strategies we discussed for handling peer pressure. Write down one specific strategy you learned or reinforced today that you feel confident you could use the next time you face negative peer pressure.
2
Why it works for me
Why is this specific strategy helpful to you? How does it help you stay true to your values?
Stand Tall
Your choices are your power
Standing Tall Discussion Guide Discussion Guide
Standing Tall Together
Instructions for Teacher
Use these prompts to facilitate a whole-group discussion after the small group activity. Encourage students to share their insights, different perspectives, and effective strategies they brainstormed.
Strategy Sharing
"What was one scenario that stood out to your group? How did the character feel, and what were some of the most effective strategies you came up with?"
"Did any group come up with a really creative or unexpected way to handle peer pressure? Share it with us!"
Types of Pressure
"Can you think of other ways peer pressure might show up that weren't in our scenarios? (e.g., social media, appearance, school effort)."
"Which type of peer pressure (direct, indirect, teasing, exclusion) do you think is the hardest to deal with and why?"
Internal Reflection
"What emotions often come up when you feel peer pressure? How can recognizing these feelings help you make a better choice?"
"What does it mean to 'stay true to yourself' when facing peer pressure? How does knowing your own values help?"
Support & Community
"Who are some trusted adults or friends you could talk to if you're struggling? Why is it important not to go through it alone?"
"How can we, as a class, create a supportive environment where it's easier to say no to negative pressure?"
Impact & Consequences
"What are the potential positive outcomes of resisting negative peer pressure? What might be some negative consequences of giving in?"
"After today, what's one commitment you can make to yourself about how you'll respond to pressure in the future?"
