Stand Strong Lesson Plan Stand Strong, Choose You
Lesson Plan: Understanding Peer Pressure
30 Minutes
Objective
Students will identify types of peer pressure, learn strategies for making independent decisions, and practice refusal skills through guided discussion and role-playing.
Why This Matters
Understanding peer pressure builds confidence, supports positive decision-making, and empowers students to stand up for themselves and support classmates. It fosters a safer, more respectful classroom culture.
Preparation & Prep
Review Slide Deck for smooth delivery
Test playback of Video Clip
Print Worksheet for each student
Familiarize with Role-Play Script
Target Audience: 6th Grade
Instructional Sequence
5 Min
Warm-Up Discussion
Pose the question: "What do you think peer pressure means?"
Invite 2–3 students to share experiences (positive or negative)
Chart key ideas on the board
5 Min
Introduction & Definitions
Present slides 1–5 of the Slide Deck
Define peer pressure: positive, negative, direct, indirect
Ask students to give quick thumbs-up/thumbs-down examples
5 Min
Video & Group Discussion
Play Video Clip (2–3 minutes)
After viewing, ask small groups to discuss: What type of pressure did you see? How did the person respond?
Share highlights with the class
10 Min
Role-Play Activity
Divide students into groups of 3–4
Distribute roles from the Role-Play Script
Groups rehearse and perform their scenario, demonstrating refusal strategies
5 Min
Cool-Down & Reflection
Hand out Worksheet reflection section
Students write one personal action step for next time
Invite volunteers to share commitments
Stand Strong Slides 6th Grade Health
Stand Strong,
Choose You
Understanding Peer Pressure and Making Independent Choices
Teacher: Introduce the lesson title and explain today's goal.
Lesson Objectives
Identify
Different types of peer pressure
Understand
Positive vs. negative pressure
Learn
Effective refusal strategies
Practice
Handling real-life scenarios
What Is Peer Pressure?
Peer pressure is influence from friends or classmates.
Positive
Encourages good behavior and growth.
Negative
Encourages risky or unwanted actions.
Direct
Explicit requests, commands, or dares.
Indirect
Subtle cues, group norms, or feeling "left out."
Real-Life Examples
Teammate cheering you on to practice harder (Positive)
Friends urging you to skip homework (Negative)
Group celebrating with extra treats (Indirect)
Classmate demanding you join a dare (Direct)
Watch & Reflect
Embedded media
Key Questions
What type of peer pressure do you see?
How did the person respond?
Refusal Strategies
01
Say "I don't want to" or "No, thanks."
02
Use "I say" statements: "I say no because..."
03
Change the subject or suggest an alternative.
04
Walk away confidently.
Stand Strong
Peer pressure can be positive or negative .
Recognize direct and indirect pressure.
Use refusal strategies to stand strong.
What will you try next time?
Stand Strong Lesson Script Stand Strong, Choose You
Facilitator Script
Lesson Material Links:
Slides | Video | Worksheet | Activity
1
Warm-Up Discussion (5 Minutes)
[Teacher steps to the front and smiles. Wait for student attention.]
Teacher:
“Good morning, everyone! Today our lesson is called Stand Strong, Choose You . We’re going to talk about something you’ve all probably heard of—peer pressure —and how to make choices that feel right for you.”
Teacher:
“First, let’s warm up with a question: What do you think peer pressure means? ”
[Teacher pauses and gives students 10 seconds to think quietly.]
Teacher:
“Now turn to a partner and share your idea. I’ll say ‘ready, go!’ Ready, go!”
[Allow 1-2 minutes for buzz. Call back for attention.]
Teacher:
“Okay, hands up if you’d like to share what you discussed.”
[Invite 2-3 volunteers. Chart responses on board: "Pressure from friends", "Feeling like I have to follow", etc.]
2
Introduction & Definitions (5 Minutes)
[Click to Slide 1 of the Slide Deck.]
Teacher:
“This is our title slide: Stand Strong, Choose You . That’s what we’ll learn today.”
[Click to Slide 2: Lesson Objectives.]
Teacher:
“By the end of class, you will identify different types of pressure, understand positive vs. negative pressure, and practice refusal strategies.”
[Click to Slide 3: What Is Peer Pressure?]
Teacher:
“Peer pressure is influence from friends or classmates . It comes in four types: Positive (cheering you on), Negative (risky actions), Direct (commands), and Indirect (subtle cues). Can someone restate what indirect pressure means in their own words?”
3
Video & Discussion (5 Minutes)
[Click to Slide 5: Watch & Reflect. Play Video Clip.]
Teacher:
“Now let’s watch a short clip. As you watch, think: What type of peer pressure do you see? How did the person respond?”
[After video: Allow 2 minutes for small group discussion. Invite 2-3 groups to share.]
4
Role-Play Activity (10 Minutes)
Teacher:
“Now we’ll practice in real-life. I’m dividing you into groups of 3–4. Each group gets a scenario from the
Stand Strong Worksheet Stand Strong, Choose You
Student Worksheet
Name:
Date:
1 Definitions
Fill in the blank with the correct term: positive , negative , direct , or indirect peer pressure.
a) encourages helpful or healthy behaviors, like cheering someone to practice and learn more.
b) involves someone explicitly telling or commanding you to do something you may not want to do.
c) uses subtle cues or group norms to influence your actions without directly asking.
d) pushes you toward risky or unwanted actions, like skipping homework or breaking rules.
2 Scenario Analysis
Scenario 1: Your friend insists you try a new social media app even though you’re not sure it’s safe.
Type of Pressure:
Refusal Strategy to Use:
Scenario 2: All members of your group want to shoplift a small item from a store.
Type of Pressure:
Refusal Strategy to Use:
3 Personal Reflection
Think about a time when you experienced peer pressure (positive or negative). Describe what happened and how you responded:
My Action Plan
One phrase I will use next time:
One action I will take (e.g. walk away):
"I have the power to stand strong and choose what’s best for me!"
Stand Strong Activity Script Stand Strong Role-Play
Activity Script
Activity Instructions
Use these scenarios in groups of 3–4. Assign roles, rehearse for 4 minutes, then perform. Observers should identify which refusal strategies were used.
Scenario 1: The New App Push
Setup:
Riley just heard about a new social media app. Casey insists Riley must join right now, even though Riley is worried about privacy.
Pressurer:
Casey - Tries to persuade Riley by saying everyone's on it, teases them for being "behind."
Pressured:
Riley - Feels uneasy. Must use a refusal strategy like "No, thanks" or "I say no because..."
Supporter:
Jordan - Backs Riley up. Offers a different activity or models walking away.
Scenario 2: Skipping Homework
Setup:
A group has finished early. Taylor wants to go to the mall instead of staying after school to finish an assignment. They try to convince Sam to join.
Pressurer:
Taylor - Uses "FOMO" (Fear of missing out). Says, "Come on Sam—who needs homework? Mall is better!"
Pressured:
Sam - Knows homework matters. Practices saying "I don't want to" or proposing a later time.
Supporter:
Alex - Suggests finishing homework together first or models changing the subject.
Scenario 3: The Party Dare
Setup:
At a small get-together, Jo and Morgan dare Dylan to try a sip of alcohol. Dylan doesn't want to but feels pressure not to seem "no-fun."
Pressurer:
Jo / Morgan - Offers the drink. Says, "Everyone else is doing it—don't be a baby!"
Pressured:
Dylan - Practices walking away or saying "No, thanks. I'm good." Offers an alternative activity.
Supporter:
Taylor - Steps in and says "Let's do something else" or reminds Dylan of personal values.
After Each Performance:
Observers share which refusal strategy they saw.Performers reflect: Which strategy felt easiest? Which felt hardest?Class vote: Which approach was the most confident? 
