3.1 Peer group pressure and how to deal with it

Life orientation

Grade 6

Personal development

Module 11

Peer group pressure and how to deal with it

Activity 1:

To portray emotions by means of role-playing

[lo 3.2]

Group Assignment

Role-playing

The teacher writes the following situations on pieces of paper and puts them into a paper bag, after which each group draws a topic:

The teacher could think of more or different possible situations relating to the learners and their particular circumstances.

Please note: Remember that the emotions or feelings of all role players are to be portrayed. Keep in mind that some situations might call for rather aggressive behaviour. It is important that as part of the role-playing situation, learners should consider effective ways of dealing with this kind of aggressive behaviour.

Problem situations will arise in each of the scenes. At least one of the role-players must come up with a positive solution for the situation.

1. The main character is invited to a friend’s party where everybody will sleep over. The friend’s parents are overseas, and everybody is aware of that. A few friends have already accepted the invitation. They are now putting pressure on the main character to join them.

Roles: Main character (boy or girl)

Father

Mother

Elder brother(s) and/or sister(s)

1. A few friends visiting you after school ask you to come and smoke dagga with them in a deserted clubhouse on the golf course. They do this often, and say that only “softies” are not prepared to experiment.

Roles:

Main character (boy or girl)

A group of friends (boys and girls in grades 6, 7 and 8)

1. The two “coolest” learners in grade 6 agreed to smoke in the cloak rooms behind the stage during break. They invite a few other grade sixes to come and share in the “adventure”.

Roles:

Main character (boy or girl)

A group of friends (boys and girls in grade 6)

1. A few of the older “cool” guys (members of a gang) in the neighbourhood ask two grade 6 learners to join them to paint some “graffiti” on another gang’s hide-out one night.

Roles:

Main character (boy or girl)

Two friends (boys and girls in grade 6)

Please note: A general class discussion after this type of role-playing is extremely important. The teacher’s guidance and attitude will determine how successfully these topics are dealt with and how seriously they are taken.

Assessment