Explain the impact of peer influence on decision making regarding the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs

Standards Alignment

• TEKS.115.26.18A primary
  explain the impact of peer influence on decision making regarding the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs;
• TEKS.115.26.18B primary
  describe methods for differentiating between positive and negative relationships that can influence alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use;

Lesson Overview

This lesson helps Grade 6 students understand how peers can influence decisions about using alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. Students will learn to recognize both positive and negative peer influences and how to choose healthy relationships and behaviors. The lesson includes direct teaching, guided practice, and reflection to build skills in making safe and respectful choices.

Learning Objectives

• Explain how friends and peers can affect decisions about using alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.
• Describe ways to tell the difference between positive and negative relationships that influence substance use.
• Practice making healthy decisions when faced with peer pressure related to alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.

Success Criteria

• Students can explain how peer pressure might affect their choices about substances.
• Students can identify characteristics of positive and negative relationships related to substance use.
• Students can demonstrate strategies to resist negative peer influence and choose healthy behaviors.

Prerequisite Knowledge

Students should understand what alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs are and have basic knowledge about healthy and unhealthy relationships.

Key Vocabulary

• Peer influence
• Peer pressure
• Positive relationship
• Negative relationship
• Decision making
• Alcohol
• Tobacco
• Drugs

Materials and Resources

• Whiteboard or chart paper
• Markers
• Scenario cards describing different peer influence situations
• Role-play props (optional)
• Reflection journals or paper

Teacher Preparation

• Prepare scenario cards illustrating positive and negative peer influences related to substance use.
• Review definitions and examples of positive and negative relationships.
• Plan role-play activities to practice resisting peer pressure.
• Prepare reflection questions for group discussion.

Detailed Lesson Notes

Understanding Peer Influence

Peer influence means how the people around us, especially friends or classmates, can affect the choices we make. In Grade 6, students begin to notice how friends can encourage or discourage behaviors like using alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs. Peer pressure can be direct, like someone asking you to try something, or indirect, like wanting to fit in with a group that uses substances.

Positive vs. Negative Relationships

Not all peer influence is bad. Positive relationships are those that support healthy choices, respect boundaries, and encourage good habits. Negative relationships might involve friends who pressure others to try alcohol, tobacco, or drugs, or who do not respect personal limits. Being able to tell the difference helps students make safer decisions.

How Peer Influence Affects Decision Making

When peers influence decisions, students might feel pressure to say yes to substances even if they know it is risky. Understanding this influence helps students recognize when they are being pressured and gives them tools to say no. Decision making involves thinking about the consequences and choosing what is best for health and safety.

Strategies to Resist Negative Peer Pressure

Students can use several strategies to resist peer pressure: saying no firmly, suggesting alternative activities, walking away from the situation, or seeking help from a trusted adult. Practicing these strategies through role-play helps build confidence to make healthy choices in real life.

Role of Support and Resources

Knowing where to get help is important. Trusted adults, school counselors, and health professionals can provide support if students face difficult situations involving peer pressure or substance use. Encouraging open communication helps students feel safe to ask for help.

Worked Examples

Classroom Activity

In small groups, students read and discuss the scenarios, identifying if the peer influence is positive or negative and why.

Guided Practice

Independent Practice

1. Foundational: What does 'peer influence' mean?
2. Developing: Name one way to tell if a relationship is positive or negative when it comes to substance use.
3. Application: If a friend offers you tobacco and says it is cool, what is one healthy way to respond?
4. Analysis: Describe how peer pressure might affect someone’s decision to try alcohol even if they know it is risky.
5. Challenge: Explain how you can support a friend who is being pressured to use drugs by others.

Independent Practice Teacher Answer Key

1. 1. Peer influence means how friends or people your age can affect the choices you make.
2. 2. A positive relationship supports healthy choices and respects your decisions, while a negative relationship pressures you to use substances.
3. 3. You can say no firmly and explain you want to stay healthy or suggest doing something else together.
4. 4. Peer pressure can make someone feel like they must fit in or be accepted, which might lead them to try alcohol despite knowing the risks.
5. 5. You can listen to your friend, encourage them to say no, help them avoid the situation, and suggest talking to a trusted adult for help.

Guiding Questions

• What is peer influence and how does it affect decisions?
• How can you tell if a relationship is positive or negative?
• What are some ways to say no to peer pressure?
• Why is it important to choose healthy friends and behaviors?

Common Misconceptions

• Peer pressure always means someone is forcing you to do something bad; in reality, it can be subtle or positive too.
• All friends who use substances are bad friends; some might be struggling and need support.
• Saying no to peer pressure will always make you lose friends; healthy friendships respect your choices.

Differentiation

Assessment

• Observe student participation in discussions and role-plays to check understanding.
• Ask students to explain key vocabulary during the lesson.
• Use questioning to assess students’ ability to identify positive and negative peer influences.
• Write one way you can say no if a friend offers you alcohol, tobacco, or drugs.
• List one difference between a positive and a negative relationship.
• Explain why it is important to think before making decisions about substances.
• Create a poster showing positive ways to resist peer pressure.
• Write a short essay about how friends can influence healthy choices.

Answer Guide

• What is peer influence?
  Answer: Peer influence is how friends or people your age affect the choices you make.
• How can you tell if a relationship is positive or negative regarding substance use?
  Answer: A positive relationship supports healthy choices and respects your decisions; a negative relationship pressures you to use substances.
• Give an example of a healthy way to respond to peer pressure to use tobacco.
  Answer: Saying no firmly and suggesting another activity or walking away.
• Why might someone try alcohol because of peer pressure even if they know it is risky?
  Answer: Because they want to fit in or be accepted by their friends.
• How can you help a friend who is being pressured to use drugs?
  Answer: Listen to them, encourage them to say no, help them avoid the situation, and suggest talking to a trusted adult.

Real-Life Application

Encourage students to talk with their family about peer pressure and healthy decision making. Suggest families discuss ways to support each other in making safe choices.

Homework or Home Connection

• Encourage students to talk with their family about peer pressure and healthy decision making. Suggest families discuss ways to support each other in making safe choices.

Lesson Summary

Students learned that peer influence can affect decisions about alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. They practiced identifying positive and negative relationships and strategies to resist negative peer pressure. Understanding these concepts helps students make healthy choices and seek support when needed.

Teacher Notes

Use the exact standards alignment and retrieved-source provenance stored with this enrichment.

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