19 APRIL 2017
learning skills
OUR children are riding the great wave of technology today. They now have facts and procedures at their fingertips. Teachers have to equip their students with a new set of skills that allow them to thrive in today’s global economy. The activities in The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education pullout combine literacy skills with content to build this set of skills. The key below indicates the skills integrated into the activities in this pullout.
Critical thinking
1.
What is peer pressure? A. It is what friends do to each other B. It is influence from people your age C. It is when others force you to do something you don’t want
2. 3. 4. 5.
Peer pressure is bad. A. Yes B. No
Peer pressure can come from within ourselves, too. A. True B. False Sometimes we give in to peer pressure because A. We want to feel accepted by our friends B. We want others to think that we are “cool” C. We don’t know what to do so we follow what others do D. All of the above
It is not uncommon to think that peers are your close friends. In actual fact, a peer can be anyone who is about the same age as you, like your classmates, sports team members, uniform body society members or even the people you meet regularly at your tuition centre.
Activity What would you do?
● Identify
● Organise
Creative thinking ● Imagine ● Brainstorm ● Connect ● Invent
Problem solving ● Question ● Research
Peers play a great role in our lives. They can influence the way we think or speak, dress or behave, the way we treat others and the activities we choose to be involved in. Sometimes, these influences can be negative and affect us greatly.
Critical thinking
Creative thinking
Problem solving
● Identify ● Reason
● Imagine ● Brainstorm ● Connect
● Question ● Present
● Reason ● Measure
C. It can be both
Peer pressure is always caused by others. A. True B. False
5. D
century
BEFORE we talk more about peer pressure, test yourself to see how much you know about peers in the mini quiz below.
4. A
Note to the teacher
The power of peers
3. B
Peer pressure
2. C
Elementary
ANSWERS:
-NiE ,
1. B
2
Scenario
Communicating ● Oral ● Written
Take a look at the scenarios of negative peer pressure below. How would you respond if they happened to you? Work with a partner and come up with a reasonable solution for each.
Response
During a Math test, your friend asks you for answers. At first, you ignore him but then he says to you, “If you don’t tell me the answer, I’ll tell the rest of the gang not to play with you during break time.” Your good friend has forgotten to bring her sports attire for the school’s Sports Day rehearsal. She suggests that you pretend you have forgotten, as well, so that you both can “get in trouble” together. “I would do the same if it happens to you,” she says. Sara and Jamal are your best friends. They got into an argument and are not talking to each other. You were told by Jamal to ignore Sara. At the same time, Sara has also asked you not to befriend Jamal. Peer pressure often leads us to do things we wouldn’t normally do. Before you do something, think of the consequences of your actions and how they will affect you and the people around you. Always remember that true friends do not force you to become who you are not.
● Recreate
Vocabulary brainstorm
● Present With your partner, brainstorm for words that are linked to peer pressure. At least three of the words must be taken from The Star.
Communicating
Creative thinking ● Brainstorm ● Connect
● Oral ● Non-verbal
Communicating ● Oral ● Written
NiE Activity Collaborating ● Listen ● Contribute respectfully
● Written ● Aural
Collaborating ● Listen
stressful
Peer pressure
● Contribute respectfully ● Compromise ● Attain goal nie editorial manager: SHARON OVINIS senior nie executive: ROWENA CHUA writer: MELALYN NG layout designer: SHOBA illustrator: HASSAN BAHRI To order The Star for NiE lessons, call: Sundarrajan 03-7967 1388 ext 1437 or 016-288 3682 We welcome feedback; write to: Star-NiE, Star Media Group, 15 Jalan 16/11, 46350 Petaling Jaya or e-mail us at: starnie@thestar.com.my