I'm going to start posting TWO discussion topics every week so that you all can choose which of the two you would rather comment on. This should allow us to have more in class discussions and give you all more options so that you can write the best post you can! 

It’s easy to say, “Peer pressure doesn’t have any effect on me.”. However, the truth is, what people think of us can often influence how we think and act (or don’t act) as human beings. Peer pressure is common to everyone in every stage of life from childhood to adulthood.  Please answer the following questions about peer pressure thoroughly and to the best of you ability, remember you need at LEAST 10 COMPLETE sentences. Answer all questions:

1. A student copied down the answers to a test and then offered them to students taking the same test later that day.  Would it even cross your mind to turn this person in?  What if that person was your best friend, could/would you turn them in? Would you accept these answers and cheat?  


2. If you saw a friend teasing or picking on another student because they were overweight, not ‘cool’ enough, wore a different style of clothes, or even had some type of physical/mental disability, would you say or do anything to stop them?  If so, what?  


3. Can peer pressure ever be a POSITIVE thing? Explain why or why not and give an example. 



4. One of the effects of peer pressure is that it is often the cause of bullying. What are some of your ideas on how you as an individual could help put a stop to bullying? (Remember to use complete sentences.)


 
1.  Mattie Stepanek lived his life knowing that because of his disease his life would not be very long and he needed to live his life to the fullest while he could. Imagine what you would want people to say about the person that you are right now if you knew that, three people were going to stand up and speak about you (family member, friend and a teacher).  Write down who they are and what you would want each of them to say about you.  


Person A:  _________________

                     (family member)

Person B:  _________________

                           (friend)

Person C:  _________________

                          (teacher)



2. Imagine that like Mattie, you knew you needed to make your life count right now and answer the following questions. (remember that this was how he lived everyday).  

      A) Who would you want to be with during your time on earth?

      B) Would you change your current behavior or treat others differently? Whether
      you would or would not explain why.

      C) What “one thing” would you like to accomplish in your lifetime? 

 
Students please post a comment to this blog by answering the following questions:
 - Your name and age.
 - Your favorite teacher of all time and why.
 - Three interesting things about you (see the 'meet Miss Bolender tab for ideas).
 - What have you thought about this class so far? How could we make it better?

Also, answer the following discussion question to the best of your ability. Keep in mind that you need to be answering the question in your OWN way. Do not answer in the way you think I would want you to; instead answer respectively and in your own opinion.

Question-
Name at least ten things, characteristics, and/or personality traits make a student "popular" in Middle School? (All you need to do is click 'Comment' below.)