Activity Introduction
Quick summary: In this lesson, students will unpack how peer groups influence our behaviour by defining what is cool and what isn’t. Students will consider whether it is possible to redefine what’s cool in order to create a broader and healthier sense of identity and belonging.
The STOP the Coward Punch education package aims to spread awareness about the devastating effects of the coward punch on our community. This education package was developed by a team of experts, including a youth worker, education specialist and specialist teachers and references the latest research and laws on coward punches.
Learning intentions:
- Students will understand the role that their peer group plays in defining their behaviour and how they feel accepted
- Students will understand that social pressures can be changed
- Students will understand that by redefining social rules, people could be happier and feel a sense of belonging.
21st century skills:
Australian Curriculum Mapping
Content descriptions:
Years 9 & 10 Health and Physical Education:
- Evaluate factors that shape identities and critically analyse how individuals impact the identities of others (ACPPS089)
- Propose, practise and evaluate responses in situations where external influences may impact on their ability to make healthy and safe choices (ACPPS092)
- Evaluate situations and propose appropriate emotional responses and then reflect on possible outcomes of different responses (ACPPS094)
Syllabus outcomes: PDHPE5.1, PDHPE5.2, PDHPE5.3, PDHPE5.6, PDHPE5.7, PDHPE5.8, PDHPE5.11, PDHPE5.12, PDHPE5.13, PDHPE5.16
General capabilities: Literacy, Ethical Understanding, Personal and Social Capability
Relevant parts of Years 9 & 10 achievement standards:
Students critically analyse contextual factors that influence identities, relationships, decisions and behaviours. They analyse the impact attitudes and beliefs about diversity have on community connection and wellbeing. They evaluate the outcomes of emotional responses to different situations.
Topic: Social Issues
This lesson is part of the wider unit of work STOP the Coward Punch: HPE – Years 9 & 10.
Time required: 60 mins.
Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium – facilitate group discussions and activities.
Resources required:
- Device capable of presenting a video to the class.
Related professional development: Strategies for Dealing with Aggressive and Violent Behaviours
Keywords: truth, identity, belonging, peers, peer pressure, behaviour, change, utopia, coward punch, coolness
Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.
