Introduction
Being part of a group of friends can be a fun and rewarding experience for students. However, it’s important for them to recognize when a friend group isn’t treating them kindly and learn how to address the situation. In this blog, we’ll explore the concept of ganging up in friend groups, discuss an activity to help students identify this behavior, and suggest discussion questions to foster further understanding. We’ll also mention related skills and encourage you to explore free sample materials to support your students’ social-emotional learning.
No-Prep Activity: Friend Group Role-Play
This activity requires no preparation or materials and helps students gain a better understanding of ganging up in friend groups. Divide students into small groups of 3-5. Ask each group to create a short role-play scenario where one person is being ganged up on by the others in the group. Encourage them to come up with examples of ganging up, such as laughing at someone, keeping secrets, or making someone do work to stay in the group. After each group has finished their role-play, have a class discussion about the scenarios and how the person being ganged up on might feel.
Discussion Questions
- What are some signs that a friend group might be ganging up on someone?
- How does it feel when you think your friends might be ganging up on you? How can you express your feelings to them?
- Why is it important to talk to a trusted adult when you feel like you’re being ganged up on by a friend group?
- What are some options for addressing the situation when a friend group is ganging up on you?
- How can you support a friend who is being ganged up on by their friend group?
Related Skills
In addition to recognizing and addressing ganging up in friend groups, there are several other social-emotional learning skills that can support healthy friendships and positive interactions among students. Some of these skills include:
- Recognizing and managing emotions
- Developing empathy and understanding others’ perspectives
- Practicing effective communication
- Assertiveness and setting boundaries
- Building and maintaining healthy relationships
Next Steps
Now that you have a better understanding of how to recognize and address ganging up in friend groups, it’s time to explore more resources to support your students’ social-emotional learning. We invite you to sign up for free samples of the discussed skill and others to help your students develop the necessary skills for cultivating healthy friendships and navigating challenging social situations.
