Book Review by Rosemary Moore
We owe a debt of gratitude to Tina Rosenberg. She has taken the idea expressed by Malcolm Gladwell in The Tipping Point and brought it to life in example after example. The concept is major social change though small human actions. Rosenberg’s subtitle: How Peer Pressure Can Transform the World, says it clearly. She sites stories of overthrowing dictators, smoking cessation in teens, college math achievement for minority students, and more. Significant changes that improve lives can come though positive peer pressure. Everyone who has a stake in influencing others for good should read this book.
A librarian, attempting to encourage fifth graders to read five new books from a list of 20 had some enthusiastic readers. She also got these responses:
“The books are too long.”
“I don’t have time to read.”
“I didn’t want to do it this year.”
“I don’t like reading.”
“We have to read in class all the time.”
“I don’t have time to read.”
“I didn’t want to do it this year.”
“I don’t like reading.”
“We have to read in class all the time.”
“Can someone read the books to me?”
“Is it OK if I read the books to Amanda?”
“Could I read one page and she reads one page?”
“Is it OK if I read the books to Amanda?”
“Could I read one page and she reads one page?”
How can my librarian friend enthuse more readers? A pizza party didn’t cut it. And this is from one of the most imaginative, tech-savvy, student-loving librarians you will ever meet.
Since librarians don’t issue grades on report cards, motivation is tricky. Rosenberg might suggest glogging or texting book reviews to one another. And what about listening to the kids’ responses and thinking differently about them. Are they just being lazy? It’s possible. Are they craving social contact? For sure. They’re only a few months away from sixth grade. What if the librarian made a space for kids to come read together - temporarily designing a corner of the library like a Starbucks, and encouraging kids to text comments on their phones while “the readers” read aloud?
Things to understand when building positive peer pressure:
What are kids passionate about?
Being cool. Rejecting authority.
How can teachers turn their passions to their greater good?
Give them a way to be cool while accomplishing the goal. Get their input on branding the program or goal. Approach their trusted peers for a recommendation.
How can teachers use positive peer pressure to turn their students into involved, engaged achieving persons? What do you say?
