This past month, our iTHINKBIG.ORG school assembly team completed 50, thirty-minute interviews, with High School and Middle School students across San Diego.
Participants crossed economic and racial backgrounds. The question was, “What’s trending now?” This is what we found out. Hang on, the results are surprising:
Favorite Music
• R&B, Pop, Hip Hop, Rap – 40%
• Country – 16%
• Alternative Rock/Indie/Rock – 8%
• Other – 36% (They are listening to: One Direction, Fetty Wap, 21Pilots, Drake, 1975, Weekend, Bieber, Beyoncé, Sam Hunt, Taylor Swift)
Top Movies
• Notebook – 6%
• Longest Ride – 6%
• Other 88% (Almost no front runner, but everyone with different opinions.)
Top Movies in Theatres
• Deadpool – 40%
• Other – 60%
Read outside of school?
• Yes – 64%
• No – 36%
Favorite Book?
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Bible, Harry Potter, Hunger Games (All with 6%.)
Movies or Books?
• Movies – 70%
• Books – 20%
• None – 10%
Do you care about celebrities?
• No – 58%
• Yes – 42% (Mainly Kardashians, Jenners, Bieber, and One Direction.)
What do you do in your free time?
• Hang with friends – 40%
• Sports – 16%
• Watch TV/Netflix/Gaming – 38%
• Nothing – 6%
• “Watch Netflix and Chill” (This is actually intended to be funny – No one actually responded with this answer. This phrase means to “hook up” with a sexual partner. Keep reading and learning!)
What do you not have that you need?
• Money – 34%
• Nothing – 30%
• Car – 16%
• Boyfriend/Girlfriend – 12%
• Good Grades – 8%
Do you try hard at things?
• No – 48%
• Yes – 30%
• Depends/Sometimes – 16%
Are you sad a lot?
• Yes – 52%
• No – 48%
Do you use drugs?
• Yes – 34%
• No – 66%
Is weed good or bad?
• Bad – 68%
• Good – 32%
Do you smoke weed?
• Yes – 40%
• No – 60%
Goals?
• Yes – 86% (mostly to get married, have kids, make a lot of money)
• No – 14%
Who encourages you most?
• Parents – 40%
• Siblings – 32%
• Friends – 28%
Who are you closest to? Mom or Dad?
• Mom – 40%
• Dad – 36%
• Neither – 24%
Who discourages you most?
• People at school – 56%
• Friends – 24%
• Parents – 20%
5 Ways to Use “What’s Trending Now?” To Your Advantage
First, know how to talk with your students. Know what they are “into.” Second, regarding your events, this can help you choose the “feel,” music you play, and help shape your giveaways. Third, teaching methods. Don’t shy away from a quote from a song, reference to a movie, or anything like that when it drives home your point. Fourth, know the family and home dynamics. Most of your student’s time is spent away from school. Where are they coming from practically and personally? Lastly, understand your influence as a leader. You got this! Do you remember your favorite teacher? Well, you carry that kind of influence with them. Don’t forget it!
For breakfast I had an Almond Perfect Bar.
Author Profile: @chadfurlong
Image Credit: Flickr