Lesson Plan
Frienamies Lesson Plan
Students will learn to recognize frienamy behaviors—classmates who act friendly but sometimes hurt feelings—practice responding with empathy, and identify true-friend actions to build caring, supportive relationships.
Young learners need social skills to foster kindness and reduce hurtful interactions. This lesson helps first graders spot mixed messages and choose positive ways to be and find real friends.
Audience
1st Grade Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Scenario-based discussion and role-play.
Materials
Prep
Material Preparation
10 minutes
- Print and cut out all Frienamy Scenario Cards.
- Hang up the True Friend Character Posters around the room.
- Make enough copies of the Friendship Reflection Worksheet for each student.
- Review each scenario and poster to prepare guiding questions.
Step 1
Warm-Up
5 minutes
- Gather students in a circle on the carpet.
- Ask: “What does a good friend do?” and list responses on chart paper.
- Show one True Friend Character Poster and highlight kind actions illustrated.
Step 2
Activity
20 minutes
- Divide class into small groups of 3–4.
- Give each group a set of Frienamy Scenario Cards.
- In turns, students read a card aloud, decide if the behavior is frienamy or true-friend, and explain why.
- Have each group role-play a kind response to one frienamy scenario.
- Circulate and prompt with questions: “How would you feel?” “What could you say or do?”.
Step 3
Cool-Down
5 minutes
- Hand out a Friendship Reflection Worksheet to each student.
- Ask them to draw or write one way they can show true friendship today.
- Invite volunteers to share their reflections with the class.
- Reinforce that small kind actions make real friends.
Slide Deck
Frienamies Unmasked
A 30-minute lesson for 1st graders to spot frienamies and build caring friendships.
Welcome students! Today we’ll learn about frienamies and how to be true friends. Introduce the lesson title and let students know we’ll practice spotting behaviors and showing kindness.
Lesson Objectives
- Recognize frienamy behaviors
- Practice responding with empathy
- Identify true-friend actions
Read each objective aloud and check for understanding. Let students know these are our goals for today.
What Is a Frienamy?
A frienamy is someone who acts like a friend but sometimes says or does things that hurt your feelings.
Examples:
- Saying “You’re so messy” after giving you a hug
- Sharing a toy then hiding it later
Define frienamy. Ask: “Have you ever had someone who seemed nice but then made you feel bad?”
True Friend Traits
A true friend:
- Is kind and caring
- Shares and takes turns
- Listens and supports you
- Says honest, helpful things
Show the True Friend Character Posters around the room. Point to each trait and ask students to nod if they agree.
Example Scenario
Jordan says, “You’re really good at drawing!” then knocks your pencil case off the desk and laughs.
Is Jordan a frienamy or a true friend?
Read the scenario aloud. Ask students: “Is this a frienamy or a true friend? Why?”
Group Activity Instructions
- In groups of 3–4, take a set of Frienamy Scenario Cards.
- Read each card aloud.
- Decide: frienamy or true friend? Explain why.
- Choose one frienamy scenario and role-play a kind response.
Explain how to work in groups. Model looking at one card and discussing together.
Reflection Time
Use your Friendship Reflection Worksheet to draw or write one way you can show true friendship today.
Be ready to share!
Distribute the worksheets. Encourage students to draw or write freely. Play soft reflection music if desired.
Thank You & Reminder
Small kind actions make real friends!
Keep an eye out for frienamies and choose to be a true friend.
Congratulate the class for their great ideas. Remind them to practice kindness every day.
Activity
Frienamy Scenario Cards
Use these 8 cards in your group activity. Read each scenario aloud, then decide: Is this a frienamy behavior or a true-friend behavior? Explain your answer and pick one frienamy scenario to role-play a kind response.
Card 1
Mia says, “I love your hat!” then hides it so you can’t find it.
Card 2
Leo invites Sam to play with blocks, and together they build the tallest tower.
Card 3
Ava pats your back and says, “Great job!” then grabs your toy car without asking.
Card 4
Ben notices you can’t tie your shoe. He kneels down and helps you tie it.
Card 5
Emma says, “Wow, your drawing is amazing!” then scribbles all over your picture.
Card 6
Noah sees you forgot your snack and offers you half of his apple slices.
Card 7
Lily claps and cheers when you dance, but then she lightly pushes you aside so she can dance in your spot.
Card 8
Jack listens quietly while you tell a story about your day and asks, “What happened next?”
Activity
True Friend Character Posters
Use these posters around the classroom to remind students of what true friends do. Each poster features a simple illustration and a clear statement of a true-friend trait.
Poster 1: Kind and Caring
Illustration: Two children sharing a warm hug and smiling.
Text: "A True Friend is Kind and Caring"
Poster 2: Shares and Takes Turns
Illustration: One child handing a toy car to a friend, both showing big smiles.
Text: "A True Friend Shares and Takes Turns"
Poster 3: Listens and Supports
Illustration: A child cupping their ear attentively while their friend talks.
Text: "A True Friend Listens and Supports You"
Poster 4: Honest and Helpful
Illustration: A child giving a thumbs-up and helping a friend pick up dropped crayons.
Text: "A True Friend Says Honest, Helpful Things"
Worksheet
Friendship Reflection Worksheet
Name: ______________________ Date: ______________________
1. Draw a Picture
Draw a picture of how you can show true friendship today.
2. Write Your Idea
Write one way you can show true friendship today using words.