Lesson Plan
Friends, Foes & Fierce Talk
Students will identify characteristics of healthy friendships, 'frenemy' behaviors, and bullying situations. Students will also explore effective strategies for responding to and preventing bullying.
Navigating friendships and dealing with negative social interactions is a crucial part of adolescence. This lesson provides students with the tools to understand, address, and prevent bullying, fostering a safer and more inclusive environment.
Audience
8th Grade, ESL, IEP, Gen Ed Students
Time
25 Minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion and scenario-based problem-solving.
Materials
Slide Deck: Friends, Foes & Fierce Talk Slides, Activity: Scenario Cards, and Worksheet: My Action Plan
Prep
Review Materials & Setup
10 Minutes
- Review the Friends, Foes & Fierce Talk Lesson Plan, Friends, Foes & Fierce Talk Slides, Scenario Cards, and My Action Plan.
- Print and cut out the Scenario Cards (one set per small group).
- Print one My Action Plan worksheet per student.
- Arrange seating for a small group discussion, ensuring all students can see the slides and participate comfortably.
- Prepare a whiteboard or chart paper for jotting down key discussion points if desired.
Step 1
Warm-Up: Friendship Snapshot
5 Minutes
- Display the first slide: "What makes a good friend?"
- Ask students to quickly share 1-2 words or short phrases that describe a good friend.
- Briefly discuss shared ideas, linking to the importance of positive relationships.
- Transition: "Today, we're going to talk about all kinds of relationships, the good, the tricky, and the tough ones. We’ll learn how to tell the difference and what to do when things get difficult."
Step 2
Defining Terms: Friendships, Frenemies, Bullying
7 Minutes
- Advance to the slide on "Friendships & Frenemies."
- Lead a brief discussion: "We all know what a friend is, but what about a 'frenemy'? Has anyone heard that term before? What does it mean?"
- Discuss the grey area of 'frenemies' – someone who acts like a friend sometimes but also causes negativity.
- Advance to the slide on "Bullying: What It Is."
- Introduce the concept of bullying: "How is bullying different from a 'frenemy' situation or just a disagreement? What are the key things that make something bullying?" (Focus on imbalance of power, repetition, intent to harm).
- Provide clear, age-appropriate definitions, using examples if helpful (without naming specific students).
Step 3
Scenario Sort & Solve Activity
10 Minutes
- Divide students into pairs or small groups.
- Distribute Scenario Cards to each group.
- Explain the activity: "Each group has a few cards with different situations. Your task is to read each scenario and decide: Is this a healthy friendship? A frenemy situation? Or bullying? Then, discuss what you would do or what advice you would give to someone in that situation."
- Circulate among groups, listening to discussions, and offering guidance or prompts.
- After a few minutes, bring the groups back together for a quick share-out of one scenario and their proposed solution/advice.
Step 4
Wrap-Up: My Action Plan
3 Minutes
- Distribute the My Action Plan worksheet.
- Explain: "We've talked about a lot today. Now, take a moment to think about one thing you learned or one strategy you might use if you encounter a difficult situation with friends, frenemies, or bullying."
- Allow students a minute to write down their thoughts.
- Conclude: "Remember, knowing the difference and having a plan helps you and others. You always have people you can talk to if you need help navigating these situations."
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Slide Deck
Friends, Foes & Fierce Talk
Navigating Relationships & Standing Strong!
Today, we'll explore...
- What makes a friendship healthy
- How to spot a "frenemy"
- Understanding and stopping bullying
- Your power to make a difference!
Welcome students. Explain the 'lunch bunch' format and the day's topic. Encourage quick, enthusiastic responses. This helps set a positive and engaging tone. Connect their ideas to the value of good friendships.
Warm-Up: Friendship Snapshot
What qualities make someone a good friend to you?
Ask students to brainstorm words or short phrases. You can write them on a whiteboard or chart paper. This activates prior knowledge and sets a positive tone for discussing relationships.
Friendships & Frenemies
Friends:
- Support you
- Respect you
- Are kind
- Celebrate your successes
Frenemies:
- Sometimes act like a friend, sometimes not
- Say mean things, then apologize (or don't)
- Make you feel confused or bad about yourself
- May try to control or manipulate
Think: What makes a frenemy different from just a regular disagreement with a friend?
Define 'frenemy' in simple terms. Ask open-ended questions to get students thinking about the difference between a minor disagreement and a more complex 'frenemy' situation. Emphasize that 'frenemy' situations are often confusing because of mixed signals.
Bullying: What It Is
Bullying is:
- Repeated aggressive behavior
- Intentionally harms another person
- Involves a power imbalance (physical, social, emotional)
It can be:
- Physical: Hitting, pushing, tripping
- Verbal: Name-calling, threats, insults, spreading rumors
- Social/Relational: Excluding, ignoring, damaging reputations
- Cyberbullying: Mean messages, embarrassing photos online
Important: Bullying is not a one-time fight or disagreement. It's about someone trying to hurt or control another person repeatedly.
Clearly define bullying, focusing on the three key components: repetition, intent to harm, and power imbalance. Provide diverse examples without singling out real-life students. Emphasize that bullying is NOT a normal part of growing up and is always unacceptable.
Scenario Sort & Solve
In your groups:
- Read each scenario card.
- Discuss: Is it a friendship, frenemy, or bullying?
- Talk about what you would do or advise someone to do.
Be ready to share your ideas!
Introduce the scenario activity. Explain that students will work in small groups using the Scenario Cards. Remind them to think critically about whether the situation is a friendship, frenemy, or bullying, and how they would respond. Encourage thoughtful discussion.
Your Power: My Action Plan
Think about what we discussed today.
What is one thing you learned or one strategy you will remember if you encounter a difficult situation with friends, frenemies, or bullying?
Explain the My Action Plan worksheet as a personal reflection tool. Give them a few minutes to complete it. Reiterate that they have support and resources if they ever face these situations.
Activity
Scenario Cards
Instructions: Read each scenario with your group. Discuss whether you think it describes a Friendship, a Frenemy situation, or Bullying. Then, talk about what you would do or what advice you would give to someone in that situation.
Scenario 1: The "Jokes"
Maria and Alex are in the same friend group. Lately, Alex has been making fun of Maria in front of others, calling her "slow" or "clumsy." When Maria gets upset, Alex says, "Relax, it's just a joke! You're too sensitive." This happens almost every day.
Scenario 2: The Group Project
Sarah and Emily are partners for a big science project. Emily is doing all the work, and Sarah keeps saying she'll help but then makes excuses or cancels plans at the last minute. When the teacher praises their project, Sarah acts like she did a lot of the work, and Emily feels used.
Scenario 3: The Secret Spreader
Noah told his friend Ben a secret about something embarrassing that happened to him over the summer. A few days later, Noah overhears a group of classmates talking about his secret, and they mention Ben told them. When Noah confronts Ben, Ben says, "Oops, I didn't think it was a big deal! Everyone shares secrets."
Scenario 4: The Exclusion
Liam just moved to town and is trying to make friends. He approaches a group of students in the cafeteria and asks if he can sit with them. One student, Chloe, looks at him and says loudly, "No, this table is full. Find somewhere else." The other students at the table look uncomfortable but don't say anything. The next day, when Liam tries to join a game at recess, Chloe tells him, "We don't want you playing with us."
Scenario 5: The Loyal Friend
Sam and Jamie have been best friends since elementary school. They always support each other, listen when one is upset, and celebrate each other's achievements. If one of them makes a mistake, the other offers constructive advice and stands by them. They trust each other completely.
Worksheet
My Action Plan: Friends, Foes & Fierce Talk
Instructions: Think about our discussion today. What did you learn that you can use in your own life? Fill out the prompts below to create your personal action plan.
1. One Key Difference I Learned:
What is one important difference you learned today about friendships, frenemies, or bullying?
2. A Strategy I Can Use:
Think about a situation with a frenemy or bullying. What is one specific strategy or piece of advice you could use or give to someone? (e.g., Talk to a trusted adult, speak up, walk away, set a boundary)
3. Who I Can Talk To:
Who are the trusted adults or friends you can talk to if you need help navigating a difficult social situation? (List at least two people)
- (Optional)