Session 1 Worksheet: My Friend Portrait

Today you will draw a picture of one of your friends and think about the qualities that make them special.

1. Draw your friend’s portrait in the space below. Be creative!
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Write one quality that makes this person a good friend (for example: kind, helpful, a good listener):
   
   
   

3. Why is this quality important in a friend? Describe in a sentence or two:
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. Bonus: Name another quality you and your friend share:
   
   
   

Session 1 Discussion Guide: Friendship Brainstorm

Purpose: Help students identify and articulate qualities of a good friend through guided partner discussions.

Setup (1 minute):

• Pair students up or group them in threes.
• Provide each pair with a copy of this guide or display it on the board.

Discussion Prompts (3 minutes):

1. Think of a friend you really enjoy spending time with.

   • What do you like most about playing or talking with them?
   • Why is that quality important in a friend?
     Example follow-up: “Can you tell me about a time they showed that quality?”

2. List two qualities your friend has that make them special.

   • Write or say both qualities aloud to your partner.
     Example prompts: “My friend is __________ because _________.”

3. Share one quality with the class.

   • Each pair chooses one quality to share at the end.

Teacher Tips:

• Circulate and listen for respectful turn-taking—remind partners to take equal time.
• Prompt deeper thinking: “Why do you think listening is important in a friendship?”
• Encourage students to use full sentences: “I think kindness is important because….”

Closure (1 minute):

• Invite 4–5 pairs to share one friend quality and an example.
• Record shared qualities on chart paper for Session 1 wrap-up.

Session 1 Activity Materials: Friendship Web Supplies

Supplies:

• One ball of yarn or string (large enough to pass around the circle)
• Name tags or small cards—one per student

Setup:

• Arrange students in a circle, each wearing or holding their name tag.

Instructions:

1. Choose one student to start with the yarn and name tag in hand.
2. That student says aloud one friend quality (for example, “sharing”).
3. While holding onto the yarn’s end, they toss the ball to another classmate across the circle.
4. The next student catches the yarn, holds a section of it, states a new friend quality, and tosses the ball onward.
5. Repeat until each student has added a quality and contributed to the web.

Discussion Prompt:

• After the web is complete, ask: “What does this web remind us about friendship in our class?”
  (Expected answer: We’re all connected, and each person brings something special!)

Clean-Up:

• Carefully roll the yarn back up for future use or display the web on the bulletin board as a visual reminder of our class connections.

Session 2 Worksheet: Classmate Interview Sheet

Today you will work with a partner to learn about each other. Use this sheet to record your partner’s answers.

1. What is your partner’s name?
   
   
   
   

2. What do they like to play or do for fun?
   
   
   
   

3. What is their favorite food?
   
   
   
   

4. Bonus: Think of one more question to ask your partner. Write your question and their answer below:
   
   Question: ________________________________
   
   
   Answer:
   
   
   
   

Session 2 Discussion Guide: Questions Brainstorm

Purpose:
Help students generate and refine friendly, open-ended questions they can use to learn about classmates.

Setup (1 minute):

• Arrange students in pairs or small groups of three.
• Display this guide on the board or provide each pair a printed copy.

Discussion Prompts (3 minutes):

1. What makes a good question?

   • Ask students: “What kind of question helps someone tell you more about themselves?”
     Guide them toward open-ended questions (not yes/no answers).
     Example follow-up: “Why is it better to ask ‘What do you like to play?’ instead of ‘Do you like to play soccer?’”

2. Brainstorm three interview questions.

   • In pairs, students think of two questions they could ask a classmate to learn about their interests or background.
   • Encourage questions like:
     • “What is your favorite game at recess?”
     • “What makes your family special?”
     • “What is one thing you are really good at?”

3. Share and refine.

   • Have each pair share one question with the whole class.
   • As a group, decide if the question is open-ended and friendly.
   • If needed, rephrase questions to be more inviting (for example, change “Do you have any pets?” to “Tell me about your pet.”).

Teacher Tips:

• Model turning a yes/no question into an open-ended one.
• Praise creative and thoughtful questions.
• Remind students to use polite language (please, thank you).

Closure (1 minute):

• Record the top 4–5 questions on chart paper for reference during the interview activity.
• Encourage students to use these questions when they complete the Session 2 Worksheet: Classmate Interview Sheet and the Interview Card Exchange.

Session 2 Activity Materials: Interview Card Supplies

Supplies:

• Small cards, one per student, each with a friendly interview question printed on it.

Example Questions (one per card):

• What is your favorite color?
• What game do you like to play at recess?
• Tell me about your pet or a family member.
• What makes you happy at school?
• What do you like to draw or build?

Setup:

• Print and cut apart each question so that each card has only one question.
• Place the cards face down in the center of the circle or on a desk.

Instructions:

1. Students pick one card from the pile.
2. Find a partner they haven’t interviewed yet.
3. Read their card question aloud and ask their partner.
4. Listen carefully and write the partner’s answer on their Session 2 Worksheet: Classmate Interview Sheet.
5. Return the card to the pile, pick a new one, and find a different partner.

Clean-Up:

• Gather all cards, shuffle, and store in a labeled envelope for future use.