Lesson Plan
Friendship Builders Lesson Plan
Students will learn how to make friends by practicing introductions, sharing feelings, and cooperating in group activities to build empathy and positive peer relationships.
Helping kindergarteners develop social skills early fosters empathy, communication, and teamwork. This foundation supports emotional well-being and a positive classroom climate.
Audience
Kindergarten
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive games, discussions, and crafts.
Materials
- Friendship Bingo Cards
- Emotion Cards
- Craft supplies (beads, string, scissors)
- Friendship Bracelet Templates
- Whiteboard and markers
- Name tags and markers
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Print enough sets of Friendship Bingo Cards for each student.
- Print and cut out Emotion Cards.
- Print Friendship Bracelet Templates and gather craft supplies (beads, string).
- Prepare name tags and a marker station.
- Write example compliments on the whiteboard to model positive language.
Step 1
Welcome & Introductions
5 minutes
- Gather students in a circle on the rug.
- Teacher models a friendly greeting: says name and asks a question (e.g., “Hi, I’m Ms. Lee. What’s your favorite color?”).
- Pass a soft ball around; each student says their name and answers the same question.
Step 2
Friendship Bingo
8 minutes
- Distribute one Friendship Bingo Cards and a crayon to each student.
- Explain: find classmates who match a square (e.g., “find someone who likes pizza”).
- When they find a match, they mark the square and say, “Hi, I’m ___.”
- Goal: get 4 in a row and shout “Bingo!”
Step 3
Emotion Sharing
5 minutes
- Show students the Emotion Cards one at a time.
- Ask: “How does this face feel?” and have students share a time they felt that way.
- Emphasize: noticing others’ feelings helps us be good friends.
Step 4
Cooperation Craft: Friendship Bracelets
8 minutes
- Pair students. Give each pair a Friendship Bracelet Templates and craft supplies.
- Prompt: take turns choosing a bead, say something nice to your partner, and add it to the string.
- Encourage cooperation and compliments as they craft their bracelets.
Step 5
Compliment & Reflection Circle
4 minutes
- Return to the circle. Each student holds up their bracelet and gives one compliment to a friend.
- Teacher prompts: “Tell us one thing you liked about playing with your friend today.”
- Close with a group cheer: “We are friends!”
use Lenny to create lessons.
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Slide Deck
Friendship Builders
• Objective: Practice introductions, empathy, and cooperation to build friendships.
• 30-minute Tier 1 Social Skills Session
Welcome the students warmly and introduce the purpose of today’s session. Explain that they’ll learn how to make and keep friends through fun activities.
Welcome & Introductions
• Sit in a circle.
• Teacher models: “Hi, I’m Ms. Lee. What’s your favorite color?”
• Pass a soft ball; each student says their name and favorite color.
Guide children into a circle on the rug. Model the greeting yourself first, then roll or gently toss the soft ball to students.
Friendship Bingo
• Distribute Friendship Bingo Cards & crayons.
• Find classmates matching squares (e.g., “likes pizza”).
• Say “Hi, I’m ___” when you find a match.
• Get 4 in a row and shout “Bingo!”
Hand out the bingo cards and crayons. Encourage students to walk around safely and talk to classmates. Help pairs who may be shy.
Emotion Sharing
• Show each Emotion Card.
• Ask: “How does this face feel?”
• Share a time you felt that way.
• Emphasize noticing others’ feelings to be good friends.
Hold up each emotion card clearly. Ask open‐ended questions and let multiple students share if time allows.
Cooperation Craft: Friendship Bracelets
• Pair up with a friend and get Friendship Bracelet Templates & supplies.
• Take turns picking a bead and adding it to the string.
• Say something nice to your partner each turn.
• Work together to finish your bracelets.
Pair students deliberately—mix friends and children who haven’t worked together yet. Demonstrate choosing a bead and saying a compliment.
Compliment & Reflection Circle
• Hold up your bracelet.
• Give one compliment to a friend.
• Share: “One thing I liked about today was…”
• Close with the group cheer: “We are friends!”
Bring everyone back to the circle. Encourage eye contact and positive feedback. Lead the final cheer to end on a high note.
Worksheet
Friendship Bingo Cards
Instructions: Walk around the room and find classmates who match each description. When you find someone, write their name in the box under the prompt. Try to get four in a row to shout “Bingo!”
| Box 1 | Box 2 | Box 3 | Box 4 | Box 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Find someone who likes pizza: | Find someone who has a pet: | Find someone who can whistle: | Find someone whose favorite color is blue: | Find someone who has been to the zoo: |
| Find someone who can ride a bike: | Find someone who can count to 20: | Find someone who likes apples: | Find someone who has a brother or sister: | Find someone who wears glasses: |
| Find someone who can hop on one foot: | Find someone who likes the color red: | Free Space (Initial here) | Find someone who likes to draw: | Find someone who can say their ABCs: |
| Find someone who has a birthday in the summer: | Find someone who likes to sing: | Find someone who can tie their shoes: | Find someone who has blue shoes today: | Find someone who likes dogs: |
| Find someone who has a favorite book: | Find someone who likes to dance: | Find someone who can count to 10 in Spanish: | Find someone who likes carrots: | Find someone who is new to the school: |
Activity
Emotion Cards
Cut out the cards below. Use them during our Emotion Sharing activity to help friends understand and name feelings.
(Teacher: Print double-sided or mount on cardstock and cut along the dotted lines.)
| 😀 Happy | 😢 Sad |
|---|---|
| Happy | Sad |
| Feel good, smile, play | Want a hug, feel down |
| 😠 Angry | 😮 Surprised |
| Angry | Surprised |
| Frown, crossed arms | Wide eyes, open mouth |
| 😰 Worried | 😍 Loved |
| Worried | Loved |
| Furrowed brow | Heart eyes, big smile |
| 😴 Tired | 😱 Scared |
| Tired | Scared |
| Eyes half-closed | Shaky, hand to mouth |
(Dotted lines to cut each card individually.)
Use these cards when you see friends sharing: “I feel ___.” Then hold up the matching card.
Activity
Friendship Bracelet Templates
Instructions:
- Cut out one strip per student along the dotted lines.
- Decorate the strip and color or sticker the bead circles.
- Pair up and take turns:
- Choose a bead circle on your partner’s strip and say a nice compliment to them.
- Add a real bead on that spot when you make your bracelet.
- Write the compliment you shared in one of the boxes below.
- When all beads and compliments are added, tie the ends to make your friendship bracelet!
————————————————————————
Partner Name: _______________________
| ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ |
|---|
Write your compliments here:
- ____________________________________________________________
- ____________________________________________________________
- ____________________________________________________________
- ____________________________________________________________
————————————————————————
Partner Name: _______________________
| ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ |
|---|
Write your compliments here:
- ____________________________________________________________
- ____________________________________________________________
- ____________________________________________________________
- ____________________________________________________________
Tip for Teachers: Demonstrate one bead and compliment (e.g., “I like how you share your crayons!”) before students begin.