Friendship Role Play Cards

These cards are designed to help students practice empathy and communication skills while engaging in role-playing exercises. By simulating real-life scenarios, students are encouraged to explore different perspectives and practice responding with kindness and understanding.

How to Use the Cards

1. Scenario Exploration:

   • Each card presents a brief scenario where a friend might be going through a challenging situation or needs help.
   • Read the scenario aloud and ask students: "How do you think the character feels?" and "What could you say or do to help?"

2. Controlled Role-Play:

   • In pairs or small groups, assign roles to act out the scenario. One student takes the role of the character facing the challenge, while others role-play as supportive friends.
   • After the role-play, discuss as a group what worked well and how communication could have been improved.

3. Reflection:

   • Ask students: "How did it feel to help a friend?" and "Why is it important to listen and respond kindly?"
   • Encourage students to share personal experiences that relate to the scenario.

Tips for Success

• Encourage Empathy: Remind students to think about how the scenario might make someone feel, and speak kindly.
• Structure the Roles: Use clear, simple instructions so students understand their parts in the scenario.
• Rotate Roles: Give each student a chance to play different roles to experience diverse perspectives and practice multiple skills.

This activity complements the overall lesson by reinforcing the skills of empathy, effective communication, and cooperation. For more details on how this activity fits into the full lesson, please refer to the Friendship Builders Lesson Plan.

Empathy Scenario Booklet

This booklet is designed to help you explore feelings, understand different perspectives, and think about how to show empathy towards others. Each scenario provides a situation where someone might feel a range of emotions. Read the scenario, discuss it with your group, and answer the questions that follow.

How to Use the Booklet

1. Read and Listen:

   • Read the scenario carefully or have someone read it aloud to you.
   • Listen to your classmates' thoughts and feelings about the situation.

2. Discuss and Reflect:

   • Consider how the person in the scenario might feel. Ask yourself: "How would I feel if I were in that situation?"
   • Share ideas on what you could do to help or show support.

3. Write or Draw:

   • Use the space provided to write down your thoughts or draw how you think the person is feeling.
     
     
     
     
     
     

Scenario 1: A New Student

Situation:
A student named Alex has just joined your class. Alex feels shy and a little scared because the class is different from what they are used to.

Questions to Consider:

• How do you think Alex feels right now?
• What are some kind things you could do to make Alex feel welcome?

Your Thoughts:

Scenario 2: A Friend is Upset

Situation:
During recess, Jamie was playing a game and got teased by another student. Jamie is now sitting alone and looks very upset.

Questions to Consider:

• What emotions do you think Jamie might be experiencing?
• How can you show support to a friend who is feeling sad?

Your Thoughts:

Scenario 3: Helping with a Class Project

Situation:
During a group project, one classmate, Sam, is having trouble understanding the instructions and feels left out. The rest of the group needs to decide how to help Sam feel included.

Questions to Consider:

• What might Sam be feeling right now?
• What are some ways your group can help Sam feel comfortable and included during the project?

Your Thoughts:

Reflection

After discussing these scenarios, think about:

• What did you learn about how others may feel in different situations?
• How can you practice empathy every day?

You can use extra space below to draw or write more about your understanding of empathy:

Cooperation Challenge Worksheets

These worksheets offer a series of structured activities that encourage students to work closely in groups. They focus on teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills, all of which are essential for building and maintaining friendships.

Activity Overview

Students will work together to complete challenges that require planning, collaboration, and creative problem solving. Each worksheet details a different challenge and provides guiding questions to prompt discussion and reflection.

How to Use the Worksheets

1. Group Formation:

   • Divide the class into small groups to ensure that every student has an opportunity to participate and contribute their ideas.
   • Encourage each group to designate roles (e.g., leader, note-taker, time keeper) to help manage the activities.

2. Explore the Activity:

   • Distribute the worksheets and read the instructions together as a class.
   • Ask students to discuss the challenge and brainstorm ideas on how to tackle the problem cooperatively.

3. Complete the Challenge:

   • Allow groups time to work on the challenge. Circulate among groups to facilitate discussion and provide support where needed.
   • Encourage students to listen actively to each other, negotiate roles, and share their ideas openly.

4. Group Reflection:

   • After the activity, gather the groups together and ask them to share their solutions and experiences.
   • Facilitate a discussion using questions such as:
     • What strategies did you use to work together?
     • How did each group member contribute?
     • What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?

Follow-Up

• Ask students to write or draw one thing they learned from the activity that will help them to be better friends in the future.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Occasionally revisit these worksheets to reinforce the importance of teamwork in everyday situations.

This activity supports our broader Friendship Builders lesson by reinforcing how cooperation and effective communication underpin strong, supportive friendships.