Friendship Detectives

Riley, Alex, and Jordan belonged to the same fourth-grade class—and to a special club they called the Friendship Detectives. Their mission was to spot moments when friends might need extra kindness and support. One sunny afternoon, the trio gathered at Riley’s desk to tackle their next case: how to help classmates work and play happily together.

Active Listening in Action

Jordan noticed that Mia sat quietly at the back of the room, her eyes on the ground. Instead of joining the other students right away, Jordan quietly walked over and asked, “Mia, what are you thinking about?” Mia stared up, surprised, and then began to share how she felt nervous about the upcoming spelling quiz. As Jordan nodded and asked questions—“What part worries you the most?”—Mia felt heard and understood. Jordan’s focused attention and gentle questions showed true active listening.

Showing Empathy

While Mia talked, Riley remembered a time she had been nervous too. She leaned in and softly said, “I know how that feels. I get butterflies before quizzes, too.” Alex passed a pencil to Mia and added, “Let’s study together after lunch. I can quiz you on the words you’re unsure about.” By imagining how Mia felt and offering kind words and help, Riley and Alex demonstrated empathy.

Working Together with Cooperation

Later that week, the class began a science project to build paper bridges. Riley, Alex, and Jordan joined Mia’s table. They decided to split tasks: Riley measured and cut the paper, Alex held the strips steady, Jordan folded the edges, and Mia drew the support beams. Whenever someone needed a hand, another friend stepped in. Their bridge held strong because everyone communicated clearly and helped one another—true cooperation.

Reflection

At the end of the day, the Friendship Detectives gathered to talk about their successes. They wrote on chart paper:

• “I listened to Mia without interrupting.”
• “I offered understanding when Mia was worried.”
• “We shared jobs fairly and built a strong bridge.”

By using active listening, empathy, and cooperation, the Friendship Detectives not only solved their cases but also grew closer as friends—and they were ready to help others do the same.

Active Listening and Empathy Worksheet

Name: ________________________ Date: _____________

Instructions

Read each question carefully. Write your answers in the space provided.

1. In the Friendship Detectives Reading Passage, Jordan showed active listening when talking with Mia.
   a) List two specific actions Jordan took.
   b) Explain why each action is an example of active listening.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. In the reading, Riley and Alex showed empathy toward Mia.
   a) Describe what Riley said or did.
   b) Describe what Alex said or did.
   c) Explain how their words or actions helped Mia feel supported.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Imagine this scenario: Your friend looks nervous during a math test and keeps tapping their pencil.
   Write three questions or statements you could use to show active listening and help them feel heard.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Your classmate forgot their lunch and seems upset at lunchtime.
   Write one empathetic statement you could say and one helpful offer you could make.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. Reflection: Why are active listening and empathy important skills for being a good friend?
   Provide two reasons.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Empathy Discussion

Purpose

Today’s discussion will help us:

• Deepen our understanding of empathy and active listening.
• Practice using questions and statements that make friends feel heard and supported.
• Connect our ideas back to the Friendship Detectives Reading Passage and the Empathy Scenario Cards.

Discussion Guidelines

1. Listen Carefully. When someone else is speaking, look at them and do not interrupt.
2. Speak Clearly. Use a calm voice and share one idea at a time.
3. Be Respectful. Honor everyone’s opinion—if you disagree, say, “I see it differently because…”
4. Use Evidence. Refer back to the story or your own experiences when you answer.

Questions & Prompts

1. Warm-Up: What Is Empathy?

• In your own words, what does empathy mean?
• Why do you think it’s important when talking with friends?

2. Text Connection

• Reread the part where Riley and Alex help Mia in the Friendship Detectives Reading Passage.
  • What did Riley say that showed empathy?
  • How did Alex’s offer to study together help Mia feel supported?
  Follow-up: Which words or actions would you pick if a friend felt worried?

3. Scenario Role-Play

• In your group, choose one new Empathy Scenario Card you haven’t acted out yet.
• Take turns role-playing:
  1. One student reads the card.
  2. One student practices an empathetic response—using a question or statement.
  3. The rest of the group gives feedback: “I liked how you…” or “You could also ask…”

4. Deep Dive: Active Listening Questions

• Why is asking open-ended questions (questions that can’t be answered with just ‘yes’ or ‘no’) a good way to show active listening?
• Give an example of an open-ended question you might ask a friend who seems upset.

5. Real-Life Application

• Think of someone in our class who might have needed empathy this week.
  • What would you say or ask to help them feel heard?
  • How could you offer to help?
  Share your idea with a partner, then volunteers can share one with the whole class.

Closure & Next Steps

• Each student shares one new empathetic question or statement they’ll try using this week.
• Teacher writes these on chart paper as our “Empathy Detective Phrases.”
• Challenge: Tomorrow, practice one phrase with a friend and notice how it makes them feel.

Empathy Scenario Cards

Cut the cards apart and place them face down in a pile. Each student draws one card and role-plays an empathetic response.

Scenario Card 1:
Your friend Mia is standing by herself on the playground during recess. She looks down at the ground and isn’t joining any games.

Scenario Card 2:
Alex just got back graded math quizzes and saw a low score. He crumples his paper and sighs heavily at his desk.

Scenario Card 3:
Jordan’s partner in the art center accidentally knocked over the paint water and made a mess. They look embarrassed and worried.

Scenario Card 4:
A classmate, Leah, sits quietly at lunch and pushes her food around without eating. She glances up when others laugh.

Scenario Card 5:
During partner reading time, your friend keeps tapping the book and seems distracted. They don’t answer when you ask a question.

Scenario Card 6:
Taylor just lost the class spelling bee and their shoulders slump. They avoid eye contact and hold back tears.

Scenario Card 7:
Your group member, Sam, looks confused and keeps flipping through the directions for the science project.

Scenario Card 8:
Emma is pacing in front of the class, waiting for her turn to give a short presentation. She’s breathing fast and looks nervous.

Cooperation Puzzle Pieces

Each group receives a set of 12 mixed puzzle pieces placed face down in the center of the table. Your challenge is to assemble the puzzle using only cooperative talk—no off-task chatter or side conversations.

Directions

1. In turns or as needed, pick up one piece and describe it to your teammates. Use clear, helpful language:
   • “This piece has a straight edge and blue triangle.”
   • “Can someone find the piece with the yellow stripe?”
2. Ask for help when stuck:
   • “Could you pass me a corner piece?”
   • “Does this fit next to the red square?”
3. Offer assistance to others:
   • “I’ll hold these pieces; let me know if you spot a matching color.”
4. Continue until all pieces are connected and the puzzle is complete.

Debrief Questions

• Which cooperative question or offer helped your group the most?
• How did using clear, helpful language make the task easier?
• Where else in class or recess could you use these cooperation skills?