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Friendship Finale

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Lesson Plan

Friendship Check-Up Plan

Students will complete a brief self-assessment to evaluate their collaboration, empathy, and communication skills, providing baseline data to inform future social-emotional lessons.

Understanding students’ relationship skills helps tailor targeted SEL instruction, promotes empathy and effective teamwork, and supports a positive classroom climate.

Audience

5th Grade Students

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Guided individual survey with group debrief

Materials

Prep

Prepare Check-Up Materials

5 minutes

  • Print enough copies of Friendship Check-Up Survey for each student
  • Gather pencils, clipboards, and set a timer
  • Review survey questions to ensure clarity for students

Step 1

Introduction

2 minutes

  • Explain the purpose: a Friendship Check-Up to see how we work and relate with classmates
  • Emphasize honesty—there are no right or wrong answers
  • Ensure students know responses are confidential and supportive

Step 2

Distribute Survey

1 minute

  • Hand out one copy of the survey and a clipboard to each student
  • Instruct students to write their names and answer honestly

Step 3

Individual Completion

6 minutes

  • Start the timer for 6 minutes
  • Students complete the survey independently
  • Circulate to clarify instructions or questions

Step 4

Collection & Quick Debrief

6 minutes

  • Collect all surveys
  • Facilitate a brief discussion: ask volunteers to share which relationship skills they feel strongest in and where they’d like support
  • Note observations to guide future SEL lessons
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Slide Deck

Friendship Check-Up

A quick, confidential self-assessment to understand our relationship skills and guide future lessons.

Welcome students! Introduce today’s activity as a Friendship Check-Up. Explain we’ll take 15 minutes to assess our collaboration, empathy, and communication skills. Emphasize honesty and that there are no right or wrong answers.

Purpose

• Gauge our collaboration skills
• Explore how empathetic we are
• Reflect on our communication abilities

Read each bullet aloud and briefly expand. Explain why knowing our strengths and areas to grow helps everyone work better together.

How to Complete

  1. Write your name at the top
  2. Answer each statement honestly
  3. Work quietly and independently

Explain step by step. Distribute clipboard, pencil, and the printed Friendship Check-Up Survey. Ensure each student writes their name.

Begin Survey (6 Minutes)

• Start now!
• Use your clipboard and pencil
• I will signal when time is up

Start a visible timer for 6 minutes. Walk around the room to clarify any student questions, but refrain from coaching answers.

Quick Debrief

• Which relationship skill do you feel strongest in?
• Which skill would you like more support with?

Collect surveys and transition into discussion. Use these prompts to guide a 6-minute debrief. Note responses for planning future SEL lessons.

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Worksheet

Friendship Check-Up Survey

Name: _______________________ Date: ________________

Instructions: For each statement below, circle the number that best describes how often you do each one.
1 = Never 2 = Sometimes 3 = Often 4 = Always

  1. I listen carefully to my friends when they talk.
    1  2  3  4
  2. I offer help when a classmate needs assistance.
    1  2  3  4
  3. I try to understand how my classmates feel.
    1  2  3  4
  4. I share my ideas with my group respectfully.
    1  2  3  4
  5. I take turns and work cooperatively in group activities.
    1  2  3  4
  6. I show kindness to classmates who seem upset.
    1  2  3  4
  7. I help my classmates solve problems when we work together.
    1  2  3  4
  8. I use polite words and a friendly tone when speaking to classmates.
    1  2  3  4
  9. I ask questions when I don’t understand something.
    1  2  3  4
  10. I include others in games and activities at recess or during class.
    1  2  3  4

Reflection Questions

  1. Which relationship skill do you feel you’re strongest in?






  1. Which skill would you like to improve most?






Thank you for your honest answers!

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Lesson Plan

Friendship Finale Plan

Students will reflect on their post-survey results to celebrate their relationship-skill growth, set personal goals, and practice targeted empathy, communication, and teamwork strategies.

By reviewing their own data, students recognize progress, take ownership of their SEL journey, and develop actionable goals to strengthen peer connections.

Audience

5th Grade Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Guided reflection, goal-setting, and interactive practice

Materials

Prep

Prepare Reflection Materials

5 minutes

Step 1

Introduction & Celebration

5 minutes

  • Arrange students in a circle and briefly explain the lesson’s purpose
  • Invite volunteers to share one survey item they improved on since the last check-up
  • Affirm each speaker and note celebrations on chart paper under “Strengths”

Step 2

Individual Reflection

10 minutes

Step 3

Partner Goal-Setting Share

8 minutes

  • Pair students and have them exchange strengths and one growth goal
  • Partners provide positive feedback and suggest one specific strategy from the worksheet’s strategy list
  • Encourage using polite, supportive language during feedback

Step 4

Whole-Group Strategy Practice

7 minutes

  • Ask 2–3 pairs to role-play a chosen strategy (e.g., active listening or respectful turn-taking)
  • Record any additional common goals and strategies on the “Growth Goals” chart
  • Conclude by summarizing top 3 strategies students will practice daily
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Worksheet

Friendship Finale Reflection Worksheet

Name: __________________________ Date: _______________

Instructions: Review your completed Friendship Check-Up Survey. Then complete each section below to celebrate your growth, set goals, and choose strategies to strengthen your friendships.

1. Celebrate Your Strengths

List two relationship skills where you scored highest:








2. _________________________________________________






2. Identify Areas for Growth

List two relationship skills you’d like to improve:








2. _________________________________________________






3. Choose Strategies to Practice

Read the strategies below. Circle two you will focus on this week.

• Active Listening (e.g., make eye contact and nod when a friend speaks)
• Kind Words (e.g., use polite, friendly language)
• Empathy Check (e.g., ask “How are you feeling?” when someone seems upset)
• Collaborative Turn-Taking (e.g., share ideas and wait your turn)
• Problem-Solving Together (e.g., ask “What can we do to fix this?”)
• Inclusive Invitations (e.g., invite classmates to join games or groups)






My two chosen strategies:








2. _________________________________________________






4. My Daily Practice Plan

Describe how you will remind yourself to practice your chosen strategies each day (e.g., checklist, buddy system, sticky note in backpack):












Who will help keep you on track? (Name a friend, family member, or teacher.)







5. My Commitment

I promise to practice my chosen strategies every day to build stronger, kinder friendships.

Student Signature: __________________________ Date: _______________



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