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Friendship Formula

Lesson Plan

Friendship Formula Plan

Students will explore empathy, practice active listening, and learn cooperation strategies through interactive games and role-play to build positive relationships and resolve conflicts.

Strong social skills help 4th graders form friendships, navigate disagreements, and create a supportive classroom community.

Audience

4th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, games, and role-play.

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

  • Print and cut out the Friendship Scenarios Cards.
  • Make copies of the Active Listening Checklist, one per student.
  • Place Chart Paper on the wall or whiteboard and prepare markers.
  • Review the lesson flow and key social skill terms: empathy, active listening, cooperation.

Step 1

Introduction and Goal Setting

5 minutes

  • Gather students in a circle and introduce the lesson topic: getting along with others.
  • Ask: “What does it mean to be a good friend?” Take 2–3 student responses.
  • Share the objectives: empathy, listening, cooperation.

Step 2

Empathy Warm-Up

8 minutes

  • Explain empathy: understanding how others feel.
  • Show a simple scenario (e.g., a classmate dropping books) and ask students how that peer might feel and why.
  • Write answers on Chart Paper under “How They Feel.”

Step 3

Role-Play Scenarios

12 minutes

Step 4

Reflection and Closing

5 minutes

  • Bring students back to the circle and ask pairs to share one thing they did well.
  • Highlight examples of empathy, listening, and cooperation.
  • Encourage students to practice these skills daily and share one action they will try.
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Slide Deck

Friendship Formula

Getting Along with Others
Social Skills for 4th Graders

Use a warm gradient background (#FFD8BA to #FFB482). Welcome students and set a friendly tone.

Today's Goals

• Empathy
• Active Listening
• Cooperation

Let’s learn how to build strong friendships!

Introduce the three key skills and link back to today’s objectives.

What Does It Mean to Be a Good Friend?

• What makes someone a good friend?
• How do friends help each other?

Prompt students to share 2–3 ideas. Record answers on chart paper.

Empathy Warm-Up

Empathy = understanding how someone else feels.

Scenario:
You see a classmate drop their books.
• How might they feel?
• Why might they feel that way?

Explain empathy with energy. Use Chart Paper to record student responses.

Role-Play Scenarios

  1. Pair up and grab a Friendship Scenarios Card.
  2. Take turns acting out the scenario.
  3. Use the Active Listening Checklist to guide your responses.

Remind students to use the checklist. Circulate and praise use of skill words.

Reflection & Closing

• In your pairs, share one thing you did well.
• What examples of empathy, listening, or cooperation did you see?

Invite each pair to share one success. Highlight examples aloud.

Your Action Plan

Choose one skill to practice today:

  1. Show empathy when someone is upset.
  2. Listen without interrupting.
  3. Work together with a classmate.

Encourage students to pick one goal for the rest of the day.

Thank You!

Great work today. Keep using your Friendship Formula every day!

Wrap up with positive reinforcement. Remind them to practice daily.

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Activity

Friendship Scenarios Cards

Use these cards for partner role-plays. Print, cut out, and have each pair pick one card. Read the scenario aloud and then take turns responding—practicing empathy, active listening, and cooperation.

Instructions:

  1. Shuffle the cards and place them face down in the center.
  2. In pairs, take turns drawing a card and reading the scenario.
  3. Person A acts as the friend in the scenario; Person B practices using the Active Listening Checklist and shows empathy.
  4. After 2–3 minutes, switch roles or draw a new card.

Scenario Cards:

  1. Your friend is carrying a stack of books and trips, spilling everything on the floor. Other kids giggle. How can you help?



  2. During recess, you and your partner both want to play on the swing, but there’s only one swing open. What could you say and do?



  3. A classmate tells you they feel left out because they weren’t picked for the soccer game. What questions could you ask to show you care?



  4. You and your friend both want to lead the art project. You have different ideas and start to argue. How can you find a solution together?



  5. A new student looks nervous at lunchtime and is standing alone. How can you help them feel welcome?



  6. Your group partner hasn’t done their part of a class project, and the deadline is tomorrow. How can you talk with them kindly and make a plan?



  7. You overhear someone spreading a rumor about your friend that isn’t true. What could you say or do to support your friend?



  8. A friend asks for help with homework when you’re almost done with your break. How can you respond so both of you feel respected?



  9. Your friend seems upset but says, “I’m fine.” How can you use empathy and active listening to help them open up?



  10. You and a classmate finish early on a test and want to go to recess, but the teacher says you must wait. How can you cooperate and make the best of the situation?



Cut along the lines to make individual scenario cards. Pair up and practice using your Friendship Formula!

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Worksheet

Active Listening Checklist

Use this checklist to practice good listening. Check each box as you use the skill:

  • Look at the speaker and give your full attention.
  • Keep your body facing the speaker and nod sometimes.
  • Do not interrupt while the speaker is talking.
  • Ask questions if you are not sure you understand.
  • Paraphrase what you hear: “So, you are saying…”
  • Reflect feelings: “It sounds like you feel…”
  • Show that you care: “I understand that must be…”

Reflection

What is one question you will ask to learn more?



What will you say to show empathy?



My active listening goal for today:






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Friendship Formula • Lenny Learning