lenny

Friendship Foundations

Lesson Plan

Friendship Foundations Lesson Plan Week 1

Students will identify qualities of positive friendships and understand the importance of mutual respect.

Understanding what makes a good friend helps students build stronger, healthier relationships and avoid negative social interactions.

Audience

7th Grade Students

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Discussion and reflective activity.

Materials

Whiteboard or chart paper, Markers, Week 1 Slide Deck, and Friendship Qualities Worksheet

Prep

Review Materials and Set Up

5 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: What Comes to Mind?

3 minutes

  • As students arrive, ask them to think about one word that comes to mind when they hear 'friendship.'
    - Go around the circle and have each student share their word.
    - Briefly discuss common themes.

Step 2

Introducing Positive Friendship Qualities

5 minutes

  • Use the Week 1 Slide Deck to introduce key qualities of a positive friendship (e.g., trust, honesty, support, respect, empathy).
    - Facilitate a short group discussion: 'Why are these qualities important? Can you give an example of each?'

Step 3

Activity: Friendship Qualities Worksheet

5 minutes

  • Distribute the Friendship Qualities Worksheet.
    - Instruct students to individually list 3-5 qualities they value most in a friend and why.
    - After a few minutes, have students share one quality they listed with the group and explain their reasoning.

Step 4

Wrap-Up: Key Takeaway

2 minutes

  • Ask students to share one new insight they gained about friendship today.
    - Remind them that understanding these qualities is the first step to building and maintaining great friendships.
lenny
0 educators
use Lenny to create lessons.

No credit card needed

Slide Deck

Friendship Foundations: Week 1

What Makes a Friend?

Welcome students and introduce the topic of friendship. Ask them to think of one word that describes friendship before starting the slides.

What Makes a Good Friend?

Think about your best friends. What makes your relationship special?

Introduce the idea that good friendships have key ingredients. Ask students for initial ideas before revealing the qualities.

Key Qualities of a Positive Friendship

  • Trust: Knowing you can rely on each other and keep secrets.
  • Honesty: Being truthful, even when it's difficult.
  • Support: Being there for each other in good times and bad.
  • Respect: Valuing each other's opinions, feelings, and boundaries.
  • Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of another.

Define and discuss each quality. Encourage students to share personal (appropriate) examples or observations.

Your Friendship Blueprint

What qualities do YOU value most in a friend?

  • We'll complete a short worksheet to explore your personal friendship priorities.

Explain the worksheet activity. Emphasize that there are no 'right' or 'wrong' answers, but rather personal values.

Reflecting on Friendship

Today, we explored the essential qualities that form the bedrock of strong friendships. Knowing what to look for helps us choose good friends and be a good friend in return.

Summarize the session. Reiterate that understanding these qualities helps build and maintain strong friendships.

lenny

Worksheet

Friendship Qualities: What Do You Value?

Think about what makes a friendship strong and positive. What qualities are most important to you in a friend?

  1. List 3-5 qualities you value most in a friend.












  2. Choose one quality from your list and explain why it is important to you. How does this quality help make a friendship strong?












  3. Think about a time when one of these qualities made a real difference in a friendship. Briefly describe what happened.












lenny
lenny

Lesson Plan

Friendship Foundations Lesson Plan Week 2

Students will learn and practice active listening and clear expression using "I" statements.

Effective communication is crucial for resolving conflicts, expressing needs, and strengthening bonds in friendships.

Audience

7th Grade Students

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion and role-playing activity.

Materials

Whiteboard or chart paper, Markers, Week 2 Slide Deck, and Communication Scenarios Activity

Prep

Review Materials and Prepare

5 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: The Telephone Game (Quick Version)

3 minutes

  • Briefly explain the concept of the "telephone game" where a message gets distorted.
    - Ask students: "How does this relate to real-life communication in friendships?" Lead a very short discussion (1-2 responses).

Step 2

Introducing Communication Skills

5 minutes

  • Use the Week 2 Slide Deck to introduce active listening and "I" statements.
    - Explain: Active listening means truly hearing what someone is saying, both verbally and non-verbally. "I" statements help express your feelings without blaming others (e.g., "I feel [emotion] when [situation] because [reason]").
    - Model a quick example of an "I" statement.

Step 3

Activity: Communication Scenarios

5 minutes

  • Divide students into pairs.
    - Distribute one Communication Scenarios Activity card to each pair.
    - Instruct pairs to role-play the scenario, focusing on using active listening and "I" statements.
    - Circulate to offer guidance and support.

Step 4

Wrap-Up: Reflecting on Communication

2 minutes

  • Bring the group back together.
    - Ask: "What was challenging about using 'I' statements or active listening? What did you notice?"
    - Emphasize that practicing these skills helps prevent misunderstandings and build stronger connections.
lenny

Slide Deck

Friendship Foundations: Week 2

Communication Superpowers!

Welcome students. Begin with the 'Telephone Game' warm-up and link it to the importance of clear communication in friendships.

What is Active Listening?

It's not just hearing, it's understanding!

  • Pay attention with your whole body (eye contact, nodding).
  • Don't interrupt.
  • Ask clarifying questions.
  • Summarize what you heard to check understanding.

Ask students what they think 'active listening' means. Guide them to understand it's more than just hearing words.

The Power of 'I' Statements

How to express your feelings clearly and kindly:

"I feel [emotion] when [situation] because [reason]."

  • Example: "I feel sad when you cancel our plans last minute because I was really looking forward to seeing you."

Explain 'I' statements as a way to express feelings without blaming. Provide the formula and model an example.

Practice Time: Communication Scenarios

You'll work with a partner to act out a scenario.

  • Focus on active listening to your partner.
  • Use 'I' statements to express your feelings.

Explain the role-playing activity. Emphasize practicing both active listening and 'I' statements.

Reflecting on Our Superpowers

Using active listening and 'I' statements can help us:

  • Prevent misunderstandings.
  • Resolve conflicts peacefully.
  • Build stronger, more trusting friendships.

Debrief the activity. Ask students what they found easy or challenging and how these skills can help their friendships.

lenny

Activity

Communication Scenarios: Practice Your Superpowers!

Work with a partner to role-play the following scenarios. Focus on:

  • Active Listening: Really hearing what your partner is saying, asking clarifying questions, and summarizing to check understanding.
  • "I" Statements: Expressing your feelings without blaming, using the format: "I feel [emotion] when [situation] because [reason]."

Scenario Card 1: Missing Out

Person A: You found out your friend (Person B) went to the movies with a group of other friends and didn't invite you. You feel left out and a little hurt.

Person B: You didn't realize Person A would be upset. You thought they were busy, or maybe you just forgot to invite them in the rush.

  • Role-Play: Person A expresses their feelings to Person B using an "I" statement. Person B actively listens and responds thoughtfully.

Scenario Card 2: Broken Promise

Person A: Your friend (Person B) promised to help you study for a test, but then they bailed at the last minute to play video games instead. You feel frustrated and worried about your test.

Person B: You genuinely forgot about the study session until it was too late, and you were already deep into a game. You feel bad that you let your friend down.

  • Role-Play: Person A expresses their feelings to Person B using an "I" statement. Person B actively listens and responds thoughtfully.

Scenario Card 3: Borrowed Item

Person A: You lent your favorite book/item to your friend (Person B) a week ago, and they haven't returned it. You need it back and feel annoyed that you have to ask for it.

Person B: You completely forgot you had the item and it's currently at the bottom of your backpack. You didn't mean to keep it so long.

  • Role-Play: Person A expresses their feelings to Person B using an "I" statement. Person B actively listens and responds thoughtfully.
lenny
lenny

Lesson Plan

Friendship Foundations Lesson Plan Week 3

Students will identify common friendship challenges and learn strategies for respectful conflict resolution.

Learning to navigate disagreements and repair relationships is essential for long-lasting and healthy friendships.

Audience

7th Grade Students

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Discussion and problem-solving activity.

Materials

Whiteboard or chart paper, Markers, Week 3 Slide Deck, and Conflict Resolution Scenarios

Prep

Review Materials and Prepare

5 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: Friendship Dilemmas

3 minutes

  • Ask students: "What are some common problems or disagreements that happen between friends?"
    - Briefly list their ideas on the whiteboard/chart paper. (e.g., misunderstandings, feeling left out, teasing, broken trust).

Step 2

Introducing Conflict Resolution Strategies

5 minutes

  • Use the Week 3 Slide Deck to introduce strategies for conflict resolution: active listening, "I" statements (revisit), finding common ground, apologizing genuinely, and knowing when to take a break.
    - Emphasize that conflicts are normal, but how we handle them matters.

Step 3

Activity: Solving Friendship Scenarios

5 minutes

  • Divide students into small groups (2-3 students).
    - Distribute one Conflict Resolution Scenarios card to each group.
    - Instruct groups to discuss the scenario and come up with at least two ways the friends could resolve the conflict using the strategies discussed.
    - Circulate to offer guidance.

Step 4

Wrap-Up: Key to Mending Fences

2 minutes

  • Bring the groups back together and have one or two groups quickly share their scenario and solutions.
    - Ask: "Why is it important to try and resolve conflicts in friendships?"
    - Conclude by stating that good communication and a willingness to understand each other are key to mending fences.
lenny

Slide Deck

Friendship Foundations: Week 3

Navigating Friendship Challenges

Welcome students. Start by asking about common friendship problems they've observed or experienced (keep it general, no names).

Conflict Happens: It's Normal!

Even the best friends have disagreements. It's how we handle them that matters.

Acknowledge that conflicts are normal. Introduce the idea of learning how to handle them well.

Strategies for Resolving Conflicts

  • Active Listening: Really hear their side.
  • 'I' Statements: Express your feelings without blaming.
  • Find Common Ground: Look for solutions that work for both.
  • Genuine Apologies: Say 'I'm sorry' and mean it.
  • Take a Break: Sometimes, a cool-down period helps.

Revisit active listening and 'I' statements briefly. Introduce finding common ground, genuine apologies, and knowing when to cool down.

Solve It! Friendship Scenarios

Work in small groups to discuss realistic friendship challenges.

  • How can the friends use our strategies to resolve the problem?
  • Aim for at least two solutions per scenario.

Explain the small group activity. Emphasize applying the strategies discussed.

Stronger Through Solutions

Learning to resolve conflicts respectfully builds trust and makes friendships even stronger.

Bring groups back together. Ask what they learned or what strategies they think are most useful. Reinforce that solving conflicts strengthens friendships.

lenny

Activity

Conflict Resolution Scenarios: How Would You Solve It?

Work in your small group to discuss each scenario. For each situation, think about:

  • What is the main problem?
  • Which conflict resolution strategies (active listening, "I" statements, finding common ground, genuine apologies, taking a break) could the friends use?
  • Come up with at least two different ways the friends could try to resolve the conflict.

Scenario Card 1: Misplaced Trust

Situation: You told your friend, Alex, a secret that you specifically asked them not to share. The next day, you overhear another classmate talking about your secret, and they mention Alex told them. You feel betrayed and angry.







Scenario Card 2: Constant Teasing

Situation: Your friend, Sam, often makes jokes about you in front of other people. At first, you didn't mind, but now the jokes are starting to feel mean and they make you uncomfortable. You feel embarrassed and hurt, but you don't want to upset Sam.







Scenario Card 3: Unequal Effort

Situation: You and your friend, Jamie, are working on a school project together. You've been doing most of the work, and Jamie keeps putting it off or not contributing much. The deadline is approaching, and you feel frustrated and overwhelmed, worried about your grade.







Scenario Card 4: Exclusion

Situation: You and your two best friends, Chris and Taylor, usually hang out all the time. Lately, Chris and Taylor have been making plans without you, whispering and laughing, and sometimes even walking ahead of you. You feel left out and sad, like your friendship is changing.







lenny
lenny

Lesson Plan

Friendship Foundations Lesson Plan Week 4

Students will define empathy and practice perspective-taking in friendship scenarios.

Empathy is crucial for understanding and connecting with friends, leading to more supportive and compassionate relationships.

Audience

7th Grade Students

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Discussion and scenario-based reflection.

Materials

Whiteboard or chart paper, Markers, Week 4 Slide Deck, and Empathy in Action Scenarios

Prep

Review Materials and Prepare

5 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: Feelings Check-in

3 minutes

  • Ask students: "If your emotions were a weather forecast right now, what would they be? Sunny, cloudy, stormy, breezy?"
    - Briefly discuss how different emotions feel and how we can sometimes tell what others are feeling.

Step 2

Defining Empathy

5 minutes

  • Use the Week 4 Slide Deck to define empathy: 'the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.'
    - Discuss the difference between sympathy (feeling for someone) and empathy (feeling with someone/understanding their perspective).
    - Emphasize that empathy helps us respond to friends in a helpful way.

Step 3

Activity: Empathy in Action

5 minutes

  • Distribute one Empathy in Action Scenarios card to each student or pair.
    - Instruct students to read the scenario and answer the questions, focusing on putting themselves in the friend's shoes.
    - After a few minutes, have a couple of students share their reflections with the group.

Step 4

Wrap-Up: The Empathy Challenge

2 minutes

  • Ask: "How can practicing empathy change how you interact with your friends this week?"
    - Encourage students to make a conscious effort to 'walk in someone else's shoes' before reacting.
lenny

Slide Deck

Friendship Foundations: Week 4

Empathy: Walking in Their Shoes

Welcome students. Begin with the 'Feelings Check-in' warm-up, asking about their emotional 'weather' and how they might guess others' feelings.

What is Empathy?

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.

It's putting yourself in someone else's shoes to truly understand their perspective.

Ask students what they think empathy means. Guide them towards a definition.

Empathy vs. Sympathy

Sympathy: Feeling pity or sorrow for someone else's misfortune.

Empathy: Feeling with someone; understanding and sharing their feelings.

Explain the difference clearly. Sympathy is feeling for someone (e.g., 'I'm sorry that happened'). Empathy is trying to feel with someone (e.g., 'I can imagine how frustrating that must be for you').

Why is Empathy Important in Friendship?

  • It helps us truly connect with our friends.
  • We can offer better support when they are upset.
  • It helps us avoid misunderstandings.
  • It builds trust and strengthens bonds.

Emphasize that practicing empathy helps us respond to friends in a more supportive and helpful way. Ask for examples of how empathy could change a situation.

Activity: Empathy in Action

You'll read a scenario and think about how the friend might be feeling and why. Then, consider how you would respond with empathy.

Explain the 'Empathy in Action Scenarios' activity. Encourage students to think deeply about the friend's perspective.

The Empathy Challenge

By trying to understand our friends' perspectives, we can become more compassionate and supportive friends.

Conclude by reiterating the power of empathy. Encourage students to consciously practice empathy in their interactions this week.

lenny

Activity

Empathy in Action Scenarios: Put Yourself in Their Shoes

Read each scenario below. For each one, answer the questions, focusing on understanding the friend's perspective and how you might respond with empathy.

Scenario 1: A Disappointing Performance

Your friend, Maya, just tried out for the school play and didn't get the part she really wanted. She looks really upset and says, "I practiced so hard for nothing! I'm never trying out for anything again."

  1. How do you think Maya is feeling? (Think about specific emotions, not just "sad".)


  2. Why might she be feeling this way?


  3. What could you say or do to show Maya empathy?





Scenario 2: Feeling Excluded Online

Your friend, Leo, is usually very chatty in your group chat, but lately he's been quiet. You notice he's been posting a lot of stories on social media with a different group of friends, and he hasn't responded to your last few messages in the group chat. He seems withdrawn.

  1. How do you think Leo might be feeling? (Consider multiple possibilities.)


  2. What might be some reasons for his behavior?


  3. How could you reach out to Leo to show empathy and try to understand what's going on?





Scenario 3: Stress at Home

Your friend, Chloe, usually loves coming over to your house to play games, but today she canceled plans at the last minute, saying she "just can't." She sounds really tired and mentions her parents have been really stressed about something at home, which means she has a lot more chores and responsibilities.

  1. How do you think Chloe is feeling?


  2. What might be causing her stress?


  3. What is an empathetic way to respond to Chloe's cancellation and support her?





lenny
lenny

Lesson Plan

Friendship Foundations Lesson Plan Week 5

Students will identify ways to support friends and practice offering encouragement and appropriate help.

Being a supportive friend strengthens bonds and helps friends navigate challenges, fostering a sense of belonging and care.

Audience

7th Grade Students

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Discussion and practical application through scenarios.

Materials

Whiteboard or chart paper, Markers, Week 5 Slide Deck, and Supportive Friend Scenarios

Prep

Review Materials and Prepare

5 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: When a Friend Needs You

3 minutes

  • Ask students: "Imagine a friend is having a tough day. What's the first thing you usually do or say?"
    - Briefly discuss initial responses and the intention behind them.

Step 2

Introducing Supportive Actions

5 minutes

  • Use the Week 5 Slide Deck to discuss different ways to show support: active listening, offering comfort, providing encouragement, asking how you can help, and knowing when to suggest adult help.
    - Emphasize tailoring support to what the friend needs, not just what we think they need.

Step 3

Activity: Supportive Friend Scenarios

5 minutes

  • Divide students into pairs or small groups.
    - Distribute one Supportive Friend Scenarios card to each group.
    - Instruct groups to discuss the scenario and brainstorm how they would support their friend, focusing on the strategies learned.
    - Circulate to offer guidance and feedback.

Step 4

Wrap-Up: The Ripple Effect of Support

2 minutes

  • Bring the groups back together.
    - Ask: "Why is it sometimes hard to know how to help a friend? What did you learn today about being supportive?"
    - Conclude by highlighting that small acts of kindness and support can make a big difference in a friend's life.
lenny

Slide Deck

Friendship Foundations: Week 5

Being a Supportive Friend

Welcome students. Begin with the warm-up: asking how they typically respond when a friend is having a tough day.

What Does Support Look Like?

It's about being there for our friends, especially when they need us most. But how do we do it effectively?

Ask students what they think it means to be a supportive friend. Guide them to think beyond just saying 'sorry'.

Ways to Show Support

  • Active Listening: Really hear what they are saying.
  • Offer Comfort: Words of kindness, a hug (if appropriate).
  • Provide Encouragement: Remind them of their strengths.
  • Ask, "How can I help?": Sometimes they just need to talk.
  • Know When to Get Adult Help: For serious problems, it's okay (and brave) to involve an adult.

Discuss each point. For active listening, remind them of Week 2. For offering comfort, talk about words and actions. For encouragement, stress honesty. For asking how to help, explain that sometimes friends just need to talk, not advice. For adult help, give clear examples of when it's necessary.

Activity: Supportive Friend Scenarios

Work in groups to discuss different friendship situations.

  • How would you support your friend in each scenario?
  • Which supportive actions would be most helpful?

Explain the scenario activity. Emphasize applying the different supportive strategies discussed.

Your Role as a Friend

Being a supportive friend means showing up, listening, and caring. Your kindness can make a huge impact on your friends' lives.

Bring the groups back together. Ask what they found challenging or what they learned about being supportive. Reinforce that even small acts of support make a big difference.

lenny

Activity

Supportive Friend Scenarios: How Would You Show Up?

Work in your group to discuss each scenario. For each situation, think about:

  • How might your friend be feeling?
  • What specific supportive actions could you take or words could you say?
  • When might it be appropriate to suggest seeking help from a trusted adult?

Scenario 1: Performance Anxiety

Your friend, Ben, has a big presentation coming up in class. He's usually confident, but he seems really nervous and keeps saying, "I'm going to mess this up! I hate presenting."







Scenario 2: Family Stress

Your friend, Sarah, has been quieter than usual. She mentioned that her older sibling just moved away for college and her parents are arguing a lot. She looks tired and distant.







Scenario 3: Dealing with a Bully

Your friend, Daniel, tells you that someone at school has been consistently making mean comments to him and spreading rumors. Daniel is trying to ignore it, but you can see it's really getting to him, and he seems sad and withdrawn.







Scenario 4: A Tough Choice

Your friend, Emily, is struggling with a decision about whether to join a new club that meets on the same day as another activity she loves. She feels torn and worried about disappointing either group. She asks you for advice.







lenny
lenny

Lesson Plan

Friendship Foundations Lesson Plan Week 6

Students will reflect on the skills learned throughout the program and commit to applying them in their friendships.

Reflecting on growth and planning for future application reinforces learning and empowers students to build lasting, healthy friendships.

Audience

7th Grade Students

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Review, reflection, and goal setting.

Materials

Whiteboard or chart paper, Markers, Week 6 Slide Deck, and Friendship Pledge Cool Down

Prep

Review Materials and Prepare

5 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: Friendship Journey Recap

3 minutes

  • Ask students: "What is one big idea or skill about friendship that you remember learning in this group?"
    - Briefly list their responses on the whiteboard/chart paper, touching on qualities, communication, conflict resolution, and empathy/support.

Step 2

Reflecting on Our Growth

5 minutes

  • Use the Week 6 Slide Deck to quickly review the key themes from the past weeks: qualities, communication, conflict resolution, empathy, and support.
    - Facilitate a brief discussion: "Which of these skills do you feel most confident using now? Which one do you want to keep working on?"

Step 3

Activity: My Friendship Pledge

5 minutes

  • Distribute the Friendship Pledge Cool Down to each student.
    - Instruct them to individually write down one specific way they will use what they've learned to be a better friend this week or in the future.
    - Invite students to share their pledges with the group if they feel comfortable.

Step 4

Wrap-Up: Celebrating Our Friendships

2 minutes

  • Thank the students for their participation and openness.
    - Reiterate that building great friendships is a continuous journey that takes effort, but the rewards are worth it.
    - Offer a final positive affirmation about their ability to foster strong, healthy friendships.
lenny

Slide Deck

Friendship Foundations: Week 6

Celebrating Friendships & Moving Forward

Welcome students to the final session. Start with the warm-up, asking them to recall one big idea about friendship from the program.

Our Friendship Journey: A Recap

We've explored:

  • What makes a good friend? (Trust, Honesty, Respect)
  • How to communicate clearly? (Active Listening, "I" Statements)
  • How to handle disagreements? (Conflict Resolution)
  • How to understand others? (Empathy)
  • How to be there for each other? (Support)

Quickly recap the main topics: Week 1 (Qualities), Week 2 (Communication), Week 3 (Conflict), Week 4 (Empathy), Week 5 (Support). Ask which skills they feel most confident about and which they want to practice more.

Reflecting on Our Growth

Think about how your understanding of friendship has grown. What new ideas or skills have you gained?

Emphasize that friendship is an ongoing journey. Discuss how they've grown over the past weeks in their understanding and skills.

My Friendship Pledge

Now, it's time to think about how you will use what you've learned.

What is one way you will be an even better friend?

Introduce the "Friendship Pledge Cool Down" activity. Explain they will write down a personal commitment.

Continue Building Awesome Friendships!

Friendship is a gift that grows with care, communication, and understanding. Keep practicing these skills, and your friendships will flourish!

Thank the students for their hard work and participation. Reiterate the value of their friendships and the skills they've developed. End with a positive and encouraging message.

lenny

Cool Down

My Friendship Pledge: Moving Forward

Now that we've spent six weeks exploring friendship, take a moment to reflect on what you've learned. What is one specific way you will use these skills to be an even better friend this week or in the future?

Write your personal pledge below. It can be about communication, conflict resolution, showing empathy, being supportive, or valuing specific friendship qualities.

My Friendship Pledge:

I, __________________________, pledge to...













I will achieve this by (specific action):







lenny
lenny