Lesson Plan
Friendship Foundations
Students will understand the key elements of positive friendships, identify healthy communication styles, and practice empathy.
Learning about positive friendships helps students build strong, supportive relationships, fostering a sense of belonging and improving their social-emotional well-being.
Audience
3rd and 4th Grade Students
Time
45-60 minutes
Approach
Interactive scenarios and role-playing.
Materials
Whiteboard or Projector, Markers or Pens, Friendship Foundations Slide Deck, Friendship Scenarios Activity, and My Friendship Map Worksheet
Prep
Review Materials
15 minutes
- Review the Friendship Foundations Slide Deck to familiarize yourself with the content.
- Print copies of the Friendship Scenarios Activity, one per small group.
- Print copies of the My Friendship Map Worksheet, one per student.
- Arrange classroom for small group work and clear space for potential role-playing.
Step 1
Warm-Up: What is a Friend?
5 minutes
- Begin by asking students: 'What comes to mind when you think of a friend?'
- Allow students to share their ideas briefly. Write down keywords on the board.
- Transition by saying: 'Today, we're going to explore what makes friendships strong and how we can be amazing friends to each other!'
Step 2
Introduction to Friendship Foundations
10 minutes
- Use the Friendship Foundations Slide Deck to introduce key elements of positive friendships (e.g., trust, kindness, respect, good communication, empathy).
- Facilitate a brief discussion after each element, asking students for examples of how these elements look in real life.
Step 3
Friendship Scenarios Activity
20 minutes
- Divide students into small groups (3-4 students per group).
- Distribute the Friendship Scenarios Activity to each group.
- Explain that each group will read a scenario and discuss how the friends in the story can use the friendship foundations they just learned to solve a problem.
- Encourage groups to role-play one or two of their solutions.
- Circulate among groups to provide support and guidance.
Step 4
Share and Reflect
10 minutes
- Bring the class back together.
- Ask a few groups to share their scenarios and the solutions they came up with.
- Discuss common themes and effective strategies for positive communication and empathy.
Step 5
My Friendship Map Worksheet (Cool-Down)
5 minutes
- Distribute the My Friendship Map Worksheet.
- Instruct students to reflect on what they've learned and apply it to their own friendships.
- Encourage them to think about one friendship they have and how they can strengthen it using one of the friendship foundations. This will serve as a cool-down activity.
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Slide Deck
Friendship Foundations
What makes a good friend? What does friendship mean to you?
Welcome students and introduce the topic of friendship. Ask them to share initial thoughts.
Trust: Building a Strong Base
- Being reliable: Your friends can count on you.
- Being honest: Telling the truth, even when it's hard.
- Keeping promises: Following through on what you say you'll do.
Why is trust important in friendship?
Introduce the first foundation: Trust. Explain what trust means in the context of friendship.
Kindness: Sharing a Smile
- Being thoughtful: Thinking about your friend's feelings.
- Being helpful: Offering to assist when a friend needs it.
- Using kind words: Speaking nicely and offering compliments.
How can you show kindness to a friend today?
Introduce the second foundation: Kindness. Discuss how kindness makes friendships feel good.
Respect: Valuing Each Other
- Listening to ideas: Letting friends share their thoughts without interruption.
- Accepting differences: Understanding that everyone is unique.
- Respecting boundaries: Knowing when a friend needs space.
What does it mean to respect someone?
Introduce the third foundation: Respect. Emphasize valuing differences.
Communication: Talking and Listening
- Clear talking: Saying what you mean kindly.
- Active listening: Really hearing what your friend says.
- Solving problems: Talking things out when there's a disagreement.
Why is it important to talk and listen in a friendship?
Introduce the fourth foundation: Communication. Highlight speaking and listening skills.
Empathy: Stepping into Their Shoes
- Understanding feelings: Trying to know how a friend feels.
- Offering comfort: Being there for a friend when they're sad or upset.
- Celebrating successes: Being happy for your friends when good things happen to them.
How do you show empathy?
Introduce the fifth foundation: Empathy. Focus on understanding feelings.
Building Our Friendship Towers!
Remember our five foundations:
- Trust
- Kindness
- Respect
- Communication
- Empathy
These help us build strong and lasting friendships!
Review all the friendship foundations and prepare for the activity.
Activity
Friendship Scenarios Activity
Instructions: Read each scenario with your group. Discuss how the friends can use the Friendship Foundations (Trust, Kindness, Respect, Communication, Empathy) to solve the problem. Be ready to share your ideas and maybe even role-play one of your solutions!
Scenario 1: The Secret Spilled
Liam told his best friend, Maya, a secret about his new puppy. He asked her not to tell anyone. The next day at school, Liam heard his classmate, Sam, talking about his new puppy, saying Maya told him. Liam feels hurt and angry.
- How can Liam and Maya use Trust and Communication to fix this?
- What should Maya do to make things right?
Scenario 2: The Different Game
Sarah loves playing soccer at recess, but her friend, Ben, always wants to play tag. Today, Sarah really wants to play soccer, but Ben is insisting on tag and looks upset when she says no. They can't decide what to play together.
- How can Sarah and Ben use Respect and Empathy to find a solution?
- What are some ways they could compromise or take turns?
Scenario 3: Hurt Feelings at the Party
It was Maria's birthday party, and she invited all her friends. During a game, one of her friends, Chloe, accidentally bumped into her and Maria's drink spilled all over her new dress. Chloe said, "Oops, my bad!" and laughed. Maria felt really embarrassed and like Chloe didn't care.
- How could Chloe show Kindness and Empathy?
- What could Maria do to communicate her feelings?
Scenario 4: A New Friend Joins
Jake and Leo have been best friends since kindergarten. A new student, Alex, just moved to their town and joined their class. Alex seems nice, and Jake wants to invite him to play during recess, but Leo says he only wants to play with Jake, just the two of them.
- How can Jake and Leo show Kindness and Respect towards Alex?
- How can they use Communication to discuss their feelings about including a new friend?
Worksheet
My Friendship Map
Name: _________________________
Instructions: Think about one of your friendships. Use what we learned about the Friendship Foundations to fill in your map!
1. My Friend Is...
Write the name of a friend you want to think about for this map.
2. What Makes Our Friendship Strong?
Draw or write about one or two Friendship Foundations that are really strong in your friendship. (Remember: Trust, Kindness, Respect, Communication, Empathy)
3. How Can I Be an Even Better Friend?
Choose one Friendship Foundation that you want to work on to make your friendship even better. Write down one way you can practice it this week!
I want to work on: ________________________
This week, I will:
4. What I Appreciate About My Friend
Write or draw something specific you really like or appreciate about your friend.