Icebreaker Friendship Cards

Use these prompt cards to kick off friendly conversations and build rapport. Cut them out and let the student pick one at random to answer aloud.

1. Share a time when a friend really surprised you in a good way.

1. Describe your favorite memory hanging out with someone you consider a good friend.

1. What qualities do you admire most in your closest friends?

1. Tell about a moment when you felt truly supported by a friend.

1. If you could plan the perfect day with a friend, what would you do together?

1. Share one thing you’ve learned from a friend that stuck with you.

1. Describe a time you helped a friend through a tough situation.

1. What’s a fun or silly habit you and a friend share?

1. Have you ever disagreed with a friend? How did you both resolve it?

1. What’s something new you’d like to try with a friend?

1. Describe a time when you surprised a friend in return for their kindness.

1. If you could thank one friend for being in your life, what would you say?

Friendship Foundations Worksheet

Qualities of a Healthy Friendship

Below is a list of core qualities that help friendships grow strong. Read through them and think about what each means to you.

• Trust
• Respect
• Empathy
• Honesty
• Loyalty
• Support
• Communication

Part 1: My Strengths

Choose three qualities you believe you bring to a friendship. For each, explain how you demonstrate it in your relationships.

1. Quality: _________________________________
   How I show this:

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1. Quality: _________________________________
   How I show this:

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1. Quality: _________________________________
   How I show this:

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Part 2: Qualities I Seek

Choose three qualities you look for in a friend. For each, describe why it’s important to you.

1. Quality: _________________________________
   Why it matters:

   ---

   ---

1. Quality: _________________________________
   Why it matters:

   ---

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1. Quality: _________________________________
   Why it matters:

   ---

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Part 3: Friendship Scenarios

Read each scenario and write how you could use friendship qualities to handle it.

Scenario A: Your friend forgot to include you in a group chat about weekend plans. How do you address this?

Scenario B: Your friend is upset and stops replying to your messages. How do you show empathy and check in?

Part 4: Goal Setting

Choose one friendship quality you will practice this week and describe specific actions you will take.

Quality I will practice: _________________________________

Action Steps:

Active Listening Bingo

Use this Bingo sheet to practice noticing active listening behaviors. As your teacher shares short stories or prompts, mark each behavior you observe.

Materials

• Printed Bingo Card below (one per round)
• Pencil, sticker, or marker to mark squares

How to Play

1. Listen attentively to the teacher’s short story or prompt.
2. Each time you notice a listed listening behavior, mark that square.
3. Aim to cover three squares in a row (horizontal, vertical, or diagonal).
4. When you get three in a row, call out “Bingo!” and pause.
5. Debrief: Discuss which behaviors you noticed most and which were hardest to spot.

Bingo Card

Note: The Free Space is a bonus—you can mark it at the start. Focus on observing and reflecting rather than racing through the game.

Friendship Foundations Discussion

Discussion Guidelines

• Take turns speaking and allow pauses for thinking.
• Practice active listening: make eye contact, nod, and paraphrase.
• Respect each other’s experiences and speak from your own feelings (use “I” statements).
• It’s okay to pause or ask for a break if you need movement or deep breaths.

Guiding Questions

1. Which quality from the Friendship Foundations Worksheet matters most to you, and why?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • Follow-up: Can you share a moment when you noticed this quality in one of your friendships?
2. Think of a time you felt let down by a friend. Which quality was missing, and how did that affect you?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • Follow-up: What could you say or do now to address that situation if it happened again?
3. How does being a good listener build trust and respect in friendships?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • Follow-up: Describe the last time you felt truly heard by a friend. What made you feel heard?
4. Vulnerability can be scary. Describe a moment when you opened up to a friend. What helped you take that step?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • Follow-up: How might you practice sharing small thoughts or feelings more often?
5. Anger and frustration sometimes lead to conflict. What strategies can you use to calm down before responding?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • Follow-up: Which strategy feels most doable for you right now, and why?

Reflection and Goal Setting

• On a scale of 1–5, how confident do you feel about practicing these qualities?
  • Point to a Feelings Face Card that shows how you feel now.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Personal Goal: Choose one insight from today’s discussion. Write the specific action you will try in a real friendship before our next session.
  Quality/Insight I will practice: ____________________________
  Action Step: ____________________________________________
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Feelings Face Cards

Cut out each card below. Use these cards to communicate your emotions. During activities, point to or hold up the card that best shows how you feel.

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😃 Happy



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🙂 Content



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😐 Neutral



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😢 Sad



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😡 Angry



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😓 Anxious



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😴 Tired



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😁 Excited



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Session 1 Fun Break: Shape-Shift

Take a 2–3 minute movement break to energize and refocus. Stand up and make space around you.

How to Play

1. The teacher names a shape (e.g., triangle, star, circle, letter “T,” heart).
2. Use your body to form that shape—reach arms, legs, or torso to match.
3. Hold each shape for 5 seconds.
4. Repeat with 5–6 different shapes.

Variation: Let the student choose a shape, or call out emotions (e.g., happy face, surprised face).

Debrief

• How did moving into different shapes feel?
• Notice any changes in your focus or mood.

Use this game whenever you need a quick focus boost during our sessions.

Balloon Breath Game

Use this simple, visual breathing exercise to help you calm down and refocus by imagining you’re inflating a balloon in your belly.

How to Play

1. Sit or stand comfortably with one hand on your belly and one on your chest.
   
   
2. Imagine there is a small balloon in your belly.

1. Inhale slowly through your nose for 4 counts, feeling the “balloon” expand under your hand.

1. Hold your breath gently for 2 counts.

1. Exhale slowly through your mouth for 6 counts, picturing the balloon deflating.

1. Repeat this cycle 4–6 times, noticing how your body and mind feel.

Tips

• Keep your chest as still as possible—focus on moving just your belly.
• Imagine the balloon changing colors as it inflates and deflates.

Reflection
How do you feel now that you’ve tried balloon breathing?

Anger Thermometer Worksheet

Use the scale below to understand your anger levels. Reflect on where you are and what you can do to calm down.

Part 1: Identifying My Triggers

1. Trigger: _________________________________
   Intensity (1–5): ______
   What happens in my body when I feel this anger?

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1. Trigger: _________________________________
   Intensity (1–5): ______
   What happens in my body when I feel this anger?

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Part 2: Calming Strategies by Level

Write one strategy you can use to calm down at each anger level.

1 🙂: ________________________________________

2 😒: ________________________________________

3 😠: ________________________________________

4 😡: ________________________________________

5 🔥: ________________________________________

Part 3: Action Plan

Choose one of your triggers above and write specific steps to handle it calmly next time.

Trigger: _________________________________
Step 1: _________________________________

Step 2: _________________________________

Step 3: _________________________________

Calm-Down Strategy Cards

Cut out each card below. Use these cards when you feel upset or angry. Read the strategy, practice it, and notice how you feel afterward.

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😮‍💨 Deep Breathing
Inhale slowly through your nose for 4 counts, then exhale through your mouth for 6 counts.

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1–10 Counting
Quietly count to 10 on your breath: 1…2…3…until you feel calmer.

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🗣️ Positive Self-Talk
Silently repeat a calming phrase (e.g., “I am safe,” “I can handle this,” “This will pass”).

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👀 Grounding Senses
Name 5 things you see, 4 things you hear, 3 things you can touch, 2 things you smell, and 1 thing you taste.

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🌳 Visualization
Close your eyes and picture a peaceful place (beach, forest). Describe it in your mind with as much detail as possible.

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🤚 Muscle Relaxation
Tense a muscle group (e.g., your fists) for 5 seconds, then release. Move through arms, shoulders, and legs.

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🚶 Movement Break
Stand up and stretch or take a quick walk. Try the Session 1 Fun Break Shape-Shift game for 1–2 minutes.

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🛑 Ask for a Break
Hold up a Feelings Face Card or say “I need a moment,” then take a 1–2 minute pause to regroup.

Conflict Resolution Steps Chart

Use these four clear steps to guide you through resolving disagreements calmly and effectively.

Keep this chart visible during role-plays and real-life conflicts. Refer back to the steps to help you stay calm and constructive.

Role-Play Scenario Cards

Cut out each card below. Use these scenario cards for role-play practice. Read the scenario aloud and apply the steps on the Conflict Resolution Steps Chart to work toward a solution.

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Scenario 1: Left Out of Plans
Your friend group made weekend plans but forgot to include you. You found out when you saw their messages on social media. How do you address this?

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Scenario 2: Spreading Rumors
You heard that a classmate is spreading a rumor about you that’s not true. You’re upset and hurt. How do you calmly talk with them to clear things up?

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Scenario 3: Last-Minute Cancellation
Your close friend canceled your hangout at the last minute, saying they have “better things to do.” You feel disappointed. How can you express your feelings and find a compromise?

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Scenario 4: Too Many Chores
Your mother gave you a long list of chores right before you were supposed to meet a friend. You feel torn and annoyed. How do you discuss balancing responsibilities and social time with her?

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Scenario 5: Permission Denied
You asked your mother if you could stay late at a friend’s house for a study group. She said no without explanation. You feel frustrated. How do you ask to understand her reasons and negotiate a solution?

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Scenario 6: Snapping Back
Your mother offered advice about your schoolwork, and you snapped at her angrily. Now you feel guilty but still upset. How do you apologize and share how you were feeling in that moment?

Vulnerability Prompt Cards

Cut out each card below. Use these prompts to practice sharing your thoughts and feelings. After drawing a card, read it aloud and take a moment to reflect before answering. Be honest and take your time.

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Prompt 1: Share a time when you felt proud of yourself. What happened, and why did it matter to you?



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Prompt 2: Describe a moment you felt disappointed or let down. How did you handle those feelings?



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Prompt 3: Talk about something you worry about sharing with others. What makes it hard to open up?



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Prompt 4: Recall a mistake you made recently. What did you learn, and how did you move forward?



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Prompt 5: Share a personal goal you have right now. Why is this goal important to you?



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Prompt 6: Describe a time when you felt truly supported by someone. What did they do, and how did it make you feel?



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Prompt 7: Name one quality you admire in yourself. How does this quality show up in your daily life?



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Prompt 8: Talk about a boundary you set in a relationship. How did you communicate it, and what was the result?

Friendship Maintenance Checklist

Rate how often you do each of the supportive actions below in your friendships by circling the option that fits best.

1. I check in with my friend to see how they are.
   Always ○ Often ○ Sometimes ○ Rarely ○ Never ○

1. I give my friend compliments when I notice something good about them.
   Always ○ Often ○ Sometimes ○ Rarely ○ Never ○

1. I listen actively when my friend is talking about their feelings or experiences.
   Always ○ Often ○ Sometimes ○ Rarely ○ Never ○

1. I celebrate my friend’s successes and share in their joy.
   Always ○ Often ○ Sometimes ○ Rarely ○ Never ○

1. I ask my friend how they are feeling or coping during tough times.
   Always ○ Often ○ Sometimes ○ Rarely ○ Never ○

1. I spend quality time doing things we both enjoy.
   Always ○ Often ○ Sometimes ○ Rarely ○ Never ○

1. I show appreciation by saying thank you or expressing gratitude.
   Always ○ Often ○ Sometimes ○ Rarely ○ Never ○

1. I help my friend when they need support or assistance (homework, errands, etc.).
   Always ○ Often ○ Sometimes ○ Rarely ○ Never ○

1. I apologize and make amends when I’ve hurt my friend.
   Always ○ Often ○ Sometimes ○ Rarely ○ Never ○

1. I respect my friend’s boundaries and personal space.
   Always ○ Often ○ Sometimes ○ Rarely ○ Never ○

Part 2: Focus Areas

Circle two behaviors above that you want to practice more this week.

Behavior 1: ____________________________

Behavior 2: ____________________________

Part 3: Action Plan

For each behavior you circled, write one specific action you will take to practice it.

Behavior 1: _________________________________
Action Step:

Behavior 2: _________________________________
Action Step:

Peer Support Role-Play Cards

Cut out each card below. Use these scenario cards for role-play practice. Read the scenario aloud and practice offering support using active listening, empathy, and the supportive actions from the Friendship Maintenance Checklist.

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Scenario 1: Overwhelmed with Work
Your friend looks stressed because they have multiple tests and assignments due this week. They seem anxious and tired. How do you check in, offer help, and encourage them?

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Scenario 2: Feeling Left Out
You notice your friend seems quiet and upset during lunch after overhearing peers plan an outing without them. How do you acknowledge their feelings and help them feel included?

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Scenario 3: Bad Breakup
Your friend just went through a tough breakup and is sad and tearful. What supportive words and actions can you offer to help them feel heard and cared for?

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Scenario 4: Nervous Presentation
Your friend is about to present a project in class and is very nervous. How can you boost their confidence and calm their nerves before they speak?

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Scenario 5: Family Conflict
Your friend tells you they had an argument with their parent and feel angry and misunderstood. How do you listen, validate their emotions, and suggest a next step?

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Scenario 6: Celebrating Success
Your friend got a scholarship they’ve been working toward. They seem proud but a bit shy about sharing. How do you congratulate them and show genuine excitement?