Friendship Starters Script

Warm-Up: Share a Smile (5 minutes)

Teacher: "Good morning/afternoon, everyone! Today, we're going to talk about something really special: making friends. Who here loves having friends? [Pause for responses] Me too! Friends make life so much more fun and interesting.

Now, I want you to close your eyes for a moment and think about a time when someone made you feel really welcome or happy. Maybe they said something nice, or invited you to play. Think about how that felt. [Pause for a few seconds]

Okay, open your eyes. Would anyone like to share a quick story about a time someone made them feel welcome? What did they do?" [Encourage 2-3 students to share. Validate their feelings.]

Teacher: "That's wonderful! It feels good to be included and to know someone cares. Today, we're going to learn some tools to help us be those welcoming people and start new friendships!"

Introduction: The Friendship Starters Kit (5 minutes)

Teacher: "Switch to Friendship Starters Slide Deck - Slide 2: Your Friendship Starters Kit!"

Teacher: "Imagine you have a super special kit, just like a superhero has a utility belt, but instead of fighting villains, your kit helps you make friends! This is your 'Friendship Starters Kit.' What do you think some of those tools might be? [Allow for a few suggestions from students.]

Great ideas! Today, we're going to learn about three amazing tools you can put in your kit to help you start new friendships. These tools are simple, but super powerful!"

Teacher: "Switch to Friendship Starters Slide Deck - Slide 3: Tool #1: Give a Compliment!"

Teacher: "Our first tool is Giving a Compliment. What is a compliment? [Wait for responses.] That's right! A compliment is saying something kind and true about someone. It shows you notice something good about them.

Here are some examples: 'I love your drawing, it has so many cool colors!' or 'That's a really neat backpack!' or 'You're really good at soccer!'

How does it feel when someone gives you a compliment? [Discuss how it makes people feel good, seen, appreciated.] Exactly! It makes people feel happy and noticed, and it's a great way to start a friendly conversation."

Teacher: "Switch to Friendship Starters Slide Deck - Slide 4: Tool #2: Ask a Question!"

Teacher: "Our second tool is Asking a Question. When you ask someone a question, it shows you're interested in them and want to know more. It's how we learn about each other!

Think about questions like: 'What's your favorite game to play at recess?' or 'Have you read any good books lately?' or 'What did you do this weekend?'

What kind of questions do you think would help you learn more about a new person? [Encourage students to brainstorm a few open-ended questions.] These are great questions because they can't be answered with just a 'yes' or 'no.' They help keep the conversation going."

Teacher: "Switch to Friendship Starters Slide Deck - Slide 5: Tool #3: Make an Invitation!"

Teacher: "Our third tool is Making an Invitation. This is when you ask someone to join you in an activity. It's how we share fun and build connections!

For example: 'Do you want to play tag with us at recess?' or 'I'm going to draw, do you want to draw with me?' or 'Can you sit with me at lunch today?'

How does it feel when someone invites you to join them? [Discuss the feeling of inclusion and belonging.] It makes you feel wanted and happy, doesn't it? It's a wonderful way to show someone you want to be friends."

Activity: Practice Makes Friends (15 minutes)

Teacher: "Switch to Friendship Starters Slide Deck - Slide 6: Time to Practice!"

Teacher: "Alright, now that we know our three amazing Friendship Starters tools – Compliments, Questions, and Invitations – it's time to Practice Makes Friends! We're going to do a fun activity called Friendship Challenge Activity.

I'm going to put you into pairs or small groups. Each group will get a scenario card. Your job is to act out the scenario and use at least one of your Friendship Starters tools to try and make a new connection or start a friendship.

Remember to be kind, listen to each other, and have fun! I'll be walking around to see your awesome acting and help if you get stuck. You have about 10 minutes to practice your scenarios.

[Distribute Friendship Challenge Activity cards. Circulate, observe, and offer guidance. After 10 minutes, bring the class back together.]

Teacher: "Wonderful job, everyone! I saw some fantastic compliments, interesting questions, and super kind invitations. Did anyone notice how using these tools made it easier to start talking or playing with someone new? [Allow a few students to share their experiences from the role-play.]"

Wrap-Up: Reflect & Connect (5 minutes)

Teacher: "Switch to Friendship Starters Slide Deck - Slide 7: You're a Friendship Starter!"

Teacher: "Before we finish up, let's remember our three powerful Friendship Starters tools:

1. Give a compliment! Say something kind and true.
2. Ask a question! Show you're interested in others.
3. Make an invitation! Ask someone to join you.

Now, I'm going to hand out a quick Friendship Reflection Cool Down sheet. I want you to think about what you learned today and how you can use these tools in your own life. You can write or draw your answers. [Distribute the cool-down. Allow 2-3 minutes for completion.]

Teacher: "To wrap up, who can tell me one way they plan to use their Friendship Starters Kit this week? [Encourage a few students to share.]

Fantastic! Remember, you all have the power to be amazing friendship starters. Keep practicing these tools, and you'll build wonderful connections. Thanks for being such great learners today!"

Friendship Challenge Activity: Practice Makes Friends!

Instructions for Students:

Work with your partner or small group. Read your scenario card. Then, act out the situation and try to use at least one of your Friendship Starters Kit tools (Compliment, Question, or Invitation) to make a new connection.

Be creative, be kind, and have fun!

Scenario Cards

Scenario 1: New Kid in Class

It's the first day of school, and there's a new girl sitting alone at a table during lunch. You want to make her feel welcome.

Your Challenge: How can you use a compliment, a question, or an invitation to start talking to her?

Scenario 2: Different Interests

You see someone in your class who loves a different hobby than you (e.g., they love reading, and you love sports). You think they seem interesting and want to get to know them.

Your Challenge: How can you use a question or a compliment to learn more about them and find common ground?

Scenario 3: On the Playground

You're on the playground, and you notice a classmate standing by herself, looking a little bored. You and your friends are playing a game.

Your Challenge: How can you use an invitation to ask her to join your game or activity?

Scenario 4: Art Class

You are in art class, and your classmate has just finished a really cool drawing or craft. You are impressed by their work.

Your Challenge: How can you use a compliment to start a conversation with them?

Friendship Reflection: Cool Down

Name: _________________________

Date: _________________________

1. Out of the three Friendship Starters (Compliment, Question, Invitation), which one do you think is easiest for you to use?

   
   
   
   

2. Which Friendship Starter are you most excited to try this week?

   
   
   
   

3. Write or draw one way you can use a Friendship Starter with someone new this week.