Lesson Plan
Friendship Superpower Lesson Plan
Students will practice active listening, empathy, and respectful communication through structured role-play scenarios and guided reflection to boost confidence and strengthen peer relationships.
Developing social skills at this stage helps 3rd graders form positive friendships, resolve conflicts peacefully, and feel supported in the classroom community.
Audience
3rd Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Role-play scenarios and guided reflection to practice empathy and communication.
Materials
- Role-Play Scenario Cards, - Empathy Reflection Worksheet, and - Timer or Stopwatch
Prep
Preparation
5 minutes
- Print and cut Role-Play Scenario Cards
- Print copies of Empathy Reflection Worksheet
- Set up a timer or stopwatch
- Review session goals and key social skills (active listening, empathy, respectful communication)
Step 1
Introduction
5 minutes
- Greet the student and explain today’s focus: active listening, empathy, respectful communication
- Ask the student to share a time they helped or listened to a friend
- Define each social skill with simple examples
- Set expectations: Be open, honest, and respectful during activities
Step 2
Role-Play Scenarios
15 minutes
- Shuffle Role-Play Scenario Cards and place face down
- Student draws a card and reads the scenario aloud
- Role-play: One plays the speaker, the other listens actively (eye contact, nodding, summarizing)
- After each scenario, discuss what went well and what could improve
- Switch roles and repeat for 3–4 cards
Step 3
Reflection
7 minutes
- Hand out the Empathy Reflection Worksheet
- Student reflects by writing or drawing:
- Which skill they used best
- How they felt during role-play
- One way to practice this skill with friends
- Discuss responses verbally, reinforcing positive insights
Step 4
Closing
3 minutes
- Summarize the student’s strengths and growth areas
- Set one personal goal for using a social skill this week
- Encourage the student to practice with a classmate or family member
- Explain that you’ll check in on progress next session
use Lenny to create lessons.
No credit card needed
Slide Deck
Friendship Superpower
Develop your superpower of making and keeping friends by practicing:
• Active Listening
• Empathy
• Respectful Communication
Welcome the student warmly and introduce today’s session as their “Friendship Superpower” training. Explain that over the next 30 minutes, they’ll practice three important social skills: active listening, empathy, and respectful communication.
Today’s Goals
By the end of our session, you will be able to:
• Listen carefully and show you’re paying attention
• Understand and share how others feel
• Speak in a kind, respectful way
Read aloud each goal and emphasize how each skill helps build a stronger friendship. Ask the student to repeat or paraphrase each one to ensure understanding.
Key Social Skills
Active Listening
– Look at the speaker
– Nod and say “I hear you”
Empathy
– Imagine how they feel
– Say something like “That must have been…”
Respectful Communication
– Use a calm tone
– Choose polite words
Display each skill one at a time. For Active Listening, model eye contact, nodding, and summarizing. For Empathy, share how you’d feel if you were in someone else’s shoes. For Respectful Communication, demonstrate using a calm tone and polite words.
Role-Play Scenarios
- Shuffle Role-Play Scenario Cards.
- Draw a card and read the short story aloud.
- One person speaks; the other practices active listening.
- Discuss what went well and what could improve.
- Switch roles. Repeat for 3–4 cards.
Explain each step clearly. Encourage the student to be creative with their voice and facial expressions when acting out. Monitor time and guide feedback after each scenario.
Reflection Time
On your worksheet, answer or draw:
• Which skill did you use best?
• How did you feel during role-play?
• One way you’ll practice this skill with a friend.
Hand out the Empathy Reflection Worksheet. Give the student quiet time to write or draw. Then review each answer together, praising strengths and gently guiding deeper reflection.
Your Friendship Goal
Choose one skill to practice this week:
• Skill: ______________________
• When and where will you practice? ______________________
• With whom? ______________________
Help the student create a specific, achievable goal. Write it down and have the student repeat it aloud. Remind them you’ll check in next time.
Activity
Role-Play Scenario Cards
These cards present short, relatable social situations. Draw a card, read the scenario aloud, then role-play:
• Speaker describes what happened or how they feel.
• Listener practices active listening (eye contact, nods, summarizing).
• After, discuss what the listener did well and what could improve.
Cards:
-
A friend looks upset because they lost a game at recess. You ask them what happened and listen to how they feel.
-
You and a classmate both need the same pencil for a drawing. You figure out together how to share it.
-
Your friend is excited to tell you about their weekend, but you’re looking at a toy. You put the toy away and give them your full attention.
-
A classmate accidentally spills paint on their art project and feels frustrated. You ask how you can help and listen to their ideas.
-
You notice your friend forgot their lunch. You offer them some of your snack and ask how their day is going.
-
You hear a rumor about someone in your class. They look worried when they see you. You go over and ask how they’re doing.
-
A classmate is struggling to tie their shoelaces before gym. You offer to show them step by step and listen to their thoughts.
-
You planned to play tag at recess, but your friend wants to play hide-and-seek instead. You talk about what game to play together.
Draw one card at a time and practice until you’ve used 3–4 cards in a session.
Use these to build active listening, empathy, and respectful communication!
Worksheet
Empathy Reflection Worksheet
Think about the role-play activity you just completed. Use the space below to write or draw your reflections on how you practiced active listening, empathy, and respectful communication.
1. Describe the scenario you practiced. Who were you talking to and what happened?
2. Which social skill did you use best (active listening, empathy, or respectful communication)? How did you use that skill?
3. How did you feel during the role-play? You can write your feelings or draw a picture below.
4. What is one thing you want to improve next time you practice?
5. One way I will practice this skill with a friend or family member this week is:
Great work! Be ready to share one of your reflections during our next session.
Script
Friendship Superpower Script
Introduction (5 minutes)
Teacher: “Hello [Student Name]! I’m so glad you’re here for our Friendship Superpower session. Over the next 30 minutes, we’ll practice three important skills that help us be great friends: active listening, empathy, and respectful communication.”
Teacher: “Can you tell me about a time when you helped or really listened to a friend?”
Pause for student response.
Teacher (if needed): “Maybe think about recess or lunch—did you ever comfort someone who was feeling sad?”
Teacher: “Awesome! Now let’s talk about our three superpowers:
• Active Listening: Looking at someone, nodding, and saying ‘I hear you.’
• Empathy: Imagining how someone else feels and saying something like ‘That must have been…’
• Respectful Communication: Using a calm voice and polite words.”
Teacher: “Can you repeat each superpower in your own words?”
Pause for student paraphrase.
Teacher: “Perfect! Remember, during today’s session, we’ll be open, honest, and respectful.”
Role-Play Scenarios (15 minutes)
Teacher: “Let’s use our Role-Play Scenario Cards. I’ll shuffle them and place them face down. You draw one, read it aloud, and then we’ll act it out. One of us will be the speaker, the other the listener.”
Teacher: “Go ahead—draw your first card and read the scenario.”
Pause for student to draw and read.
Teacher (modeling listener): “I’ll be the listener first. You be the friend.”
Student plays speaker.
Teacher (listening, looking at student): “I hear you. It sounds like you felt really disappointed.”
Teacher: “Okay, now switch roles. You listen, and I’ll speak.”
Student models listener.
Teacher: “Great job! What did you do well as the listener?”
Pause for response.
Teacher: “Yes—you maintained eye contact and said ‘I hear you.’ Next time you could also say, ‘That must have been tough.’”
Teacher: “Let’s repeat with two more cards—remember to switch roles each time.”
Proceed through 2–3 additional cards.
Reflection (7 minutes)
Teacher: “You did wonderful work! Now here’s your Empathy Reflection Worksheet. Let’s go through the questions together.”
-
Describe the scenario you practiced. Who were you talking to and what happened?
Give student time, then ask them to share. -
Which social skill did you use best? How did you show that skill?
Pause for answer; reinforce with praise. -
How did you feel during the role-play? You can write or draw.
Pause; then ask: “Does your drawing or description show how you felt?” -
What is one thing you want to improve next time?
Pause; then comment: “That’s a great goal!” -
One way I will practice this skill with a friend or family member this week is:
Pause; then say: “Excellent plan—I know you can do that.”
Closing (3 minutes)
Teacher: “To wrap up, I noticed your strength in [Student’s Strength] and your growth in [Area to Improve]. This week, your personal goal is to [Student’s Skill Goal]. When and where will you practice it?”
Pause for student answer.
Teacher: “Perfect! You’re ready to use your superpower this week. I can’t wait to hear how it goes. Great job today—you’re on your way to being a real Friendship Superhero!”
Rubric
Friendship Skills Rubric
Use this rubric to assess a student’s demonstration of active listening, empathy, respectful communication, and reflection during the Friendship Superpower session. Score each criterion from 1 to 4, then total for a maximum of 16 points.
| Criterion | 4 – Exceeds Expectations | 3 – Meets Expectations | 2 – Approaching Expectations | 1 – Needs Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Active Listening | Maintains strong eye contact, nods, and paraphrases with depth; asks thoughtful follow-up questions that deepen understanding. | Maintains eye contact, nods, and paraphrases key points; asks simple follow-up questions. | Sometimes makes eye contact; partial paraphrasing; few or no follow-up questions. | Rarely makes eye contact or nods; does not paraphrase; no follow-up questions. |
| Empathy | Accurately names and reflects feelings; demonstrates understanding by connecting to own experiences or asking caring questions. | Identifies the speaker’s feelings correctly; offers supportive comments. | Attempts to identify feelings but may mislabel; support is perfunctory. | Does not recognize or acknowledge the speaker’s feelings; no supportive comments. |
| Respectful Communication | Uses calm tone, polite words, and complete sentences; adapts language to the listener; shows patience throughout. | Uses polite words and a calm tone most of the time; speaks in full sentences. | Occasionally uses polite words but tone may be abrupt; some incomplete sentences. | Uses rude or abrupt words; tone is harsh; speech is often incomplete or unclear. |
| Reflection & Goal Setting | Provides detailed, insightful reflection; identifies clear, realistic goal and concrete steps to practice. | Reflects on skills used; sets a realistic goal with at least one step to practice. | Reflection is vague; goal is stated but steps are unclear or general. | Little or no reflection; goal is missing or not related to skills. |
Scoring Guide
- Total Score = Sum of all criteria (max 16 points).
- Interpretations:
- 14–16: Outstanding mastery of social skills
- 10–13: Solid understanding with room to grow
- 6–9: Emerging skills; targeted support recommended
- 4–5: Foundational skills; intensive reinforcement needed