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Friendship Superpowers!

Lesson Plan

Friendship Superpowers!

Students will learn to identify and set healthy boundaries, understand qualities of good friendships, practice strategies for managing impulsive behaviors, and articulate positive self-perceptions to foster stronger social-emotional well-being.

Developing these skills helps students navigate social situations, build confidence, create lasting connections, and understand how their actions and intentions impact their relationships and self-image.

Audience

3rd Grade, Individual

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Discussion, reflection, and practical application.

Materials

Whiteboard or large paper, Markers, Slide Deck: Friendship Superpowers!, Journal: My Friendship Map, and Activity: Impulse Control Challenge

Prep

Review Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction: What are Friendship Superpowers?

5 minutes

  • Greet the student and introduce the concept of 'Friendship Superpowers' using Slide 1: Welcome to Friendship Superpowers!.
  • Explain that today's lesson is about discovering and practicing powers that make friendships awesome and help them feel great about themselves.
  • Ask: 'What do you think makes a superpower? What makes a friendship superpower?' (Allow for brief discussion and brainstorming on whiteboard/paper).

Step 2

Understanding Boundaries: My Personal Bubble

10 minutes

  • Transition to discussing boundaries using Slide 2: My Personal Bubble.
  • Explain boundaries as invisible lines that help us feel safe and respected.
  • Discuss different types of boundaries (physical, emotional, personal space).
  • Use examples relevant to a 3rd grader: 'What if someone takes your toy without asking? How does that feel?' 'What if someone is too close when talking?'
  • Ask: 'How can you tell someone about your personal bubble?' Discuss polite ways to communicate boundaries.

Step 3

Healthy Friendships: Building Blocks of Awesome!

10 minutes

  • Move to healthy friendships with Slide 3: Building Blocks of Awesome Friendships.
  • Brainstorm characteristics of a good friend and a healthy friendship (e.g., kindness, honesty, listening, sharing, respecting boundaries).
  • Use the Journal: My Friendship Map to help the student reflect on and draw/write about qualities they value in friends and how they can be a good friend.

Step 4

Impulse Control: The Pause Power!

10 minutes

  • Introduce impulse control using Slide 4: The Pause Power!.
  • Explain that sometimes we act or speak without thinking, which can affect friendships.
  • Discuss scenarios where pausing before acting is helpful (e.g., getting angry, wanting to blurt out an answer).
  • Introduce the 'Stop, Think, Act' strategy.
  • Complete the Activity: Impulse Control Challenge together, practicing different scenarios.

Step 5

Putting Your Best Self Out There: The 'Me' Magnet

5 minutes

  • Discuss projecting a positive self-image with Slide 5: The 'Me' Magnet.
  • Explain that how we act and what we say about ourselves influences how others see us.
  • Ask: 'What three words would you want others to use to describe you?' 'How can you show those qualities?'
  • Encourage the student to think about how their actions can 'attract' the kind of responses they want from others.

Step 6

Wrap-Up & Superpower Practice

5 minutes

  • Review the key 'Friendship Superpowers' learned today.
  • Discuss one thing the student will try to practice this week (e.g., setting a boundary, pausing before reacting, showing kindness).
  • Provide positive encouragement and answer any final questions.
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Slide Deck

Welcome to Friendship Superpowers!

Discover YOUR awesome social powers!

  • Boundaries
  • Healthy Friendships
  • Pause Power
  • The 'Me' Magnet

Let's begin!

Welcome the student warmly. Explain that today is about learning some amazing skills to make friendships even better and feel good about themselves.

My Personal Bubble

Invisible lines that keep you safe!

  • Physical Space: How close is too close?
  • Sharing: What's okay to share, and what's not?
  • Feelings: How do you let others know when something makes you uncomfortable?

It's okay to say 'Stop' or 'No, thank you!'

Explain what a personal bubble is and how it helps us feel safe and respected. Give examples of physical and emotional boundaries relevant to a 3rd grader.

Building Blocks of Awesome Friendships

What makes a friendship sparkle?

  • Kindness & Respect
  • Listening & Sharing
  • Being Honest
  • Celebrating Each Other
  • Respecting Personal Bubbles!

Discuss characteristics of good friends and what makes a friendship strong and happy. Ask the student what qualities they look for in a friend and how they can show those qualities.

The Pause Power!

Stop! Think! Act!

  • Stop: Take a deep breath.
  • Think: What's happening? How do I feel? What could happen next?
  • Act: Choose your best response.

This superpower helps you make smart choices!

Introduce the idea of 'Pausing' before reacting, especially when feelings are strong. Explain the 'Stop, Think, Act' strategy and give simple scenarios for practice.

The 'Me' Magnet

What do you want people to see in YOU?

  • Your actions
  • Your words
  • Your attitude

These all attract how others see and treat you. Let your best self shine!

Explain that how we present ourselves (our actions, words) acts like a magnet. Ask the student what three words they want others to describe them with and how they can 'show' those qualities.

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Journal

My Friendship Map

Sometimes it helps to draw or write about our ideas!

Part 1: What makes a great friend?

Think about a really good friend you have, or someone you admire. What qualities make them a great friend? Write or draw at least three ideas.










Part 2: What kind of friend do I want to be?

Now, think about yourself. What are some ways you can show kindness, listen well, or be a great friend? Write or draw at least three ideas.










Part 3: My Personal Bubble

Draw your personal bubble! Who do you let close? What are some things you like to keep just for yourself? Write down one or two ways you can tell someone if they get too close to your personal bubble.













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Activity

Impulse Control Challenge: Stop, Think, Act!

Sometimes we want to react quickly, but using our "Pause Power" helps us make better choices! Let's practice with some scenarios.

For each challenge, use the "Stop, Think, Act" strategy:

  1. STOP! (Take a deep breath)
  2. THINK! (What's happening? How do I feel? What might happen if I react quickly? What are my choices?)
  3. ACT! (Choose the best response)

Challenge 1: The Frustrating Game

You are playing a game with a friend, and they accidentally knock over your carefully built tower. You feel really angry and want to yell at them.

  • STOP! (What does this feel like in your body?)



  • THINK! (If I yell, what might happen? What are other ways I can respond?)






  • ACT! (What would be a helpful thing to do or say?)






Challenge 2: The Exciting News

Your teacher is explaining an important new project. You just remembered a super cool idea you have for it and you want to blurt it out right now!

  • STOP! (What does it feel like when you want to blurt something out?)



  • THINK! (Is this the best time to share my idea? What could happen if I interrupt? When would be a better time?)






  • ACT! (What can you do instead of blurting out?)






Challenge 3: The Unwanted Touch

You are standing in line, and another student keeps poking your arm, even after you moved a little. It makes you feel uncomfortable.

  • STOP! (How does your body feel when someone is invading your personal space?)



  • THINK! (What is my boundary here? How can I protect it politely but firmly?)






  • ACT! (What can you say or do to set your boundary?)






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