Friendship Files: Scenario Cards

Instructions: Read your group's scenario. Discuss how the choice might make someone feel. Then, role-play the scenario and show how the people involved might feel. Finally, come up with a better choice and role-play that too!

Scenario 1: The Playground Push

Liam sees his friend, Maya, struggling to get on the swing. Instead of waiting or offering to help, Liam pushes past her to get on the swing first. Maya falls slightly and looks upset.

• How might Maya feel?
  
  
  
• What could Liam do differently?
  
  
  

Scenario 2: The Shared Snack

Sarah brought her favorite cookies to school. Her friend, David, forgot his snack. Sarah eats all her cookies without offering any to David, even though he looks a little sad.

• How might David feel?
  
  
  
• What could Sarah do differently?
  
  
  

Scenario 3: The Lost Toy

During recess, Emily accidentally kicks Leo's favorite toy car into a puddle. Instead of apologizing or helping him retrieve it, Emily runs off to play with other friends.

• How might Leo feel?
  
  
  
• What could Emily do differently?
  
  
  

Scenario 4: The Group Project

Jake and his team are working on a drawing for a group project. Jake grabs the best markers and won't let anyone else use them, even when his teammates ask politely.

• How might Jake's teammates feel?
  
  
  
• What could Jake do differently?
  
  
  

Scenario 5: The New Kid

A new student, Alex, joins the class and looks shy during lunchtime. A group of friends is sitting together, but no one invites Alex to join them, even though there's an empty spot.

• How might Alex feel?
  
  
  
• What could the group of friends do differently?
  
  
  

Feelings Faces Chart: Discussion Guide

Teacher Instructions: Use these prompts to facilitate a whole-class discussion after students have completed the "Friendship Files Scenario Cards" activity. Encourage thoughtful sharing and reinforce empathy.

Part 1: Sharing Scenarios and Initial Feelings

1. "Let's hear about your 'Friendship Files' scenarios! Who would like to share their scenario first?"

   • Ask each group to briefly describe their scenario to the class.
     
     
     

2. "When you first read your scenario, what feeling do you think the person affected by the choice might have had? Why?"

   • Encourage students to use specific feeling words (e.g., sad, happy, frustrated, confused, proud).
     
   • Prompt them to explain why they think that person would feel that way.
     
     
     

Part 2: Exploring the Ripple Effect and Better Choices

1. "In your group, you also thought about a 'better choice' or a 'kind choice.' What was that choice, and how would it change the outcome?"

   • Ask groups to share their alternative choices.
     
   • Guide them to connect the positive choice to a positive feeling.
     
   • Example: "So, if Liam waited for Maya, how might Maya feel instead of sad?"
     
     
     

2. "How did thinking about how someone else would feel help you come up with a better choice?"

   • Reinforce the concept of empathy. Explain that thinking about others' feelings helps us make good choices.
     
     
     

3. "Can you think of a time when someone else's choice made you feel happy? What happened?"

   • Encourage personal (but appropriate) connections to the topic.
     
     
     

Part 3: Kindness Commitment

1. "Today, we learned that our choices have a big impact on others. What is one kind choice you can commit to making today or this week that you think will make someone else feel happy?"
   • Have students share their commitment aloud or think about it quietly.
     
   • Reiterate the power of their choices to spread happiness.