Friend Drama Discussion Guide

Use these questions to facilitate a class discussion about navigating friendship challenges.

Part 1: What is Friend Drama?

1. What are some common situations that cause disagreements or arguments between friends?
   
   
   
2. How does it feel when you have 'drama' with a friend? What emotions come up?
   
   
   
3. Can friend drama ever be a good thing? (Think about learning how to solve problems or understanding each other better.)
   
   
   

Part 2: Communication in Conflict

1. When you're upset with a friend, what's usually the first thing you want to say or do?
   
   
   
2. What does it mean to use an 'I' statement? Why is it more helpful than saying 'You always...'?
   
   
   
3. Why is 'active listening' important when a friend is talking to you about a problem?
   
   
   
4. How can you show empathy when your friend is hurting or angry?
   
   
   

Part 3: Finding Solutions

1. What are some steps you can take to try and resolve a conflict with a friend?
   
   
   
2. When might it be a good idea to involve a trusted adult (like a parent or teacher) in friend drama?
   
   
   
3. How can you apologize genuinely when you've made a mistake in a friendship?
   
   
   

Friendship Conflict Scenarios Activity

Instructions: In your groups, choose one of the scenarios below. Read it carefully and discuss how the friends could use healthy communication strategies ('I' statements, active listening, empathy) to resolve the conflict. Then, role-play the scenario with your group, demonstrating a positive resolution.

Scenario 1: The Misunderstanding Text

Sarah sent a text to her friend, Mia, about a group project. Mia read it quickly and thought Sarah was being bossy and telling her what to do. Mia texted back angrily, saying she wasn't going to be told what to do. Sarah is confused and hurt because that's not what she meant at all.

• How can Sarah approach Mia to clarify her intentions using an 'I' statement?
  
  
  
  
• How can Mia actively listen to Sarah's explanation and show empathy?
  
  
  
  
• What would a healthy resolution to this text misunderstanding look like?

Scenario 2: The Excluded Friend

Jake and Ben have been best friends since kindergarten. Lately, Ben has been spending a lot of time with a new group of friends from his soccer team. Jake feels left out and ignored when Ben doesn't invite him to hang out with the new group or barely talks to him at school. Jake is starting to feel hurt and angry.

• How can Jake express his feelings to Ben using 'I' statements?
  
  
  
  
• How can Ben actively listen to Jake and show empathy for his feelings?
  
  
  
  
• What steps can they take to strengthen their friendship and ensure Jake feels included?

Scenario 3: The Broken Promise

Chloë promised her friend, Olivia, that they would work on their science project together after school on Tuesday. On Tuesday morning, Chloë forgot and made plans to go to the park with another friend instead. Olivia found out and is very disappointed and feels like Chloë doesn't value their plans.

• How can Olivia express her disappointment and feelings using 'I' statements?
  
  
  
  
• How can Chloë actively listen to Olivia, apologize genuinely, and show empathy?
  
  
  
  
• What can Chloë do to make amends and rebuild trust with Olivia?

Resolving Friend Drama Worksheet

Instructions: Reflect on what you've learned about navigating friend drama and answer the questions below.

1. Name two common causes of friend drama.

   1. 
      
      
      
   2. 
      
      
      

2. What is an 'I' statement? Write an example of an 'I' statement you could use if a friend borrowed your favorite pen without asking.
   
   
   
   
   

3. Explain 'active listening' in your own words. Why is it important when resolving a conflict?
   
   
   
   
   

4. How can showing 'empathy' help you understand your friend's perspective during a disagreement?
   
   
   
   
   

5. Imagine a friend spread a rumor about you. What are two healthy ways you could approach this situation to try and resolve the drama?

   1. 
      
      
      
   2. 
      
      
      

6. Write down one thing you will try to do differently next time you experience friend drama.
   
   
   
   
   

Friend Drama Quiz Answer Key

1. Which of the following is an example of an "I" statement?

   • Correct Answer: "I feel frustrated when our plans change without notice."
   • Reasoning: An "I" statement focuses on the speaker's feelings and avoids blaming the other person, which helps keep communication open and less confrontational.

2. What does "active listening" mean in a friendship conflict?

   • Correct Answer: Paying full attention and trying to understand your friend's perspective.
   • Reasoning: Active listening involves fully engaging with what your friend is saying, both verbally and non-verbally, to truly grasp their message and feelings, rather than just waiting to respond.

3. Explain why empathy is important when trying to resolve a disagreement with a friend.

   • Correct Answer: Empathy helps you understand and share the feelings of your friend. It's important because it allows you to see the situation from their point of view, which can lead to a more compassionate and effective resolution, rather than just focusing on your own feelings.
   • Reasoning: Empathy fosters understanding and connection, which are vital for resolving conflicts constructively. By stepping into your friend's shoes, you can better address their concerns and find solutions that work for both of you.

4. If a friend accidentally hurt your feelings, what is a healthy first step to address the situation?

   • Correct Answer: Use an "I" statement to express how you feel.
   • Reasoning: Starting with an "I" statement allows you to express your feelings clearly and calmly, without immediately putting your friend on the defensive. This sets a positive tone for resolving the issue.

5. Describe one communication strategy you learned today and how you can use it in a real-life friendship situation.

   • Correct Answer: Answers will vary, but should reflect one of the three communication strategies: 'I' statements, active listening, or empathy. Students should provide a brief explanation of the strategy and a relevant example of its application.
   • Reasoning: This question assesses the student's ability to recall and apply the learned strategies to personal situations, demonstrating their understanding and readiness to implement these skills.