Lesson Plan
Navigating the Social Compass Lesson Plan
Students will understand the dynamics of healthy peer relationships, identify red flags in friendships, and practice communication skills to build and maintain positive connections.
Healthy friendships are crucial for adolescent well-being and development. This lesson equips students with essential social-emotional skills to navigate complex peer interactions, fostering a supportive environment and reducing potential conflicts or negative experiences.
Audience
Grades 7-10
Time
60 minutes
Approach
Relatable scenarios and interactive discussions.
Materials
Whiteboard or Projector, Markers or Pens, Slide Deck: Social Compass, Worksheet: Friendship Scenarios, Activity: Communication Role-Play Cards, and Discussion Guide: Peer Pressure & Support
Prep
Review Materials
15 minutes
- Review the Navigating the Social Compass Lesson Plan, Slide Deck: Social Compass, Worksheet: Friendship Scenarios, Activity: Communication Role-Play Cards, and Discussion Guide: Peer Pressure & Support.
- Ensure projector/whiteboard is ready.
- Print copies of the Worksheet: Friendship Scenarios (one per student).
- Prepare or print Activity: Communication Role-Play Cards.
Step 1
Introduction: The Social Compass (10 minutes)
10 minutes
- Hook: Begin by asking students, “What does a 'good' friend mean to you?” Allow 2-3 students to share their initial thoughts.
* Introduce Topic: Explain that today's lesson is about navigating the 'social compass' – understanding how to build and maintain positive peer relationships. Use Slide 1: Navigating the Social Compass and Slide 2: Why Friendships Matter from the Slide Deck: Social Compass.
* Learning Objectives: Briefly review the lesson objectives with students, as outlined on Slide 3: Our Journey Today.
Step 2
Defining Healthy Relationships (15 minutes)
15 minutes
- Brainstorm: On the board, create two columns: "Healthy Friendships" and "Unhealthy Friendships." Ask students to brainstorm characteristics for each. Guide them to include concepts like trust, respect, communication, support, and boundaries for healthy, and manipulation, disrespect, constant conflict, and pressure for unhealthy. Use Slide 4: Healthy vs. Unhealthy and Slide 5: Key Ingredients from the Slide Deck: Social Compass.
* Discuss: Facilitate a brief discussion, clarifying any misconceptions and emphasizing the importance of mutual respect and genuine care.
Step 3
Identifying Red Flags (15 minutes)
15 minutes
- Introduce Red Flags: Discuss 'red flags' in friendships – signs that a relationship might not be healthy. Use Slide 6: Friendship Red Flags and Slide 7: Examples of Red Flags from the Slide Deck: Social Compass.
* Worksheet Activity: Distribute the Worksheet: Friendship Scenarios. Have students work individually or in pairs to analyze the scenarios and identify potential red flags. Circulate to provide support and clarification.
* Share Out: Bring the class back together and discuss 1-2 scenarios from the worksheet, focusing on different perspectives and identifying constructive ways to address red flags.
Step 4
Communication Skills Activity (10 minutes)
10 minutes
- Introduce Communication: Emphasize that effective communication is key to healthy relationships. Use Slide 8: Powerful Communication from the Slide Deck: Social Compass to introduce key concepts like active listening and assertive communication.
* Role-Play Activity: Divide students into small groups (2-3 students). Provide each group with a Activity: Communication Role-Play Cards. Students will role-play scenarios focusing on practicing assertive communication to address a friendship challenge. Encourage them to offer constructive feedback to each other.
Step 5
Discussion and Wrap-up (10 minutes)
10 minutes
- Group Discussion: Facilitate a class discussion using the Discussion Guide: Peer Pressure & Support. Focus on real-life application of the skills learned and strategies for dealing with challenging social situations. Use Slide 9: Open Discussion from the Slide Deck: Social Compass.
* Key Takeaways: Summarize the main points of the lesson. Use Slide 10: Your Social Compass from the Slide Deck: Social Compass.
* Exit Ticket/Reflection: Ask students to write down one thing they will try to do differently in their friendships based on today's lesson. This can serve as a cool-down activity.
Worksheet
Friendship Scenarios: Spotting Red Flags
Instructions: Read each scenario below. Identify any "red flags" you notice and explain why they are red flags. Then, suggest how the person in the scenario could address the situation using healthy communication skills.
Scenario 1: The Secret Keeper
Maya tells her friend, Chloe, a secret about her family, asking Chloe not to tell anyone. The next day, Maya overhears Chloe talking to another friend, Sarah, about Maya's secret. When Maya confronts Chloe, Chloe says, "Oh, it's not a big deal! Sarah's my best friend, she won't tell anyone, and anyway, you always overreact."
Red Flags:
Why is it a red flag?
How could Maya address this?
Scenario 2: The Constant Critic
Liam loves playing basketball, but his friend, Noah, always makes comments that put him down. If Liam misses a shot, Noah might say, "You're never going to get good if you keep doing that." If Liam tries a new move, Noah might laugh and say, "Seriously? That looked terrible." Liam often feels bad about his playing when Noah is around.
Red Flags:
Why is it a red flag?
How could Liam address this?
Scenario 3: The Controller
Sarah and Jessica have been friends for a long time. Lately, Jessica has been telling Sarah who she can and can't hang out with. If Sarah makes plans with other friends, Jessica gets upset and gives her the silent treatment. Jessica also checks Sarah's phone to see who she's texting and gets angry if she sees conversations with people Jessica doesn't approve of.
Red Flags:
Why is it a red flag?
How could Sarah address this?
Scenario 4: The One-Sided Friendship
Daniel always listens to his friend, Ethan, talk about his problems and successes. Daniel offers advice and celebrates with Ethan. However, when Daniel needs to talk, Ethan often changes the subject, says he's too busy, or makes it about himself. Daniel feels like Ethan is never really there for him, even though Daniel is always there for Ethan.
Red Flags:
Why is it a red flag?
How could Daniel address this?
Activity
Communication Role-Play Cards
Instructions: In your groups, choose one scenario card to role-play. Practice using assertive communication to address the situation. One person will be the person facing the challenge, and another will be the friend. After the role-play, discuss what went well and what could be improved.
Card 1: Broken Promise
Your friend promised to help you study for a big test, but they canceled at the last minute to hang out with someone else, leaving you feeling unsupported and stressed.
Your Goal: Express your feelings and needs clearly without blaming your friend.
Card 2: Unwanted Advice
You told a friend about a problem you're having, and instead of listening, they immediately started telling you what you should do, making you feel unheard.
Your Goal: Gently explain that you just need them to listen right now, not solve your problems.
Card 3: Boundary Buster
Your friend keeps borrowing your belongings (like a phone charger or a favorite jacket) without asking, even after you've mentioned that you'd prefer them to ask first.
Your Goal: Reiterate your boundary firmly but kindly, and suggest a way to prevent it from happening again.
Card 4: Group Exclusion
You notice your friend consistently leaving out another mutual friend from group activities or conversations, and it makes you uncomfortable.
Your Goal: Talk to your friend about your observations and express your concern for the excluded friend, advocating for inclusivity.
Card 5: Negative Talk
Your friend frequently talks negatively about other people behind their backs, and it makes you feel uncomfortable and wonder if they talk about you too.
Your Goal: Express your discomfort with the gossip and suggest a shift to more positive conversation topics.
Discussion
Discussion Guide: Peer Pressure & Support
Instructions: Let's have an open and honest discussion about navigating real-life peer situations. Remember to listen respectfully to each other's perspectives.
Part 1: Dealing with Pressure
- Have you ever felt pressured by friends to do something you weren't comfortable with? What did that feel like?
- What are some different ways you can respond when a friend tries to pressure you into something you don't want to do? (Think about direct refusal, changing the subject, suggesting an alternative, or walking away).
- How can having strong boundaries help you deal with peer pressure?
- Is there a difference between positive peer influence and negative peer pressure? Can you give an example of each?
Part 2: Being a Supportive Friend
- What does it mean to be a truly supportive friend, especially when someone is going through a tough time?
- Imagine a friend comes to you with a problem. What are some active listening techniques you could use to show them you care and understand?
- How can you offer help or advice in a way that is supportive and doesn't make your friend feel judged or talked down to?
- What should you do if you notice a friend exhibiting some of the "red flags" we discussed earlier? When is it appropriate to step in, and when should you seek help from an adult?
Part 3: Reflecting on Your Social Compass
- Based on today's lesson, what is one thing you will try to be more mindful of in your friendships moving forward?
- What's one new communication skill you feel more confident about using?
Slide Deck
Navigating the Social Compass: Building Positive Peer Relationships
Welcome to our journey towards stronger friendships!
Welcome students and set an inviting tone. Ask an open-ended question to get them thinking about friendships.
Why Friendships Matter
Friendships are a huge part of our lives, influencing how we feel, learn, and grow. Knowing how to build and keep good friendships makes life more fun and supportive.
Explain why this topic is important for their age group. Connect it to their daily lives and personal growth.
Our Journey Today: Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
Briefly go over what students will learn and achieve by the end of the lesson.
Healthy vs. Unhealthy Friendships
What does a healthy friendship look like? What about an unhealthy one?
Let's brainstorm some characteristics for each!
Initiate a class discussion. Guide students to think about both positive and negative aspects. Encourage diverse perspectives.
Key Ingredients for Healthy Friendships
Summarize the key components of healthy relationships based on the brainstorm and pre-defined points.
Friendship Red Flags: Warning Signs
Just like a traffic light, some signs tell us to 'stop and look' at a friendship more closely. These are 'red flags'.
What are some warning signs you've seen or heard about?
Introduce the concept of 'red flags' as warning signs. Emphasize that noticing them isn't about blaming, but about understanding when a friendship needs attention.
Examples of Red Flags
Provide concrete examples to help students grasp the concept of red flags. Ask students for their thoughts on how these might feel or impact someone.
Powerful Communication: Your Superpower!
Good communication can change everything in a friendship. It's about expressing yourself clearly and listening to others.
Key skills:
Transition to solutions. Explain that effective communication is a powerful tool to address red flags and build stronger connections.
Open Discussion & Real-Life Talk
Let's talk about how these skills apply in real life.
Open the floor for a guided discussion. Encourage students to share their experiences (without naming names) and strategies.
Your Social Compass: Guiding Healthy Friendships
Remember:
You have the power to navigate your social world!
Conclude the lesson by reinforcing the main ideas and empowering students to apply what they've learned.