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Navigating the Social Maze: Friendship Maps

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brittahock

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Navigating the Social Maze: Friendship Maps

Students will understand the dynamics of friendship, identify qualities of healthy relationships, and develop strategies for navigating social challenges like conflict or exclusion.

Healthy friendships are crucial for social-emotional well-being. Learning to navigate social challenges helps students build resilience and maintain positive relationships, preparing them for future interactions.

Audience

Grades 5-8

Time

60 minutes

Approach

Reflective mapping and role-playing activities.

Materials

Smartboard or projector, Friendship Maps Slide Deck, Whiteboard or chart paper, Markers, Friendship Qualities Worksheet, and Social Scenario Discussion Cards

Prep

Prepare Materials

15 minutes

  • Review the Friendship Maps Lesson Plan and all linked materials: Friendship Maps Slide Deck, Friendship Qualities Worksheet, and Social Scenario Discussion Cards.
  • Ensure projector/Smartboard is set up for the Friendship Maps Slide Deck.
  • Prepare whiteboard or chart paper and markers for group brainstorming.
  • Print copies of the Friendship Qualities Worksheet for each student.
  • Cut out the Social Scenario Discussion Cards.

Step 1

Introduction: What's Your Social GPS?

5 minutes

  • Use Friendship Maps Slide Deck (Slide 1-2).
  • Begin with a warm-up question: "Think about your friends. How do you decide who to be friends with?" Allow 1-2 students to share briefly.
  • Introduce the lesson: "Today, we're going to explore how we navigate the 'social maze' of friendships and learn to build strong, healthy connections."

Step 2

Defining Friendship Qualities

15 minutes

  • Use Friendship Maps Slide Deck (Slide 3-5).
  • Facilitate a class discussion: "What are the most important qualities in a friend?" Write student responses on the board/chart paper.
  • Distribute the Friendship Qualities Worksheet.
  • Instruct students to individually complete the worksheet, reflecting on the qualities discussed and adding their own.
  • After a few minutes, have students share some of their responses in small groups or with a partner.

Step 3

Mapping Your Social World

15 minutes

  • Use Friendship Maps Slide Deck (Slide 6-7).
  • Introduce the concept of a "Friendship Map": "Imagine your social world as a map. Who are the people in your inner circle? Who are acquaintances? Who do you feel comfortable with?"
  • Guide students to create their own simple, anonymous friendship map on a blank piece of paper (or back of the worksheet).
  • Emphasize that these maps are personal and for reflection, not to be shared unless they choose to.
  • Ask students to reflect: "Are there different types of friends on your map? What do you notice about the connections?"

Step 4

Navigating Social Scenarios: Role-Playing

20 minutes

  • Use Friendship Maps Slide Deck (Slide 8-9).
  • Divide students into small groups (3-4 students per group).
  • Distribute one or two Social Scenario Discussion Cards to each group.
  • Explain the task: "As a group, read your scenario. Discuss how the characters could navigate the situation using the healthy friendship qualities we discussed. Then, choose one scenario to briefly role-play a positive resolution for the class."
  • Circulate to provide support and guidance as groups work.
  • Have each group present their role-play or discuss their chosen resolution.

Step 5

Wrap-Up: Key Takeaways

5 minutes

  • Use Friendship Maps Slide Deck (Slide 10).
  • Bring the class back together.
  • Review key takeaways: Healthy friendships involve mutual respect, trust, communication, and empathy. Navigating challenges requires problem-solving and standing up for yourself and others.
  • Ask: "What is one new strategy you learned today for navigating friendships?" Allow for a few student responses.
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Slide Deck

Navigating the Social Maze: Friendship Maps

How do we build and maintain strong connections?

Welcome students and introduce the engaging title of the lesson. Ask a brief warm-up question to get them thinking about friendships.

Our Journey Today

  • Understand what makes a healthy friendship
  • Learn to identify good qualities in friends (and ourselves!)
  • Practice navigating tricky social situations (like conflict or feeling left out)

Explain the objective and why this lesson is important for them. Connect it to their real-life experiences with friends.

What Makes a Great Friend?

What qualities do YOU look for in a friend?

What makes someone a 'good friend'?

Initiate a class discussion about what qualities students value in a friend. Write their ideas on the board.

Your Friendship Blueprint

Let's explore these qualities further. You'll get a worksheet to:

  • Write down key friendship qualities
  • Reflect on why these are important
  • Think about how you show these qualities

Introduce the Friendship Qualities Worksheet. Explain that they will reflect on these ideas individually.

Sharing Our Ideas

Discuss with a partner or small group:

  • What was one quality you thought was really important?
  • Did anything surprise you about what others value?

Allow time for students to work on the worksheet, then facilitate brief sharing in pairs or small groups.

Mapping Your Social World

Imagine your social world is a map.

Who is in your:

  • Inner Circle? (Closest friends)
  • Middle Circle? (Good friends, regular hangouts)
  • Outer Circle? (Acquaintances, classmates, people you know)

Introduce the 'Friendship Map' concept. Emphasize that this is a personal, reflective activity.

Create Your Own Friendship Map

On a blank paper:

  1. Put yourself in the center.
  2. Draw circles around yourself.
  3. Place people you know in the circles based on how close you feel to them.

This is for your eyes only!

Guide students to create their maps. Reiterate it's for personal reflection.

Navigating the Maze: Social Scenarios

Sometimes friendships hit bumps in the road.

In small groups, you will:

  1. Read a social scenario.
  2. Discuss how to handle it using healthy friendship qualities.
  3. Role-play a positive solution for the class!

Explain the role-playing activity. Emphasize positive resolution and using healthy friendship qualities.

Practice Makes Progress!

Work with your group to brainstorm and practice your role-play.

Remember to focus on:

  • Communication
  • Empathy
  • Respect
  • Problem-solving

Provide guidance and circulate as groups work. Encourage creativity and thoughtful problem-solving.

Your Friendship Compass

Today, you've learned to:

  • Identify healthy friendship qualities
  • Map your social connections
  • Practice navigating social challenges

What's one thing you'll take away to help you with your friendships?

Conclude the lesson by summarizing key points and asking for student reflections.

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Worksheet

Friendship Qualities Worksheet

Name: _____________________________
Date: _____________________________

Part 1: What Makes a Great Friend?

Think about your best friends or people you admire. What qualities do they have? What makes someone a good friend to you? List at least five qualities below.
















Part 2: Why are these qualities important?

Choose two of the qualities you listed above. For each quality, explain why you think it's important in a friendship.

Quality 1: _____________________________
Why it's important:





Quality 2: _____________________________
Why it's important:





Part 3: How do YOU show up as a friend?

Think about how you act with your friends. What are some of the positive qualities you bring to your friendships? Write down at least two examples.







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lenny

Discussion

Social Scenario Discussion Cards

Instructions: Cut out each scenario card. In your groups, read the scenarios, discuss how to navigate them using healthy friendship qualities, and prepare a short role-play for one scenario.

Scenario 1: The New Kid

A new student, Alex, joins your class. During lunch, you notice Alex sitting alone, looking a bit sad. Your friends are all playing a fun game, and you really want to join them. What could you do or say to make Alex feel more welcome without abandoning your friends? How can you balance your existing friendships with being kind to a new person?







Scenario 2: The Misunderstanding

You overhear your friend, Sam, telling another classmate something about you that isn't true and sounds a bit mean. You feel hurt and confused. When you try to talk to Sam, they act defensive. How do you approach this situation? What steps can you take to resolve the misunderstanding and protect your feelings?







Scenario 3: The Exclusion

Your group of friends has started a new club or activity, but they haven't invited Maya, who used to be a part of your group for everything. You notice Maya seems upset and excluded. You feel bad for her, but you also don't want to cause tension with the others in the group. What could you do to address this situation? How can you advocate for Maya while maintaining peace within the group?







Scenario 4: The Secret Pressure

Your friend, Chris, tells you a secret about someone else and says, "Don't tell anyone!" Later, another friend, Taylor, asks you directly if you know anything about the rumor. You feel caught between keeping Chris's trust and being honest with Taylor, especially if the rumor is causing problems. What should you do? How can you navigate this tricky situation while upholding your values?







lenny
lenny