Lesson Plan
Squad Goals: Healthy Bonds
Students will be able to identify characteristics of healthy relationships and distinguish them from unhealthy ones, fostering self-awareness and positive social interactions.
Understanding healthy relationships empowers students to build strong friendships, communicate effectively, and advocate for their well-being in all social circles.
Audience
8th Grade Girls
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion and reflective activities.
Materials
Whiteboard or Chart Paper, Markers, Healthy Relationships Slide Deck, Relationship Reflection Worksheet, Discussion Guide: Healthy Bonds, and Healthy Relationships Exit Ticket
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Review the Healthy Relationships Slide Deck and discussion prompts.
* Print copies of the Relationship Reflection Worksheet (one per student).
* Prepare the Discussion Guide: Healthy Bonds for reference.
* Print copies of the Healthy Relationships Exit Ticket (one per student).
* Ensure a whiteboard or chart paper and markers are available for brainstorming.
Step 1
Warm-Up: What Does 'Healthy' Look Like?
5 minutes
- Begin by asking students: "When you hear the word 'healthy' in the context of a relationship, what comes to mind?"
2. Jot down their responses on a whiteboard or chart paper. Look for keywords like 'trust,' 'respect,' 'communication,' 'support,' etc.
Step 2
Exploring Healthy Relationship Traits
10 minutes
- Display the first few slides of the Healthy Relationships Slide Deck focusing on key characteristics of healthy relationships (e.g., mutual respect, trust, open communication, support, independence, empathy).
2. Facilitate a discussion using the Discussion Guide: Healthy Bonds prompts. Encourage students to share examples from their own lives (friendships, family, etc.) without naming specific individuals.
3. Discuss the difference between healthy support and unhealthy dependence.
Step 3
Unhealthy Relationship Red Flags
7 minutes
- Transition to the slides on unhealthy relationship signs (e.g., jealousy, control, constant criticism, lack of trust, disrespect, isolation).
2. Ask students to identify
Step 4
Reflect and Apply
5 minutes
- Distribute the Relationship Reflection Worksheet.
2. Give students 3-4 minutes to complete the worksheet individually, reflecting on a relationship (friendship or family) and how healthy traits are present or could be improved.
3. Briefly discuss a few anonymous reflections, emphasizing that all relationships have areas for growth.
Step 5
Cool-Down: Exit Ticket
3 minutes
- Hand out the Healthy Relationships Exit Ticket.
2. Ask students to answer the prompt: "Name one thing you learned today about healthy relationships that you will try to apply this week."
3. Collect exit tickets as students leave. Review responses to gauge understanding and inform future sessions.
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Slide Deck
Squad Goals: Healthy Bonds
Building stronger connections, together.
Welcome the students and introduce the topic. Emphasize that this is a safe space to discuss important aspects of relationships.
What Does 'Healthy' Look Like?
When you hear "healthy relationship," what comes to mind?
Brainstorm ideas together!
Ask students for their initial thoughts on what 'healthy' means in a relationship. Write down keywords on a whiteboard. This activates prior knowledge and sets the stage for the discussion.
Mutual Respect & Trust
- Respecting Differences: Valuing each other's opinions, boundaries, and individuality.
- Trusting Each Other: Believing in each other's honesty and intentions, feeling safe and secure.
Introduce the first key characteristic. Discuss what mutual respect looks like in action (e.g., listening, valuing opinions, not putting others down). Ask for examples.
Open Communication
- Speaking Honestly: Expressing thoughts and feelings clearly and respectfully.
- Active Listening: Truly hearing and understanding what the other person is saying.
- Conflict Resolution: Working through disagreements constructively.
Explain open communication. Discuss active listening and expressing feelings respectfully. Ask: "Why is good communication so important?"
Support & Empathy
- Being There: Supporting each other through good times and bad.
- Understanding Feelings: Trying to see things from another person's perspective.
- Celebrating Successes: Being happy for each other's achievements.
Discuss how support and empathy strengthen bonds. Emphasize celebrating successes and offering comfort during challenges. Ask: "How do you show support to your friends?"
Independence & Boundaries
- Personal Space: Respecting each other's need for alone time or time with other friends.
- Healthy Boundaries: Clearly communicating what you are and aren't comfortable with.
- Individuality: Encouraging each other to pursue personal interests and goals.
Highlight the importance of personal space and individuality. Healthy relationships allow both people to grow. Ask: "Why is it important to still have your own interests outside of a friendship?"
Red Flags: Unhealthy Relationship Signs
- Control: One person trying to dictate what the other does, wears, or who they spend time with.
- Jealousy: Excessive possessiveness or anger when the other person interacts with others.
- Constant Criticism: Always putting the other person down, making them feel bad about themselves.
Transition to discussing warning signs. Emphasize that these are things to notice and address. Start with control and jealousy.
More Red Flags...
- Disrespect: Ignoring feelings, making fun of or belittling, breaking promises repeatedly.
- Lack of Trust: Constant suspicion or needing to verify everything the other person says.
- Isolation: Trying to pull someone away from their other friends or family.
Continue with disrespect and isolation. Explain that these erode trust and self-esteem. Ask: "What might happen if a friend constantly disrespects your feelings?"
You Deserve Healthy Bonds!
Remember, healthy relationships make you feel:
* Valued
* Respected
* Supported
You have the power to create and choose healthy connections!
Conclude by reiterating the power of healthy relationships and self-advocacy. Encourage them to use what they learned.
Discussion
Discussion Guide: Healthy Bonds
This guide provides prompts to facilitate meaningful conversations during the lesson.
Exploring Healthy Relationship Traits
- When we talk about mutual respect, what does that look like in real life? Can you give an example of showing respect to someone, or someone showing respect to you?
- How does trust feel in a friendship or family relationship? What actions build trust, and what actions can break it down?
- Why is open communication so important? What are some ways you can express your feelings or needs clearly to a friend or family member?
- What does support mean to you? How do you show support to others, and how do others show support to you?
- It's important to have independence in a relationship. What does it mean to have your own interests and friends outside of a main relationship?
- How can empathy help us understand and connect with others better?
Unhealthy Relationship Red Flags
- What are some signs that a relationship might be becoming controlling? How would that make you feel?
- How can jealousy harm a relationship? What's the difference between healthy concern and unhealthy possessiveness?
- If someone is constantly criticizing or putting you down, how does that impact your self-esteem and the relationship?
- What are some examples of disrespect in a relationship? How can you set boundaries when someone is being disrespectful?
- If a friend or family member tries to isolate you from other friends or activities, what does that tell you about the relationship?
- What are some strategies for addressing lack of trust or dishonesty in a relationship?
Concluding Thoughts
- What's one characteristic of a healthy relationship that you value most?
- What's one
Worksheet
Relationship Reflection Worksheet
Think about a friendship or family relationship that is important to you. It could be with a best friend, a sibling, a cousin, or even a parent.
1. Who is the relationship with?
________________________________________________________________
2. What are some things you appreciate about this relationship? (List at least 3)
- ____________________________________________________________
- ____________________________________________________________
- ____________________________________________________________
3. How do you see healthy characteristics in this relationship?
-
Mutual Respect: How do you and the other person show respect to each other?
-
Trust: How do you know you can trust this person, and how do they show they trust you?
-
Open Communication: How do you both talk about your feelings or resolve disagreements?
-
Support & Empathy: How do you support each other, especially during tough times?
4. Is there one area where you think this relationship (or your role in it) could be even healthier? What's one small step you could take?
________________________________________________________________
5. Why is it important to reflect on your relationships?
________________________________________________________________
Cool Down
Healthy Relationships Exit Ticket
Name: ____________________________
Date: ____________________________
Name one thing you learned today about healthy relationships that you will try to apply this week.
On a scale of 1 to 5, how confident do you feel now in identifying healthy relationship traits?
1 (Not confident at all) 2 3 (Somewhat confident) 4 5 (Very confident)
What is one question you still have about healthy relationships?