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Summer Social Stars

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Lesson Plan

Summer Social Stars

Students will learn how to start conversations, practice empathy, and build friendships through guided activities and a reflection worksheet.

Strong social skills boost confidence and peer connections, helping 4th graders form positive friendships during summer school and beyond.

Audience

4th Grade

Time

20 minutes

Approach

Interactive activities with card prompts and personal reflection.

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 minutes

  • Print copies of Summer Social Stars Worksheet — one per student.
  • Prepare sets of Conversation Starter Cards and Empathy Scenario Cards.
  • Arrange seating to allow partner and small-group work.
  • Write lesson prompts (e.g., “What makes a good friend?”) on the whiteboard or chart paper.

Step 1

Introduction

3 minutes

  • Greet students and state the lesson goal: learning how to start conversations, show empathy, and build friendships.
  • Ask, “What makes a good friend?” and record 2–3 student responses on the board.
  • Explain that today’s activities will give them tools to connect with peers.

Step 2

Conversation Starters Activity

7 minutes

  • Distribute Conversation Starter Cards to student pairs.
  • Partners take turns drawing a card and using its prompt to begin a short conversation.
  • Circulate and model positive tone, open body language, and active listening.

Step 3

Empathy Discussion

5 minutes

  • Divide students into small groups and give each an Empathy Scenario Card.
  • Groups read their scenario, then discuss: “How would you feel? What could you say or do?”
  • Invite one group to share their scenario and empathetic response with the class.

Step 4

Friendship Reflection

3 minutes

  • Hand out Summer Social Stars Worksheet.
  • Students individually complete three prompts: a conversation starter, an empathy action, and a summer friendship goal.
  • Encourage quick, honest responses.

Step 5

Share & Wrap-Up

2 minutes

  • Invite 2–3 volunteers to share one response from their worksheet.
  • Reinforce that practicing these skills daily will help them make and keep friends.
  • Thank students and encourage them to use these strategies all summer.
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Worksheet

Summer Social Stars Worksheet

Name: ____________________________ Date: _______________

Complete each prompt to practice starting conversations, showing empathy, and setting friendship goals.

  1. Conversation Starter

    Write a question or statement you could use to start a conversation with a new classmate.












  2. Empathy Action

    Describe something you could say or do to show empathy when someone is feeling sad.












  3. Summer Friendship Goal

    What is one goal you have for making or keeping a friend this summer?






















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Slide Deck

Summer Social Stars

Building Conversations, Empathy, and Friendships

Welcome students and introduce today’s lesson title. Say: “Today, we’re going to become Summer Social Stars by learning how to start conversations, show empathy, and build friendships.”

Today’s Goals

  • Learn how to start conversations
  • Practice showing empathy
  • Set friendship goals for summer

Explain the three main goals for today. Emphasize why each skill matters.

What Makes a Good Friend?

Think about qualities you value in a friend.

Share one idea with the class.

Ask students: “What makes a good friend?” Record 2–3 responses on the board. Encourage quick sharing.

Conversation Starters Activity

Turn to a partner and draw a Conversation Starter Card.
Use the prompt to begin a short conversation.

Hand out Conversation Starter Cards. Model using open body language, eye contact, and a friendly tone.

Empathy Discussion

In groups, read your Empathy Scenario Card.
Discuss:
• How would you feel?
• What could you say or do to show you care?

Give each small group an Empathy Scenario Card. Prompt them to discuss feelings and possible empathetic responses.

Friendship Reflection

Complete the Summer Social Stars Worksheet:

  1. Conversation Starter
  2. Empathy Action
  3. Summer Friendship Goal

Distribute the worksheet. Remind students to write quickly and honestly to practice the skills.

Share & Wrap-Up

Who would like to share one response?

Remember to use these strategies every day to build strong friendships!

Invite 2–3 volunteers to share one response from their worksheet. Reinforce that daily practice will help them make and keep friends.

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