The Science of Friendship

Michelle Thor

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

The Science of Friendship

Understanding friendship dynamics

This lesson explores the psychological and emotional aspects of friendship, helping students understand how friendships are formed and maintained. Through engaging activities, students will learn about empathy and active listening, which are crucial skills for building and sustaining friendships. This lesson is important as it fosters social-emotional development and enhances students' interpersonal skills, which are vital for their personal and academic growth.

Audience

Grade 7 Students

Time

1 hour

Approach

Understanding friendship dynamics

Materials

Discussion Questions, Empathy and Active Listening Worksheet, and Pens and Paper

Step 1

Introduction

10 mins

Begin with a brief discussion on what friendship means to the students.
Ask students to share examples of what makes a good friend.
Introduce the lesson's focus on understanding the science behind friendships.

Step 2

Group Activity: Empathy Exercise

20 mins

Divide students into small groups.
Provide each group with scenarios that require empathy and active listening.
Ask groups to discuss how they would handle each scenario, focusing on empathetic responses.

Step 3

Class Discussion

15 mins

Reconvene as a class and discuss the group activity.
Use the discussion questions to guide the conversation about empathy and active listening.
Encourage students to share their thoughts and experiences.

Step 4

Reflection and Closure

15 mins

Distribute the Empathy and Active Listening Worksheet.
Ask students to reflect on what they learned and how they can apply these skills in their friendships.
Collect worksheets and conclude with a summary of key points discussed in the lesson.

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Discussion

Discussion Questions on Friendship

A set of questions to guide a class discussion on the importance of empathy and active listening in friendships.

What are some qualities of a good friend?

Encourage students to think about trust, support, and understanding.

How can empathy help in resolving conflicts between friends?

Discuss how understanding others' feelings can lead to better communication and solutions.

Why is active listening important in maintaining friendships?

Highlight the role of listening in showing respect and understanding in relationships.

Worksheet

Empathy and Active Listening Worksheet

A worksheet to help students reflect on the importance of empathy and active listening in friendships.

Describe a time when you showed empathy to a friend. What was the outcome?

Think about how your friend felt and how the situation was resolved.

List three ways you can practice active listening in your daily interactions.

Consider techniques like maintaining eye contact, nodding, and summarizing what the other person says.