Winter Friendship Web

Courtney Bennett

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Winter Friendship Web

Foster inclusivity and connection

In this lesson, students will participate in a 'Winter Friendship Web' activity where they pass a ball of yarn around a circle, sharing kind words and affirmations with each other. This activity is designed to foster inclusivity and connection, helping to build a strong community as students support each other during the holiday season. It encourages students to express kindness and recognize the value of friendship, which is crucial for their social-emotional development.

Audience

Grades 1-3 Students

Time

25 minutes

Approach

Foster inclusivity and connection

Materials

Ball of yarn, and Discussion questions

Step 1

Introduction

5 minutes

Gather students in a circle.
Explain the purpose of the activity: to share kind words and build a friendship web.
Discuss the importance of kindness and inclusivity, especially during the holiday season.

Step 2

Yarn Web Activity

15 minutes

Start with one student holding the ball of yarn.
The student shares a kind word or affirmation about another student and then tosses the yarn to them, holding onto the end.
Continue the process until a web is formed, ensuring each student receives the yarn at least once.
Encourage students to think of unique and sincere affirmations.

Step 3

Reflection and Discussion

5 minutes

Discuss how it felt to give and receive kind words.
Ask students how the web represents their classroom community.
Encourage students to think about how they can continue to support each other.

Discussion

Discussion Questions

These questions are designed to help students reflect on the Winter Friendship Web activity and its impact on their classroom community.

How did it feel to receive kind words from your classmates?

Encourage students to express their feelings and share specific examples.

What did you learn about your classmates during this activity?

Guide students to think about new insights or connections they made.

How can we continue to support each other in our classroom community?

Discuss practical ways to maintain a supportive and inclusive environment.