Friendship Builders Lesson Plan Friendship Builders
Lesson Facilitation Guide
Duration 45 MINS
Objective
Explore qualities of a good friend
Audience
3rd Grade Students
Approach
Skills-Based Activity
Materials Needed
Post-it notes & Markers
Role-playing scenario cards
Discussion questions guide
Worksheet: Friendship Qualities
Classroom slide deck
Why this matters?
Helping students understand the value of positive relationships and empathy is foundational to a safe classroom environment. These interpersonal skills help students navigate conflict and build lasting support systems.
1
Introduction
5 MINS
Begin with a brief discussion on what friendship means.
Ask students to share one quality they think is important in a friend (e.g., "Kindness", "Sharing").
2
Friendship Qualities
10 MINS
Use the discussion guide to explore how friendship qualities make us feel.
Encourage students to think about why these traits are important for emotional well-being.
3
Role-Playing Scenarios
15 MINS
Divide students into small groups and provide scenario cards.
Have students act out the scenarios, focusing on demonstrating empathy and kindness.
Debrief: Discuss as a class what was learned and how it felt to be in each role.
4
Worksheet Reflection
10 MINS
Distribute the 'Friendship Qualities' worksheet.
Students list 3 qualities and provide a personal example of when they showed one.
Encourage them to set a goal for improving one quality.
5
Closure Circle
5 MINS
Conclude with a circle time where students share one new thing they learned.
Reinforce the importance of empathy and kindness.
Friendship Builders Presentation Friendship Builders
Constructing strong bonds with kindness and empathy
The Foundation
What qualities do you think are important in a friend?
Think about...
Checking In
How do these qualities make you feel when you see them in others?
Happy
Safe
Trusted
The Blueprint
Why is it important to have friends with these qualities?
"Positive relationships help us feel supported, confident, and emotionally strong. When we choose good friends, we build a happier life for everyone!"
Ready to Build?
It's time for Role-Playing Scenarios! Let's practice empathy and kindness in action.
Friendship Builders Worksheet Friendship Builders
Personal Blueprint for Positive Relationships
Name: ______________________
Date: ______________________
The Foundation
List three qualities you think are important in a friend. (Think about things like kindness, honesty, and loyalty!)
Quality #1
Quality #2
Quality #3
Tools in Action
Provide an example of a time when you showed one of these qualities to a friend.
Work in Progress
How can you work on improving one of these qualities in yourself?
Friendship Builders Discussion Guide Friendship Discussion Guide
Facilitating Meaningful Conversations on Positive Relationships
1. What qualities do you think are important in a friend?
Teacher Prompt:
"If you were building a friend from scratch, like building a house with blocks, what specific 'bricks' would you use? Would you use the 'Honesty' brick? The 'Kindness' brick?"
Target Keywords
Kindness Honesty Supportiveness Loyalty Trust
2. How do these qualities make you feel when you see them in others?
Teacher Prompt:
"Think of a time someone was really kind to you when you were sad. How did your stomach feel? How did your heart feel? Does it make you feel 'strong' or 'safe'?"
Target Emotions
Happiness Trust Comfort Security
3. Why is it important to have friends with these qualities?
Teacher Prompt:
"Why do we need good friends? Can we do everything alone? How do these friendships help us when things get tough at school or at home?"
Key Concepts
Discuss the role of positive relationships in emotional well-being, building a support system, and creating a safe environment for everyone.
Facilitator Tips
Encourage quiet students by asking for a thumbs-up or thumbs-down response.
Validate all feelings mentioned, even if they aren't 'positive'.
Connect student answers back to the 'Building' theme.
Keep the pace moving—aim for 3-4 minutes per question.
