Friendship Fights & Fixes Lesson Plan Friendship Fights & Fixes
Lesson Plan: Navigating Relational Aggression
30 Minutes
Why This Matters
Relational aggression is a common but often overlooked issue among pre-teen girls, impacting self-esteem and social development. This lesson provides essential tools for navigating complex social situations and fostering genuinely supportive friendships.
Target Audience
6th Grade Girls (Small Group Setting)
Approach: Interactive discussion, scenario analysis, and role-playing.
Teacher Preparation
Review the lesson plan and all generated materials.
Print copies of Guidelines, Scenarios, and Fixes Worksheet.
Arrange seating for a small group discussion circle.
Prepare projector for the Slide Deck.
Required Materials
Small Group Guidelines (printed)
Relational Aggression Scenarios (printed)
Friendship Fixes Worksheet (printed)
Slide Deck: Friendship Fights & Fixes
Learning Objective
Students will be able to identify relational aggression in various scenarios, understand its impact on individuals and friendships, and practice constructive communication strategies to address and prevent it.
Instructional Steps
1
Warm-Up & Set the Stage
5 Minutes
1. Welcome & Introduction: Welcome the girls and introduce the topic. Emphasize that this is a safe space for open discussion.
"Hey everyone! So glad you're here. We're going to talk about something super important: friendships and how to keep them strong, even when things get tricky. This is a safe space."
2. Small Group Guidelines: Distribute and quickly review the Small Group Guidelines. Ask for agreement.
3. Hook - What Makes a Good Friend?: Ask students to briefly share one quality of a good friend. Write keywords on the board.
2
Understanding Relational Aggression
10 Minutes
1. Introduce Relational Aggression: Use Slide Deck (Slides 2 & 3). Define it clearly: "It's not about hitting, but using relationships to hurt."
2. Discussion: Why does it happen?: Facilitate a brief discussion on motivations and feelings. "How do you think it feels to be on the receiving end?"
3. Scenario Analysis: Distribute the Scenarios. Read one aloud and identify the type of aggression and its impact.
3
Strategies for Healthy Friendships
10 Minutes
1. Introducing 'Friendship Fixes': Use Slide Deck (Slides 4 & 5) to introduce strategies: direct communication ("I" statements), setting boundaries, and seeking support.
2. Role-Playing Practice: Choose a scenario. Guide students through role-playing different responses using 'Friendship Fixes'.
3. Worksheet: My Friendship Fixes: Distribute the worksheet and ask students to jot down one strategy they want to remember or try.
4
Wrap-Up & Empowerment
5 Minutes
1. Share & Reflect: Use Slide 6. Ask a few students to share their chosen strategy or one key takeaway.
2. Empowerment & Closing: Reiterate the importance of self-respect. "Be kind, be brave, and always reach out if you need help."
Friendship Fights & Fixes Slide Deck Friendship Fights & Fixes
Navigating Friendships with Kindness and Strength 💖💪
Let's get started!
What is Relational Aggression?
"It's NOT hitting or pushing."
It's using your relationships to hurt someone.
Excluding from a group
Spreading rumors
Ignoring on purpose
Silent treatment
Has anyone seen or experienced something like this? (Don't use names!)
Why Does it Hurt?
Even though it's not physical, relational aggression can deeply hurt feelings and trust.
Sad or Lonely
Confused or Anxious
Left Out
It can break friendships apart. 💔
Friendship Fix #1: Speak Up!
It can be scary, but sometimes the best thing is to talk about it.
Use "I" statements:
"I feel left out when..."
"I don't like it when..."
"I need you to stop..."
Practice with
Strategy 02
Set Clear Boundaries
Decide what you will and won't accept.
It's okay to say "no" or walk away.
Strategy 03
Talk to a Trusted Adult
A parent, teacher, or counselor can help.
You don't have to handle it alone!
Who are some trusted adults you could talk to?
You've Got This!
Friendships are meant to be fun, supportive, and kind!
Be a good friend
Stand up for yourself
Build awesome friendships
What's one thing you'll remember from today?
Small Group Guidelines Activity Small Group Guidelines
Creating a safe and respectful space for our discussion.
"To make sure our discussion about friendships is helpful and safe for everyone, let's agree on these shared expectations."
Respect Each Other
Listen when others are talking, even if you don't agree. No interrupting.
One Voice at a Time
Let everyone have a chance to share their thoughts without being talked over.
Confidentiality
What's said in this group, stays in this group. We want everyone to feel safe sharing personal experiences.
No Names, Please
When sharing stories, please do not use real names of other students or identifying details.
Be Honest & Brave
It takes courage to talk about friendship challenges. Share your true feelings and thoughts.
Ask Questions
If something isn't clear or you want to know more, please ask!
Supportive Environment
We're here to lift each other up. Be kind with your words and reactions.
The Group Agreement
"By being part of this group, I agree to follow these guidelines to help make this a safe space for everyone."
I AGREE 👍
Relational Aggression Scenarios Activity Friendship Scenarios
What would you do? How would you feel?
Small Group Discussion
Group Discussion Questions
What kind of relational aggression is happening?
How might this make someone feel?
What could the targeted person say?
How could a friend watching help?
Scenario 1
The Exclusive Sleepover
Sarah is having a sleepover for her birthday. She invites most of the girls in your friend group but purposely leaves out Emily, telling everyone, "Emily is just being too clingy lately. Let's not invite her." When Emily asks what everyone is doing, Sarah and the other girls quickly change the subject and avoid eye contact.
Notes & Ideas
Scenario 2
The Whispering Campaign
During lunch, you notice a group of girls whispering and glancing over at Maria. Later, you overhear one of them say, "Did you hear what Maria said about Jessica's new haircut?" You know Maria actually complimented Jessica's hair yesterday. The whispering continues throughout the week, and other kids start to look at Maria differently.
Notes & Ideas
Scenario 3
The Social Media Freeze-Out
Maya posts a fun photo of herself and a few friends at a school event. Later that evening, she sees that two of those friends have posted the exact same photo on their social media, but they cropped Maya out of the picture. When Maya asks them about it, they just say, "Oh, we liked how it looked with just us." and giggle.
Notes & Ideas
Scenario 4
The Backhanded Compliment
Chloe comes to school excited about a new outfit her aunt bought her. When she shows it to her friend Lily, Lily says, "That's... interesting. It's brave of you to wear something so bright." Chloe feels her excitement fade, and she starts to feel self-conscious about her new clothes.
Notes & Ideas
Be a "Friendship Fixer"
"Navigating these moments takes strength. Remember that your voice and your actions can change a friendship for the better."
Friendship Fixes Worksheet My Friendship Fixes
Keep your plan ready! Here's how you can navigate challenges and build healthy friendships.
Name:
Date:
1
My Go-To Strategy
Out of all the strategies we discussed today (Speaking Up, Setting Boundaries, Asking for Help), which one do you think you would use first if you encountered relational aggression? Why is this strategy a good fit for you?
2
Who Can Help Me?
If things get tough or you need extra support, who is one trusted adult you could talk to? (Think of parents, guardians, teachers, counselors, or coaches.)
3
Be an Upstander!
If you see someone else experiencing relational aggression, what's one thing you could do to be a supportive friend or an "upstander"?
"You have the power to create a circle of kindness." 💖
