Scenario Spark Cards Scenario Spark Cards
Friendship Repair Shop • Social-Emotional Learning
How to Play
1
Team Up: Get with a partner or small group and pick a scenario card.
2
Think & Discuss: Read the scenario and answer the "Think About It" questions.
3
Repair Scene: Act out a short skit where you use a strategy to fix the problem!
Ready to fix some friendships?
Case #01
The Recess Rejection
You see a group of your friends starting a game of kickball. When you walk up and ask, "Can I play?" one of them says, "Sorry, we already have even teams. Maybe tomorrow." They start the game without you.
Think About It:
How might you be feeling in this moment?
What is a "Repair Strategy" you could use?
How can you express your feelings without starting a fight?
Case #02
Secret Slip-up
You told your best friend a secret about who you have a crush on. Later that day, you hear a group of classmates whispering and giggling about it. You realize your friend told someone else.
Think About It:
Why is trust important in a friendship?
How do you talk to your friend about their mistake?
What would "fixing" this friendship look like?
Case #03
Rule Rumble
You and a friend are playing a board game. Your friend makes a move that you are sure is against the rules. When you point it out, they get angry and say, "That's how I always play! If we can't play my way, I'm quitting."
Think About It:
Is winning more important than the friendship?
What is a compromise you could offer?
How can you stay calm when your friend gets upset?
Case #04
Bossy Boots
You are working on a science project with a partner. Your partner is deciding everything: what colors to use, who writes what, and how the poster should look. They won't listen to any of your ideas.
Think About It:
How can you use an "I-Statement" to speak up?
How can you suggest a way to share the work fairly?
What should you do if they still won't listen?
Case #05
Three's a Crowd
You and your best friend always hang out. Lately, your friend has been spending all their time with a new student. When you try to join them, you feel like an "extra" and they share inside jokes you don't know.
Think About It:
Is it okay for friends to have other friends?
How can you talk to your friend about feeling left out?
What is a way to include everyone?
Case #06
The Mean Mockery
A group of "popular" kids is making fun of your friend's new haircut. You are standing right there. Your friend looks really embarrassed and sad. The popular kids look at you and wait for you to laugh.
Think About It:
What is an "Upstander"?
What could you say to support your friend?
Why is it hard to speak up in front of a group?
Case #07
The Broken Borrow
You borrowed a cool gel pen from your friend. You accidentally left it on the bus, and now it's gone. Your friend asks for it back because it was part of a special set they got for their birthday.
Think About It:
How do you take responsibility for a mistake?
What can you do to make things right?
How would you tell a friend you lost their stuff?
Case #08
Message Mix-up
You send a friend a text asking if they want to hang out. They reply with just "K." You think they sound mad or like they don't care. You feel hurt and start to think they don't want to be your friend anymore.
Think About It:
Why is it hard to understand feelings through text?
How can you check in to see if they are actually mad?
What is a better way to communicate?
Case #09
The Tug-of-War
You want to play tag, but your friend really wants to play on the swings. Neither of you wants to give in. You spend half of recess arguing about what to do instead of actually playing anything.
Think About It:
How can you use "Rock, Paper, Scissors" to solve this?
Why is spending time together more important than the game?
What is a "win-win" solution?
Case #10
The Bestie Break
Your friend tells you that you aren't their "Best Friend" anymore and that they have a new Best Friend. You feel really replaced and lonely. You still want to be friends, but it feels different now.
Think About It:
How do friendship roles change over time?
How can you handle feeling jealous or left out?
Is it possible to have multiple "close" friends?
Your Own Case
Think About It:
Friendship Fixer Slides Friendship Fixers
Navigating Challenges and Building Stronger Bonds
Case Files
Repair Strategies
Action Plans
The Big Question
"What can we do when our friendships feel broken or stuck?"
Think about a time you had a small disagreement with a friend. How did it feel?
The Friendship Toolbox
Identify
Name the feelings and find the real problem.
Brainstorm
Think of 3 different ways to make things better.
Repair
Use a strategy (I-Statements, apology, or compromise).
Power Tool: I-Statements
"I feel [feeling] when [action].
Avoid:
"You always leave me out! You're mean!"
Try This:
"I feel left out when you start games without me."
Your Mission
Grab a Scenario Spark Card .Friendship Fixers ! Find a way to repair the situation.
Stay in Character
Listen Well
Be Kind
Repair Shop Teacher Guide Repair Shop Teacher Guide
Friendship Fixers • Grade 4 Social-Emotional Learning
Lesson Duration: 45-60 min
Lesson Overview
This lesson uses role-play and collaborative discussion to help 4th-grade students navigate common friendship "glitches." By using the Scenario Spark Cards , students practice moving from a place of hurt or anger to active problem-solving using I-Statements and Compromise .
Objectives
Identify feelings in common social conflicts.
Practice using "I-Statements" to express needs.
Collaborate on "win-win" solutions to friendship problems.
Materials Needed
Friendship Fixer Slides
Scenario Spark Cards (1 set per 2-3 students)
Optional: Chart paper for "Repair Strategies"
Pacing & Facilitation
1. Opening Hook (10 min)
Slides 1-2
Ask: "Have you ever felt like a friendship was 'stuck' or a little broken?" Discuss the Big Question. Emphasize that conflicts are normal, but staying in conflict is optional.
2. The Toolbox (15 min)
Slides 3-4
Introduce the Identify → Brainstorm → Repair process. Practice an I-Statement as a class using a simple example like: "Someone keeps tapping your desk."
Tip: Model a "bad" way to react (yelling/blaming) vs. a "repair" way (I-Statement) to show the difference in outcome.
3. Repair Shop Workshop (25 min)
Slide 5 + Cards
Students work in pairs. Each pair chooses 2 cards. They must:
Discuss the "Think About It" questions.
Plan a 30-second "Repair Scene" role-play.
Perform for another pair or the whole class (time permitting).
4. Debrief & Reflect (10 min)
Wrap-Up
Ask: "Which strategy felt the most natural? Which was the hardest?" Remind students that they can use these tools tomorrow at recess.
Quick Reference: Repair Strategies
The "Cool Down": Taking 5 deep breaths before speaking.
The "I-Statement": "I feel... when... because..."
The "Rewind": "Can we start over? I didn't mean to sound mean."
The "Rock-Paper-Scissors": For quick activity ties.
The "Two-Sided Story": "Tell me your side, then I'll tell mine."
Repair Plan Worksheet Repair Plan
Friendship Fixers • Student Worksheet
Name:
Date:
The Scenario
Which Case File did you work on?
Describe the problem in your own words:
The Feelings
How did the people in this scenario feel? Name at least two feelings.
The Tool
Which "Repair Tool" did you use in your role-play?
I-Statement
The "Rewind" (Start Over)
Compromise / Win-Win
Cool Down (Take 5)
The Repair Script
Write down the main thing you said in your role-play to fix the problem:
Final Thought
"Why is it important to fix a friendship even when it's hard or we feel a little bit mad?"
