Friendship Fixers Lesson Plan SEL Core Curriculum Grades 2–4 • 45–50 Mins
Friendship Fixers Lesson Plan
Empowering Students with Social Problem-Solving & Cooperative Communication
CASEL Competencies
Relationship Skills
Responsible Decision-Making
Essential Question
How can we solve peer disagreements while keeping friendships strong?
Key Vocabulary
Conflict, Perspective, Empathy, Compromise, "I" Statement
Materials Included
Slides Deck, Practice Challenge, Exit Tickets, Chart Paper
Measurable Learning Targets (SWBAT)
Identify the difference between small "glitch" problems and big problems requiring adult support.
Apply the 4-step "STOP, THINK, CHOOSE, ACT" framework to de-escalate peer conflicts.
Communicate using respectful "I" statements and active listening (eyes, heart, calm body).
Evaluate at least two possible solutions to select a fair win-win outcome.
The 4-Step Friendship Fixer Framework
1. STOP Pause body, take 2 deep belly breaths, calm feelings.
2. THINK Name the problem & consider the other person's view.
3. CHOOSE Brainstorm 2–3 options & check: Is it kind, fair, and safe?
4. ACT Try the solution using an "I" statement. Review outcome.
Instructional Pacing: Phases 1 & 2
Phase 1: Hook & The "Tangled Game" Problem (8 Mins) Slides 1–2
Hook Prompt: "Imagine two friends both grab the last soccer ball at recess at the exact same second. What happens if they both pull as hard as they can? What happens if one shouts?" Allow 2–3 responses. Introduce the concept of a Glitch (small bump friends can fix together) vs. a Storm (unsafe, needs adult help).
Phase 2: Direct Instruction & Tool Demonstration (12 Mins) Slides 3–4
Walk through the 4-Step Model on the slides. Model the "I-Statement Formula":
"I feel [emotion] when [action] happens because [reason]. Next time, could we [request]?"
Demonstrate Non-Examples vs. Examples: "You're hogging the blocks!" vs. "I feel left out when all the red blocks are taken. Can we split them in half?"
Friendship Fixers Curriculum Guide Page 1 of 2
Facilitation, Guided Practice & Support
Guided practice protocols, intervention ladders, and exit evaluation
Implementation Guide
Instructional Pacing: Phases 3 & 4
Phase 3: Guided Partner Practice — The Challenge Cards (18 Mins) Activity Sheet
Group students into pairs. Distribute the Scenario Challenge handout.
Step 1 (Read & Identify): Partners read Scenario 1 together and identify both perspectives.
Step 2 (Role-Play): Partner A practices an "I" statement; Partner B practices active listening (nodding, summarizing: "What I heard you say is...").
Step 3 (Select Win-Win): Partners analyze three potential solutions and circle the fair, cooperative option.
Teacher Role: Circulate with a clipboard, coaching pairs who default to blame statements.
Phase 4: Synthesis & Exit Reflection (7 Mins) Exit Ticket
Gather whole class. Invite 1 pair to share a win-win solution they generated. Hand out the Exit Ticket for individual reflection.
Differentiation & Scaffolding Strategies
Emerging / ELL Support
Provide visual emotion cards. Use cloze sentence starters: "I feel ____ when you ____. Please ____." Partner with strong peer models.
Sensory & Emotional Reg.
Allow tactile fidgets during partner talk. Teach the "5-Finger Breathing" technique during the STOP step to physicalize grounding.
Extension / Fast Finishers
Have students draft their own original playground scenario and write a 3-panel comic illustrating the problem, choice, and resolution.
Facilitator Coaching Notes & Common Misconceptions
Trap: "Fake Apologies" — Students often believe saying "sorry" instantly erases the issue without changing behavior. Emphasize that repair requires listening, agreeing on what to do next, and follow-through.
Trap: Disguised Accusations — Watch for statements like "I feel like you are being annoying." Coach students that feelings must be true emotion words (sad, overwhelmed, left out, frustrated).
Classroom Routine Anchor: Post the 4-step framework in the classroom peace corner or morning meeting area for real-time conflict debriefing throughout the school year.
Friendship Fixers Curriculum Guide Page 2 of 2
Friendship Fixers Presentation Slides SEL Skills in Action
Grades 2–4
Friendship Fixers
How to solve peer problems, listen with care, and keep friendships strong!
Stop, Think, Choose, Act
"I" Statements
Win-Win Solutions
Step Zero: Check the Size
Is it a Glitch or a Storm?
A Glitch
Small Problem
Disagreeing over game rules
Wanting the same marker
Accidental bumping in line
We can solve this together!
A Storm
Big Problem
Anyone is hurt or unsafe
Mean words that don't stop
Property is being damaged
Get an adult right away!
Friendship Fixers tackle Glitches before they become Storms.
The Secret Code
The 4-Step Friendship Formula
1
STOP
Freeze your body. Take 2 slow belly breaths to cool down.
Cool the engine!
2
THINK
What is the problem? How does my friend feel right now?
See both sides!
3
CHOOSE
Think of 2 ideas. Pick the one that is kind, safe, and fair.
Win-Win pick!
4
ACT
Use an "I" statement. Try the plan and check how it went!
Test and smile!
Remember: Calm Minds Make Great Choices
Superpower Tool #1
The Respectful "I" Statement
The Fixer Sentence Formula
I feel... + When... + Could we please...?
Blame Talk (Starts Fights)
"You are hogging the basketball! You never pass!"
Fixer Talk (Solves Problems)
"I feel left out when I don't get a pass. Could we take turns shooting?"
Speak your feelings without attacking your friend.
Superpower Tool #2
Listening Like a True Friend
Eyes
Look at the speaker with calm, kind eyes so they know you care.
Mouth
Stay quiet while they talk. Do not interrupt or argue back.
Heart
Ask yourself: "How would I feel if this happened to me?"
Fixer Echo: "What I hear you saying is that you felt..."
Class Challenge
The Recess Swing Riddle
Friendship Fixers Scenario Challenge Partner Guided Practice
Friendship Fixers Scenario Challenge
Name:
Partner:
Date:
Fixer Steps:
1 Stop & Breathe → 2 Think & Empathize → 3 Choose Win-Win → 4 Act Kindly
Mission 1 Focus: Sharing & Respectful Communication
The Art Table Tangle
Alex and Jordan are making posters for Earth Day. There is only one roll of sparkly green tape. Alex grabs it and starts taping the border of their entire paper. Jordan reaches for it, and Alex pulls it away, saying, "Hey! I'm using it first, go find something else!" Jordan feels their face get hot and clenches their fists.
Step 1: Empathy Detective (What is each person feeling?)
How does Jordan feel? Why?
What was Alex thinking or worried about?
Step 2: Fixer Words (Write a respectful "I" statement for Jordan instead of yelling)
"I feel:
when you:
Could we:
Step 3: Evaluate Solutions (Check the best Win-Win choice)
Choice A: Jordan snatches the tape when Alex sets it down to grab scissors.
Choice B: They cut 4 strips for Alex, then pass the roll to Jordan while Alex sticks them on.
Choice C: Jordan gives up, throws their poster on the floor, and refuses to do art.
Friendship Fixers • Guided Practice Page 1 of 2
Mission 2 Focus: Active Listening & Compromise
The Recess Kickball Out-or-Safe Dispute
During a 4th-inning kickball game, Sam kicks the ball into left field and dashes toward second base. Taylor fields the ball and tags Sam right on the shoulder just as Sam's foot touches the base. Sam yells, "I'm safe! My foot was there first!" Taylor shouts, "No way! Tagged you before your heel touched! You're OUT!" Both teams rush in and begin arguing loudly.
1. Size of the Problem:
Glitch (small, we can solve it) Storm (big, call a teacher right away)
2. Active Listening Check:
If Taylor used active listening, what would they say back to Sam?
Step 3 & 4: Win-Win Architects (Brainstorm two fair ways to resolve this without a fight)
Idea 1 (e.g. Redo / Coin toss / Rock-Paper-Scissors):
Idea 2 (e.g. Runner stays on 1st base as compromise):
Partner Role-Play Check-In
Practice role-playing one idea above with your partner. Check off what you did:
Used a calm speaking tone
Looked each other in the eye
Agreed on the plan together
Our Friendship Fixer Team Promise
Friendship Fixers Exit Ticket Exit Ticket
Friendship Fixers Check-In
Name:
Date:
1. Number the 4 Friendship Fixer steps in the correct order (1, 2, 3, 4):
CHOOSE
STOP
ACT
THINK
2. Turn this Blame Talk into a respectful "I" statement:
Blame Talk: "You always cut in line! You're so unfair!"
"I feel when you
Could we please ?"
3. Win-Win Challenge: Your friend wants to play Four-Square, but you want to play Tag. What is a fair compromise?
Today I was a good listener and friend:
⭐ Learning ⭐⭐ Good ⭐⭐⭐ Expert
✂ Cut Here (2 Tickets per Page) ✂
Exit Ticket
Friendship Fixers Check-In
Name:
Date:
1. Number the 4 Friendship Fixer steps in the correct order (1, 2, 3, 4):
CHOOSE
STOP
ACT
THINK
2. Turn this Blame Talk into a respectful "I" statement:
Blame Talk: "You always cut in line! You're so unfair!"
"I feel when you
Could we please ?"
3. Win-Win Challenge: Your friend wants to play Four-Square, but you want to play Tag. What is a fair compromise?
Today I was a good listener and friend:
⭐ Learning ⭐⭐ Good ⭐⭐⭐ Expert