Friendship Lab Facilitator Guide
Friendship Lab
Facilitator Guide: The Secret Formula
Duration
15-20m
Objective
Students will identify and practice three key steps to initiate friendships with peers: Say Hello, Find Common Ground, and Invite to Play.
Why it Matters
Learning how to make friends is a fundamental life skill that supports social-emotional development, builds self-esteem, and creates a positive classroom community.
Lab Supplies
- Whiteboard or projector
- Friendship Formula Slides
- Friendship Scenarios Worksheet (Optional)
Prep Work (5 mins)
Review the Friendship Formula Slides and decide if you want to print copies of the Friendship Scenarios Worksheet for extended practice or small group work.
01
Introduction: What is a Friend?
3 Minutes
1. Open with a brainstorming question: "What does it mean to be a friend?" Allow 2-3 students to share quick responses.
2. Introduce the concept: Making friends is like following a "formula" or a recipe. Display Slide 1 of the deck.
02
The Formula Components
7 Minutes
Step 1: Say Hello! (Slide 2)
Discuss greetings. Practice different ways (waves, verbal hellos, smiles). Emphasize that a greeting is the "activation energy" for a friendship!
Step 2: Find Common Ground! (Slide 3)
Explain "Common Ground" as finding things you both like. Ask: "How can you find out what someone likes?" (e.g., asking about hobbies, noticing lunch bags, observing what they play with).
03
Mixing the Ingredients
10 Minutes
Step 3: Invite to Play! (Slide 4)
Practice specific invitations: "Want to build with these blocks?", "Can I watch you play?", "Let's draw together!"
Activity Suggestion:
Have students "Turn and Talk" to a neighbor. They must 1) Say Hello, 2) Find one thing they both like (Common Ground), and 3) "Invite" them to share a favorite memory.
04
Closing & Wrap Up
3 Minutes
Review the three steps. Challenge students to use the formula with one person they don't know well during recess or lunch. Display Slide 5 for final reflection.
Friendship Formula Slides
Friendship Formula
The secret recipe for making new friends!
Step 1: Hello
Step 2: Connect
Step 3: Play
1
Step 1: Say Hello!
Making a new friend starts with a simple greeting!
- 😊 A friendly smile
- 👋 A clear greeting
- 👀 Eye contact (if comfortable)
Try saying:
"Hi! I'm [Name]!"
2
Find Common Ground!
Look for things you both like!
Look for Clues
Ask Questions
Share Your Interests
"What are they playing with?"
"Do you like to draw space ships?"
"I love those stickers on your water bottle!"
3
Invite to Play!
Once you know what you both like, invite them to join you!
"Want to build with these blocks?"
"I like that game too! Can I watch?"
"Let's draw together!"
The Friendship Formula
- 1 Say Hello!
- 2 Find Common Ground!
- 3 Invite to Play or Talk!
Who will you use it with?
Friendship Scenarios Worksheet
Friendship Lab
Subject Formula Practice
Scientist:
Date:
The Friendship Formula
Use these three ingredients to start a new friendship reaction!
1
Say Hello
2
Common Ground
3
Invite to Play
Experiment #1: The Lone Traveler
"You see a new student sitting alone at the lunch table, looking a little shy. You want to go over and say hello."
1 Say Hello!
2 Find Common Ground!
3 Invite to Play/Talk!
Experiment #2: Space Explorers
"You are in the school library and see someone looking at a book about space, which is your favorite topic!"
1 Say Hello!
2 Find Common Ground!
3 Invite to Play/Talk!
Experiment #3: Tower Trouble
"On the playground, a classmate is trying to build a tall tower with blocks, but they look stuck. You want to help!"
1 Say Hello!
2 Find Common Ground!
3 Invite to Play/Talk!