Friendship Flow Blueprint Lesson Plan Friendship Flow Blueprint
Lesson Facilitation Guide
6th Grade 60 Minute Session
Objectives
Identify healthy vs. unhealthy friendship qualities.
Practice conflict resolution strategies using "I" statements.
Develop empathy and respect for personal boundaries.
Materials Needed
Whiteboard or Projector
Friendship Navigators Guide (Slides)
Friendship Maze Challenge (Worksheets)
What Would You Do Debates (Scenarios)
My Ideal Friend Map (Art Supplies)
Why This Matters
Developing strong social skills and emotional support networks is crucial for student well-being, happiness, and success in various aspects of life. In 6th grade, social dynamics shift rapidly; providing a framework for healthy relationships helps students navigate these transitions with confidence and empathy.
Preparation (15 mins)
01
Review all materials including the slide deck, game scenarios, and debate dilemmas to ensure familiarity.
02
Set up the projector with the Friendship Navigators Guide slide deck.
03
Print copies of the Friendship Maze Challenge for small groups (1 per 3-4 students).
04
Gather art supplies (paper, markers, colored pencils) for the final project.
Lesson Navigation
5 min
Warm-Up: Friendship Brainstorm
Hook: Ask students: "What does friendship mean to you?"
Action: Write responses on the board. Look for keywords like trust, fun, sharing, and kindness.
Transition: Introduce the "Friendship Funnel" concept as the journey of building strong, healthy bonds.
10 min
Introduction to Friendship Funnels
Presentation: Use the Friendship Navigators Guide slides.
Key Concepts: Contrast healthy (trust, support) vs. unhealthy (manipulation, jealousy) traits.
Discussion: Emphasize communication styles and the power of "I" statements. Conduct a quick Q&A to verify understanding.
20 min
Activity: Friendship Maze Challenge
Group Work: Divide students into groups of 3-4. Distribute the Friendship Maze Challenge.
Game Play: Groups read scenarios and choose the best path. They must write down their reasoning before moving to the next.
Debrief: Share choices for each scenario. Focus on the why —why does Option B preserve the friendship better than Option A?
15 min
Discussion: What Would You Do Debates
Critical Thinking: Present dilemmas from the What Would You Do Debates worksheet.
Dialogue: Have students discuss in pairs first, then open to the class. Encourage students to consider multiple perspectives (e.g., the "excluded" person vs. the "worried bystander").
10 min
Wrap-Up: My Ideal Friend Map
Creative Project: Introduce the My Ideal Friend Map. Explain that they are mapping both what they want and what they give.
Closing: Students begin brainstorming or sketching. Remind them that friendships are an active choice and require effort to maintain.
Navigating Friendship Funnels • Grade 6 • SEL Lesson Blueprint
Friendship Navigators Guide Slide Deck Navigating Friendship Funnels
Building Stronger Connections & Healthy Bonds
6th Grade Navigation Guide
Teacher Note: Ask students what they think "Friendship Funnels" means.
What Are Friendship Funnels?
Friendships change and grow over time.
We learn to make them stronger or identify when they aren't right.
It's all about good choices to keep us happy!
Broad Connections
Inner Circle
Teacher Note: Healthy choices keep the funnel wide, allowing for growth.
Strong Friendship Qualities
Trust Believing in each other.
Respect Valuing differences.
Honesty Truth (kindly told).
Support Being there for the tough times.
Comms Talking and listening well.
Remember: Healthy friendships are a two-way street! ↔️
Challenging Qualities ⚠️
Jealousy
Wanting what others have.
Manipulation
Trying to control others.
Negativity
Only focusing on the bad.
Warning!
"These qualities can narrow the friendship funnel and cause unhappiness for everyone involved."
Communication is Key! 💬
How to Speak Up
How to Hear
Empathy & Respect
Empathy
"Walking in someone else's shoes."
Boundaries
"Honoring personal space and feelings."
Kindness
"Choose kindness, even when it's hard."
Nurture Your Friendship Funnel!
Ready for the Challenge?
Now that we know the qualities of strong friendships, let's put our skills to the test in the...
Friendship Maze Challenge
Teacher Note: Introduce the activity and explain students will apply what they've learned.
Friendship Maze Challenge Game Sheet Friendship Maze Challenge
Student Mission Log | Group Members: ________________________________________________
Mission Briefing
Welcome, Friendship Navigators! Your group will face four critical friendship dilemmas. For each scenario, discuss the options and choose the path that maintains a healthy friendship funnel. Be prepared to defend your logic!
Read Aloud
Discuss Paths
Explain "Why"
Reach Consensus
1
The Secret Keeper
"Your friend, Alex, tells you a personal secret and makes you promise not to tell anyone. Later, another good friend, Sam, starts asking you lots of questions, trying to guess what Alex's secret might be. Sam even says, 'If you're really my friend, you'll tell me.'"
A. Tell Sam a part of the secret, but not everything, to make them happy.
B. Tell Sam it's not your secret to tell and you respect Alex's privacy.
C. Tell Sam to ask Alex directly.
D. Make up a fake secret to tell Sam so they stop asking.
Choice & Reasoning
2
The New Friend
"You and your best friend, Jamie, always sit together at lunch. Today, a new student, Chris, joins your class. Chris seems a little shy and sits alone. Jamie wants to keep your usual lunch routine, but you feel bad for Chris."
A. Ignore Chris and stick with Jamie; it's your established routine.
B. Ask Jamie if Chris can join your table today, explaining that they are new.
C. Tell Jamie you're going to sit with Chris, leaving Jamie alone.
D. Wave at Chris from your table but don't invite them over.
Choice & Reasoning
3
The Broken Promise
"Your friend, Lee, promised to help you with a big school project last weekend, but they forgot and went to a party instead. Now the project deadline is tomorrow, and you're really stressed because you're not finished."
A. Yell at Lee and tell them they are a terrible friend.
B. Quietly finish the project yourself and avoid Lee.
C. Calmly talk to Lee using "I" statements and ask for help now.
D. Tell your teacher that Lee didn't help you, hoping Lee gets in trouble.
Choice & Reasoning
4
The Different Interests
"You and Maya used to do everything together. Now you love playing basketball, while Maya is still very focused on drawing and art. You feel like you're growing apart."
A. Stop talking to Maya because you don't have much in common anymore.
B. Only hang out with basketball friends and exclude Maya.
What Would You Do Debates Worksheet What Would You Do Debates
Critical Thinking & Conflict Resolution
Navigating Friendship Funnels • Unit 1
Protocol
Dilemma Discussions:
Friendship isn't always black and white. In these "Grey Area" debates, there is often no single "correct" answer. Work with your partner to analyze the pros and cons of different responses, focusing on healthy communication , empathy , and respect .
1
The Misunderstanding Mural
"You walk past a group of your friends giggling and whispering. As you get closer, you hear your name mentioned. You immediately feel a pit in your stomach, thinking they are talking badly about you. You're upset and hurt."
What would you do? How would you approach this situation to clarify or resolve it?
2
The Pushy Pal
"Your friend, Taylor, constantly wants to do everything *their* way. If you suggest an activity, they always shut it down or insist on doing something different. You're starting to feel like your voice doesn't matter."
What would you do to address this imbalance and make sure you are heard?
3
The Online Ouch
"You see a post on social media from a classmate making fun of another student. Your friend comments on the post, laughing along. You know the student being targeted and feel uncomfortable."
What would you do in this online situation? How would you handle your friend's involvement?
4
The Shifting Squad
"Your close friend group has started excluding one member. They whisper secrets and make plans without them, even when you're all together. You don't like it, but you're worried about speaking up."
How can you support the excluded friend or address the situation with the others?
"Great discussions lead to better connections. Choose your words with care."
My Ideal Friend Map Project Guide My Ideal Friend Map
Mapping the Treasure of Connection
Project Goal
To create a visual and written representation of your ideal friendship qualities, what you contribute as a friend, and how you navigate the 'funnels' of connection.
Quick Start Instructions
Center Yourself on the map.
Branch Out with "Islands" of traits.
Visualize with drawings & symbols.
Reflect on conflict strategies.
Map Landmarks to Include
A
Friendship Qualities I Value
What traits matter most to you? (e.g., Trustworthy, funny, listener)
B
Qualities I Bring to the Table
What kind of friend are YOU? (e.g., Loyal, problem-solver, kind)
C
Conflict Navigation Island
Strategies for when waters get choppy (e.g., I-statements, compromise)
D
Friendship Goals
What do you hope for in your future relationships?
Initial Brainstorm & Sketch Area
Success Criteria
Completeness
Thoughtfulness
Creativity
Understanding
