Friendship Lab Teacher Guide Social Skills Unit Plan
Friendship Lab Teacher Guide
A 3-Day Framework for High School Social-Emotional Learning
3-Day Unit
Target Audience High School (SPED / SEL)
Focus Skills Conversation, Cues, Support
Resources Needed Videos, Worksheets, Cards
Day-by-Day Lesson Flow
1
Day 1: Code Crackers (Starting Conversations)
45 Mins
Focus on the initial contact: approaching peers, selecting appropriate conversational starters, and recognizing basic spatial and body-language boundary cues.
Vocabulary: Boundary, Icebreaker, Peer
Activity: Video Segment 1 + Card Role-Play 1-4
2
Day 2: Common Ground (Finding Interests)
45 Mins
Focus on uncovering shared connections. Students learn to pivot from generic small talk to specific hobbies using open-ended questioning and active verbal nodding.
Vocabulary: Common Interest, Open-Ended
Activity: Video Segment 2 + Card Role-Play 5-8
Direct Instruction Scripts
Teacher Script: Introducing Conversations
"Starting a conversation can feel scary, like taking a step onto a moving walkway. We need to look first, make sure the other person is ready to talk, and then use a friendly 'icebreaker'. Today, we are going to look for clues that say 'I am open to talking right now'."
Teacher Script: Explaining Common Ground
"Imagine we are detectives searching for puzzle pieces that fit together. When we talk to a classmate, we are looking for a 'Me Too!' moment—a shared interest. We find these by asking 'What' or 'How' questions instead of questions that can be answered with just 'Yes' or 'No'."
Friendship Lab Unit Plan Page 1 of 2
Social Skills Unit Plan
Friendship Lab Teacher Guide
A 3-Day Framework for High School Social-Emotional Learning
Facilitation
Day 3 Lesson Outline
3
Day 3: Heart and Body (Nonverbal Cues & Empathy)
45 Mins
Focus on nonverbal interpretation and active listening. Students learn how to read micro-expressions, posture changes, and how to respond with empathy and respectful physical boundaries.
Vocabulary: Nonverbal, Eye Contact, Empathy
Activity: Video Segment 3 + Card Role-Play 9-12
Video Viewing Prep
Pause Points: Pause the video when key interaction cues are shown. Ask: "What is their face telling us?" Before Viewing: Set focus by pointing out the target behavior checklist.After Viewing: Have students compare the "awkward" vs. "successful" interaction models.
Role-Play Protocol
Pair Work: Group students with complementary social strengths.Script Support: Encourage reading direct lines from the Social Sparks cards first, then trying variations.Coach Feedback: Have non-acting students use the peer checklist to rate eye contact.
SPED Accommodations & Support Strategies
Visual Support
Utilize the visual icon schedules on student worksheets. Use cards with color-coded boundaries (Green = Go, Yellow = Slow down, Red = Stop/Space).
Communication Aids
Provide sentence starters for student reflections. Allow non-verbal students to point to icons representing body cues on cards or dynamic boards.
Pacing & Breaks
Break role-plays into 2-minute bursts. Provide a "social break" option where students can observe before taking a turn acting.
Formative Observation Notes
Keep track of student benchmarks during video feedback and task-card roleplaying:
Verbalizes open-ended question autonomously
Identifies correct physical space distance
Explains nonverbal cue (e.g. arms crossed)
Practices supportive verbal nods
Friendship Lab Unit Plan Page 2 of 2
Video Explorer Worksheet Student Name
Date
Class Period
Video Lab Tool
Video Explorer Worksheet
Step-by-Step Guide
1 Before We Watch: Warm-Up
How do you feel when you approach someone new to start a conversation?
😃 Excited
😐 Neutral
😰 Nervous
🫣 Shy
What is one favorite topic you love talking about? (e.g. video games, sports, music)
2 During the Video: Cue Detective Tracker
Watch the video carefully and check off the social behaviors you observe in the scenes:
Social Cue Positive Interaction (Green Flag) Needs Practice Eye Contact
|
Looking at the person's face/eyes
|
Looking away
|
|
Body Posture
|
Facing the speaker, standing 2-3 feet away
|
Standing too close
|
|
Voice Tone
|
Friendly, normal volume, calm rhythm
|
Whispering / Yelling
|
|
Conversing
|
Asking open-ended "What" or "How" questions
|
Only talking about self
|
Friendship Lab • Student Resource Page 1 of 2
Video Lab Reflection
Making Friend Connections
Reflect & Apply
3 After We Watch: Scene Analysis
Scene A The Hard Try
What did the character do that made it difficult to make a connection?
Scene B The Good Connection
What did the characters do that helped them connect successfully?
4 My Friendship Lab Strategy
Plan your own peer interactions using open-ended questions and supporting cues:
1. Icebreaker
Write an introductory greeting or friendly starting question:
2. Common Ground
Write an open-ended question about an activity or interest:
3. Supportive Nod
Write a supportive phrase (e.g., "That sounds awesome!"):
Complete the Goal: "One thing I am going to try tomorrow is..."
Friendship Lab • Student Resource Page 2 of 2
Social Sparks Activity Cards Printable Classroom Cards
Social Sparks Activity Cards
Day 1 & 2 • Cut Along Dashed Lines
Card 01 • Day 1
The Lunch Table Approach
Scenario: Leo is sitting by himself at lunch looking at his phone. You want to ask to sit there.
Try This Script:
"Hey, is it okay if I sit here? What are you working on?"
Coach's Tip: Wait for eye contact before you sit down.
Card 02 • Day 1
Hallway Hello
Scenario: You see a classmate from your science class walking past your locker during passing period.
Try This Script:
"Hey! Did you finish that science worksheet? It was tough!"
Coach's Tip: Keep walking or stay to the side so you don't block hallway traffic.
Card 03 • Day 1
The Partner Pick
Scenario: Teacher says "find a partner." Maya is standing nearby looking around nervously.
Try This Script:
"Hey Maya, want to partner up for this activity?"
Coach's Tip: Walk over to her and use a calm, friendly tone of voice.
Card 04 • Day 2
Gaming Connection
Scenario: You notice a peer has a sticker of a popular video game on their water bottle.
Try This Script:
"Whoa, is that a Mario sticker? What's your favorite level to play?"
Coach's Tip: This is an open-ended question. Let them finish speaking before replying.
Card 05 • Day 2
The Music Fan
Scenario: Jordan is listening to headphones and bobbing their head during free time.
Try This Script:
"Hey Jordan, what kind of music are you listening to right now?"
Coach's Tip: If they have headphones completely covered, wave gently first to show you'd like to chat.
Card 06 • Day 2
Weekend Sports
Scenario: A peer is wearing a local team jersey. You also follow that sport.
Try This Script:
"Nice jersey! Did you watch their game this weekend? What did you think?"
Coach's Tip: Keep your body relaxed and stand about an arm's-length away.
Friendship Lab • Role-Play Activities Page 1 of 2
Printable Classroom Cards
Social Sparks Activity Cards
Friendship Finder Journal Student Name
Date
Class Period
My Lab Workbook
Friendship Finder Journal
Student Log
1 Friendship Lab Vocabulary Match
Draw a line matching each social skill word to its correct meaning:
A. Icebreaker
B. Boundary
C. Common Interest
D. Empathy
Understanding and sharing another person's feelings.
A polite question or greeting used to start a conversation.
Personal physical space and limits that we must respect.
A hobby, game, or topic that two people both enjoy.
Day 1 Reflection: How do you know someone is ready to talk? Write or list 2 cues:
Day 2 Reflection: Write 1 open-ended question you can ask to find out a classmate's hobby:
Friendship Lab Journal • Reflection Log Page 1 of 2
Real-World Practice
Active Practice Tracker
My Social Tracker
Day 3 Reflection: A classmate is telling you about a movie they dislike. How do you show you are actively listening?
My 3-Day Social Challenges
Try these real-world social challenges at school and write the name of who you practiced with!
1
The Greeting Challenge
Walk up to 1 peer and use a friendly greeting + icebreaker.
I practiced with:
2
The Common Ground Search
Ask 1 peer an open-ended question and find 1 shared hobby.
I practiced with:
3
The Active Listener
Nod your head and use a supportive phrase during a chat.
I practiced with:
How do you feel about making connections now?
Self-assess your social confidence level:
Need Practice
Getting Better
I've Got This!
Friendship Lab Journal • Reflection Log Page 2 of 2
