Friendship Signals Slides Friendship Signals
Navigating Healthy and Unhealthy Relationships
The "Bestie" Factor
Think-Pair-Share:
What is the one quality that makes a person a truly "great" friend?
01
Someone you trust?
02
Someone who listens?
03
Someone who makes you laugh?
Green Flags
Positive behaviors that show a relationship is healthy and safe.
Red Flags
Warning signs of toxic or unhealthy behaviors.
Pressures you to do things
Gossips about you to others
Gaslighting or manipulation
You feel "drained" or anxious around them
Yellow Flags
Not quite a deal-breaker, but a reason to pay attention.
"Is this a one-time mistake, or a pattern starting to form?"
Forgets plans occasionally
Only talks about themselves
Sensitive to feedback
The Power of the Radar
Build Better Bonds
Recognizing green flags helps you nurture relationships that make you feel truly valued and safe.
Protect Well-being
Identifying red flags is a survival skill—it warns you to set distance from harmful behaviors.
Communication is Key
Yellow flags are chances to fix a relationship through honest talk before things get worse.
"A strong radar leads to a strong support system."
Signal Shuffle
Green Side
"This is healthy!"
Middle
"Not sure / Caution"
Red Side
"This is unhealthy!"
When you see the scenario... SHUFFLE!
Scenario #1
Text Exchange
"Hey, r u coming to the game?"
"No, I have to help my mom with stuff."
"Wow ok. I guess your family is more important than your friends. 🙄"
Scenario #2
Real Life
"A friend sees you sitting alone at lunch and comes over to sit with you, even though their other friends are at a different table."
Scenario #3
Text Exchange
"I'm so nervous about the solo tomorrow."
"You're gonna crush it! Want to practice on FaceTime tonight? I'll listen."
Scenario #4
Real Life
"You told a friend a secret in confidence. Later, you hear two other people in the hallway talking about it."
Scenario #5
Real Life
"Your friend constantly borrows your favorite hoodie without asking. When you ask for it back, they say 'Stop being so dramatic, it's just a shirt.'"
Scenario #6
Real Life
"You got a lower grade than your friend. They say, 'I'm sorry. Your idea was really cool though! Want to study together for the next one?'"
Class Discussion
"Why is it sometimes hard to admit when a friend is showing Red Flags?"
Fear of being alone?
Hoping they'll just stop?
Group Challenge: Signal Swap
Take a Red Flag and "Swap" it for a Green Flag alternative.
New Mission:
"How would you respond if this happened to you? Write a script to set a boundary."
1
Pick a Red Flag
2
Write the Green Swap
3
Draft a Response Script
Taking Action
Lean In
Nurture these friends. Show them the same respect and care they show you.
Speak Up
Communicate your feelings. See if they are willing to repair the bond.
Set Distance
Prioritize your well-being. It's okay to end a toxic friendship.
Reflection
01
Think of a time you saw a "Green Flag." How did it make you feel about that person?
02
What is ONE "Green Flag" behavior you want to show your friends more often?
03
Who is a trusted adult you can talk to if you see a "Red Flag" that makes you feel unsafe?
RADAR REPORT READY
Let's apply our skills. Analyze the real-world scenarios on your worksheet to finish your assessment.
Friendship Radar Worksheet Friendship Radar
Signal Assessment Report
Name:
Date:
Recognizing signals helps you build healthy friendships . Green flags show a safe foundation, while red and yellow flags help you spot when boundaries are crossed or repair is needed.
1
Scenario Check
Scenario A
Jamie spills a drink on your shoes, apologizes immediately, and helps you clean up.
Green
Yellow
Red
Scenario B
Alex always "one-ups" your cool news with something "better." They never celebrate you.
Green
Yellow
Red
2
Personal Map
Green Flags
3 traits you MUST have in a friend.
1
2
3
Red Flags
3 behaviors you will NOT accept.
1
2
3
Communication Script
How can you address a yellow flag?
"Hey [Friend], when you
it made me feel
Next time, could you please
?"
Friendship Signals Teacher Guide Friendship Radar
Teacher Facilitation Guide
Duration
45 Minutes
Lesson Overview
This lesson introduces students to "relationship flags"—observable behaviors that signal the health and safety of a friendship. Students move from formal definitions to movement-based practice and collaborative problem-solving.
Key Objectives
Identify healthy (Green) and unhealthy (Red) behaviors.
Perform a "Signal Swap" to transform Red Flags into Green Flags.
Draft boundary-setting scripts for Red/Yellow flag situations.
Materials Needed
Friendship Signals Slides
Friendship Radar Worksheet
Signal Swap Handout (1 per group)
Signal Shuffle Cards (Printed or on Screen)
Safety Protocol
Discussions about "red flags" can be sensitive. If a student discloses personal harm, follow school mandatory reporting protocols.
"Remind students to use 'general' examples rather than naming peers in class."
Pacing Guide
10
Minutes
Foundations (Slides 1-6)
Hook: "The Bestie Factor." Define Green, Red, and Yellow flags. Highlight Slide 6 to explain how identification prevents harm and builds trust.
10
Minutes
Signal Shuffle (Slides 7-14)
Interactive movement activity. Use the Class Discussion on Slide 14 to address why Red Flags are often ignored (fear, wanting to be nice).
15
Minutes
Signal Swap Challenge (Slide 15)
Groups select one Red Flag scenario and brainstorm: 1) A Green Flag alternative, 2) A response strategy, and 3) A boundary-setting script.
10
Minutes
Radar Report & Close (Slides 16-18)
Individual worksheet completion. Students map their own non-negotiables. End with personal reflection on Slide 17.
Radar Report Answer Key
Scenario A (Jamie)
Flag: Green Flag. Mistakes are part of life; the willingness to repair and take ownership is what keeps a friendship healthy.
Scenario B (Alex)
Flag: Yellow/Red Flag. Constant competition and "one-upping" show a lack of empathy and can lead to an unbalanced, toxic dynamic.
Signal Shuffle Activity Signal Shuffle
Movement Icebreaker Activity
How to Play
Designate one side of the room as the Green Zone and the other as the Red Zone.
Read a scenario card aloud.
Students must "shuffle" (walk quickly) to the side they think the behavior represents.
For "Yellow Flags," students should stand in the middle.
Briefly ask 1-2 students why they chose their spot before moving to the next card.
Text Exchange
"Hey, r u coming to the game?"
"No, I have to help my mom with stuff."
"Wow ok. I guess your family is more important than your friends. 🙄"
Answer Key: RED FLAG (Guilt Tripping)
Real Life
"A friend sees you sitting alone at lunch and comes over to sit with you, even though their other friends are at a different table."
Answer Key: GREEN FLAG (Inclusion)
Text Exchange
"I'm so nervous about the solo tomorrow."
"You're gonna crush it! Want to practice on FaceTime tonight? I'll listen."
Answer Key: GREEN FLAG (Support)
Real Life
"You told a friend a secret in confidence. Later, you hear two other people in the hallway talking about it."
Answer Key: RED FLAG (Betrayal of Trust)
Real Life
"Your friend constantly borrows your favorite hoodie without asking. When you ask for it back, they say 'Stop being so dramatic, it's just a shirt.'"
Answer Key: YELLOW FLAG (Boundary Issues)
Real Life
"You got a lower grade than your friend. They say, 'I'm sorry. Your idea was really cool though! Want to study together for the next one?'"
Answer Key: GREEN FLAG (Empathy)
Signal Swap Handout v2 Signal Swap
Part 1: The Red Flag Menu
Group #:
Choose a Scenario
Select one scenario below. On Page 2, your group will brainstorm how to transform it into a healthy Green Flag.
Scenario 1
"A friend reads your text messages when you leave the room, then asks you about conversations they weren't supposed to see."
Scenario 2
"A friend gets upset with you and gives you the 'silent treatment' for three days instead of explaining what is wrong."
Scenario 3
"A friend makes a loud joke about your biggest insecurity in front of a group of people just to get a laugh."
Scenario 4
"A friend says: 'If you were actually my best friend, you'd bail on your family plans tonight to come to this party with me.'"
Scenario 5
"You find out a friend has been telling other people personal family secrets you told them in confidence."
Scenario 6
"You tell a friend you aren't ready to talk, but they keep pressuring you until you feel forced to share."
Turn over for the Challenge Worksheet
Part 2: The Swap
Identify your scenario number and build a healthier outcome through action and script writing.
Our Scenario #:
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
The Green Flag Swap
How should a healthy friend handle this situation instead? Describe the behavior.
2
The Target's Response
If this happened to you, how would you respond? (e.g., set a boundary, tell an adult).
The Boundary Script
Write a script for the target to use when addressing the behavior firmly.
"I don't like it when you
because it makes me feel
If this happens again, I will have to