Friendship Sparks Slides Social Skills Explorer • Grade 2
Say Hello,
Make a Friend!
Learn 3 simple steps to start fun conversations and welcome new classmates.
Step 1
Friendly Body Language
Step 2
Magic Starter Words
Step 3
Kind Active Listening
STEP 1
Show Friendly Clues First!
Before You Even Speak
Warm Smile
A soft, genuine smile tells someone:
Gentle Eye Contact
Turn your body toward them and look at their face with kind, friendly eyes.
Small Wave
Give a gentle hand wave or head nod from an arm’s length away.
Explorer Tip: Remember the "Bubble Rule"! Stand about one arm's length away so your new friend feels comfortable.
STEP 2
Pick a Magic Starter Sentence
Choose 1 of These 3
1. Introduce Yourself
Say Hi + Name
Best when you don't know each other yet!
Say this:
"Hi! My name is Maya. What is your name?"
2. Give a Compliment
Notice Something Cool
Everyone loves hearing something kind!
Say this:
"I love your dinosaur drawing! It looks so neat."
3. Ask an Activity Question
Join the Fun
Great at recess or station time!
Say this:
"Can I build blocks with you?" or "Want to play four square?"
Turn to your elbow buddy right now: Practice saying your favorite starter sentence!
STEP 3
Listen Like a Super Friend!
Keep the Conversation Going
Do This:
1
Look & Nod
Keep eyes on them so they know you care.
2
Wait Your Turn
Let them finish their sentence without interrupting.
3
Say a "Connecting" Word
Say "Me too!" or "That sounds fun!"
The Catch Ball Secret
A conversation is like tossing a soft ball back and forth!
→ You toss: "What games do you like?"
← They catch & toss: "I like soccer! Do you?"
→ You catch: "Yes, I play soccer on Saturdays!"
When we listen kindly, other kids feel valued and want to be our friend!
TRY IT OUT!
What Would You Say?
Choose Your Starter
Scenario 1
At the Swings
A classmate is swinging by themselves and looking around.
Super Starter:
"Hi! Is this swing open? How high can you go?"
Scenario 2
Lunch Cafeteria
Someone sits next to you with a cool superhero lunchbox.
Super Starter:
"Cool lunchbox! Is that Spider-Man? Who's your favorite hero?"
Scenario 3
Art Station
A new student is sitting alone cutting paper shapes.
Super Starter:
"Hi! I'm Jordan. Can I sit here and draw with you?"
Partner Challenge: Pick one scenario and act it out with your partner!
Our Class Friendship Pledge
Repeat Together with Pride!
"I have a smile to share each day,
I have kind words I can say.
I listen close and take my turn,
So many new friends I will learn!"
Ready for our Conversation Practice Activity!
Conversation Starters Practice Activity Grade 2 Social Skills • Practice Sheet
Conversation Starters Practice
Name:
Date:
Step 1: Smile & Look
•
Step 2: Say a Friendly Starter
•
Step 3: Listen & Connect
1
Part 1: Match the Friendly Starter
Draw a line from each playground situation on the left to the best starter sentence on the right.
A. A classmate has a cool sticker sheet.
"Hi! I'm Leo. Can I build with you?"
B. A new student is building with Lego blocks.
"Do you want to run races with us?"
C. You need one more player for tag.
"Those animal stickers look awesome!"
2
Part 2: Complete the Speech Bubbles
Write what you would say in the speech bubbles below. Use neat handwriting!
Situation 1: Introduce yourself to someone new sitting at your lunch table. Self-Introduction
Say: "Hi! My name is ____________________. What is ______________________________?"
Situation 2: A classmate drew a picture of an alien rocket ship. Compliment
Say a kind compliment and ask one question:
Turn over for Partner Role-Play & Friend Quest → Page 1 of 2
Partner Action • Real Practice
Partner Role-Play & Friend Badge
Partner's Name: _________________
3
Part 3: Take Turns Role-Playing!
Practice with your partner. One person starts the conversation, then switch!
Role-Play Prompt A: Library Time
Your partner is looking at a book about wild animals. Walk up, smile, and ask what animal they are reading about.
Try: "That looks like an exciting book! What animal is on the cover?"
Role-Play Prompt B: Playground Game
Your partner is bouncing a kickball on the blacktop. Approach politely and ask if you can play catch together.
Try: "Hi! You have great kicks! Want to kick the ball back and forth?"
4
Part 4: Friendship Skill Checklist
Check the boxes for the friendly superpowers you used during your partner talk:
I smiled and stood about one arm's length away.
I looked at my partner with kind, friendly eyes.
I used a clear, gentle voice to say hello or ask a question.
I listened carefully without interrupting until my partner was finished.
Friendship Quest Take Home Sheet Grade 2 Social-Emotional Learning • Family Connection
Friendship Quest: Home Edition
Student:
Grown-Up:
Dear Families and Caregivers,
Today at school, our second graders learned the three building blocks of making friends and starting friendly conversations: 1) Friendly clues (smiling and making kind eye contact), 2) Magic starters (saying hi, giving a compliment, or asking to play), and 3) Active listening (waiting for their turn and showing they care). Please use this fun sheet to practice these superpowers together this week!
The 4-Day Friendship Quest
Color in the star when completed!
DAY 1 The Smile & Wave
Smile and wave warmly to a neighbor, bus driver, or family member.
DAY 2 Kind Compliment
Notice something nice a family member or friend does and tell them!
DAY 3 Curious Question
Ask someone: "What made you laugh or smile today?"
DAY 4 Super Listener
Listen to a story without interrupting and say "Me too!" or "Tell me more!"
Dinner Table or Bedtime Talk Sparks (Try Discussing Together):
For the Grown-Up: "How did you make your best friend when you were little?"For the Second Grader: "What is your favorite question to ask when you meet someone new?"
Student Reflection: My Friendly Words
Write or draw one friendly question or compliment you used this week:
"One friendly thing I said to someone was: __________________________________________________"
Student Signature:
Grown-Up Signature:
Return to teacher by Friday!
Friendship Starters Lesson Plan Teacher Facilitation Guide • Social-Emotional Learning
Friendship Starters Mini-Lesson Plan
Grade Level: 2nd Grade Total Time: 30 Minutes
CASEL Core Competency: Relationship Skills (Making friends, positive communication) & Social Awareness
Materials Needed: Friendship Sparks Slides, Practice Activity sheets (2-sided), Take-Home sheets, pencils
Key Vocabulary: Conversation starter, compliment, eye contact, body language, active listening
Learning Objectives (Students Will Be Able To):
Demonstrate 3 friendly body language cues: gentle smile, warm eye contact, and personal space.
Choose and verbalize at least one conversation starter (introduction, compliment, or play invitation).
Practice active listening during partner dialogue by nodding and responding with a connected comment.
Phase 1: Hook & The Smile Experiment (5 Minutes)
00:00 - 05:00
Hook Prompt: Ask students to look at you while you cross your arms, frown, and look down. Ask: "Do I look ready to play?" (Choral response: "No!"). Next, switch to a warm smile, open posture, and a small wave. Ask: "How about now? What changed?"
Teacher Script: "Before we say a single word, our faces and bodies send friendly signals. Today, we are learning the three secrets to starting a conversation and making new friends anytime!"
Phase 2: Interactive Instruction with Slides (10 Minutes)
05:00 - 15:00
• Slide 2 (Friendly Clues): Model the "Bubble Rule" (standing one arm's length away so peers feel safe). Have the class mirror a friendly wave and warm smile.
• Slide 3 (The Magic 3 Starters): Teach the three starter pathways: 1) Self-introduction ("Hi, I'm..."), 2) Kind Compliment ("Cool sneakers!"), 3) Activity invitation ("Can I build with you?"). Have students whisper their favorite to their hand.
• Slide 4 (Active Listening & Catch Ball): Explain that conversations are like playing catch with a ball. If you drop the ball or hold it forever, the game stops. Good listeners toss the idea back with words like "Me too!" or "That's so cool!"
Turn over for Practice Protocol, Differentiation & Assessment → Page 1 of 2
Application, Support & Evaluation
Guided Practice & Teacher Toolkit
Phases 3 & 4
Phase 3: Partner Practice Activity & Role-Play (10 Minutes)
15:00 - 25:00
Distribute the 2-page Conversation Starters Practice Activity .
Matching & Speech Bubbles (Page 1): Complete Part 1 together as a quick whole-group check, then give students 3 minutes to write their starter sentences in the speech bubbles.
