Friendship Bridge Mentor Packet
Peer Mentorship Program • 6-Week Action Packet Weekly 20-Minute Sessions
The Friendship Bridge
A 5th Grade Mentor & 4th Grade Mentee Guide to Finding Friends, Joining In, and Having Fun
4th Grade Mentee:
5th Grade Mentor:
Meeting Day & Time:
Meeting Location:
Mentor Briefing: 3 Golden Rules for 5th Graders
1. Listen First
Give your mentee your full attention. Ask questions and cheer on their courage.
2. Keep It Safe
What you talk about stays between you two, unless someone is being hurt or unsafe.
3. Practice Together
Do the fun roleplays! Acting it out makes real playground conversations easy.
The 20-Minute Weekly Routine Follow this 3-step timer every week!
First 3 Minutes
High / Low Check-In
Share 1 good thing & 1 tough thing from the week.
Middle 12 Minutes
Weekly Skill Mission
Complete that week’s worksheet activity together.
Final 5 Minutes
Recess Goal & High Five
Set one mini-mission to try at recess before next week.
6-Week Progress Tracker
Check off each week when completed!
1
Common Ground
[ ] Done
2
Friend Recipe
[ ] Done
3
Say Hey!
[ ] Done
4
Recess Recon
[ ] Done
5
Bounce Back
[ ] Done
6
Celebration
[ ] Done
WEEK 1
The Common Ground Radar
Mission Time: 20 Mins
Mentor: Read this aloud to your mentee!
"Hey! Did you know friendships usually start with something small in common? Today, we’re turning on our ‘Interest Radar’ to find what you love—and see which 4th graders might love the same things!"
Part 1: Same or Different? (3 Minutes)
Circle SAME if you both like it!
Mentor and mentee: take turns answering quickly. Circle what you have in common!
1. Video Games (Roblox/Minecraft) Same? [ ]
2. Drawing, Doodling, or Crafts Same? [ ]
3. Playing Tag or Running Games Same? [ ]
4. Animals, Pets, or Dinosaurs Same? [ ]
5. Reading Graphic Novels/Comics Same? [ ]
6. Building LEGOs or Inventions Same? [ ]
Part 2: My Personal Interest Radar (12 Minutes)
Mentee: Write down 3 things you genuinely enjoy doing during free time or recess.
Interest #1 (My absolute favorite game, hobby, or topic):
Classmates who might also like this (or who play this at recess):
Interest #2 (Another activity or thing I find fun):
Classmates who might also like this:
Recess Mission #1: The Scout Try This Week!
Your goal before our next meeting: During lunch or recess, spot one person who is playing with or talking about something you wrote on your radar. You don't even have to talk yet—just be a friendly detective!
Mentee Fist-Bump Commitment: [ ] I accept the mission! Mentor initials: ________
WEEK 2
The Friendship Recipe & Green Flags
Mission Time: 20 Mins
Mentor: Read this aloud to your mentee!
"When you think 'I don't have friends,' it helps to ask: What kind of friend am I looking for? And what makes someone easy to talk to? Let's spot the Green Flags together!"
Part 1: Green Flags vs. Red Flags (4 Minutes)
Check the Green Flags you want!
A "Green Flag" means someone has friendly, welcoming energy. Check the 3 most important to you:
Smiles back or says "hi" in the hallway
Takes turns and plays fair by the rules
Laughs with people, not AT people
Says "good try!" when someone misses
Lets people join their game or lunch table
Listens when you are telling a story
Part 2: The Ultimate Friend Recipe (11 Minutes)
If you were mixing up the ingredients for an awesome friend, what goes in the bowl?
Ingredient 1
e.g., Sense of Humor
Ingredient 2
e.g., Kind Words
Ingredient 3
e.g., Shares Turns
Which of these ingredients are YOU best at offering to someone else?
Recess Mission #2: The Compliment Spark Try This Week!
Everyone loves a genuine compliment! Your mission this week is to say one nice thing to a classmate (e.g., "Cool drawing!", "Nice sneakers!", or "Great kick in gym!").
Who I plan to compliment:
WEEK 3
The 'Say Hey!' Playbook
Mission Time: 20 Mins
Mentor: Read this aloud to your mentee!
"Walking up to someone can feel nerve-wracking! But once you have a simple script in your mind, it feels like having a superpower. Today we're going to practice 3 easy starters together!"
Part 1: The 3-Second Body Check (3 Minutes)
Practice with your mentor!
1. Soft Eye Contact
Look at their eyes or forehead with a calm face.
2. Open Arms
Hands out of pockets, uncross arms to look welcoming.
3. The Half-Smile
A quick, gentle smile shows you're safe and friendly.
Part 2: 3 Magic Conversation Starters (8 Minutes)
Mentor and mentee: take turns saying these lines out loud!
A
The Curiosity Question (At Desks or Lineup)
"Hey, do you know what page we're on?" or "Who’s your favorite character in that book?"
B
The Compliment Opener (Hallway or Lockers)
"Hey, that’s a cool water bottle/hoodie! Where did you get it?"
C
The Activity Invite (At Recess or Lunch)
"Are you heading over to the field / swings? Mind if I walk over with you?"
Roleplay Practice & Recess Mission #3 Practice Time!
Mentor pretends to be a 4th grade classmate sitting at a table. Mentee tries one starter using the 3-Second Body Check!
Mentor Feedback Score: Eye Contact: ★ ★ ★ | Smile: ★ ★ ★
My Mission Starter: Which starter (A, B, or C) will you try this week? [ ]
WEEK 4
The Recess Recon Mission
Mission Time: 20 Mins
Mentor: Read this aloud to your mentee!
"Recess can feel huge and chaotic when you don't know where to go. Today we’re creating your personal 'Playground Game Plan' so you know exactly where to head and how to join a game!"
Part 1: What Are Your Playground Zones? (5 Minutes)
Circle your favorite 2 zones!
Every school playground has different vibes. Where do you feel most comfortable?
The Active Zone
Four-square, basketball, soccer, tag, monkey bars.
[ ] Choose Zone
The Creative Zone
Chalk art, swings, making games, trading cards.
[ ] Choose Zone
The Chill Zone
Walking & talking, reading bench, picnic table.
[ ] Choose Zone
Part 2: The 3-Step "Join-In" Move (8 Minutes)
How do you join a group that is already playing? Memorize these 3 steps:
1
The 20-Second Scan:
Stand nearby for 20 seconds. Watch the game rules and see who seems friendly.
2
The Line or Pause:
Wait for a break between rounds or line up behind the current players.
3
The Power Question:
Ask: "Can I be next in line?" or "Do you need one more player?"
Recess Mission #4: The Join-In Attempt Action Plan
Fill out your plan right now with your mentor:
Game I will approach:
My backup zone if it's full:
WEEK 5
The Bounce-Back Armor
Mission Time: 20 Mins
Mentor: Read this aloud to your mentee!
"Even 5th graders get told 'no' sometimes! If someone says a game is full or they want to play alone today, it does NOT mean you aren't cool. Today we build our Bounce-Back Armor!"
Part 1: Decoding What "No" Really Means (4 Minutes)
Mentor & Mentee Discussion
What It Might Sound Like:
"The teams are even right now" or "We're in the middle of a round."
What It Actually Means:
It’s just about game rules or timing—not about who you are as a person!
Part 2: The 3 Cool Comebacks (6 Minutes)
When someone says no, walk away like a boss with one of these cool responses:
Comeback 1
"No sweat, maybe next time!"
Comeback 2
"All good, have fun!"
Comeback 3
"Sounds good, catch you later!"
Part 3: My Strength Shield (7 Minutes)
Mentee: Write 3 awesome things about yourself that stay 100% true no matter what happens:
Awesome Fact 1:
Awesome Fact 2:
Awesome Fact 3:
Recess Mission #5: The Courage Challenge Try This Week!
Try asking to join a game or talk to a new person. Celebrate your courage for asking—whether they say yes or no, you win because you tried!
WEEK 6
Friendship Launchpad & Celebration
Mission Time: 20 Mins
Mentor: Read this aloud to your mentee!
"Congratulations! Over the past 6 weeks, you learned how to scout common ground, spot green flags, use conversation starters, join games, and bounce back. You’re ready to launch!"
Part 1: My Friendship Action Plan (6 Minutes)
Write down your go-to friend connections for the rest of the school year:
2 Classmates I Feel Good About Talking To Or Playing With:
My Favorite Recess Spots When I Want Fun:
Official Certificate of Completion
FRIENDSHIP EXPLORER AWARD
This certificate proudly honors
for showing courage, practicing kindness, trying new conversation tools, and building bridges of friendship across the school community!
5th Grade Mentor Signature
4th Grade Mentee Signature
Mentor’s Final Words of Encouragement:
Mentor: Write a warm note to your mentee to keep in their binder!
Celebration Fist Bump Complete! [ ] Date: ________________
