Friendship Filter Worksheet Friendship Filters
Lesson 1: The Blueprint for Good Friends
Name:
Date:
The Filter Check
Not everyone belongs in your "inner circle." Just like a filter keeps out debris, a friendship filter helps you choose people who build you up.
Essential Ingredients
What qualities are non-negotiable? Circle the top 5 traits you look for:
Honesty
Kindness
Funny
Loyalty
Good Listener
Respectful
My Friendship Filter
Write "Must-Haves" inside the filter and "Red Flags" outside.
Red Flags
Must-Have Qualities
Inner Circle Definition
Stop Signs
Self-Reflection
What is one "Must-Have Quality" you can work on improving this week?
I want to work on being more...
Flag Sorter Game Flag Sorter Game
Lesson 1: Friendship Filters
How to Play
Cut out the cards below. Work as a group to sort them into three categories: Green Flags (Safe/Healthy), Yellow Flags (Proceed with Caution), and Red Flags (Stop/Unsafe). Discuss why each behavior fits its category.
They listen to your ideas, even if they disagree.
They only want to hang out when they need something.
They pressure you to do things you're not comfortable with.
They celebrate your successes without being jealous.
They get angry when you spend time with other friends.
They gossip about other people to you.
They tell your secrets to other people after promising not to.
They apologize when they hurt your feelings.
They make fun of you in front of others to look "cool."
They are honest with you, even when it's hard.
They ignore your texts or calls for days when they're mad.
They stand up for you when someone else is being mean.
The Sorting Station
Green Flags
Healthy, safe, and supportive behaviors. These friends build you up!
Yellow Flags
Caution! Behaviors that might be okay once, but are worrying if they happen often.
Red Flags
Warning! Unhealthy, controlling, or harmful behaviors. These relationships need boundaries.
Friendship Forge Assessment Test Friendship Forge Assessment
Measuring Your Friendship Skills
Name:
Date:
Pre-Test
Post-Test
Part 1: Friendship Filters
1. Which of the following is a Red Flag in a friendship?
They listen to your ideas even when they disagree.
They pressure you to do things that make you uncomfortable.
They apologize when they accidentally hurt your feelings.
They celebrate when you succeed at something difficult.
2. A Green Flag friend is someone who:
Only hangs out with you when they need something.
Gossips about you to other people behind your back.
Respects your boundaries and is honest with you.
Tells your private secrets to the whole class.
Part 2: Communication & Conflict
3. When using an "I" Statement, what should you focus on first?
Explaining what the other person did wrong.
Stating how you feel about the situation.
Demanding that the other person says sorry immediately.
4. What is an example of Active Listening?
Thinking about your own answer while the other person talks.
Interrupting to share your own story on the same topic.
Reflecting back what you heard to check for understanding.
Part 3: The Repair Shop
5. A meaningful apology should always include:
An excuse for why you did it (like "I was just tired").
A specific plan for how you will fix the problem.
A list of mistakes the other person made in the past.
Part 4: Self-Reflection
Rate yourself from 1 (Needs Work) to 5 (Mastered):
I can tell the difference between a good friend and a toxic one.
12345
I know how to resolve a disagreement without shouting.
12345
I am able to use "I" statements when I am upset.
12345
I know how to give a sincere apology when I've made a mistake.
12345
Friendship Forge Leader Guide Leader Guide
Friendship Forge: 4-Week Curriculum
Curriculum Objective
The Friendship Forge curriculum is designed for students in grades 4-6 to develop social-emotional competencies in relationship management. Students will learn to distinguish between healthy and unhealthy traits, use effective communication to prevent escalation, and master the art of repair after conflict.
Group Logistics
Group Size: 4-8 studentsDuration: 30-45 minutesMaterials: Printouts, dice, markers, scissors, glue.
Lesson 1: Friendship Filters
IDENTIFY
Focus: Healthy (Green) vs. Unhealthy (Red) behaviors.
"We all have filters that decide who gets into our inner circle. What does yours look like?"
Activity: Flag Sorter Game (Collaborative sort).Project: Friendship Filter Art (The funnel).
Lesson 2: Conflict Compass
NAVIGATE
Focus: Perspective-taking and de-escalation strategies.
"Conflict isn't bad—it's just a crossroad. The compass helps you find the way to Resolution Peak."
Activity: Conflict Compass Board Game.Discussion: "Win-Win" vs. "Win-Lose" outcomes.
Lesson 3: Bridge Builders
COMMUNICATE
Focus: "I" Statements and Active Listening.
"A bridge needs two sides to stand. We build our side with our words and our ears."
Activity: Bridge Builder Role Play Cards.Practice: Completing the "I Statement Blueprint" for real-life scenarios.
Lesson 4: The Repair Shop
RESTORE
Focus: Meaningful apologies and reconciliation.
"Sometimes bridges break. The Repair Shop is where we glue things back together."
Activity: The 4-Part Apology Blueprint.Project: Repairing the Connection (Art activity).
Assessment Protocol
Administer the Assessment Test at the beginning of Lesson 1 (Pre-Test) and at the end of Lesson 4 (Post-Test). Use the results to track improvements in identifying red flags, understanding communication structures, and self-confidence in social situations.
Conflict Compass Game Conflict Compass
Navigate the Path to Resolution
Lesson 2 Game
Game Rules
Follow the compass arrows!
Roll one die and move your piece.
Follow the path of the arrows.
If you land on , pick a Scenario!
First to Resolution Peak wins!
START
Someone cuts in line. What do you say?
Take 3 deep breaths.
SCENARIO
A friend is late. Move back 1 space.
Share a "Perspective Shift."
Think before you speak.
Conflict Heat! Move back 2.
Count to 10 slowly.
SCENARIO
Someone laughs at your mistake.
Compromise! Move forward 1.
SCENARIO
Listen without talking.
Kindness Bonus! Move forward 2.
A friend didn't invite you.
SCENARIO
Walk away and cool down.
Ask for a "Do-Over."
Admit you were wrong.
They broke your favorite pen.
SCENARIO
Look for a Win-Win.
Say "I feel upset when..."
SCENARIO
Agree to disagree.
Give a sincere apology.
Find a middle ground.
Forgive a small mistake.
RESOLUTION PEAK
Scenario Cards
Misunderstanding
A friend thinks you were talking about them behind their back. They are ignoring you.
Competition
Both you and your friend want to be lead in the play. You got it, they didn't. Things feel awkward.
Exclusion
Your friends are planning a party, but they haven't invited you yet. They keep whispering.
Property
A friend borrowed your sweatshirt and returned it stained. They didn't mention it.
Difference
You want to play basketball, but your friend wants to play video games. No one wants to give in.
Pressure
Friends want to prank a student. You think it's mean, they say "relax."
Secret Sharing
You told a friend a secret, and now you found out they told someone else.
Game Rules
A friend is "cheating" at a game you are playing together because they hate losing.
Bridge Builders Role Play Cards Bridge Builders
Lesson 3: The Blueprint for Communication
The "I" Statement Blueprint
1
I feel... [emotion]
2
When... [behavior]
3
Because... [impact]
4
I would like... [request]
Active Listening Tools
Bridge Building Tasks
Job #1
A friend borrows your favorite video game and keeps it for three weeks without asking.
Job #2
Your friend is constantly interrupting you whenever you try to tell a story.
Job #3
A friend makes a joke that hurts your feelings, but everyone else is laughing.
Job #4
Your friend only wants to talk about their hobby and never asks about yours.
Practice Box
Write an "I" statement for one of the scenarios above:
I Feel...
When...
Because...
I would like...
Repair Shop Kit Plus Art The Repair Shop
Lesson 4: Fixing What's Broken
Maintenance Required
Even the best friendships need repairs. A meaningful apology is the glue that holds everything together.
The 4-Part Repair Blueprint
A
The "What"
"I am sorry for talking behind your back."
B
The Impact
"I know that it hurt your feelings and broke trust."
C
The Fix
"In the future, I will talk to you directly."
D
The Request
"Can you forgive me?"
Repair Project
Write "The Damage" on the left and your "Repair Glue" (Apology) on the right.
The Damage
The Repair Glue
Final Tool Check
An apology is a repair attempt. Whether they accept it or not, you've done the work to build a better version of yourself.
