Starter Squad Teacher Guide Starter Squad
Friendship Fun Club • Lesson 1
3rd Grade • 30 Min
Objective
Students will be able to identify and practice at least two social skills important for building and maintaining friendships, such as active listening and sharing.
Why it Matters
Learning strong friendship skills helps students develop healthier relationships, feel more connected in school, and build a positive social environment.
Preparation
• Review lesson plan and activities.
• Print and cut Friendship Warm-Up Cards .
• Print and cut Friendship Scenario Cards .
• Copy Friendship Cool-Down Sheet for each student.
• Gather markers and whiteboard/chart paper.
Instructional Plan
5m
Warm-Up
Friendship Starters
Distribute one Warm-Up Card to each student. Ask them to share their answer with the group. Facilitate a brief discussion about what makes a good friend and why friendship is important.
15m
Activity
Friendship Scenarios Role-Play
Explain that students will act out situations to practice social skills. Present one Scenario Card at a time.
Brainstorm how a good friend would respond.
Volunteer students to role-play the scenario.
Discuss: "What went well?" and "What could be done differently?"
5m
Reflect
Reflecting on Skills
Discuss new skills practiced today. Ask: "How can you use these skills with your friends?" Emphasize that building friendships takes practice and kindness.
5m
Exit
My Friendship Pledge
Distribute the Cool-Down Sheet . Students write or draw one way they will be a good friend this week. Collect as an exit ticket.
Friendship Warm-Up Cards Friendship Warm-Up Cards
Lesson 1: Starter Squad • Cut out along the dashed lines
1
What is your favorite game to play with a friend? Why?
2
If a new student joined your class, how would you make them feel welcome?
3
What is one kind thing you can say to a friend today?
4
Imagine your friend is sad. What could you do to cheer them up?
5
What makes someone a really good listener?
6
If you and a friend both want to play different games, how can you decide what to do?
Friendship Scenario Cards Friendship Scenario Cards
Lesson 1: Starter Squad • Use for Role-Play Practice
1
Sharing Toys
You and your friend both want to play with the same toy. You both grab it at the same time. What do you do?
2
Someone is Left Out
You see a new student sitting alone during playtime. Your friends are playing a fun game, but you notice the new student looks sad. What do you do?
3
A Friend is Upset
Your friend tells you they are really upset because someone was mean to them. What do you say and do to show you care?
4
Working Together
You and your friend are working on a project together, but you both have different ideas about how to do it. How can you work together nicely?
5
Saying Sorry
You accidentally hurt your friend's feelings, even though you didn't mean to. What should you do or say?
6
Inviting to Play
You and your friends are playing a game, and you see another classmate looking at you and wishing they could join. How do you invite them to play?
Friendship Cool-Down Sheet My Friendship Pledge
Name:
Date:
Draw or write one way you will be a good friend this week!
What is one thing you learned today about being a good friend?
Friendship Fun Club
Heart Helpers Teacher Guide Heart Helpers
Friendship Fun Club • Lesson 2
3rd Grade • 30 Min
Objective
Students will be able to demonstrate active listening skills and identify how to show empathy towards their friends.
Why it Matters
Learning to listen actively and show empathy helps students understand their friends better, resolve misunderstandings, and build deeper friendships.
Preparation
• Review lesson plan and empathy strategies.
• Print and cut Listening Warm-Up Prompts .
• Print and cut Empathy Scenario Cards .
• Copy Caring Hearts Reflection for each student.
• Gather whiteboard markers and chart paper.
Instructional Plan
5m
Warm-Up
What Does Listening Look Like?
Distribute Listening Prompts . Students share answers, focusing on physical actions of good listening. Discuss: "Why is it important to really listen?"
15m
Activity
Show Your Empathy
Define empathy as understanding how someone else feels. Use the Empathy Scenario Cards :
Read scenarios aloud and brainstorm feelings.
Role-play empathetic responses and kind words.
Discuss: "How did that action show you care?"
10m
Reflect
My Caring Hearts Pledge
Distribute the Reflection Sheet . Students write or draw a plan to practice active listening or empathy this week. Collect as an exit ticket.
Listening Warm-Up Prompts Listening Warm-Up Prompts
Lesson 2: Heart Helpers • Cut out along the dashed lines
1
What does it look like when someone is really listening to you?
2
What does it sound like when someone is really listening to you?
(Think about their words and tone!)
3
When a friend is talking, what is one thing you should NOT do?
4
How can your body show that you are paying attention?
5
Why is it sometimes hard to listen to others?
6
What is your favorite way for a friend to show they are listening to you?
Empathy Scenario Cards Empathy Scenario Cards
Lesson 2: Heart Helpers • Practice Understanding Feelings
1
Lost Toy
Your friend looks really sad because they lost their favorite toy. They tell you, "I can't believe it's gone!" What do you say and do?
2
Exciting News
Your friend runs up to you, super excited because they learned to ride their bike without training wheels! They say, "Guess what?!" How do you show you're excited for them?
3
Feeling Frustrated
Your friend is trying to build a tall tower with blocks, but it keeps falling down. They sigh loudly and say, "This is impossible!" What can you do or say?
4
Feeling Shy
A new student is sitting quietly by themselves. You notice they look a little nervous. How can you show them you understand they might be shy and make them feel welcome?
5
Accidentally Hurt
Your friend accidentally trips and scrapes their knee during recess. They start to tear up. What do you do and say to show you care?
6
Different Opinion
You and your friend are talking about your favorite animals, and your friend says they don't like your favorite animal at all! You feel a little disappointed. How can you still show you respect their feelings, even if you disagree?
Caring Hearts Reflection Caring Hearts Reflection
Name:
Date:
Draw or write one way you will practice active listening or show empathy this week!
What is one new thing you learned about showing you care for a friend?
Heart Helpers Club
Word Wonders Teacher Guide Word Wonders
Friendship Fun Club • Lesson 3
3rd Grade • 30 Min
Objective
Students will be able to identify and practice giving sincere compliments and using positive language with their friends.
Why it Matters
Using kind words and compliments helps friends feel appreciated, boosts their confidence, and creates a happier environment for everyone.
Preparation
• Review lesson plan and the power of affirmations.
• Print and cut Kind Words Warm-Up cards.
• Print and cut Compliment Jar Activity Cards .
• Copy Building Up My Friends Sheet for each student.
• Gather chart paper and markers for brainstorming.
Instructional Plan
5m
Warm-Up
What Are Kind Words?
Distribute Warm-Up Cards . Discuss the impact of positive words. Ask: "How do kind words make you feel? How do unkind words make you feel?"
15m
Activity
The Compliment Jar
Explain we are filling a "jar" with good words. Use the Activity Cards :
Read a card and brainstorm specific, sincere compliments.
Record ideas on the whiteboard/chart paper.
Practice: Each student gives one direct compliment to a peer in the group.
10m
Reflect
My Positive Friend Pledge
Distribute the Pledge Sheet . Students write or draw a plan to use kind words this week. Collect as an exit ticket.
Kind Words Warm-Up Kind Words Warm-Up
Lesson 3: Word Wonders • Cut out along the dashed lines
1
What is the nicest thing a friend has ever said to you? How did it make you feel?
2
If you see a friend doing something great, what's a kind thing you could say to them?
3
Why is it important to use kind words, even when you're feeling frustrated?
4
What's a positive word you would use to describe a good friend?
5
How can saying "Thank You" change a friend's day?
6
How can you give a compliment to someone you don't know very well yet?
Compliment Jar Activity Cards Compliment Jar Activity
Lesson 3: Word Wonders • Practice Building Each Other Up
Situation 1
Your friend just shared their favorite snack with you.
"What's a compliment you could give them?"
Situation 2
Your friend helped you pick up your pencils when they spilled.
"What's a compliment you could give them?"
Situation 3
Your friend drew a really colorful and detailed picture.
"What's a compliment you could give them?"
Situation 4
Your friend told a really funny joke that made everyone laugh.
"What's a compliment you could give them?"
Situation 5
Your friend listened quietly when you were talking about something important.
"What's a compliment you could give them?"
Situation 6
Your friend tried really hard on a very difficult school assignment.
"What's a compliment you could give them?"
Building Up My Friends Pledge Building Up My Friends
Name:
Date:
Draw or write one way you will use kind, positive words with your friends this week!
What is one new thing you learned about making friends feel good with your words?
Word Wonders Club
Peaceful Pals Teacher Guide Peaceful Pals
Friendship Fun Club • Lesson 4
3rd Grade • 30 Min
Objective
Students will learn and practice at least two strategies for resolving conflicts peacefully with their friends, such as compromising and talking it out.
Why it Matters
Learning how to solve problems helps students navigate disagreements without hurting feelings, strengthening friendships and making social time better.
Preparation
• Review lesson plan and conflict resolution steps.
• Print and cut Conflict Warm-Up Questions .
• Print and cut Friendship Conflict Cards .
• Copy Peaceful Solutions Cool-Down for each student.
• Gather chart paper and markers.
Instructional Plan
5m
Warm-Up
When Friends Disagree
Distribute Warm-Up Questions . Students share responses about common disagreements. Discuss: "Is it okay to disagree with a friend? Why or why not?"
15m
Activity
Finding Fair Solutions
Explain that disagreements happen. Introduce steps: Talk it out, Listen to each other, and Find a compromise. Use Conflict Cards :
Read scenarios and guide students to brainstorm peaceful solutions.
Volunteer students to role-play the scenarios using the new steps.
Discuss: "What was a good solution? How did everyone feel after?"
10m
Reflect
My Peaceful Pledge
Distribute the Cool-Down Sheet . Students write or draw one way they will solve a problem with a friend peacefully. Collect as an exit ticket.
Conflict Warm-Up Questions Conflict Warm-Up Questions
Lesson 4: Peaceful Pals • Cut out along the dashed lines
1
Imagine you and a friend want to play different games. What's the first thing you should do?
2
Your friend accidentally bumps into you and makes you drop your lunch. How do you react?
3
If you and a friend are arguing, what is one good thing you can say to try and make it better?
4
What does it mean to "compromise" when you and a friend disagree?
5
Why is it important to stay calm when you have a problem with a friend?
6
Who is someone you can ask for help if you can't solve a problem with a friend?
Friendship Conflict Cards Friendship Conflict Cards
Lesson 4: Peaceful Pals • Practice Solving Problems Fairly
1
Different Games
You want to play tag, but your friend really wants to play on the swings. Neither of you wants to change your mind. How can you find a fair solution?
2
Accidental Bump
During gym class, your friend accidentally bumps into you and you fall down. You feel a little angry, but your friend didn't mean to do it. What can you say to stay calm?
3
Unkind Words
You and your friend are arguing, and your friend says something unkind. You feel hurt. How can you "talk it out" without saying something mean back?
4
The Big Secret
Your friend accidentally told someone a secret you wanted them to keep. You are very disappointed. How can you explain your feelings and solve the problem?
Peaceful Solutions Cool-Down My Peaceful Pledge
Name:
Date:
Draw or write one way you will solve a problem with a friend peacefully this week!
What is one new thing you learned about finding "fair solutions" today?
Peaceful Pals Club
