Different Kinds of Friends and How to Be a Good Friend
Learning Goals:
- Learn new words about friendship.
- Talk about different types of friends and what makes a good friendship.
- Read a story about two friends.
- Listen to someone talk about different kinds of friends.
- Write a letter to a friend about boundaries.
Key Words:
- Acquaintance: Someone you know, but not very well. (Example: Someone you say “hi” to in class.)
- Casual Friend: Someone you like and see sometimes, but you don’t share your secrets with them.
- Close/Intimate Friend: Someone you trust and know very well. You share your feelings and experiences with them.
Important Things for a Good Friendship:
- Respect: Caring about the other person’s feelings and ideas.
- Honesty: Telling the truth.
- Kindness: Being helpful and friendly.
- Boundaries: Understanding and respecting what the other person is comfortable with.
- Communication: Talking and listening to each other openly and honestly.
Let’s Talk About It!
- Do you have different kinds of friends? (Acquaintances, casual friends, close friends?)
- What do you think makes a good friend?
- Have you ever had a disagreement with a friend? How did you resolve it?
Let’s Read a Story!
Leo and Max were best friends. They spent lots of time together, but sometimes Max wanted to be alone or do his own thing. Leo didn’t understand, and it caused some problems. Finally, Max explained how he was feeling. Leo listened, and they agreed to respect each other’s space.
Questions About the Story:
- Why did Leo and Max have a problem?
- How did they solve it?
- What can we learn from this story?
Listen and Learn!
(Teacher plays a short clip of someone explaining different kinds of friendships and why they’re important.)
Talk with a Partner!
One of you is having trouble in a friendship. The other is a friend giving advice.
Example:
- Person 1: “My friend wants to spend time with me every day, but sometimes I need space.”
- Person 2: “You should explain how you’re feeling. It’s okay to have boundaries. Tell your friend that you need some time alone sometimes.”
Homework:
Write a short letter to a friend explaining why you appreciate their friendship and how you can both respect each other’s boundaries.
Extra Fun:
Make a drawing of you and your friends doing something you all enjoy together.
