Lesson Plan

Friendship Blueprint

Students will develop active listening, empathy, and trust-building skills by engaging in paired and group activities, real-life scenarios, and reflective journaling to foster stronger, healthier friendships.

Middle school relationships form the foundation of emotional well-being. Teaching these skills helps students communicate effectively, resolve conflicts, and build supportive peer connections that last.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials and Review Lesson Plan

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction and Objective Setting

5 minutes

Step 2

Active Listening Activity

8 minutes

Step 3

Empathy Reflection Journals

7 minutes

Step 4

Trust-Building Role-Play

7 minutes

Step 5

Debrief and Exit Ticket

3 minutes

Slide Deck

Friendship Blueprint

Welcome students to the Friendship Blueprint lesson. Introduce yourself and the topic. Briefly explain that today we’ll learn skills to strengthen friendships.

Lesson Objectives

Read the slide out loud. Emphasize how each objective helps them become better friends.

Why Relationships Matter

Discuss with students why strong friendships matter for their well-being, teamwork, and school success.

Active Listening Activity

Explain the Active Listening activity step by step. Model how to take notes and ask clarifying questions.

Active Listening Feedback

Distribute the Active Listening Feedback Sheets now. Circulate to observe pairs and prompt deeper listening.

Empathy Reflection Journals

Hand out Empathy Reflection Journals. Project or pass out scenario cards. Encourage students to imagine feelings.

Sample Relationship Scenarios

Show a few example scenarios on the board. Prompt students to choose one for their journal entry.

Trust-Building Role-Play

Explain group formation and distribute Trust-Building Role-Play Cards. Encourage creativity and focus on trust.

Debrief & Exit Ticket

Bring the class back together. Collect exit tickets to assess understanding.

Key Takeaways & Next Steps

Wrap up the lesson and invite students to apply these skills this week in their friendships.

Lesson Plan

Friendship Blueprint

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials and Review Lesson Plan

Step 1

Introduction and Objective Setting

Step 2

Active Listening Activity

Step 3

Empathy Reflection Journals

Step 4

Trust-Building Role-Play

Step 5

Debrief and Exit Ticket

Slide Deck

Friendship Blueprint

Lesson Objectives

Why Relationships Matter

Active Listening Activity

Active Listening Feedback

Empathy Reflection Journals

Sample Relationship Scenarios

Trust-Building Role-Play

Debrief & Exit Ticket

Key Takeaways & Next Steps

Worksheet

Journal

Worksheet

Worksheet

Cool Down

Script

Friendship Blueprint

QA Individual

Lenny Learning

CASEL

Health & Wellness

Behavioral Supports

Counseling & Therapy

Family Engagement

School Climate

Special Education

Academic Integration

Seasonal

Career & Life Skills

Arts & Creativity

My Lessons

Video Library

Support