Lesson Plan

Friendship Fixers Plan

Students will identify key qualities of a good friend, practice empathy, and apply simple conflict-resolution strategies through discussion and role-play, then reflect on how to be supportive peers.

Building friendship skills and resolving disagreements with empathy fosters a positive classroom community, reduces conflicts, and helps 3rd graders develop essential social and communication abilities.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Material Preparation

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up Discussion

5 minutes

Step 2

Introduce Friendship Qualities

10 minutes

Step 3

Role-Play Conflict Resolution

20 minutes

Step 4

Reflection and Sharing

7 minutes

Step 5

Cool-Down Commitment

3 minutes

Slide Deck

Friendship Fixers

Welcome everyone! Today we’re starting our Friendship Fixers lesson. We will learn what makes a good friend and practice solving problems kindly. Encourage active participation.

Warm-Up Discussion

Warm up by asking students to think quietly for a moment. Then invite 2–3 volunteers to share their stories. Highlight feelings like happiness, relief, or trust.

Friendship Qualities

Display the [Friendship Qualities Chart](#friendship-qualities-chart) on the board or projector. Read each quality aloud, then ask students for real-life examples.

Role-Play Conflict Resolution

Explain roles (speaker, listener, mediator). Distribute one [Conflict-Resolution Role-Play Cards](#conflict-role-play-cards) scenario per group. Remind students to use “I feel…” and active listening phrases. Rotate roles every 5 minutes.

Reflection & Sharing

Hand out the [Friendship Reflection Worksheet](#friendship-reflection-worksheet). Give students 3 minutes to write one thing they learned and one promise to be a better friend. Then pair share.

Class Promise

Ask each student to call out one friendship goal. Record all goals on the board as the Class Promise. Conclude with praise and a reminder to practice these skills daily.

Lesson Plan

Friendship Fixers Plan

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Material Preparation

Step 1

Warm-Up Discussion

Step 2

Introduce Friendship Qualities

Step 3

Role-Play Conflict Resolution

Step 4

Reflection and Sharing

Step 5

Cool-Down Commitment

Slide Deck

Friendship Fixers

Warm-Up Discussion

Friendship Qualities

Role-Play Conflict Resolution

Reflection & Sharing

Class Promise

Worksheet

Reading

Activity

Friendship Fixers

Madeline Miller