Relationship-Building Activities

A dynamic 8-session program to help high school students smoothly transition back to school by building routines, confidence, and social connections. This Tier 1 lesson equips all students with strategies for time management, goal setting, and self-care, ensuring they start the year strong. Each 25-minute session includes collaborative discussions, hands-on activities, and guided scripts for teachers.

In this one-session 30-minute lesson, 4th-6th grade students will reflect on their school-year experiences, celebrate their accomplishments, and create a collaborative end-of-year card. This Tier 2 group support allows students to process mixed emotions, affirm positive moments, and foster a sense of closure and excitement for next year.

This lesson focuses on helping 9th-grade students reconnect with each other and their school environment after a vacation. It's important for building a positive classroom community and easing the transition back to school. The session will last 30 minutes and is designed to be engaging and interactive.

Engage students in building social connections within their classroom community through storytelling and collaborative art. This project encourages trust and understanding, allowing students to explore their personal narratives and find common ground with their peers.

A 30-minute Tier 1 reflection activity for 7th graders transitioning to secondary school. Students will reflect on their feelings, goals, and strategies for success to build confidence and excitement for the upcoming year.

This engaging 7th-grade lesson is designed to welcome students back from break by reigniting their enthusiasm for learning. Through a mix of activities, discussions, and games, students will reflect on their past achievements and set new goals, making the transition back to school smooth and exciting. The lesson is structured for a single 60-minute session and aims to create a positive and motivating classroom environment.

In this 30-minute Pre-K class, students will explore their feelings about the end of the year and the transition to a new grade level through discussion, activities, and creative expression. This lesson supports emotional literacy by helping young learners identify and share their emotions, easing anxiety around change, and building a positive mindset for the year ahead.

In this engaging 9th-grade lesson, students will explore the importance of connections and relationships in their lives through fun activities and games. This lesson aims to foster a sense of community and enhance interpersonal skills, making it relevant and applicable to students' everyday experiences. The session will last 45 minutes and is designed to be inclusive for all students, providing a supportive environment for learning and growth.

This lesson engages students in a game-based activity designed to help them introduce themselves and build new friendships. Through a series of interactive and collaborative tasks, students will learn effective communication and social skills. This lesson is important as it fosters a sense of community and belonging, which is crucial for students' social-emotional development and well-being.

This engaging lesson for 5th graders focuses on building healthy friendships and resolving conflicts. Through interactive activities, games, and discussions, students will learn essential social skills that are crucial for their personal development and everyday interactions. This lesson is designed for a single 45-minute session and includes pre and post surveys to assess understanding and growth.

This lesson involves a scavenger hunt where students interact with classmates based on given clues. It encourages communication, teamwork, and the forming of new friendships. This activity is important as it helps young students develop social skills, learn to work together, and build a sense of community in the classroom.

In this lesson, students will engage in a creative group activity where they present icebreaker self-portraits, highlighting aspects of their identity and goals for the new term. This activity helps foster a sense of belonging and mutual understanding among peers, which is crucial for building a supportive classroom environment. By expressing themselves through art, students can explore their personal identities and connect with classmates on a deeper level.

In this 45-minute, whole-class Tier 1 lesson for 10th graders, students will explore their social supports, identify friendship strengths, and foster positive peer connections over one session. This engaging activity helps students build awareness of healthy relationships and teamwork skills essential for emotional well-being and community building.

In this lesson, 9th graders will engage in quick activities to build supportive relationships. Through ice-breakers and paired discussions, students will practice active listening and empathy, which are crucial skills for developing strong connections with peers. This lesson is important as it helps students feel more connected and supported in their school environment, promoting a positive and inclusive atmosphere.

In this lesson, students will work in groups to build a bridge using everyday materials. This hands-on activity is designed to enhance problem-solving skills and emphasize the importance of teamwork. By engaging in this collaborative task, students will learn to communicate effectively, share ideas, and work towards a common goal, which are essential skills for their academic and personal growth.

In this single 15-minute Tier 2 small-group morning meeting, 4th graders will learn how to build and strengthen friendships through engaging activities. This lesson fosters social skills, empathy, and positive peer connections, helping support students who need extra friendship-building practice.

In this 30-minute lesson, 7th graders will explore key relationship skills—empathy, communication, and conflict resolution—through interactive activities and discussions. This Tier 1 lesson supports a positive classroom community and equips students with practical tools for everyday interactions.

In this engaging lesson, students will participate in a cooperative activity where they build a tower using limited materials. This activity emphasizes teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills, making learning enjoyable and interactive. It helps students develop essential social skills and encourages creative thinking, which are crucial for their academic and personal growth.

In this 30-minute 3rd grade lesson, students will reflect on memorable moments from their school year, share experiences with classmates, and practice empathy by exploring peers’ feelings. By recognizing and appreciating each other’s experiences, they strengthen classroom connections and understanding.

A one-on-one academic coaching tool for a 10th-grade student, focusing on setting and achieving short-term goals mapped to the four seasons over four sessions of 20 minutes each. This Tier 3 individualized lesson helps visualize progress, build motivation, and ensure consistent check-ins by aligning goals with real-world seasonal themes.

Students engage in creative projects that encourage them to design 'bridges'—both literal and metaphorical—representing connections and understanding between diverse perspectives. This lesson fosters inclusivity, empathy, and collaborative problem-solving.

This 4-session lesson plan is designed for K-5th graders at the YMCA, focusing on achievement, belonging, and relationships. Through engaging activities, games, and projects, students will learn the importance of teamwork and collaboration. Each 45-minute session will help students develop social skills and a sense of community, essential for their personal growth and success.

This two-session lesson for 6th graders focuses on teaching students the essential skills for making and maintaining friendships. Through engaging activities and discussions, students will learn how to initiate conversations, show empathy, and build trust. This lesson is crucial for developing social skills that will help students navigate their social environments more effectively.

In this lesson, students will engage in team-building exercises designed to enhance peer relationships and teamwork. Through activities focusing on listening, communication, and mutual support, students will foster a deeper sense of connection with their peers. This lesson is important as it helps students develop essential social skills that are crucial for their personal and academic growth.

This 5-session lesson series is tailored for small groups of students transitioning from middle school to high school, focusing on building new friendships. Each 45-minute session provides strategies to connect with peers, understand social dynamics, and develop communication skills essential for forming meaningful relationships. This lesson is crucial for easing the social transition and fostering a supportive peer network.

In this single 30-minute Tier 1 lesson for 3rd graders, students will reflect on meaningful moments from their school year, share experiences with peers, and practice understanding others’ feelings to strengthen classroom empathy. This lesson builds self-awareness, listening skills, and emotional connection.

In this lesson, students will create 'Friendship Bridges' using art materials. As they work on their projects, they will engage in discussions about the qualities that make good friends and how to support one another. This hands-on activity is designed to help students in Grades K-5 explore social-emotional learning by celebrating and understanding friendship. The lesson is important as it fosters empathy, communication, and collaboration among students, which are essential skills for building positive relationships.

In this engaging 30-minute session, 5th graders will reflect on the year’s social growth, practice key relationship skills, and set goals for middle school. This Tier 2 social skills group helps students build confidence, gratitude, and planning for future friendships. Includes interactive activities, reflection prompts, and a fun closing ritual.

In this 30-minute 3rd grade lesson, students will reflect on their meaningful school-year moments, share personal experiences with peers, and practice empathy by understanding classmates’ feelings. Building empathy strengthens our classroom community and helps students connect more deeply.

This lesson helps middle school students prepare for the transition to high school through a project-based activity. Students will explore high school expectations, social dynamics, and academic challenges, creating a project that reflects their understanding and readiness. This lesson is important as it equips students with the knowledge and confidence needed to navigate the new environment of high school, addressing potential anxieties and fostering a sense of preparedness.

Designed for upper elementary to high school students, this lesson helps ease anxiety around seasonal transitions and encourages students to view change as an opportunity. Through activities and discussions, students will prepare emotionally for summer, focusing on potential growth and new adventures.

This lesson is designed to help students feel more comfortable with the idea of starting at a new school through active learning strategies. It includes interactive activities to build social skills, reduce anxiety, and promote empathy among classmates.

In this lesson, students will use building blocks to construct 'friendship towers' that symbolize the pillars of friendship, such as honesty and support. This interactive activity helps students visualize and understand complex concepts in a simple and engaging way. By the end of the lesson, students will have a better grasp of the qualities that make up strong friendships and how they can embody these traits in their own relationships.

This lesson helps middle school students understand and develop the skills necessary for building and maintaining healthy friendships, using swimming as a metaphor. Through engaging activities and games, students will explore the qualities of a good friend and learn how to communicate effectively, just like a synchronized swimming team. This lesson empowers students with social skills essential for their personal and academic lives. Designed for a small group setting, it will be completed in a single 15-minute session.

In this engaging lesson, kindergarten students will work in teams to build the tallest tower possible using a variety of materials. This activity encourages teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills as students share ideas and collaborate to achieve a common goal. It is an excellent opportunity for young learners to practice social skills and learn the value of working together.

In this 15-minute Tier 1 lesson for kindergarten newcomers, students will engage in simple activities that foster friendships, trust, and a sense of belonging during their first days of school. Through a fun warm-up, guided discussion, group activity, a cooperative game, and a reflective cool-down, kids will start feeling like a classroom community.

This lesson helps students reflect on past achievements and set thoughtful, achievable goals for the upcoming months. By fostering a forward-thinking mindset, students will learn to plan and work towards their personal and academic aspirations, which is crucial for their development and success.

Over three lively 20-minute sessions, 5th-grade girls will strengthen their friendship skills through engaging activities, discussions, and games. This series fosters empathy, communication, and conflict-resolution abilities, helping students form deeper, more supportive bonds in and out of the classroom.

In this lesson, students will engage in activities designed to build teamwork and trust. Through group challenges, they will learn the importance of collaboration and effective communication. This lesson is crucial for developing social-emotional skills that are essential for success in both academic and personal settings.

This lesson guides students in reflecting on their past semester and setting attainable goals for the upcoming year. It encourages introspection and forward-thinking, empowering students to craft personal and academic aspirations aligned with their values. This activity is crucial for helping students develop self-awareness and motivation, which are essential for their personal growth and academic success.

For Grades 4-5, this lesson involves students working together to complete a collaborative art piece. Each student decorates a puzzle piece reflecting their personal strengths and values, which are then assembled to form a cohesive, colorful mural representative of classroom unity.

This 3-session lesson for 3rd graders focuses on developing friendship-building skills, essential for social-emotional growth. Students will engage in activities that promote understanding, empathy, and effective communication, helping them form and maintain positive relationships.

This lesson aims to strengthen students' ability to work together and build connections through interactive and collaborative activities. These skills are critical for effective teamwork and communication both in and out of the classroom.

In this lesson, students will collaboratively create a 'Friendship Tree' where each leaf represents a positive trait or act of kindness from their classmates. This activity fosters a caring and inclusive classroom atmosphere, encouraging students to recognize and celebrate each other's contributions to the community. By participating in this project, students will develop social-emotional skills such as empathy, teamwork, and appreciation for diversity.

This lesson focuses on building trust and collaboration among students through engaging team-building activities. These activities are designed to help students develop key interpersonal skills, such as communication, cooperation, and empathy, while strengthening their bonds with each other. By participating in these challenges, students will learn the importance of trust and teamwork in achieving common goals.

In this lesson, students will participate in a collaborative activity where they pass a ball of yarn to each other, sharing something they learned over break or a positive intention for the new year. This activity creates a visual web that connects students, fostering a sense of unity and understanding among peers. This lesson is important as it helps students build connections and empathy, enhancing their social skills and creating a supportive classroom environment.

A 3-session unit for 2nd graders to celebrate their year, process feelings about change, and build confidence for 3rd grade. This Tier 1 Classroom Lesson uses readings, discussions, activities, and reflective worksheets to guide students through goodbyes and transitions in 30-minute sessions.

In this lesson, students will engage in activities designed to build peer support and teamwork skills. Through group projects and team-building exercises, students will learn the importance of collaboration and mutual aid. This lesson is crucial for developing a supportive classroom environment where students feel valued and connected to their peers.

In this 30-minute group lesson designed for 'Achievers', students will explore the importance of building supportive relationships. This lesson is crucial as it helps students understand the value of empathy, communication, and trust in forming meaningful connections. The session includes engaging activities and games tailored to accommodate students with ADD, ADHD, and Autism, ensuring an inclusive learning environment.

This six-week lesson plan is designed to help two 4th grade girls develop essential friendship skills through engaging activities, discussions, and videos. Each session will focus on different aspects of friendship, such as communication, empathy, and collaboration, using trauma-informed teaching, collaborative learning, and restorative practices. This approach will create a safe and supportive environment for the students to explore and enhance their social skills.

In this 15-minute Tier 1 lesson, students will practice introducing themselves and describing their summer break using verbal and nonverbal responses. This lesson supports access points learners with hand-over-hand assistance, visual prompts, and adaptable activities to build communication skills and confidence.

This lesson plan is designed to help high school students develop the skills necessary to make and maintain friendships. Over four sessions, students will engage in discussions, activities, and reflections that focus on communication, confidence, and empathy. The lesson is important as it equips students with essential social skills that are crucial for personal and academic success.

Kick off the school year by helping first graders set personal learning goals in a fun, interactive way that builds classroom community and confidence. In this 15-minute, one-session Tier 1 lesson, students will identify what they want to learn, share with peers, and craft a visual Goal Garden. Perfect for a first-grade audience ready to bloom!

In this 30-minute 3rd grade Tier 1 lesson, students will reflect on meaningful moments from their school year, share experiences with peers, and practice empathy by recognizing others’ feelings. This lesson builds classroom community and social-emotional skills.

In this 30-minute group lesson, 4th grade students will explore the upcoming transition to middle school, discuss challenges and strategies for success, and build confidence. This lesson helps students voice their concerns, practice problem-solving, and form peer support before the next school year.

This lesson is designed for 8th grade girls to help them learn how to make new friends, focusing on social skills and building connections. It's a single 20-minute session that includes interactive activities and discussions, making it ideal for students with social skills IEP goals.

This six-week lesson plan is designed to help two 4th grade girls develop essential friendship skills through engaging activities, discussions, and videos. Each session will focus on different aspects of friendship, such as communication, empathy, and collaboration, using trauma-informed teaching, collaborative learning, and restorative practices. This approach will create a safe and supportive environment for the students to explore and enhance their social skills.

In this 30-minute lesson, 9th graders will explore the key ingredients of making and sustaining friendships through interactive activities and reflective practice. Students will learn why friendships matter for well-being and develop strategies to initiate, build, and maintain connections. Perfect for Tier 1 classroom support to foster social skills campus-wide.

This lesson guides 3rd graders through building a paper tower collaboratively, fostering cooperation, communication, and problem-solving skills. It's important because it helps students practice essential relationship skills in a fun, hands-on way that reinforces teamwork and shared decision-making. Audience: 3rd grade, Tier 1, 1 session (45 minutes).

This lesson for Grades 1-3 involves a collaborative building challenge, encouraging teamwork and communication. Students will work in groups to complete a task with limited resources, helping to develop cooperation skills and patience. The end reflection invites students to share what worked well and how they overcame any obstacles.

In this 30-minute, single-session lesson, 3rd graders will reflect on their school year through the lens of empathy. Students will recall meaningful moments, share with classmates, and practice understanding others’ feelings—strengthening classroom community and social-emotional skills.

A one-session, 30-minute group lesson for 1st graders exploring end-of-year feelings and transitions. Students will recognize and name their emotions, practice expressing them, and build coping strategies for the upcoming break—an essential step for social-emotional growth, especially for multilingual learners through UDL supports.

In this lesson, 4th and 5th-grade students will explore the importance of friendship and teamwork through engaging group activities. By focusing on communication skills and empathy, students will learn to foster stronger peer relationships. This lesson is crucial for developing social-emotional skills that are essential for personal growth and successful collaboration in various settings.

In this lesson, students will gather in a circle to share their holiday experiences and new year hopes. This open dialogue encourages empathy and understanding, providing students with a sense of connection and community as they reflect on shared experiences and future aspirations. This lesson is important as it helps students develop social-emotional skills, such as active listening and empathy, which are crucial for building a supportive classroom environment.

This lesson plan is designed to provide K-3 students with a week of fun and engaging fall-themed after-school activities. By incorporating Game-Based Learning, Project-Based Learning, and Blended Learning strategies, students will have the opportunity to explore, create, and learn in a playful environment. These activities will not only entertain but also help develop social skills, creativity, and problem-solving abilities, making them an essential part of holistic education.

In this lesson, students will explore and share their own cultural and familial holiday traditions. This activity aims to foster a sense of community and appreciation for diversity within the classroom. By learning about each other's traditions, students will develop empathy and understanding, which are crucial for building a supportive and inclusive environment.

In this lesson, students will create 'fortune tellers' to learn how to ask questions and share interests with new friends. This interactive activity helps students understand the foundations of making friends through fun and creativity. It is important as it encourages social interaction, communication skills, and empathy among students.

This lesson engages students in cooperative challenges to foster teamwork, communication, and mutual support. Through a series of puzzles and tasks, students will learn the importance of collaboration and how to effectively work together to achieve common goals. This lesson is crucial for developing social skills and building a supportive classroom environment.

In this lesson, students will collaborate in pairs or small groups to create holiday cards for their favorite teacher, staff member, or school community helper. This activity encourages students to express appreciation creatively and fosters a sense of gratitude and teamwork. It is important as it helps students develop social-emotional skills and strengthens community bonds within the school.

In this lesson, students will create a 'Friendship Tree' using their handprints as leaves, each featuring a student's name and a positive trait or action that contributes to the class community. This collaborative art project encourages awareness of each other's strengths and fosters a sense of unity and support. By engaging in this activity, students will develop a greater appreciation for their peers and learn the importance of positive contributions to their community.

This lesson is designed to help 5th-grade students transition smoothly to middle school by addressing common concerns and building excitement for the new experiences ahead. Through engaging activities, games, and discussions, students will gain confidence and practical strategies for navigating middle school life. This single 40-minute session will empower students to embrace this new chapter with enthusiasm and readiness.

In this 30-minute, one-session lesson, 6th-grade students will engage in interactive, fun team-building activities to enhance collaboration, communication, and trust. This Tier 1 classroom lesson fosters a positive classroom community and equips students with essential social skills.

A summer kickoff lesson that uses a fun treasure-hunt theme to introduce self-awareness and self-management for 3rd graders in a 45-minute session. This Tier 1 lesson builds buy-in and confidence through engaging challenges and reflection activities.

In this lesson, students will initiate a pen-pal project with local elders, learning from their experiences and sharing their own stories. This intergenerational exchange fosters mutual respect and understanding, while nurturing empathy and communication skills. Suitable for upper elementary to high school students.

This lesson involves an indoor 'treasure hunt' where Pre-K students search for tokens symbolizing aspects of friendship, such as sharing, listening, and kindness. The activity encourages teamwork and helps students understand the importance of these values in building friendships. By working together, students will develop social skills and strengthen their bonds with classmates.

In this 30-minute 3rd grade lesson, students reflect on meaningful moments from their school year, share experiences, and practice seeing things from others’ perspectives to strengthen empathy and classroom community.