Introduction
One essential skill in Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) for high school students is learning how to make plans with friends. Making plans involves communication, negotiation, and collaboration, which are all crucial life skills. In this blog post, we will provide a no-prep activity, discussion questions, and additional related skills to help educators teach high school students the art of making plans with friends.
No-Prep Activity: Role-Playing Scenarios
This activity requires no preparation or materials from the educator and helps students practice making plans with friends through role-playing. Divide the class into pairs, and ask each pair to create a scenario where they need to make plans to hang out. Encourage them to include details like the activity they’re planning, the day, and the time.
For example, a conversation could go as follows:
Student A: Do you want to do something this weekend?
Student B: Sure! What should we do?
Student A: I was thinking you could come over, and we could watch movies?
Student B: Okay. When?
Student A: Are you free on Saturday afternoon?
Student B: Yeah. I could come at 3.
Student A: Awesome!
Have each pair practice their scenario, taking turns playing the roles of the initiator and the responder. After a few minutes, ask the pairs to switch partners and create new scenarios. This activity helps students practice communication, negotiation, and collaboration skills in a safe and structured environment.
Discussion Questions
After the role-playing activity, use the following questions to stimulate further discussion among your students:
- What challenges did you face when trying to make plans with your partner during the activity?
- How did you overcome those challenges, and what strategies did you use to reach an agreement?
- Why is it essential to consider the other person’s preferences and availability when making plans?
- How can effective communication help in avoiding misunderstandings and conflicts when making plans with friends?
- What are some ways to handle a situation where a friend cannot commit to a plan or cancels at the last minute?
Related Skills
Teaching students how to make plans with friends also helps develop other essential SEL skills, such as:
- Active Listening: Paying attention to what the other person is saying, clarifying, and understanding their point of view.
- Empathy: Putting oneself in another person’s shoes and understanding their feelings and emotions.
- Conflict Resolution: Identifying and resolving disagreements in a healthy, respectful, and constructive manner.
- Assertiveness: Expressing one’s thoughts, feelings, and opinions in a respectful and confident manner without being aggressive or passive.
Next Steps
Teaching high school students how to make plans with friends is an essential part of their social-emotional development. If you’re interested in exploring more activities and resources to support your students’ SEL journey, sign up for free samples of our skill-building materials. With these resources, you can help your students develop the skills they need to build strong relationships and navigate their social world successfully.
