High school students often engage in social activities with friends outside of school. In this blog post, we will discuss how to teach students the essential steps in making plans with friends, and provide an easy, no-prep activity for educators to use in the classroom. By developing these skills, students will be better equipped to engage in meaningful social interactions and strengthen their relationships with their peers.

Introduction

As students grow older, they begin to spend more time with friends outside of school, engaging in various activities and events. Learning how to effectively make plans with friends is a crucial skill for high school students, as it fosters collaboration, communication, and empathy. In this blog post, we will explore an easy, no-prep activity for educators to teach students the process of making plans with friends, and provide discussion questions to stimulate further conversations.

No-Prep Activity

This no-prep activity is designed to help students practice making plans with friends in a structured and engaging manner. The activity requires no materials or preparation from the educator.

1. Divide the students into pairs.
2. Ask each pair to come up with a hypothetical situation where they would like to hang out with their friends (e.g., going to the movies, playing sports, having a picnic, etc.).
3. Have the students take turns playing the roles of the planner and the friend, and guide them through the steps of making plans with friends (discussed in the introduction).
4. Encourage the students to consider each other’s preferences and limitations while making plans.
5. After each pair has completed the activity, have them share their plans with the class.

This activity not only helps students practice making plans with friends but also encourages them to think about the needs and preferences of others, promoting empathy and understanding.

Discussion Questions

After completing the no-prep activity, facilitate a discussion with the students using the following questions:

1. Why is it important to consider the preferences and limitations of your friends when making plans?
2. How can effective communication help in making plans with friends?
3. What are some potential challenges you may face when making plans with friends, and how can you overcome them?
4. How can making plans with friends help strengthen your relationships?
5. What other skills do you think are important for making plans with friends and maintaining healthy friendships?

Related Skills

Helping students develop the ability to make plans with friends can also contribute to their growth in other areas of social-emotional learning. Some related skills that students may benefit from include:

• Active listening
• Conflict resolution
• Empathy and understanding
• Decision-making
• Assertiveness

Next Steps

To further support your students in developing their social-emotional skills, we invite you to explore free sample materials available at Everyday Speech. These resources can help you teach students a variety of essential skills, including making plans with friends and other important aspects of social-emotional learning. Sign up today and start empowering your students with the tools they need to thrive in their social lives.