Change is inevitable, especially during the formative middle school years. Friendships evolve, and some may drift apart while others strengthen. It’s crucial for students to understand these dynamics and handle them with grace and empathy. If you’re a middle school educator looking for a no-prep, engaging lesson plan, we’ve got you covered. Introducing our “Free Middle School Handling Change with Friends Worksheet.”

Why Address Friendship Changes in Middle School?

Middle school is a tumultuous time, filled with academic challenges, puberty, and shifting social dynamics. As friends grow and change, it’s common for students to experience confusion, hurt, or uncertainty. By addressing these changes head-on, educators can:

1. Foster empathy and understanding.
2. Equip students with coping tools.
3. Strengthen classroom community.

The “Fill-in-the-blank” Approach: Why It Works

A “Fill-in-the-blank” approach, especially in the form of a worksheet, is interactive and encourages reflection. It’s also flexible, allowing students to express their feelings in a structured yet personal way.

Lesson Plan: Handling Change with Friends

Duration: 30 minutes

Materials Needed: Copies of the free Middle School Handling Changes with Friends Worksheet.

Introduction (5 minutes)

1. Open Discussion: Begin with a general discussion on friendships. Ask questions like:
   • “What do you value in a friend?”
   • “Have you ever experienced changes in a friendship? How did it feel?”

Activity: Fill-in-the-blank Worksheet (10 minutes)

1. Distribute Worksheets: Hand out the “MS Handling Change with Friends Worksheet.”
2. Individual Work: Allow students 10 minutes to complete the worksheet individually.
3. Group Sharing: Allow volunteers to share their answers. Emphasize there are no wrong responses, and it’s okay if they don’t want to share.

Debrief and Reflection (10 minutes)

1. Discuss Key Themes: Address common feelings and experiences students have shared. Highlight the importance of communication & understanding in handling friendship changes.
2. Offer Coping Strategies: Share coping techniques, like journaling, speaking to a trusted adult, or engaging in a favorite activity to navigate emotions.

Conclusion (5 minutes)

1. Summarize Key Points: Reiterate the inevitability of change and the importance of handling it with understanding.
2. Homework/Extension: Encourage students to speak with a friend they might have drifted from or simply want to understand better. Have them reflect on the conversation in their journal or during the next class.

Key Takeaways

Changes in friendships during middle school are natural and can be navigated with understanding and empathy. Our “Free Middle School Handling Change with Friends Worksheet” is an engaging tool that fosters reflection and discussion.

Transitioning through the phases of middle school isn’t easy, but with the right tools and guidance, students can emerge more resilient and compassionate.

Sample Video

Students learn best from watching real students their own age model skills. Try out this sample video-modeling lesson below. We offer our entire Social-Emotional Learning platform free for 30 days here!

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