Making friends

Starting secondary school is an exciting time for students to meet new people in a new environment. However, it can also be a challenging and anxious time. It is important that students find a group they are comfortable with and to which they feel they belong, to help them face the challenges of starting at a new school. Exploring ways to make new friends will help students to understand the importance of friendships.

Year Level

Transition

Duration

20 minutes

Type

  • In class activity

SEL Competencies

  • Social awareness
  • Relationship skills

Learning Intention

Students learn why making new friendships is important, by exploring how to make new friends and practising making connections.

Key Outcomes

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

  • explain why making new friends is important in helping them to settle into a new school
  • identity ways to make new friends
  • practise making new connections by finding things in common.
activity 01

Class brainstorm: Friendships 5 min

  1. On a whiteboard or in a central place, write the question, ‘Why are friendships important?’
  2. Ask students to list reasons and discuss as you go. Examples include:
    • to have fun
    • to feel supported
    • to learn from
    • to provide a sense of belonging
    • to experience new things
    • to face challenges together.
  3. Conclude the activity by explaining that starting secondary school is an opportunity for them to make new friends and to build on new and existing connections. Emphasise that it's important to find a group where they feel comfortable and to which they feel they belong, as this will help them to settle into school and face the challenges that are a part of making the transition.