The Friendship Box

After Monday night’s Twitter topic with my #kinderchat PLN on bullying, I started thinking about ways I as a classroom teacher help my students learn the life skill of being a friend.  Wondering and questioning myself "Do I do enough to help develop this skill with my students?"

A few years ago when I made the move from teaching 1^st grade to teaching Kindergarten, I attended a Kindergarten conference hoping to gain a few ideas to use in my new adventure.  I walked away with many great ideas.  The Friendship Box being among one of my favorites.  I do not know the presenter’s name that shared this idea, but I am glad she/he did!  I use The Friendship Box daily during the first quarter of school.  After that I use it on Mondays during our morning meeting time (calendar) to start the week off on a positive note.  

The Friendship Box: Words and Deeds to Make Friends

·        Wrap a small box like a present, making sure the lid can come off. 

·        Attach a tag to the box that says “A friend is a present you give to yourself.”

·        Fill the box with laminated cards that have the following written on them.

Examples of things I write on the cards.  I am sure there are many more ideas to add to the box.

Ways to make a friend

·        Help a friend clean up.

·        Share a book, crayon, scissors, pencil, etc. with a friend.

·        Help a friend when they get hurt.

·        Help a friend find something.

·        Cheer up a sad friend.

·        Smile when you look at a friend.

·        Ask a friend to play with you at recess.

·        Help a friend with their back backpack.

Things to say to make a friend

·        Are you O.K.?

·        I like to sit by you.

·        Will you please be my partner?

·        I like what you made.

·        I like what you built.

·        I think you are really good at __________.

I have the Leader of the Day pull out a card.  I then read the card and role play what the card says with the leader. Then we discuss why this would be a good way to make a friend or be a friend.

I also have a friendship necklace that I let students wear when I see or someone tells me they have seen someone being a good friend.  We always try to make it a big deal when someone is being a good friend. 

One website that I have also found to have some great book selections and friendship poems is: http://web.archive.org/web/20080109151939/http://www.theteachersroom.com/friendship.htm

Learning to be a student at the age of 5 is not an easy job.  In my opinion, it is my job to make sure I do all I can to help each student develop the life skill of not only making new friends, but being a good friend as well.

Friends

Friends at school
Are big and small.
Friends at school
Are best of all!