Tuesday, February 1, 2011

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 1st 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!
 
  

4 comments:

  1. So cute! This is wonderful!! Congratulations on both teaching your kids how to be friends and modeling friendship the way you do each day Jana!

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  2. Wow, I didn't think anyone else called their students 'sprouts' except me! Very cool!

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  3. Mr. A. I picked up the term "Sprouts" during my student teaching block. My cooperating teacher called her students "Sprouts," I thought it was a great term to use for kiddos just starting out....they are Sprouting! Thanks for reading my Blog. I read yours all the time. Hopefully, it will someday be half as good as yours!

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  4. Kinderchat.....Thank you for the kind and encouraging words!

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