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Building Friendships
by Julia Efland, Learn NC
The class will listen to the counselor/teacher read the book: “Enemy Pie” by Derek Munson and a discussion will follow. This lesson will be summarized by listening to the students share their Friendship Recipes created from the new ideas learned from “Enemy Pie.” An example of “Friendship Pie” is on an attachment.
A lesson plan for Grades K–5 Guidance
Students will learn:
- that sometimes we are surprised when we spend time with someone we previously thought we would not like and find this person to be very likeable and he/she may become a great friend.
- not to judge someone until they really get to know them well.
- that spending time with someone is the best way to get to know them.
- that our friendships can fluctuate and change.
Time required for lesson: 30-40 minutes
Materials/resources
Friendship Recipe attachment
Book: Enemy Pie by Derek Munson
Index cards for grades 2-3. Large sheet of paper for K-1 grades for “class friendship recipe”
Bowl,Measuring cups,and pie plate as props
Technology resources
Make an overhead of the Friendship Recipe attachment
Pre-activities
Understand the meaning of “friendships.”
Activities
The school counselor/teacher will ask students to help her brainstorm ingredients (for about five minutes)for a secret recipe for creating great friends. The counselor/teacher will then read the book, Enemy Pie by Derek Munson. Discussion of the book will follow.
Ask students:
- What does the word “enemy” mean to you?
- Why do you think children have enemies?
- Why was Jeremy Ross on his “enemy list”?
- What did the boy learn from spending the entire day with his number one enemy?
- How did he manage to turn his enemy into a friend?
Review the overhead example of a recipe for “Friendship Pie.” Tell each student they may become famous for their new “Friendship Pie” which will be even bigger and better than the example with all their great ideas on friendship. Encourage them to use the measurement tools they have learned in math this year. Kindergarten and first grader will make a class recipe with the counselor/teacher writing the recipe on a large sheet of paper. Second and third grade classrooms will each be given an index card to make their own “Friendship Pie.” Summarize the meaning of friendships through students sharing their “soon to be famous” Friendship Recipe(s) with the class.
Assessment
Students will be able to discuss the questions posed by the counselor/teacher concerning Enemy Pie.
Students will be able to create at least four ingredients for their recipe for friendship.
